December 16, 2005

Matilda E. Lightbourn

Matilda Evelyn Lightbourn, 91, of Cottonwood, died Dec. 9, 2005, in Paradise Valley.

She was born May 14, 1914, in Plainfield, N.J., to Lewis and Jean Squires.

She attended the Plainfield Public Schools during her youth, received her bachelor's degree from the New Jersey College for Women and went on to achieve her master of arts in English Education at the Arizona State University.

Matilda worked for the Washington School District in Phoenix, where she taught at the Elementary School, and later on, she worked as an English Teacher at the Washington High School. Prior to her career in the field of Education, Matilda was the Merchandise Manager for Kleinert Rubber Company in New York City.

Matilda was a very active individual. She was always busy with one event or another. She was the Editor and Chief of Quair NJC Yearbook, co-author of the book "By the Banks of Beaver Creek." She also served as president of the Civic Club in Lake Montezuma. She enjoyed playing golf. She was a voracious reader and adept at crossword puzzles. Matilda, however, found her greatest joy, and success, at home. She was a loving wife and a devoted mother.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, John William Lightbourn; her brother Binny, as well as her parents.

Matilda leaves behind three children; John Robert "Bob" Lightbourn of Maui, Hawaii, Lewis Anderson "Andy" Lightbourn of Lake Montezuma, and Evelyn F. "Lyn" Distrola of Phoenix, and one granddaughter, Kaitlyn Lightbourn.

Memorial Services in Matilda's honor were Dec. 15 at 1 p.m. at Westcott Funeral Home, 1013 E. Mingus Avenue in Cottonwood.

Any Memorial Donations can be sent to any of the campuses for the Rutgers State University Foundation, 67 College Ave., Brunswick NJ 08901-1261 (formally known as Douglas College for Women).

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

Lilian M. Pritchard

Lilian M. Gruenbaum-Pritchard, 97, of Cottonwood, died Dec. 8, 2005, in Cottonwood.

She was born May 7, 1908, to Charles J. and Anna Rupright Gruenbaum, of Lima, Ohio. She graduated from South High in Lima in 1925 and attended both Wooster College in Wooster, Ohio, and Valparaiso University, in Valparaiso, Ind. She was a member of the Sigma Theta Sorority, now Chi Omega. She graduated from Walther Lutheran Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, Chicago, Ill. Lilian worked at the West Suburban Hospital, Oak Park, Ill. Lilian was the first married nurse to enlist and served as a 1st lieutenant, 6th Service Command, in World War II, Army Nurse Corps, Scott Field, Ill., and is listed on the WWII Women's Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Lilian married John Pritchard, originally from Vienna, Austria, on April 22, 1939, and they resided in Oak Park/ Chicago, Ill., Portland, Ore., and moved to Cottonwood in 1972. She enjoyed traveling to many parts of the world, as well as the United States, Canada and Mexico. She was a voracious reader and enjoyed gardening and handcrafts. Family and friends enjoyed her unique sense of humor and her incomparable memory.

Lilian was a lifelong member of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod and was a founding member of The Faith Lutheran Church of Cottonwood.

Lilian is preceded in death by her husband, parents, her sister, Lucretia Meyer, and brothers Carlton and Luther Gruenbaum. She is survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.

There will be a celebration of life service held at Faith Lutheran Church in Cottonwood at a later date. Commital will be at The National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix. Anyone wishing information may contact Hepler Funeral Home, 143 Arnold Street Camp Verde AZ 86322 or by calling 567-5206.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Faith Lutheran Church P.O. Box 3732 Cottonwood AZ 86326 (Attn. Pastor Brian Larson), Valparaiso University School of Business fund in memory of her father Charles J. Gruenbaum, Lutheran Hour Ministries 660 Mason Ridge Drive, St. Louis MO 63141, or to a deserving charity of the donor's choice.

Jerry M. Brawley

Jerry Monroe Brawley, 56, of Cottonwood, born Dec. 22, 1948, in Portsmouth, Va., died Dec. 9, 2005.

Jerry attended Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, where he received his education in Forestry.

He worked as a maintenance engineer and later retired from the Arizona Department of Forestry, of which he was so proud to be a part.

Jerry carried the title of U.S. veteran, having served his country during the Vietnam War as part of the 3rd Force Recon Rangers in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was also very proud to have previously held the position of commander at VFW Post 7400.

His other hobbies and interests included motorcycles and handiwork.

Jerry will be deeply missed, especially by his friends at the VFW.

Memorial Services with Military Honors will be held in Jerry's honor on Saturday, Dec. 17, at 11 a.m. at the VFW 7400 in Cottonwood.

Contributions can be made to: Veterans of Foreign Wars Honor Guard.

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

Janie Robertson

Frances Jane "Janie" Walker Robertson, 60, died Dec. 12, 2005, in Flagstaff. She was born Sept. 7, 1945, to Buster and Pauline Walker in Canadian, Texas.

Janie worked as a dispatcher for the Perryton Police Department and St. Johns Sheriff's Department, a bookkeeper for Kayenta Motors & CET, and she also tutored at-risk students at Monument Valley High School, all while being a homemaker, a loving wife and mother of two.

Her many interests included riding her quad, baking, boating, camping, arts and crafts, and her three grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband of 41 years, Harley. They were married June 4, 1964, in Canadian, Texas.

She is also survived by a son, Russell Wayne Robertson, of Phoenix; a daughter, Pamela Jane Ieppert, of Camp Verde; one grandson Cody Evan Robertson; two granddaughters, Morgan Lynn Robertson and Nicole Frances Robertson; one adopted daughter, Yasko Suga, of Japan; and numerous adopted kids; a brother, John Walker of Canadian, Texas; grandmother Frances Ramsey, of Kerrville, Texas; and aunt Dana Green, of Bandera, Texas.

Memorial services were Dec. 15 at the Norvel Owens Mortuary in Flagstaff.

Arthur G. Holquin

Arthur Guadalupe Holquin, 75, of Phoenix, died Dec. 13, 2005. He was born Dec. 12, 1930, in Clarkdale.

A veteran of the Korean War, he served in the Army.

Arthur retired from Phelps Dodge Corporation.

He had been a member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Ajo. While living in Phoenix, he was a member of St. Jerome Catholic Church and a Cruzillista.

An avid hunter, fisherman and gardener, he grew roses, 'chili peppers' and tomatoes. Arthur enjoyed working with his hands whether it was mechanical, electrical or building his home.

Arthur always had a special place in his heart for Cottonwood, returning time and time again.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Josie Holquin: daughters, Patricia (Geraldo) Rivera, of Phoenix, Pamela (Matthew) Sandoval, of Phoenix, Yvonne Bianco, of Glendale and Yvette (Roy) Dimas, of Phoenix; brothers Hector Bueno, of Cottonwood, and Bob Bueno, of Phoenix; a sister, Armida Alleman of Cottonwood; and five grandchildren.

A Rosary was Dec. 15 in the Westcott Funeral Home.

A Funeral Mass will be today, Dec. 16, in the Immaculate Conception Church at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Cottonwood Cemetery.

Henry Starr, Jr.

Henry Starr, Jr., 78, of Clarkdale, died Dec. 12, at Prescott's Whipple Veterans Hospital. He was born Aug. 27, 1927, in Clarkdale to Annie and Henry Starr Sr.

Mr. Starr is preceded in death by his wife, Vera Brown Starr.

Mr. Starr attended Clarkdale High School in the late 1940s. He went on job relocation to Dallas, from 1951-53. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1953-1957, from which he received his honorable discharge.

Mr. Starr worked at the Phoenix Cement Plant from 1961-88, where he worked as a mechanic, a sacker, dust collector operator and plant lubricator. He retired after 27 years.

Mr. Starr was a sports fan, and enjoyed the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Phoenix Suns.

He is survived by his sister, Clara Starr Clark of Sedona, and his niece Roselind Starr of Clarkdale.

A visitation will be held today, Dec. 16, 5-8 p.m. Funeral Services will follow Saturday morning at 11 a.m. Both will be held at Westcott Funeral Home, 1013 E. Mingus Ave. in Cottonwood. Following services, Mr. Starr will be laid to rest at the Valley View Cemetery in Clarkdale.

A guestbook is available online at www.westcottfuneralhome.com


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