Deaths

• Benally, Gary
• Bexfield, Mildred
• Spencer, Ellora
• Yazzie, Peter
• Yazzie, Woody

Gary Benally

FORT DEFIANCE — Funeral services for Gary Duane Benally, 32, will be 10 a.m., Aug. 22, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, St. Michaels. LDS Church officials will officiate. Burial will be in Piñon, Ariz.

Benally died Aug. 16, 2008, in Fort Defiance. He was born Nov. 16, 1975, in Provo, Utah, into the Edge Water People Clan for the One Who Walks Around You People Clan.

Benally graduated from Window Rock High School in 1994. He attended University Technical Institute in Phoenix. He worked for Spurring Builders Construction in Winslow and Pace Pacific Corp in Phoenix. Benally enjoyed fishing, camping, and always kept busy building projects.

Survivors include his wife, Crystal Benally of Winslow; sons, Forrest Coye Benally of St. Michaels, Powen James Benally of St. Michaels; Brandon Kobe Chavez of St. Michaels, Silas Nathan Benally of St. Michaels; daughter, Kaci Rose Benally of St. Michaels; parents, Thomas Benally, Ruby Benally of St. Michaels; sisters, Terrilyn J. Cook of Queen Creck, Ariz., Christine J. Haven of Queen Creek, Kimberlee J. Craig of St. Michaels, Kameo R. Benally of Mesa, Tiffani A. Benally of St. Michaels; grandparents, Pauline Whitenuger, Ruth W. Benally.

Benally was preceded in death by Etsitty Benally.
Pallbearers will be Brandon Jones, Herman Dahozy, Aldo Jones, Forrest Coye Benally, Powen Benally, Ty Wauneka, George Y. Cook Jr., Gabriel Benally.

Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Mildred Bexfield

SANTA FE — Services for Mildred “Mickey” Bexfield (Johnson), 88, will be at 11 a.m., Sept. 2, at the Santa Fe National Cemetery, Santa Fe.

Bexfield died July 21, 2008, in Alexandria, Va. She was born February 24, 1920, in Gallup.
Bexfield was born to Adolph M. and Jessie E. (Hartline) Johnson.

Bexfield graduated from Gallup High School in 1937. After graduating she attended Stevens College in Missouri and graduated from Drake University in Iowa in 1941 with a BA in political science and education. While working in the Chicago area, Mickey met her husband of 59 years, Frank W. (“Bill”) Bexfield, who was a career Air Force officer.

Survivors include her children, James N. Bexfield, Susan K. Fedel, Rebecca J. Tilley; eight grandchildren; three great grandchildren.

Bexfield was preceded in death by her husband, Frank W. “Bill” Bexfield.

Ellora Spencer

GRANTS — Graveside Service for Ellora “Lally” Palmer Christensen Spencer, 94, were 11 a.m., Monday, Aug. 18, at the Kirtland/Fruitland Cemetery in Kirtland. Bishop Korth Ellsworth officiated. Viewing was 9-10 a.m., Aug.18, at Brewer, Lee & Larkin Funeral Home. Interment followed.

Spencer died Aug.12, 2008, in Grants. She was born on March 11, 1914, in Kirtland.

Spencer was born to Asael Ernest Palmer and Lois Foutz Palmer. She was born and raised in Kirtland and graduated from Kirtland Central High School. She enjoyed dancing and embroidery. Spencer attended and taught Sunday school at the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints for many years. She also served as secretary of the Relief Society. 

Survivors include her son, Maurice Christensen of Grants; six grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild.

Spencer was preceded in death by her parents, Asael Ernest Palmer and Lois Foutz Palmer; sisters, Estella Porterfield, June Ashcroft, Emma Lou Freestone, Jessie Luthi; brothers, Richard “Jim” Palmer, Willard “Bill” Palmer.

Friends may send condolences at www.danielsfuneral.com.

Peter Yazzie

ZUNI — Funeral Mass for Peter Yazzie, 65, will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 21, at the Rollie Mortuary, Gallup. The Rev. Michael Sullivoin will officiate. Burial will be in Gallup City Cemetery. A rosary will be recited 2 p.m., today, Aug. 20, at Rollie Mortuary.

Yazzie died Aug. 17, 2008, in Zuni. He was born July 15, 1943, in Fort Wingate, into the One Who Walks Around People Clan for the Black Streak of Forest People Clan.

Yazzie served in the Army and attended electronics school in Texas. He enjoyed walking and spending time in Gallup. He also enjoyed time with his family and friends.

Survivors include his son, William Yazzie Lucio of Zuni; daughter, Joyclynn Lucio of Zuni; sister, Bessie James of Lupton; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild.

Yazzie was preceded in death by his parents, Eva Goodluck Tsosie and Tom Yazzie.

Pallbearers will be Ernest Quam, William Yazzie Lucio, Roxann James, Ferrel Guspine, Rocco James.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Woody Yazzie

BLUE GAP — Graveside services for Woody Yazzie, 59, will be 10 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 21, at the family plot, Whippoorwill, Ariz. The Rev. Thomas Dick will officiate. Burial will be in the family plot in Whippoorwill.

Yazzie died Aug. 17, 2008, in Chinle. He was born Oct. 13, 1948, in Whippoorwill, into the Towering House People Clan for the Bitter Water People Clan.

Yazzie attended Low Mountain Boarding School, Chinle Boarding School, Albuquerque Indian School, and went on to Madera, Calif. for training in auto mechanics. He worked as an EMT in Chinle for 2 years, he was an auto mechanic/trackman for BNSF for more than 22 years.

Survivors include his brothers, Kee Billy Yazzie of Blue Gap, Kee Chee Yazzie of Pinon; sister, Mary Harrison of Blue Gap.

Yazzie was preceded in death by his daughter, Pamela Yazzie; grandparents, Albert Denezpi, Tse Eahe Bitsi; father, John Yazzie; mother, Yilnanebah Joe.

Pallbearers will be family members.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.