Deaths

• Eldon Becenti
• Edgar Bitsoie, Sr.
• Josie Chavez
• Clara McKinley
• Amos Shorty
• John Kauzlarich
• Billie Shone, Sr.

Eldon Becenti

THOREAU — Funeral services for Eldon Pete Becenti, 57, will be at 10 a.m. today, May 15 at the Thoreau Church of God. Evangelist Benny Harry will officiate. Burial will follow at San Antone Springs, NM.

Becenti died May 10 in Thoreau. He was born November 28, 1949, in Crownpoint into the Sagebrush Hill Clan for the Towering House Clan.

Becenti attended Thoreau Elementary, Rehoboth Christian School, Gallup High School, and graduated from Ganado Mission High School in 1967. He attended Ft. Lewis College and Eastern New Mexico University. He served in the US Navy on USS Ticonderoga and USS Missapalin. Becenti worked in carpentry, on pipelines, and as a rancher.

Survivors include his wife Anna Y. Becenti of Thoreau; daughters Tina Ann Becenti, Beulah Chacho, Rachael M. Becenti, all of Thoreau Christina Becenti of Crownpoint; brother, Willis T. Becenti of San Diego, NM; sisters, Joyce Becenti of Rio Rancho, NM, Charlotte Smith of Crownpoint, Marylynn Harry of Crownpoint; and seven grandchildren.

Becenti was preceded in death by his parents, Peter C. Becenti, Alfred Becenti, Janet V. Becenti; brothers, Peter C. Becenti, Jr., Michael D. Becenti, Anthony V. Becenti; sisters Una Kellywood and Janet Woode.

Pallbearers will be Donovan Becenti, Bill Becenti, Alfred Harry, Orlando Chacho, Wauseka Becenti, Rick Becenti, Danny Tom, and Fredrick Platero.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Ana Y. Becenti's residence, located two miles West of Thoreau High School.

Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Edgar Bitsoie, Sr.

TOHATCHI — Funeral services for Edgar Bitsoie, Sr., 89, will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 16, at the Tohatchi Christian Reformed Church. Rev. Stanley Jim will officiate. Burial will follow at the Naschitti Cemetery.

Bitsoie, Sr. died May 12 in Gallup. He was born January 22, 1918 in Tohatchi into the Salt Clan for the Over Hanging Rock Clan.

Bitsoie, Sr. attended Ft. Wingate High School. He was a Civil Engineering Technician for the BIA and retired after 40 years of service. Bitsoie, Sr. was a member of the Tohatchi Christian Reformed Church. His hobbies included reading his bible, hunting, ranching, gardening, traveling, watching sports, and most of all being with his grandchildren.

Survivors include his sons, Edgar Bitsoie, Jr. and Nathan Earl Bitsoie, Sr.; daughter, Rolanda Hardy; brothers, Leslie Francisco and Frank Stephens; sisters, Minnie Foster and Lydia Peshlakai; 13 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren.

Bitsoie, Sr. was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys F. Bitsoie; parents, Fred Stevens, Sr. and Barbara Jones; brothers, Lewis Stevens, Jerome Stevens, Fred Stevens, Jr.; sister, Mary Arthur.

Pallbearers will be Nathan Earl Bitsoie, Jr., Nathaniel E. Bitsoie, Clinton Hardy, Kendall Mitchell, Leonard Begay, Jr., and Byron Bitsoie.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the Tohatchi Chapter House following the services.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Josie Chavez

GRANTS — Funeral Mass for Josie B. Chavez, 51, will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 16 at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church in Grants. Father Alberto Avella will officiate. Burial will follow at the Grants Memorial Park.

A rosary will be at 7 p.m. today, May 15 at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church.

Chavez died May 12 in Albuquerque. She was born October 25, 1955, in Grants.

Survivors include her husband, Albert R. Chavez of Grants; mother, Ethel Sandoval of San Mateo; sons, Toby Maritinez of Grants and Moises Martinez of Grants; step-son, Albert Chavez, Jr. of Grants; step-daughter, Amy Gonzales of Smith Lake; brothers, Sifredo Sandoval of San Mateo, Leo Sandoval of San Mateo, and Johnny Sandoval of Albuquerque; sisters, Lucia Martinez of Albuquerque and Sandra Pino of Los Chavez, NM; and 14 grandchildren.

