IRobert E. Beck
Robert E. Beck, 94, died Tuesday, January 31, 2017, in his home in Sun Lakes, Arizona, following a brief illness.
He leaves behind his children Steven Beck, Perry Beck and Diane MacWilliams; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and his devoted friend Jane Schaeffer.
Bob was born and raised in Geddes, South Dakota, on November 14, 1922. On July 4,1942, he married the former Margaret Kroll, and the two were happily married for 49 years. After attending Northwestern University, Bob went to work for the Milwaukee Railroad during World War II performing essential war duties.
After the war, he continued his career in the railroad industry, first with Milwaukee and then with the Santa Fe Railroad. Bob rose through the ranks from telegraph operator to head office executive. His career caused him to relocate numerous times, and he ultimately settled in Chicago, Illinois. He had a computer-like capacity to manage the movement of freight cars all over the country, benefitting his company and his industry.
After the death of his first wife, Bob married Marilyn Anderson with whom he alternated residences between Naperville, Illinois, and Sun Lakes, Arizona. He was a devoted husband for 14 years, who cared for her throughout a prolonged illness until her death in 2009.
Bob was active; he played golf, tennis, pool, swam and took daily walks up until his last few weeks when he was no longer able. He was a voracious reader, a trait he passed on to his children and grandchildren. He always sought to expand his knowledge of his many interests, which included politics, history and sports. He was a life-long fan of the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago White Sox.
Most of all, Bob Beck was a caring and loving patriarch. He had a quick sense of humor, a keen mind and, to those who knew and loved him, he was a man for whom fierce determination was balanced with charm. From Bob, his family learned integrity, honesty, forthrightness and fairness. He was loved and will be missed.
Memorials can be made to the Phoenix Rescue Mission, www.phoenixrescuemission.org.
Rear Admiral David E. Ciancaglini
David E. Ciancaglini originally from Woodbine, NJ, passed away on January 24, 2017. After graduation from Millville High School, he entered the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, CT graduating with an engineering degree in 1960. After a distinguished 36 year Coast Guard career, he and his wife Mona retired to Sun Lakes in 1996 where he enjoyed golf, movies and traveling.
Following his graduation from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, David spent two years aboard an ocean station vessel stationed out of Boston, MA before receiving orders to attend Naval Flight Training in Pensacola, FL. He went on to complete assignments as a qualified pilot in fixed wing and rotary aircraft at eight different air stations. During his career the Coast Guard took him across the nation from Washington, DC to Hawaii and Alaska. David received numerous awards for his military service including the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Coast Guard Commendation Medal and the Air Medal.
After being promoted to the rank of rear admiral, David served as commander of the 17th Coast Guard District of Alaska where he was appointed federal on-scene coordinator for response to the 1989 Valdez oil spill, which dumped nearly 11 million gallons of oil into Alaska’s Prince William Sound.
David was predeceased by his wife, Mona Lucina McCormick, and is survived by his daughter Anna Ciancaglini, grandson Joshua, sister Barbara Leider, brother Joseph Ciancaglini and dear companion Kay Barnett.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, March 23, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. in the Sun Lakes Chapel, 9240 Sun Lakes Blvd. (across from Sun Lakes Country Club). The combined ashes of David and his wife will be inurned during a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery Columbarium in Arlington, VA.
Pastor Guy A. Davidson
Guy A. Davidson 86, of Sun Lakes, Arizona, passed away on November 7, 2016. Guy A. Davidson was born in Santa Paula, California, on February 22, 1930, and passed away peacefully to his eternal home on November 7, 2016, in Chandler, Arizona. Pastor Guy was known for his kindness, sense of humor, authenticity, love of children and fun-loving spirit. He was driven by passion for people and his faith.
The fourth of six boys, Guy moved with his family to Arizona in 1939 where he graduated from Phoenix Union High School. He went on to attend Vanguard University/Costa Mesa, California; Cascade College/Portland, Oregon; Central Bible College/Springfield, Missouri; and Western Seminary/Portland, Oregon. Western Seminary awarded him an honorary doctorate in 2002.
