James Rhydenor Johnson - Mary Wallace Welker - Roberta Sudduth - Mildred J. Sarten - Michael Scott McSpadden - Forrest Bailey Fenton - Antonio B. Sanchez - Lawrence "Larry" Saccoman - John A. Waddell

Obituary list published in The Daily Courier on January 31, 2006

James Rhydenor Johnson

James Rhydenor Johnson, of Prescott Valley died on Jan. 28, 2006, at the age 77. J.R. was born the oldest of three children in Oak Park, Ill., to Blaine Alfred and Lela (Apker) Johnson.

J.R. married his lifelong companion, Doreen Iris McMahon, on May 21, 1960, in Southampton, England. He attended Morgan Park Military Academy. J.R. did two tours in Korea and one in Vietnam before he retired from a rewarding and respected 24-year military career with the United States of America Army. He was awarded the Bronze Star for heroic service. After his military retirement he continued to work as a traffic manager for retail companies in the Chicago area. J.R. was active with the Elks where he served in the positions of Exalted Ruler and District Deputy. He had spent numerous hours volunteering with the Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce.

J.R. is survived by his wife, Doreen; son, Andrew James Johnson of Omaha, Neb.; 14-year-old grandson, Matthew Quinn Johnson of Frankfort, Ill.; brother, Roy Leland (Ida) Johnson of Corpus Christi, Texas. He was preceded in death by his brother, Jon Johnson, who died Oct. 5, 2005.

A visitation for family and friends will be held at Sunrise Funeral Home in Prescott Valley on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2006, from 5 to 7 p.m. A graveside service in honor of J.R. will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2006, at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix.

"Sleep Peacefully in the Garden of Rest"

Arrangements entrusted to Sunrise Funeral Home. All friends and relatives are encouraged to visit www.sunrisefuneralhome.com for additional information and to sign the online guestbook.

(Information provided by survivors.)

Mary Wallace Welker

Mary Wallace Welker, age 85, died Jan. 26, 2006, in Chino Valley. She was born Nov. 25, 1920, in Louisville, Ky., to Spencer and Ethel (Inman) Hall.

Mary moved to Phoenix when she was 9 years old, where she met and married the love of her life, Lemuel. They shared 49 years of marriage together until his death June 12, 1986. After his death, Mary's children often heard her say "I don't know what he is doing, but I am still married." In 1995 Mary moved to the tri-city area.

Mary enjoyed Saturday-night poker, reading, working and going to Las Vegas. She was a dedicated fan of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Mary was the matriarch of her family and was mother to two of her great-grandchildren, raising them from infancy. She was "the best mother God ever put on this earth."

Mary is survived by her son, Lemuel Welker, Jr. of Prescott Valley; daughters, Claudia Duval and Sharon Crenshaw, both of Chino Valley; sister, Cora Jean Smith of Mesa; 13 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren.

A graveside commemoration service in honor of Mary will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday Feb. 2, 2006, at Glendale Memorial Park in Glendale, Ariz.

Arrangements entrusted to Sunrise Funeral Home. All friends and relatives are encouraged to visit www.sunrisefuneralhome.com for additional information and to sign the online guestbook.

(Information provided by survivors.)

Roberta Sudduth

Roberta Sudduth, age 61, left this earth on Jan. 28, 2006, at Yavapai Regional Medical Center after a brave battle with cancer.

She was born May 29, 1944, in Mayer. She was raised in Mayer on a ranch, by her parents, Mildred and Cecil Burmister. She later resided in Prescott, where she spent the rest of her life.

She enjoyed gardening and spending time with her friends and family. She was a loving mother, and will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her husband, Ken Sudduth; mother, Mildred Burmister; her children, Wayne Sudduth, Jeff Sudduth and Shawn Sudduth; her sister, Shirley Ballew; and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held Wednesday, Feb. 1st, at 1 p.m. at Skull Valley Cemetery, Iron Springs Road, Skull Valley.

The Hampton Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

(Information provided by survivors.)

Mildred J. Sarten

Mildred J. Sarten, 90, a former Prescott resident, died in Scottsdale Jan. 26, 2006. Born Sept. 9, 1915, in Academy, S.D., Mrs. Sarten moved to Arizona 31 years ago from California. Her husband, Luther "Luke" Sarten, preceded her in death in 2004. Survivors include her two sons, Robert and his wife Nancy, and Douglas and his wife Denise; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. A Memorial Service will take place at 11 a m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1, at Messinger Mortuary, 7601 E. Indian School Road, Scottsdale. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014.

(Information provided by survivors.)

Michael Scott McSpadden

Michael Scott McSpadden was born in Santa Monica, Calif., on Feb. 9, 1962. He joined his higher power and large family in heaven on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006, in Prescott, Ariz. He was a golden soul, a brilliant flash that streaked through our lives and left too soon. And in that moment, he created a hole in our hearts that will forever be empty.

Michael graduated in 1980 from Tulare Union High School. He joined the U.S. Marines, serving his country from 1980 to 1983. He was fiercely protective of family and friends. His passion was muscle cars and motorcycles. He rode his motorcycle under the hot Arizona sun and clear starry nights. It was his heaven on earth. He is at peace now. Thank you, God. Take care, as he is special.

He leaves behind his mother and father, Albert and Sue McSpadden of Tulare, Calif.; sisters Penny Bradshaw of Fort Collins, Colo., and Stephanie Moore and her husband, Randy, of Tulare, Calif.; brother, Timothy McSpadden and his wife, Janet, of Phoenix, Ariz.; his second mother, Mary Oneel, of Prescott, Ariz.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins whom he adored.

A visitation will take place on Wednesday, Feb. l, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Hampton Funeral Home. Graveside Services will be held on Thursday, Feb. 2, at 10:30 a.m. at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona with full military honors.

The Hampton Funeral Home assisted the family with the arrangements.

We love you, Michael. Until we meet again, Semper Fi, my son.

(Information provided by survivors.)

Forrest Bailey Fenton

Forrest Bailey Fenton, age 86, of Mt. Olive, Ill., passed away January 19, 2006.

Mr. Fenton was a Navy Veteran of World War II, and a former resident of Prescott.

As an electrician, he worked at A.O. Smith and Shell Oil Company before his retirement. He earlier worked at For Whipple VA hospital in Prescott as a nursing assistant.

Mr. Fenton was a member of Walshville Baptist Church.

He was born in Sorento Ill., to John and Melinda Jarvis Fenton. He married Gertrude Rosetta Huddleston on June 25, 1938, in Hillsboro, Ill.

He is survived by his wife, Gertrude; daughters, Patsy Martin, of Rolla, Mo., Joyce Acklin of Litchfield, Ill.; sons, Lee Fenton of Hillsboro, Ill., Charles Fenton of Mt. Olive, Ill.; 20 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Preceding him in death were a son James W. Fenton, who was killed in the Vietnam War, eight brothers, and one sister.

Services were held at an earlier date.

(Information provided by survivors.)

Antonio B. Sanchez

Our wonderful dad, husband, grandpa, great-grandpa and friend, Antonio B. Sanchez (Tony) died at his daughter's home in Prescott, Ariz. on Jan. 26, 2006, after a brave battle against cancer. Tony was born July 25, 1929, in Clarkdale, Ariz., to Francisco and Josepha Barboa Sanchez. There he was raised with 16 other siblings. As a young man he made the decision to join the U.S. Army. Tony married Beatrice Quijada from Jerome and later married Virginia Johnson on Jan. 1, 1981. They celebrated their 25th anniversary earlier this month.

Tony worked in Prescott for the VA Medical Center as a nuclear medicine technician. He and Virginia later relocated to Salt Lake City where they had their home for 26 years.

He is survived by his loving wife, Virginia; his children, Terry Johnsen (Mike), Liz Sanchez, Margie Bundrick (Dale), Sue DeRemer (Bill), Mike, Joe and Juan Sanchez, Rich and Reid Smith; 21 granchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Jessie (Connie) and Henry (Mary) Sanchez; 6 sisters, Sister Cecelia, Lola Sanchez, Alice Espitia and Jovita Moncibaez (Arturo), Lorraine Perez (Richard), Veronica Blevins; and many nieces and nephews.

Our family would like to thank Hospice of Utah and Yavapai for their care.

A rosary will be said at 10:30 a.m. prior to his memorial mass that will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 30, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 150 Fluery, Prescott. Cremains to be interred at a later date.

Family suggests donation in his name to Prevent Child Abuse, Best for Babies Program: P.O Box 432, Prescott, Arizona, 86302

"Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:23)

You are invited to visit www.ruffnerwakelin.com to sign Tony's guest book.

(Information provided by survivors.)

Lawrence "Larry" Saccoman

Lawrence "Larry" Saccoman, 45, of Chino Valley, born Aug. 12, 1960, in Michigan, died Friday, Jan. 27, 2006, at Yavapai Regional Medical Center in Prescott.

A gathering of friends will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, at Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home, 303 S. Cortez, Prescott.

Arrangements by Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home.

John A. Waddell

John A. Waddell, 70, of Prescott, born Feb. 1, 1935, in Junction City, Kan., died Saturday, Jan. 28, 2006, at Mountain View Manor in Prescott.

A celebration of John's life and sharing of memories will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4, at Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home, 303 S. Cortez, Prescott.

Arrangements by Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home.