Obituaries for April 15, 2003

Tuesday, April 15, 2003 | 9:56 a.m.

Ward C. Abbs

Ward C. Abbs, 85, of Las Vegas died Saturday in Las Vegas. He was born Jan. 8, 1918, in El Dorado, Wis. A resident for 25 years, he was a retired operating engineer surveyor and a World War II Army veteran.

He is survived by three sons, Garry Abbs of Henderson, Jerry Abbs of Bakersfield, Calif., and Larry Abbs of Kingman, Ariz.; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled 1-7 p.m. Wednesday in Palm Mortuary, 800 S. Boulder Highway, Henderson. Services will be in San Bernardino, Calif.

William Casteel

William Casteel, 72, of Las Vegas died Friday in Las Vegas. He was born Dec. 31, 1930, in Largo, Ind. A resident for 47 years, he was retired, was a Korean War Navy veteran, past grand master of the Masons, member of Silver Cord Lodge 51, Southgate Chapter Order of the Eastern Star and Zelzah Shrine Temple.

He is survived by his wife, Susan; two sons, Dennis Wayne Casteel and Brent David Casteel, and one daughter, Gretchen Arleen Casteel, all of Las Vegas; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Services will be 3 p.m. Wednesday in Masonic Lodge 32, 632 E. Charleston Blvd. Boulder City Family Mortuary, 833 Nevada Way, Suite 1, Boulder City, is handling arrangements.

David Wallace Crichton

David Wallace Crichton, 65, of Las Vegas died Saturday in a local hospital. He was born Aug. 9, 1937, in Seattle. A resident for 12 years, he was a retired department retail sales manager and a Marine Corps veteran.

He is survived by his wife, Jo; and one brother, Phillip Crichton of Las Vegas.

A memorial service will be 3 p.m. Friday in Green Valley Presbyterian Church, 1798 Wigwam Parkway, Henderson. Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave., is handling arrangements.

Kenneth M. Fowler

Kenneth M. Fowler, 95, of Las Vegas died Saturday in a local hospital. He was born Oct. 27, 1907, in Niter, Idaho. A resident for two years, he was a retired government county clerk and a member of the Eagles.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; one son, Kent Fowler of Las Vegas; four grandchildrenl 11 great-grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled one hour prior to a 2 p.m. service Thursday in Palm Mortuary, 1600 S. Jones Blvd.

Bernard Gittelman

Bernard Gittelman, 78, of Las Vegas died Saturday in Las Vegas. He was born Feb. 3, 1925, in Brooklyn, N.Y. A resident for 14 years, he was a retired teacher, a World War II Army veteran, a member of Jewish War Veterans Post 21, National Association of Teachers and Bet Knesset Bamidbar.

He is survived by his wife, Gloria; one son, Michael Gittelman of Scottsdale, Ariz.; one daughter, Robin McCollum of Seattle; his mother, Martha Gittelman of Maryland; two brothers, Marvin Gittelman and Stanley Gittelman, both of Las Vegas; one sister, Adele Converse of West Covina, Calif.; and two grandchildren.

Graveside services will be 10:40 a.m. Wednesday in Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Boulder City. Palm Mortuary, 7400 W. Cheyenne Ave., is handling arrangements.

The family suggests donations to the City of Hope, 5600 W. Spring Mountain Road, Suite 208, Las Vegas, NV 89146.

George W. Goodwin

George W. Goodwin, 64, of Las Vegas died March 30 in Las Vegas. He was born April 26, 1938, in New York. A resident for 12 years, he was a licensed practical nurse at Mike O'Callaghan Federal Hospital and an Army veteran.

He is survived by his wife, Anne M.; one stepson, Donald Lockard of Georgia; and one stepdaughter, Nicole Greenberg of Las Vegas.

American Burial and Cremation Services, 310 Foremaster Lane, is handling private arrangements.

Beverly Grasso

Beverly Grasso, 63, of Las Vegas died Sunday in Las Vegas. She was born July 3, 1939, in Clinton, Ind. A resident for 17 years, she retired slot floorman The Mirage.

