Obituaries for June 11, 2002

Tuesday, June 11, 2002 | 8:47 a.m.

Yelena Yela Aellig

Yelena Yela Aellig, 75, of Las Vegas died Thursday in Las Vegas. She was born Feb. 2, 1927, in Sarajevo, Bosnia. A resident for 28 years, she was an employee at the Tropicana and a member of the Culinary Union for 28 years.

She is survived by one aunt, Violet Suart of Las Vegas.

Davis Paradise Valley Funeral Home, 6200 S. Eastern Ave., is handling private arrangements.

Michael J. Bede

Michael J. Bede, 53, of Henderson died Sunday in Henderson. He was born Oct. 8, 1948, in Detroit. A resident for eight years, he was a hotel-casino engineer and a Vietnam War Army veteran.

He is survived by his wife, Teresa; one son, John Bede of Henderson; one daughter, Jenny of California; one brother, Gerald Bede of Las Vegas; and two grandchildren.

Graveside services will be 9:20 a.m. Thursday in Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Boulder City. Palm Mortuary, 800 S. Boulder Highway, Henderson, is handling arrangements.

George 'Fred'

Bishop

George "Fred" Bishop, 72, of Las Vegas died Friday in Las Vegas. He was born Feb. 4, 1930, in Dearborn, Mich. A resident for one year, he was a retired general contractor in the construction industry and a Korean War Army veteran.

He is survived by his wife, Percia "Poppy"; one daughter, Cynthia Ann Tamiazzo of Las Vegas; two sons, Scott Lee Bishop of Apple Valley, Calif., and Gary Lynn Bishop of Covina, Calif.; two sisters, Dianne Engelund of Correlitos, Calif., and Susan Rae Stokes of Buena Park, Calif.; one brother, David Bishop of Los Angeles; 13 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be 9:20 a.m. Wednesday in Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Boulder City. Palm Mortuary, 1600 S. Jones Blvd., is handling arrangements.

The family suggests donations to the Nathan Adelson Hospice, 4141 S. Swenson St., Las Vegas, NV 89119.

William S. Chairsell Jr.

William S. Chairsell Jr., 56, of Las Vegas died Saturday in a local hospital. He was born March 10, 1946, in Washington, D.C. A resident for 32 years, he was a retired banker and a Vietnam War Army veteran.

He is survived by two sons, Trey Chairsell of Oceanside, Calif., and Blake Chairsell of Santa Fe, N.M.; his mother, Margaret Chairsell, two sisters, Anne Chairsell and Kathy Holt; and one brother, Tom Chairsell, all of Las Vegas.

Palm Mortuary, 1600 S. Jones Blvd., is handling private arrangements.

Bertaline Christianson

Bertaline Christianson, 73, of Henderson died May 26 in Henderson. She was born Oct. 27, 1928, in San Diego. A resident for nine years, she was a homemaker.

She is survived by two sons, Mark Christianson and J. Milton Christianson II; four daughters, Barbara Dugan, Laura Davies, Debby Barton and Lynn Suartz; two sisters, Helen Lyons and Mary Jane Machado; 13 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Desert Memorial Cremation and Burial Society, 1111 Las Vegas Blvd. North, handled arrangements.

Louis Corral

Louis Corral, 83, of Las Vegas died Friday in a local hospital. He was born Dec. 21, 1918, in Makaweli, Hawaii. A resident for 10 years, he was a retired school maintenance worker and a World War II Army veteran.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn; one son, Louis Corral of Sunnyvale, Calif.; three sisters, Rose Pierce of Santa Clara, Calif., Lucy Garcia of Modesto, Calif., and Elizabeth Dale of Sunnyvale; two brothers, Basilio Corral of Las Vegas and John Corral of Oakdale, Calif.; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled 4 p.m. until a 6 p.m. vigil today in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 1811 Pueblo Vista Drive. Services will be 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Graveside services will be noon Wednesday in Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Boulder City. Affordable Cremation and Burial Service, 2457 N. Decatur Blvd., is handling arrangements.

Joanne M. Cramer

Joanne M. Cramer, 63, of Las Vegas died Saturday in Las Vegas. She was born Oct. 16, 1938, in Rochester, N.Y. A resident for 27 years, she was a manager of P.J. Russo's restaurant, a homemaker, a former Girl Scout leader and a member of Preceptor Alpha Alpha sorority.

