In Passing

Jean Proctor Bunting

Jean Proctor Bunting, 98, passed away on August 7, 2017, at the Renaissance in Sun Lakes, Arizona. She was born on December 24, 1918, in Lake Forest, Illinois. Jean married Ken Proctor in March, 1945, and had 40 loving years traveling the world as an Air Force wife for 21 of those. She volunteered with the Red Cross in Air Force hospitals for 18 years, accumulating over 3000 hours of service. Jean moved to Twin Lakes, Federal Way, Washington, in 1966 where she became an avid golfer, still winning trophies in her 80s. In addition, she enjoyed her bridge, poker, bowling and ceramics. Jean served as a Girl Scout leader for five years.

After losing her husband, Jean bought a second home in Sun Lakes, Arizona, where she met and married her second husband Joe Bunting in 1989. They were married for 26 years. If you knew Jean, you would best describe her as an amazing, strong, beautiful woman who was absolutely devoted to her family and friends. She was a very loving mother and grandmother; she will be greatly missed by all.

Jean was preceded in death by her two husbands and a grandson. She is survived by a son Scott Proctor, a daughter Christine Lysinger, three stepsons, 10 grandchildren and multiple great-grandchildren. Interment for Jean’s ashes will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting a donation to a handicapped children’s organization of your choice.

Thomas Ronald Edwards

Thomas Ronald Edwards of Sun Lakes passed away on July 18, 2017, at the age of 96. Tom was born in the coal mining town of Hiteman, Iowa, on January 14, 1921, and was the youngest of seven.

Tom served in the Army Air Corps in World War II. Tom then moved to Tucson, Arizona, where he graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in mining engineering. Upon graduating, he worked for the Silver Bell Mine outside of Tucson. While living in Tucson, Tom met the love of his life, Anna Jorgesen. They married in 1955 in Arizona and moved to Black Lake, Quebec, Canada, where they lived for many years. They moved back to Arizona in 1972, where Tom opened the Sacaton Mine in Casa Grande, Arizona. Tom worked as a manager at the mine until he retired in 1984 when the mine closed. Tom and his wife spent their retirement years in Sun Lakes, Arizona.

Tom is preceded in death by his wife Anna and all six of his siblings. Tom is survived by nieces Patricia Kensler, Carolyn Satterlee, Theresa McCulley, Shanna Lund, Dorothy Mullen and Emily Hart and nephews James Mullen and Tom Mullen. Tom is also survived by granddaughter Bethe Peterson, grandson Geir Haland and many great-grandchildren.

A funeral service was held at Valley of the Sun Mortuary on Saturday, August 12,  at 10:00 a.m.

Barry Cameron Ediss

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Barry Cameron Ediss at his home in Sun Lakes, Arizona, on Sunday, July 16, 2017, after a bravely-fought battle with liver disease.

He was born in Vancouver, BC, Canada, and was a member of the first graduating class of the British Columbia Institute of Technology, achieving a degree in Civil Engineering. He relocated to Seattle, Washington, with his first wife and children in 1977, establishing a career in land development and residential construction.

After moving to Sun Lakes in 1999, Barry was a staunch supporter of all things “community” and participated in the local slow pitch softball league and local golf league, not only as a participant in the games, but serving on various committees as well. Barry was a collector of sports memorabilia and sports art, and was especially passionate about his music collection.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 17 years Carrol; his daughter Cheryl (Marc); son David; grandchildren Blake, Tyler and Hypatia; nieces Danae (Geoff) and Deserae (Flavio) and their children Kaitlynn, Hailie, Sophie, Sylvie and Noah. He was preceded in death by his only sibling Donna Barina in November, 2016.

He leaves behind many wonderful friends in Canada, Washington State and Sun Lakes. We will miss him, and he will forever be in our hearts. We love you, Barry!

At his request, there will be no service. In his memory, please consider a donation to either the American Liver Foundation or the First Tee of Phoenix.

