In Passing

Edward R. Castellanos

Edward R. Castellanos passed away on March 15, 2023. Edward was born in Globe, Ariz., on March 27, 1935, to Feliciano and Maria Louisa Redondo Castellanos. He grew up in Globe, Ariz., and played varsity football as a 127-pound freshman, starting at middle linebacker. He continued his academic and athletic career at Palo Verde Junior College in Blythe, Calif., where he played both football and baseball. To finance his college endeavors, he worked summers in both the Superior and San Manuel Copper Mines.

He married the love of his life, Esperanza (Hope) Benzor, in 1958, who remained by his side for 65+ years. Edward began his teaching career in Aguila, Ariz., a small farming community near Wickenburg, for one year. He eventually moved back to Globe where he taught for 30 years, finally retiring in 1993. He primarily taught Spanish but also taught history and enjoyed coaching multiple sports at the junior high and high school levels. He later became a long-serving, 30-year basketball and multisport referee and umpire. He loved to ref basketball because it helped keep him slim and trim. He traveled all over the state, blowing that whistle with gusto.

He was an avid ASU fan for decades. He was privileged to attend both Rose Bowl games that ASU participated in and attended the College Baseball World Series twice. He was also a season ticket holder for ASU and the Arizona Cardinals for multiple years. You will find his and Hope’s picture at the Phoenix Muni Stadium commemorating the final ASU baseball game at Packard Stadium where they attended baseball games for 40 years. Edward was a member of the Knights of Columbus and was a referee with the AIA for over 30 years.

During retirement, Edward and Hope toured the country, visiting every single state in the USA, including a trip to Europe.

Edward is preceded in death by his parents, brother Feliciano, sister Dora, sister Emma, brother Lorenzo, and grandson Tristan.

Edward is survived by his loving wife Hope, sons Mark (Lisa) and Andrew (ex-daughter-in-law Robin); brother Ernest (Nancy); sister Rosemary (family); grandchildren Jordan (Matt), Torrin, Miranda, Cayden, and Addison; and great-granddaughter Tatum. Edward will be missed by his family and friends as a loving, genuine person who lived a full 87 years. He passed peacefully surrounded by family.

Leo Horn

Leo Horn passed away peacefully on March 8, 2023, in Chandler, Ariz. Born Dec. 27, 1923, on a family farm west of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, he was the 11th of 12 children. His parents George and Anna Marie (Kähm) Horn had immigrated to Canada from an ethnic German village on the Volga in Russia in 1899. Leo did office work in Winnipeg before being drafted into the Canadian Armed Forces during World War II. His talent for baseball kept him doing office work in the army, as a bureaucratic company wanted him on their team.

He met his wife of 63 years, Emily Isabel Harrison, in 1947. They married in 1950. After Leo graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1951, he began a career in exploration geophysics, and he and Emily spent the next six years traveling Western North America on seismic crews for Western Geophysical and later Chevron.

The birth of daughter Lorna in 1957 brought Leo back to the office, first in Calgary, Alberta, then in Anchorage, Alaska. After the 1964 Good Friday earthquake, Chevron relocated the Horns to Seattle, Wash., where they adopted daughter Heather in 1965. Leo worked in California from 1966 to 1969 when he was appointed vice president of Chevron Geophysical in Houston, Texas. Leo finished his career as the manager of Chevron Petroleum in Copenhagen, Denmark, from 1981 to 1983.

Leo and Emily lived in Canyon Lake, Texas, from 1983 to 1994 when they moved to Sun Lakes. In Arizona, Leo and Emily became hikers and explorers of the desert, and they welcomed frequent visits by far-flung family and friends. To stay at “Club Leo” was always a treat for guests, whether they lounged by the pool or indulged in Leo’s famous breakfasts. While his physical body declined during his 90s, Leo’s mind stayed sharp almost to the end, and he endured pain and discomfort with few complaints and much ingenuity.

Heather and Lorna would like to thank Heather and Dwight Anderson for their love, care, and support of Leo, the staff of Friendship Village Healthcare Center, and Hospice of the Valley and the staff of Dobson Home. We celebrated Leo’s 99 years at 10 a.m. on April 15, 2023, at Saint Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Chandler. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hospice of the Valley or to Saint Matthew’s Episcopal Church for its Memory Garden.

Rosemarie Jack

Rosemarie Jack, age 81, passed away on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, in Sun Lakes.

She is survived by her two daughters, Donna and Lisa, and her partner in life, Freddie.

Family and friends were invited to the Valley of the Sun Mortuary, located at 10940 E. Chandler Heights Road, Chandler, Ariz., on April 1, 2023, at 11 a.m. for services, immediately followed by a reception at Sun Lakes Country Club.

Dr. L. Wayne Krula (Commander USN, Retired)

L. Wayne Krula passed away on March 15, 2023. Wayne was born on Feb. 12, 1931, in Beatrice, Neb., to the late Otto Krula and Etha (Moore) Krula, both who were educators. Wayne, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, worked for many years in education, including serving as a school teacher, principal, and superintendent and later as a church administrator.

