Deaths

• Ashley, Dorothy
• Begay, Nellie
• Bennett, Lafie
• Gorman, Alfred Jr.
• Heinlein, Donna
• Lopez, Constance
• Notah, Timothy
• Parker, Dennison
• Parra, Joaquin
• Vandever, Arthur

Dorothy Ashley

HOUCK — Funeral services for Dorothy S. Ashley, 69, will be 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 21, at Tekakwitha Mission. The Rev. Cormac Antram, O.F.M. will officiate. Burial will be in Houck Community Cemetery, Houck.

Ashley was born June 1, 1940, in Pine Springs, into the Salt Water People Clan for the One Who Walks Around People Clan.

Ashley attended Sanders public schools. She was retired from Ortega’s Arts and Crafts. Her hobbies included cooking, sewing, knitting, reading biographies of famous people and traveling.

Survivors include her sons, Elton Ashley of Fruitland, Idaho, Emery Ashley of Sanders; daughter, Christina Ashley of Houck; father, Leo Silversmith of Oak Springs; brothers, Ben Silversmith of Oak Springs, Paul Silversmith of Phoenix, Fred Silversmith of Oak Springs; sisters, Pearl Tracy of Querino Canyon, Alyce Silversmith of Oak Springs, Belle Lynch of Oak Springs; seven grandchildren.

Ashley was preceded in death by her husband, Teddy Ashley; sons, Milton Ashley, Vaughn Ashley; mother, Mary T. Silversmith; grandparents, Joe and Yilth ni bah Thomas, Little Silversmith.

Pallbearers will be Erick Begay, Rashawn Begay, Calvert Curley, Roy Tracy, Art Johnson, Clayton Curley, Wilson Golden, and Terry Antonio.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Houck Chapter house, following services.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Nellie Begay

MARIANO LAKE — Services are pending for Nellie Begay, 76.

Begay died Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009, in Thoreau. He was born Dec. 27, 1932, in Hosta Butte, N.M., into the Sage Brush Hill People Clan for the Zia People Clan.

A community gathering for friends and relatives will be 6 p.m., tonight, Aug. 20, at Mariano Lake Chapter House.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Lafie Bennett

FORT DEFIANCE — Funeral services for Lafie Norman Bennett, 84, were today, Aug. 20, at Our Lady of Mankind Catholic Church, St.Michaels.

Burial was in Veterans Cemetery, Fort Defiance.
Bennett died Aug. 17, 2009, in Fort Defiance. He was born May 21, 1925, in Bayfield, Colo.

Bennett enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942, in the 462nd Parachutists Field Artillery of the 101st Airborne Division. He served in the Pacific theater in WWII, and was awarded the Purple Heart medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign, WWII Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Marksman Weapons Qualification Badge, Mortar bar, and Army Presidential Unit Citation, Silver Star, 3 bronze starts and 1 bronze arrowhead. His tour of duty included more than 300 parachute jumps. He returned home to be a farmer in Parker and worked several years with the BIA. Bennett served a police officer for the Navajo Tribal Police in Fort Defiance, then worked for the Pine Ridge, South Dakota Police Department, Grants Police Department, was captain for the Shiprock Police Department and retired as superintendent of police for the Navajo Nation Police. He also served as a body guard for Robert Kennedy and Hubert Humphrey and worked for the labor union in Arizona and United Nuclear in Churchrock as a site safety superintendent, where he retired.

Survivors include his daughters, Beverly M. Sarmiento of Albuquerque, Teresa L. Bennett, Margaret J. Bennet, both of Fort Defiance, Cecille P. Bennett-Luna of Belen; sons, Darrell P. Bennett, Ernie Mike Bennett, both of Fort Defiance, Thomas A. Bennett of South Dakota, Robert L. Bennett of Tempe, Anthony Ashley of Gallup; sisters, Marion McLemore of Window Rock, Josephine Waddops of Dove Creek, Colo.; 37 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren.

