Obituaries
Mary Helen Cansler
On February 20, 2004, Mary Helen Cansler passed away. Mary Helen was born on July 17, 1924 in Gadsden, AZ. A long time resident of Yuma, Mary Helen was a teacher in the local school system for over 40 years before retiring in 1985.
During her long and enjoyable careen as an educator of children, she excelled in working with 'special' children.
After her retirement from teaching, she was able to indulge in her life long dream of traveling extensively throughout the United States and the world, visiting Australia, Israel, Germany, and England.
Mary was actively involved in the preservation of Yuma Historical sites. She served as a docent at Betty's Kitchen, where she educated people on the beauty and diversity of the native habitat. She was also a life-long active member of the Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority as well as the Daughters of the American Revolution.
One of her biggest pleasures was spoiling her beloved grandchildren.
Mary Helen joined her husband, Frank D. 'Pancho' Cansler and her younger brother Joe Haynes on this date.
She is survived by her daughters, Kathryn Gilmore, Suzann Cansler-McLemore and Goldy Barbour, as well as her oldest brother John 'Jack' Haynes. She is also survived by her three grandchildren, Thomas J. Gilmore, Kathryn 'Kim' Gilmore and Catherine 'Katie' H. McLemore, and threegreat-grandchildren, Bridget, Tommy and Will Gilmore. Extended family members include Bob McLemore, Harold Anderson, Tanya Gilmore, Joe Barbour, and Betty Haynes.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alzheimer's research or the Hospice of Yuma.
At her request, a private memorial service will be held at the time her ashes are dispersed in the White Mountains.
Allen 'Buck' Owen
Allen 'Buck' Owen, 87, passed away in Yuma on February 18, 2004 in Yuma. He was born in Gramby, Missouri on December 28, 1916.
Buck was a farmer in Yakima Valley, Washington.
He is survived by his wife, Billye Owen, of Yuma; daughters, Ardys Riddle, of Kelso, Washington, Lavonne Benjamin, of Yakima, Washington, and Kathy Ellison, of Sunnyside, Washington; son, Claude Owen, of Princeton, Texas; sister, Gail Day, of Yuba City, California; and brothers, Jack Owen, of Yakima, Washington, Don Owen, of Payson, Arizona, and Dan Owen, of Yakima, Washington. Buck is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
Antonio Martin Franco
Tony Franco, 57, passed away on February 22, 2004 in Yuma. He was born on September 23, 1946 in Yuma.
Born and raised in Yuma, Tony was a long time employee of J.M DeForest, Inc. He loved his job with Lots of Zeal, that was his second family.
Tony is survived by his wife, Anita, of Yuma; sons, Tony (Adela) Franco Jr., of Covina, CA, Mitch Franco, of Mesa, Arizona; Jon Paul (Elizabeth) Franco, of Mesa, AZ; brothers, Manuel, Jesse, and Joe Franco, of Yuma; sisters, Annie, of Salinas, CA, and Lupe Duarte, of Yuma; five granddaughters that he loved very much, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin C. Franco and Isabel P. Franco.
A viewing will be held on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 from 5:00pm-8:00pm at Yuma Mortuary.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 26, 2004 at 11:00am with burial following at Desert Lawn. Pastor John Parish will officiate the service.
Raymond A. Nettles U.S. Army Warrant Officer, Ret.
Raymond A. Nettles, 84, passed away February 21, 2004 at Life Care Center of Yuma. He was born November 14, 1919 in Paragould, Arkansas, son of the late William A. and Della Mae Nettles. Raymond enlisted in the U.S. Army in September of 1940 and spent 5 years in the Aleutian Islands. For the next 20 years he was in the Washington Reserve, and retired as a Warrant Officer.
After Raymond's retirement from the military, he owned 'Ray's Auto Repair' in Des Moines, Iowa. He spent his last 12 working years as an instructor at South Seattle Community College.
Raymond was an avid reader and historian. He loved to travel and fly model airplanes with his son, Jim. He also enjoyed working on his 'narrow gauge train.'
