Deaths

• Olivia Gonzales
• Dorothy James
• Andrew Perez
• Herman Skeet
• Gilbert Thomas
• Art Watchman
  

Olivia Gonzales

THOREAU — Services are pending for Olivia Verdugo Gonzales, 28.
Gonzales died Saturday, April 23, 2011, in Thoreau. She was born July 15, 1982, in Gallup, into the Sleeping Rock People Clan for the Mexican People Clan.
Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Dorothy James

TOHATCHI — Funeral Mass for Dorothy J. James, 71, will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 27, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Tohatchi. The Rev. Antram Cormac, OFM, will officiate. Burial will be in Community Cemetery, Tohatchi. Visitation will be 10 a.m., April 27, at St. Mary Catholic Church. A Rosary will be recited 6 p.m., tonight, April 26, at St. Mary Catholic Church.

James died April 23, 2011, in Albuquerque. She was born May 4, 1939, in Pine Springs, into the Bitter Water People Clan for the Black-Streaked Wood People Clan.

James retired from the BIA School, Tohatchi after 25 years. She loved to sew and crochet. She enjoyed being with her family.

Survivors include her husband, Jimmie P. James; son, Phillip James of Tohatchi; daughters, Dorothea James of Tohatchi, Doris Yonnie of Tohatchi, Dorothene Dedman of Fort Defiance, Delores Loretto of Gallup, Delora James of Los Lunas; brother, Lee Art Thomas of Pine Springs; sisters, Mary Cowboy of Pine Springs, Mary Six of Pine Springs; 15 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Yilnabah Thomas; sisters, Mary Silversmith, Lucy Ann Begay, Chi na bah Thomas, Annie James, Lillie Thomas; brother, Ray Thomas.
Pallbearers will be Phillip J. James, Virgil Loretto, Casey Yonnie, Mike Murphy, Chad Murphy, Jay R. Dedman.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Tohatchi Chapter House, following services.
Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Andrew Perez

GRANTS — Funeral Mass for Andrew Aiden Perez, Jr., 3 months, will be 10 a.m., Thursday, April 28, at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church.

Burial will be at the Grants Memorial Park. The Very Rev. Alberto Avella will be the celebrant. Visitation will be 4-6 p.m., Wednesday, April 27, at Compassion Mortuary.

Perez died April 23, 2011, in Albuquerque. He was born Jan. 3, 2011, in Albuquerque.

Survivors include his parents, Andrew Perez, Sr. and Mable Baca of Grants; brother, Isaiah Armendariz of Grants; sisters, Yolanda Armendariz, Aalyiah Sarceda both of Grants; grandparents, Jaime Perez, Kim Perez of Grants, Robert Sarceda, Sarah Baca both of Grants; great-grandparents, Jaime Perez, Sr., Carolina Perez, Tony, Frieda Olveda of Grants; great-great grandparents, Chris and Trinnie Lopez, Lee and Mela Lovato of Grants.

Pallbearers will be, Isaiah Armendariz, Robin Maes, Adrian Munoz.

Herman Skeet

VANDERWAGEN — Funeral services for Herman Skeet, 96, will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, April 27, at Cope Memorial Chapel. Joe Cody will officiate. Burial will be in Gallup City Cemetery.

Skeet died April 21, 2011, in Gallup. He was born Oct. 15, 1914, in Vanderwagen, into the Salt People Clan for the Saline Water People Clan.
Skeet retired from the railroad. He was a rancher and carpenter.

Survivors include his sons, Mike Skeet, Henry Skeet, both of Vanderwagen; daughter, Julia Joe of Vanderwagen; brother, Emerson Skeet; sister, Janice Yazzie; 17 grandchildren; 57 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren.
Skeet was preceded in death by his wife, Edna Eldridge Skeet; son, Melvin Skeet; parents, Tom Skeet, Naglendesbah Skeet; brothers, Herbert Skeet, Jim Skeet, John Skeet, Max Miller, Leo Skeet; sisters, Grace Yazzie, Genieve Willie, Nasbah Skeet, Hanasbah Skeet, Edith Skeet.
Pallbearers will be Justin Villa, Ryan Joe, Julian Johnson, Lyle Skeet, Brandon Lee, Tyrone Charley.

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

Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Gilbert Thomas

CHINLE — Services for Gilbert Lee Thomas, 39, will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, April 27, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Chinle. The Rev. Blane Grein will officiate. Burial will be in Nazlini Cemetery.

Thomas died April 21, 2011, in Spider Rock. He was born Sept. 15, 1971, in Fort Defiance, into the Bitter Water People Clan for the Coyote Pass People Clan.

Survivors include his wife, Dione Thomas son, Cody Kirk; daughters, Caitlynn, Tawny, Heaven Thomas; parents, Paul Thomas, Mary Becenti; brothers, Bruce Becenti, Carlton Becenti; sisters, Kathleen Thomas, Brenda Thomas, Jennifer Thomas, Linda Thomas, Melissa Becenti, Stephanie Becenti, Genevieve Thomas, Tamara Tsosie; grandparents, Katherine Thomas, Sam Thomas, Alice Watchman Becenti.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Art Watchman

QUERINO CANYON — Funeral services for Art Ben Watchman, 69, will be 10 a.m., April 27, at St. Anslem Church, Houck. The Rev. Keller will officiate. Burial will be in Houck Cemetery. Visitation will be 10 a.m., April 27.

Watchman died April 22, 2011, in Albuquerque. He was born June 3, 1942, in Fort Defiance, into the Red Running Into the Water People Clan for the Water’s Edge People Clan.

Watchman retired from the Apache County as a heavy equipment operator. He was a member of the Native American Church. He enjoyed raising horses and spending time with his grandchildren and children. His leisure activity included watching wrestling and professional basketball. Arizona Cardinals were his favorite football team.

Survivors include his wife, Anna Watchman; son, Artrems Watchman; daughters, Verna Begay, Frieda Watchman, Alberta Watchman, Angela Watchman, Reycita Six, Cheryl Smith, Aretha Watchman, Lisa Quigley, Ariana Watchman, Emelyne Watchman, Dena Murphy; brother, Junior Joe; sister, Charlotte James; 35 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren.

Watchman was preceded in death by his mother, Emma K. Joe; brother, James Watchman Sr.; son, Arthur Ben Watchman; one granddaughter.
Pallbearers will be Michael Yellowhorse, Leland Iashie, Ardell Watchman, Preston Tom, Lukas Woody, Phillip James Jr.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Houck Chapter House, following services.
Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements