Obituaries - Wickenburg E

Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ, January 9, 2008 p. A11
GERALD EADS born Sept. 13, 1943, died Christmas Day, Dec. 25. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and past president of the National Bass Association. He loved NASCAR and Tony Stewart and boxing. He previously worked at the Florence State Prison, and was on the SWAT team as a marksman shooter. He worked in law enforcement throughout his life in many different fields. He was loved very much by all, and he will be missed greatly. Survivors include daughter Tammy Eads of Wickenburg, Ariz., sons Gerald Eads Jr. of Ohio and Clayton Eads of Ohio, granddaughter Brandy Lewis of Wickenburg, grandson Jonathan Kyle Spillman-Eads of Wickenburg, Jerry Eads of Phoenix, Marcus Eads of Ohio, granddaughters Katrina Eads and Carolyn Eads of Tenn., April Eads of Ohio. By his request, please make all donations to Hospice Foundations. Services have been held.

Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ, August 2, 1945, p. 1
MRS. IVAN EALSCH Is Summoned Here
Funeral services were held at 9 o'clock Tuesday morning for MRS. KATHLEEN MAHONEY EALSCH, a resident of Wickenburg for the past several years, who died early Friday morning at her residence from an attack of bronchial pneumonia. Services were conducted by Rev. L. J. SULLIVAN of St. Anthony’s church. Mrs. Ealsch had been employed for the part three years at Ted's Cafe and was well known by her nickname, "Mickey." She is survived by her husband, Ivan, also of Wickenburg and a brother who was recently liberated from a Jap prison camp in the Philippine Islands. Burial was in the Wickenburg Cemetery.

Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ, March 5, 1997
BOYD F. EANES of Arlington, Wash., and recently of Wickenburg, died Feb. 26 in Wickenburg. He was 61. Mr. Wilkins was born Oct. 30, 1935 in Jackson, Ohio. He had lived in Wickenburg for the past two months. Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Barbara; children Michael R. Eanes of Everett, Wash., Douglas R. Eanes of Granite Falls, Wash., and Scott R. Eanes of Pe Ell, Wash.; brother Harold Eanes of Barrington, Wash.; and grandchildren Jessica Cartwright, Amanda Eanes, Theron Eanes, Orren Eanes and Taylor Anne Eanes, all of Washington. Services will be in Washington at a later date.

Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ, Sept. 12, 2001 p. A8
RAYMOND STANLEY EASON of Wickenburg, died Sept. 4 in Wickenburg. He was 79. Mr. Eason was born Nov. 7, 1921 in Norwood, Penn. He served as a major in the U.S. Marine Corps, and was a supervisor in aircraft maintenance. He was a member of the Wickenburg Elks, El Zaribah Shriners, and the VFW. Survivors include his wife, Geraldine EASON; daughter E. Louise Graham; stepsons Eugene Kerstiens and Michael Kerstiens; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Private services have been held.

Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ, Sept. 19, 2001 p. A18
RAYMOND S. EASON, 79, of Wickenburg, passed away on Sept. 4 at his home in Wickenburg. Ray was born in Norwood, Penn. on Nov. 7, 1921. He is survived by his wife, Geraldine (Jeri); sons Ray, Jr. of Middleburg, Fla. and Richard of Richmond, Va.; stepchildren Louise Grantham (Richard) of Sierra Vista, Ariz. and Michael J. Kerstiens of Wickenburg; and a brother, Walter E. EASON of Baltimore, Md. Ray served in World War II, the Korean War and Viet Nam. He retired as a major from the U.S. Marine Corps after 22 years of service. He worked in Viet Nam for Lear supervising approximately 1,500 employees repairing helicopters. Ray was a member of the Wickenburg Shriners, Wickenburg Elks Lodge, VFW and was a past administrator for the Desert Caballeros, an office he held for eight years. He also belonged to the Los Caballeros Ranch Golf Club. He was an avid skeet shooter for many years and won several national skeet championships. Ray will be dearly missed by his family and many friends. In lieu of flowers, a contribution to a charity of your choice.