Thaddeus Hardin Enloe

Thaddeus Hardin Enloe (Thad H. Enloe), a resident of Sun Lakes, Arizona, passed away on July 17, 2017, in Gilbert, Arizona. Thad was born January 29, 1938, in Phoenix, Arizona, to Archie W. and Idalia Hardin Enloe. He attended school in Buckeye, Arizona, graduating from Buckeye High School in 1956 then attended Phoenix College in Phoenix.

Thad joined the United States Air Force in 1961 and served until 1966 where he was a SSGT in the 161st Support Squadron. He was part of the Air National Guard of Arizona and the United States Air Force Reserve and was activated from the National Guard for service in Germany in 1962. In January of 1978, Thad married Rachel Prigmore and was together with Rachel for 39 years. Thad had one daughter, Carol Louise (from a previous marriage).

Thad culminated his education journey at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, by obtaining his Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering in 1969 and his Master’s Degree in Industrial Engineering in 1982. Thad began working at Salt River Project in 1961 and retired in January of 1993. He later was an Adjunct Instructor at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix for three years. Thad was a member of the IEEE, Department of Defense Entertainment Group and performed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in 1963.

He was preceded in death by his mother Idalia, father Archie and his sister Mary Ann Enloe Dutton. Thad leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of 39 years Rachel P Enloe, daughter Carol Louise Enloe Clark and son-in-law Chris Clark.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 22, 2017, at the Sun Lakes Country Club, Navajo Room, 25601 N. Sun Lakes Blvd., Sun Lakes, Arizona 85248. In lieu of flowers, you may donate to the Hospice of the Valley – Lund Home, 1982 E. Woodside Court, Gilbert, Arizona 85297.

Louis Francis Gorczyca

Louis Francis Gorczyca, 86, passed away May 21, 2017. He was born April 1, 1931, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Louis was a Marine disabled veteran. During his lifetime, Louis was a TWA airline pilot and flew a 747 for 40 years. He worked for Orbital-Satellite as a security officer. He retired from TWA in 1991 and from Orbital in 2016. Louis is survived by his wife Loren, daughter Mary Kathryn Bernard, son Michael and three grandchildren.

Services will be held at 12:30 p.m. on October 6, 2017, at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, AZ 85024, 480-513-3600.

George William Kasper

George William Kasper, 87, passed away peacefully on August 1, 2017.

He leaves behind his loving partner Jane Piero of Sun Lakes, Arizona; daughter Nancy Kasper of North Rose, New York; son Kevin Kasper of Scottsdale, Arizona; and grandson Zachery Luckin of North Rose, New York. He also leaves behind his first wife and mother of his beloved children, Margaret Kasper of North Rose, New York.

Born in Little Ferry, New Jersey, on December 1, 1929, George later joined ROTC at University of Connecticut and graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. He proudly served in the U.S. Army Ordinance Corp during the Korean War. After his service in the Army, he joined Sperry Gyroscope and spent the next 12 years designing electronic and mechanical equipment for U.S. Navy submarines. George joined Xerox Corporation in 1966 and retired after nearly 30 years of service in 1995.

George spent his well-earned retirement years in sunny Arizona and enjoyed rock and gem collecting, as well as travelling the world on cruise ships. He will be missed by his many friends and family. He will be interred with full military honors at National Memorial Cemetery of Phoenix.

Beverly Mae Lefton

Beverly Mae Lefton, 86, of Sun Lakes, passed away on Wednesday, July 26, 2017. She was the daughter of Esther and renowned commercial artist Jack Strausberg of Chicago, Illinois.

In her youth, Beverly had been the model for Dolly Madison cakes and Bowman’s milk. She attended Hyde Park High School through her junior year and spent her senior year in Miami Beach, Florida, where she and a friend graduated from a private school. She returned to Chicago and completed a two-year program at the Latin American Institute. Her plans for working in Caracas, Venezuela, as a Spanish secretary, however, had been put on permanent hold when she met the love of her life and husband of nearly 67 years. She and Norman married and spent some time in California while he served in the military, and they returned to Chicago to raise a family.