She is survived by two daughters, Susan Miller of Las Vegas and Karen Beede of Skiatook, Okla.; her mother, Nancy Russo, and two brothers, James Russo and Paul Russo, all of Las Vegas; and four grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled 4-7 p.m. today in Davis Paradise Valley Funeral Home, 6200 S. Eastern Ave. Services will be noon Wednesday in Davis Paradise Valley Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Paradise Memorial Gardens, 6200 S. Eastern Ave.

Kenneth C. Cypert

Kenneth C. Cypert, 75, of Las Vegas died Friday in Las Vegas. He was born Feb. 2, 1927, in Haskell, Texas. A resident for 37 years, he was a welder and mechanic for 40 years.

He is survived by two sons, Kenneth D. Cypert and Darrell E. Cypert; one daughter, Teresa Jacobs; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Visitation is scheduled 6-8 p.m. today in Nevada Funeral Service-Nevada Cremation or Burial Society, 2983 Fremont St. Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday in the First Congregational Church, 1200 N. Eastern Ave. Graveside services will follow at noon Wednesday in Woodlawn Cemetery.

The family suggests donations to the Church of Amargosa.

Michael P. DeMarco

Michael P. DeMarco, 59, of Las Vegas died Friday in Las Vegas. He was born June 4, 1943, in San Bernardino, Calif. A resident for 49 years, he was a school bus driver for the Clark County School District for 11 years, spent 10 years in the tavern and gaming business, was a 1960 graduate of Rancho High School and a long-standing blood donor for United Blood Services.

He is survived by his wife, Lindsey; two daughters, Ann DeMarco of Murphysboro, Ill., and Cara DeMarco of St. Louis; two stepsons, Michael Paige of Las Vegas and Ryan Paige of Georgia; his mother, Mitzy DeMarco, and two brothers, Joseph DeMarco and Tom DeMarco, all of Las Vegas; and one sister, Miriam English of Henderson.

A memorial service will be 6:30 p.m. today in University United Methodist Church, 4412 S. Maryland Parkway. Nevada Funeral Service-Nevada Cremation or Burial Society, 2983 Fremont St., is handling arrangements.

The family suggests donations to the Shade Tree Shelter, P.O. Box 669, Las Vegas, NV 89125.

Julius Ceasar Garcia Jr.

Julius Ceasar Garcia Jr., 79, of Las Vegas died Saturday in Las Vegas. He was born Nov. 18, 1922, in New Orleans. A resident for 11 years, he was a factory machinist and an Army veteran.

He is survived by his wife, Anita; four daughters, Miriam Garcia, Linda Lutz-Rolow, Annette Garcia and Penny McKnight, all of California; two sisters, Elvia Kirmani of Florida and Lydilia Henderson of New York; two brothers, Oscar Garcia of New York and Caesar Garcia of New Jersey; and five grandchildren.

A memorial service will be 1 p.m. July 6 in Bunkers Mortuary, 925 Las Vegas Blvd. North.

Maurine Rupp Gile

Maurine Rupp Gile, 76, of Las Vegas died Monday in Las Vegas. She was born Oct. 5, 1925, in Denver. A resident for 34 years, she was a retired postal clerk.

She is survived by one son, Richard Gile of Las Vegas; two brothers, Ernest Rupp of Shawnee, Kan., and Floyd Rupp of Tulsa, Okla.; one sister, Ruth Williams of Kansas City, Mo.; six grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled 5-7 p.m. Wednesday in Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave. Services will be 9 a.m. Thursday in Palm Chapel, Eastern. Burial will follow in Palm Valley View Memorial Park.

The family suggests donations to the American Cancer Society, 1325 E. Harmon Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89119.

Ann 'Estelle' Gross

Ann "Estelle" Gross, 92, of St. George, Utah, died Monday in St. George. She was born June 21, 1909, in Lynchburg, Va. A former Las Vegas resident for many years, she was a hospital bookkeeper and a member of Eastern Star Southgate Chapter 18.

She is survived by four sons, Carl Gross and Richard Gross, both of Las Vegas, Michael Gross of Desert Springs, Ariz., and Robert Gross of Mesquite; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled one hour prior to a noon service Thursday in Bunkers Mortuary, 925 Las Vegas Blvd. North. Burial will follow in Palm Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Kenneth Howard Hall

Kenneth Howard Hall, 54, of Las Vegas died Saturday in a local hospital. He was born Dec. 11, 1947, in Lake Village, Ark. A resident for 16 years, he was a retired Air Force civil engineer and a member of the Toastmasters.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra; two daughters, Kimberly Brining and Carol Camacho of Spangdahlem, Germany; his mother, Dorothy Hall of Wynne, Ark.; and four grandchildren.

