Deaths

• Joe Spolar Jr.
• Thelma Gray
• Louise Lucy Benallie
• Ellen Sparks
• Blanche Hale
• Fred Adakai

Joe Spolar Jr.

BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz. — Services for Joe A. Spolar Jr., 65, were on Jan. 27 in Allen, Texas. Private disposition followed.

Spolar died Jan. 23 in Allen, Texas. He was born June 19, 1941 in Gallup.

Spolar went to Gallup schools and worked at Kelly's Safety Lane. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, boating and being with family.

Survivors include his sons Joseph B. Spolar of Allen, Texas, Justin A. Spolar of Roeland Park, Kan., Troy A. Spolar of Gallup; daughter Amelia J. Spolar of Farmington; and 10 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son Rodney M. Spolar; parents Joe A. Spolar and Josie Ganter Spolar; and two sisters, Betty and Shirley.

Thelma Gray

SAN ANTONIO — Private disposition for Thelma Gray, 85, will be in Cripple Creek, Colo.

Gray died Jan. 20 in San Antonio, Texas. She was born Jan. 14, 1922 in Cripple Creek, Colo.

Gray was a former resident of Gallup for more than 20 years.

Survivors include son, Stanley E. Gray, Jr. of Gallup; daughter, Shirley Lilly of San Antonio, TX.; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Gray was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley Gray, Sr.

Louise Lucy Benallie

CHURCH ROCK, N.M. — Services for Louise Lucy Benallie, 65, will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 3 at Cope Memorial Chapel in Gallup. Pastor Norman Chee will officiate. Burial will follow at the Rehoboth Mission Cemetery.

Benallie died Jan. 30 in Gallup. She was born March 15, 1941 in Rehoboth into the Bitter Water People Clan for the Red Running into the Water People Clan.

Benallie was a lifetime resident of Church Rock. She was a homemaker, story teller, and a livestock owner.

Survivors include her sons Larrison Benallie of Church Rock, Allison Benallie of Crystal, N.M., Benson Benallie of Thoreau, Robertson Benallie of Tohatchi; daughter Lisa Benallie of Church Rock; brother Tommy Nachin of Church Rock; 10 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her husband Francis Benallie; son Jerrison Benallie; parents Ray Nachin and Grance Nachin.

Pallbearers will be Allison, Benson, Robertson Benallie and Tony, Avalor, Trevor Nachin.

The family will receive relatives and friends at a reception after the services.

Cope Memorial is in charge of arrangements.

Ellen Sparks

BATON ROUGE, La. — Funeral services for Ellen Sparks, 62, will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 3 at the Baker Funeral Home Chapel in Baker, La. Deacon Bruno Rizzo will officiate. Cremation will follow.

Sparks died Jan. 31 in Baton Rouge. She was born July 7, 1944 in Gallup.

Sparks was a member of the St. Isidore Catholic Church of Baker, La.

Survivors include her husband David Sparks of Baton Rouge; sons Ron and Tim Leatherman of Baton Rouge; sister, Frances Williams of Gallup.

Blanche Hale

TWIN LAKES, N.M. — Services for Blanche Robertson Hale, 100, will be at 10 a.m., today, Feb. 2 at the Bethlehem Christian Reformed Church in Tohlakai. Rev. Dennis Gardner will officiate. Burial will follow in Twin Lakes family land.

Hale died Jan. 29 in Gallup. She was born July 3, 1906 in Mexican Springs, N.M. into the Mexican People Clan for the Black Streak People Clan.

Hale lived her life in Twin Lakes and attended school in Santa Fe, N.M. She was a rug weaver and a Bible reader.

Survivors include her son Robert Hale, Richard Hale, both of Twin Lakes, Eugene Hale of Coyote Canyon; daughters Eunice Cadman, Marie Harvey, Pearl Smith, Genevieve Frank, all of Twin Lakes, 47 grandchildren, 102 great-grandchildren and 50 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents Shirley Bah and Hosteen Blackhorse; brother Tom Bahe; daughters Rose Hale, Betty Shirley and one son Norman Bobby Hale.

Pallbearers will be Jim Smith, Benjamin Jimenez, Anson Tabaha Jr., Cassidy Tabaha, Henry Hale Jr., Jeremy Shaun Hale, Tommy Shirley, Jarrod Reeves, Ryan Harvey, Eric Harvey and Nathan Yazie.

The family will receive friends and relatives at the Bethlehem Christian Reformed Church after services.

Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Fred Adakai

MANUELITO — Services for Fred Adahai, 92, will be announced at a later date.

Adakai died Jan. 31 in Gallup. He was born Dec. 15, 1914 in Two Wells, N.M. into the Mexican People Clan for the Black Streak of the Forest People Clan.

Visitation will be at the Rollie Mortuary Palm Chapel, from 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Feb. 2.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.