Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Obituaries for May 29, 2003

William Boyd Ballard

William Boyd Ballard, 84, of Henderson died Sunday in Henderson. He was born Nov. 17, 1918, in Utah. A resident for 13 years, he was a retired book binder, a World War II Army Air Corps veteran and member of the American Legion.

He is survived by his wife, Neda; three sons, William Boyd II Ballard of Henderson, Glen Ballard of California and Leonard Ballard of Ohio; six daughters, Megan Jade Ballard of Henderson, Kerry Belcher of Utah, Judy Spooner, Peggy Skinner and Gaylene Miller, all of California, and Wendy Hall of Texas; one brother, Robert Ballard, and one sister, Jerry sessions, both of California; and more than 20 grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled 4-8 p.m. Friday in Davis Paradise Valley Funeral Home, 6200 S. Eastern Ave. Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday in the LDS Sunset Ward, Pebble Road and Eastern Avenue. Burial will follow in Paradise Memorial Gardens, 6200 S. Eastern Ave.

Goldie Blackburn

Goldie Blackburn, 76, of Las Vegas died Saturday in Las Vegas. A resident for nine years, she was born Nov. 4, 1926, in Frederick, Okla.

She is survived by her husband, Harry; two daughters, Joie Copeland of Phoenix and Jonie McCray-Whitlow of Las Vegas; one son, Darryl McCray of Las Vegas; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Services were scheduled at 11 a.m. today in American Burial and Cremation Services, 310 Foremaster Lane. Burial followed in Paradise Memorial Gardens, 6200 S. Eastern Ave.

Rafael Cap

Rafael Cap, 57, of Las Vegas died Saturday in Las Vegas. A resident for 22 years, he was born Oct. 23, 1945, in Guatemala.

He is survived by his wife, Aura; two daughters, Claudia Cap Roman and Haybbury Cap, both of Las Vegas; three sons, Sedric Cap of Texas, Sauders Cap of San Bernardino, Calif., and Jhohan Cap of Las Vegas; his mother, Guadalupe Monterroso; and 14 grandchildren.

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

James H. Clark

James H. Clark, 57, of Port Ludlow, Wash., died April 21. He was born Aug. 15, 1945, in Fort Eustis, Va. A former Las Vegas resident for 40 years, he was a retired Union Pacific Railroad employee, a Vietnam War Air Force veteran, a member of the Las Vegas chapters of the Challenger Club and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.

He is survived by his wife, Katie; one son, Brian James "BJ" Clark of Las Vegas; one sister, Mamie Clark Kennedy of Tupelo, Miss.; one brother, Joseph Clark of Niceville, Fla.; and one grandchild.

A memorial service will be 3 p.m. Friday in Palm Mortuary, 7400 W. Cheyenne Ave.

The family suggests donations to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, 6000 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 9C, Las Vegas, NV 89119.

Claire G. Courtemanche

Claire G. Courtemanche, 80, of Las Vegas died Sunday in a local hospice. She was born Aug. 12, 1922, in Rhode Island. A resident for 2 1/2 years, she was a homemaker.

She is survived by one son, Bob; four daughters, Ruth Roth, Dottie Goodwin, Carol Samson and Patricia Jefferson; one brother, Eugene Roy; one sister, Theresa Lebeauf; 12 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

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

Katie Marie Dale

Katie Marie Dale, 10 1/2, of Las Vegas died Friday in Las Vegas. She was born Oct. 16, 1992, in California. A resident for 10 years, she was a fourth-grade student, a member of Make-A-Wish Foundation and United Leukodystrophy Foundation.

She is survived by her mother, Kathleen Dale; her father and stepmother, Matthew and Jenni Dale; one sister, Mallorie; one stepsister, Sara Gatlin; and her grandparents, Elaine and Sydney Rubecamp and Gary and Carolyn Adams.

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

The family suggests donations to Make A Wish Foundation, 3111 S. Valley View Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89102, or the United Leukodystrophy Foundation.

Charles Edward 'Ed' Dine

Charles Edward "Ed" Dine, 72, of Las Vegas died May 22 in Las Vegas. He was born March 9, 1931, in Gilroy, Calif. A resident for eight years, he was a Korean War Navy veteran.

He is survived by his wife, Norma; two sons, Robert and William; two daughters, Annette Watt and Claudia Dine; one brother, Frank; three sisters, Charlotte Walker, Bonnie Mars and Betty McCallister; 20 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be 5:30 p.m. June 7 at the family residence. Desert Memorial Cremation and Burial Society, 1111 Las Vegas Blvd. North, is handling arrangements.

Clifford Eckel

Clifford Eckel, 63, of Las Vegas died Sunday in Las Vegas. He was born Aug. 26, 1939, in Prescott, Ariz. A resident for 30 years, he was a retired heavy equipment mechanic and a member of Operating Engineers Local 12.

