In Passing

Sheryl (Sheri) Hopkins

Sheryl (Sheri) Hopkins went to share her laughter, comedic timing, and musical talent with the Lord on Nov. 24, 2019.

Sheri was born in Oklahoma on June 30, 1944, but grew up in her beloved Arizona, enjoying the sun, a good game of tennis, and participating in barbershop harmony whenever possible. She loved her close-knit Chandler “Chordaires” community, and proudly sang bass and contributed her percussion talent with the well-known, all-woman singing “seniors.”

Sheri’s infectious laugh and unique sense of humor will continue to be a part of Sun Lakes history of great and funny women as we forever remember our Sheri. Sheri is survived by her wonderful sons Mark and Lance.

A memorial is being planned for Sheri to be held in January in Sun Lakes at Cottonwood Country Club.

In lieu of flowers, Sheri asked that donations be sent to Genesis House Shelter (for domestic violence victims and children), P.O. Box 2097, Green Valley, AZ 85622.

For further information about the memorial, please call Maddy Paschal at 505-231-7331.

Richard C. Johnson

Richard C Johnson passed away peacefully on November 15, 2019 at the age of 83 in the company of his loving family.

Richard (Dick) was born November 22, 1935 in Mt Vernon, Washington. He is survived by his wife Darlene Johnson, daughter Lynne Swett and two sons Rich Johnson and Michael Johnson, grandchildren and great- grandchildren. His Celebration of Life was held December 1, 2019 in Sun Lakes, Arizona.

Dick grew up in a community of commercial fishermen. He presided to follow in his father’s footsteps and became a commercial fisherman in Puget Sound and Southeast Alaska. He later started his own Seafood business, “JX Fisheries,” which eventually was sold to Trident Seafoods Corp based in Seattle, Washington. There he joined the management team for Southeast Alaska salmon and Togiak Alaska herring. He retired at the age of 70, and moved with Darlene to Sun Lakes, Arizona.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Seattle at a future date for his family, friends, and seafood industry colleagues.

Dick was known for his hearty laughter and love for the game of golf, always challenging himself to do well. He definitely was the “Light of Life” for numerous family and friends.

Carl P. Kellar

Carl P. Kellar was born Dec. 4, 1945, in Norristown, PA. He moved to Arizona with his family in 1957. Carl married Jan Roddel in 1966, and they have resided in the Phoenix area their entire married life. Carl worked most of his professional career for Motorola and retired after 31 years in 1998. Carl and Jan have lived in Sun Lakes (Ironwood) since 1995.

Carl enjoyed outdoor activities, camping, and four-wheeling with family and friends. He was active in golf in Sun Lakes for several years and recently could be seen walking every day and attending water aerobics classes. Carl is survived by his wife and two sons, John Kellar and James (Bo) Kellar, and two grandchildren, Treyton and Marco.

Carl passed peacefully at Chandler Hospital on December 2, 2019. There will be no services. A Celebration of Life is pending. In lieu of flowers, please consider becoming an organ donor.

Nancy Pannebecker

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Nancy Pannebecker on Nov. 30, 2019. She passed peacefully in her sleep.

She was born on April 10, 1946, in Coudersport, PA, daughter of the late Ken Covey and Gertrude Straw. Nancy, in her younger years, was raised by her mother Gertrude Covey and her grandparents Bert and Gertrude Straw. Nancy was preceded in death by her husband of many years, Paul Pannebecker.

She attended public school in Coudersport and graduated from Penn State University. She worked all of her career in government in the defense industry. She was with the National Security Agency for many years, Hughes Aerospace, and retired from Raytheon Corp. in the position of contract administration. She traveled to many countries during her career.

She was a member of the Sun Lakes United Methodist Church. She enjoyed playing golf, volunteering for many causes, her puppies Benji and Buffy, and her many friends in Sun Lakes. Nancy was an icon in the Sun Lakes community, having served two full terms and a partial term on the SLHOA2 Board of Directors. She was very instrumental in many improvements to the community throughout her years of living in Sun Lakes.

Nancy is survived by step-daughters Wendy Bennet of Severna Park, MD, and Debbie Titus of Westminister, MD; aunt Elaine Straw; cousin Lisa Bond and her family: husband G.S. (Shannon) and sons Patrick of Galesburg, IL, and Tyler Of Phoenix, AZ. She also leaves many friends who will sadly miss her.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, at Sun Lakes Methodist Church, 9248 E. Riggs Road, Sun Lakes. Donations may be made to the American Heart Association in remembrance of Nancy.

Michael Hans Shaw

Michael Hans Shaw, formerly of Pierre, SD, died peacefully on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, at the age of 95 due to various complications of cancer. He was in hospice care at his home in Brandon, SD, and passed on with his wife Shirley Licht-Shaw by his side.

