Obituaries

Helena N. Huffmon

Helena Naomi Huffmon, 87, of Bolivar, Mo., and a long-time resident of Camp Verde, died Oct. 2, 2006, in Cox Walnut Lawn, Springfield, Mo.

She was born Nov. 17, 1918, in Merrian, Ark. She was married to the late Dewey D. Huffmon. She was a charter member of the Women's Auxiliary of American Legion Post 93, in Camp Verde.

Helena is survived by five sons, Charles R. Fulco Jr., of Shreveport, La., Raymond Fulco (Alma), of Keatchie, La., William Braden (Leslie), of Camp Verde, Charles M. Gorda (Patty), of Glenrock, Wyo., and John E. Gorda of California; one daughter, Carolyn Sekulic (Robert), of Bolivar, Mo.; 19 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Memorial services are Oct. 21 at 11 a.m. at American Legion Post 93. She will be buried at Clear Creek Cemetery.

L. Dee Gillespie

Layle "Dee" Christine Gillespie, 60, of Sedona, died at the Verde Valley Medical Center in Cottonwood on Oct. 3, 2006 after a short illness.

She was born in Sherman, Texas on Feb. 7, 1946; she was the daughter of Stuart Edgar Gillespie and Luella Layle (Church) Gillespie.

Dee will be fondly remembered for her selfless and giving spirit with everyone of her many friends and relatives. Dee was all about the details. When not working at her various jobs, (and she loved to stay busy), she could be found absorbed in her books while surrounded by her feline friends or watching her favorite sport, ice-skating. Her sweet smile will be greatly missed.

Survivors include her brothers, William "Bill" Gillespie of Fresno, Calif., and Clark "Pat" Gillespie of Camden, Del.; her uncle, Don Church, of Sedona; half sisters, Julie Collins of Houston, Texas, and Katie Holms of Albuquerque, N.M.

A Memorial Service will be at the Christ Lutheran Church in Sedona on Oct. 26 at 6 p.m. with Pastor Jim Schwartz officiating.

Dee loved animals. Donations in Dee's memory may be made to the Sedona Humane Society, 2115 Shelby Drive, Sedona AZ 86336.

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

H. Etta Hare

Henrietta "Etta" I. Hare, 87, of Cottonwood, died Oct. 12, 2006. She was born on June 3, 1919, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Gustav A. and Emma L. (Beutner) Heyer.

She was raised in Jamaica, N.Y., where she attended the local schools; elementary through her first year in high school. As a young adult, she worked as a switchboard operator; this particular job is one that she enjoyed the most.

Upon doctor's recommendation to leave the damp weather of Florida, Etta moved to Arizona, where she was also able to be near her daughter. Following the death of her husband William Hare, Etta lived with her daughter and son-in-law for the next 30-some years.

Etta leaves behind her beloved daughter, Helen Nichols (Norm), of Cottonwood; one grandchild; six great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren, all of Phoenix.

There are no local services planned at this time.

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

Bill Hance

Lifelong Arizona resident William Gary "Bill" Hance died Oct. 3 at the age of 52. Bill was born in Cottonwood, raised in Clarkdale, attended Mingus Union High School, and graduated from the New Mexico Military Institute in 1972.

He is a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

Hance spent most of his adult life living on the family ranch in Cherry. He was predeceased by his father, Carl, and leaves behind his mother, Agnes Hance of Cherry, and a brother, Ed Hance with his wife Patricia of Florida.

Private services were held. The family suggests contributions be sent to the Hospice of the Veterans Administration Hospital in Prescott.

An online guestbook is available at www.westcottfuneralhome.com