In Passing – September 2014

Navada Irene (Anderson) Ballou

Navada Irene (Anderson) Ballou was born on August 30, 1921. She went to Heaven on August 3, 2014.

In between, she had a sometimes hard, but always amazing life.

Navada spent her childhood in Oklahoma and Colorado. As a little girl, she worked in fields picking one kind of crop or another. At 18, she moved to California where she lived until moving to Arizona 23 years ago.

Navada had a very inquisitive mind and loved learning. At the age of 48, after raising her family, she went back to school and got her diploma.

A master seamstress, Navada made everything from helicopter covers to bridal veils. She got a job at Disneyland, in the decorating department, which she always felt was a gift from God. She worked there until retirement.

During her retirement, she volunteered at the Center for Concerned Christians. If someone needed housing, she took them in. She fed the hungry and cared for the sick. Even at 92, she was still visiting shut-ins, sharing the word of God and a prayer.

A little out of character was her love for baseball and basketball. If at all possible, she never missed a Suns or Diamondbacks TV game.

Navada had two daughters, Sandra and Cheryl. Her girls were her life. When Sandra went to Heaven last year, after 25 years of suffering with M.S., Navada’s need of caring for Sandra was done. Her heart was broken and eventually failed.

Navada is survived by her “Baby Girl” Cheryl Worth who was her companion, helper and friend; her son-in-law, Alan Worth, whom she loved and admired for being such a great husband to her daughter and a coach for her.

Out of five siblings, Navada has one remaining sister, Mildred Muirhead. She also has numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Navada is also survived by her extended family, Dora Sinclair who sang her into glory with Handel’s Come To Me as she took her last breath; Dora’s husband, Paul, her precious granddaughter, Becky Seymann, sweet grandson John Keeney and his wife, Denise. She also has two darling great grandchildren; Sophia and Jackson, who lovingly called her “GiGi.”

A celebration of her life will take place at 10:30 a.m. on August 30, which would have been Navada’s 93rd birthday, at the First Baptist Church of Sun Lakes. Navada will be interned beside her daughter, Sandra, at Fairhaven Memorial Park in Santa Ana, California.

Arthur Jay Freed

Arthur Jay Freed, 84, lost his mighty battle with the forces of nature and passed away peacefully on July 4, 2014. Arthur is survived by his loving family; Mary, his wife of 59 years; son Arthur Jay, Jr. and his wife Hilary; daughters Kathy Monroe and her husband Dan; and Ann Rose with her husband George. He also leaves two grandchildren, Arthur Jay and Carolynn Rose as well as many other family members and dear friends.

Art volunteered for the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and was stationed for a time in Japan. He was awarded a Bronze Star for his work on the Radar and Sighting Systems on the jet fighters in use. After marrying Mary Healy in 1955, Art graduated from the University of Southern California with a BS degree in Electrical Engineering. He went to work for RCA/GE and with Mary raised three children. He passed on to his children an unrelenting love of life and a deep belief in the importance of family and friends. Art retired from ‘work’ life in 1990; in 1992, he moved to Sun Lakes, AZ with Mary where he enjoyed an active retirement – golfing, traveling, dancing, singing and partying until the end with his friends and family. He volunteered tirelessly with the Lions Club, the Palo Verde Men’s Golf Association and VFW Post 8053. Art was a loving and devoted father, husband and friend.

We invite all that knew him to raise a vodka-tonic (use the good stuff!) and toast his spirit. We love you Dad, Papa, Art. Services for Arthur were held July 21, 2014 at St. Steven’s Catholic Church. Memorial donations may be made to Lions Camp Tatiyee for Physically Handicapped Children, PO Box 6910, Mesa AZ 85216.

Hugh Robert Graham

Funeral Services for Hugh Robert Graham, 88, were held at the Sun Lakes United Methodist Church in Sun Lakes, Arizona, at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 19, 2014. He passed away quietly on July 14, 2014 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Hugh Graham was born in 1926 in Longmont, Colorado, son of Raymond and Nellie Graham. Immediately after high school graduation in 1941 he enlisted in the US Navy Amphibian Corps and was commissioned to USS Rockbridge. He fought bravely in the WWII Pacific Theater, specifically the invasion of Iwo Jima.

After his enlistment, Hugh attended the University of Colorado and played baseball for the Buffalos. An accomplished athlete, he lettered three consecutive years in 1948, 1949 and 1950. During this period, he acquired the nickname “Big Stick” and led the Big Seven Conference in hitting in 1948. Following graduation, he played semiprofessional baseball in Wyoming. It was at this time he met and married the love of his life, Emma Marie Rea of Hyattville and they made their home in Thermopolis, Wyoming.

A prolific entrepreneur and self-made man, Hugh successfully owned and operated many thriving businesses in the community of Thermopolis. These included real estate brokerage, development and construction of homes, apartments and commercial properties. He also owned a 1,000-watt regional radio station and 80 bed skilled nursing facility.

Giving back to his community and the industries in which he worked was important to him and therefore he served on many boards in the real estate, broadcasting and healthcare industries. He was appointed by Governor Stan Hathaway of Wyoming to the Department of Economic Planning and Development (three yrs) and to the State Licensure Board for Nursing Home Administrators. Hugh was a Shriner and a Master of the Masonic Lodge.

In 1982, the Thermopolis Chamber of Commerce named him “Man of the Year” for his civic and business contributions to the community. On September 17, 1999, he was inducted into the University of Colorado “Living Legends” for outstanding achievement.

Hugh and Emma retired to Sun Lakes, Arizona, in 1985. In retirement Hugh enjoyed an active life, playing golf and tennis and spending time with friends and family. He was a member of the Sun Lakes Rotary Club and was a devout Christian attending the Sun Lakes United Methodist Church.

Always considerate and kind, Hugh is remembered for his generous and warm personality, selfless nature and most importantly his thoughtful stewardship and love of his family.

Hugh is preceded in death by his sister, Jean Morgan, and survived by his loving wife, Emma, two sons; Raymond “Skip” and wife Brett Graham of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Bradley and wife Marcia Graham of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Jack E. Harvey

Jack E. Harvey, 81, of Sun Lakes, Arizona passed away surrounded by his loving family on August 3, 2014. Jack is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Betty Harvey and their three sons, Jim, John and Joe Harvey. Jack is also survived by his grandchildren he loved so much, Mike, Rebecca, Jennifer, Alek, Britain, Billie and Erin. No services will be held at this time. Jack will be laid to rest at Valley of the Sun Cemetery, located at 10940 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler, AZ. 85248.

Arrangements under the direction of Valley of the Sun Mortuary & Cemetery, Chandler, AZ; to leave condolences visit www.valleyofthesunfuneralhome.com.

 

Linda (Biglow) Hearn

Linda (Biglow) Hearn was vivacious, cheerful and easy to talk to and fun to work with. She was a lively companion to two beloved sisters, Una Cook and Billie Stanley, and, for 66 years a lovable partner to husband Don. Linda’s graciousness, outspokenness, and strength made her an inspiration to her children, Reg, Melony Joyce and Nadine Bangerter and to eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Linda and Don lived in Sun Lakes from 1992-2004, where Linda was a leader with the Sun Lakes Community Church and active in the Sun Lakes Writers’ Group, publishing numerous pieces in the Phoenix Gazette. Linda passed away August 10 after a short illness.

Linda was born on a sunny April day in 1928 on her family’s southern Manitoba wheat farm. Her family moved to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, when Linda was still in grade school. “Growing up we did the same kind of things young teenage girls do today,” wrote Linda. “We visited the parks, went to movies, and even though we didn’t have a mall, generally ‘hung out.’”

On the evening of January 5, 1947, Linda was upstairs when the doorbell rang. She heard her sister Billie greet an “Uncle Don.” She didn’t have an Uncle Don, so she went down to find out who this impostor was. She ended up laying eyes on her husband for the first time. Donald Hearn had just moved to Edmonton for a job; Billie had been a playmate of his niece. Linda was working at her father’s restaurant, which happened to be across the street from Don’s office. “He would come over and have coffee every morning,” Linda remembered. “I was careful to plan my schedule around his breaks.”

After a short courtship they were married on October 11, 1947. After their honeymoon, by train to Vancouver Island, “we had something like $.50 left after paying the cab at our doorstep.”

