Simply CremationObituaries
Charles “Chuck” Fredrick Holmes
Charles “Chuck” Fredrick Holmes, 78, went home to be with his Lord on February 8, 2020. His devotion to his family and his firm belief in God gave him and his family peace.
Chuck was born to the late Charles E. Holmes and Margaret (Joseph) Searle in Grand Haven, MI on June 12, 1941. He married Patricia “Pat” Jean Tannehill on December 1, 1962, at Sacred Heart Church in Muskegon Heights, MI. Together they raised their five children with love, discipline, humor, and patience. After 39 years of marriage, Pat went home to be with the Lord in early 2002. On February 28, 2003, Chuck married Nancy Kleiner DeYoung in Grand Rapids, MI, combining their families. He often said, “most people are not lucky enough to have found real love once in their lives, let alone twice.” Nancy and Chuck enjoyed spending their summers with family in West Olive, MI, and spending their winters with friends in Arizona.
He is dearly missed by his loved ones, who celebrate the fact that he is at peace with his Creator. Those close to Chuck knew his faith was paramount to him. It is no secret that his favorite hymn was “How Great Thou Art” and his favorite Bible passages were John 1:1-9, John 3:16, and Psalm 100. He shared his affinity for working with his hands, building/ remodeling projects, and his love of God with his family. Friends and family knew Chuck to be a gentle yet firm man full of integrity, mischief, and stories who was quick to offer a helping hand. He was involved with the church and enjoyed the volunteer/ social events his wife planned for him.
Chuck is survived by Nancy, his wife of 17 years; his daughters Kelley (Steve) Beld, Diana (Rich) Simons, Mary (Mark) Weise and his sons Joseph (Tina) Holmes, Charlie Holmes; his stepchildren Ty DeYoung (Rebecca Ackerman) and Sarah DeYoung; his grandchildren Erin (Seth) Maine, Matt (Maddie) Beld, Dylan Simons, Ben Simons, LJ Holmes, and Zane Weise; his great-grandchildren Landon Maine and Payton Maine; siblings Mary LeMieux and David (Judy) Holmes.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Hospital or Shriner’s Hospital for Children. Prayers, condolences, and memories are gladly accepted. A memorial service will be held in Michigan at a later date.
Larry R. Arvila
Larry R. Arvila, 49, of Phoenix Arizona, left this world on February 12, 2020. He was born in Albuquerque NM, July 13, 1970. He is survived by no one famous but by many that loved him deeply and dearly; his wife, Kirsi of Turku, Finland; his mother and her husband, Clift and Marti Barnewolt, Scottsdale, Mother-in-Law, Anne Heinonen, Turku, Finland; his brother Michael Arvila and wife Kellie, Phoenix; sister, Allison Powers and husband James, Phoenix; brother, Doug Barnewolt, Sun City; Sister-in-law, Anna Jantti and her husband Henri, Kaarina, Finland; Uncle Jerry and wife Beverly of Kirtland, NM; Aunt Geraldine Blaylock of Junction, TX; Aunt Elizabeth and husband Mark Imrich, Surprise; Aunt Annette Simpson of Mabton, WA; Nephew, Blake Arvila, Phoenix; Nephew and Godson, Onni Jantti of Kaarina, Finland; Nieces, Alina and Matilda, Kaarina, Finland; Cousins; Sheri Thorn and husband Albert; Colby Blaylock and wife Pamela, Sanderson TX; Rachael Blaylock, Junction TX; Barbara Dillaway and husband Pete, LaMesa, NM; Charity and husband Donovan, Kirtland, NM; Christopher Guillen and wife Maggie, Mattawa, WA; Danielle Watkins, Mabton, WA; and a strong brotherhood of Navy buddies.
Shortly after graduating Prescott High School in 1988, Larry enlisted in the Navy’s Fast Attack Submarine community assigned to the U.S.S. Hammerhead as Sonar Tech Submarines-Petty Officer 2nd Class, until it was decommissioned in 1994; and then assigned to the U.S.S. Groton, followed by the U.S.S. Louisville. He was awarded and decorated with the Navy Achievement medal; Second Good Conduct Award; Navy Expeditionary Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon; Arctic Service Ribbon; and the Enlisted Submarine Warfare Breast Insignia.
Following his time in the Navy, Larry entered the Real Estate profession working in escrow and title and then went on to become a licensed Real Estate Agent and transaction coordinator with Realty Executives.
A memorial service is being held in the home of Mark and Elizabeth Imrich 17516 W. Dahlia Dr. Surprise, AZ 85388 on February 29, 2020 from 11 am to 3 pm. All are welcome. Internment will be the VA Cemetery in Prescott later this year.
Duane Alan Kanar
Duane Alan Kanar, of Waddell, Arizona; died on January 29th, 2020, after a long battle with Prostate Cancer. Duane was born February 16th, 1948 to Thelma Grissom and Edmund Kanar in Dayton, Ohio.
Duane grew up in Tacoma, Washington, where he attended Mount Tahoma High School. Duane was a fun and outgoing kid, who easily won over the hearts of his classmates and would become their class president. Duane went on to get his Bachelor’s degree, after high school, and would eventually go to work for Archway Cookies.
During his time working for Archway Cookies, Duane met Janice. While stocking cookies at a grocery store, Janice overheard Duane inviting another woman out to dinner, half-joking she walked up to him and asked him why he never invited her out for dinner. Duane, caught completely off guard, explained that the other woman was the wife of his friend, but that he would love to take Janice out for dinner. While Janice wasn’t ready for a relationship at the time, the pair became best friends spending countless nights watching movies, having dinners and just spending time together. Eventually, when Janice was ready, they began a romantic relationship. The rest of their journey together plays out like a beautiful love story. Duane was a very romantic man, who would leave Archway Mud Pie Cookies on Janice’s car and hang hundreds of hearts from the ceiling on Valentine’s Day. He even enjoyed watching Hallmark movies with Janice, maybe even more than she did.