Desert Memorial Cremation and Burial Society, 1111 Las Vegas Blvd. North, is handling private arrangements.

James Helm

James Helm, 53, of Las Vegas died Saturday in a local health care center. He was born May 18, 1949, in Nevada, Mo. A resident for 17 years, he was a truck driver.

He is survived by his wife, Maureen; three sons, James Helm of Salina, Kan., and Kelly Helm and Aaron Helm, both of Las Vegas; one daughter, Michelle Meyer of Las Vegas; his father and stepmother, John and Marge Helm of Towanda, Kan.; one sister, Jonnie Alburge of Philipsburg, Kan.; and three grandchildren.

Affordable Cremation and Burial Service, 2457 N. Decatur Blvd., is handling arrangements.

Max M. Hoberman

Max M. Hoberman, 71, of Las Vegas died Friday in Las Vegas. He was born Aug. 3, 1930, in Indiana. A resident for eight years, he was a sales manager for a wholesale company and a Navy veteran.

He is survived by his wife, Dolores; one son, Robert Hoberman of Simi, Calif.; one brother, Joe Hoberman of Fort Collins, Colo.; and two grandchildren.

Neptune Society of Nevada, 8570 Del Webb Blvd., is handling private arrangements.

The family suggests donations to the American Cancer Society, 1325 E. Harmon Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89119.

Douglas L. Hodges Sr.

Douglas L. Hodges Sr., 61, of Las Vegas died Saturday in a local hospital. He was born Sept. 19, 1940, in Las Vegas. A lifelong resident, he was a retired operating engineer.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia A.; three daughters, Deidra Hodges and Sheila Rollins, both of Las Vegas and Felicia Hodges of Los Angeles; two sons, Douglas L. Hodges Jr. and Leonard Hodges, and one brother, Arthur Hodges of Las Vegas; and eight grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled 4-7 p.m. Wednesday in Palm Mortuary, 1325 N. Main St. Services will be 1 p.m. Thursday in Palm Chapel, Main. Burial will follow in Palm Memorial Park.

Margaret Ellen Howe

Margaret Ellen Howe, 42, of Las Vegas died Wednesday in Las Vegas. She was born July 19, 1959, in New York. A resident for 25 years, she was a carousel attendant for a local casino.

She is survived by her husband, Joe; one daughter, Melonie; her mother, Bridgett O'Neil; one brother, Thomas; three sisters, Donna, Maryann and Carlen; and three grandchildren.

Desert Memorial Cremation and Burial Society, 1111 Las Vegas Blvd. North, is handling private arrangements.

Leona 'Loni' Johnson

Leona "Loni" Johnson, 55, of North Las Vegas died Sunday in North Las Vegas. She was born Dec. 25, 1946, in Allegan, Mich. A resident for 12 years, she was a homemaker.

She is survived by her husband, Keith; two daughters, Cristie Johnson of Las Vegas and Julie Gray of Marietta, Ohio; one son, Joseph Hackathorn of Marietta; three stepdaughters, Margie Lemos, Linda Marcus and Leila Johnson, all of Las Vegas; two stepsons, Terry Johnson of Las Vegas and Jerry Johnson of North Las Vegas; her mother, Mary Cox of Belleville, W.Va.; three sisters, Nancy Casto of Coolville, Ohio, Judy Fleak of Belleville, and Jeri Neska of Osceola, Wis.; and 20 grandchildren.

A memorial service will be 1 p.m. Friday in Palm Mortuary, 1325 N. Main St.

Thomas Albert Kee

Thomas Albert Kee, 79, of Las Vegas died Saturday in a local hospice. He was born July 29, 1922, in Holland, Mo. A resident for 17 years, he was a retired telephone company cable installer, a World War II Marine Corps veteran and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He is survived by his wife, Vilai; four daughters, Linda Pinkston of Arlington, Texas, Deborah Armento and Jeannette Cavanaugh, both of Las Vegas and Rosemary Kee of Sandy Valley; two sons, Thomas George of Sandy Valley and James Kee of Las Vegas; one sister, Delores Argo of LaCanada, Calif.; 17 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be noon Thursday in Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Boulder City. Palm Mortuary, 1600 S. Jones Blvd., is handling arrangements.

