March 26, 2006

Joseph H. Cassidy

Joseph H. Cassidy, 82, of Cottonwood, died Saturday, March 18, 2006.

Joe was born in Joplin, Mo., on Sept. 27, 1923, to Emmett and Ethel (Harryman) Cassidy.

It was in Casey, Ill., while Joe was still in high school, that he met Ruth Tyhurst. In 1942 they married.

Joe served in India as a corporal for the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.

In 1946, Joe and Ruth moved to California, where they raised their two beautiful daughters. Joe worked for Uniroyal Tires, where he started out as a tire maker. By the time he took his retirement many years later, he left the company as quality control supervisor. As supervisor, Joe missed the hands-on work he had become so good at, but he did enjoy being a mentor to those under him.

Following his retirement, Joe and Ruth decided to move somewhere that provided more space and openness. In September 1992 they made Cottonwood their final home.

While in Cottonwood, Joe was able to regularly enjoy one of his favorite pastimes ... "Cowboy Shootin" in the desert. He and his shooting buddies had created these "metal varmint targets" ... and even still, he could knock down quite a few. Joe's interest in guns also included reloading his own ammunition and attending gun shows.

His daughters would describe their Dad as a "Man's Man," but a "Gentle, Gentleman." He loved his family and his friends, and he appreciated the value they gave his life.

On Feb. 8 of this year, Ruth, Joe's wife of 63 years, died. He is also preceded by his parents and his brother Floyd Cassidy.

Per his request, there will be no services.

Survivors include daughters Judy Kunow of West Jordan, Utah, and Peggy Lartz (husband Art), of St. Joseph, Mo.; his sister Elnora Walker (husband Bob) of California; grandchildren Tracy Gasu of Utah, Adam Carpenter of Oregon, Army Staff Sgt. Josh Carpenter of Germany, and Carrie Stewart of Missouri; and 11 great-grandchildren.

An online guestbook is available at www.westcottfuneralhome.com.

Keith P. Boxberger

Keith Palmer Boxberger, 69, of Cottonwood, died Tuesday, March 7, 2006, after a long, hard battle with cancer.

He was born on July 2, 1936, to Theodore Palmer and Lillie Louise (Conyac) Boxberger in Denver, Colo. Keith was raised in the surrounding area, and graduated from Aurora High School.

As a young man, Keith served his country as an Airman E-3 in the U.S. Navy. Following his time spent in the military, he found employment with General Motors. Upon retirement, Keith left the company as truck sales manager as a result of his hard work and dedication.

He was an active member of the American Legion in Cottonwood and the Moose Lodge in Payson. Keith was a sports enthusiast; his enjoyments were golf and hunting. More than anything, he enjoyed the company of his family and friends.

He will be deeply missed by all who knew him and loved him.

He is preceded in death by his parent's, Theodore and Lillie Boxberger; and his sister, Joyce Schaeffer.

He leaves behind his wife of 15 years, Norma Boxberger of Cottonwood; his two sons, Keith P. (Susan) Boxberger of Newbury Park, Calif., and Kent Boxberger of Thousand Oaks, Calif.; his two daughters, Karen Burke of Camarillo, Calif., and Gail Clark of Marion, Md.; his former wife, Beverly Boxberger of Thousand Oaks, Calif.; his three grandchildren, Orion, Nicki, and Blake; one great-grandchild, Thomas; and his two nieces, Vicki Fernelius with her family, all of Simi Valley, Calif., and Teri (Dave) Brosky, with their children, also of Simi Valley.

A memorial service will be March 29 at 1 p.m., at the American Legion Hall Post 25, 640 S. Calvary Way in Cottonwood.

Keith will be laid to rest at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, Calif. A Graveside Memorial Service will be April 22 at 1 p.m.

Memorial contributions can be sent to: The Northern Arizona Hospice, 295 S. Candy Lane, Cottonwood AZ 86326, or to: The American Cancer Society, 2724 East Lakin, Suite 9, Flagstaff AZ 86001.

An online guestbook is available at www.westcottfuneralhome.com.


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