Obituaries for Feb. 13, 2004

Friday, Feb. 13, 2004 | 9:09 a.m.

Mercy Austin

Mercy Austin, 81, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in Las Vegas. She was born March 7, 1922, in Seboyela, N.M. A resident for 32 years, she was a retired printer.

She is survived by her husband, Edward; three daughters, Lena Houser, Martha Tuttle and Priscilla Esprinza, all of Albuquerque; two sons, Lawrence Pitts of California and Steve Austin of Albuquerque; two brothers, Eddie Gonzales of Gallup, N.M., and Joe Gonzales of Winslow, Ariz.; and 17 grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled 10 a.m. until a 2 p.m. service Saturday at Affordable Cremation and Burial Service, 2457 N. Decatur Blvd.

Donald J. Bell

Donald J. Bell, 71, of Las Vegas died Saturday in a local hospital. He was born Jan. 12, 1933, in Chicago. A resident for 25 years, he was an attorney.

He is survived by his companion, Rosemary Swartz of Las Vegas; four sisters, Nancy Jakovac and Mary Judith Daley, both of Las Vegas, Susanne Willard of Louisville, Ky., and Antoinette Marie Graham of Littleton, Colo.

A memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 1811 Pueblo Vista Drive. Graveside services will be 12:40 p.m. Thursday in Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Boulder City. Affordable Cremation and Burial Service, 2457 N. Decatur Blvd., is handling arrangements.

Ray G. Branch

Ray G. Branch, 66, of Henderson died Thursday in Henderson. He was born July 29, 1937, in Greenwood, Ark. A resident for seven years, he was a painter.

He is survived by his wife, Yvonne; two sons, Mike Perrino and J.J. Branch, both of Las Vegas; and four grandchildren.

Services will be 2-3 p.m. Saturday in American Burial and Cremation Services, 310 Foremaster Lane. Burial will follow in Paradise Memorial Gardens, 6200 S. Eastern Ave.

Tom Cannuli

Tom Cannuli, 74, of Las Vegas died Dec. 4 in Las Vegas. He was born June 21, 1929, in New York. A resident for seven months, he was a government engineer and a World War II Army Air Corps veteran.

He is survived by his wife, Marian G.; one son, Frank Cannuli of California; one daughter, Debora Lewis of Colorado; one brother, Jim Cannuli of California; one sister, Margret Napalatano of Florida; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Visitation and services were private. American Burial and Cremation Services, 310 Foremaster Lane, handled arrangements.

Thomas Carraway Jr.

Thomas Carraway Jr., 73, of Las Vegas died Thursday in a local hospital. He was born Aug. 22, 1930, in Norfolk, Va. A resident for 28 years, he was a retired Air Force master sergeant, Korean War and Vietnam War veteran and a member of the Zelzah Shrine.

He is survived by his wife, Kay; one daughter, Nora Carraway of Boulder City; two sons, Thomas Carraway III of Peoria, Ariz., and David Carraway of North Las Vegas; and three grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled 4-7 p.m. Tuesday in Palm Mortuary, 7400 W. Cheyenne Ave. Graveside services will be 1:20 p.m. Wednesday in Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Boulder City.

The family suggests donations to Nellis Air Force Base Chapel, Nellis Air Force Base, NV 89191.

Colleen A. Crissman

Colleen A. Crissman, 76, of North Las Vegas died Monday in a local hospice. A homemaker, she was born April 17, 1927, in Los Angeles.

She is survived by two daughters, Christina Blaney of Las Vegas and Martha Crissman of North Las Vegas; two sons, Michael Crissman of Rigby, Idaho, and Robert Crissman of Adelanto, Calif.

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

Roman Joseph Enders

Roman Joseph Enders, 85, of Las Vegas died Thursday in Las Vegas. He was born Jan. 30, 1919, in Wisconsin. A resident for 26 years, he was a hotel bartender, a World War II Navy veteran and a member of the Bartenders Union.

He is survived by two daughters, Janel Powell of Las Vegas and Nancy Tripalin of Madison, Wis.; four sons, Tom Enders, Jim Enders, Patrick Enders and Robert Enders, and one brother, the Rev. Robert Enders, all of Madison; numerous grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled 9 a.m. Monday in Bunkers Mortuary, 925 Las Vegas Blvd. North. Services will be 11 a.m. Monday in Bunkers Chapel. Burial will follow in Eden Vale Memorial Park.

Tiffeny Annette Evans

Tiffeny Annette Evans, 37, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in a local hospital. She was born April 28, 1966, in Fresno, Calif. A resident for six years, she was an executive administrator of Mountain Top Faith Ministries.

