Local Obituaries for Families in Safford, Arizona
Rafael Sanchez
Nov 3, 2015
Rafael R. Sanchez, 83, of York Valley, passed away November 3, 2015 at his home with his loving family at his side. He was born November 3, 1932 in Florence, AZ to Rafael & Catalina Ruiz Sanchez. He received his education in Morenci and graduated from Morenci High School. While in school he met Elena Ramirez and they were later...
Bruce Rutherford
Oct 31, 2015
Bruce Allen Rutherford, 57, of Duncan, passed away October 31, 2015 with his family by his side. He was born March 19, 1958 in Tucson, AZ to Joseph Woodrow Rutherford and Nellie M. Manriquez. Bruce is survived by his mother, Nellie Dunagan, step-father, Warren Dunagan, brother, Bob Rutherford, of Greensboro, NC, sister, Brenda Rutherford, of Grand Rapids, MI, son, Riker...
Iris Curtis
Oct 27, 2015
Iris Janeen Curtis, 63, of Colorado Springs, CO, formally of the Gila Valley, passed away October 27, 2015. She was born July 8, 1952 in Miami, AZ to Ira and Greta Zufelt. She married John Rocky Curtis in the Mesa Arizona Temple and the couple was blessed with four children; Travis, Kyle, Brandon and Troy. She was an active member...
Ethel Smith
Oct 26, 2015
Ethel A Boswell Smith, 97, was born in Pima AZ on June 17, 1918, the tenth of 13 children to Faye & Annice Matthewson Boswell. She grew up in Pima with all the freedom & fun of youth. Ethel loved learning & school. She graduated from Pima High School. Ethel married Christopher Smith in Los Angeles CA on December 23,...
Carol Jordan
Oct 26, 2015
Carol H. Jordan, 59, of Thatcher, passed away Monday morning, October 26, 2015. She was born in Miami, Florida, on December 26, 1955, to Charles and Helen Jordan. Carol received her education at the Dan Hinton Schools in Pima. She worked with the Graham County Rehabilitation Center for many years until September of 2012. Carol loved to get dressed up...
Dixie Black
Oct 25, 2015
Dixie Elaine Black, 50, was born August 30, 1965 to Ellis and Roxie Black. She was the oldest of 7 children. She was the responsible one, always looking after her younger brothers and sisters. She attended Ft. Thomas schools where she was active in many organizations including Pom, Publications, National Honor Society and Girls State. She graduated Valedictorian from Ft....
Jaycianna Wilson
Oct 22, 2015
Send Flowers Jaycianna Wilson February 22, 2013 - October 22, 2015 Jaycianna Brianne Wilson, 2, passed away October 22, 2015 in Bylas, AZ. Jaycianna was born February 22, 2013 in Safford, AZ to Nicole Ashley Moses and Japhus Jace Wilson. She loved to go swimming, shopping and spending time with her mom, dad and brothers. Her favorite was her 1st...
Nicole Moses
Oct 22, 2015
Nicole A. Moses Wilson, 21, of Clifton, passed away October 22, 2015 in Bylas. Nicole was born November 15, 1993 in Safford to Larry Moses and Rosie Cheney. Nicole had earned her Certified Nursing Assistant degree and loved working and helping others. She also loved hunting, being outdoors, riding dirt bikes, swimming, shopping and cooking. Her marriage to Japhus Wilson...
Ryan John
Oct 21, 2015
Ryan Blaine John, 29, of Wyoming, passed away October 21, 2015. Ryan was born May 7, 1986 to David Wayne John & Shanna Hinton John in Cheyenne, Wyoming. A viewing for Ryan will be held on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at Caldwell Funeral Chapel from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. and then again on Wednesday, October 28, 2015 from 9:45 until...
Wendell Thatcher
Oct 21, 2015
Wendell Scott Thatcher, 68, passed away in his parents home on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2015, with his mother and brother Eric at his side. He was born June 18, 1947, in Safford, Arizona to Max and Wanda Thatcher of San Jose, Arizona. He was a graduate of Safford High School and served in the United States Navy. Wendell was a...
