Lucille Shutes Liebhart, age 94, passed away June 1, 2013 at Alpha Senior Concepts in Green Bay, Wis. She was born March 30, 1919 in Seymour, Wis. to the late Frank and Louise (Hintz) Dunst.
At the age of 16 she moved to Royal Oak, Mich. where she attended the Detroit Art School. She was employed by Burroughs Adding Machine Co. when she met and married Phillip Shutes in 1940. She later was employed by AAA Travel Company where she worked for many years until her retirement in 1980. After living many years in Royal Oak, the couple moved to Pontiac, Mich. where Phillip died in 1982.
Following her husband’s death, Lucille moved to Mesa, where she eventually met and married Robert Liebhart in 1996. Soon after their marriage, the couple moved to Payson. Lucille’s husband, Robert, died following a car accident in 2001, which also hospitalized Lucille.
In 2007 Lucille returned to Wisconsin to be near family.
Mrs. Liebhart was an active member in her church and an avid traveler, seeing all 50 states and many countries all over the world.
She is survived by one nephew; three nieces; and other relatives.
Mrs. Liebhart was preceded in death by two husbands, Phillip Shutes and Robert Liebhart; two brothers, Elwyn Dunst, Sr. and Harvey Dunst; one sister, Leona Krueger; three nephews and two nieces.
Friends may call from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 11 at Ponderosa Bible Church, 1800 N. Beeline Highway; services are at 11 a.m. with Pastor David Greene officiating.
Burial will take place at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix.

Millard Frank “Metch” Meccia, 84 years young, of Cottonwood, entered into eternal life on May 31, 2013. Millard was born Sept. 5, 1928 in Parsons, Kan. He was raised in Chicago, Ill. by his father and mother, Peter and Alethia Meccia.
Mr. Meccia loved music and began playing music while in high school as a member of the Harrison Tech High School Band. His love of music continued throughout his life.
In 1946 he joined the U.S. Army and was later a member of the U.S. Army 5th Infantry Band.
While in the Army he met the love of his life, Mary, also known by past and current family and friends as “Dal.” They married after about 18 months and then moved to Phoenix, where Mr. Meccia gained employment with Central Arizona Light and Power Company (APS). He worked in various communities throughout Arizona until his retirement in Cottonwood in 1984 as lead customer representative in the Verde Valley area.
He later was part owner of Prop Menders and Welding Co. in Cottonwood and then owned an electrical design business for residential and commercial purposes.
Mr. Meccia has been a past chairman of the Town of Cottonwood Planning and Zoning Committee; a past member of the Keep America Beautiful Committee and a member of the Cottonwood Community Band. He was also a past member of the Glendale, Williams and Jerome B.P.O. Elks Lodges, as well as a member and the first exalted ruler of the Payson Elks Lodge.
Mr. Meccia is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary; son, Curtis Meccia of Casa Grande; daughter, Kathy Johnsen of Pocatello, Idaho; five grandchildren, Timothy and Cindi Meccia, Glenis and Lori Anderson and Chrisandra Middleton; and brothers and sisters, Michael and Barry Jacobs and Jim and Betty Snook.
Mr. Meccia was preceded in death by son, Clint; sisters, Mary Lee and B.J. Horn; and his mother and father, Alethia and Peter Meccia.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 8 at Westcott Funeral Home in Cottonwood. VFW Post 7400 will provide military honors.
Donations may be made in Mr. Meccia’s name to Northern Arizona Hospice, 269 S. Candy Lane, Cottonwood, AZ 86326.
An online guestbook is available to sign at www.westcottfuneralhome.com.

Jean Cloudt was born in Prescott on May 14, 1929 to Edith and Lyle Wells. She grew up in Humboldt, Ariz. and in 1947 married Francis Cloudt.
They moved to Gila County where they took care of several ranches before opening a feed store in Payson. Mrs. Cloudt also worked at the Payson Hospital for many years.
In 1978 Lorenzo Gonzales came from New Mexico and Mrs. Cloudt offered him a place at the feed store to open the Rim Country Veterinary Clinic. Jean and Lorenzo worked side by side for the next 30 years until she retired in 2007.
Mrs. Cloudt loved to ride and to hunt, and you never saw her without a dog at her side. She passed away quietly at her home on June 16, 2013.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Edith Bozick; her brothers, Fred and Homer Wells; her husband, Francis Cloudt; and her great-great-grandson, Trystan Frye. Jean is survived by her sons, Mark and Francis; her daughters, Cherie and Edith; her granddaughter, Janna Cline and her three sons, and by 11 other grandchildren and six additional great-grandchildren; by her brother, Lyle Wells; and by her friend and partner, Lorenzo Gonzales.
The family asks that donations in Mrs. Cloudt’s name be made to woundedwarriorproject.org.

