In Passing

Donald J. Donatt

Donald J. Donatt was born to Joseph and Helen Donatt, December 28, 1931, in their home in Oglesby, Illinois. Don attended a two room parochial grade school Oglesby, graduated from the LaSalle-Peru Township High School in 1949.

Don joined the U.S. Navy in June 1951. He attended the electronics school in Memphis, Tennessee. During the Korean War he served in the Lighter than Air, ZP-2 Blimp Squadron at Glynco in Brunswick, Georgia and NADC Johnsville, Pennsylvania. Don was a second class petty officer and served as an electronic technician and radio man aboard blimps. He served his country from 1951 until 1955.

Don married his high school sweetheart, Shirley, May 1, 1951 prior to joining the Navy. After completing his military service he attended the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1959 with a B.A. degree in mathematics and began his lifelong teaching career. He also attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, receiving his Master Degree in Mathematics and the University of Wisconsin in 1969-1970 doing post-masters studies in mathematics. He also attended Lake Forest College doing more post-grad math studies.

Don taught High School Mathematics at the Libertyville High School in Libertyville, Illinois for 33 years and during his tenure he instituted calculus courses which enabled his students to be placed in advanced math courses in their college endeavors.

One of life’s greatest joys for Don was his love of his five children and six grandchildren. Don was the dad who always had time for his children, playing with them, telling them stories, teaching them and always the camping trips during summer vacations. He was always there for them in their music lessons, recitals, sports events and always cheering them on. To watch them grow and develop into loving, caring adults was a joy only eclipsed by watching them marry and have their own families.

One of Don’s favorite past times was reading, especially books on mathematics, poetry and philosophy. He was very fond of the philosophers and a student of the Bible.

Don’s strong Faith and his passion for family always came first and foremost. His love of exercising three times a week in the local gym plus his 300 push-ups were a big part of his life, as were the hiking trips and golfing.

Don was preceded in death by his eldest daughter, Debora Jo.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Shirley of 65 years, and his four children, Don (Connie), Ellen (Bill) Stelter, Lenore Donatt, Kristen (Richard) Ford and his six grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Memorial services were held at the Risen Savior Lutheran Church in Chandler, AZ June 25, 2016 with internment in the church’s Columbarium.

Monta Lee Tomley

Tomley, Monta Lee, 69, of Sun Lakes, AZ, formerly from Ambridge and Baden PA, passed away peacefully to be with our Lord, June 18, 2016, surrounded by family members beside her, after a courageous battle with lung cancer.

She was born July 31, 1946, Monta Lee Hooke, and she was preceded in death by her parents, Julia J. Patricelli and Albert R. Hooke. She is survived by her caring and loving husband of 52 years, George; and sons, George Jr. (Terry), Joseph City, AZ, David (Patty) Mobile, AL; sister Elaine Kepler (Keith), Harrisburg, PA; brothers Albert Hooke (Karen), Palmyra PA, and Ronald Hooke (Anita), Beaver Falls, PA; three grandchildren, Tatiana Marie Tomley, Temarie Anna Tomley, and David Jacob Patrick Tomley, along with many wonderful and loving nieces and nephews.

Monta was a 1964 graduate of Ambridge Area High School, Ambridge, PA, and moved to Arizona with her husband in 1985. She was employed for many years in retail at Macy’s where she retired, with prior services with the Broadway and Robinson-May stores. She was a member of St. Stephen’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Phoenix, AZ. She was the most beautiful lady and loved by everyone, while enjoying traveling, cruising, her crafts, along with hiking, swimming, walking and staying very active all year. Monta and her husband would be seen walking their five mile route every day in the Oakwood community and would enjoy the Cottonwood pool with many of her friends later in the day and early evenings. She was a life-long member of LA Fitness enjoying her weekly classes. Monta took so much pride in updating and decorating her home year-round; she had that “magic touch” as a homemaker, mother, and loving wife, and caring for her precious exotic short-hair Persian cats, Jazzy, JoJo, and King Oscar (deceased), of which she loved so much.

Friends were received at the Queen of Heaven Catholic Mortuary, 1562 E. Baseline Rd., Mesa, AZ on Tuesday, June 21 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. and Thursday, June 23 from 4:00-8:00 p.m., Parastas service that evening, with a Funeral Divine Liturgy Mass scheduled for Friday, June 24 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Stephen’s, 8141 N. 16th St., Phoenix, AZ, followed by a luncheon in the church hall. Cremation services followed immediately after liturgy with internment to be at a later date. There is also a video created of Monta which can be viewed at the following address: www.queenofheavencatholicmortuary.com.

For all the hearts that Monta Lee has touched, she will be missed deeply. In honor of Monta’s life, arrangements were made for family, friends, and neighbors and for all those who can remember Monta Lee back in Ambridge, PA to attend a Memorial Divine Liturgy Mass on Saturday, July 30, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. held at St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church located at 624 Park Road, Ambridge, PA 15003. Monta’s birthday again, was July 31. Any contributions in her honor can be made to the Ironwood Cancer Center, 695 S. Dobson Rd., Chandler, AZ 85224.

Donald Robert Neu

Born August 6, 1937 Twin Falls, ID.