He is survived by three sons, Randy Eckel of Henderson, Richard Eckel of Las Vegas and Kelly Eckel of West Plains, Mo.; one daughter, Marlena Eckel, and his mother, Zavia Eckel, both of Las Vegas; four brothers, Paul Eckel of Tucson, Robert Eckel of Pahrump, David Eckel of Lancaster, Calif., and Dale Eckel of Henderson; five sisters, Rose Clark and Debra Lefler, both of Las Vegas, Patricia Striplin of Palmdale, Calif., Linda Jensen of Salt Lake City and Betty Jean Fullerton of St. George, Utah; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

A memorial service will be 10 a.m. Saturday in the LDS chapel, 1101 N. Pecos Road. Affordable Cremation and Burial Service, 2457 N. Decatur Blvd., is handling arrangements.

The Rev. George Gerard

The Rev. George Gerard, 82, of Las Vegas died Sunday in Las Vegas. He was born Feb. 22, 1921, in the Bronx, N.Y. A resident for 20 years, he was an Episcopal minister and a World War II Army veteran.

He is survived by one daughter, Glenna.

Visitation is scheduled 4-7 p.m. Friday in Desert Memorial Cremation and Burial Society, 1111 Las Vegas Blvd. North. A memorial service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday in Green Valley Christian Center, 711 Valle Verde Court, Henderson. A reception will follow.

Bessie M. Green

Bessie M. Green, 63, of Las Vegas died Monday in Las Vegas. A resident for 41 years, she was born July 14, 1939, in Tallulah, La.

She is survived by three daughters, Angelia Gultry, Pamela Gultry and Latonya Gultry, and one son, Thades Gultry, all of Las Vegas; her mother, Mary Dixon, her father, Eddie Moore, and two brothers, Jimmy Dixon and James Dixon, all of Tallulah; three sisters, Ruby Burns of Las Vegas and Luella Dixon and Evelyn Dixon, both of Tallulah; and seven grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday in American Burial and Cremation Services, 310 Foremaster Lane. Services will be 11 a.m. Monday in Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, 1025 Balzar Ave. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Bruce Green

Bruce Green, 57, of Las Vegas died May 22 in Las Vegas. An armed guard, he was born Feb. 1, 1946, in Chicago.

He is survived by three sisters-in-law, Evelyn C. Valdez and Porfiria Patacsil, both of Texas, and Elviia Tepper of Illinois; three nieces, Sonya Arredondo, Selina Valdez and Ann Cruz, and close friend, Mary Green, all of Texas.

Hites Funeral Services, 438 W. Sunset Road, Henderson, is handling private arrangements.

William C. Hamilton

William C. Hamilton, 79, of Las Vegas died Friday in Las Vegas. He was born July 6, 1923, in San Diego. A resident for 25 years, he was a retired steel company manager and World War II and Korean War Army Air Corps and Air Force veteran.

He is survived by his wife, Lucia; three sons, Frederick Hamilton of Virginia, William Hamilton Jr. of Las Vegas and Robert Hamilton of California; one daughter, Judith Berthold of Indiana; one sister, Mary Hamilton of Canada; and four grandchildren.

Nevada Funeral Service-Nevada Cremation or Burial Society, 2983 Fremont St., is handling private arrangements.

Thomas E. Kraft Jr.

Thomas E. Kraft Jr., 77, of Las Vegas died Monday in a local hospital. He was born Sept. 2, 1925, in Baltimore. A resident for eight years, he was an entertainer.

He is survived by his wife, Julie G.; two daughters, Denise Gowran and Cynthia Murphy, both of Middleburg, Fla.; two sisters, Vivian Koors of Dundalk, Md., and Ann Upperman of Pasadena, Md.; one brother, Paul Kraft of Glen Burnie, Md.; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

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

Barry J. Levine

Barry J. Levine, 55, of Las Vegas died Tuesday. He was vice president of Baskow & Associates for 15 years.

He is survived by one daughter, Meredith; one son, Richard Levine; one sister, Janet Levine; and one grandson.

A memorial service will be 1 p.m. Friday in Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave.

Barbara C. Lowry

Barbara C. Lowry, 58, of North Las Vegas died Wednesday in a local hospice. She was born April 21, 1945, in Waterloo, Iowa. A resident for 25 years, she was a casino restaurant food server.

She is survived by one daughter, Danielle R. Hunter of North Las Vegas; her parents, Doris M. and William J. Rundle of Ephrata, Wash.; one sister, Susan R. Easton of Pleasant Grove, Utah; one brother, David D. Rundle of Tunas, Mo.; and two grandchildren.

A memorial service will be 1 p.m. Saturday in Palm Mortuary, 7400 W. Cheyenne Ave.