She is survived by her husband, Carmen; two sons, Doug Beary of Castle Rock, Colo., and Mike Beary of Las Vegas; one daughter, Dawn Ngyuen of Las Vegas; two sisters, Sharon Margiotta of Lakewood, Colo., and Grace Reiger of Las Vegas; and nine grandchildren.

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

Christopher Lynn Holt

Christopher Lynn Holt, 32, of Las Vegas died Friday in Henderson. He was born May 22, 1970, in Warren, Ohio. A resident for seven years, he was a corporate accounts specialist.

He is survived by his wife, Kristy; three children; and his mother, Carol Dubendorf of Las Vegas.

Visitation is scheduled 6-8 p.m. today in Hites Funeral Services, 438 W. Sunset Road, Henderson.

Andrew Walter Kevin Johnson

Andrew Walter Kevin Johnson, 46, of Las Vegas died Sunday in Las Vegas. An electrician, a Navy veteran and a member of the American Legion, he was born July 19, 1956, in Monrovia, Calif.

He is survived by three sons, Andrew Jr. of Michigan, Kevin Danial of Texas and Mitchell of Texas; one daughter, Brianna of Texas; and his mother, Valerie Johnson of Las Vegas.

A memorial service will be 4 p.m. today in the LDS Desert Pines Ward, 420 Stewart Ave. Sunrise Cremation & Burial Society, 745 W. Sunset Road, No. 5, Henderson, is handling arrangements.

Carlos L. Martinez

Carlos L. Martinez, 23, of Las Vegas died Thursday in Henderson. He was born Oct. 27, 1979, in Albuquerque.

He is survived by three children, Victoria, Carlos Jr. and Allyah, his mother and stepfather, Susie Martinez-Simmons and Joseph Simmons, and his father, Chuck Martinez, all of Las Vegas; his stepmother, Marcia Martinez of Berlin, N.M.; and his grandparents, Josephine Bustos and Mary A. Martinez, both of Las Vegas, and Bertha Maestas of Denver.

Visitation will continue until 7 p.m. today and 5-7 p.m. Wednesday in Davis Paradise Valley Funeral Home, 6200 S. Eastern Ave. Services will be 10 a.m. Thursday in Paradise Memorial Gardens.

Helen L. Prevatte

Helen L. Prevatte, 86, of Las Vegas died Friday in a local hospital. She was born April 1, 1917, in Boswell, Pa. A resident for four years, she was a retired registered nurse and a World War II Army veteran.

She is survived by her husband, James O. Sr.; one daughter, Sharon Coleman of Henderson; one son, James O. Prevatte Jr. of Santa Barbara, Calif.; one sister, Evelyn Klodt of Cummings, Ga.; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be 5 p.m. today in Community Lutheran Church, 3720 E. Tropicana Ave. Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave., is handling arrangements.

Melvin K. Raffath

Melvin K. Raffath, 70, of Las Vegas died March 31 in a local hospital. He was born Nov. 7, 1932, in Butte, Mont. A resident for three years, he was an apartment manager.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Lou; one son, Michael of Winnemucca; two daughters, Lori Stepan of Butte and Kerry Layton of Moses Lake, Wash.; one sister, Lois Polich of Butte; one brother, David Raffath of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and seven grandchildren.

Valley Memorial Crematory, 4855 W. Desert Inn Road, is handling arrangements.

Lometa Rogers

Lometa Rogers, 88, of Henderson died Thursday in Kingman, Ariz. She was born Feb. 4, 1915, in Haskell, Texas. A resident for 21 years, she owned a hobby store.

She is survived by four daughters, Virginia Hunter and Carolyn Rogers, both of Kingman, Ariz., Shirley Colvin of Riverside, Calif., and Sharon Slocum of Bullhead City, Ariz.; one son, James Rogers of Bullhead City; one sister, Jean White of Bakersfield, Calif.; 12 grandchildren' and 12 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday in Green Valley United Methodist Church, 2200 Robindale Road, Henderson. Burial will follow in Paradise Memorial Gardens, 6200 S. Eastern Ave. Davis Paradise Valley Funeral Home, is handling arrangements.

The family suggests donations to Green Valley United Methodist Church, 2200 Robindale Road, Henderson, NV 89014, or Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 120 Wall St., New York, NY 10005.

Joseph J. Romano Sr.