Manuel Gonzales
Oct 17, 2015
Manuel T. Manny Gonzales, age 70, of Safford, passed away Saturday, October 17, 2015, at his home. He was born December 24, 1944, to Manuel and Luz Gonzales. Manny grew up in Morenci, graduating from Morenci High School in 1963. After graduation, Manny began working at Phelps Dodge. In 1971, he married the love of his life, Dora. Together they...
Joseph Blair
Oct 11, 2015
Joseph William Blair or Lordburg, New Mexico passed away October 11, 2015, at his home in Lordsburg. Joe was born April 8, 1932, to William Oscar and Mary Wilmoth Blair in Safford. Joe attended his first grade of schooling in Eden with his mother as his teacher. The next few years of school were in Aravaipa and Klondyke, then went...
Gonzalo Sanchez
Oct 10, 2015
Gonzalo A. Gus Sanchez, Sr., 70, of Safford, passed away October 10, 2015 as his home with his loving family at his side. He was born October 21, 1944 in Santa Teresa, Mexico to Abram & Felipa Ogas. Gonzalo attended schools in Mexico where he graduated from High School. He met the love of his life, Dominga Mendez in Selma,...
Charles Franco
Oct 9, 2015
Charlie B. Franco, 71, of Morenci, passed away October 9, 2015 at his home holding the hands of his beloved family. Charlie was born March 15, 1944 in Old Morenci to Juan and Manuela Franco of Clifton. Charlie graduated from Clifton High School in 1962. After graduation he entered the United States Air Force and was stationed in Del Rio,...
Louise Villarreal
Oct 7, 2015
Louise Flower Villarreal, 92, of Safford, passed away October 7, 2015. Louise was born November 4, 1922 in Grinnel, Iowa to Oscar and Elsie Sawyer. Louise earned her Bachelors Degree from ASU and was a member of Delta Kappa Gama. She then went on to teach 1st grade in both Solomon and Safford schools. She loved to create things with...
Harold Moore
Oct 7, 2015
Harold Thomas Moore, age 70, of Safford, passed away Wednesday, October 7, 2015. Harold was born July 22, 1945, in Vancouver, WA, to Robert and Lillian Moore. Harold grew up in Washington and later attended the University of Idaho. During that time, he enlisted in the United States Army Reserve, where he was later honorably discharged. Upon moving to Safford,...
Betty Wharton
Oct 5, 2015
Betty Donnabell Wharton, age 84, of Safford, passed away on Monday, October 5, 2015, at her home. Betty was born on April 24, 1931, in Lusk, WY, to William and Vera Munsinger. The family has asked that no services for Betty be held at this time.
Caroline Arrietta
Oct 3, 2015
Caroline Arrietta, age 85, of Thatcher, passed away Saturday, October 3, 2015. Caroline was born February 9, 1930 in Sanchez, AZ to Esquiel and Lorenza Sanchez. Caroline grew up in Sanchez, attending school there. When she got older, she married the love of her life, Angel Robert Arrietta. Caroline enjoyed reading, planting, cooking, doing crossword puzzles and regular puzzles, and...
Judith Morin
Oct 3, 2015
Judith C. Morin, Judy, 76, of Safford, passed away October 3, 2015 in Tucson, AZ. She was born November 22, 1938 in Clovis, NM to Bernhardt H. and Kathryn J. Van Dyck. Judy loved to sew, work in her garden, making quilts and reading. More than anything she loved her children and grandchildren, family and friends. She is survived by...
Mike Espinoza
Sep 30, 2015
Miguel Mike Lucio Espinoza, age 83, of Clifton, passed away September 30, 2015. Mike was born December 20, 1931, in San Jose, Arizona, to Lorenzo and Tomasa Espinoza. Mike grew up in the Morenci area. He attended school at Morenci High School, graduating with the class of 1950. A couple years after graduation, Mike met the love of his life,...
