Deaths

• Valorie Bahe
• Tom Becenti
• Ray Belin
• Hank Desiderio
• Rev. John Mittelstadt, OFM
• Agnes Morgan
• Julia Raney
• Ida Roman
  

Valorie Bahe

CRYSTAL — Funeral services for Valorie H. Bahe, 57, will be 10 a.m., Friday, April 1, at Assembly of God, Fort Defiance. The Rev. Raymond Mullahon will officiate. Burial will be in family plot, Crystal.
Bahe died March 28, 2011, in Albuquerque. She was born Feb. 2, 1954, in Fort Defiance, into the Red Running Into the Water People Clan for the Coyote Pass People Clan.

Bahe was a 1973 valedictorian graduate of Wingate High School and a member of the National Honor Society where she traveled to Washington, DC. She obtained an associate of arts degree in social science from Diné College, whos among college students and dean’s list. She worked for various Navajo Nation entities which included NN Adult In Home Care Program, Foster Grandparent Program (NAAA), TANF program and Arizona Long Term Care Services (ALTCS) as a case worker for 20 years. Bahe served as a First Lady next to her husband who served as Crystal Grazing Committee member, an advocator for Foster Grandparent Program. She received recognition for outstanding services and appreciation awards from various employment. She had excellent and outstanding administrative and communication skills. Her hobbies included fishing, camping, cooking, hiking, traveling, parent involvement in family sports and loved telling jokes and listening to country music.

Survivors include her husband, Ronnie Bahe of Whiskey Creek; sons, Gabriel Halona of Crystal, Chancellor Bahe of Whiskey Creek; parents, Sally Barney of Crystal; step-father, Wilson Bareny Sr. of Crystal; brothers, George Halona Jr. of Albuquerque, Larry Halona of Farmington, Anthony Halona of Crystal, Benjamin Halona of Crystal; sisters, Gloria Ann Halona of Crystal, Marlene Halona of Gallup, Charlene Bigthumb of Gallup, Arlene Halona of Salt Lake City, Utah; grandmother, Eleanor Jones of Sosila; six grandchildren.

Bahe was preceded in death by her father, George Halona Sr.; brother, Wilfred Halona; grandparents, Charlie and Margaret Wingate Begay, James Halona.

Pallbearers will be Gabriel Halona, Chancellor Bahe, Benjamin Halona, Leon Fuson, Ben Fuson III, Myron Yazzie, Darrell Jumbo, Arnold Roanhorse.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Crystal Chapter House, following services. The family will meet at 6 p.m., tonight, at Crystal Chapter House.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Tom Becenti

BECENTI — Funeral services for Tom B. Becenti, 90, will be 10 a.m., April 4, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Crownpoint. The Rev. Cecil Lewis will officiate. Burial will be in Santa Fe National Cemetery.

Becenti was born Dec. 21, 1920, in Becenti, into the Water Flows Together People Clan for the Tangled People Clan.

Becenti was the last surviving judge of the original bench of seven justices selected for the Navajo Tribal Court System in 1960. Becenti retired in 1977. He was one of the original founders of rodeos in Eastern Navajo, participating and winning in many events. He was also a World War II Veteran serving in the US Army in the Pacific Theatre, particularly in Okinawa. He also served in many community organizations including Becenti Chapter, Indian Education School Board, Navajo Nation Peacemaker, NN4 Commissioner and DNA Representative. From childhood, he lived and worked on the family ranch. He is a direct descendent of Jesus Arviso, Navajo and Spanish Interpreter at the signing of the 1868 Treaty between the Navajos and the United States at Fort Sumner. He is also a grandson of Chief Vicenti.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy H. Becenti; son, Arnold Becenti of Crownpoint; daughters, Doris Becenti of Washington, D.C., Deloris Becenti of Crownpoint; brother, Ray Becenti of Continental Divide; sisters, June Beceni of Becenti, Alice Willeto of Standing Rock, Wilhelmina Nelson of Fort Defiance, Arlene Toliro of Crownpoint; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren.

Becenti was preceded in death by his parents, Little Billy Becenti, Mary Arviso Becenti; brothers, Cecil, Bob, Johnnie, Sam Beceni; sister, Emma Sage.

Pallbearers will be family members.

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

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Ray Belin

INDIAN WELLS — Services for Ray Belin, 93, were 10 a.m., Friday, Sept. 15, 2006, at Our Lady of Guadalupe, Holbrook. The Rev. Robert E. Mathieu officiated. Visitation was one hour prior to services.

Belin died Sept. 9, 2006, in Polacca, Ariz. He was born June 15, 1911, in Na-ah-tee Canyon, Ariz.
Survivors include his son, Hamiliton Belin; daughters, May Youvella, Rose Woody; brothers, Thomas Yellowhair, Billy Belin, Guy Belin, Lee Belin; sisters, Phoebe Yellowhair, Anna Mary Begay, Cleo Begay; 19 grandchildren.

Tse Bonito Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Hank Desiderio

MILAN — Funeral services for Hank Davis Desiderio, 44, will be 10 a.m., Friday, April 1, at Prewitt Assembly of God Church, Prewitt. Burial will be in Grants Memorial Park. The Rev. Ruth Droll will officiate.

Desiderio died March 26, 2011, in Grants. He was born April 22, 1966, in Crownpoint.

Desiderio recieved an athletic scholarship from Ganado College and wanted to play with the NBA. He got his degree from Crownpoint Technical Institute in Diecil Mechanics.