The family suggests donations to the Nathan Adelson Hospice, 4141 S. Swenson St., Las Vegas, NV 89119.

John Milton Layton

John Milton Layton, 92, of Boulder City died Saturday in Boulder City. He was born Aug. 1, 1909, in Decatur, Ill. A resident for 61 years, he was a retired grocery store owner-operator, a member of Boulder City Masonic Lodge 37 F&AM, York Rite Malta Commandery 3 and Order of the Eastern Star.

He is survived by two daughters, Mary Dunagan and Nita Pong, both of Boulder City; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled one hour prior to a 10 a.m. service Thursday in Palm Mortuary, 800 S. Boulder Highway, Henderson. Burial will follow in Boulder City Cemetery, 501 Adams Blvd.

The family suggests donations to Shriners Childrens Hospital, Zelzah Shrine Temple, 2222 W. Mesquite Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89106.

Verna G. Martin

Verna G. Martin, 82, of Las Vegas died Sunday in a local hospital. She was born July 4, 1919, in Iron Mountain, Mich. A resident for 21 years, she was an aircraft quality control inspector.

She is survived by two sons, Dave Kontny of Vista, Calif., and Mark Kontny of Eugene, Ore.; one daughter, Debbie Bowen of Mission Viejo, Calif.; one brother, Harold Smith of Michigan and Ethelmae Sullivan of California; and five grandchildren.

Garden Memorial Funeral Home, 3600 W. Vegas Drive, is handling private arrangements.

James B. 'Jim' McKibben Jr.

James B. "Jim" McKibben Jr., 86, of Henderson died Saturday in a local hospital. He was born Aug. 8, 1915, in Salina, Kan. A resident for eight years, he was a retired executive in the advertising field and a World War II Army Air Corps vet.

He is survived by his wife, Maxine; and one son, Dennis McKibben of Van Nuys, Calif.

A memorial service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday in Green Valley Presbyterian Church, 1798 Wigwam Parkway, Henderson. Burial will be private. Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave., is handling arrangements.

The family suggests donations to Green Valley Presbyterian Church, 1798 Wigwam Parkway, Henderson, NV 89074.

William Edward Navitsky

William Edward Navitsky, 76, of Las Vegas died Friday in Las Vegas. He was born Jan. 12, 1926, in Shenandoah, Pa. A resident for 22 years, he was a maintenance worker, a Navy veteran and a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars 1753.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Chontow Navitsky; and one sister, Caroline of Florida.

Davis Paradise Valley Funeral Home, 6200 S. Eastern Ave., is handling private arrangements.

Mark Kevin Newman

Mark Kevin Newman, 46, of Las Vegas died Thursday in Las Vegas. He was born Nov. 23, 1955, in Omaha, Neb. A resident for 18 years, he was a security guard and an Air Force veteran.

He is survived by his wife, Rosalinda; one son, Jonathan Ignacio of the Philippines; and two brothers, Dennis Newman of Omaha, and Robert Newman of Las Vegas.

Visitation is scheduled 2-8 p.m. today in American Burial and Cremation Services, 310 Foremaster Lane. Graveside services will be 10:40 a.m. Wednesday in Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Boulder City.

David T. Oakes

David T. Oakes, 53, of Las Vegas died Sunday in Las Vegas. He was born July 29, 1948, in Piqua, Ohio. A resident for 19 years, he was a retired Air Force master sergeant and Vietnam War veteran, involved in Corporate Challenge and community softball leagues.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret "Peggy" E.; two daughters, Jennifer Mendoza of Hampton, Va., and Mindy Rew of Chesapeake, Va.; one stepson, Douglas Larson, and one stepdaughter, Nichole McMullin, both of Las Vegas; one sister, Deb Morris of Rochester, Mich.; one brother, Dan Oakes of Dayton, Ohio; and two grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled 4-7 p.m. Wednesday in Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave. A memorial service will be 2 p.m. Thursday in Palm Chapel, Eastern.

The family suggests donations to the American Cancer Society, 1325 E. Harmon Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89119.

Rae Price

Rae Price, 64, of Las Vegas died Saturday. She was born Feb. 11, 1938, in Woodland, Calif. A resident for two years, she was an AIDS advocate for Health and Human Resources.

