Bill Chambers
Bill Chambers took his first breath in Gadsden, Ala., on Feb. 14, 1942, and his final breath in Sun Lakes, Ariz., March 11, 2022, in the company of his wife, their three daughters, and his brother. True to his Valentine status, his sweetness lives on in the memories of all who experienced his quiet acts of kindness. In his 29-year career with Kennametal, Bill was considered a “Class Act.” He and his metalworking expertise were sought after and respected from Raleigh, N.C., to Tucson, Ariz. A man of many interests with a passion for high-flying thrills, hot rods, classic cars, motorcycles, and music, Bill exemplified a genuine southern gentleman with charming manners and an unexpected humor who remained always an everyday hero; loving life, people, and a good conversation. We are all the better for knowing and being loved by the inimitable Mr. Bill.
George Eugene Conaway
George Eugene Conaway was born July 22, 1933, and passed away April 2, 2022. He served in the military in the Korean War. He enjoyed playing tennis and golf. He loved to travel.
He is survived by his wife Judy of 62 years, his daughter Tamera of Philadelphia, his son Todd and daughter-in-law Michael of Apache Junction, four grandchildren: Andrew, Alex, Lexi, and Chase, four great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
The following verse by Edgar A. Guest describes George’s philosophy by which he lived. He will be sorely missed.
Success
I hold no dream of fortune vast,
Nor seek undying fame.
I do not ask when life is past
That many know my name.
I may not own the skill to rise
To glory’s topmost height,
Nor win a place among the wise,
But I can keep the right.
And I can live my life on earth
Contented to the end,
If but a few shall know my worth
And proudly call me friend.
Roberta (Robbie) Ferrazza
Robbie Ferrazza was born Roberta DeSousa on Feb. 1, 1951, in Fall River, Mass. Robbie passed on April 4, 2022. Her husband and two stepchildren were at her bedside.
Robbie was a longtime resident of Sun Lakes, moving there in 1998. Robbie was very outgoing. She could walk up to anyone and strike up a conversation, many leading to long friendships. She loved shopping, making friends with many store workers. They were happy to see her, many times with a cup of coffee for them. She was just so easy to talk to.
Robbie, from an early age, with the teaching from her me’me, learned and loved knitting and crochet. This started her on a path of doing all types of crafts. She made thousands of blankets, hats, shawls, and baby clothes (if it could be knitted, she made it). She would make shawls for the Little Pink Houses of Hope breast cancer patients and loved it.
Robbie loved music and dance. She belonged to dance clubs in Sun Lakes, and she could do a mean East Coast Swing. She was an avid reader her entire life. She loved to cook. Even on vacation, she would find a way to make a meal or two. Robbie spent a lot of time with karaoke friends at clubs and hosting house parties. With all her talents, she did not sing. Oh, except for “These Boots Are Made for Walking.” She would have an older friend with whom she would perform it, and he loved it. She enjoyed all the singers, especially her husband.
Robbie had no biological children but had a great relationship with her stepchildren and one very special person she called her niece child, Tammy. Tammy, in turn, would always call her Auntie Mom. They had a wonderful relationship, just like mother and daughter, on the phone for hours every day.
Robbie is survived by her husband Joseph Ferrazza; stepchildren Michael, David, and Alan; grandson Cuyler; sisters Joanne, Lynn, Dawn, and Ginger Lee; and niece child Tammy.
Edward “Ed” John Gielow, III
Edward “Ed” John Gielow, III, 68, of Sun Lakes, Ariz., passed away on March 22, 2022, after a six-month-long battle with West Nile Encephalitis. He was born at Camp Pendleton, Calif., to Edward John Gielow, Jr., and Evelyn (Reik) Gielow, both of whom preceded him in death. He married Marlene Mennenga on July 7, 1979, in Gifford, Ill.
Ed is survived by his wife Marlene, who never stopped advocating for him during his illness, and two sons: John (Emily) of Gilbert, Ariz., and Justin (Debbie) of Chandler, Ariz. Ed was a loving Papa to one grandson, Christian Gielow of San Tan Valley, Ariz., and four granddaughters: Lexus (Connor) Boucher and Taryn, Torri, and Taylor Foster, all of Chandler, Ariz.
Ed grew up and attended schools in Westville, Ill., where he was active in Lions Club and Elks as a young adult. Ed and Marlene lived in St. Joseph, Ill., before moving to Gilbert, Ariz., in 1994. After retirement, they moved to Sun Lakes in Chandler where he enjoyed various activities in the community.
