Karl Bergstrom
Karl G. Bergstrom, of Goodyear, died on Aug. 5. He was born on March 23, 1934, in Boise, ID. Karl served in the U.S. Navy from 1952 to 1954 on submarines and continued to serve in the U.S. Naval Reserve until 1985, achieving the rank of chief petty officer.
Tall, confident, and courageous, Karl was quite a presence. He worked for 23 years as a detective in the Seattle police department and in the King County sheriff’s office for an additional 11 years. He met his wife Susan in 1985.
Karl loved the ocean, boating and sailing. After retiring from the Navy, Karl took a job as the first American security officer hired by Holland America Cruise Lines. Though he traveled to exotic ports of call, he was a patriotic guy and most enjoyed coming home to the United States.
Karl loved to read while sitting on the deck in the sun and the fresh ocean air. He was an avid reader who enjoyed playing cards, working out, and playing a good game of golf.
Karl is survived by his wife, Susan Bergstrom; daughter, Lisa Bergstrom; sons, Michael Bergstrom and Timothy Bergstrom; brothers, Paul Bergstrom, John (Karen) Bergstrom; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, all of Washington state; brothers and sisters-in-law, Tom and Sheila Snyder, of Goodyear; Tim and Danette Rector, Tom and Jeanine Moore, Burt and Peggy Geiger, all of Montana; and numerous nieces and nephews. Condolences for the family may be left at www.ThompsonFuneralChapel.com.
Charles Coe
Charles Leland Coe, age 85, of Goodyear, AZ died August 1, 2019, in Goodyear. He was born December 7, 1933 in Mandan, ND to Harold and Lydia Dorr Coe. He worked for 37 years in aviation operations management, beginning his career at the bottom and climbing through the ranks until he reached top management. Because of acquisitions, he worked for many different airlines: Empire Airline, West Coast Airlines, Air West, Republic Airlines, and North West Air.
Charles served in the U.S. Army and liked to share stories about boot camp, hikes, and the adventures he had while on leave. Personable and outgoing, he would talk with everyone he met. He was active in the Elks, Moose International, and the American Legion. He had many friends and retained his friendships throughout his life.
Charles was a natural planner, especially when it came to his family. The family frequently moved to accommodate his job until his children began high school, then he made sure that they had the stability of one school. Family activities were also planned to perfection. He meticulously researched before purchasing, the best travel trailers and ski boats, then planned the family activities and trips with precision. He provided his family with numerous travel experiences, especially along the northwest coastline.
Charles loved to watch old western movies and read western books. John Wayne movies were his favorite. His favorite author was Louis L’Amour and he also enjoyed Zane Gray. Coin collecting was a life-time hobby. He began as a child and fondly recalled Sunday afternoons eating popcorn and sorting pennies. He shared his collections with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Charles always greeted each family member with a smile and a great big hug. He is survived by his wife, Beverly Coe; daughter, Linda Coe Baker; son, Monty Coe; brother, Kenneth Coe; three grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother, Raymond Coe, and sister, Frances Hall.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. The family suggests that donations be made to PebbleCreek Kare Bears in Goodyear, AZ, https://karebears.org/donate-to-kb or Banner Health Hospice Care in Sun City, AZ, https://www.bannerhealthfoundation.org/areas-to-support/hospice-care. Condolences for the family may be left at www.ThompsonFuneralChapel.com.
Mary Gimon
Mary Celine Boyle Gimon, age 84 of Goodyear, AZ, died July 30, 2019, in Goodyear. She was born November 7, 1934, in Maas, Glenties, Co, Donegal, Ireland to Neil and Ethna (Sweeney) Boyle. Mary trained as a nurse and a nurse midwife in London, England and worked in the dock area of London. She moved to the U.S. and lived in Cincinnati, OH and then in San Francisco, CA. In July, 1961 she moved to Alaska where she was hired by the Alaska Native Health Services in Bethel, AK. She married her husband, John in Bethel, AK on March 3, 1962. She also lived in Anchorage, AK; Bethesda and Rockwell, MD; Pittsburgh, PA; Cherry Hill, NJ; and twice in Phoenix, AZ (1966-1971 and 1990-2019).
Mary is survived by her husband, John Gimon; children, Neil, Sally, and John Liam; and grandchildren, Gregory (Savannah), Samantha, Aidan, Kaela, Fiona, John (Jack), and Ella.
A visitation with a rosary was held at Thompson Funeral Chapel on August 4. A mass was held on August 8, 2019 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Burial is at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. Condolences for the family may be left at www.ThompsonFuneralChapel.com.