December 10, 1954, p. 1
Elderly Man Dies After Car Crash
The death of WALTER EASTON, 84-year-old Kirkland, Ariz., resident in Community Hospital here at 1:45 a.m. Thursday, brought to six the total of highway fatalities in this patrol area for the year to date. Mr. Easton died of injuries received at 11 a.m.. Wednesday when, according to the highway patrol, he drove his car into the rear of a Highway Department truck parked on the shoulder of Highway 89 some 11 miles north of Wickenburg. G. C. McFADDEN, Highway Department employee who was seated in the cab of the truck was thrown out, receiving a cut over the eye which required 10 stitches, and injuries to his leg and hip.
Pioneer Resident
Mr. Easton. a resident of Arizona since 1892 and who had lived in many sections of the state, worked at one time on the Parker cut-off, now a part of the Santa Fe railway system and lived in Wenden and Vicksburg. He had never married. Surviving are a sister, Mrs. Annette HARWOOD of Hollywood, Calif., and a nephew, Verne EASTON of Tucson. The latter arrived in Wickenburg Thursday morning. The body was to be taken to California for burial.

Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ, Sep 24, 2008, p. B-12
FAWN HUDSON ECHEVERRIA, born Aug. 16, 1928 in Indianapolis, Indiana, died peacefully in her sleep at home on Sunday, Sept. 7. Fawn came to Wickenburg from Terre Haute, Ind., with her family in 1943 so they could be closer to her father who was stationed in Hawaii. The family stayed on in Wickenburg after Fawn’s father returned. At Wickenburg High School, she was an active, popular girl where she was a cheerleader and class officer. Fawn met and married her high school sweetheart, Roy Echeverria, on Nov. 12, 1948. After living a short while in Tucson, Ariz., and Fort Collins, Colo., the couple settled in Casa Grande, Ariz. In addition to being a super mother to seven children, she was active in the Republican Party, the Casa Grande Christian Women’s Club, Chairman of the Heart Fund Drive, and was a founding member of Beta Sigma Phi, an off-campus sorority, and the Homako Hospital Auxiliary. In 1971 Fawn moved to Colorado, and after she and Roy divorced, she owned and successfully operated a ladies clothing boutique, The Bustle Limited. At 50, she decided to change careers and studied to become a licensed cosmetology instructor. She loved teaching and working with young people and was quickly recruited as the Educational Director for Michael Taylor Hair Institute in Denver, Colo. After several years with MTI, the opportunity to own her own cosmetology school became available. Fawn jumped on the opportunity and moved to Atlanta, Ga., where she operated Echeverria Institute of Cosmetology. When Fawn’s mother became ill, Fawn returned to Casa Grande to care for her and started a whole new career as the office manager and bookkeeper for Tune N Lube. In 2001, after 15 years at that job, Fawn retired and moved to Chandler, Ariz., with her daughter. For the past several years she has lived in Sonoita and Patagonia, Ariz. Fawn was a crack shot and a lifelong member of the American Rifle Association. She loved Country Western and Big Band music that you could dance to. Despite several strokes and heart problems, she danced with her son-in-law only a few weeks before she passed away. Fawn is preceded in death by her parents, CV and Leah HUDSON, her sister Lillian RHOADES, her brothers Steve and Richard HUDSON, her former husband Roy ECHEVERRIA, and her son Roy Echeverria Jr. She is survived by her brother Dan HUDSON of Casa Grande; her daughters Deborah Fain of Patagonia; Josephine WALKER of Sonoita; and Lilly GOLD of Livingston, Mont.; her sons Jim of Center, Colo.; Richard of Austin, Texas; and John of Chandler, Ariz.; plus 19 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren who will miss their “angel,” Granny Fawn. Those who knew Fawn will miss her big blue eyes, contagious laugh, and wonderful hugs. Please join Fawn’s family to celebrate her life at 5 p.m. on Oct. 25 at BeDillon’s in Casa Grande, Ariz.

Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ, April 18, 2007, p. A11
SHELBY C. EDWARDS, age 93, passed away April 11, 2007 in Phoenix, Ariz. He was born in Hartford, Ark., March 28, 1914. Shelby served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He had worked heavy construction most of his life. He is survived by a son Lamarr Edwards of Salome and daughter Debra Johnson of South Carolina and close friend Joanne Peck of Wenden. Arrangements are under the direction of Wickenburg Funeral home.

Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ, April 10, 1996
JOHN HAROLD EK, of Wickenburg died Apri1 4, in Wickenburg. He was 85. Mr. Ek was born Feb. 11, 1911 in Brockton, Mass. He had lived in Arizona for the past two Years, coming here from New Hampshire. Mr. Ek was the manager for Egg Co-Op, a company that processed eggs for farmers. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, snow skiing and especially music, both listening to and singing. He played trumpet in the Derry (N.H.) Community Band. He was also a member of the Kiwanis in Derry. Mr. EK is survived by two sons, Ken EK of Wickenburg, and Brad EK of Derry, N.H, grandchildren Kenton EK of Austin, Texas, Pamela WEBSTER of Santa Ana, Calif., Randy EK of Phoenix, Brad EK, Jr. of Concord N.H. and Christine EK of Henniker, N.H; and great-grandchildren Monica EK of Austin, and Kayla and Courtney EK, both of Phoenix. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bernyce, in 1977. Services are scheduled April 11 in Windham, N.H., with burial to follow at East Derry Cemetery in East Derry, N. H. In lieu of flowers, the family asks contributions can be made in Mr. Ek's name to: Pinkerton Academy, Music Department, P.O. Box 367, Derry; N.H. 03038. Frey Funeral Home and Cremation Service was in charge of all arrangements.

Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ, December 28, 2005
MARVIN ELAM Funeral services for Mr. MARVIN ROBERT ELAM, age 88, who passed away Dec. 23, will be held this Friday (Dec. 30) at 10:30 a.m. in the First Southern Baptist Church with Pastor Dean STANLEY officiating. Visitation will be held Thursday (Dec. 29) from 6-8 p.m. at Wickenburg Funeral Home. Marvin was born June 27, 1917 in Bond County, Illinois, to Fred M. ELAM and Bertha R. BECHAM ELAM. Marvin devoted the majority of his life to serving the Lord. He was ordained to the ministry in 1942. He had pastored 20 churches in six states before he retired in 1990. He was pastor of the First Baptist Church in Wickenburg from July 1964 to July 1967 and had served as Assistant Chaplain at Phoenix Memorial Hospital for years. Marvin enjoyed golfing, but most important in his life was his family and his love for his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, a son-in-law, and a grandson. He is survived by his wife of 65 years Christine ELAM of Wickenburg; son and, daughter-in-law Robert and Ruby ELAM of Mesa, Ariz.; daughter Doris HULL of Wickenburg; daughter and son-in-law Alma and Gary MELTON of surprise, Ariz.; daughter and son-in-law Sheryl and Steve McKELVY of North Carolina; 12 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Arrangements are under the direction of Wickenburg funeral Home.

Wickenburg Sun, Dec. 12, 1958
Auto Wreck Kills California Woman
MRS. LORA FRANCES ELKINS, 78, of Hemet, Calif., was instantly killed early Tuesday afternoon when the automobile she was driving west left the highway and overturned approximately six miles east of Aguila. Mrs. Elkins was thrown from the car as it overturned, says Sgt. W. O. Dollar of the Highway Patrol. Cause of the accident is unknown, although Sgt. Dollar says the woman, was alone in the car, might have momentarily gone to sleep. The body was removed to the Wickenburg Mortuary to await instructions from the next of kin.

Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ, Feb. 5, 1997
CLAUDIA HYATT ELLIOTT of Yamell, died Jan. 26 in Prescott Valley. She was 92. Mrs. Hyatt was born Oct. 2, 1904 in Emit, Oklahoma. She had lived in Arizona for the past three years. Survivors include nieces Nita Langston CRANE, Gael Langston PRICE, Legeia Langston CLAUDILL, Norma Foust MOHR and Louis Foust GRIFFINS. Mrs. Elliott was preceded in death by her husband, Oscar Ray ELLIOT, her parents, Joseph Judson and Stella Pierce AVANT; and three sisters, Juana AVANT FOUST, Frank AVANT LANGSTON and Annette AVANT SUDDERTH. Private family services will be held at a later date.

Wickenburg Sun, March 7, 1958
Mutilated Body Found on Desert
The mutilated body of an elderly man was found last week on the desert 20 miles southeast of Salome. Yuma County Sheriff Pete Newman said an autopsy indicated the man died from loss of blood and shock. A bloody pocket knife was found by the body which was identified from papers found as GEORGE ELLIOTT, about, 70, of Virginia City, Montana. Sheriff Newman said the body was found a short distance from where Elliott’s car was parked along a desert road and that only one set of track, apparently Elliott’s led from the car to the spot where the body was found. Whether foul play was involved had not been determined, says the sheriff. Mr. & Mrs. Elliott had been spending the winter near Congress. It is understood that he had gone prospecting February 22 and, when he did not return within a few days, a search was started leading to the finding of the body.

Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ, May 11 2005, p. B9
EMILY ELMORE passed away on April 19 in Lake Havasu City, Ariz. She was born on January 11, 1921 in Rock Hill, S.C. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil F. Elmore. Emily was a retired schoolteacher with a Master's Degree in Special Education. She is survived by her daughter Debbie Palmer, son-in-law Bob Palmer, and her beloved dog GiGi. She was a mother with a heart of gold, and her gentle spirit and selfless nature will be greatly missed by her family and friends. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday (May 14) at the First Southern Baptist Church of Wickenburg.

Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ, April 25, 2001, p. A18
JEAN ELIZABETH EMLER of Wickenburg died April 19, 2001 at Wickenburg Extended Care. She was 85. Jean was born Sept. 11, 1915 in Mount Pleasant, Pa., and had lived in Arizona for 31 years. James S. and Jean E. McCLAIN moved to Arizona in 1970 and moved to Wickenburg in 1972. Jean was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Wickenburg. Survivors include her daughters Donna Cavanee and husband Robert; Karen Rybski and husband Frank; Margie Moore and husband Skip of Sierra Vista; brother Donald McClain of Norwood, Mo.; five grandchildren and and 13 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of more than 59 years, Richard H. Emler, and brothers William McClain and Alexander "Mickey" McClain. Services were held Monday (April 23) at the First Presbyterian Church in Wickenburg, with Pastor James Longstreet officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The First Presbyterian Church of Wickenburg. Frey Funeral Home in Wickenburg handled the arrangements.

Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ, March 27, 1953
SERVICES FOR MIKERL [MIKE] ENGASSER WILL BE SATURDAY AT CHAPEL HERE. HE LIVED IN ARIZONA 78 YEARS.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p. m. tomorrow (Saturday) at the Wickenburg Chapel for MIKERL ENGASSER, age 80, who passed away Tuesday, March 24, at Community Hospital here. Mr Engasser had been a patient in the hospital for approximately three weeks. Mr Engasser was born in Nevada and came to Arizona at the age of two years. For many years he was engaged in freighting in this vicinity.
THE SURVIVORS
Surviving besides his wife Merinda, are a daughter, Mrs A. C. Smith, and a son, Neil Engasser, both of California. Following the services tomorrow burial will take place in the Wickenburg Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Frank Kindle, Clyde Gritner, Gus Gritner, Tony O'Brien, Emile Curtis and Charles W. Byerly.

Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ, August 13, 2008, p. A10
In loving memory of TYLER JORDAN ENGELS, returned to heaven Aug. 7.
From a mother’s heart…
In solace I will forever seek your love. The hopes, plans and dreams that I had of us together will remain with me forever. Although we never got the chance to grow together outside of your home for eight months, the time we shared will forever remain a part of my life. You have returned home without ever being truly present here on earth. Home where I know you are not alone, but with God and Great-grandma Joyce, our “Big” and “Lil” Nana. I know they were there to greet you when you arrived. You are safe in their loving care until once again we are together. Time, my love, is all that separates us for now. Time down here seems to last forever, but forever is nothing like eternity, which is a time that lasts forever. Together forever you and me, that is what we will be. You have left behind your momma, daddy, Grandma Traci, Grandma Joanne, Grandpa Jeff, Great-grandpa Ted, Uncle Cody and Aunt Tatum, Great-uncle Tim, Nini, Nana Boo-Boo, Aunt Jaynne, cousins Annalys, Kirsten, Jacob Tyler, Hannah, Celia, Dylan, Jesse, Jon, Justine, Sammy, David and the Campbell family crew. Arrangements entrusted to David’s Desert Chapel Funeral Home.

Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ, December 15, 2008
THOMAS C. ENNIS was born March 2, 1938 in Montrose, Colorado, and went to be with the Lord Nov. 22. At the time of his death he was employed by Wickenburg Unified School District as a bus driver. He was also claims manager for the 24 Karat Gold Club of Congress. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Dec. 13 at 1 p.m. at the Redeemer Lutheran Church at 450 Rose Lane in Wickenburg. Pastor Greg WERDIN will officiate. Memorials may be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church Sunday School.

Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ, April 17, 1996
JESSIE ERICKSON of Grand Forks, N.D. and formerly of Wickenburg, died April 12 in Tufte Manor. She was 86. Mrs. Erickson was born July 12, 1909 in Glasgow, Scotland. She came to the United States with her parents in 1913 to live at Hannah, N.D., where she attended schools, graduating from high school in 1928. She attended college in Jamestown, N.D., and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1932. She later graduated with a master’s degree from Utah State University. She taught in public schools in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Utah from 1933 until 1972. She married Harry A. ERICKSON in 1945. She was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church. She was a member of the P.E.O. sisterhood, Delta Kappa Gamma, and the Order of the Eastern Star in which she worked for 67 years. She was a member of the Women's Bowling League and a member of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary. Mrs. ERICKSON is survived by son David A. ERICKSON of Wickenburg; brother William GREENSHIELDS of Grand Forks; sister Nancy (Mrs. John) Grover Roosevelt of Minnesota; 18 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, brother Andrew GREENSHIELDS, and sister Catherine FETSCH. Services were held Tuesday, April 16 in Amundson Funeral Home, Grand Forks, N.D. Interment will be in Logan, Utah.

Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ, Oct. 7, 1955, p. 1.
Mrs. Echeverria's Mother Summoned
Mrs. GREGORIA ERRO, mother of Mrs. Mike ECHEVERRIA of Wickenburg, died at her home in Olondriz, Spain, September 8. She was 78 years old. Mr. & Mrs. ECHEVERRIA visited her and other relatives in Spain last summer. In addition to the Wickenburg daughter, Mrs. ERRO is survived by three sons and three daughters in Spain, one son in Mexico City and one daughter in Inglewood, California.

Apr 10, 1936
APOPLEXY IS FATAL
Refugio ESCOBEDO, aged 63, of Congress Junction, died at the local hospital after a stroke of apoplexy, suffered while he was working on a road gang. Funeral will take place at the Wickenburg Funeral Home Thursday.

Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ, June 13, 2001 p. A16
YVONNE ANN (POUQUETTE) ESPIL, of Litchfield Park, died June 8. She was 80. Mrs. Espil was born Oct. 19, 1920 in Williams. She was raised and attended school in Wickenburg. She married Pete ESPIL on Sept. 23, 1944 and raised her family in Litchfield Park and on the family ranch near Flagstaff. Survivors include her brother, Felix POUQUETTE of Chandler; daughters Yvette Hutcheson of Litchfield Park and Denise LANDA (Tom) of Tampa, Fla.; son Mike ESPIL (Ellen) of Yuma; granddaughters Melani ESPIL BOLIN (Todd) of Tucson and Melissa ESPIL DYCK (Jeremy) of Roatan, Honduras; and grandson Michael LANDA and granddaughter Megan LANDA, both of Tampa. Funeral services will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 16 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 477 S. Litchfield Park Rd., Litchfield Park.

Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ, January 30, 1953
MILITARY FUNERAL AT WHIPPLE FOR JESS EVETTS WHO PASSED AWAY SUNDAY AT VETERANS HOPITAL THERE.
JESS W. EVETTS, a veteran of World War I who was a cook at the Texas Cafe here for some time and who passed away last Sunday at the Whipple Veterans Hospital near Prescott, was buried with full military honors at the Whipple Cemetery Tuesday. BORN IN OKLAHOMA Mr Evetts was a native of Chickasha, Okla., where he was born March 21, 1896. He came to Arizona 5 1/2 years ago and had lived in Prescott as well as Wickenburg. He is survived by his wife and three sons, Harry, Jack and Bill, all of Wickenburg, and three daughters, Betty, Revah and Mary. Also surviving are four sisters. Mr Evetts served as a private in Company D, 136th Infantry during the first World War.

Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ, Nov 19, 2008, p. A10
ANDREW MARSHALL EZELLE, born Sept. 29, 1925, died Oct. 29 in Tyler, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents S.A. Ezelle and Grace Adams Ezelle, all seven brothers and sisters and their spouses. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Mary Elizabeth Jones Ezelle; son Edward (Sheila) of Alaska; daughter Diane Crouch (Ron) of Texas; grandchildren Tim Crouch (Linda) of Texas, Michelle Warren (Shane) of Texas, and Marshall Ezelle of Alaska; great-grandchildren Kattrina and Kylie Crouch of Alaska, Natasha Crouch of Texas, and Fallon Pierce of Texas. Marshall was a Presbyterian, member of the Elks for 37 years, worked 44 years in commercial refrigeration and retired from Local 469 in Phoenix. He loved to travel and go camping, especially when the grandchildren could go in the summer. Memorial services will be held Nov. 22 at Erin Presbyterian Church in Union, Miss., at 2 p.m. to be officiated by Carlos Braswell. If desired, memorials may be made to Heart-to-Heart Hospice, 1402 Rice Rd. Ste 100, Tyler, TX 75703.

Compiled and contributed by Nicole, Maurine, Maxine, and Sharon