Ed loved the outdoors, especially fishing and spending time with his family. He will be greatly missed by his family and all those who knew him.
A Celebration of Life service was held at 11 a.m. on April 23 at Risen Savior Lutheran Church, 23914 S. Alma School Road, Sun Lakes, AZ 85248.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Risen Savior; CaringBridge.org; Hospice of the Valley (hov.org), 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014; or Friends for Life Animal Rescue (azfriends.org), 952 W. Melody Avenue, Gilbert, AZ 85233.
David W. Hunter
David W. Hunter, 77, passed away on March 13, 2022, in Chandler, Ariz. David was born in Saginaw, Mich., on Jan. 3, 1945, to William Hunter and Harriet Woycheese. David’s father was with Standard Oil and moved his family many times as David was growing up. David graduated from Escanaba High School in Michigan in 1963.
In high school David excelled and won honors in both academics and sports. Books of all kinds were devoured by David, giving him a wealth of knowledge on many topics.
David attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he attained undergraduate degrees in marketing, accounting, and information systems. He graduated with a master’s degree in business administration in 1968. It was at the university that David met his college sweetheart Jackie Peterson, and they were married in 1966. Together David and Jackie had four children: Andrew W. Hunter (Amy), Allison R. Burke (Keith), Braden D. Hunter (Laura), and Lynne M. Bell (Rod-deceased). His children gifted David with 10 amazing grandchildren: Zachariah and Nathaniel Hunter; Kaylin, Kyeler, and Karsen Burke; Kelsey, William, and Trenton Hunter; and Reese and Rachel Bell. David was preceded in death by his beloved sister Judith Hunter Patton, brother-in-law George Patton, and niece Susan Patton. Judy left behind our Lynne and David and Jackie’s special nephew and niece, Greg Patton and Cheryl Serrano.
David served in the Army Air Defense Command in Wisconsin and Illinois from 1968 to 1974. Like his father before him, David moved his growing family numerous times. After the children were grown, David’s business pursuits continued to relocate him to California, Washington, Texas, and back to Chicago.
David’s career as a management consultant began at Touche Ross where he became a partner. Other business endeavors throughout his career included Integrated Resources Investments, KPMG, Vertical Systems Consulting, Insurance Information Exchange, CNA Information Technology, Career Education Corp., HUB International Insurance Brokerage, and JOAT Independent Consulting, until and after his retirement in 2009 when he moved to Sun Lakes, where he resided until his death.
Family members are planning a private Celebration of Life ceremony. David will come home to stay with Jackie until her passing. At that time, they will be interred at the Valley of the Sun Cemetery in Chandler, Ariz. No memorial service is planned at this time. The family requests that if you wish to express sympathy, please choose your favorite charity and donate in David’s honor.
Dennis L. Larson
Dennis Larson, 80, passed away at Chandler Regional Medical Center on April 2, 2022. Dennis was born on April 1, 1942, in Cooperstown, N.D., to Olga and Melvin Larson. He graduated from Cooperstown High School in 1960 and married Diane Howden, his high school sweetheart, on July 17, 1960. Dennis attended Dickinson State College for two years on an athletic scholarship, competing on the football, basketball, and track teams. He went on to graduate from North Dakota State University with a degree in pharmacy in 1966. Dennis worked for 14 years at Larson Drug in Mayville, N.D. He and Diane purchased Hillsboro Drug and Gift in 1982 and worked there until his retirement in 2004. After selling their longtime family home in Mayville, N.D., Dennis and his wife Diane split their time between Big Cormorant Lake in Detroit Lakes, Minn., and Sun Lakes, Ariz., until residing in Sun Lakes fulltime. Dennis was an avid sports fan and especially loved watching the Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and NDSU Bison Football. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, going to breakfast with his buddies several days a week and playing pinochle.
Dennis is survived by his wife Diane (Howden); three children: Lori Grommesh (John) of Casselton, N.D.; Greg Larson (Shelby Felton) of Castle Rock, Colo.; and Sue Selle (Eric) of Lone Tree, Colo.; six grandchildren: Michael Grommesh (Kelsey) of Casselton, N.D.; Julie Grommesh of Fargo, N.D.; Brayden Selle of Tucson, Ariz.; Collin Selle of Seattle, Wash.; and Mikayla and Madelyn Larson of Castle Rock, Colo; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Olga and Melvin Larson; brother James Larson; infant children: Julie and Danny Larson; and granddaughter Christyn Grommesh.