Chavez is preceded in death by her father, Sifredo Sandoval, Sr.

Pallbearers will be Leo Sandoval, Johnny Sandoval, Sifredo Sandoval, Tommy Chavez, Gomer Chavez, and Jimmy Chavez.

Compassion Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Clara McKinley

GRANTS — Funeral services for Clara McKinley, 95, will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 17, at the 1st United Methodist Church in Melrose, NM. Burial will be at the Melrose Community Cemetery in Melrose.

A visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 16 at Compassion Mortuary.

McKinley died May 14 in Grants. She was born November 6, 1911 in Forrest, NM.

Survivors include her sons, Bobby McKinley of Grants and Harrell McKinley of Covina, Calif.; and six grandchildren.

McKinley is preceded in death by her husband, Otto McKinley; daughter, Verna Lee Coffey-Van Over; parents, Tobe Burton and Emma Henderson Burton; and one grandchild.

Compassion Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Amos Shorty

CROWNPOINT — Funeral services for Amos Patrick Shorty, 39, will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 16 at Rollie Mortuary. George Jim will officiate. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park.

Shorty died May 11 in Crownpoint. He was born March 17, 1968 in Crownpoint into the Towering House Clan for the Bitter Water Clan.

Shorty graduated from Crownpoint High School in 1987. He was a carpenter, worked on the ranch, and liked to ride horses and draw.

Survivors include his wife, Loretta Martinez; sons, Alden Billie and Leland Billie both of Crownpoint; daughters, Pauletta Descheny, Angeletta Martinez, and Fredonia Martinez all of Crownpoint; mother, Anna B. Shorty of Becenti, NM; brother, Daniel Shorty, Sr. of Crownpoint; sister, Diane Tsosie of Becenti; and two grandchildren.

Shorty was preceded in death by his father Raymond Shorty; grandparents, Joe and Helen Shorty and Mae Benally.

Pallbearers will be Daniel Shorty, Sr., Alden Billie, Leland Billie, Terrison Descheny, Dean Tsosie, and Jeremiah Platero.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the Becenti Chapter House following services and nightly at 6 p.m.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

John Kauzlarich

GALLUP — Graveside services for John J. Kauzlarich, 77, will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 16 at Sunset Cemetary.

Kauzlarich died May 7 in Scottsdale. He was born September 28, 1929 in Mentmore.

Kauzlarich was an Army veteran, life long Gallup resident and was retired.

Survivors include his wife June Kauzlarich of Gallup; sons, Bryan Kauzlarich of Gallup and Shawn Kauzlarich of Albuquerque; daughter Sherry Jefcrat of Ft. Collins, Colo.; brothers, Charles Kauzlarich of Gallup, Robert Kauzlarich of Gallup, and Anson John of Gallup; sisters, Dorothy Baumgardner of Gallup, Jean Dennerlein of Gallup, and Louise Kersey of Beaverton, Ore.; and one grandchild.

Kauzlarich was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Mary Kauzlarich.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the Elks Club following services.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Billie Shone, Sr.

PINON, Ariz. — Funeral services for Billie Shone, Sr., 105, will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 16 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Pinon. President Steve Huxhold will officiate. Burial will follow at the family cemetery.

Shone, Sr. died May 12 in Chinle, Ariz. He was born December 2, 1901 in Whipporwill, Ariz. into the Towering House Clan for the Red Streaking into the Water Clan.

Shone, Sr. attended Ft. Apache Boarding School in Whiteriver, Ariz. He worked for the BIA at Keams Canyon Boarding School and the Santa Fe Railroad. Shone, Sr. was in the World War II. He was a rancher, healer, philosopher, and a counselor.

Survivors include his wife, Helen Shone; sons, Billy Shone, Jr., Louis Teufel Shone, Richard Whitewater, and Denny Shonnie; daughter, Bernice Shone; twelve grandchildren; and five great grandchildren.

Shone was preceded in death by his parents Kiiyaa' eenii Bi ma and John Bee.Palbearers will be Billy Shone, Jr., Gerald Ben, Calvin Gishie, Roderick Whitewater, Louis Shone, and Gerard Ben.

A reception will be at the Shone residence in Pinon following services.

Tse Bonito is in charge of arrangements.