Dominic F. Caristi
Dominic F. Caristi, 85, of Boston passed away on July 26, 2018. He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Patricia; his four children Frank Caristi, Kimberly Leonard, Timothy (Donna) Ritter and Teri (Todd) Pratt; his grandchildren Travis Ethington, Tristen Copper, Jessica (David) Perry, William and Kendra Ritter, Tyler, Trent, Troy and Teagen Pratt; his great-granddaughter Lyla Ethington; his sister Mary Levoy and many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his brother Leonard Caristi and his mother and father Frank and Helen Caristi.
Mr. Caristi was honorably discharged from the United States Army for honest and faithful service as a Corporal and very proud Korean War Veteran.
Mr. Caristi owned and operated his antique furniture restoration business in Boston for over 60 years, originally known as Frank D. Caristi & Sons, with his late father and brother, and later known as Dominic F. Caristi, until he retired. He was a member of Dudley Main Streets Association and worked with Madison Park Development to help restore the community of Roxbury. Upon retiring, he spent his summers in Boston and his winters at his home in Sun Lakes Country Club in Arizona. He enjoyed boating and traveling through the United States, Italy and Europe.
In lieu of flowers, Mr. Caristi has requested donations be made to the Pine Street Inn, 444 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02118. When making a donation, please include Mr. Caristi’s name.
Verna Arlene Freemole
It is with great sadness that the family of Verna Arlene Freemole announces her passing on Saturday, July 28, 2018, at the age of 86. Verna was born on November 3, 1931, in Hosmer, SD, to her parents August and Alita Heyne. Verna married Frank Edward Freemole on September 15, 1953, in Edgemont, SD, and lovingly raised four children. Verna graduated in 1952 from St Luke’s/Presentation College with a diploma in nursing. As a registered nurse, Verna devotedly cared for patients in South Dakota and Iowa until her retirement in 1989 when Verna and Frank retired in Sun Lakes, Arizona. While in Sun Lakes, Verna attended St. Steven’s Catholic Church and was an active member of the parish’s Saint Vincent de Paul charity and Martha’s organization.
Verna will be lovingly remembered by her children Tim (Martha), Jennifer (Bill) Mahoney, Brad (Julie), and Carla Stark, and by her sisters Selma, Betty and Joyce (Milton) Herrobolt. Verna will also be fondly remembered by her nine grandchildren Matt, Maggie, Casey, Kyle, Ryan, James, Kelsey, Cody and Connor. Verna was predeceased by her husband Frank and her sisters Lenora and Janice.
A mass and Celebration of Life was held on Monday, August 13, at 10:00 a.m., at St. Steven’s Catholic Church, Sun Lakes.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Steven’s St. Vincent de Paul Society in her name.
Mander Pete Johnson
Mander Pete Johnson was called home to our Lord on Wednesday, June 27, 2018, in Sun Lakes, Arizona. He was born on September 27, 1927, in Blackey, Kentucky. Mander was the only child of George and Nannie Mae Johnson.
Mander was a member of First Baptist Church of Sun Lakes and Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church of Saginaw, MI. He was a graduate of Saginaw High School and attended Michigan State University. Mander was a World War II veteran who served in the U.S. Airforce. Mander retired from the Michigan Bean Company in 1989 after 37 years of leadership. In addition, he owned and operated several businesses, including Mobile & Sons Gas Station, an auto supply shop, men’s clothing and tailoring services and an income tax consulting service.
In Sun Lakes, Arizona, he was a member of the Sun Lakes Lions Club, American Legend, Men’s Golf Club, Bocce Ball Club and the Lucky 8 Billiards Club. He enjoyed playing golf, swimming, traveling, reading, spending time with family, charming others with his stories and alluring everyone with his charismatic smile. His intelligence, wit and humor will be missed by everyone who had the privilege to know him.
Mander Pete Johnson was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife Ollie A. Johnson of 29 years, four daughters, three sons, two step-daughters, one step-son, 10 granddaughters, 11 grandsons, eight great-grandchildren and a host of special relatives and friends.
Mander was preceded in death by his parents George and Nannie Mae Johnson and his sons Barry and Terrance Johnson. On July 6, 2018, Mander was laid to rest in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Saginaw, Michigan. A Memorial Service is scheduled in Sun Lakes, AZ, on September 27, 2018, at the First Baptist Church of Sun Lakes, at 11:00 a.m. in celebration of his life.
In lieu of flowers, donation in Mander’s memory may be made to the Sun Lakes Lions Club and Foundation – White Cane Program, P.O. Box 13093, Sun Lakes, AZ 85248.
The family would like to express special thanks to all those who have supported us during our time bereavement.
