Obituaries, March 22, 2006

Esther Nelson

Esther Viola (Kujala) Nelson, of Cottonwood, age 88, died March 18, 2006. She was born in Stambaugh, Mich., on May 15, 1917, to the late Matt and Mary (Smolander) Kujala.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband George A. Nelson of 66 years of marriage, son Gerald Nelson, her sister Sarah (Kujala) Lerner, and brother Tibaugh Kujala.

Esther is survived by her son Robert and daughter-in-law Linda Nelson (from Laguna Niguel, Calif.); son Gregory Nelson and companion Karen J. Leff (from Cottonwood); son George Jr. and daughter-in-law Linda Jean Nelson (from Kirkland, Wash.); her sister Jean Lichtenberg of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 10 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Gifted with a quality of God, Esther suffered long, yet was kind and always portrayed a smile. She was not envious of others and would not impose herself on another person or behave unseemly. She was not easily provoked to anger and thought evil of nobody. She did not take pleasure in another person's misfortune. She bore all things, believed in all things, hoped for all things and endured all things. She touched all who knew her with a quality of life that made itself felt and taught you about it. Remarkably she saw fit to share this gift in an ordinary life as a hospital ward helper in Ann Arbor, Mich., and later as a devoted wife and mother.

Esther enjoyed traveling, music, dancing, eating chocolate and drinking a good cup of coffee, playing casino slots and the bingo lotto and enjoying a good mystery, besides caring for everyone around her. She will be deeply missed by all.

A private memorial ceremony will be for the immediate family. It is requested that any remembrances be donated to the RTA Hospice & Palliative Care, 70 Bell Rock Plaza, Suite A, Sedona AZ 86351. Contact Gregory Nelson at 202-2206.

An online guestbook is available at www.westcottfuneral home.com.

Michael Mathia

Michael Mathia, winter resident of Cottonwood, and summer resident of Mogadore, Ohio, died March 16, 2006, the day after celebrating his 88th birthday. He was born in Braddock, Pa., on March 15, 1918, to Vincent and Dora (Lenhardt) Mathia.

He graduated from Garfield High School in Akron, Ohio, where he was a star athlete in football, track and field, and wrestling.

Mike retired from Goodyear Aerospace after 36 years.

He was extremely mechanically talented and taught his sons and daughters many skills. Mike was always available to help his family and friends.

His hobbies included gardening and planting trees. He had a green thumb and was popular in the neighborhood for bountiful crops of blueberries and chestnuts.

Those who knew him will miss his witty sense of humor, the twinkle in his eyes, and his big smile.

Mike is preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Mathia; his son, Robert Mathia; his brother, Vincent Mathia; his grandson, Tim Mathia; and his parents, Vincent and Dora Mathia.

He leaves behind his sons, Mike Mathia Jr. of Mogadore, Ohio, and Vincent Mathia III with Roxy Androde, of Dallas, Texas; his daughter Margie Barr with Robert Shawley, of Cottonwood; his step-daughter Ann Corey with husband John, of Hemet, Calif.,; his sister-in-law, Helen Mathia of Mogadore, Ohio; his niece, Linda Anderson; and his nephew, John Mathia with family.

He was also the adored grandfather of Dan Mathia, Rick Mathia, Ron Mathia, Vince Mathia IV, Ted Mathia, Tammy Mathia, Michael Mathia and Crystal Bush; as well as, 12 great-grandchildren.

Donations can be made to: Northern Arizona Hospice, 269 S. Candy Lane, Cottonwood AZ 86326.

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

Mary V. McCue

Mary V. McCue, 92, of Cottonwood, died March 16, 2006. She was born on Feb. 25, 1914, in West Aliquippa, Pa., where she grew up and attended school during her childhood.

Mary was married to Daniel Carl Romisher for 28 years. Together, they lived on a 72-acre farm in Brighton Township. As a farmer's wife, she worked right along side of Daniel until his death. He died on Dec. 10, 1958.