In lieu of flowers or memorials, please consider donating to American Stroke Association (www.stroke.org).
The family hosted a Celebration of Life service in Sun Lakes, Ariz., on April 30.
Paul Lonero
Paul Lonero, age 86, of Sun Lakes, Ariz., passed away on Saturday, March 26, 2022. Paul passed away peacefully, surrounded by his wife Barbara and family, after his courageous battle with cancer.
Paul was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., on June 17, 1935, to the late Samuel and Teresa (Crisafio) Lonero. Paul loved golfing, playing cards, remodeling homes, and traveling, and he delighted in his warm and loving Italian heritage. Paul never met a stranger and was always willing to offer a helping hand whenever needed.
Paul was proud to have served in the United States Coast Guard. While serving, he had tours of duty on icebreakers going to the North Pole and was involved in the installation of the Distant Early Warning line during the Cold War. After his tour of duty, he returned to Pittsburgh, Pa., where he became a tool and die maker and business owner. Paul moved to Phoenix, Ariz., in 1983. He founded and operated Lone Arrow Enterprises. The company sold and serviced CNC machinery and sandblasting parts and equipment to the Valley’s aviation industry, including Honeywell.
Although Barbara and Paul had both lived in Dobson Ranch in Mesa, Ariz., and both owned businesses located within a short distance of each other in the 1980s, their paths did not cross until 1992 when they both attended a pinochle club to play one of their favorite games. As the saying goes, it was “Love at First Sight.” The next 30 years was an amazing adventure we shared. Paul’s quality of life was good to the very end, and he lived every day of his life to the fullest.
Paul is survived by his wife Barbara of Sun Lakes; daughter Terri Aglietti (Eric); sons Michael (Sally), Sam (Darlene), Paul (aka PJ), and Rick; and his sister Josephene Risoleo, who all reside in the Pittsburgh, Pa., area. He is also survived by his two step-sons Tony (Melissa) and Derek (Allie) Herndon of Mesa, Ariz.; eight grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; nephews; and many cousins.
In addition to his parents, Paul was preceded in death by his ex-wife, the beloved mother of his six children, Joan (Ecoff) Lonero; his son Kurt Paul; his grandchildren Laura and Alex; brother Anthony; and brother-in-law James Risoleo. Paul will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
We want to acknowledge the wonderful and caring treatment Paul received from Dr. Dharia and staff at Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers in Mesa, Ariz., and the unbelievable loving help and assistance the Hospice of the Valley provided Paul and our family. Also, we send our heartfelt thanks to our friends and neighbors who have reached out with their prayers and loving words and acts of kindness.
Anyone wishing may make a donation in Paul’s memory to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org or to Hospice of the Valley at www.hov.org/donate.
There will be a Celebration of Life for Paul. The time and location will be announced at a later date.
Leonard Earl Meyer
Leonard Earl Meyer of Sun Lakes, Ariz., passed away March 16, 2022, from sudden acute myeloid leukemia at Chandler Regional Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. Len was born March 15, 1945, in Columbia, S.C., first son to Clinton and Audree Meyer. In 1971 he married the love of his life, Paula Meyer (Pianka), wife of 51 years, and together they raised Krista Kidd (Meyer-Mirra), who also survives with her spouse Jason, grandchildren Dylan and Madelyn Mirra, and step-grandchildren Ava and Aiden Kidd, all of Chandler.
Len was a graduate of Eastern Illinois University and received his MBA from Southern Illinois University. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam conflict as a Green Beret, 101st Infantry. Following his time in the military, Len worked for over 30 years as an executive with several prominent insurance companies in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Illinois until he chose to focus on a successful career in real estate sales and relocated to Arizona to escape the winters and to watch over his aging parents. Len enjoyed the beauty of Arizona and spending time with his family, but most of all, nice dinners with Paula and their close friends, which always included a glass (sometimes two) of his favorite red wine.
Len is also survived by his brother Larry Meyer, sister-in-law Faith, nieces Katie Olesky and Carley Schweinberg, and nephew David Meyer. He was preceded in death by his parents and parents-in-law Paul and Grace Pianka.
A Celebration of Life will be held May 15, 2022, from 2 to 4 p.m. at IronOaks Country Club, Sun Lakes, Ariz.