Robert Brower
Robert Kent Brower, age 81, died Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, at his home in Sauk Centre. Bob was a resident of both Sauk Centre, Minn., and Sun Lakes, Ariz., and passed peacefully, surrounded by his family after a battle with cancer.
Per Bob’s request, a private family service will be held.
Born on March 1, 1944, in Pocatello, Idaho, Bob was the eldest of two siblings. He served in the Oregon Army National Guard in the 1960s before moving to Olympia, Wash, where he worked for the Washington State Government until his retirement in 2001.
Bob was an avid golfer and a skilled bridge player and had deep ties to those communities both in Sun Lakes and Sauk Centre. He was a loyal, hardworking, and dedicated friend, father, and husband and will be missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 21 years, Marge Gritzmacher (Kane) Brower; son and daughter-in-law, Jason Brower and Andrea Tynan-Brower; daughter, Janice Ervine and fiancé Dan Rogich; three grandchildren, Meghan Kelly, Ethan Brower, and Kaitlyn Ervine; sister, Carolyn (Chuck) Jackson; Marge’s children, Paul and Melisa Kane, Jon and Julie Kane, and Ann and Nate Hess; 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Erwin and Virginia Brower; daughter, Jana Brower; and grandson, Taylor Brower.
Memorials may be directed to the Bob Brower Memorial Fund, which will be used to express his gratitude for local hospice care and share his love of golf, at Minnesota National Bank, 131 12th Street South, PO Box 306, Sauk Centre, MN 56378.
Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral and Cremation Services of Sauk Centre.
Ronald L. Chase
Born in 1946, son of Golda (Peters) and Row W. Chase in Erie, Pa., Ron passed away peacefully at home in Sun Lakes on Aug. 11, 2025.
Graduated 1964 from McDowell High School in Erie and later from Penn State University with an associate degree in Manufacturing Technology. He and wife Phyllis (Smith) moved to Arizona following his employment by Sperry Flight Systems. He graduated from University of Phoenix in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management.
Ron was a sports enthusiast, both an active participant and a spectator. He was a fierce competitor who played softball with numerous teams into his 60s, umpired Little League, and refereed junior basketball while in Erie. A bowler, he achieved two 300 games in league play and as a golfer he scored three holes-in-one. He enjoyed golfing two or three times weekly in Sun Lakes and as a member of the Palo Verde Couples League. He was an avid Penn State football fan and a lifetime member of the Penn State Alumni Association. After moving to Arizona, he also adopted Arizona State University as his “home” team.
He was employed by Zurn Industries in Erie, Pa., and several firms in Arizona including Revlon, Shure Electronics, and Garrett-AiResearch, retiring from the Boeing Corporation. He was proud to have worked with Boeing’s Apache program in Mesa, Ariz., particularly enjoying his final years with them working in International Programs, which gave him the opportunity to travel the globe.
Early in his career he was an active member of the Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE). He served on several committees and as the Phoenix chapter president. After retiring, he served for many years as a driver and a member of the board of directors for Neighbors Who Care, and as a member of the Palo Verde Road Management Commission.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents and brother Robert as well as grandparents and numerous aunts and uncles. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Phyllis; sisters Rose Dobson, Shirley Beausoleil, Janice (Joe) Beausoleil, and brother Phillip (Colleen) Chase; as well as an abundance of nieces and nephews, their spouses and children; and sisters-in-law Claudia (Frank) Cucitro and Darlene (Frank) Germano, two Germano nephews, Anthony, Frank (Amanda) and their children. God-daughter Stephanie (Ben) Hess of Charleston, S.C., and their daughter Madeline were a special blessing in his life.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Neighbors Who Care (neighborswhocare.com), Sun Lakes United Methodist Church (sunlakesumc.org), or a charity of your choice.
A Celebration of Life was held on Sept. 24, 2025, at Sun Lakes United Methodist Church.
Joseph Chavez
Joseph (Joe) Chavez passed away peacefully at his home in Sun Lakes on July 17, 2025.
