Deaths

• Alfonso Chavez
• Steven Mitchell
• Tommy Moses
• Lloyd Oliver
  

Alfonso Chavez

ROGERS, Ark. — Funeral services for Alfonso G. Chavez, 60, will be 2 p.m., Friday, March 25, at Holy Rosary Parish, Albuquerque. Rob Mamahn will officiate. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary.

Visitation will be 1-2 p.m., March 25, at Holy Rosary Parish.

Chavez died March 21, 2011, in Rogers, Ark. He was born May 1, 1950, in Gallup.

Chavez graduated from Gallup High, and attended UNM. He was a former owner of DeChavez Music and Realty and a real estate broker in Arkansas. He loved to play gospel music, spend time with his family and read his bible. Chavez was always there to lend a helping hand for anyone in need.
Survivors include his wife, Elisa Chavez; sons, Steve Chavez of Denver, Colo., Eric Chavez of Soccor, Fredy Diaz of Rogers, Ark.; daughters, Dallana Martinez of Gallup, Analisa Padilla of Rogers, Ark.; parents, Abe and Rose Chavez of Albuquerque; brothers, Robert Chavez of Gallup, Andy Chavez of Albuquerque, Abe Chavez of Albuquerque; 11 grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Oscar Padilla, Chris Kist, Michael Martinez, John Padilla, Markos Chavez.

The family will receive relatives and friends Holy Rosary Reception Hall, following services.

Steven Mitchell

SHEEPSPRINGS — Services are pending for Steven Junior Mitchell, 68.

Mitchell died Tuesday, March 22, 2011, in Gallup. He was born May 5, 1942, in Fort Defiance.

Tommy Moses

SMITH LAKE — Funeral services for Tommy Moses, 49, will be 10 a.m., Friday, March 25, at Rollie Mortuary Palm Chapel, Gallup. The Rev. Ernest Largo will officiate. Burial will be in Community Cemetery, Smith Lake.

Moses died March 21, 2011, in Gallup. He was born Sept. 16, 1961, in Fort Defiance, into the Hopi Water Edge People Clan for the Coyote Pass People Clan.

Moses attended Ganado Elementary and high school, Phoenix Indian School, SIPI in Albuquerque and Crownpoint CIT. He was employed with the Branch of Roads, Crownpoint, Fort Defiance BIA Forestry, driver for NNA for Smith Lake Senior Center. His hobbies included fishing, camping, watching basketball, football, cooking outdoors. He loved being with his children and grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Etheleen R. Moses of Smith Lake; sons, Orlando Tso of Tuscon, Mitchell Begay, Kyle Moses, both of Albuquerque, Darren Moses, Tyrell Moses, both of Smith Lake; daughters, Amber Tso of Sanders, Shania S. Moses of Smith Lake; mother, Isabelle Smith of Irving, Texas; brothers, Thomas Moses Jr. of Cornfields, Leroy Moses of Fort Wingate, Max Moses, Wilford Smith Jr., both of Irving, Texas, Marvin Moses of Gallup; sisters, Virgina Martinez, Verna Poncho, Willetta Jemez, all of Irving, Texas, Julie Moses of Gallup; grandmother, Maude Sliver of Cornfields; seven grandchildren.

Moses was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Moses Sr.; brother, Albert Moses; grandfathers, Moses Begay, Edward Todacheenie.
Pallbearers will be Harland Todacheenie, Adam Moses, Anthony Moses, Ty Largo, Levi Smith, Josiah Smith.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Lloyd Oliver

LAVEEN, Ariz. — Funeral services for Lloyd Oliver, 87, were March 19, at Gila Crossing Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Irving Terry officiated. Internment followed at Gila Crossing Cemetery.

Oliver died March 16, 2011, in Avondale, Ariz. He was born April 23, 1923, in Fruitland, into the Tangle People Clan for the Salt People Clan.
Lloyd grew up and attended school in Shiprock.

hen he was 19 he was recruited by the U.S. Marine Corps to learn and develop the Navajo code. As a Marine Corporal and Code Talker, he served in battles at Guadalcanal, New Britain, Okinawa and Peleliu. Learning the art and craft of Navajo silversmithing, he began making beautiful Navajo styled jewelry, some displayed at the Heard Museum in Phoenix. In 2001, he received a Congressional Gold Medal from President George Bush for service in the war as a code talker.
Survivors include his children, Violet Oliver-Ojeda, Warren Oliver, Daniel Oliver, Lucinda Oliver, all of Laveen, Ariz.; sisters, Helen Lynch, Dorothy Ramirez, both of Window Rock; 19 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren.

Oliver was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Ollie Oliver; son, Lambert Oliver; brothers, Willard Oliver, Herman Oliver; sisters, Vivian Barstow, Hedy Oliver, Clara Oliver.
Pallbearers were his sons, nephews, grandsons, great-grandsons, and relatives.

A reception was held at the Gila River Indian Community Center.

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