Mary not only made her a career as a farmer's wife, but also as a homemaker and a mother. As a homemaker, she developed not only her skills, but also her love for gardening, cooking and baking. As a mother, she raised her beautiful children with love.

Mary also loved dancing the Polka.

Mary is also preceded by her second husband, Frank McCue; her brother, Frank Malachin; her sister, Sophie Smith; and three brothers-in-law.

She leaves behind her daughters, Mary Lee Gilkerson of Cornville, Eleanor M. Larkin with husband Robert K. of Fullerton, Calif., and Delores "Dee" Fronko with husband, John of Corpus Christie, Texas; her brothers, John Malachina Jr. with wife Patsy of Cleveland, Ohio, and Steve Malachina; her sisters, Margaret Jurkowski of Ambridge, Pa., and Anna Kotola of Aliquippa, Pa.; her sister-in-law, Marge Malachina also of Aliquippa, Pa.; as well as six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Private services will be held.

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

George A. Conrad

George Arnold Conrad, 81, resident of Cottonwood, died March 7, 2006. He was born in St. Louis, Mo., on June 1, 1924, to Daniel and Mary (Anderson) Conrad.

George was a tool designer and Defense and Aero Space engineer. He retired from Universal Match of St. Louis, and Litchfield Park.

He enjoyed golf and going to yard sales. He also liked to repair watches, vintage radios, and records. George was proud to be an American.

He is preceded in death by his parents and siblings. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Florence Conrad, of Cottonwood; his sons, Gregory D. (Melinda) Conrad of Snowflake, Garry S. Conrad of Chino Valley, and Guy R. (Tami) Conrad of Littleton, Colo.; his daughters, Cynthia Conrad of Phoenix, Sheri (John) Hazen of Phoenix, Beverly Peterson of Phoenix, and Jalann (Kevin) Marshall of Glendale; his step-children, Phyllis (Carl) Dohms of Cottonwood, and David (Mary Lew) Quesinberry of Temple, Texas; as well as seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be Saturday, March 25, at 2 p.m. at Westcott Funeral Home, 1013 E. Mingus Ave. in Cottonwood.

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

Charles E. Walker

Charles Elton Walker, 72, of Cottonwood, died March 15, 2006. He was born on July 29, 1933, to Charles Hobbs and Pearl (Bryan) Walker in Cordell, Okla., where he attended school as a child.

He served his country in the U.S. Air Force as a tech sergeant. He also worked for Wallace Transport out of California and retired from C.T.I. in Clarkdale. Charlie was always very proud of his time spent with the Air Force and as a truck driver.

Charlie is preceded in death by his son, William E. Walker; his sister, Wanda Mount; his brother-in-law, James Mount; and his parents, Charles and Pearl Walker.

He leaves behind his sons, Charles Raymond Walker with wife Christie of Cottonwood, Michael Wayne Walker with wife Cathy of Camp Verde, and Steven Walker of Santa Cruz, Calif.; his daughter, Lois Ann Walker of Cottonwood; his daughter-in-law, Leslie Walker of Camp Verde; his nephew, Michael Mount with wife, Tammy of Coulterville, Calif.; as well as seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be at Westcott Funeral Home, 1013 E. Mingus Ave. in Cottonwood, on March 28 at 2 p.m.

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

Joyce Lee Clark

Joyce Lee Clark, 67, of Cottonwood, died March 17, 2006. She was born Sept. 8, 1938, to Leroy and Viola Ramsey. She was very proud to have graduated Nursing School at the age of 56 and attain her RN on the first board exam.

She is survived by her husband Lawrence Clark, son Wayne P. Clark, daughter Peggy J. Whiting, siblings Phyllis Clarke-Bye, Shirley Balian and Richard Ramsey, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

There will be a visitation from noon to 1 p.m. and service at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at Thompson's Valley West Funeral Chapel at 926 S. Litchfield Road, Goodyear. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Avondale.

Services under the care of Thompson's Valley West Funeral Chapel in Goodyear.


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