Deaths

• Benally, Benson
• Edsitty, Emerson Sr.
• Montano, Joseph
• Morris, Sadie
• Nelson, Elvis

Benson Benally

ARIZONA — Funeral services for Benson Yazzie Benally, 37, will be 10 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 17, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Chinle. The Rev. Blane Grein, OFM, will officiate. Burial will be in Community Cemetery, Chinle. Visitation will be one hour prior to services.

Benally died Dec. 8, 2009, in Flagstaff. He was born April 5, 1972, in Fort Defiance, into the Bitter Water People Clan for the Near the Water People Clan.

Benally graduated from Chinle High School. He served in the Navy from 1992 to 2000. He loved to cook and travel.

Survivors include his wife, Adela Rodriguez; mother, Louise Thomas; brothers, Venson Yazzie, Samuel Thomas Jr., Calvin Thomas, Leon Thomas, Julius Thomas; sisters, Grace Hamblen, Phyllis Thomas.

Benally was preceded in death by his adopted parents, Guy and Rose Benally; grandparents, Ben and Zonnie John.

Pallbearers will be Venson Yazzie, Samuel Thomas Jr., Calvin Thomas, Leon Thomas, Julius Thomas, Cliff Hamblen.

Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Emerson Edsitty Sr.

GALLUP — Services are pending for Emerson Edsitty Sr., 62.

Edsitty died Dec. 15, 2009, in Gallup. He was born May 3, 1947, in Rehoboth.

A family gathering will be 6 p.m., today and 6 p.m., Dec. 17, at the Baca Chapter House.

Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Joseph Montano

WITCHITA FALLS, Texas — Services are pending for Joseph Angel Montano, 51.

Montano died Dec. 7, 2009, in Witchita Falls, Texas. He was born Oct. 18, 1958, in Gallup.

Montano was a carpenter and enjoyed watching sporting and watching his children and grandchildren.

Survivors include his sons, Jesse Montano, Anthony Montano, Christ Montano, Frankie Montano, all of Albuquerque, Adrian Camboni of Witchita Falls, Texas; daughter, Kristal Montano of Portales; mother, Juanita Ramirez; step-father, Phillip Ramirez; brothers, Rudy Montano Jr. of Witchita Falls, Texas, Andy Ramirez, Phillip Ramirez Jr., Raymond Ramirez, all of Gallup; sister, Rose Diaz of Portales; 14 grandchildren.

Montano was preceded in death by his grandparents, Geronimo and Trinidad Casteneda, Polinario and Candida Montano; father, Rudy Montano Sr.

Sadie Morris

NAVAJO — Funeral services for Sadie Roanhorse Morris, 87, will be 10 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 17, at Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Church, St. Michaels. President Watts will officiate. Burial will be in Fort Defiance. Visitation will be 10 a.m., Dec. 17, at the church.

Morris died Dec. 13, 2009, in Gallup. She was born Sept. 22, 1922, in Naschitti, into the Towering House People Clan for the Black Streak Wood People Clan.

Morris was a lifelong rug weaver and worked in the sugarfields in California and Idaho. She was a homemaker, sheepherder and raised livestock.

Her hobbies included sewing, cooking, horseback riding, and being with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved the outdoors, taking walks and going to church.

Survivors include his sons, Herbert Bitsi, Andy Bitsi, both of Navajo; daughters, Maxine Yazzie of Naschitti, Tina Tsosie of Crystal; brothers, Levern Roanhorse, Andrew Roanhorse; sisters, Rena Norcross, Norena Mullahon, Lorretta Sam, Lorraine Tsosie, Nora Toledo; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren.

Morris was preceded in death by her son, Hardy; daughter, Delorse; parents, Gabriel and Tahnibah Roanhorse; sister, Mary Lou; brother, Raymond Roanhorse; two grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Ernie D.Yazzie, Ivan Shane Yazzie, Gilbert Norcross, Vernon Roanhorse, Roscoe Tsosie, Derek Echo Hawk.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Jesus Christ of Latter-days Saints Church, St. Michaels, following services.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Elvis Nelson

JONES RANCH — Services are pending for Elvis (Bertram) Geo Nelson, 39.

Nelson died Dec. 9, 2009, in Boston, Mass.
Donation meeting will be 5 p.m., tonight, Dec. 16, at Red Rock Chapter House.

Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.