Linda gave birth to Reginald James in 1948 and Melony Joyce in 1951. Decent housing was tough to find in post-war Canada and the family moved to Seattle where Nadine Ann was born in 1954. Linda soon became a working mom, a role she loved.

Travel was a major part of Linda and Don’s life together. Upon retiring in 1986, Don and Linda moved to Arizona. They travelled in the summers, embarking on their grand tour of all 50 U.S. states in their beloved RV, the Blue Bunny.

Don and Linda moved back to Seattle in 2004 to be closer to family. Linda struggled with memory loss in her last years but her graciousness and positivity during these challenging times won the admiration of her family and of her caring staff at Leon Sullivan Health Care Center.

Linda has taken her last breath, but she wouldn’t say that her life is over. As she wrote: “Our lives started with our ancestors and continues with our three children, our grandchildren, and their children.”

Donald Robert Moelk

Donald Robert Moelk, a well-loved Air Force veteran, passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 23, 2014, in Sun Lakes. A long time resident of Southern Illinois, Don relocated to Arizona in 2011 with his wife Linda Moelk True, also formerly of Illinois and now a resident of Sun Lakes. The two were married in 2006, after which he acquired the affectionate nickname “Ron Don” because her friends were initially unsure if his name was Ron or Don.

Don was born on February 19, 1948, in Richmond, Indiana to the late Rita Wilson (nee McGill) and Donald Edward Moelk and grew up in Waukegan, Illinois, near Chicago. He joined the Air Force after high school and served his country honorably for two decades, including two tours in Vietnam. After retiring from the military, Don worked on the assembly line at the Chrysler plant in Fenton, Missouri, for more than a decade before retiring.

Despite retiring to the land of endless golf courses, Don spent many of his days in Arizona pursuing his favorite pastime, pool. He was an active member of the IronOaks Breakers Pool League where he earned the nickname “The Banker” both for helping with the finances and his favorite type of shot. He also played countless card games with Linda and her Sun Lakes girlfriends’ group. Don was a quiet man with a dry wit and a caring soul. He will be dearly missed.

Don was preceded in death by his first wife, Gloria. In addition to his wife Linda, Don is survived by his stepfather, Boyde Snyder Wilson, daughter Kimberly Ann Moelk (Larry Scales), son Donald Robert, Jr. (wife Teresa), stepsons Judson and Randall True, grandchildren Dakota Tyler Maldonaldo, Kayla Elaine, Justine Tailor and Sophia Faith, brothers Brian (wife Patricia) Wilson, David (wife Niki) Wilson, Mark (wife Suzanne) Meloy, sister Ann Marie Lochner and several nieces and nephews.

Don’s ashes were interred at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers Linda requests that friends and family consider donations in Don’s name to the Illinois charity H.I.S. Kids with Cancer, P.O. Box 412 or 908 Laurel Street, Highland, Illinois 62249.

Ken Nelson

Ken Nelson, age 88, of Sun Lakes, AZ, passed away July 26. He was born and raised in Seattle, WA. He served mostly in the Pacific in the U.S. Navy. He was on a carrier, in radar, during the war. After working as a civilian in the Navy, he joined the Seattle Fire Department as a firefighter and married Joanie Grove in 1952. He then became a Seattle police officer, retiring in 1980. Ken and Joanie moved to Sun Lakes, AZ in 1982.

Ken was a tireless worker in the organization and development of the Sun Lakes Senior Softball group for many years.

He is survived by his wife, Joanie, and sons Ken and Dan Nelson, seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

There are no local services planned. Any donations can be made to your favorite charity.

David H. Phillips

David H. Phillips passed away on August 7. He was born April 5, 1922 in Liverpool, England, to Michael Phillips and Sarah Markoff Phillips. He arrived in the United States with his parents in 1925. He grew up in the New York area. He worked for various companies as a successful salesman. He earned a Purple Heart in WWII, having been wounded in a plane over Germany. He also survived a plane crash in the Rockies during a training mission.

He married Ann Levy in 1947 and they had two sons, Barry and Mitchell. He is predeceased by his parents, wife Ann and son Barry. He is survived by son Mitchell, sister Dorothy Chase, longtime companion Nancy Borden and two beloved Schnauzers, Gracie and Laci.

By his request, his body will be donated to Science Care. There will be no service. He will be greatly missed.