Joseph J. Romano Sr., 75, of Las Vegas died Saturday in a local hospital. He was born Jan. 29, 1928, in New York City. A resident for nine years, he was a retired laborer and bricklayer.

He is survived by his wife, Lillian; two sons, John Romano of Las Vegas and Joseph Romano Jr. of Bushkill, Pa.; one daughter, Mary Ann Gandino of Las Vegas; one brother, Neil Romano of Littleton, Colo.; and seven grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled 4 p.m. until a 6 p.m. vigil today in Palm Mortuary, 7400 W. Cheyenne Ave. Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 1811 Pueblo Vista Drive. Burial will be 11 a.m. Wednesday in Palm Memorial Park, Northwest, 6701 N. Jones Blvd.

Clifford F. Sager Sr.

Clifford F. Sager Sr., 72, of Las Vegas died Sunday in a local hospital. He was born June 22, 1930, in Bradner, Ohio. A resident for 15 years, he was a retired Navy first class petty officer, a Korean War and Vietnam War veteran and a member of the American Legion.

He is survived by his wife, Josefina; three daughters, Laura Fredericksen of Oregon, Ohio, Estrella Tabula of Sugar Land, Texas, and Margie Varela of Manila, Philippines; two sons, Clifford Sager Jr. of Grand Rapids, Ohio, and Carl Sager of Toledo, Ohio; two sisters, Blanche Thompson of Grand Rapids and Eva Chesbrough of Toledo; one brother, Clyde Sager of Toledo; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation will continue until 7 p.m. today and 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday in Palm Mortuary, 1325 N. Main St. Services will be 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Christopher's Catholic Church, 1840 N. Bruce St. Graveside services will follow at noon Thursday in Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Boulder City.

The family suggests contributions to the donor's favorite charity.

Johnnie Carroll Tice

Johnnie Carroll Tice, 65, of Las Vegas died Saturday in Las Vegas. He was born May 28, 1937, in Hugo, Okla. A resident for 27 years, he was an automobile mechanic and an Air Force veteran.

He is survived by his wife, Jeannie L.; two sons, James Donald Tice of Oregon and Kevin L. Tice of Las Vegas; four daughters, Carol Jean Wolf of Washington state, Robin Marie Dryer and Renee Stacy Lister, both of Las Vegas, and Michele Gilmore of Oregon; and 15 grandchildren.

Services were scheduled at 10 a.m. today in the Stewart Ranch LDS Chapel, 2285 S. Tree Line Drive, followed by burial in Memory Gardens, 7251 W. Lone Mountain Road. Bunkers Mortuary, 925 Las Vegas Blvd. North, handled arrangements.

John Thomas

John Thomas, 59, of Las Vegas died Thursday in Las Vegas. He was born Nov. 16, 1943, in Shelbyville, Ind. A resident for eight years, he was a professor, a stock broker and a Navy veteran.

He is survived by his parents, Pythias and Julia Thomas, two brothers, Mike Thomas and Fred Thomas, and one sister, Jackie Thomas, all of Colorado; and his companion for 17 years, Olympiade Zwick of Las Vegas.

A memorial service with military honors will be 10 a.m. Thursday in Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery's chapel, Boulder City. Sunrise Cremation & Burial Society, 745 W. Sunset Road, No. 5, Henderson, is handling arrangements.

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

Dorothy Thornton

Dorothy Thornton, 61, of Las Vegas died Friday in a local hospital. She was born Dec. 13, 1941, in Grand Junction, Colo. A resident for 40 years, she was an executive administrative assistant for the Clark County School District.

She is survived by one daughter, Amy Fry, and two sons, Rick Fry and Rob Fry, all of Las Vegas; two brothers, Russ Williams of Grand Junction, Colo., and Dave Williams of Delta, Colo.; and two grandchildren.

A memorial service will be noon Thursday in Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave. Palm Mortuary, 7400 W. Cheyenne Ave., is handling arrangements.

The family suggests donations to the American Heart Association, 6370 W. Flamingo Road, Suite 1, Las Vegas, NV 89103.

Betty K. Ullom

Betty K. Ullom, 81, of Las Vegas died Saturday in Las Vegas. She was born Dec. 31, 1921, in Salt Lake, Utah. A resident for 52 years, she was a county clerk.