In his school days, Wayne made friends quickly. He acted in a school play and was even elected Junior Vice President of the student council. He lettered in track, played basketball, and joined the Future Farmers of America. Wayne was a grateful man whose faith led him to take an active role in spiritual endeavors during his time in college, witnessing the Wheaton College Revival and assisting with Sunday school for children in Chicago. While at Wheaton College (Illinois), Wayne pursued majors in physical and Christian education.

After receiving his B.A. from Wheaton College, Wayne was sworn in as an Ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He was sent to the fleet sonar school in San Diego, Calif., where he trained to be the ship’s Anti-Submarine Warfare officer. During his two-year tour of duty on the USS Shelton, Wayne felt privileged to have visited the Philippines, Japan, Formosa, Thailand, Korea, and various ports in the U.S.

After discharge from active duty, Wayne made the decision to re-enroll at Wheaton College and took courses that enabled him to obtain an Illinois Teaching Certificate. It was because of this decision that he met his wife. Wayne married Marie Krvavica of Chicago in June 1957. Together they welcomed their first child David, then their daughter Lisa, and later their son Daniel. Wayne and Marie began their lives together in Illinois, and much later in life, made their permanent residence in Arizona.

In addition to his B.A. degree, Wayne obtained M.S. and Ed.D. degrees from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb and was elected to Phi Delta Kappa. He received numerous service medals, awards, and accolades for his time honorably serving our country in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He was active in the Naval Reserve for 27 years, rising to the rank of full Commander. He was a member, and past commander, of the Korean War Veterans Association of Sun Lakes, Ariz., and served on the Governor’s Arizona Veterans’ Service Advisory Commission. He also served as a Deacon at the First Baptist Church of Chandler.

Wayne is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 65 years, Marie; his children: David Krula of Sun Lakes, Ariz.; Lisa Krula of Sun Lakes, Ariz.; and Dan (Rhonda) Krula of San Tan Valley, Ariz.; grandchildren: Jessica (Omar) Cifuentes of Gilbert, Ariz.; Melissa (Nathaniel) Hoekstra of Bentonville, Ark.; Kristin (Bradley) Churchman of Littleton, Colo.; Jordan (Corrie) Krula of Prospect Heights, Ill.; and Brittney (Michael) Baumgartner of Marengo, Ill.; and great-grandchildren: Janae, Evalyn, and Irene Cifuentes; Jude, Grady, and Lanah Hoekstra; Micah, Caden, and Tyler Churchman; Lydia and Adeline Krula; and Michael, Daniel, and Hayden Baumgartner.

Wayne also is survived by his sister Frances Krula-Felice of Temple, Texas; nieces Deborah (David) Omori of Mather, Calif., and Sheryl (Douglas) Taylor of Nolanville, Texas; nephew James Sullivan of Fremont, Calif.; and many grandnieces and grandnephews.

Wayne was laid to rest at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix. Condolences may be expressed at www.valleyofthesunfuneralhome.com.

Brenda Ann Phillips

Brenda Ann Phillips, 79, of Sun Lakes, Ariz., and Curtis, Mich., entered her Heavenly home on March 14, 2023, with her family by her side.

Brenda was born and raised in Flint, Mich. She attended St. John Vianney High School and Mott Community College. Brenda married Jim Phillips in the Summer of 1966. Shortly thereafter, their family expanded to include a daughter and son. Brenda cherished her many years working at Hank Graff Chevrolet in several roles where her gift in connecting with people shone through.

Upon Jim’s retirement in 2009, they divided their time between their home in Sun Lakes, Ariz., and their cottage in Curtis, located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Brenda’s spunky personality kept her active in many social groups and activities. She enjoyed traveling, hosting parties, quilting, visiting casinos, and being an integral part of her grandchildren’s lives.

Her love was lavishly given as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Brenda never met a stranger. Her vivacious and friendly nature instantly welcomed those in her presence and brought joy to all those around her. She always sparkled like the tinsel in her hair.

She cherished family time spent at their summer cottage playing games, crafting, sitting by the campfire, and fishing on the lake with her granddaughter. Brenda found joy engaging with all the people she met while working at the Spruce It Up gift shop in Curtis.

Brenda’s faith was an ongoing presence throughout her life. She served as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist in both Michigan and Arizona and attended St. Timothy in Curtis and St. Steven’s in Sun Lakes.

Brenda leaves behind her beloved family: James “Jim,” her husband of 56.5 years; daughter Laura (Frank) Manella; son James “Jamie”; grandson Matthew Manella; and granddaughter Danielle Manella. She is preceded in death by her parents Jack and Anna Mae Keyes.

A funeral Mass was held on Monday, April 17, 2023, at St. Steven’s Catholic Church in Sun Lakes, Ariz., at 10 a.m. A Celebration of Life followed Mass in the Parish Hall.

During her devoted and loving care of her husband, Brenda became actively involved with The Perfect Place and Memory Café organizations in Arizona. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation, on behalf of Brenda, to The Perfect Place, by Oakwood Creative Care, 23914 S. Alma School Road, Sun Lakes, AZ 85248, or www.oakwoodcreativecare.org/donate.