Joe was born in Albuquerque, N.M., on July 26, 1942, to Ferminio and Lucy Chavez. He graduated from Valley High School in 1960 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy soon after. He served on the Destroyer Richard B. Anderson during the Viet Nam war. After his tour of duty, he took advantage of the GI Bill and attended the North American Technical School where he earned an Associate Degree in Electronics Engineering Technology. He then began his career with Mountain Bell Telephone Company and, while working there, he also attended The University of Albuquerque where he received his B.S. in Business Administration in 1976. He worked for his entire career in the telecommunications industry in New Mexico, Nevada, and Arizona.
Joe and Sandy met in a singles golf group in 2004 and they were married a year later in May 2005. In January 2015, they moved to Palo Verde in Sun Lakes to spend their retirement years in a golfing community. Joe and Sandy had a terrific life together filled with families, close friends, traveling, and lots of golf. Joe had a great passion for golf, which began in his youth when he was a caddy at the Albuquerque Country Club and on his high school golf team. He was proud of his low handicap and was always willing to help anyone who asked for help in improving their game.
Joe is survived by his wife of 20 years, Sandy; his daughters Denise and Ramyann; three grandchildren; stepsons Andy and Tim and their four children; brother, Ernest Chavez and sister, Elaine Culbertson; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Interment was held on Aug. 22 at the Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, N.M.
In honor of Joe’s memory, the family invites donations to First Tee Phoenix, an organization that empowers the next generation through character-building programs and the game of golf: firstteephoenix.org/donate.
David Hughes
David (Dave) Hughes passed away peacefully on Aug. 29 at Hospice of the Valley.
Dave was born March 23, 1942, in Paisley, Scotland. He is survived by his wife Anne of 58 years. He has many nephews, nieces, great–nephews and great–nieces who are spread out over Canada, England, and Scotland. Many of them loved to visit their Uncle Dave either here or on one of his jaunts.
Dave served a five-year Engineering Apprenticeship at Rolls-Royce Aerospace, Scotland. He was an Air Cadet and took great joy in flying gliders. But his love was pipe bands. He was a Drum Major and cut a fine figure in his kilt, tossing the mace. While a youth, he hitchhiked all over Europe in his kilt. Many a story he could tell. In 1966 Dave met his future wife, Anne, who was also from Paisley. In 1967 Dave was offered a position with Pratt and Whitney, Canada. So the two lovebirds flew off to Canada to start their married life.
They spent 14 years living on the south shore of Montreal. They had a 10–acre farm where they boarded dogs and horses. Dave loved to ride and also show their English Setter dogs that they bred.
In 1981 it was a move to Richmond, Ind., working for KHD Deutz. Not as much travelling, so time for golfing and coaching a soccer team.
In 1984 it was back to Canada, where he worked in sales and marketing at Walbar. This required a lot of travelling to the USA and Europe. In 1992 he was transferred to their plant in Chandler as VP of Sales and Marketing. In 2006 he retired. He loved Sun Lakes and decided to stay. Retirement brought many joys: golfing, fly fishing at his summer home in Pinetop and Alaska.
In 2009 Dave was diagnosed with cancer of the larynx. From then on he spoke with a voice prosthesis. This didn’t daunt his spirit but changed his lifestyle. No fishing on small boats. He took up carving, winning ribbons at shows. He enjoyed cruising, and many trips back to Scotland and Canada.
This past year, Dave had many health issues that he fought bravely. My brave Scottish soldier, may you rest in peace. You will be greatly missed. God has you in His arms, I have you in my heart.
Dave’s cremains will be taken back to Scotland, where there will be a family Celebration of Life.
Paul Lokey
It is with great sadness that we announce that Paul Edward Lokey, 76, passed away at the Dobson Hospice Home in Chandler, Ariz., surrounded by his loving children on June 25, 2025.
Paul was born on July 5, 1948, in Beaver Falls, Pa., to the late Edward and Marilyn (Jackson) Lokey. He attended Beaver Falls High School and was in the school’s marching band as a drummer. He was also the drummer in a country band, The Pensy 5, in Beaver Falls during high school and later in a rock band in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Paul attended a technical school, excelling in electronics. He moved to Wappingers Falls, N.Y., after accepting a job with IBM in East Fishkill, where he made his career as a Senior Programmer. Throughout his career with IBM, he took college courses at Dutchess Community College and Marist College.
Paul enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1969, serving three years. He was stationed in South Korea and Germany during the Vietnam conflict.