Janice was one of the recipients of Duane’s many jokes and puns. Duane’s favorite joke involved an elaborate set up describing how he came out of his house to see a gigantic snake sitting on his car, he panicked before discovering that it was a “Vinshield Viper.” Duane kept his sense of humor throughout his battle with cancer telling jokes to his doctors, nurses and numerous visitors. His love of jokes extended past just his words and bled into his fashion sense. He amassed a large collection of statement t-shirts, which became his signature look.
Duane loved playing darts and was a soft tip dart champion in Washington. He, also, loved his Panoz Sports Car Roadster and was very proud of the fact that his was one, of only 168 in the world. One of the things he was known for was his ability to catch bad grammar and misspelled words which, was the reason he became known as the “Grammar Nazi” on Facebook. Janice will never forget the way Duane would always remind her to “Slow down and stop running,” his easygoing pace was always her balancing force. She will also miss him begging her to make him a yellow cake with chocolate frosting as a late-night snack.
Duane is preceded in death by his parents, Thelma Gressom and Edward Kanar. He is survived by his wife Janice Karen Kanar, sons Jason (Darcy) Kanar, James Kanar, daughters Christina Flatt, Jessica (Rodney) Zonnefeld, sisters Karen and Val (Sue Schenk) Kanar and 10 grandchildren.
Max L. Tamura
Max Lindon Tamura of Avondale, Arizona unexpectedly passed away on February 11, 2020, at the age of 68. Max was born on October 19, 1951 to Iwoa (Tom) Tamura and Lottie Mildred (Stephenson) Tamura in Las Animas, Colorado. Prior to moving to Arizona, he lived in Morrison, Colorado.
Max retired from the Adolph Coors Company after 43 years of service. He was an extremely hard worker and received several promotions during his tenure which began in 1971 at the Coors Container Company. He also held positions at the Coors Endline Division, as well as at the Coors Glass Division. He was very experienced in the container manufacturing industry extruding aluminum and glass and provided training to personnel in the manufacturing operations.
Max proudly served his country in the United States Navy where he provided instruction at Class A Shipfitter School in the proper use of hand and power tools, gas and arc welding, and drafting and blueprint reading. He served honorably with courage, and commitment and he took pride in his military service.
He found solace in nature, was an enthusiastic traveler, and took hundreds of photographs. He was fascinated by the mountains, astronomy, flight, history, music, art, and cuisine.
His love for his family was immense and was evident in his final moments. One of Max’s biggest accomplishments was being a father and he adored his children more than anything else in the world.
He was a spiritual and emotional man and always had advice to offer. Everyone has unique moments in their life that define their character and mold them into the people they are destined to become. Max rarely asked anybody for help and was a generous person. He would often go out of his way to reach those who were in need.
God has His own special plan for each of us and Max lived an amazing life. Only now that he is gone, do we truly appreciate what we are now without. Life without him will be very difficult but God has given us the strength to move forward. Above all, we give thanks for the life of a man we are so proud to be able to call father, son, brother, nephew, cousin, uncle, and friend. He was well-loved and will truly be missed. While he is no longer physically with us, his memory and impact on us all will endure.
Max entered into everlasting life in heaven with his family and friends that have predeceased him. He is survived by countless family and extended family members whom will be forever grateful that he entered into their lives. Although we have lost a blessing from God and the loss will leave a hole in so many lives, please find comfort in knowing that he is now in the loving arms of God!
To honor Max’s memory, his ashes will be scattered in many different places that were meaningful and special to him. Family and friends are invited to attend his celebration of life which will be planned at a later date pending the current COVID-19 global pandemic.
Gloria Sgammato
Gloria Sgammato, age 50, of Surprise Arizona died on January 22nd, 2020 after a short battle with colon cancer. Gloria was born on June 21, 1969, to Abraham Cruz and Nilda Yulfo.
Gloria was a free spirit who loved life. Every day was an adventure to her and she loved to share that adventure with her family. The moment Gloria walked into a room her presence was instantly felt and everyone knew that it was going to be a good time.
Throughout her battle with cancer, Gloria was in high spirits. She never let her diagnosis come between her and the things she loved to do. During her hospital stays Gloria could be found in her room having dance parties with anyone who would join her; from family members, friends, nurses and even by herself. She even had makeover parties in her hospital room that she showed off on Facebook through numerous videos and photos. No matter how difficult her battle was Gloria kept her spirits high and enjoyed every moment she got with her family.
Gloria loved her family. She was very proud of her children and would boast about them any chance she got. Gloria was especially proud of her daughter Cristal who stood by her side and took care of her throughout her battle with cancer. Gloria and her sisters Sandi, Diana and Valerie were more than sisters they were best friends. Sandi and Gloria had a special phrase they would say to each other whenever they said goodbye “I Love you to the moon and back, around the world and into space.”
She loved being a grandmother and spending time with her grandchildren. There were countless weekends that her grandkids spent with her, going to the park, watching movies, eating grandma’s amazing cooking, playing hide and seek, and many other fun things. Through all of the fun, Gloria instilled two things in the hearts of her grandchildren; always speak your mind and don’t allow anyone to treat you any less than you deserve.
Gloria is survived by her mother Nilda Rodriguez, Daughters Destiny and Cristal Rodriguez, sons Abraham and Justin Rodriguez, Sisters Sandra “Sandi” Santiago, Diana Cruz and Valerie Morales and six grandchildren. She is proceeded in death by her grandparents, daughter Sandra Rodriguez and husband Frank Sgammato.
