Arnold R. Cronquist
Arnold R. Cronquist
Arnold R. Cronquist “Arnie,” 95, went to be with the Lord on Oct. 22, 2023. He was born in Rockford, Ill., in 1928 to parents Clara and Oscar Cronquist. He graduated from East Rockford High School and then attended Illinois College in Jacksonville, Ill. This is where he met his wife, Arline Ball. They were married in Chicago in 1950 and were blessed with three children, Craig, Nancy and Alison.
Arnold worked for Armour Foods and moved many times to positions in different states where plants were located. The biggest move was to Arizona in 1971. The entire executive office was moved at that time. In 1985 we moved to Omaha, Neb., because Armour was now a part of ConAgra. Arnold worked until late 1986 when he retired as a Vice President after 37 years of service.
After retiring Arnie and Arline moved to a new home in Scottsdale and found that we needed more activities for seniors, so we made another move. We moved to PebbleCreek in 1997 and we enjoyed many activities such as playing bridge, golf, and bocce ball. Arnold volunteered at the local food bank for 11 years and enjoyed working with the other volunteers and meeting the people who came in for help. Arnold also volunteered at the Litchfield Park Elementary School. He helped students who were having problems reading. That was a pleasure for him. Arnold and Arline also enjoyed many cruises. It was so nice to unpack once for a week or more of pleasure and good food. We enjoyed our wonderful neighbors and the monthly parties we attended. And as members of The Church at Litchfield Park we partake in the goodness and joy of God’s world.
When Arnold passed in 2023 he accomplished his goal, he was retired for 37 years. That matched the 37 years he worked. SUCCESS.
Arnold is survived by his wife of 73 years, Arline; son, Craig (Emily) Cronquist; daughters, Nancy (Gordon) Gartner and Alison (John) Perry; 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandchild. A private memorial service was held. He is dearly missed.
Paul S. Daly
Paul S. Daly
Paul S. Daly of Goodyear, Ariz., passed away Jan. 10, 2024, two days after celebrating his 90th birthday and his and Ellie’s 14th wedding anniversary.
He was born Jan. 8, 1934, to Matthew and Alice Daly of Belmont, Mass. He was preceded in death by his first wife Maureen of 51 years and youngest daughter Maureen, and siblings Matthew, Richard, Margaret, and Peter.
Paul is survived by his wife Elinor; his sister Elizabeth; his four children Judy, Paul Jr., Susan, and John; and his stepchildren Randy and Diana. Paul also leaves behind 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
In 1953, after completing two years of study at Northwestern University, he entered the Navy as a Naval Aviation Cadet and embarked on a 26-year career as a Naval Aviator. He amassed over 3,000 flight hours and 500 carrier landings. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Engineering Science from the Naval Postgraduate School and a MBA from the University of West Florida.
During his 26-year career, Captain Daly served in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets and flew from six different aircraft carriers, and served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He was Air Officer aboard USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) during her final cruise and decommission and Executive Officer aboard USS Okinawa (LPH-3) during the evacuations of Cambodia and Saigon.
Captain Daly’s shore tours were devoted primarily to aviation education and training with two assignments to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif., a two-year tour as an instructor in the advanced training command, and a most rewarding assignment as the Commanding Officer, Training Squadron Three, NAS Whiting Field.
In Captain Daly’s final tour at the Pentagon on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations he was responsible for the development and procurement of Naval Aviation training programs and equipment. He initiated the development of what eventually became the T-45 Goshawk and was instrumental in the introduction of full-flight simulators into Naval Aviation training programs.
Upon his retirement in 1979, Captain Daly joined Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla., as the Dean of the College of Aviation Technology. In 1981 Captain Daly became Chancellor of ERAU’s western campus in Prescott, Ariz., a position he held until his retirement in 1995. Captain Daly was later elected to two terms as the Mayor of the City of Prescott.
Paul served the citizens of Arizona in a number of volunteer efforts. He was President of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Arizona; Chairman of the Arizona Affiliate of the American Heart Association; Chairman of the South Mountain High School Aviation Program Advisory Board, and a member of the Governor’s Regional Airport Advisory Board.
