In Passing

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Climaco Quintero

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, Climaco Quintero passed away peacefully on Oct. 27, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Climaco was the devoted husband of Nohra Quintero, with whom he built a life filled with love and cherished memories. He was a proud father to Diego Quintero and Juan Quintero, a loving father-in-law to Nicole Walsh and Karen, and a devoted grandfather to six grandchildren: Isabel, Elena, and Massimo; and Emma, Abby, and Olivia.

Known for his warm heart and vibrant spirit, Climaco shared a special bond with his brother Olimpo; his sisters Gloria, Amanda, and Margarita; and his sisters-in-law, Matilde Moreno and Teresa Gomez. He will be remembered for his kindness, humor, and unwavering love for family.

A passionate soccer fan, Climaco’s heart always beat a little faster for his beloved Colombian National Team. Whether playing or cheering from the touchlines, the game brought him great joy and connection to his roots.

Throughout his professional life, Climaco worked with dedication and pride as President and co-owner of Accu Grind Cutter Services in Plymouth, Conn. In retirement, he continued to bring his warmth and charisma to his second career at Big Two Toyota, where he formed many meaningful friendships.

Climaco’s legacy is one of love, hard work, generosity, and laughter. He will be deeply missed and forever loved by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Climaco’s memory to The Oliver Wolcott Tech Alumni Fund (75 Oliver St, Torrington, CT 06790), with donations directed to the Precision Machine Shop.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Jan. 10, 2026, at 3 p.m. at Chandler Presbyterian Church, 1900 S. Arrowhead Dr., Chandler, AZ 85286. We will be gathering to share our fondest memories, our stories, to laugh, to cry, and to honor Climaco.

Keith Lawrence Weiner

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Keith Weiner, aged 60, on Dec. 6, 2025. Keith was a Palo Verde resident of Sun Lakes, Ariz.

He was born on Aug. 28, 1965, in Forest Hills, Queens, N.Y. His family moved to New Jersey at the age of 4 years, where he lived out his childhood.

He graduated from Johnson & Wales Culinary School in Rhode Island, with a degree in Culinary Arts—Hotel-Restaurant Management. Food was his passion!

He spent many years working in hotels, restaurants, and catering in Florida and Texas. While living in Denver, Colo., he worked at Roy’s Restaurant and spent several years with an upscale caterer before becoming a Private Chef.

Shortly after he met and married his wife, Susan. He then became involved in his wife’s parents’ real estate business where they both handled the property management part for many years.

They moved to Arizona three years ago. His Arizona neighbors loved when he rang their doorbell with a platter of food to sample. He loved living in Arizona and especially walking his little dog, Deva, along the Palo Verde walkway.

He was a member of the Rotary Club of Sun Lakes. He was a kind, compassionate, and loving man, and will be deeply missed. He is survived by his wife, Susan; his mother Elaine Dover; his sister, Robin and brother-in-law John Harrington; and two nieces, one nephew, and three great nieces and nephews.

llena Hamilton Lea

llena Hamilton Lea passed away on Aug. 9, 2025, at home in Palo Verde (Sun Lakes). She was preceded in death by her husband Bob Lea also of Sun Lakes. Her surviving children are a son Taylor (Sammie) Hamilton of Denver; Matt (Lisa) Hamilton of Austin, Texas; Joe Hamilton of Florida; and daughter Vicki (Dan late husband) of Palo Verde; and stepson Kevin Lea (Juanita) of Washington. llena was born in St Joseph, Mo. Her parents were Elmer Meek and Bernice Walters, both of St Joseph, Mo.

llena was an active member of the Philanthropy Education Organization (PEO), a women’s philanthropic organization dedicated to supporting and promoting educational opportunities for women. She was an active bridge and Mah-Jong player. She was a contributing member of the Alexander Graham Bell charity.

She worked as a supervisor at JCPenney’s credit office for many years. She will be deeply missed.

Harvey Schwartz

Harvey Schwartz, of Sun Lakes, Ariz., passed away peacefully on Nov. 26, 2025.

Harvey was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Myer and Daurcy Schwartz. He was their only son and the eldest of four children.

After graduating from the Philadelphia Textile Institute, Harvey joined his father in the family business, Emmess Fabrics, a wholesale distributor of textile goods. His career spanned four decades, during which he served in many roles—ultimately becoming President and CEO.

Harvey met the love of his life, Rochelle (“Shelly”), at Camp Towanda in Honesdale, Pa., beginning a lifelong partnership and marriage of 69 years. Together, they raised three children and built a home centered on love, guidance, and unwavering support. Harvey was a dedicated, strong, kind, and loving father whose family always came first.