She is survived by two daughters, Paulette Solberg and Leslie Ullom Walker, and two sons, Jim Ullom and Joe Ullom, all of Las Vegas; 18 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled 3-7 p.m. today in Bunkers Mortuary, 925 Las Vegas Blvd. North. Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday in the LDS Chapel, 1825 N. Hollywood Blvd. Burial will follow in Memory Gardens, 7251 W. Lone Mountain Road.

Beatrice Vaughan

Beatrice Vaughan, 78, of Las Vegas died Thursday in a local hospital. She was born July 7, 1924, in New York City. A resident for more than 50 years, she retired after 33 years as a Caesars Palace waitress and was a veteran of the Navy Women's Auxiliary.

She is survived by many dear friends in Las Vegas.

Visitation is scheduled 9 a.m.-noon services today in Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave.

Ruby L. Watson-Riggs

Ruby L. Watson-Riggs, 79, of North Las Vegas died April 8 in a local hospital. She was born Oct. 7, 1923, in Mississippi. A resident for 40 years, she was a hotel uniform attendant.

She is survived by one son, James Watson of Harvey, Ill.; three daughters, Dorothy Watson-Cotton of Las Vegas and Carolyn Watson and Beverly Coleman-Dillon, both of North Las Vegas; one brother, Curtis Coleman of Las Vegas; and one sister, Lucille Coleman of North Las Vegas.

Services were scheduled 11 a.m. today in Pleasant Grove Church, followed by in Woodlawn Cemetery. Garden Memorial Funeral Home, 3600 W. Vegas Drive, is handling arrangements.

James Edward Wilks

James Edward Wilks, 74, of Las Vegas died Friday in Las Vegas. He was born April 20, 1928, in Coffee County, Ala. A resident for 12 years, he was a dockmaster at Long Beach Naval Marina and a retired Navy veteran.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia; three sons, Michael Wilks Sr., Paul Wilks and John Wilks, all of Las Vegas; one brother, Roland Wilks of Columbus, Ga.; five sisters, Jewell Wilks and Ruth Rodgers, both of New Brockton, Ala., Nellis Long of Dothan, Ala., Lummie Bell of Enterprise, Ala., and Margaret Wilks of Daleville, Ala.; and six grandchildren.

Services were scheduled at 10 a.m. today in St. Joseph, Husband of Mary Catholic Church, 7260 W. Sahara Ave., followed by burial in Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Boulder City. Davis Funeral Home, 2127 W. Charleston Blvd., is handling arrangements.

The family suggests donations to the American Heart Association, 6370 W. Flamingo Road, Suite 1, Las Vegas, NV 89103, or the American Lung Association, 3375 Glen Ave., No. 7, Las Vegas, NV 89121.

Willie L. Williams Sr.

Willie L. Williams Sr., 82, of North Las Vegas died Saturday in a local hospital. He was born June 1, 1920, in Texarkana, Ark. A resident for 55 years, he was a retired supervisor of hotel housekeeping who worked for 35 years at the La Concha and El Morocco.

He is survived by his wife, Bennye; one son, Willie L. Williams Jr., and Willie L. Williams Jr., both of North Las Vegas; one daughter, Sabrina Williams of Los Angeles; and six grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled 4-7 p.m. today and 11 a.m. Wednesday in Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ, 1117 F St. Burial will follow in Palm Memorial Park.

Peter W. Zetz

Peter W. Zetz, 25, of Las Vegas died Friday in Las Vegas. He was born June 6, 1977, in Reno. A resident for 26 years, he was a construction estimator for O'Donnell Excavation.

He is survived by his wife, Stefanie; one son, Michael Zetz, and his father, Michael Zetz, both of Las Vegas; his mother, Becky Burns, and one brother, Thomas Zetz, both of San Diego; two sisters, Marte Parra and Jacqueline Zetz, both of Las Vegas; and his grandparents, Mathew Zetz of Las Vegas and William and Eunice Sage, both of San Diego.

Visitation was scheduled 90 minutes prior to a 10 a.m. service today in Davis Paradise Valley Funeral Home, 6200 S. Eastern Ave. Burial followed in Paradise Memorial Gardens.

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