His life in ministry began in 1951 as a Student Pastor at Community Church in Long Lane, Missouri, followed by a role as Youth and Education Director, First Assembly of God, Portland, Oregon, while attending seminary. Guy became Director of Publicity for Gospel Publishing House in the mid-1950s, before becoming the Associate Pastor at Calvary Temple in Denver, Colorado. In 1956, he was Senior Pastor of Peoples Church in Fresno, California.
In December 1960, Guy married his sweetheart Martha in Denver while working again at Calvary Temple. Feeling called, along with three other families, to begin a new church in the fast-growing Phoenix area, Guy held Grace Community Church’s first service in Tempe on January 8, 1967. Under Guy’s leadership, Grace Christian Academy was started, and Grace Community Church began its long involvement in international Christian mission work and continued to grow becoming one of the first mega-churches in the East Valley.
From 1988 to 1992, Guy served as V.P. of Samaritan’s Purse and Director of World Medical Mission based in Boone, North Carolina. Following a pastorate in Danville, California, he and his wife returned to Arizona and helped launch Grace Fellowship Church in Buckeye. Soon after they, along with Ellen and Elmer Bradley, founded Arizona Community Church in Tempe where they ministered until 2002.
In 2000, Guy suffered a catastrophic stroke. Rehabbing for years, Guy was able to regain his ability to walk and talk again. With re-found ability to communicate, he was able to continue spreading his positive attitude, joy in life and was an example of how someone can be happy in spite of adversity.
Throughout his life, Guy was an advisor and trusted friend to leaders of many groups and organizations and served on the boards of Food for the Hungry, Samaritan’s Purse/World Medical Mission, Valley Christian High School, Global Outreach Mission, Mafraq Sanatorium Assoc and Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital. Guy had a passion for mission work and was especially committed to the work of David and Mary Lamb and the Grace Churches and Schools in Calcutta, India.
Guy’s phone calls, personal notes and letters and always remembering their names reminded his congregation that he was thinking about them and always concerned; interested about their wellbeing and spiritual growth. It was not uncommon for Guy to do a hospital call, perform a wedding and preach four services all on the same day.
Guy is survived by his wife Martha of 55 years, son Carey (Heather), daughter Shelly (Mark), granddaughter Caylee and brother Mark.
As he recovered from his stroke, Pastor Guy worked on a book chronicling his experience of recovering from his stroke. He was unable to complete it; however, since it is almost finished, Martha has decided to complete the book and include some of her own personal reactions to his experience. She has recently published the first chapter, which Guy had written, developing an acrostic of the word S.T.R.O.K.E.D. The book is available for just $2.00 at Grace Community Church in Tempe or at the office of Sun Lakes Community Church, located at 25811 S. Country Club.
Durwood Burton Sele
Durwood Burton Sele was born on July 17, 1934, in Lake Bronson, Minnesota, to Harold and Gertrude Sele. He passed away on December 9, 2016, at the age of 82 after a long illness. He is survived by his loving family; wife of 62 years Barbara, four children, four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, three sisters and numerous nieces and nephews.
At a young age, Harold and Gertrude moved their family to Washington State where Durwood later attended Arlington High School. It was because of this move that he met the future love of his life Barbara Ann Clawson, and in June of 1954 they married and started their family.
With his wife by his side, they both led full and successful lives in all aspects from thriving businesses, amazing children and surrounding themselves with fabulous friends and family. In life, he had one of the biggest hearts anyone could have. Anything he did or anywhere he went, he made it fun and a joy through his fun-loving attitude and quick wit. He was always good for a laugh and loved to be the jokester of the family. One of his favorite things in life was to tease and play pranks on his children and grandchildren.
It was because of his love for his family that he was able to pass on all of his amazing qualities. He was the best husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather that any family could ever dream of having.
He will truly be missed by his family and friends. No one could match the joy he brought to the world.
Rest in peace.
