Obituaries July 2, 2006

James E. Elmer

James Edward Elmer Sr., 84, of Elmersville, died June 27, 2006. James was the oldest of three sons of Jessie Jeanette and Jesse James Elmer, who were early pioneers to the Sedona area, homesteading on the lower Red Rock Loop Road.

During World War II, while serving in the Marine Corps, James met his wife Antoinette in Chicago, where they raised their family, and finally retired back to Elmersville in the early 1980s. James retired from the Grand Trunk Western Railroad, but also spent many years restoring cars, which later became a hobby he shared with his children.

Survivors include seven children: James E. Elmer Jr. (Marcy) of Clarkdale, Terry Elmer of Tinley Park, Ill., Merry Carol Shanks (Gerald) of Cornville, Ron Elmer (Yvonne) of Tucson, Kathie Hamblen (John) of Sedona, Karen Swanson of Peoria, Ariz., and Sharon Chandler of Tucson. James also leaves behind 23 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be July 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Westcott Funeral Home, 1013 E. Mingus Ave., in Cottonwood. A Funeral Mass will be July 5 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 180 Soldier Pass Road in Sedona, following which graveside services will be held at Schuerman-Red Rock Cemetery on the Upper Red Rock Loop Road.

The Family suggests that any memorial contributions be made to the Sedona Historical Society for the restoration and preservation of Schuerman-Red Rock Cemetery.

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

Doris M. Hills

Doris Marie Hills, 79, of Rimrock, died Tuesday, June 20, 2006.

She was born on Sept. 25, 1926, in Chicago, Ill., to Vernon and Esther (Blom) Knudson. Doris lived in the same neighborhood as her future husband, James (Jim) all through her school years.

After Jim completed his service in the U.S. Navy during World War II he married Doris in California. It was there they raised their three children.

Doris went back to work as a bookkeeper after their youngest started school. She was a loyal and dedicated employee at companies such as Evans Products and J.F. Shea Company.

Upon their retirement, they moved to Arizona, which they called home for 26 years.

Doris was a devoted wife to her husband of nearly 56 years.

Doris is survived by her three children, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

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

Robert H. Howell

Robert H. Howell, 79, of Franklin Furnace, Ohio, died May 27, 2006, at Best Care Nursing Home in Wheelersburg, Ohio.

He was born April 28, 1927, in New Boston, Ohio, to Robert H. Garrison and Georgia Howell Amos. He was involved in the Boy Scouts of America, serving as scout master for 17 years with troop 425 of Arizona and receiving Order of the Arrow Vigil Honor.

He was a Kiwanian lieutenant governor of the Northwest District of Arizona and a disabled veteran who served in World War II in the Army. He was a member of the Methodist Men's Club, the choir and the disciple class. Other organizations include the Masons, Shriners, DAV and American Legion.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years Omedia Bailey Howell; two children, Monica Harlock of Franklin Furnace, Ohio, and Michael J. Howell, of Columbus, Ohio; five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Services were June 2 in Wheelersburg.

Sandra Riley

Sandra Ann Riley, 63, died unexpectedly at her home June 25, 2006. She was born Nov. 1, 1942, in Casper, Wyo., to Sherman L. and Mary B. Johnson.

In 1963, she married William Charles Inscore. She married Charles Henry "Chuck" Riley in 1987.

At various times, she was a waitress, LPN in homes for the aged, fostered mentally challenged children, worked as a security guard at a uranium mine and was a distributor for Young Living Essential Oils. She and her late husband Chuck moved into the Verde Valley just in time to get caught in the big flood of 1992.

Sandi volunteered at the Seventh-day Adventist Food Bank. Every Easter she put together 50 to 100 Easter baskets to be given to the children when the families came for their food boxes. At Christmas, she handed out the stuffed animals and dolls she had washed and refurbished. Sandi was given a Verde Valley Pride Day Award for her work.

Survivors include her son, Charles Anthony Inscore, of Camp Verde; her mother Mary B. Johnson, of Lander, Wyo.; sisters Karen L. Murbach, of Cheyenne, Wyo., and Cora K. "Kathi" Anderson, of Lander, Wyo.; and brother Sherman T. Johnson, of Hendersonville, N.C.

Donations can be made in care of her son: Charles Inscore, 2223 Arena Del Loma #43, Camp Verde AZ 86322.

Charles Mossman

Charles "Charlie" Mossman, 51, died June 27, 2006 in Prescott. He was born Nov. 14, 1954, in Long Beach, Calif., to Dean and Loretta Mossman.

Charlie was an accomplished musician and artist who enjoyed a long career as a drummer in several popular bands throughout Northern Arizona.

He is survived by his fiancée Denise Grebb; his children Laura Mossman, Josh Herron and Cara Craig; his mother Loretta Mossman; sister Laurie Mossman; and one grandchild.

A celebration of Charlie's life will be July 6 at 2 p.m. at Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home, at the corner of Cortez and Carleton streets in Prescott. A continued Celebration of Charlie's life will be at a friend's home following the service.

Visit Charlie's guestbook and video tribute online at www.ruffnerwakelin.com.