Beverly Jean Young peacefully left this earthly planet on June 21, 2013. She was born Jan. 19, 1965 in Omaha, Neb. and resided in Payson.
Mrs. Young was a caring and giving mother, sister, daughter and wife. She always thought of others before herself.
She was preceded in death by her father, Wayne Fox Sr.
Mrs. Young is survived by her husband, Tim Young; brothers, Wayne, Bill, Allen and Mark; sisters, Dora, Katie and Kathy; mothers, Elaine and Norma; children, Lori, Kelly, Joey and Chris; grandchildren, Dustyn and Matthew; and a great many of friends.
She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
A fund-raising memorial will be held from noon to 6 p.m., Saturday, June 29 at the Buffalo Bar & Grill in Payson.

James “Jim” Kent Robertson, 77, of Pine, passed away June 24, 2013 at Hospice of the Valley, Friendship Village in Tempe, surrounded by his loving family.
Mr. Robertson is survived by his wife, Judy; three children, Janet René Gottschalk and her husband Randy, Steve Robertson and his wife Marly, and Kirk Robertson and his wife Jennifer; two brothers, Jon Robertson and Bruce Robertson; and 10 grandchildren.
A memorial celebration of Mr. Robertson’s life will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 29 at Grace Community Christian Church, 1200 E. Southern Ave. in Tempe.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to: Concerned Christians, P.O. Box 18, Mesa, AZ 85211-0018, Office: 480-833-2537.
Arrangements entrusted to Melcher Mission Chapel, www.melchermission.com.

David William Badgett of Tonto Basin, went home to the Lord on June 22, 2013, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born June 10, 1943 in Paris, Texas to William Travis Badgett and Norine Bettis Badgett.
Mr. Badgett served in the U.S. Air Force as a fireman during the Vietnam era. After retiring from the Arizona Department of Corrections, he started a successful pumping business in Florence.
He moved to Tonto Basin to pursue his lifelong hobby of fishing. He had many talents — from cooking Thanksgiving dinner to building a house. He was an amazing husband, father, brother and friend.
Mr. Badgett is survived by his loving wife, Peggy; daughters, Trudy (Nathan) Maple and Tanya (Jeremy) Kirkpatrick; brother, Travis Badgett; and six grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held 1 p.m., Friday, June 28 at Messinger Payson Funeral Home, 901 S. Westerly Road, with interment following at Mountain Meadows Memorial Park, 349 Upper Round Valley Road, Payson.

Charles “Charlie” Terry died June 20, 2013. He was born
Sept. 10, 1927.
He valued and loved his family dearly. He was married to the love of his life, Ruby, for 62 years,
and we know that they are together again in heaven.
He served his country in the Air Force.
He worked as a truck driver, roofer, steel worker, and a farmer before opening Village Welding in Tonto Village.
He was also chief of the fire department in Tonto Village twice. He loved the outdoors and nature. He also loved watching baseball, especially his D-Backs.
The best description of Charlie is that he was a good man.
He is very much loved and will be dearly missed.
He is survived by daughters, Rita Spalink and Karen Ochsenbein;
and his son, Joseph Terry. Other survivors include his brother,
Curtis Terry; as well as 10 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was held June 23 at Tonto Village Chapel.
Internment was at Mountain Meadows Memorial Park.

Victor James Agnes, Jr., 61, of Payson, died peacefully on June 20, 2013, surrounded by family. He was born Sept. 4, 1951 in Canton, Ohio.
Mr. Agnes is survived by his two daughters, Molly Marie Williams and Sarah Rae Hill.
He enjoyed riding his Harley-Davidson, fishing, and spending time with his daughters. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.
A celebration of life will be held from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, June 30 at Cardo’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant, 203 E. Highway 260.
“Gone but not forgotten.”