William L. Thompson
William L. Thompson (“One of the Greatest Generation”) passed away on January 13, 2017, in Mesa, Arizona. Bill was born on June 30, 1922, in Watseka, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents Clayton and Beulah Reynolds Thompson, his wife of over 50 years Marguerite Kiefer Thompson, infant son Billy and brothers Ralph and Gene Thompson.
He is survived by his wife Barbara Krauchen Weindorf Thompson; son Donald (Kristina) Thompson of Wynnewood, Pennsylvania; daughter Delores (Richard) Maison of Yakima, Washington; seven grandchildren, David (Nancy) Thompson, Beth (Martin) Kinsella, Andrea and Pamela Maison, Teresa (Justin) Bigby, Daniel and Paul (Kelley) Maison. He is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, as well as several nephews, nieces and sisters-in-law.
Bill was an Air Force pilot during World War II and also flew 67 missions in Korea. He was a B-29 airplane commander and also instructed B-17 and B-24 pilots. He went overseas to Okinawa and North Field, Tinian, where he was attached to the Atom Bomb Group.
He was with A. O. Smith Corp. in various managerial capacities. He held positions in finance, marketing, manufacturing, and general management in their Consumer Products, Landing Gear and Electric Motor Divisions. He was Corporate Vice President and General Manager of the A. O. Smith Meter Systems Division in Erie, Pennsylvania, during the 1970s.
From 1974 to 1976, Bill was President of General Valve Company in Fullerton, California. From 1976 to 1979, he was with Cordon International, holding the position of Group Vice President, and was responsible for five companies within Cordon, including being President of Cosmodine. He later was named Executive Vice President of the entire corporation.
After being retired for almost two years, he then took a position as President and Chief Operating Officer of Applied Solar and, soon after, was named Chief Executive Officer of Applied Solar. He retired again in 1989 and enjoyed retirement years in Indian Wells, California, and Sun Lakes, Arizona.
Bill was a kind, most humble, intelligent person with a wonderful personality; everyone enjoyed being with him. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Americare Hospice, 1212 N. Spencer Street, Ste. 2, Mesa, AZ 85203.
Online condolences may be offered by visiting [email protected].
Funeral arrangements will be private.
Walter J. Westrack
Walter J. Westrack, 86, passed away at home on January 13, 2017, with his family at his side. Walter was born in Brooklyn, New York, on May 22, 1930. He worked at Syosset Truck Sales and Service as a heavy-duty equipment mechanic until his retirement to Arizona in 1994. He served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953 and served in the Korean War Conflict in the Second Combat Engineers. He received the Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars and the United Nations Service Medal.
He was an active bowler, played golf and bocce and was a past volunteer of the Sheriff’s Posse. He is survived by Joan, his wife of 65 years, his three children; Cindy (Mike), Scott (Lisa) and Nancy (Bobby), his six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He will be dearly missed by all.
Carol Osman Carroll-Wunderlich
Carol Osman Carroll-Wunderlich passed away peacefully on August 3, 2016, in Greenwood Village, Colorado. Carol was born on November 6, 1924, in Rochester, Minnesota, to Arthur J. Osman and Irene Kent Osman.
Carol attended Rochester High School and Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. Carol married Eugene F. Carroll (deceased) of Rochester, Minnesota, in 1945.
They had four children; Nancy O’Neill, Aurora, Colorado (deceased); Betsy Barrett of Coos Bay, Oregon (deceased); Julie Kirkpatrick (Kent) of Steamboat Springs, Colorado and Cynthia Anderson (John) of Centennial, Colorado.
Carol resided in Rochester, Minneapolis and Aitkin, Minnesota; Greenwood Village, Colorado, and Sun Lakes, Arizona. Carol married Sidney A. Wunderlich (deceased) of Faribault, Minnesota, in 1983.
Survivors include sister Margaret (Peggy) Stoll of Ames, Iowa/Oro Valley, Arizona; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Carol was a member of P.E.O. and Sun Lakes Methodist Church. A memorial service is planned for July 2017 in Aitkin, Minnesota.