Deaths

• Ernest Begay
• Donald E. Stokes
• Bernhardt Maki

Ernest Begay

PIÑON — Graveside services for Ernest Michael Begay, 48, will be 10 a.m. Saturday, March 1. Burial will be in family plot, Piñon.

Begay died Feb. 25, 2008, in Tuba City. He was born March 22, 1959, in Tuba City into the Bitter Water People Clan for the Salt People Clan.

Begay graduated from Chinle High School in 1978, and attended Mesa Community College from 1979-1982. He was employed in construction, and with the Kayenta Unified School District. His hobbies included basketball, football, various sports, traveling, and rodeos.

Survivors include his sons, Bryan M. Begay of Kayenta, Christopher M. Begay of Phoenix; parents, Jerry T. and Bessie Begay both of Forest Lake; brother, Francis Begay of Forest Lake; two grandchildren.

Begay was preceded in death by his brothers, Virgil M. Begay, Ronald G. Begay; grandparents, Lillie Mae Etsitty, Bekis Bizahaloni, Maggie Tso Begay, Hatalie Tso Begay.
Pallbearers will be Bryan M. Begay, Christopher M. Begay, Francis A. Begay, Dennis Jim, Tyrol Jim, and Gregory R. Jim.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Donald E. Stokes

SUN CITY, Ariz –A private family gathering for Donald E. Stokes, 85, will be at a later date in Colorado near a place that provided joy on family outings.

Stokes died Sunday Feb. 24, 2008 in Sun City, Arizona. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio

He was a World War II veteran, serving in the Army-Air Force. He was life member of the B.P.O.E. and of the American Legion. He retired from the Gallup McKinley County school district in 1984. He served as a teacher, school principal and education administrator. During this time, he and his family lived in Mexican Springs and Tohatchi as well as Gallup. He loved outdoor activities with friends and family. He was active in sports and was an avid golfer. 

Survivors include his wife, Katherine B. Stokes of Sun City, Arizona; daughter, Susan S. Johnson of Gallup; sons, Danny L. Stokes of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Thomas W. Stokes of Casper, Wyoming, Donald B. Stokes of Perth, Australia; brothers, Robert L. Stokes IV, James T. Stokes, Roger Stokes; 11 grandchildren;13 great-grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Marlyn. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Arizona, 12740 N. Plaza del Rio Blvd, Peoria, Arizona 85381, St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance, 2831 North 31st Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85009 or a charity of their choice.

Bernhardt Maki

GRANTS — Services for Bernhardt Maki, 84, will be announced at a later date.

Maki died Feb. 27, 2008, in Albuquerque. He was born March 14, 1923, in Wakefield, Mich.

Maki was retired from Kerr McGee Mines.
Compassion Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.