Gene Harold Alig

Gene Harold Alig passed away peacefully in his sleep November 6, 2016 in Gilbert, Arizona. He was born January 13, 1930 in Indianapolis (Mars Hill) Indiana to Joseph and Nellie Alig.

He is survived by his wife, Charlotte; children and step-children, Robert (Shari) Alig, Carol Swaim, Rhonda (John) Gideon and Michelle Alig all of Iowa; Cheryl Gomez of Virginia and Mitchell (Liz) Williams of Arizona. He was blessed with numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Charles, Joseph and Albert; his sisters, Mary, Alice, Leona and Lena.

Gene proudly served in the United States Marine Corp during the Korean War. He was decorated with the Korean Service Medal/ U.N. Service Medal. After being honorably discharged he was a successful farmer in both Indiana and Iowa. He established Alig Plumbing in Ottumwa, Iowa becoming a master plumber for over 20 years. Gene was a member of the Ottumwa Masonic Lodge No. 16 where he achieved Worshipful Master status in 1999.

Gene enjoyed taking friends and family out on his boat water skiing. In his early ‘60s he took up flying, obtaining his pilot license and purchasing his own plane.

Gene and Charlotte retired to Arizona in 2000. Although retired, he continued his love of plumbing in his Sun Lakes community.

He was a real treasure that will be missed by all that knew him.

Memorial Services were held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 12, 2016 at Reese Funeral Home in Ottumwa, Iowa. A Military Service will be held at The National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, pending arrangements.

Donations may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association and Allegiant Hospice.

Randy Walker

Randy Walker, DVM, passed away suddenly October 15, 2016. Dr. Walker was known by the community as a long serving veterinarian in the Sun Lakes area for many years. His sudden passing has affected many and has left a deep void in our hearts. During this difficult time, we must not ask why, but how? How will we honor and remember a caring and humble man, one who devoted his life in serving our community and taking care of our best friends? We must take comfort in knowing Dr. Walker will now enter the great beyond to enjoy his peace and self being. An enigma to some, but in reality an open book to all, Dr. Walker was a simple man who wanted nothing more than to be a wanted individual to his family and his community. He delivered his generosity to his employees and friends unselfishly, a true giving soul, he will always be remembered by those who stood by him each day and who worked tirelessly to accomplish his vision in veterinary care.

Death is nothing at all. It does not count. I have only slipped away into the next room. Nothing has happened. Everything remains exactly as it was. I am I, and you are you, and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged. Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. Call me by the old familiar name. Speak of me in the easy way which you always used to. Put no difference into your tone. Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was. There is no absolute and unbroken continuity. What is this death but a negligible accident? Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well.

A memorial was held on Sunday, October 30 at 4:00 p.m. in the Sun Lakes Country Club Arizona Room Clubhouse, 25601 N. Sun Lakes Blvd., Sun Lakes, AZ 85248. Please send flowers or donations to Sun Lakes Animal Clinic in c/o Stephanie Stapley. All monetary donations will be used to preserve Dr. Walker’s memory and honor his legacy towards the wellbeing of animals in the community.

William “Bill” Meyers

William “Bill” Meyers (89) passed away on October 29, 2016 in Chandler, AZ. Bill was born to Frank and Eleanor (Larson) Meyers in Chicago, IL. He graduated from Lane Technical High School, with honors in 1945 and the next year enlisted in the U. S. Army at Fort Sheridan, IL, serving at Camp Stoneman and Fort Mason, CA, and Fort Monmouth, NJ, before being honorably discharged in 1947 to pursue his college degree. He began his studies at University of Iowa, then transferred to Illinois Institute of Technology where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering in 1954.

Following graduation from college, Bill was employed as an engineer by White City Electric and Hultgren Electric Corporation. In 1964, Bill was hired by United Air Lines where he was the manager of facilities engineering. He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 134 of Chicago.

In 1950, Bill married Mary Ann Long, and they had four children: Kathie, Jan, Nancy and Bill. Initially the family lived in Chicago, while Bill worked and went to night school to finish his degree. In 1956, the family moved out of the city to Des Plaines, and in 1964 to Mount Prospect, IL.

Bill retired in 1985, and he and Mary Ann enjoyed golfing together and with friends at Mount Prospect Country Club. Bill and Mary Ann eventually relocated to a golfing community in Brooksville, FL where they played golf year-round and enjoyed life without winter. In 2001, Bill and Mary Ann moved to Sun Lakes, AZ to be near family.

Bill was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and a fiercely loyal friend. He is survived by his children, Jan (Dave Withers) Meyers of Sun Lakes, AZ; Nancy (Marcey Gillespie) Meyers of Las Cruces, NM, Bill (Nicole) Meyers, of Queen Creek, AZ; grandchildren Erik (Emmanuelle) Skala, Megan (Mike) Tonkin,  Stephanie Meyers, Mike Meyers, Scott Meyers, Tiffany McKinley and Jaden McKinley; and great-grandchildren Olivia, Camille, and Cecelia Skala, and Veronica, Sierra, Kathleen and Mikey Tonkin.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ann, the love of his life; daughter, Kathie and her husband Rick Skala, Jr; infant grandson, John Skala; brother and his wife, George and Margaret Meyers; and parents, Frank and Eleanor Meyers.

A celebration of life was held on Friday, November 11, 2016 at St. Steven’s Catholic Church in Sun Lakes, AZ, followed by a private family burial at Valley of the Sun Cemetery on Saturday, November 12, 2016.

Memorial gifts can be made in honor of William F. Meyers to Neighbors Who Care, a local charity that assists the elderly and home-bound residents of Sun Lakes and Southern Chandler, AZ, 10450 E. Riggs Rd., Suite 113, Sun Lakes, AZ, 85248; 480-985-7133.

Mary Jane Brown McIntire

Mary Jane Brown McIntire (92) 1924-2016

Mary died in Chandler, AZ on October 10 surrounded by her loving family.

Mary was born in Alma, NE to C.A. and Hazel Brown. She graduated from Holdrege High School, Hastings College, and Methodist College of Nursing.

She married Russell McIntire on August 17, 1947.

Mary and Russell raised their family in Hastings NE. After retirement, they enjoyed spending time with family and friends in Silverthorne, CO and Chandler, AZ.

Mary is survived by her children, Marcy (Warren) Gitt, Marty (Mary) McIntire, and Margo (Alan) Hirschfeld; her grandchildren, Andy (Tara) McIntire, Kelley (Robbie) Weigele, Martin Gitt, Vanessa (Justin) Maffey; her great-grandchildren, Asher, Avery and Reagan McIntire; Conner and Teagan Weigele.

A memorial has been established in her name at Hospice Foundation of Arizona at Companion Hospice, 1930 S. Alma School Rd., No. D105, Mesa, AZ 85210.

Condolences can be sent to the family in care of Margo Hirschfeld, 720 S. Carr Ave. North, Platte, NE 69101.

A family celebration of life will be held at a later date.