He is survived by his wife, Marie, of the Foothills, Yuma; daughter, Renee (Joe) Jorgensen, and grandsons, Nick, Derek, Logan, and Gerad Jorgensen, all of Auburn, Washington; son, Jim Nettles, of San Diego, California; step-daughters, Sharon C. Snyderof Jacksonville, Oregon, Charlotte Murphy of Fountain Hills, Arizona, and step-son, Tomas J. Cook, II of Alameda, California; sister, Mary Crain, of Surprise, Arizona; niece Linda Carol Estes, of Surprise, Arizona; nephew Omar Dale Nettles, of Shreveport, Louisiana; as well as many friends.
Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, and one sister.
Cremation arrangements are being handled by Sunset Vista Funeral Home. His remains will be laid to rest at Tahome National Cemetery in Covington, Washington.Memorial services are pending, and will he held at the Nettles' Foothills residence. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a donation is made to your favorite charity.
C. Evy 'Scotty' Scotvold
Scotty Scotvold went home to be with his Lord whom he loved, on February 17, 2004, from Palm View Rehabilitation Center in Yuma.
Scotty had a passion for lost souls. He always said, 'one soul was worth more than the whole world.' He wanted to see souls reached through Christian Television and aided in keeping Trinity Broadcasting Network on the air. Scotty loved Paul and Jan Crouch and their television ministry. He also partnered with Morris Cerullo, Benny Hinn Ministries, the Gideons, and many more. He was a member of Mt. Zion church in Yuma for 21 years and helped with the mission work in San Luis, Mexico.
Scotty was born in Camrose, Alberta, Canada in 1909, son of Pastor Enoch, a Lutheran Evangelist, and Carrie Scotvold, who are now deceased. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Margrete Walker, from Gold Rock Ranch and Kate Moe, from Lakeview, California. The family moved to Minneapolis when he was 14, and Scotty attended South High School. Scotty played hockey and set an all time scoring record. Professional hockey teams approached him to play. Scotty went on to play with the Minneapolis Millers and Cleveland Falcons. He also coached and managed hockey teams.
When the war came in 1939, all professional sports were stopped. Scotty went to work with Northwest Aeronautical, a defense plant. Later, he moved to National City, California and managed the San Diego Sky Hawks to a championship in 1948-1949. He then worked for General Dynamics and then for Grumman where he worked on a valve that went on a space module that went to the moon.
Scotty leaves behind the love of his life, Lucille, his devoted wife of 21 years; his wonderful children, son, Evy (Mary) Scotvold of Cape Cod, Massachusetts; twin daughters, Joanne Emanuelson of Weston, Massachusetts and Joyce Olson of Los Alamitos, California; step-daughter, Karaleen (John) Morgan of Meridian, Idaho, as well as several grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, and his niece Kathy (Greg) Fisher, of Eureka, Montana. He will be dearly missed by all.
'...Well done, thou good and faithful servant...enter thou into the joy of thy lord.'
Matthew 25:21
A memorial celebration will take place March 19, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. MST at Gold Rock Ranch off Ogilby Road.
In lieu of flowers, any expressions of sympathy may be sent to Mt. Zion Church Mission Fund, P.O. Box 6258, Yuma, Arizona, 85366.
Special thanks to Dr. Ramiro Garcia and staff, and Dr. Dorothy Wong for the good care given, and also the staff at Palm View Rehabilitation Center and Life Care Center.
James M. Weeks
James M. Weeks, 77, of Woodville, Texas passed away on Sunday, February 22, 2004 at the VA Hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana. He was born May 31, 1926 to Oscar Kelba and Cora McBryde Weeks in Doucette, Texas. He was a former 55 year resident of Yuma and had lived in Woodville for the past thirteen years. He was a retired farmer and a U.S. Navy WWII veteran.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Mary Weeks of Woodville, Texas; sons, Micheal J. (Carol) Weeks, of Yuma, Judson 'Montie' (Jennifer) Weeks of Woodville, Texas; daughters, Sharon (Anthony 'Tony' Galasso of Buffalo, New York, DeAnn (Johnnie) Sutton of Mineola, Texas, Jodie (David) Palacio of Spring, Texas, and Melanie (Samuel) Shepherd of Woodville, Texas; sister, Shirley Roper of Woodville, Texas, as well as twelve grandchildren.
Graveside services will be Thursday, February 26, 2004, 2:00 p.m. in Campground Cemetery in Woodville. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 from 4:30 - 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Gideons International, P.O. Box 118, Woodville, Texas, 75979.