Paul was an avid motorcyclist, mostly riding Harleys but also had a BSA chopper and a Bultaco dirt bike. His last and favorite Harley was 2001 Road King.
He married Laura Van Steenburgh in 1975 and they had two children, Aaron and Allison. He was a great dad. He and Laura remained good friends after their divorce. He later married JoAnn Miller in 2004 and they too remained good friends after their divorce.
Moving to Arizona in 2007, he and JoAnn embraced the Southwest culture and enjoyed time with JoAnn’s daughter, Dawn and family.
He is survived by his son Aaron, daughter Allison, brother Jeff (Jo Ann), nephew Drew, niece Gretchen, extended family Jeff, Dawn and grandson Derek (DJ), and many friends. He was fun, a good man, and will be missed.
Donations in Paul’s memory can be made to St. Jude’s Hospital in honor of his infant brother and sister, Dobson Hospice Home, or your favorite animal rescue.
A celebration of Paul’s life was held Sept. 13, 2025, in Sun Lakes.
Carol McKinney-Jarman
Carol McKinney-Jarman was born in Emporia, Kansas, in 1953, the daughter of Donald and Jeanne Fanestil, who have since passed on. She departed this world peacefully at the age of 72 on July 23, 2025.
Her academic journey began when she graduated from Emporia High School in 1971, paving the way for her to pursue her passion for healthcare. In 1975, she became a proud graduate of Wichita State University, qualifying as a Dental Hygienist. In 1976, she married her first husband, Morris McKinney, embarking on a significant chapter of her life. Years later, her thirst for knowledge led her back to school, and in 1985, she earned a master’s degree in psychology from Arizona State University. In 1990, Carol found love once again and married Bernard Jarman.
Carol is survived by her devoted brother, William Fanestil, and his wife, Nenita Fanestil, along with her beloved nephews, Benjamin and Jacob Fanestil. Her daughter, Heather Kephart, and her husband, Steve Kephart, brought further joy into her life, creating beautiful memories with her grandchildren, Jenna Holliday, Khloe Kephart, and Kaleb Kephart.
A passionate singer, Carol immersed herself in music, participating in various singing groups over the years. One of her most memorable moments was singing with her choir at Carnegie Hall in 2008, an experience that undoubtedly left an indelible mark on her heart. She was also an active member of P.E.O., contributing to the community in Hawaii and Arizona with her unwavering spirit.
Driven by a deep love for science and education, Carol dedicated her career to nurturing young minds as an elementary school science teacher in Hawaii. Her enthusiasm for education sparked curiosity and wonder in her students, leaving a lasting impact on their lives.
To honor her remarkable journey, a celebration of her life took place on Aug. 8 at the Chandler Presbyterian Church in Arizona. In a final act of love and connection, Carol was laid to rest beside her beloved parents in the peaceful surroundings of Emporia, Kansas, on Thursday, Aug. 14.
Walter David Ulrich
Walter David Ulrich, resident of Sun Lakes, passed away on Sept. 5, 2025, at the age of 77. Born on Aug. 20, 1948, in Washington, Ill., to Lester and Betty (Walker) Ulrich, living most of his life in Washburn, Ill., and upon retirement, relocating to Arizona. Walter was known for his dedication to family, work, and personal interests.
Walter entered the toolmaker apprentice program at Caterpillar on the day he graduated from high school. He worked as a toolmaker until he transitioned to management and retired as a Service Trainer after 40 years of service.
Walter was married to his loving wife Betty for 57 years. They met each other in the 2nd grade, and they started dating while in high school and were married on July 27, 1968.
Together, they raised a family, including their son Troy Ulrich (Darshon) of Windsor, Colo., and daughter, Lori Ulrich of Litchfield Park, Ariz. Walter was also a proud grandfather to Paige Ulrich of New Jersey.
He is survived by his siblings Dorothy Hart (Wayne), Larry Ulrich (Cindy), Janet Guth (Gary), and Sharon Filer (Kevin). Walter was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Peggy Bauer (Mark), and two brothers-in-law.
In his personal life, Walter enjoyed golfing, reading, working on puzzles, and watching his favorite football team, the Green Bay Packers. These hobbies brought him joy and relaxation throughout his life.
Walter’s memory will be cherished by his family and all who knew him.
Cremation rites have been accorded. A Memorial service and Celebration of Life will be held at a future date.