Helen Jane Bates passed away peacefully on June 1, 2013 at the age of 91.
Mrs. Bates was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great- grandmother, sister and truly terrific friend. She was strong in her faith and her kindness brought out the best in those who knew her.
Mrs. Bates is survived by her daughter, Susan Padgett; son, Bill (wife Cappi); three grandchildren, Patti Mattson (Paul), Carli Bates and Everett (Vanessa); two great-grandsons and two great-great-granddaughters; a sister, Alice Tillman in Montana; and many nieces and nephews.
She was sixth in a family of nine brothers and sisters. Born in Kansas, raised in Iowa. She moved to California where she met her husband Stuart in 1942 and raised her family.
Mrs. Bates was very active in her children’s activities. She served as the high school PTA president, chaired the grade school dance lessons and participated in many musicals.
Helen and Stuart moved to Payson in the 1970s where they enjoyed gardening and painting. They were married for 62 years.
Mrs. Bates truly enjoyed helping others. She was a Pink Lady with the hospital auxiliary in Payson for 35 years, serving as president and historian.
A memorial is planned for the fall.
Donations in Mrs. Bates’ memory may be made to Hospice of the Valley.

Derek Pratt passed away June 16, 2013 at 6:11 a.m. with his wife Guadalupe by his side. Mr. Pratt was born in London England to Eric and Louisa Pratt. His mother was a homemaker and his father was a banker. He had one brother, Victor Pratt, who passed away June 23, 2012; his parents are both deceased.
Mr. Pratt came to America in 1960 from London, England to study chiropractic. After practicing for a few years he felt drawn to an Eastern non-denominational religion, “Self Realization Fellowship” and he entered the monastery. In 1991 he left the order and in 1993 he married Guadalupe Sandoval.
Survivors are his wife, Guadalupe; his two stepdaughters, Lisa Ann Balderas and Monica Laura Zias, both of New York.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, July 13 at Self Realization Fellowship in Phoenix. Please call (928) 468-8405 by July 3 for directions.

Gladys Juanita Eddings O’Donnell, 89, passed away June 30, 2013 in Payson. She was born Aug. 17, 1923 to Simon Newton Eddings and Sarah Ann Smith Eddings in Cook County, Okla.
She married Orville O’Donnell on Aug. 27, 1940 in Coolidge.
Mrs. O’Donnell is survived by her son, Royce O’Donnell; daughter, Carol Ann O’Donnell Davis; 12 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
She was greeted in heaven by her husband Orville, her son Roger and three grandchildren.
She loved her family and had a solid faith in Christ Jesus as her savior.
The funeral for Mrs. O’Donnell was held July 3 at Payson First Assembly of God.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, July 9 at Glendale Memorial Park Cemetery, 7844 N. 61st Ave. in Glendale.

Florence Randall Howard, a modern day pioneer woman, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2013 at Hospice Compassus in Payson.
Mrs. Howard was born May 6, 1917 in Pine, the eighth of nine children of Walter John and Martha Florence Fuller Randall. She attended the Pine Schoolhouse from the first to the 12th grade. She married her high school sweetheart, Darcy Alonzo “Lonnie” Howard on July 17, 1935, and they lived in Pine where he worked for the Randall Bros. Cattle Co. and they began their family. In 1950 they moved to Mesa, where they raised their four daughters, spending summers on northern Arizona ranches.
Mrs. Howard was active in civic and community affairs where she held many positions in the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. She was very proud to be a member of the Mahnah Club of Mesa, a charitable organization that began the Child Crisis Center in the East Valley, and she was also a member of the Mesa Garden Club for 10 years.
She gave lifelong service to the auxiliary organizations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including Primary, Young Women and Relief Society, where she served faithfully and gave unselfishly of her means, time and talents.
She is survived by her three daughters, Maurine, Kay and Lila. She was preceded in death by her oldest daughter, Donna Lou. She has 11 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren. She has numerous cousins, nieces and nephews that she loved dearly, and she will be missed by all who knew her.
Services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 6 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building in Pine, a visitation will be held in the Relief Society room, beginning at 10 a.m., and graveside services will be at the Pine Cemetery. Bishop James Morris will officiate.
The family asks that memorial contributions be made to the LDS Humanitarian Aid Fund, Missionary Fund or the Perpetual Education Fund, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 50 E. North Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150.