Roberta Ann Kinnamon
Roberta Ann Kinnamon of Las Cruces, NM, got her angel wings on Friday, July 13, 2018. She is survived by her granddaughter Kylee Kinnamon of Las Cruces, New Mexico, who is a graduate student at ENMU; brother Larry McIntire of Fairfield, Iowa; sister Loretta Gould of Ooltewah, Tennessee; and niece Jeannette Finley of Omaha, Nebraska. She is preceded in death by her husband Larry Kinnamon and brother Gary McIntire.
She was born on May 5, 1935, to Daisy and Robert McIntire in Fairfield, Iowa. After graduating from Fairfield High School in 1954, she was crowned Miss Fairfield and earned a cash prize that she used to help pay for her college education. She went on to attend Parsons College in her hometown of Fairfield where she studied elementary and physical education and was an active member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. It was during this time that she met her husband of 55 years. Roberta and Larry were married June 17, 1956, and she graduated with her bachelor’s degree in 1958.
Roberta and Larry lived in Clinton, Iowa, for 20 years where she taught both elementary school and high school physical education. Together they had one son, Sean Kinnamon, in 1966. They were members of the Clinton First Presbyterian Church and served as leaders of the Couples’ Lifeliner Club. Larry and Roberta were members of the Clinton Country Club for 15 years, and she always enjoyed a good game of bridge.
In 1980, Larry’s career in shoe sales led their family to Farmington, New Mexico. Over the next few years, his job would take them to Bradbury, California, where they were members of the City of Hope Couples’ Auxiliary in Duarte. In 1988, they moved to Phoenix, Arizona, and soon formed their own corporation (KEI), known as Kinnamon Shoes, for nine years. Larry and Roberta always enjoyed many travel trips during their years together.
The couple retired in 1995 and moved to Sun Lakes, Arizona, in 1996. In retirement, Roberta managed to maintain her active and social lifestyle. She enjoyed golfing, playing cards, hosting parties, spending time with good friends and feeding the neighborhood horses. Roberta was an avid animal lover, as evidenced by her passion for the three Labradors she doted on throughout her life. Roberta was loved and appreciated by all those she encountered and will be greatly missed.
Art Sloane
Originally published in The Arizona Republic on Aug. 9, 2018. Reprinted with permission.
Art Sloane, a tireless and passionate voice for veterans and a longtime columnist for The Arizona Republic, died Monday, August 6. He was 83.
Sloane, who spent more than 40 years in the Air Force, Air National Guard and Coast Guard, was enshrined in the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society in 2008. His continued work on veterans’ issues earned him the honor of being a Grand Marshal in the Phoenix Veterans Day Parade in 2011.
“During the 10 years I have been working with homeless veterans in Arizona, Art Sloane has been an energetic and tireless advocate,” said Terry Araman, director of the United Arizona Veterans organization. “All of us in the veteran support community owe an enormous debt of gratitude to Art.”
Sloane’s more than four decades of military service began in 1952 when he enlisted in the Air National Guard while still in high school. It was a compromise he made with his mother, who wouldn’t let him join the regular Air Force.
Once he turned 18, however, he was free to do as he pleased, and in 1954 he entered the Air Force. He stayed until 1961, when he re-entered the Guard for five more years.
In 1966, he joined the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, retiring in 1995 as a master chief petty officer and command enlisted adviser.
After the military, he embarked on another career, this time as a teacher. He combined his love of education with his passion for helping the men and women who served their country in uniform.
He helped to start the Hamilton High School Veterans Graduation Project, and worked with the VA Medical Center in Phoenix and Victory Place, which provides housing assistance and job training for veterans.
He served with Arizona Stand Down, which calls attention to the plight of homeless veterans, and was active in the Jewish War Veterans, Korean War Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars and other organizations.
Sloane began his Veteran’s Voice column for the Republic in 2001 and continued it even after experiencing a heart episode that nearly killed him in 2010.
“I intend to do this until I drop dead,” he told KJZZ radio in a 2012 interview.
He kept up the column until two years ago, when his health kept him from continuing.
Sloane’s column generated dozens of phone calls each week from veterans and family members needing services and from readers who just wanted to know how they could help. The calls grew so voluminous that his wife, Vivian, would no longer answer the phone.
“I build my life by helping veterans,” he told KJZZ. “If I can help somebody, why shouldn’t I do the work?”
Sloane is survived by his wife of 44 years; three children; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Services where held on Friday, August 10 at Sun Lakes Chapel for All Faiths, 9240 E. Sun Lakes Boulevard North in Sun Lakes.
If you wish to make a contribution in memory of Arthur G. Sloane, his charities of choice would be:
• Arizona Coalition to End Homelessness/Standdown Alliance, 141 East Palm Lane, Suite #105, Phoenix, AZ 85004;
• Jewish War Veterans Post 619, PO Box 13113, Chandler, AZ 85248
• The Sun Lakes Post of the Korean War Veterans