Bennett was preceded in death by his father, Milo Bennett; mother, Louise Watchman Brown Bennett; daughter, Barbara Ann Norris; sisters, Francis Collins, Donna “Pinky” Reyes; brothers, Paul “Corky” Bennett, Wilford “Buddy” Bennett.

Pallbearers will be Phillip Norris Jr., Kelly Ann Sarmiento, John Bennett, Thomas Milo Bennett, Allen Bennett and Keith Toddy.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Alfred Gorman Jr.

COTTONWOOD — Funeral services for Alfred Bailey Gorman Jr., 47, will be 10 a.m., Friday, Aug. 21, at the Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Church, Chinle.

Gorman died Aug. 17, 2009, in Phoenix. He was born June 22, 1961, in Ganado, into the Big Water People Clan for the Bitter Water People Clan.

Gorman was a handyman. He loved rodeoing, steerwrestling and was a champion with C.N.R.A., AIRCA and N.N.R.C.A. He loved his daughter and grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Julie Haskie; daughter, Tiffney Gorman Nelson; parents, Alfred and Elise Gorman; brothers, Allison Gorman, Adam Gorman; sisters, Alberta Gorman, Elberta Holt, Elfreda King; two grandchildren.

The family will receive relatives and friends behind Old Gorman’s Store, following services.

Donna Heinlein

DANVILLE, Ind. — Services for Donna Heinlein, 80, will be in Gallup at a later date.

Heinlein died Aug. 12, 2009, in Danville, Ind. She was born May 5, 1929, in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Heinlein graduated from Gallup High School in 1948.

Survivors include her son, Steve Heinlein of Rio Rancho; daughter, Lisa Dawes of Danville; brother, Jack Wolfe; sisters, Clarita Swift, Karen LeLoff, Sharen Rose; four grandchildren.

Heinlein was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Heinlein; daughters, Peggy Heinlein, Ginny Heinlein; parents, Roy and Maxine Wolfe; brother, Richard D. Wolfe.

Constance Lopez

ALBUQUERQUE — Funeral Mass for Constance Aguayo Lopez, 86, will be 9:30 a.m., Friday, Aug. 21, at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Gallup. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Cemetery, Gallup. A rosary will be recited 7 p.m., tonight, Aug. 20, at Rollie Mortuary.

Lopez died Aug. 18, 2009, in Albuquerque. She was born Jan. 5, 1923, in Gallup.

Lopez graduated from Cathedral High School. After attending college in Santa Fe, she volunteered as a rivet inspector for Boeing in Seattle, Wash., during World War II. She returned to Gallup, where she met her husband Claudio Lopez. They owned and operated the People’s Market in Gallup’s north-side that later became Milan’s Tavern and the Round-Up Saloon. She enjoyed arguing, the Boston Red Sox and spending time with her family.

Survivors include her sister, Rose Cardona; three grandchildren.

Lopez was preceded in death by her husband, Claudio Lopez; daughter, Irene Lopez; son, Joey Lopez.

Pallbearers will be Lupe Jaramillo, Dan Mowery, Richard Muniz, Joe Kolb, Frank Aguayo, Raymond Silva.

The family will receive relatives and friends at 808 W. Maloney, following services.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Timothy Notah

MESA — Services for Timothy “Tim” Vernon Notah, 50, will be 10 a.m., Friday, Aug. 21, at the St. Michael’s Catholic Mission, St. Michaels. The Rev. Gilbert Schneider will officiate. Burial will be on family land, St. Michaels. Visitation will be 9 a.m., Aug. 21, at St. Michaels Catholic Church. A rosary will be recited 7 p.m., tonight, Aug. 20, at St. Michaels Catholic Church.

Notah died Aug. 19, 2009, in Phoenix. He was born Sept. 22, 1958, in Fort Defiance, into the Bitter Water People Clan for the Red Running Into the Water People Clan.