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

Donald J. Manarina

Donald J. Manarina, 55, of Las Vegas died Sunday in Las Vegas. He was born Jan. 25, 1948, in Niagara Falls, N.Y. A resident for 28 years, he was a graphic designer at Color Graphics of Las Vegas, a graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and was involved in producing various events honoring vintage Las Vegas entertainers.

He is survived by one daughter, Kimberlie Manarina of Watertown, N.Y.; his mother, Lena Manarina, and one sister, June Knight, both of Niagara Falls; three brothers, Michael Manarina of Dana Beach, Fla., William Manarina of Northville, Mich., and Anthony Manarina of Niagara Falls; and his companion, Teri Ellsworth of Las Vegas.

Visitation is scheduled 2-7 p.m. today in Palm Mortuary, 1600 S. Jones Blvd. Services will be 11 a.m. Friday in Palm Chapel, Jones.

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

Walter Matkowsky

Walter Matkowsky, 75, of Las Vegas died Wednesday in Las Vegas. He was born July 27, 1927, in Kiev, Ukraine. A resident for six years, he was a retired tool and die maker in the steel industry for 50 years.

He is survived by his wife, Irmgard; one daughter, Anna Monchunski, and his companion, Helen Bzenko, both of Las Vegas; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Nevada Funeral Service-Nevada Cremation or Burial Society, 2983 Fremont St., is handling private arrangements.

Ray J. Moore

Ray J. Moore, 63, of Las Vegas died Monday in Las Vegas. He was born Dec. 4, 1939, in Calhoun, Ga. A resident for 46 years, he was a vending supervisor for the Teamsters Union and an Air Force veteran.

He is survived by his wife, Penny; two daughters, Rhonda Bender of Knoxville, Tenn., and Pam Moore of Las Vegas; one son, Dennis Moore of Las Vegas; and two grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled 10 a.m. until noon services Friday in the LDS chapel, 6100 Alta Drive at Jones Boulevard. Graveside services will follow at 1:30 p.m. Friday in Memory Gardens, 7251 W. Lone Mountain Road. Palm Mortuary, 1600 S. Jones Blvd., is handling arrangements.

Sigmund 'Sig' Niemand

Sigmund "Sig" Niemand, 60, of Las Vegas died Saturday in a local hospital. He was born Dec. 27, 1942, in Germany. A resident for 26 years, he was a retail salesman.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy; one son, Kirk; three daughters, Lisa Hoff, Amy Braxton and Kelly Niemand; one brother, Winfried of Louisiana; one sister, Gigi of Las Vegas; and six grandchildren.

A memorial service will be 9 a.m. Friday in Our Lady of Las Vegas Catholic Church, 3050 Alta Drive. A gathering will follow in the church hall. Desert Memorial Cremation and Burial Society, 1111 Las Vegas Blvd. North, is handling arrangements.

William Edward Pitkin

William Edward Pitkin, 70, of Henderson died Tuesday in Henderson. He was born June 13, 1932, in Cleveland. A resident for 40 years, he was a welder, an Air Force veteran and a member of Teamsters Local 631.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Mavis; four sons, John Pitkin, William Pitkin Jr., Eric Pitkin and Scott Pitkin, and one daughter, Laura Banks, all of Henderson; 14 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled one hour prior to a 10 a.m. service Saturday in the LDS Ocean Street chapel. Graveside services will follow at 1 p.m. Saturday in Memory Gardens, 7251 W. Lone Mountain Road. Bunkers Mortuary, 925 Las Vegas Blvd. North, is handling arrangements.

Frank Ramos Sr.

Frank Ramos Sr., 80, of Las Vegas died May 15 in a local hospice. He was born June 5, 1922, in Hawaii. A resident for one year, he was a retired civil service machinist.

He is survived by one daughter, Priscilla Vasconcellos of Las Vegas; one son, Frank Ramos Jr. of Ambler, Alaska; three sisters, Eleanor Rezentes and Vivian Martin, both of Honolulu; and Rose Ramos of California; one brother, Richard Ramos of Honolulu; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday in St. Bridget's Catholic Church, 220 N. 14 St. Palm Mortuary, 1325 N. Main St., is handling arrangements.

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

Robert J. Roberts

Robert J. Roberts, 62, of Henderson died Monday in a local hospital. He was born Sept. 28, 1940, in New Bedford, Mass. A resident for 40 years, he was a retired radio broadcaster and travel agent.

He is survived by his wife, Shelley; two sons, Kellen Roberts and Andrew Roberts, both of Las Vegas; one daughter, Heather Hackman of Minneapolis; one sister, Charlene Minear of Reno; and one grandchild.

A memorial service will be 3 p.m. Saturday in Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave.

