In Passing – January 2024

Charlotte Ann Bell

It is with heavy hearts and deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved wife and mother, Charlotte Ann (Sabo) Bell, who left this earthly life peacefully in her sleep on Nov. 14, 2023, just shy of her 82nd birthday. She was born on the 26th of December 1941 in Elyria, Ohio, to Ernie and Elly Sabo. She and her three sisters Sandy Zarzycki, Pam Horvath, and Wanda Gerber grew up in Newbury, Ohio. Charlotte moved to San Diego, Calif., in 1966 with her husband, Roger. They lived there until they retired and moved to Sun Lakes, Ariz., in 2006.

Charlotte was a woman of unwavering faith, a pillar of strength and inspiration to all who were fortunate enough to know her. Her commitment to her personal relationship with Jesus Christ was the guiding force in her life, and she exemplified the teachings of love, compassion, and grace in all that she did.

Her love for music blossomed from an early age. She displayed a remarkable talent for playing the organ and piano, and she dedicated this gift to the service of her church community. Throughout her life, she shared her love of bible teaching along with her musical talents, uplifting the spirits of all she ministered too. She taught the Ministry of Music course at Berean Bible College in San Diego along with many lady’s bible studies in San Diego and Arizona.

Charlotte’s devotion extended beyond the church walls; it permeated every aspect of her being. She was a devoted wife to her husband, Roger, for 58 years, and together they built a home filled with love. Her legacy lives on in her four children: Dennis Bell, Charlene Murphy, Michael Bell, and John Bell.

As a grandmother of seven and a great-grandmother of five, Charlotte’s nurturing spirit continued to touch the lives of generations. Her home was a haven for family gatherings, where she shared stories, and created lasting memories. Her love knew no bounds, and her legacy will endure through the generations she leaves behind.

Charlotte’s impact on the lives she touched was immeasurable, and her absence leaves a void that cannot be filled. However, we find solace in the knowledge that she has been called home to rest in the arms of her Savior, whom she loved so dearly.

A celebration of Charlotte’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Jan. 15, 2024, at Evident Life Church in Gilbert, Ariz. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the church’s music ministry in Charlotte’s memory.

May her soul rest in eternal peace and may the memories of her love and grace comfort us in the days ahead.

Jennifer Tellor Bozek

Jennifer Tellor Bozek, age 51, died peacefully at Chandler Regional Medical Center in Chandler, Ariz., on Oct. 27, 2023. Over the last several years, her mother Ann Tellor and aunt Nancy Gooding (both of Sun Lakes) were steadfast in advocating for her care and quality of life after she suffered a severe stroke in December 2020 and ensured that Jennifer knew she was loved, up until her last moments.

Jennifer was born in Syracuse, N.Y., and was raised in Grand Rapids, Minn., with her sisters, Amy and Katie Tellor. Growing up, she enjoyed being part of the Grand Rapids High School marching band and working at Globe Drug, and she especially loved spending time with her closest friends Lynn Olson (nee Zeige) and Sara Wagner (nee Drews).

Jennifer leaves behind three beautiful daughters: Jade Hammann (Coleraine, Minn.) and Jordan Hammann (Dallas, Texas) both from her union with her high school sweetheart David Hammann, and Reese Aune (Hibbing, Minn.). In addition to her family mentioned, Jennifer leaves behind her grandmother Betty Aanes, stepfather Gene Tress, and stepsister Kathleen Fort, uncle Robin Tellor and aunt Valerie Tellor, uncle Mike King, and her many cousins who loved her like a sister—Matthew Gooding, Stephanie Atwater, Georgia Niles, and Tracey Tellor. They were a lovely part of her childhood and contributed to all of the wonderful parts of her.

Jennifer is preceded in death by her husband Ron Bozek, father Rian, grandparents Anna Teller, Bjarne Aanes, and Bonnie Clusiau, as well as uncles Paul Gooding and Terrance Tellor, aunt Ann “Snookie” King, and cousin Michael Gooding.