Mike was born in Pierre, SD, on July 21, 1924 to Nellie Belle and Frederick Longsdale Shaw and spent his childhood and young adult years in Huron, SD, surrounded by six siblings who preceded him in death; Sam, Bob, Don and Poppy (twins), and Shine and Mary (twins). The Shaw family ran a SD State Fair booth and delighted in their family big band, The Don Shaw Band. Mike was adored by all his brothers and sisters, their spouses, and his many nieces and nephews.

After serving as an officer and pilot in the Navy during World War II, he returned to Huron to fall in love and wed Marilyn Alice Anderson on Aug. 21, 1951. Together Mike and Marilyn raised their four children: Nancy Jo (John Grinager), Lizabeth Mary (Bob Drew), Mike Frederick (Dedra), and Christopher Robert (Christy). These years were marked with great joy, many risks, and adventures.

They made many states their home and worked and served together in various ways, such as education, public service, volunteerism, and private business. Prior to retirement, Mike ended his career as the CEO of Delta Dental SD and as a SD State Representative. They selflessly served others and their church as an expression of their devout Christian faith.

After 45 years of marriage, Marilyn died on Aug. 5, 1996, of breast cancer leaving behind her husband, their four children, and 12 grandchildren: Hans, Peter, and Nathan Grinager; Natalie, William, and Joseph Drew; Sam and Callan Shaw (de Hueck); and Michael, Kelsey, Josie, and Aaron Shaw.

While our hearts are heavy with loss, we take comfort in knowing that Mike was a man of great Christian faith and is celebrating and worshiping with his Maker in Heaven. He deeply loved and prayed daily for each member of his family, including his eight great-grandchildren, and we know his prayers will impact his family for generations.

Mike sadly leaves behind his second wife, Shirley Licht-Shaw. They were married May 28, 2005, in Pierre, spending winters in Sun Lakes, AZ, and summers in Pierre until their move to Bethany Meadows in Brandon, SD, in 2014. They had a wonderful life together, actively involved with church, family, and friends and felt very blessed.

Funeral arrangements are being made at Trinity Episcopal Church in Pierre, SD, following cremation by George Boom Funeral Chapel, Brandon. The service date and celebration in Pierre are yet to be announced, but anticipated for the Spring of 2020.

Cecil Marvin Still

Cecil Marvin Still (known as Marvin) died peacefully at the age of 92 on Oct. 19, 2019, in Phoenix, AZ. Born Aug. 10, 1927, in Bellingham, WA, he attended both grade school and high school in Bellingham. In grade school, he became an Eagle Scout. In high school, he was the editor of the Shuskan yearbook and captain of the Tennis Club. He cherished his classmates and continued to attend his school reunions.

After graduation from high school in 1945, he enlisted in the Navy and was stationed in San Diego, CA, until the end of the war. After leaving the Navy, he entered the University of Washington. While at UW, he joined the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity where he made many lifelong friends. Later in life, he was a member of the Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Advisory Board. He graduated UW in 1950 with a BA in Business Administration and excelled in the insurance industry with the F.B. Beattie Co. where he rose to partner until his retirement.

Upon retirement, he spent much of his free time traveling both here and abroad with his wife Shirley. They eventually moved from Seattle to Phoenix, AZ, where he rekindled his love of tennis and other sports. Marvin was a kind and gentle soul with an endearing smile, who had a knack for being loved by all who knew him.

Closest to his heart was his love of family. He often remarked how blessed he was to be a father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Shirley of 35 years, his three children: Sharon Paulson of Redmond, WA; Susan Still of Hoodsport, WA; and son Steven (Amy) of Austin, Texas, and a daughter through marriage, Marilyn Davick of Chandler, AZ. He is also survived by five grandchildren. He was greatly loved and respected and will be missed by all.

A Celebration of Life for Marvin will be held on Jan. 11, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. at the Sun Lakes United Methodist Church, 9248 E. Riggs Road, Sun Lakes, AZ.

Robert “Bob” G. Terry

Robert “Bob” G. Terry, 82, of Sun Lakes, Arizona, formally of Ramsey, NJ, from 1964-2017, passed away on Oct. 26, 2019, from a brief battle with brain cancer.

Bob is survived by his wife Gladys E. (Heinemann) Terry, with whom he shared 58 wonderful years of love, adventure, and partnership. Bob is also survived by his three children: Cynthia “Sindi” L. (Terry) Price and her husband Jim Price, Robert L. Terry, and Sheryl A. (Terry) Nolan and her fiancé Jim Coffelt, and four granddaughters: Veronica L. Price, Patricia S. Price, Adelle G. Nolan, and Mariel H. Nolan.

