Deaths

• Robert Yazzie Sr.
• Clariton Sam
• James Laughing
• Evelyn Mescal
• James Garcia

Robert Yazzie Sr.

TWIN LAKES — Funeral services for Robert Herman Yazzie Sr., 74, will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15 at the Free Trinity Navajo Mission. Rev. Dennis Gardner will officiate. Burial will be in family land, Twin Lakes.

Yazzie was born April 14, 1933 in Twin Lakes into the Ute People Clan for the Bitter Water People Clan.

Yazzie attended Twin Lakes Day School and Phoenix Indian School. He served in the U.S. Army for 5 years. He worked at various construction sites in the Gallup area. NECA and GIMC from 1965 until his retirement in 1972. His hobbies included spending time with family, especially his grandchildren, watching Dallas Cowboys football games, old western movies and professional wrestling. He enjoyed going to softball games, the Flea Market and various social events. He was also active in the Tohatchi Veterans Association, and will receive full military honors.

Survivors include his wife, Rose Marie Yazzie of Twin Lakes; sons, Ronald Pinto of Albuquerque, Robert H. Yazzie Jr. of Twin Lakes; daughters, Harriett Beyuka of Gallup, Robert Yazzie of Sundance, Renee Yazzie of Twin Lakes, Regina Nez of Gallup, Maxine Paul of Coyote Canyon; brothers, Joe Yazzie Sr. of Twin Lakes, Jimmy Yazzie of Twin Lakes; sisters, Pauline Joe of Twin Lakes, Grace Pino of Twin Lakes; 21 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren.

Yazzie was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Yazzie; one brother.

Pallbearers will be Jarrod Reeves, Jude Reeves, Vinnie Watson, Vonn Watson, Sheldon Orillie, Warren Bernal, Virgil Watson Jr., and Calvert Beyuka.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Twin Lakes Chapter House, Twin Lakes.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Clariton Sam

FORT DEFIANCE — Funeral services for Clariton Sam, 32, will be 10 a.m. Jan. 15 at the Latter Day of Saints, St. Michaels. Burial will be in St. Michaels.

Sam was employed at Fort Defiance Indian Health Service. He enjoyed fishing, playing baseball, football, hiking, his horses, bareback riding and bull riding.

Survivors include his wife, Rene M. Sam; son, Zachary Nez of Fort Defiance; daughters, Chasity Rene Sam of Fort Defiance, Stephanie Sam of Fort Defiance; parents, Ella Sam and Johnny Devora; brothers, Ivan Sam of Sandiegn, Calif., Irwin Shorty of Phoenix, Ariz.; sisters, Yvonne Shorty, Evangeline Shorty, Tareka Shorty of Greasewood; grandparents; Eunice Sam, Claven Sam Sr.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

James Laughing

CRYSTAL — Funeral services for James Laughing, 78, will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15 at the Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrement Church, Fort Defiance. Father Gilbert Schnider will officiate. Burial will be in family plot, Crystal. Viewing will be 9 a.m., one hour prior to services.

Laughing was born July 15, 1929 in Crystal into the Blacksheep People Clan for the Red Running into the Water People Clan.

Laughing worked with the railroad. Early in life, he enjoyed farming and ranching.

Survivors include his brother, Justin Laughing of Rabbit Brush, N.M.; sister, Mariam Blackgoat of Fort Defiance.

Laughing was preceded in death by his brothers, Ben Laughing, David Laughing; sisters, Gretchen Mullahon, Mary Barney, Laura Laughing.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Evelyn Mescal

LITTLE WATER — Services for Evelyn Mescal, 45, will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15 at the First United Methodist Church, Gallup. Evangelist Gene Martinez Jr. will officiate. Burial will be in Gallup City Cemetery.

Mescal died Jan. 10, 2008 in Gallup. She was born Aug. 5, 1962 in Crownpoint into the Towering House People Clan for the Tangle People Clan.

Mescal attended Crownpoint Schools for her education. She was employed by Home Care Options in Gallup. She loved to sing in church and helped out numerous ministries. Hobbies included cooking, singing, and socializing.

Survivors include her daughter, Cherlinda Mescale of Gallup; brothers, Sampson Mescal of Littlewater, Ervin Mescal of Littlewater, Teddy Mescal of Sanostee, and Lorenzo Mescal of Herferno.

Mescal was preceded in death by her father, Ned Mescal Jr.; mother, Mary Mescal; brothers, Henderso Mescal, Ernie Mescal.

Pallbearers will be Sampson Mescal, Ervin Mescal, Teddy Mescal, Lorenzo Mescal, Charleston Mescal and Lionel Shorty.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the First United Methodist Church, following services.

Cope Memorial is in charge of arrangements.

James Garcia

PUEBLO — Funeral Mass for James S. Garcia, 90, were 10 a.m. today, Jan. 14, at the Santa Maria Catholic Church in McCartys, N.M. Burial followed at the Mt. of Peace Cemetery in McCartys. A rosary and traditional wake was at the family home, McCartys, 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13.

Garcia died Jan. 11, 2008 in Laguna. He was born March 3, 1917 in McCartys.

Garcia was a retired bus driver for the Acoma Schools and was a veteran of the US Military.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret C. Garcia; daughters, Sylvia J. Goodman of McCarys, Connie Z. Garcia of Albuquerque, Orval Garcia of Santa Clara, Bridget Morris of Albuquerque, Melanie Garcia of McCartys; brothers, David Garcia, Raymond Garcia, both of Acomita; sister, Jessie Louis of Anzac; 20 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren.

Garcia was preceded in death by his parents, Jose Garcia, Juana Garcia; son, Christopher J. Garcia; daughter, Joyce Garcia; brothers, Henry Garcia, Thomas Garcia, Jerry Garcia, Roy Garcia; sister, Margaret Seymour.