Williams News Logo
Grand Canyon News Logo

Trusted local news leader for Williams AZ and the Grand Canyon

Obituaries

Robert Dean Benedict Sr.

Robert Dean "Bob" Benedict Sr., 82, of Ash Fork, died June 12, 2007 at the Infiniti Nursing Home in Flagstaff following a brief stay at Flagstaff Medical Center.

Bob was born on Jan. 5, 1925 near Springerville, Ill.

In his lifetime, Bob owned a Standard Oil Station in Chicago for 25 years, worked as a ranch hand in Montana for six years and worked in construction site security in the Phoenix area for about 13 years, before retiring to northern Arizona. Bob and Barbara purchased property in Juniper Wood in 1999 and moved to the area from Phoenix in 2003.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara, of Juniper Wood Ranch

Bob has been cremated and his ashes will be scattered on his 40 acres in Juniper Wood at a future date. There will be no services. Anyone who wishes to pay tribute to Bob may make a donation in his name to any Ash Fork area charity.

Connie

Estelle Coffey

Connie Estelle Coffey of Williams, passed away Monday, June 11, 2007 after battling a lengthy illness.

Born Connie Estelle Hughes on Aug. 21,1937 in Henryetta, Okla. Connie was the second oldest of seven children. The family moved to southern California in 1940. She graduated from Redlands Senior High School.

On Dec. 24, 1955, she was united in marriage to James R. Coffey in Yuma. After raising their children in Redlands, Calif. for many years, they moved to Williams to be closer to their children and their families. Jim and Connie renewed their wedding vows on Dec 24, 2005 on their 50th wedding anniversary.

Connie was a homemaker who enjoyed singing, sewing, cooking, and participating in local parades with her husband and grandchildren. She could often be seen riding "shotgun" in their 1931 Model A Ford. Most of all she enjoyed watching her grandchildren, who lovingly referred to her as "Nanny," play and simply spending time with her.

She is survived by her husband James R. Coffey; their children James Coffey Jr. and Kimberly Coffey; six grandchildren, Crystal (Coffey) Booth, Justin Coffey, Freya Sagvold, Jason Coffey, Hunter Sagvold and Kelby Sagvold; one great-grandchild, Rebecca Coffey; sisters Trula Obney and Jane Kay Azvedo; and several nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by brothers Kenneth Hughes and Ronald Hughes; sisters Lahoma (Hughes) Henke and Beverly Jean Hughes; and parents Earl and Lydia Alvada Hughes (Smith).

A private graveside memorial service will be held at a later date.

Jerry

Donald Jayne

Jerry Donald Jayne, 75, of Parks, died on Saturday, June 16, 2007.

Jerry was born on Jan. ll,1932 in Kansas City, Miss. After retiring early from Pacific Bell with 33 years of service he and Helen moved to Parks, from Danville, Calif.

Jerry was active in starting up what was Parks/Belmont Fire District and served on the board of directors for a number of years. He was a member of the Williams-Grand Canyon Masons, where he was Past Master and for a number of years secretary/treasurer. Jerry was in the process of restoring an old fire truck he had purchased, so that it could be used by the Masons for parades in Williams. He was also a past member of the Flagstaff Tractor Club, and he was a veteran of the US Navy.

Jerry had so many interests and projects, restoring the first fire trucks for the fire district, restoring his then 50 year old tractor, building a garage bigger than the house, and doing some work with his daughter Linda on the Jayne family genealogy.

He made time for many trips with Helen all over the United States, in and out of Canada and Mexico in their fifth wheel. A cruise took them to Alaska.

Mr. Jayne is survived by his wife Helen with whom he would have celebrated 22 years of marriage on June 23; his daughter Linda Winters of Mariposa, Calif.; son Richard Jayne of Cottonwood, Calif.; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; his stepdaughter Peggy Krausher (Wil) of Virginia Beach, Va.; stepsons, Bruce Moseley of Sacramento, Calif. and Glenn Moseley (Cindie) of Roseville, Calif.; seven step-grandsons; one step-granddaughter; his sister Betty Diefenderfer (Fred) of Williams and Pat Coito, of Upland, Calif.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his first wife Ruth Christy Jayne; twin boys William and Robert Jayne, who passed away at the age of 14 months; and his father, mother and son-in-law Michael Winters.

A visitation was held Tuesday evening June 19, 2007 from 6-8 p.m. at Norvel Owens Mortuary, 914 E. Route 66 in Flagstaff. Funeral service will also be held at the Norvel Owens Mortuary at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 20, 2007. Interment will follow at 1 p.m. at the Williams Cemetery. Following the interment relatives and friends are welcome to join the family at the Masons Hall in Williams for exchange of memories and to have refreshments.

Condolences can be sent to the family at www.norvelowensmortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Norvel Owens Mortuary.

Mildred

M. Kelly

Mildred M. Kelly, 87, of Paulden, formerly of Dedham, Mass., passed away on June 12, 2007, in Prescott. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter T. Kelly.

She was born Feb. 2, 1920, in Boston, Mass., to Harold and Zorah Carpenter. 

Mildred never met a stranger, had a great sense of humor and loved animals. She enjoyed cooking, reading, crossword puzzles, listening to opera, playing cards, bird watching and visiting with friends and family. Mildred was a current member of both the American Legion Auxiliary and Ladies Auxiliary VFW in Dedham, Mass. 

Mildred is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Sonny Hughes of Paulden; her adopted family including Laura Hughes-Stiverson, Brittni Hughes and Killian Stiverson of Prescott Valley; Stephanie Hughes and children Chastity and Mark of Mesa; all the Pettit families, Stilwell/Schulte family, Faultner family of Williams; and Jo Lawlor, Peter Morales family and Tony Morales family of Phoenix. 

Graveside services will be held Saturday, June 23, 2007, at 1 p.m. at the Williams Cemetery in Williams. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to your local Humane Society.

Raymond

Jesus Lugo

Raymond Jesus Lugo, 70, passed peacefully in his sleep June 16, 2007 in Tucson. He is now resting with our Lord Jesus and all the angels of Heaven.

Raymond was born Sept. 27,1936 in Flagstaff to Ernesto and Celia Lugo (deceased). He was the oldest of 11 children. He joined the Navy after graduating from Williams High School in Williams. He served four years with the military.

He married Eva Ornelas on June 15, 1963 and moved to Tucson shortly after. Raymond was highly involved with Old Pueblo Little League where he umpired for over 15 years. He was a loving father, grandfather, and Boy Scout troop leader.

After many years of battling rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes he never lost his positive attitude and famous sense of humor.

Sincere gratitude to all of the doctors and nurses at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System in Tucson for their loving care throughout the years and especially during his last days.

Ray is survived by his loving wife, Eva Lugo; sons Marty Lugo, and Robert Lugo (Lorena); daughter Marianna Molina (Richard); three grandchildren, Ciara, Hailey, and Samuel Lugo; five brothers; and three sisters.

If you would like to make a donation in Raymond's name in lieu of flowers please make your donations to the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System by calling (800) 470-8262.

A Rosary will be held at Hudgel's Swan Funeral Home, 1335 S. Swan Rd., Tucson (520)747-2525, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 20, 2007.

A funeral Mass celebrating Raymond's life will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 21, 2007 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. (Broadway and Craycroft-Tucson).


Donate Report a Typo Contact