Obituaries
In response to requests from our readers, the Navajo Times will post obituaries as they are published in the print edition of the Navajo Times.
The Navajo Times does not receive all obituaries from border towns and reservation communities. Some mortuaries send them regularly, others ignore the Navajo Times in favor of local daily newspapers.
Many obituary notices are brought in by families or friends. If you would like an obituary for a loved one or friend published in the Navajo Times and posted on the web page, send to obits@navajotimes.com.
Elsie Mae Nez
FORT DEFIANCE - Funeral services for Elsie Mae Nez, 90, were held Tuesday, Jan. 31, at the Fort Defiance Presbyterian Church. Rev. Roger Davis officiated. Burial was at Fort Defiance community cemetery.
Elsie was born July 13, 1921, in Fort Defiance, and passed away Jan 27, 2012, in Gallup.
She graduated from Albuquerque Indian School and went to college in Oklahoma and received her licensed practical nurse degree. She worked for the Indian Health Service for 43 years, retiring in 1985.
Elsie lived in Fort Defiance her entire life. She was a woman of strong faith and was a member of the Presbyterian Church. She read her devotional daily, put cedar on her stove every morning and prayed for her family. When people asked how she lived so long her response was always "prayer." She was an excellent role model for her family, she worked hard at her job, she took care of herself and all her family. Being very money-wise she always paid her bills as soon as her checks came in.
Elsie loved to travel and was always ready when invited to visit with family and friends. She liked her crafts and crocheted, did needlepoint, cross-stitching, loved her word puzzles and playing bingo. She was well loved by all and will be dearly missed.
Survivors include her son, Frank Nez Jr., of Fort Defiance; daughters, Margaret Sheka of Fort Defiance, Marilyn Chavez of Navajo, N.M., Marjorie Anderson of Tuba City, Cindy Nez of Tulsa, Okla., Laurinda Weber of St. Michaels, Ariz., Beatrice Nez and Laurie Butler, both from Tucson; and 22 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Elsie is preceded in death by her husband, Frank Nez Sr.; sons, Lewis and Howard Nez; and parents, Hosteen and Beatrice Ayze.
Pallbearers were Loren Nez, Eli Nez, Dave Nez, Joseph Weber, Matt Sheka Sr., and Quinteh Pewewardy.
The Nez family wishes to send their thanks and appreciation for all the outpouring of love and support during this time of loss.
Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.
Wilfred 'Willie' Mitchell
HOLBROOK, Ariz. - Funeral services for Wilfred "Willie" Mitchell, 58, of Greasewood, Ariz., will be held today at noon at Owens Mortuary (409 North 1st Ave.) in Holbrook. Burial will follow at the Lower Greasewood cemetery in Greasewood.
Wilfred was born Sept. 19, 1953, in Ganado, Ariz., into the Red House Clan, for Coyote Pass Clan, to his parents, the late Harrison Begay, who died nearly 10 years ago, and his mother, Jane Lee Begay. He died Jan. 27, 2012, in Albuquerque.
Wilfred attended Lower Greasewood Boarding School, Snowflake High School, and Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute.
He married the love of his life, the former Marjorie Salabye, in October of 1972 in White Cone, Ariz., and most recently celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary together. They moved from Arizona to New Mexico many years ago. He attended and graduated from Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in Albuquerque in 1974.
Shortly thereafter he began working for Sandia National Laboratories at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, and just recently, retired after 35 years of faithful and dedicated service. When he worked for Sandia National Laboratories, he started as a draftsman and worked his way up. At the time of his retirement, he was a real estate space data analyst, a position of which he was so thankful to have and his family was so proud of his success.
Willie was young at heart and was an avid outdoorsman. Whenever time permitted, he could be found fishing at Hawley Lake taking in the quiet pristine beauty of that sacred spot. As a young man, he excelled in archery and continued with that sport for the rest of his life. He enjoyed taking his family camping as frequently as he could. They will all miss that together time as he always made it so much fun.