Beverly worked a variety of jobs, including sales, customer service, newspaper circulation, administrative assistant and was always active in the Jewish community. She served a variety of roles in B’nai B’rith and Tay-Sachs and after moving to Sun Lakes, Arizona, in 1994, was also active in the Jewish Federation, Anti-Defamation League and Hadassah.

Beverly was a very thoughtful and generous person. She enjoyed good food, cooking and travel and had been to several countries with Norman. She adored the people of Thailand, and her favorite trip destination was Paris in September. She was highly intelligent and nearly secured a contestant spot on Jeopardy! She did crossword puzzles on most days and was an avid reader, often waiting for the arrival of books she had on order at the library. Interested in politics, history, celebrity and fiction, she liked a good story and she thoroughly enjoyed watching her TV shows and talking on the phone catching up with friends. Bev loved to laugh, she always enjoyed a good joke and was herself very witty. She was amused that she had played in a guitar group with Norman and three other men called the Four Geysers.

Beverly was very articulate and expressive in her writing. She had an appreciation for the way words rhymed in greeting cards, and she loved to write her own clever poems to celebration honorees. She loved planning gatherings and events, and she was very good at working out all the details. She was the life of the party, and much of her passion for life could be seen through her enjoyment of singing, dancing, acting, playing piano and guitar and playing games, especially mah-jongg.

Beverly lit up every room she entered, and she will be missed by all who knew her. She was the rock of our family and the love of our lives. She is survived by her true love and husband Norman, two devoted daughters Daryl and Randi, son Michael, grandsons Jeremy and Alex and of recent months, great-granddaughter Julie.

A celebration of Beverly’s life will be planned for a future date and communicated through her obituary page on the Dignity Memorial website.

Maurice Justin Stiker

Maurice Stiker, fondly known as Stiker, passed away July 20, 2017, due to heart complications in Sun Lakes, Arizona. On May 8, 2017, Stiker celebrated his 100th birthday. He was born in Evansville, Indiana, to John and Ethel (Sweeney) Stiker. As a teenager, he was adopted by Phoebe and Pearley Wells, I, of Lawrenceville, Illinois. He was immediately accepted and loved by the six Wells children.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Nelma Enlow Stiker, second wife Mary Jane Pichinich Stiker and siblings. He is survived by his godchild Pearley Wells, III, his wife Susan and their children Pearley Wells, IV, and Mattie of Casper, Wyoming, and Sun Lakes, Arizona. The family is very grateful for the love and attention they gave our wonderful Uncle Stiker. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Stiker excelled in basketball and played at Northeastern Illinois University and in the military. He also was an excellent pitcher in fast pitch softball in Southern Illinois. He voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp and advanced to the rank of Sergeant Major.

Stiker and Nelma lived in Crawfordsville, Indiana, where he owned an Insurance Agency for 30 years. He retired to Sun Lakes, Arizona, to be near his brother Pearley Wells, II, and family and was an avid golfer, playing three times a week until age 94.

He was a member of the American Legion for 71 years and enjoyed membership in the local Entertainment Flyers Club. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Crawfordsville, Indiana.

Stiker lived life to the fullest, loving people and until his death, remaining active and social having coffee with friends and neighbors at Bashas’ Supermarket and usually dining out for lunch with friends.

He loved dogs and always had at least one. He leaves behind Max and Lucky. They brought him much joy.

Donations in his memory may be made to Arizona Humane Society Campus for Compassion, 1521 W. Dobbins Road, Phoenix, AZ 85041, Humane Society.

A private graveside service will be held at a later date at Oak Hill Cemetery, Crawfordsville, Indiana, where he will be buried next to his wife Nelma.