Leonard Sicherman

Leonard Sicherman, 63, of Las Vegas died Monday in Las Vegas. He was born Jan. 18, 1940, in New York City. A resident for 15 years, he was a retired accountant for Eastern Airlines and a Vietnam War Air Force veteran.

He is survived by one brother, Howard Sicherman of West Hills, Calif.

Bunkers Mortuary, 925 Las Vegas Blvd. North, handled arrangements.

Thaddeus Simeral

Thaddeus Simeral, 31, of Henderson died Sunday in Las Vegas. He was born April 24, 1972, in San Jose, Calif. A resident for 10 years, he was a personal trainer.

He is survived by his parents, Timothy and Inge Simeral of Chico, Calif.; two brothers, Timo Simeral of Folsom, Calif., and Mark Burcham of Chico; and two sisters, Amie Burcham of Chico and Angie Prelip of Coarsegold, Calif.

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

Michael Sinatra

Michael Sinatra, 76, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in Las Vegas. He was born June 16, 1926, in Las Vegas. A resident for 30 years, he was a taxicab driver.

He is survived by one stepson, Glenn Rehmel, and one stepdaughter, Judy Soto, both of Las Vegas.

Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Saturday in Palm Valley View Memorial Park, 7600 S. Eastern Ave. Palm Mortuary, 1600 S. Jones Blvd., is handling arrangements.

Jeanette Mary Jane Smith

Jeanette Mary Jane Smith, 71, of Las Vegas died Saturday in a local hospital. She was born Oct. 20, 1931, in County Wexford, Ireland. A resident for 21 years, she was a retired clerical worker.

She is survived by four sons, James Beasley and Geoffrey Beasley, both of Las Vegas, Gary Beasley of St. Albans, England, and David Beasley of Milton-Keynes, England; two brothers, Jack Shuddell of Cornwall, England, and Frances Shuddell of Steeple-Clayton, England; 11 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled 5-6 p.m. Thursday with a 5:30 p.m. service in Davis Funeral Home, 2127 W. Charleston Blvd.

Theosia Taylor

Theosia Taylor, 90, of Las Vegas died Friday in Las Vegas. She was born June 16, 1912, in Camden, Ark. A resident for four years, she was a real estate agent and a member of Blessings House of Prayer.

She is survived by one daughter, Jean Smith of Las Vegas; three sons, James Smith of Las Vegas and Dwayne Hutton and Darryl Hutton, both of Chicago; and several grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled 4-7 p.m. Sunday in Memory Gardens, 7251 W. Lone Mountain Road. Services will be noon Monday in Greater St. James Baptist Church, 316 Madison Ave. Bunkers Mortuary, 925 Las Vegas Blvd. North, is handling arrangements.

Lucille Ella Thompson

Lucille Ella Thompson, 68, of Las Vegas died Monday in a local hospice. She was born Dec. 29, 1934, in Montreal. A resident for 29 years, she was a PBX operator.

She is survived by her husband, Danny; two daughters, Nancy and Sharon; one brother, Stanley of Toronto; and three grandchildren.

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

Beau West

Beau West, 21, of Henderson died Monday in Las Vegas. He was born May 18, 1982, in Las Vegas. A former Pahrump resident and most recently a Henderson resident, he attended Pahrump Valley High School.

He is survived by his mother, Janis Tankersley of Pahrump; his father, Frederick West of Louisiana; two sisters, Kristine Viti of Henderson and Kim Huckins of Elko; his two grandmothers, Virgina West of Louisiana and Lou Ahner of Maryland; and his longtime girlfriend, Rachel Reynolds.

A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday in the LDS chapel in Pahrump. Burial will be in Palm Valley View Memorial Park, 7600 S. Eastern Ave. Pahrump Family Mortuary, 5441 S. Vicki Ann Road, is handling arrangements.

The family suggests donations to Fire Fighters of Southern Nevada Burn Fund, 3585 S. Highland Drive, Suite 56, Las Vegas, NV 89103.

Ada Etta Wolff

Ada Etta Wolff, 106, of Henderson died Wednesday in Henderson. She was born April 26, 1897, in England. A resident for six years, she was a homemaker.

She is survived by one daughter, Florence M.Bunch of Henderson; one sister, Dorothy Smith of Memphis, Tenn.; two grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held in Memphis. Neptune Society of Nevada, 8570 Del Webb Blvd., is handling arrangements.

Adele Young

Adele Young, 55, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in a local hospice. She was born May 17, 1948, in San Francisco. A resident for 33 years, she was a restaurant bookkeeper.

She is survived by her mother, Frances L. Headley of Sunnyvale, Calif.

Visitation is scheduled 5-7 p.m. Friday in Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave. Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday in Palm Chapel, Eastern.

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

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