Richard A. Pinkerton returned to the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ on June 2, 2013. Hospice kept him comfortable and free of pain and suffering.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert E. Pinkerton and Hazel Pinkerton; brother, Raymond E. Pinkerton; sisters, Eileen Eizenhoefer and Sandra Doyen; and his niece, Lisa Yeakey.
He is survived by his wife, Peggy J. Pinkerton; brother, Robert W. Pinkerton; and sister, Donna Ida Charlene Grzyb.
Mr. Pinkerton was born on May 4, 1934. He grew up in the Phoenix area and graduated from Phoenix Technical High School. He worked 30-plus years at the Arizona Department of Transportation as a cartographer and an aerial photographer.
He loved serving his country and the public and did so as a member of the United States Army, Arizona State Board of Geographic and Historic Names, Star Valley Street & Roads Committee and served 14.5 years on the Diamond Star/Hellsgate Fire District Board.
He leaves behind three children, four stepchildren, 17 grandchildren and two great- grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, July 11 at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, 511 S. St. Phillips St.

“When the angels sing,
“Sometimes I try so hard to understand the things you do
“I like to question you when it all comes down, hear the angels sing
“Stand up strong, feel the pain, when the angels sing
“Love and Death don’t mean a thing
“Until the Angels sing ...”
Willi Sebastian, 23 years young, died at his home in Payson on July 5, 2013. He was born July 31, 1989.
Mr. Sebastian is survived by his father, Peter Sebastian; mother, Karin Mertz; fiancee, Kendra Hartnett; and his stepson, Jonas; as well as his best friend, Otis.
His enormous heart, amazing smile, and genuine kindness will be remembered forever by all of those who had the honor of knowing him.
His family and friends will be holding a “Celebration of Life” at 7 p.m., Saturday July 13. Service arrangements are still being made at this time and full details will be announced soon.
Please contact Kendra Hartnett at (928) 978-9758 for information about memorial donations and cremation contributions

Isolde Eskew passed away July 1, 2013 in Payson.
She is survived by her children, Joann Kiefer, Jeff Meyer, Linda Gosbin, Paul Eskew and Jack Eskew; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren and her longtime friend and companion Jack Freeman.
Mrs. Eskew was at one time owner of Tom’s Tavern in downtown Phoenix, and has lived in the Tonto Basin and Payson area for the last 18 years.
No services are planned.

Judy Collins, 72, of Payson, died peacefully on July 1, 2013 after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by family and friends at her home.
Judy Lee Shoemaker was born Dec. 12, 1940 to Leo and Shirley (Hall) Shoemaker.
She grew up in Sioux Falls, S.D., graduating from Washington High School. She worked at Eros Data Center for many years. She then moved to the Washington, D.C. area where she worked at EOSAT and Hughes Corporation before retiring.
After retirement, Mrs. Collins moved to Payson, where she worked at State Farm Insurance until health issues forced her to leave.
She was an amazing mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to all.
She is survived by five children, John Collins, Julia Collins (Dave Hrusovsky) and Jill Nordquist all of Sioux Falls, S.D., Jackie Collins of Omaha, Neb. and Jeannie Collins of Las Vegas, Nev.; three grandchildren, Patrick Collins, Clayton and Carson Hrusovsky; and one great-grandson, Carter Brendan Collins, all of Sioux Falls, S.D. Also surviving are four siblings, John and Lynne Shoemaker of Payson, Jim (Marnie) Shoemaker, Jill Mickelson, and Jeff (Marcie) Shoemaker, all of Detroit Lakes, Minn.; and numerous nephews and nieces, special friends, Charlotte Van Bockern and Peggy Lien of Sioux Falls, S.D.
She was preceded in death by both parents, Leo and Shirley Shoemaker.
Judy is now pain free and at peace with the Lord! There are no services planned.