Naturally, Willie was a funny man and a jokester. He could remember just about every joke he ever heard throughout his life and he loved to share them with his family, friends, and co-workers, no matter how off-colored they were. He will also be remembered for his enthusiastic "die-hard" attitude whenever it came to his football team, the Oakland Raiders, even during their difficult years. He was a loyal fan and rarely missed a game.
His children will always remember him as a great man and a caring father. His wife will always remember him as a loving husband and excellent provider for their family. This loving man will be missed by many whom had the privilege to call him friend. None, however, will miss him more than those he loved the most, his family.
Survivors include his wife, Marjorie Ellavora Mitchell of Albuquerque; mother, Jane Lee of Greasewood; stepmother, Laura Begay of Jedditto, Ariz.; children, Lydell Mitchell of Albuquerque, Melynda (David Luna) Mitchell of Albuquerque, and Kelley Mitchell of Albuquerque; siblings, Darlene (Richard Sage) Begay of Steamboat, Ariz., Geraldine (Dale) Groover of Black Canyon, Ariz., Art Begay of Greasewood, Ira Begay of Greasewood, Virginia (Byron) David of Greasewood, Priscilla (Del Gibbs) Begay of Winslow, Ariz., Marie Bahe of Flagstaff, Bernice (Gary) Bitsoie of Jedditto, Ariz., Nina (Ernest) Joseph of Jedditto, Andy (Maria) Begay of Farmington, Harrison Begay Jr. of Albuquerque, Ovida Davis of Salt Lake City, Mildred (Jeff) Budkah of Flagstaff, Lisa (Dyami Henan) Begay of Albuquerque, Felix Begay of Jedditto, Ron Williams of Jedditto, Lorraine (Tom) Max of Bloomfield, N.M., and Rick (Laura) Begay of Cornfield, Ariz.
Wilfred is preceded in death by his father, Harrison Begay; stepfather, Hoskie Begay; and brother, Fred Begay.
A reception celebrating Willie's life will follow at Greasewood Chapter on Navajo Route 15.
Contributions will be by Jane Begay at HC 58 Box 70 unit 274, Ganado, AZ, 86505 (phone number: 928-654-3129).
Darren Freeland
ROUGH ROCK, Ariz. - Funeral services for Darren Freeland, of Rough Rock, will be held Friday, Feb. 3, at 10 a.m. at the Rough Rock Friends Mission. Burial will follow at the Rough Rock community cemetery.
Darren was born into the Ashiihii Clan, for To'aheedliinii Clan. He died Jan. 28, 2012, in Mesa, Ariz. His mother is Lena Yazzie of Rough Rock.
Linus Kayaani
ROCK POINT, Ariz. - Funeral services for Linus Kayaani, 51, of Rock Point, will be held Friday, Feb. 3, at 10 a.m. at the Navajo Lutheran Mission in Rock Point. Deborah Hubbard will officiate. Burial will follow in Rock Point.
Linus was born April 18, 1960, in Kits'iili, Ariz., into the Tohahani (Near to Water) Clan, for Ashihi (Salt) Clan. He died Jan. 29, 2012, in Flagstaff.
Linus graduated from Chinle High School in 1979, Central Arizona College in 1984, and Universal Technical Institute in 1986. He worked as an automotive body repair technician for 21 years. He enjoyed attending rodeos, watching basketball, football, baseball, and old western films and action movies.
Survivors include his wife, Norma S. Kayaani; sons, Cody R. Kayaani and Cory L. Kayaani; daughers, Kristy C. Kayaani and Kristyl L. Kayaani; brothers, Ben Kayaani, Leo Kayaani, Lincoln Kayaani Jr., and Tully Kayaani; sisters, Minnie Davis, Rose McReeves, and Nera Kayaani; maternal grandparents, Dolly and Doyaltee Begay; and paternal grandparent, Kinya'ani Diil.
Linus is preceded in death by his parents, Lincoln and Mamie Kayaani.
Pallbearers will be Cody R. Kayaani, Cory L. Kayaani, Edward Stoney, Gilbert Stoney, Stirling Sangster, and Leonard McReeves Jr.
A reception will be held at Rock Point Chapter following services.
Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Editor's note: Obituaries are published free of charge as a public service.