Graduated high school Lodi, CA 1955.

Graduated Willamette University 1960 BA teaching. Taught physical education in Salem, OR five and a half years. Employed at State Farm Insurance in auto claims and attorney negotiations handling bodily injury claims for 33 years in Seattle and Tempe, AZ.

Married Sandy June 1, 1962. Three sons, Kendall, Jeffrey and pre-deceased by Brian. Five grandchildren, Joshua, Jacob, Ashley, Zachary and Sarah. Don is also survived by five brothers and one sister.

During high school and college held several pole vaulting records and inducted into Lodi High School Hall of Fame with the 1955 Track Team. Held college pole vault record for 10 years. Started softball as a player and umpire in 1955 and played for 40 years, completing play on a Sun Lakes Softball Traveling Team.

Started hobby of performing magic shows on small stages and parties through high school and college. This fact is probably one of the best kept secrets about Don.

Coached soccer and basketball for the YMCA and Boys Club for 14 years as the boys were growing up and was voted Coach of the Year by the Boys Club. He also coached Men’s Slow Break Basketball teams and Slow Pitch Softball for several years.

Don was a Cub Scout leader for eight years and YMCA Indian Guide leader for four additional years plus a Booster Club member at the local high school for six years. He served on various church boards for many years as well. He served six years in the Air Force Air National Guard in Portland, OR.

In 1990 Don was trying to learn to play tennis in Seattle and decided to put in for a transfer to Arizona where that possibility could be better realized. At age 53 he took up the game and found he liked competition, started traveling to tournaments and doing some “free” instruction two evenings a week. He has coached several teams, won many matches, has twice been selected Phoenix Area Tennis Association Player of the Year, has been named Southwest Men’s Senior Player of the Year in 2005, has been named USPTA 75 and Over.

Singles Player of the Year in 2013 and named 2012/2013 IronOaks Tennis Club Volunteer of the Year. He is nationally ranked in singles and doubles and was certified with the United States Professional Tennis Association. His “free” clinics continued for 26 years until his untimely death and he is credited with encouraging many senior citizens in Sun Lakes and the surrounding communities with having the courage to try out the game of tennis or pick it up again after a long hiatus.

Private family services were held on April 23, 2016 with a memorial celebration scheduled for November 19 at 3:00 p.m. on the Cottonwood tennis courts.

Remembrances may be made to Young Life camp scholarships, Young Life, 5264 Clayton Court, Suite Five; Fort Myers FL 33907 or Cornerstone Christian Church purple chair fund, 2211 E. Pecos Rd, Ste. Two, Chandler, AZ.

Richard A. Snider

Richard A Snider, MD, 71, of Sun Lakes, AZ passed away on July 10, 2016. He was born in Toledo, Ohio to Ruth Roper Snider and John Wrede Snider.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 35 years, Sharon, daughters, Merideth R Hamilton (Mike); Andrea B. Cook (Tim); Erin Hartman (Aaron); step-daughter, Lori J Hinojosa (Rudy); step-son Ron Leth and 10 wonderful grandchildren. He also is survived by two sisters from Toledo, SuAnn Snider and Katherine Stover and half-sister Debby Hartman from Phoenix. He was preceded in death by his brother, John T. Snider.

He was so proud of his family and loved his children and grandchildren so much. His children and family will miss his caring ways and his smile. He especially loved going on cruises with family. He also enjoyed fishing and golfing.

Dick was a graduate of DeVilbiss High School in Toledo, Ohio and earned his BS from Earlham College in Indiana. He then went on to The Ohio State University Medical School and received his MD in Internal Medicine.

As a young man he was always kind and caring and that never changed throughout his life.

Dick had a 12 year medical practice in Maumee, Ohio before falling in love with Arizona and starting his medical practice in Ahwatukee/Phoenix in 1986. Throughout his 35 years of medical practice he was on numerous hospital committees and boards.

He loved his patients and was dedicated to giving them the best care possible.

Private services will be held at a later date.

Dick’s Family wishes to thank the caregivers and care home for their wonderful caring treatment of him in the last stages of his life.

Donations can be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1520 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014; Banner Alzheimer’s  Institute, 901 E. Willett, Phoenix, AZ 85006, SPOHNC, P.O. Box 53, Locust Valley, NY 11560-0053 or a donation of your choice.

Thomas Patrick Ennis

Thomas Patrick Ennis, 76, of Sun Lakes, AZ, formerly of Brookfield, WI and Orlando, FL, passed away on May 17, 2016. Tom was born in Chicago, IL on May 28, 1939. He graduated from Northern Illinois University and later was an executive at First Wisconsin Bank in Milwaukee, WI for many years. A resident of Oakwood, he enjoyed pickleball, water volleyball, golf, biking, softball and travel. Tom taught Bible studies and was active in prison ministries and attended Chandler Christian Church.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Joyce; four daughters, Erin, Brooke, Molly and Dana and their families including five grandchildren; and sisters, Jean Rowe of Denver, CO and Marilyn Bielema of Mesa, AZ.

Celebrations of Tom’s life were held in Chandler, AZ and in Wauwatosa, WI.