Leona Buchanan, 82, of Payson, passed away July 1, 2013. She was born Dec. 28, 1930 in Santa Cruz, Calif. as Leona Elaine King.
Mrs. Buchanan and her husband Jack retired in 1992.
She is survived by her husband, Jack Buchanan; daughters, Karen Martin and Judy Pack; as well as three grandchildren, Steven Michael, Holly Brizendine and Robert Starrett. She also has four great-grandchildren.
Please visit www.hansenmortuary.com to place online condolences.

Clarence Walter “Speedy” Auckly passed away June 27, 2013 with his family, Marian, Shannon and Dave at his side. He married the love of his life, Marian Sparks on Sept. 7, 1963.
He was born Aug. 6, 1922 in Phoenix and lived there until retirement.
In 1982 he retired as a captain from the Phoenix Fire Department after 33 years of faithful service.
His nickname, “Speedy” came from the years he spent auto racing. He won three midget championships in the late 1940s and raced NASCAR in the 1950s. He last drove a racecar when he was 72.
In 1941 he enlisted in the Navy. He served as an aviation metalsmith first class in the Pacific Theater for four years during World War II, leaving the Navy at age 23 at the end of the war. Before joining the Navy, he worked with Arizona Ironworks, Luke Air Base and Lockheed. Mr. Auckly loved hunting, water skiing, camping and travel. He even went on a successful hunt when he had a full leg cast. At age 80 he brought home a 6-x-6 elk. Upon retirement, he moved to the house that he built east of Payson.
A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 27 at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, 511 S. St. Phillips St.
Donations in Mr. Auckly’s name may be made to the 100 Club, which provides immediate assistance to the families of public safety officers and firefighters that are injured or killed in the line of duty. For details, go online to 100 Club at www.100club.org.

Jackie VanBuskirk, 58, of Payson, lost her courageous battle with cancer on July 6, 2013.
She was born on Jan. 25, 1955 in Phoenix, and is the daughter of Allen Eugene VanBuskirk and Frances (Payne) VanBuskirk of Gisela. She spent her younger years growing up in Phoenix and most of her adult life in the beautiful town of Payson..
Mrs. VanBuskirk was preceded in death by her father and grandparents.
Survivors include her son, Brian “BJ” VanBuskirk (Jennifer) of Strawberry; her beautiful granddaughter, Kendellyn VanBuskirk; mother, Frances VanBuskirk of Gisela; sisters, Victoria Ashing (Jerry) of Glendale and Julie White (Marcus) of Surprise; brother, Dan VanBuskirk of Gisela; and many nieces and nephews who will miss hearing about her hiking adventures.
She was a free spirit who loved spending time outdoors in nature. Mrs. VanBuskirk loved hiking, biking, running and sharing her love of birds with her granddaughter Kendellyn.
She was a track star in her youth and never lost her love of running and watching track and field events.
“We will miss her so much but know that she is now free from the pain she has suffered over the past year. The family would like to thank the Payson Christian Clinic and Dr. Hunt for all they did to help and care for Jackie during her time of need. The family would also like to thank all of the people associated with Payson Hospice who provided care, companionship and comfort to Jackie when she needed it most,” writes the family.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, July 13 at the Payson Christian Clinic, 701 S. Ponderosa St.
Donations in Mrs. VanBuskirk’s name may be made to the Payson Christian Clinic or the Payson Hospice Compassus.

Gerald Bessler, 82, of Payson, died after complications from surgery in Phoenix on July 8, 2013.
Mr. Bessler was born Feb. 21, 1931 in Brooklyn, N.Y. to Harry and Sarah (Dorfman) Bessler, the youngest of two brothers and three sisters. He grew up in Brooklyn and at the age 17 joined the U.S. Navy. After serving 20 years, he retired at the rank of chief petty officer.
Mr. Bessler then went to college and completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of La Verne, Ind. and Diamond Bar, Calif. in educational law and mathematics under the GI Bill. He then taught school in Orange County, Calif. until he retired.
Mr. Bessler also served as a pilot in the Civil Air Patrol Search and Rescue with the rank of major for several years.
“Jerry will be remembered and missed by everyone,” writes his family.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy (Foltz) Bessler; daughter, Valerie Bessler; son, David Bessler; two stepdaughters, Amy Peddycourt and Cathy Lehigh; brother and sister-in-law, William and Gloria Bessler; and sister, Ester.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 13 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 913 S. Ponderosa St., Payson.