Notah graduated from Window Rock High School and attended Mesa Community College. He was employed as a carpenter, forest firefighter, smoke jumper, archeological consultant and communications technician.

Survivors include his son, Michael Notah; father, Thomas R. Notah Sr. of St. Michaels; brothers, Ferdinand Notah of Tempe, Edison Notah of Albuquerque, Emerson Notah of St.Michaels; sisters, Genevieve Notah of St. Michaels, Gloria Tom of St. Michaels, Sharon Notah-White of Albuquerque.

Notah was preceded in death by his mother, Alice Watchman Notah; brother, Thomas Notah Jr.; sisters, Louella Notah, Brenda Notah; grandparents, John and Onebah Watchman, Jay and Mildred Notah.

Pallbearers will be family members and friends.
The family will receive relatives and friends at St. Michaels Mission Hall, following services.

Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Dennison Parker

MANUELITO — Services are pending for Dennison Parker, 81.

Parker died Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009, in Manuelito. He was born Sept. 1, 19127, in Rocky Point, into the Black Streak of Forest People Clan for the Edge Water People Clan.

A community gathering for friends and relatives will be 5 p.m., tonight, Aug. 20, at Manuelito Chapter House.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Joaquin Parra

FLAGSTAFF — A rosary for Joaquin “Jackie” Parra, 56, will be recited 10 a.m., Friday, Aug. 21, at San Felipe Church, Old Town, Albuquerque. Deacon Jose Lucero will officiate.

Parra died Aug. 15, 2009. He was born July 5, 1953, in Flagstaff.

He graduated from Gallup High School in 1971, attended auto mechanics school in Phoenix, and also attended the UNM Branch in Gallup for a degree in Construction Technology. He moved to California for ten years where he worked in construction. Upon his return to New Mexico, he continued to work in construction until he moved to Albuquerque in 1999. In 2000 he worked for Thomas and Betts as a moulder until he became disabled in 2005. He married his loving friend and companion of 19 yrs, JoAnna Azua, on August 12, 2009. His hobbies included fishing, camping, and gardening. He was busy & energetic and known around the neighborhood as a Jack-of-all-Trades.

Survivors include his wife, JoAnna Azua Parra; mother, Maria A. Parra of Albuquuerque; step-father, Lloyd McGuire Sr. of Albuquerque; brothers, Juan Roberto “Bobby” Parra of Gallup, Gilbert Parra of Albuquerque; sisters, Irene South of Ramah, Lorraine Parra-Garcia of Peoria, Ariz.

Parra was preceded in death by his father, Salvador R. Parra; brothers, Salvador Jr., Simon Parra.

A reception will follow after rosary.

Arthur Vandever

CROWNPOINT — Services for Arthur Vandever, 59, will be 10 a.m., Friday, Aug. 21, at Cope Memorial Chapel. Edward King will officiate. Burial will be in Rehoboth Cemetery.

Vandever died Aug. 18, 2009, in Gallup. He was born April 27, 1950, in Rehoboth, into the Start of the Red Streak People Clan for the Red Running into the Water People Clan.

Vandever attended Thoreau Elementary, Thoreau Middle School and High School. He was a silversmith for Running Bear. He enjoyed playing and entering horseshoe tournaments, hunting and spending time with his grandchildren. Vandever was a veteran and served in the U.S. Army.

Survivors include his wife, Jean Vandever; son, Adrian Vandever; daughters, Arlene, Gina, Arlinda Vandever; mother, Marie Vandever; brothers, Kelvin, Andrew, Robert, Tony Vandever Jr.; sisters, Flora, Regina Vandever; seven grandchildren.

Vandever was preceded in death by his daughter, Marie Castillo; father, Tony Vandever Sr.

Pallbearers will be Eric Begay, Ryan Arviso, Dave Arviso, Adrian Vandever, Jones Platero, Michael Calladitto.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Baca Chapter House, following services.

Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.