She is survived by her husband, Ronald G.; one daughter, Charmaine Lynette Evans, one son, Timothy Jerome Evans, and her mother, Carol Scott, all of Las Vegas; her father, LaVan Scott of Fort Worth, Texas; two brothers, LaVan Scott Jr. of Los Angeles and Lawrence Scott of Las Vegas; and one sister, Carol of Fresno, Calif.

Visitation is scheduled 3-6 p.m. Sunday in Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave. Services will be 11 a.m. Monday in Mountaintop Faith Ministries, 2850 S. Lindell Road. Burial will follow in Palm Valley View Memorial Park.

The family suggests donations to the building fund at Mountaintop Faith Ministries, 2850 S. Lindell Road, Las Vegas, NV 89146.

Harold Frederick Gamache

Harold Frederick Gamache, 87, of Las Vegas died Jan. 22 in a local hospice. He was born April 19, 1916, in Michigan. A resident for 12 years, he was a supervisor for General Motors, a Marine Corps veteran, past master of the Masons and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He is survived by his wife, Sophie; two sons, Dennis Gamache and Gary Gamache; one daughter, Michele Fowler; two brothers, Howard Gamache and Raymond Gamache; one sister, Mary Jane Marsh; and three grandchildren.

Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Feb. 20 in Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Boulder City. Desert Memorial Cremation and Burial Society, 1111 Las Vegas Blvd. North, is handling arrangements.

Catherine Gerleman

Catherine Gerleman, 67, of Las Vegas died Wednesday in a group care home. She was born Feb. 5, 1937, in Las Vegas. A lifelong resident, she was a retired casino cashier.

She is survived by one son, Jeffrey Reamer of Dennison, Texas; two daughters, Diana Lombardi and Rosemary Lera, one sister, Evelyn Thamer, and one brother, Jerry Tenesch, all of Las Vegas; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday in Palm Mortuary, 7400 W. Cheyenne Ave. Graveside services will be 1:30 p.m. Monday in Memory Gardens, 7251 W. Lone Mountain Road.

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

John Richard Holcombe

John Richard Holcombe, 54, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in Las Vegas. A salesman and office manager, he was born April 13, 1949, in Meadeville, Pa.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; and his parents, Clair and Frances Harmon.

Visitation was scheduled 1 p.m. today, Saturday and Sunday in Our Lady of Wisdom Byzantine Catholic Church, 2120 Lindell Road. Services will be 11 a.m. Monday in Our Lady of Wisdom. Burial will follow in Paradise Memorial Gardens, 6200 S. Eastern Ave. Davis Funeral Home, 2127 W. Charleston Blvd., is handling arrangements.

The family suggests donations to Our Lady of Wisdom Byzantine Catholic Church, 2120 Lindell Road, Las Vegas, NV 89146; Make A Wish Foundation, 3111 S. Valley View Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89102, or St. Jude Research Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Marguerette Wade Johnson

Marguerette Wade Johnson, 69, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in Las Vegas. A registered nurse, she was born May 13, 1934, in Massachusetts.

She is survived by her husband, Paul Edward Johnson of Gilman, Ill.

No local services are scheduled. Burial will be in Danville, Ill. Hites Funeral Services, 438 W. Sunset Road, Henderson, is handling arrangements.

Dessie I. Katz

Dessie I. Katz, 99, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in a local care center. She was born Nov. 23, 1904, in Mississippi. A resident for 47 years, she was a retired childrens' clothing saleswoman.

She is survived by one daughter, Babette Naef of Las Vegas; one son, Henry Katz of Visalia, Calif.; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled 1-2 p.m. Monday in Palm Mortuary, 1325 N. Main St. Graveside services will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery.

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

Leon Edward Messerli

Leon Edward Messerli, 93, of Las Vegas died Wednesday in Las Vegas. He was born Aug. 2, 1910, in Kansas. A resident for 24 years, he was an electronics engineer in the aerospace industry and a member of Electrical Local 16.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Ida; one daughter, Marlys Harmon of Las Vegas; seven grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Bunkers Mortuary, 925 Las Vegas Blvd. North, is handling private arrangements.

Vanessa Rita Muniz

Vanessa Rita Muniz, 25, of Las Vegas died Monday in Las Vegas. A resident for 12 years, she was born Dec. 8, 1978, in Downey, Calif.

She is survived by his parents, David and Sylvia; three sisters, Gina, Marisa and Nicole; and two brothers, Edward and Dave.

Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Tuesday in Holy Family Catholic Church, 4490 Mountain Vista St. Nevada Funeral Service-Nevada Cremation or Burial Society, 2983 Fremont St., is handling arrangements.