Walter Guina
Walter William Guina, age 76, of Goodyear, AZ passed away peacefully on July 2, 2019, after a valiant ten-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Born on March 8, 1943, in Pittsburgh, PA to Michael and Eleanor Guina, Walter (aka Bill) served in the U.S. Air Force from 1961 to 1965, including two years on Guam. From 1967 to 1981, Walter worked as an Air Traffic Controller in Napa, San Francisco, and Oakland, CA. In 1983 Walter started working in the tree business in the East Bay. He became a certified arborist and Master Gardner. He ran a Bartlett Tree Experts business in the Santa Barbara area maintaining a number of estates of the rich and famous from 1990 until 2005 when he retired.
Everyone who knew him loved him. He enjoyed all aspects of landscaping and also loved fishing, traveling, spending time with family and friends, and, of course, acting like a pirate on occasion. His presence, laughter, and zest for life will be greatly missed by all. Walter is preceded in death by his parents, older brother Thomas and wife of 37 years, Kathleen. He is survived by Jeri Link, devoted partner of 13 years (sons Brian Link, Steve (Nicole) Link and grandchildren Alyssa and Collin), daughters Elizabeth (John) Chionchio and Christine Solt (grandchildren Jessica and Jacob Prows), son Michael Lawton.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. in the Chianti Room at Tuscany Falls Country Club PebbleCreek Resort, Goodyear, AZ on September 15, 2019. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St, Phoenix, AZ 85014, as they provided incredible services to Walter at the end of his battle.
Adele Stewart
Adele Frances Stewart, age 103, of Litchfield Park, AZ died July 16, 2019, in Litchfield Park, AZ. She was born in 1915 in Cleveland, OH to William and Adele Wasel. Adele grew up in Euclid, OH and graduated from Shore High School. After graduation, she began to date a young man named Claude Stewart who was also from Euclid. Claude was a U.S. Army officer, and when they married, Adele began her life as an Army wife. Together, they raised a son and a daughter, frequently moving to wherever Claude was stationed. Adele was a great cook and a charming hostess. She understood the important role that she played as a military wife, and she and Claude were a good team. When Claude’s health began to rapidly decline, Adele became his caregiver. He was the love of her life and together they enjoyed 57 years. After he passed away, Adele moved to PebbleCreek where she resumed playing golf and continued to enjoy her life.
Adele loved to sew. She was an avid golfer and enjoyed crossword puzzles. She enjoyed being active and lived her life with courage and joyfulness, in spite of difficult times in her life. Though her son Larry, a police officer in Honolulu, HI was killed in the line of duty, and despite the death of her husband, Adele found a way to continue to live life to its fullest. She is survived by her daughter, Beverly Stewart. She was preceded in death by her husband, Claude Stewart and her son, Larry Stewart.
A rosary and mass were held on Wednesday, July 31, 2019, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Burial will be at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. Condolences for the family may be left at www.ThompsonFuneralChapel.com.
Anthony Suriano
Anthony M. Suriano, age 82, passed away on July 26, 2019, leaving behind his wife of 59 years, Dr. Joan Kurtz Suriano, son Michael Suriano and wife Lori, son Anthony and wife Amanda, and daughter Dr. Catherine Suriano and husband Mike Barnes. He is also survived by four beloved grandchildren, Caitlin and Jessica Suriano, and Cooper and Mason Barnes.
Anthony was born in the Bronx, NY, received his B.A. from NYU Washington Square College of Arts and Science, and his M.A. in Secondary Education from NYU School of Education. He taught seventh and eighth grade General Science in Mahopac, NY before achieving his certification in counseling. He was a H.S. Guidance Counselor in Phoenix and Mesa for many years before retiring in 1999. He moved to Arizona in 1980 and to PebbleCreek from Scottsdale in 1996. He was an office volunteer for Kare Bears for many years, a member of the PC Italian-American Club, and an associate member of SVDP of St. Thomas Aquinas Church. He will always be remembered for his devotion to his family and his love of photography.
Funeral arrangements were by the Heritage Chapel in Peoria and a funeral mass was held on August 6 at St. Thomas Aquinas Church. Burial is in the Holy Cross cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations either to the American Diabetes Association, the SVDP society of St. Thomas Aquinas Church (13720 W. Thomas Rd., Avondale AZ 85323), or Kare Bears (15383 Cheery Lynn Rd., Goodyear, AZ 85395).