Survivors include his parents, Berdie Long of Milan, Johnny Ray Desiderio Sr. of Haystack; step-daughter, Sabrina Cayaditto of Prewitt; brothers, Elkin D. Desiderio of Milan, Waylon D. Desiderio of Prewitt, Aaron D. Long of Milan, Johnny D. Desiderio Jr. of Haystack; sisters, Lenora A. Desiderio of Haystack, Bertina Desiderio of Milan, Delaine Pino of To’hajiilee.
Pallbearers will be Elkin Desiderio, Mike Donald, Curtis Ramone, Riquez Desiderio, Davidson Desiderio, Jonathan Nelson.

Go to www.compassionmortuary.com to send condolences.

Rev. John Mittelstadt, OFM

TOHATCHI — Funeral Mass for Rev. John Mittelstadt, OFM, 74, will be 11 a.m., Friday, April 1, at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Gallup. Bishop James S. Wall and Rev. Gino Correa, OFM, will officiate. Burial will be 2:30 p.m., at St. Michaels Franciscan Cemetery.

Visitation will be 10 a.m., Friday, April 1, at the Cathedral. Prayer service will be 7 p.m., tonight, March 31, at St. Mary Mission, Tohatchi.
Rev. Mittelstadt died March 28, in Albuquerque. He was born July 26, 1936, in Kansas City, Mo.
Rev. Mittelstadt attended St. Francis High School Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio. He entered the novitiate at St. Anthony National Shrine in Cincinnati on Aug. 15, 1953, and made his temporary profession on August 16, 1954. His solemn profession as a Franciscan was Aug. 16, 1967, at Duns Scotus College in Detroit, Mich. Rev. Mittelstadt was ordained to the priesthood on June 14, 1962, at St. Leonard College in Dayton, Ohio. All of Mittelstadt’s priestly ministry, with the exception of six years spent in Cinicinnati, and Wichita, Kan., were among the Navajo of the Southwest where he served in Fort Definace, Houck, St. Michaels, Gallup, Shiprock and Tohatchi. Mittelstadt longest assignment was at St. Mary Mission, Tohatchi.

Survivors include his brothers, James Mittelstadt of Bangkok, Thailand, Richard Mittelstadt of Warrensburg, Mo.; sisters, Dolores Kiefer of Kansas City, Mo., Mary Ellen Finnane of Glen Ellyn Ill.

Rev. Mittelstadt was preceded in death by his parents, Otto Mittelstadt, Emma Miller Mittelstadt.

Reception will be at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Family Center, following services.

Agnes Morgan

LUPTON — Funeral services for Agnes Navajo Morgan, 66, will be 11 a.m., April 1, at Chuch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Lupton.

resident MacArthur Lucio will officiate. Burial will be in Houck Community Cemetery, Houck. Visitation will be 11 a.m.-12 p.m., April 1, at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Morgan died March 29, 2011, in Lupton. She was born Dec. 15, 1944, in Fort Defiance.

Morgan was a cook at Juvenile Detention Center in Tohatchi. He enjoyed spending time with family and grandchildren.

Survivors include her sons, Ulrich Morgan, Travis Morgan, Archie Morgan; daughters, Verna Begay, Angela Ray, Freida Watchman, Sharon Jones, Alberta Silva; brothers, Mike Etcitty, Edward Nez, Art Etcitty; sisters, Elizabeth Werito, Lillian Ignacio, Louise Frank, Suzy Vigil, Rita Wallace, Bernice Etcitty; 26 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren.

Morgan was preceded in death by her husband, Albert H. Morgan; parents, Alfred Etcitty, Flora Denetdale, TahDesBah Navajo; son, Arthur Watchman Jr.; Kee Benally, Jimmy Yazzie.
Pallbearers will be Kyle Gishi, Zon Jones, Lukus Woody, Gerren Gishi, Mike Etcitty Jr., Marvin Etcitty, Michael Yazzie.

The family met 6 p.m., Wednesday, March 30, at Lupton Chapter House.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sharon Jones and family.

Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Julia Raney

ALLISON — Rosary for Julia A. Raney, 82, will be 7 p.m., Friday, April 1, at Rollie Mortuary.

Raney died March 25, 2011, in Gallup. She was born Sept. 27, 1928, in Gallup.

Raney worked for the City of Gallup for 20 years until retirement. Her hobbies included gardening, taking care of her animals and being a good wife and friend.

Survivors include her daughter, Karen Raney; two grandchildren.

Raney was preceded in death by her husband, Sleet H. Raney.

Pallbearers will be Nathan Davidson, Jacob Cobbs, Mike Orphey, Lisa Rodriguez, Victor Villegas, Jeremy Cobb.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gallup Humane Society.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Ida Roman

GRANTS — Funeral services for Ida Marie Roman, 79, will be 10 a.m., Friday, April 1, at Victory Church of God, Grants. Burial will be in Grants Memorial Park. Dr. Denzell Teauge will officiate.

Roman died March 29, 2011, in Grants. She was born July 12, 1931, in Lano San Juan.

Survivors include her daughters, Elizabeth Rodarte of Grants, Beverly Martinez of Ceritos, Calif., Evelyn Hernandez of Grants; son, Gerard Cruz of Ontario, Calif.; sisters, Viola Alires of Grants, Judy Lobato of Albuquerque; 19 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren.
Roman was preceded in death by her parents, Anacleto Medine, Estefanita Medina; brothers, Paul Medina, Eloy Medina; sister, Eutimia Sena.
Pallbearers will be Johnny Martinez, David Martinez, Milfred Martinez, Brandon Rodarte, Paul Gonzales, Kyle Castro.

Go to www.compassionmortuary.com to send condolences.