Obituaries, November 4, 2005

Kenneth "Charlie" Mead

Kenneth H. "Charlie" Mead, 40, of Cottonwood died Oct. 30, 2005. He was born July 6, 1965, in Ajo, the son of Dalton Leon Mead and Delores (Ohwiler) Mead Wombacher.

He was a graduate of Mingus Union High School.

Charlie was an automotive mechanic who enjoyed racing cars and motorcycles.

He leaves his parents, Delores and Bill Wombacher; a brother Dane Wombacher; sisters Debra Finley and Cam Islas, both of Cottonwood.

A graveside service will be Nov. 4 in the Cottonwood Cemetery at 1 p.m.

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

E. Gordon Riffle

E. Gordon "Gordy" Riffle died Oct. 31, 2005, after a brief fight with complications from surgery. He was born Feb. 22, 1926, in Chicago.

He was married to the love of his life, Arlene Wessman, on March 18, 1947, in the Evangelical Free Church of Sioux City, Iowa.

Gordy and Arlene had four children: Rob (Sharon), of Flagstaff, Merilee (Paul) Bales, of Perry, Iowa, Jay (Rose), of Hackensack, Minn., Melody (David) Klingensmith, of Langley, B.C., Canada.

Gordon was a store manager for Tollers drug Company in Sioux City, a salesman for Bankers Life of Des Moines, a pastor of his home church First Evangelical Free Church for over 16 years and a tour guide with Goodwill Industries.

In 1997, Gordon and Arlene retired to Camp Verde, where he continued to perach the gospel at he Verde River Resort and on an interim basis with other churches in the area. After Sept. 11, 2001, Gordon became a VIP deputy for the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office until declining health forced his retirement.

Gordy was preceded in death by his parents, Joye and Edward Riffle and his sister Joyanne Gerking.

In addition to his wife Arlene and four children, he leaves behind 11 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Gordy will always be remembered for his booming laugh, his great zest for life, his sense of humor and his love of God - an incongruous mix for some but not for him.

The funeral is under the direction of Hepler Funeral Home in Camp Verde, and graveside services under the direction of Christy-Smith Funeral Home in Sioux City, Iowa.

Services were at the Verde River Resort Clubhouse (Gordy's church) on Nov. 3. Graveside services will be at the McCook Cemetery, North Sioux City, S.D., on Nov. 8 at 1 p.m., with a viewing from 11 a.m. to noon at Christy-Smith Funeral Home.

Lucile K. Franquero

Lucile Kelly Franquero, 95, of Cottonwood, died Oct. 31, 2005. She was born Sept. 9, 1910, in Palestine, Texas.

She attended Palestine High School in Palestine, Texas, and the St. Joseph School of Nursing in Houston, Texas.

During World War II, she worked as an industrial nurse at the Lone Star Defense Plant in Texarkana, Texas.

Mrs. Franquero worked as a nurse at the former Marcus J. Lawrence Hospital and after her retirement was a hospital volunteer at the Verde Valley Medical Center for 31 years.

Her memberships included P.E.O. Chapter I of Cottonwood and the Immaculate Conception Church Ladies Guild.

Her hobbies included reading, crossword puzzles, classical music, gardening, dancing, travel, bird watching and watching golf. She was a very patriotic person.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Franquero.

She is survived by a son, John W. Shipp of Payson; a daughter, Margaret M. Henning of Scottsdale; a sister, Ruth Kelly of Houston, Texas; and four grandchildren.

A Memorial Mass will be Monday, Nov. 7, in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at 10 a.m.

Donations in her memory may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105.

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

Barry L. Schuttler

Barry Leigh Schuttler, 73, a resident of Rimrock and previously a long-time resident of the Village of Oak Creek, died Oct. 31, 2005, after a long illness from Alzheimer's disease. He was born in Bremerton, Wash., on April 28, 1932.

He was a graduate of the University of Arizona and Yale Divinity School. He was an accomplished, self-taught pianist and an avid hiker and mountain climber.

Barry is survived by his 97-year-old mother Rachel Schuttler, of Cottonwood; his companion Mary McKnight, of Rimrock; and his stepson Bob Chalmers, of Annapolis, Md.

Services will be at the Beaver Creek Baptist Church, 3705 Beaver Creek Road, Rimrock, on Nov. 12 at 5 p.m. Donations are requested to be made to the Sedona Adult Center.

Barbara J. Oswald

Barbara JoAnn "Bobbi Jo" Oswald, 35, died Oct. 28, 2005, in Camp Verde. She was born Aug. 17, 1970, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Jerel Oswald and Ronda Liljenquist Oswald.

Bobbi Jo loved camping, fishing ad being outdoors with her daughters and friend Don. She will be dearly missed by all her friends and family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Clinton Oswald, and a sister, Brandi Oswald.

She is survived by her daughters, Chantel Halpin and Tesia Trube, beloved companion Don Athey, grandmother Doris Liljenquist, aunt Shelli Mooney, who was like a sister, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

A viewing will be today, Nov. 4, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at Fifth and Hollamon in Camp Verde. A graveside service will follow immediately after at Middle Verde Cemetery in Camp Verde.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made for Bobbi Jo's daughters to Doris Liljenquist at 12200 W. Cameomary #2, Tucson AZ 85743. Arrangements were made by Hepler Funeral Home. For more information, call 567-5206.