Harvey had a wonderful sense of humor and was known for his quick wit. He enjoyed conversations on any topic, especially politics and sports, and always welcomed diverse viewpoints. A lifelong exerciser, he remained active through jogging in his early years and walking later in life. In retirement, he developed a passion for fishing, especially with his grandson and close friends. Harvey spent much of his later years in Florida and Arizona, embracing the warm climate and outdoor lifestyle.

Harvey is survived by his beloved wife, Shelly; his three children and their spouses—Lynn and Mark Garay, Gary and Jackie Schwartz, and Marc and Lisa Schwartz; his five grandchildren—Neil and his wife Paisley, Michael, Nicole and her husband Brad, Allyson, and Matthew; and his great-grandson, Julian.

Charlie Birkemo

Charlie was born in Chicago, Ill., on Nov. 28, 1948. He grew up in the northwest suburbs and graduated from Wheeling High School. He moved to Macomb, Ill., in 1966 to attend Western Illinois University (WIU), but got caught up in the Vietnam conflict and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1969. He spent two years in Vietnam after doing counter insurgency training in the U.S. Part of his final year was in Saigon teaching English so the Vietnamese could use the equipment we were leaving behind.

He returned to the U.S. and resumed his studies as a Math and Physics major at WIU. His career took him into the hospitality industry as a Controller for most of his working life. He met his wife of 50 years, Evy, at the Holiday Inn in Macomb, Ill., where they both worked. His work took them all over the U.S. for many years. They moved to Arizona to be closer to his mother who was retired in Sun City.

His time in Vietnam caught up with him in the form of Agent Orange-related diseases including cancer and lung disease. He conquered most of it, but was afflicted with COPD most of his adult life.

He made friends everywhere we went, and loved the 25 years we spent in Sun Lakes. He is greatly missed by his wife, Evy, and many, many friends.

Daniel E. Harman

Daniel E. Harman, 78, of Sun Lakes, Ariz., went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Nov. 22, 2025, surrounded by family. Dan battled hard for the past year against an unknown form of Large B Cell Lymphoma.

Dan was born in Columbia, Mo. He graduated from Billings West High School, Billings, Mont., and NW Nazarene University, Nampa, Idaho. He received his master’s degree from the University of Mary, Bismarck, N.D.

Dan married Linette (Lin) Kirschemann on Dec. 11, 1971 in Bismarck, N.D. After graduating from Naval Officers Candidate School in Newport, R.I., in 1972, Dan and Lin moved across the country to San Diego, Calif., where they were stationed for four years at Naval Base San Diego and Naval Base Coronado. While in San Diego, they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Gail. In 1976, Dan was honorably discharged from the Navy and moved his family back to North Dakota.

The North Dakota State Health Department was his work home for 37 years as a manager for the Air Quality Division and Radiation Control Monitoring. After retiring in 2013, Dan and Lin moved to Billings, Mont., to be closer to family and to be able to attend many of his grandsons (Tanner) wrestling matches and granddaughters (Megan) basketball games. While in Billings, Dan enjoyed working part-time for 10 years as a NAPA parts delivery driver. In 2024, Dan and Lin moved to Sun Lakes, Ariz.

Dan enjoyed hunting and spending time outdoors. He was a member of a local hiking group in Sun Lakes. His fondest memories were of helping on the Kirschemann family farm southwest of Regent, N.D., during 51 seasons of harvest.

Dan is survived by his wife Lin; daughter Gail (Troy) Brown, Billings, Mont.; grandson Tanner (Jonelle) Brown, Twin Falls, Idaho; and granddaughter Megan Brown, Minneapolis, Minn.; his brother Paul (Cheryl) Harman, and sisters Gena (Tim) Davidson and Lynda Patterson; brother-in-law Leon (Cynthia) Kirschemann, sister-in-law Cindy (Chuck) Dreifus, and many nieces and nephews. Preceding Dan in death were his parents Ray and Maxine Harman, his in-laws Harold and Lorena Kirschemann, and his brother-in-law Bill Patterson.

May God richly bless each and every one of you who journeyed and prayed with us over the past year. A special thank you to Chuck, Cindy, and Katie for the countless hours you spent with Dan at the many hospital stays. Also a special thank you to Leon, Terry, Harrison, and M&M Catering (Melissa and Maddie) for the countless memories Dan spoke about often of those crazy and sometimes stressful, but rewarding, harvest seasons as he loved every minute of his time on the farm.

Betty Gardner Tuzzolino

Betty Ann Gardner, 92, of Sun Lakes, Ariz., formerly of Mesa, Ariz., passed away peacefully on Nov. 18, 2025, due to complications of a fall in early September while living independently in her beautiful Sun Lakes home.

