Anne M. DeRose Anne Marguerite Spagnuolo DeRose was born in Fowlerville, Mich., on Aug. 5, 1932, and went to be with Our Lord on Dec. 18, 2025. She was the third child of George and Ellen (Diamante) Spagnuolo. She helped their parents who owned the Spagnuolo Candy and Ice Cream company where they manufactured home-made…
Tag: In Passing
Features, January 2026
In Passing – January 2026
Charlie Birkemo Charlie was born in Chicago, Ill., on Nov. 28, 1948. He grew up in the northwest suburbs and graduated from Wheeling High School. He moved to Macomb, Ill., in 1966 to attend Western Illinois University (WIU), but got caught up in the Vietnam conflict and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1969. He spent…
Features, December 2025
In Passing – December 2025
Arlene M. Burkhardt Arlene Marie Burkhardt, an OG resident of Sun Lakes, Ariz., passed away on Oct. 19, 2025, at the age of 91. Born on July 22, 1934, in Richfield, Wis., Arlene led a life marked by warmth, dedication, and love for her family and community. Arlene graduated from Pittsville High School, where she…
Features, November 2025
In Passing – November 2025
Marvin Brownell Marvin (Marv) Eugene Brownell was born in Sweet Home, Ore., on Jan. 1, 1947, to Melvin Brownell and Ila (Millard) Brownell. He mainly grew up in Salem, Ore. He graduated from South Salem High School in 1965. He played on the basketball team and held the pole vaulting record for many years. In…
Features, October 2025
In Passing – October 2025
Robert Brower Robert Kent Brower, age 81, died Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, at his home in Sauk Centre. Bob was a resident of both Sauk Centre, Minn., and Sun Lakes, Ariz., and passed peacefully, surrounded by his family after a battle with cancer. Per Bob’s request, a private family service will be held. Born on…
Features, August 2025
In Passing – August 2025
Daniel Bogaard Daniel Dee Bogaard, age 75, of Sun Lakes, Ariz., passed away on July 10, 2025. He was born in Orange City, Iowa, on June 14, 1950. Dan graduated from M-OC High School, attended Northwestern College, and received a B.A. degree from the University of Iowa. He was married to Betty Vanden Hull on…
Features, July 2025
In Passing – July 2025
Sandra Johnson Our beautiful and beloved family matriarch, Sandy Jones Johnson, formerly Sandra Simonette, went home to heaven on May 15, 2025. Sandy, age 78, passed away peacefully at Dobson Home in Chandler, Ariz., after a brief illness. She was born on June 2, 1946, in Ilion, N.Y., to Arvon and Francis (Seidsma) Jones. Sandy…
Features, June 2025
In Passing – June 2025
Joseph Francis Abrutz Joseph Francis Abrutz of Sun Lakes, Ariz., passed away peacefully with family by his side on his 99th birthday, April 20, 2025. Joe was married to his beloved wife, Beverly Housley Abrutz, for 71 years. Born on April 20, 1926, in Youngstown, Ohio, Joe was the youngest of nine children of Ralph…
Features, May 2025
Thank You
My family and I would like to thank you for your kindness on the passing of Newman Benson. We are very grateful for your cards, texts, phone messages, food, flowers, and prayers during this difficult time. The Sun Lakes community, Hospice of the Valley, P.E.O. Chapter DD, the Horizon Room in SunBird, and Sun Lakes…
Features, May 2025
In Passing – May 2025
Robert Joseph Delong Robert Joseph Delong expected to be 95 years old in just six weeks, but on March 24, 2025, he went home to be with the Lord he had loved and served. Bob, as he was usually called, was born in Des Moines, Iowa, on May 5, 1930. Bob is survived by his…