While Jennifer’s life had many challenges, her family fondly remembers her big, infectious smile, her funny childhood quirks, and her natural ability to connect with everyone around her. Her faith and belief in a loving God never wavered, and her family rejoices in the fact that she is at peace and with the people she loved the most in her earthly life. She will be laid to rest with her father and paternal grandmother in a private service on a later date at Maple Hill Cemetery in Hibbing, Minn.

Remembering Richard “Dick” Gothier

Dick passed away a year ago on New Year’s Day. He was the former manager of the Cottonwood-Palo Verde (CWPV) Patrol. He is survived by family, many friends, and co-workers within the Sun Lakes community.

Dick was “one of a kind,” a fair-minded administrator who had the ability to listen and solve problems, and had special skills admired by many.

After retirement, Dick and his companion, June, enjoyed summers with his family on the lake in Minnesota. They took road trips and had time to enjoy their friends in Sun Lakes. He left the CWPV community and his family with many beautiful memories.

—June and Dick’s family and friends

Paul LaRochelle

Paul LaRochelle, a resident of Sun Lakes for more than 40 years, passed away on Nov. 17, 2023. Paul was born on Feb. 4, 1931, in Lowell, Mass., the youngest of nine children of Omer and Emma LaRochelle.

Paul joined the Army Air Force at the age of 17 and served his country for eight years. He recently went on the honor flight for Korean War Veterans to Washington, D.C.

He met his wife, Carole, while roller skating in New York. They were married for 67 1/2 years. He loved his family, his friends, golfing, playing dominoes, and visiting the casinos.

He is survived by his daughters, Diane and Donna (David); his son, James (Elizabeth); five granddaughters, Michelle, Melinda, Cathryn, Andy, and Sarah; and two great-grandchildren, Michael and Adriana.

In Loving Memory of  Linda Carol Piasecki

March 26, 1949–January 18, 2022

Greatly loved, deeply missed.

So Loving—Forever Smiling

Always Giving—Loved Quilting

George’s soulmate for 57 years

Love her family,

Husband George Piasecki, daughter Iza Shewan, son-in-law Jeff Shewan, and Aunt Leona Piasecki

Ruth Elaine Small

In loving memory of Ruth Elaine Small who passed away on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, in Sun Lakes, Ariz. She was 83 years old.

She was born on Feb. 8, in Franklin, Ariz., to her parents Jason C. Whittenburg and Eleanor Ruth (Cranford) Whittenburg.

Elaine married John L. King in 1956 and was blessed with four children: Scott, Debbie, Donna, and Greg. Elaine and John were divorced in 1977.

Later she met and married Robert C. Small from Laveen, Ariz. Bob passed in March of 2020.

Elaine was very talented and had many hobbies: horses, cooking, baking, quilting, wood crafting, and making things with yarn and plastic canvas.

She loved sharing her baked goods and crafts with others. She was happiest spending time with her family and friends.

She appreciated all of the support from her family, friends, and neighbors.

Elaine had a strong Christian faith. She attended church regularly and read her scriptures.

She was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend. She leaves behind many wonderful memories and will be missed by everyone that knew her.

Elaine is survived by two of her four children: Donna (Jeff) Bohlman and Greg King; grandson Brandon King; two sisters; and nieces and nephews.

The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to St. Jude’s Hospital (www.stjude.org) in Elaine’s name.

To send condolences and view the obituary, please visit www.bunkerfuneral.com/obituaries/elaine-small.

She was beautiful for the way she thought.

She was beautiful for the sparkle in her eyes when she talked about something she loved.

She was beautiful for her ability to make other people smile, even if she was sad.

No, she wasn’t beautiful for something as temporary as her looks.

She was beautiful, deep down to her soul.

She was beautiful.