Bob is predeceased by his parents Robert “George” G. E. Terry and Dorothy B. (Hettenbach) Terry of Lyndhurst, NJ, and his sister Dorothy B. (Terry) Zelenka of Morehead City, SC.

In 1912, Bob’s grandfather immigrated to the United States from Plymouth, England, to establish a residence and secure a job. He then purchased tickets for Bob’s grandmother, father, and four aunts to also immigrate to the United States by sailing on the Titanic. Shortly before the sailing, Bob’s grandfather lost his job, forcing the family to sell their tickets. Undeterred, a new job was secured and the family sailed in 1913 on the St. Louis and settled in Irvington, NJ.

At age 11, Bob began playing a Soprano French Bugle and began creating some of his most cherished memories by playing/marching in Drum and Bugle Corps. First on the Barringer-Walker Cadets from 1948-1955, then on the Patterson Cadets from 1955-1958, and finally, in what became to be known as the hay-day of drum and bugle corps, was a very proud member of the New York Skyliners from 1958-1964. Listening to recorded performances from 1958-1964 of the NY Skyliners, which included a performance at Carnegie Hall, brought him great joy while he fought his illness.

Bob served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1955-1959 and was honorably discharged due to his need for visual correction.

Bob’s work career started at the age of 16 as a third-generation plumber. In 1959, he joined Plumbers Local Union #326 as an apprentice, advanced to journeyman, and proudly served in elected office positions for 28 years, starting as an E-Board member, then Vice President, and onto President spanning 1972-2000. During that time, Bob advocated for and was instrumental in establishing the union’s medical program and pension fund. Bob also served as a Business Agent from 1999-2000 with Plumber’s Local #14 after Local #326 was incorporated into Local #14. He proudly celebrated 60 years of unionship in 2019 as a lifetime member of Plumber’s Local Union #24.

When his children were young, Bob enjoyed being a leader and mentor in youth organizations: Cubs Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Explorer Scouts. He also had a lot of fun coaching youth football and baseball.

Serving his community for 10 years, Bob trained and rode as an EMT with the Ramsey Volunteer Ambulance Corps and was an active committee member of the New Jersey State First Aid Council (NJFAC). He also volunteered his expertise by helping to design the plumbing for an expansion of the Ramsey Ambulance Corps building.

When Bob retired in 2000, he and his wife began their dream adventures by traveling for 15 years around the United States in their RV with the intent on finding their ideal retirement community. Bob always enjoyed meeting new people and playing cards and domino games.

In 2018, after living in their Ramsey, NJ, home for 53 years, they moved to Sun Lakes, AZ, where they enjoyed settling into the Sun Lakes community and getting to know everyone.

In lieu of memorial gifts, donations may be made to St. Jude Hospice of the Valley or to any cause of choice.

Raymond Dan Welker

Raymond Dan Welker passed away on Dec. 3, 2019. Ray was born on Sept. 28, 1932, in Lumberton, NC, to Dan and Katherine Welker. He grew up in Lumberton and studied Electrical Engineering at North Carolina State for three years before joining the U.S. Navy. Ray served in the U.S. Navy for four and a half years, during which time he became a naval aviator stationed in Beeville, TX.

He left the Navy in 1958 to go to work for Northwest Orient Airlines based in Minneapolis, MN. During his 34-year career, he would be based in Minneapolis, MN; Honolulu, HI; and Seattle, WA. Upon retirement from Northwest Airlines as a 747 captain in 1992, he moved to Sun Lakes, AZ, where he remained until his final move to Woodinville, WA, earlier this year.

It was during his early years working for Northwest that he met and married his first wife Sandra Long in 1959. Their marriage produced three children: Andrea, Greg, and Melissa. Divorced from Sandra in the late ‘70s, he went on to marry Lois Groesbeck in 1980. Lois was his golf and bridge partner for 39 years.

During his free time, Ray enjoyed boating, fishing, and golf, but his true passion was being a pilot, as validated by his favorite joke…

A young boy stops his mother as she is heading out the door to her job as a stewardess for Northwest Airlines. The young boy tells his mother, “Mommy… when I grow up, I want to be a pilot.” His mother turns to him and says, “Son… you can’t do both.”

Ray is survived by his wife Lois; his half-sister Jill Englebretson (Gordon); his three children: Andrea Welker (Jack Hooper), Greg Welker, and Melissa Matkin (Dick); his four step-children: Teale Groesbeck, Cindy Crivelli, Kelie Groesbeck, and Paul Groesbeck (Debbie); 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

At his request, there will be no service. Memorial gifts can be made to the EvergreenHealth Foundation, 12040 NE 128th Street, MS 5, Kirkland, WA 98034-3013. Please reference EvergreenHealth Hospice Services.