She is survived her husband, Hosea; three daughters, Shannon Aportadera of West Palm Beach, Fla., Lyn Nannette Batts of Washington, D.C., and Sharon Bigby of Alexandria, Va.; two sons, Scott Liston of Red Falls, Minn., and Tim Parmly of Fairfax, Va.; and four grandchildren.

Affordable Cremation and Burial Service, 2457 N. Decatur Blvd., is handling arrangements.

Michael Jay Reed

Michael Jay Reed, 50, of Las Vegas died Saturday in a local hospice. He was born Jan. 18, 1952, in Vallejo, Calif. A resident for 47 years, he was a chef for a local hospice.

He is survived by his mother, Ruth Brescia; his father and stepmother, Ken Reed Sr. and Caroline Reed; one brother, Kenny Reed Jr.; and one sister, Nancy Haag.

Desert Memorial Cremation and Burial Society, 1111 Las Vegas Blvd. North, is arranging private family services.

Rhea Sarah Roberts

Rhea Sarah Roberts, 81, of Pahrump died Sunday in Pahrump. A bookkeeper at Ace Blind Co., she was born Jan. 6, 1921, in Williams, Ind.

She is survived by one son, Raymond C. Roberts; three daughters, Diane M. Joslin, Nancy A. Benton and Roxanne Ramah; one sister, Rebecca Sims; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Pahrump Family Mortuary, 5441 S. Vicki Ann Road, handled arrangements.

Pisaga Gaseli Saau

Pisaga Gaseli Saau, 65, of Las Vegas died May 25 in Las Vegas. He was born Feb. 6, 1937, in Aunuu, American Samoa. A resident for five years, he was a retired roofer.

He is survived by his wife, Ela Sefo; two sons, Pisaga Saau Jr. and Emani Saau, and one daughter, Selena Atonio Saau, all of Las Vegas; two brothers, Vailuiusa Saau and Gaseli Saau; and one grandchild.

Visitation is scheduled one hour prior to a 10 a.m. service Friday at St. Joseph, Husband of Mary Catholic Church, 7260 W. Sahara Ave. Burial will follow in Paradise Memorial Gardens, 6200 S. Eastern Ave. Davis Paradise Valley Funeral Home, 6200 S. Eastern Ave., is handling arrangements.

Opal May Sullivan

Opal May Sullivan, 90, of Las Vegas died June 2 in Las Vegas. She was born Feb. 1, 1912, in Anthon, Iowa. A resident for nine years, she was a homemaker.

She is survived by one daughter, Patricia Ramsay of Phoenix; six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

A memorial service will be held in Arizona. Nevada Funeral Service-Nevada Cremation or Burial Society, 2983 Fremont St., is handling arrangements.

Thomas Anthony Sullivan

Thomas Anthony Sullivan, 84, of Boulder City died Saturday in a local hospital. He was born Aug. 30, 1918, in Grand Junction, Colo. A resident for 60 years, he was a research chemist for the U.S. Bureau of Mines for 28 years, an Army veteran in the Mechanized Calvary in the European Theater and a member of the American Chemical Society, Sulphur Institute.

He is survived by his wife, Gwendolyn; two sons, Alan Sullivan of Boulder, Colo., and Mark Sullivan of Midland, Texas; and five grandchildren.

Services will be 8:40 a.m. Wednesday in Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Boulder City. Boulder City Family Mortuary, 833 Nevada Way, Suite 1, is handling arrangements.

Elizabeth C. Wallace

Elizabeth C. Wallace, 86, of Las Vegas died Saturday in Las Vegas. She was born Aug. 3, 1915, in Hoboken, N.J. A resident for 22 years, she was a homemaker.

She is survived by one daughter, Carol Griess of Las Vegas; two grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled 9:30-11 a.m. Thursday in Davis Paradise Valley Funeral Home, 6200 S. Eastern Ave. Graveside services will follow at 11 a.m. Thursday in Paradise Memorial Gardens.

Sarah Irene Witte

Sarah Irene Witte, 71, of Las Vegas died Monday in Las Vegas. She was born March 2, 1931, in Utah. A resident for 53 years, she was a retired bookkeeper in the hotel industry.

She is survived by one daughter, Sharon Ann Smith; and two grandchildren.

Desert Memorial Cremation and Burial Society, 1111 Las Vegas Blvd. North, is arranging a pending memorial service.

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