Betty, the daughter of J. Fred and Georgia Green, was born on April 9, 1933 in Bristol, Va., and grew up in Tennessee. In 1956 she earned a B.A. in Music Education from Western Kentucky University. While at WKU, she met and married Roy Gardner, a handsome U.S. Marine veteran from Louisville, Ky. He preceded her in death in 1979. In 2005 she married Frank Tuzzolino, who also preceded her in death after 10 years of marriage.

Survivors include one son, Kevin Gardner (Meg) of Tempe, Ariz., four grandchildren; Taylor Alexander Carruthers and Mia Carruthers (Curtis Roush), both of Austin, Texas, Jordan Gardner (Samantha) and Cameron Gardner, both of Tempe, one step-granddaughter; Jordyn Tinsley of Mesa, Ariz., and one great-grandson, Logan Gardner, also of Tempe. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Sarah Williams and Julie Miller, two husbands, and daughter, Renee Carruthers.

In addition to raising her family, Betty taught elementary school music, and later, kindergarten for over 20 years, retiring from teaching in Mesa Public Schools in 1995. Betty loved her family and friends, traveling to new places, was active in several clubs in Sun Lakes (Italian club, Democratic club, Reiki group), and her Unity church. She loved cooking and sipping wine with her friends and family. She loved her vegetable garden, flowers, and many citrus trees. She was always conscious of nutrition and healthy eating, earning her the name “grandma vitamin” with her grandkids. She is lovingly remembered by her family for living as a perfect example of a moral, warm, and caring woman, generous with both her time and resources, and for unconditionally loving and spending unforgettable quality time with her family.

A service to celebrate the life of Betty will be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Betty’s favorite charity, Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank in Chandler, Ariz., or Unity Church of Sun Lakes.

Michael Ritter

Michael “Mike” Ritter, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on Nov. 18, 2025, at the age of 73. He leaves behind his devoted wife of 50 years, Phyllis, who stood by his side through every joy and challenge of their life together.

Mike lived in Sun Lakes for 5 years.

A proud Vietnam veteran who served two tours, Mike also served in the U.S. Navy aboard a diesel submarine. His years of service shaped his life with deep discipline, loyalty, and quiet strength—qualities he carried with him always.

Mike was a man who found joy in simple, meaningful moments. He loved fishing with his family and cherished every chance to be outdoors. He also loved to travel, embracing new places, experiences, and the adventure of exploring the world with those he loved most.

He is survived by his daughter, Nicolette Kendra; his sons, Andrew Michael and Scott Gerard; his cherished grandchildren, Caeser Ritter (deceased), Melissa Ritter, Gavin Ritter, Garrett Ritter; and the many friends whose lives were touched by his kindness, steadiness, and warm smile.

Mike will be remembered for his gentle spirit, his unwavering love for his family, and the deep devotion he showed throughout his 50-year marriage to Phyllis—a partnership built on trust, laughter, and enduring affection.

Though his passing leaves a profound emptiness in the hearts of those who loved him, his legacy of love, strength, service, and family devotion will continue to shine. Michael proudly supported Shriners Hospitals for Children, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Tunnel to Towers, causes that reflected his generosity, compassion, and commitment to helping others.

He will be deeply missed and forever cherished.

Georgia Jean Doerr

Georgia Jean Doerr, 97, of Chandler, Ariz., passed away on Nov. 12, 2025. She was born on June 28, 1928, in Brainerd, Minn.

Georgia, or Jean, as she preferred, graduated from Brainerd High School in 1947, where she was a drum majorette. Jean continued her education at the Minneapolis School of Business. Upon her return to Brainerd, she worked in the Crow Wing County Register of Deeds office. Later, she worked for the Minnesota Valley Natural Gas Company until 1964. While working at the gas company, she met the love of her life, Norman M. Doerr. They married on July 22, 1961. The couple was blessed with two sons, Rodney and Clinton.

Jean adored both of her sons and enjoyed helping them with homework, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and encouraged religion and music. Jean was a fabulous cook and also enjoyed reading, sewing, exercising, and traveling. She was thrilled when she could spend time with her five grandchildren.

Jean’s mother, Gladys, lived with Norm and Jean since 1967. When Gladys was ill in her later years, Jean selflessly took care of her until Gladys passed away in 1988.

Those left to celebrate Jean’s remarkable life include her husband of 64 years, Norman Doerr of Chandler, AZ; her sons and their families Rod, (Jan), Brent, Brian, and Braeden of Omaha, NE, Clint, (Allison), Kendall, and Jakob of Houston, TX.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Gladys and Patrick Caulfield.

Funeral services and burial were held on Nov. 20, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, Jean and the Doerr family would be honored if support in her name could be sent to the Alzheimer s Association, alz.org