 

Gerald R. Smith

Mr. Gerald “Jerry” Smith passed away on Dec. 6, 2023, in Chandler, Ariz., at Chandler Regional Hospital in the company of his wife of 51 years, Donna, and his son Joshua. In lieu of a funeral, a remembrance celebration will be held at his residence in Arizona on Dec. 16. He will be cremated by Legacy Funeral Home of Chandler and in the new year his cremains will be returned to the northwoods in Minnesota where he spent most of his life. A gathering for his Minnesota friends and family will be held at that time.

Jerry Smith, son of Roy and Lorraine Smith, was born at the Naval Base in San Diego, Calif. on March 5, 1945, and was 78 years old at the time of his death. He grew up in Grand Forks, N.D., and Marshall, Minn., and was a competitive athlete in school. He earned advanced degrees in accounting from the University of North Dakota and served as a 1st lieutenant in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He married his wife in 1972 and raised a family of three kids in Bemidji, Minn., where he made his home for over 50 years. He was successful in business, and established a successful accounting firm and property management company. He built a beautiful home on Turtle River Lake, Bemidji, Minn., and enjoyed the environment and lifestyle living on a lake in the woods. He and his wife retired to Chandler, Ariz., to live near their grandkids. He was an active bridge player, a game he loved to play for more than 50 years. He played regularly in bridge clubs with his neighbors. He never missed a Minnesota Vikings game.

He is survived by his wife Donna Oby Smith (Arizona), two daughters, Kristie Taylor (California), Melissa Smith (Yucatan, Mexico), one son Joshua Smith (Arizona); five grandkids Eva Smith (Washington), Everett and Sawyer Smith (Arizona), Scarlett and Lincoln Taylor (California); two half sisters Shari Piehl (Minnesota), Kelly Konietzko (Minnesota), stepmother Betty Smith (Minnesota), an aunt Gladys Viergutz (Arizona), nine nieces and nephews, and many extended relatives and friends.

 

William Alexander Travis Jr.

William Alexander Travis Jr., age 73, of Sun Lakes, Ariz., died at Chandler Regional Medical Center in Chandler, Ariz., on Nov. 23, 2023. He was known by his family as Bill; his friends and coworkers knew him by Travis.

Travis was born in Albany, Ga., at the Fort Benning Hospital on July 20,1950, to William Alexander Travis Sr. and Geraldine Washington Travis.

After attending junior and high school in Europe, he graduated from CMR HS in Great Falls, Mont., in 1968. Travis served in the U.S. Air Force from 1970-73. He graduated in 1976 from Montana State University. He attended Howard University Medical School in Washington, D.C., until joining the U.S. Marine Corps in 1978, later transferring to the Marine Reserves, retiring as a Major in 1995. He began a second career at the USPS in 1986, retiring in 2007.

Travis’s hobbies included flying, SCUBA, bridge, chess, motorcycles, travel, music, and reading. A member of MENSA and ISPE, he qualified for the 1976 Olympic Trials in the 100-yard dash. He was often described as a soft-spoken and gentle man.

He married Jane Schafer in 2010, and she survives.

Surviving are his mother, Geraldine Washington Travis of Glendale, Ariz.; stepdaughter, Emerson Delacroix of Ypsilanti, Mich.; sister Gwen Anthony (Dave) of Glendale, Ariz.; two brothers, Michael Travis of Renton, Wash., and Gerald Travis (Yosawadee) of Glendale, Ariz.; along with one grandson, two nieces, three nephews, one great-niece, and one great-nephew.

He was preceded in death by a spouse, Deborah Jay; stepdaughter, Jennifer Jay; father, William Alexander Travis Sr.; and sister, Anne Washington.

A Celebration of Life was held at Cornerstone Christian Fellowship, Chandler, Ariz., followed by an interment at the VA National Cemetery of Arizona on Dec. 8, 2023. Donations can be made to National Kidney Foundation of Arizona or DAV East Valley Chapter 8.