In June of 2013, Paul and Ellie sold their homes in Prescott and Scottsdale and moved to Robson’s PebbleCreek Resort in Goodyear and have never looked back.
Paul was a lover of dogs with his Yorkshire Terrier, Maggie, stealing his heart. He was an avid golfer and snow skier, and he loved the games of bocce, poker, and Monday and Wednesday bridge. He was a member of the PebbleCreek Republican Club, Irish American Club, Wine Club, and Shalom Club. He and his wife Ellie traveled extensively, with Cancun being his favorite destination.
He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and all who came to know him. He was truly a special man.
Memorials may be made to the PebbleCreek Pet Companions Club in care of James Ellison.
A celebration of Paul’s life will be held March 3 at 3 p.m. in the Chianti Room of the Tuscany Falls Clubhouse.
Clinton C. Martell
Clinton C. Martell
Clinton C. Martell, age 76, of Goodyear, Ariz., and Clearwater, Minn., passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 13, 2024. Born in Wishek, N.D., to Paul and Marie (Reich) Martell, Clint spent his youth in this small German community until joining the National Guard in 1966. Here he served in the Military Police and as a radio operator until he was honorably discharged in 1971. Upon the recent discovery of his military documents, we learned he was commended as a sharpshooter, a detail he never revealed to us. This is characteristic of Clint; humble and not one to boast about his accomplishments.
In 1968, Clint married Diana Hoffman, the love of his life. The timing of Clint’s passing indicates he was eager to be reunited with his dear Valentine. Clint and Diana spent the majority of their lives in Mounds View, Minn. Clint worked for most of his career as the Body Shop Manager at Barnett Chrysler. Fishing, restoring cars, attending his children’s events, and tinkering were a few of his favorite activities.
In retirement, Clint continued to tinker at their home in Goodyear. Here he also enjoyed golfing and gardening. He and Diana loved to travel, and spent time in each of the 50 states as well as Europe. They were avid fans of their grandchildren, traveling whenever possible to their sporting events. Following Diana’s passing, Clint became quite an accomplished chef, trying new recipes and recreating hers.
A man of strong faith, incredible integrity, and admirable work ethic, Clint had a kind, gentle heart and was loved by all. He took immense interest in everyone he encountered, made genuine connections with friends and strangers alike, and was eager to engage in conversation with one and all, whether they had time for it or not.
Clint is survived by his children, Brad and Heather (Alan) Woldt; grandchildren, Paige (Jack) Leach and Tommy; sisters, Idella (Garland) Dockter, Paulette (Darrell) Bittner, and Debbie (Fred) Schauer; brother and sister-in-law, Ron and Sandy Hoffman. He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved Diana, and his big brother Vern.
A memorial service at Trinity Lutheran Church in Litchfield Park, Ariz., will be held on March 15, 2024, at 11 a.m. with lunch to follow. Memorials in lieu of flowers preferred to his church, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, or a charity of choice.
Joan Vera Smith
Joan Vera Smith
Joan Vera Smith, 88, of Goodyear, Ariz., passed away on Feb. 1, 2024. She was born on Dec. 7, 1935 in Tekamah, Neb. Joan was a very kind person with a huge heart for all animals. Joan is predeceased by her parents Henry and Vera Hall.
She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Ronald L. Smith; her children Marlin C. Smith and his wife Rosanne Smith, Arlin D. Smith and his wife Mary A. Smith, and Rhonda M. Calvert and her husband Jono Calvert; and grandchildren Shawn Smith and Aaron Smith.
Joan graduated high school in Arlington, Neb., in 1954. She married Ron in 1961 and they moved to Goodyear in 1964. She was a homemaker for many years, and a bank teller for Bank of America until her retirement. They moved to the PebbleCreek Resort Community in 1993. She was very active in church, and loved to usher at The Church at Litchfield Park. She enjoyed many activities, including square dancing and calling, leading a clogging group, singing in groups, and performing in theater shows for many years.
A memorial service to honor Joan will be held at The Church at Litchfield Park on Saturday, March 9 at 11 a.m., 300 North Old Litchfield Road, Litchfield Park, AZ 85340.