Kimberly Lynn Pearson

Kimberly Lynn Pearson, 32, of Las Vegas died Wednesday. She was born Oct. 28, 1971, in Tucson. A resident for 25 years, she was a food server at Fiesta Henderson, a 1989 Rancho High School graduate, attended West Hills, Northridge and Mento colleges and in October will be inducted into West Hills Hall of Fame for volleyball and softball.

She is survived by her life partner, Melissa Gallegos; her parents, Donald and Jeanette Pearson, one brother, Brian Pearson, one sister, Rhonda Waldon, and her grandmother, Nellie Bumgardner, all of Las Vegas.

A memorial service will be 1-3 p.m. Sunday in Hites Funeral Services, 438 W. Sunset Road, Henderson, is handling arrangements.

Dr. William Pearson

Dr. William Pearson, 84, of Las Vegas died Wednesday in Las Vegas. He was born Oct. 13, 1919, in Birmingham, Ala. A resident for 41 years, he was a retired dentist and a World War II Army veteran.

He was preceded in death by one brother, John Pearson.

He is survived by three brothers, J. Richmond Pearson, of Birmingham and Henry Louis Pearson of Brooklyn, N.Y.; and two sisters, Mamie Pearson Weeks and Marguerite Pearson Chambliss, both of Birmingham.

Visitation is scheduled 3-7 p.m. today in Palm Mortuary, 1325 N. Main St. Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday in Palm Chapel, Main. Burial will follow in Palm Memorial Park.

Ute H. Peters

Ute H. Peters, 69, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in a local hospital. She was born May 2, 1934, in Germany. A resident for 12 years, she was a retired casino cashier.

She is survived by one son, Terry Peters of St. Louis; one daughter, Christine Volle of St. Charles, Mo.; two sisters, Hildegard Langer of Leesburg, Fla., and Dietlende Graf of Germany; and five grandchildren.

Palm Mortuary, 1325 N. Main St., is handling arrangements.

George Joseph Rohrberg

George Joseph Rohrberg, 67, of North Las Vegas died Tuesday in Las Vegas. He was born March 31, 1936, in New York City. A resident for two years, he was a New York City police officer, a member of the Marine Corps League, Knights of Columbus, Sergeant Benevolent Association of New York City and Retired Detective Association of New York.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Helen; two sons, Christopher Rohrberg of Lake Elsinore, Calif., and George M. Rohrberg of Sun City, Calif.; one daughter, Geri Rohrberg of North Las Vegas; two brothers, Louis M. Rohrberg of Long Island, N.Y., and John Rohrberg of Riverdale, N.Y.; and two grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled 3-7 p.m. today in Bunkers Mortuary, 925 Las Vegas Blvd. North. Services will be noon Saturday in St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 4519 Simmons St., North Las Vegas.

Arthur D. Sartini

Arthur D. Sartini, 67, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in Las Vegas. He was born Dec. 5, 1936, in Stockton, Calif. A resident for 40 years, he was a retired executive director of the Housing Authority and an Army veteran.

He is survived by his wife, June; one daughter, Julie Sartini of Panaca; one son, Blake Sartini of Las Vegas; one sister, Diane Hackett of Thornton, Calif.; and three grandchildren.

A memorial service will be 1 p.m. Monday in Christ the King Catholic Church, 4925 S. Torrey Pines Drive. Palm Mortuary, 1325 N. Main St., is handling arrangements.

Thomas F. Schiesser

Thomas F. Schiesser, 77, of Las Vegas died Monday in a local health care center. He was born Sept. 29, 1926, in Crown Point, Ind. A resident for eight years, he was the owner of a tire company, a World War II Army veteran and a member of Catholic Order of Foresters.

He is survived by his wife, Maida; five sons, Thomas Schiesser Jr. of DeMotte, Ind., James Schiesser of Hobart, Ind., Mark Schiesser of Michigan City, Ind., and Steve Schiesser and Paul Schiesser, both of Oakland, Calif.; two daughters, Elaine Schiesser of Highland, Ind., and Joyce Pfiffer of Pittsburgh; two brothers, Al Schiesser and Kenny Schiesser, both of Crown Point; and three grandchildren.

A memorial service will be 11:20 a.m. Tuesday in Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Boulder City. Nevada Funeral Service-Nevada Cremation or Burial Society, 2983 Fremont St., is handling arrangements.

Michael Louis Spies

Michael Louis Spies, 46, of Las Vegas died Jan. 22 in Las Vegas. He was born April 21, 1957, in Willoughby, Ohio. A resident for 2 1/2 years, he was a refrigeration repairman and a Navy veteran.

He is survived by two daughters, Jennifer George and Michelle Spies, both of Las Vegas; two brothers, Mark Spies and Robert Spies, both of Ohio; and one grandson.

No local services are scheduled. Nevada Funeral Service-Nevada Cremation or Burial Society, 2983 Fremont St., is handling arrangements.