In Passing – January 2026

Betty Jane Chambers

Betty Jane Chambers, 94, of Goodyear, Ariz., passed away peacefully on Dec. 5, 2025.

She was born in Brooklyn Township, Ill., on May 12, 1931, to Wayne and Audrey (Cordell) Hillyer. Raised by her aunt and uncle, Beulah and Odie Ballard, in Plymouth, Ill., Betty grew up surrounded by family and community. On June 17, 1950, she married Donald Clarence Chambers in Quincy, Ill. Together they built a loving home, first in Illinois and later in Rapid City, S.D., where they moved in December 1963.

Betty and Don were blessed with six children, who were fondly referred to as “the older three and the younger three”: Barbara (Larry) Richbourg of Waukee, Iowa; Michael of Rapid City, S.D.; David (Becky) of Rapid City, S.D.; Jeffrey (Jan) of Rapid City, S.D. and Goodyear, Ariz.; Gayle of Goodyear, Ariz.; and Scott (Debie) of Goodyear, Ariz. They were further blessed with grandchildren and great-grandchildren who brought joy to their lives.

After her youngest children entered school, Betty began working at McKie–Johnson Ford in Rapid City, where she served as warranty administrator for many years. In 1988, she and Don relocated to Phoenix, Ariz., where they lived until Don’s passing in 2001.

Betty and Don shared a love of travel, enjoying cruises around the world, RV trips across the United States, and visits to Rocky Point, Mexico. In 2004, Betty moved with her daughter Gayle to the PebbleCreek community in Goodyear. There she embraced a vibrant social life and formed cherished friendships that became like family. Her dearest friends included Barb Dildine, Maryann Norcott, Kit Murray, Georgia Weinstein, and Barbie Heck. Betty loved playing cards and, in her 80s, courageously took up water volleyball despite her lifelong fear of water—an activity she came to adore and rarely missed.

Betty is survived by her children; grandchildren Christopher, Katelyn, Kelsie, Jacob, Jessica, Gabrielle, and Braeden; great-grandchildren Savannah, Jackson, Colton, Keaton, Harper, Vance, Sterling, and Everly; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Don, her granddaughter Jacquelyn (J.J.), her daughter-in-law Becky, and her siblings.

Kenneth Alan Schmitz

Ken Schmitz, who lived in Unit 6-179 of PebbleCreek, passed away peacefully on Nov. 22, 2025, surrounded by many of his family members after battling Parkinson’s disease for many years. He was born on Aug. 8, 1940, and grew up in Portland, Ore.

Ken and Sharon were married for 25 years and began their married life together in Seattle. They were a blended family raising their four kids by previous marriages. Wendy lives in Arizona; David lives in Mt. Hood, Oregon; Christopher lives in Minneapolis, Minn., and Daniel lives in Goodyear, Ariz. Their six fabulous grandchildren are: Joe, Kelly, Kyle, Ethan, Christopher, and Daniel. Ken’s sister, Brenda (and husband Ron) live in Roseburg, Ore. Ken’s parents and his brother, Charles, have predeceased Ken in death. 

Ken went to College at Oregon State and became a die-hard Beaver fan!  He received a BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1962. He went on to become a top-notch pilot serving in the Air Force for 6 years and left the military with the rank of Captain. After his service, he became a pilot for Northwest Airlines for 32 years living mainly in Minneapolis, Spokane, Hawaii, and Seattle. He flew 727s, 707s, DC10s, 757s, and 747s.  He had an illustrious career as a pilot continuing to travel all over the world, retiring as a NW Airlines 747 Captain.

After retiring from Northwest Airlines, Ken and Sharon moved to PebbleCreek and  became very much involved in PebbleCreek life. Both were avid golfers until health issues took over. They were very social and loved all their friends and neighbors, as well as connecting with old college buddies from Oregon State. Ken was one of the past presidents of the Men’s 18–Hole Golf Association many years ago. One of his favorite social groups here in PebbleCreek was a group called “The Sandbaggers,” a group of about 30 men who enjoy golf, coffee, beer, holidays, and enjoy getting together for any reason, or no reason, at all!

Ken will be interred at the National Memorial Cemetery in Cave Creek, Ariz.  A private family memorial and full military taps were held on Dec. 23, 2025. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that donations go to Kare Bears of PebbleCreek or to the Hospice of the Valley. A legacy of strength, adventure, and patriotism encompasses the life of Ken Schmitz!

Kare Bears extends our deepest sympathy to Sharon and her family.

Margaret Jane (Walter) Eyres

Peggy was born in Sheboygan, Wis., on Feb. 2, 1941, and passed away peacefully on Nov. 12, 2025, in Goodyear, Ariz. Her passing was as she lived; surrounded by devoted family and friends. Her three daughters, granddaughter, four grandsons, and her loving sister, Jackie (Tom) Walter-MacKenzie were with her to love and comfort her in her last days. Peg is also survived by four great-grandchildren and a nephew.

Peggy attended the University of Colorado in Boulder where she met her first husband, Donald Valentine. While at CU she became a lifelong CU Buffalo fan. Her daughters were born in Boulder. Upon her graduation they moved to Steamboat Springs when the ski area had but one lift and a tiny warming hut at the base of the mountain. Over the 30 years she spent in Steamboat, she was known as a gracious host and superb cook. Her house in Strawberry Park was always filled with kids, friends, dogs, and cats. She was a substitute teacher at the elementary school, a concierge at Torian Plum Condominium and volunteered at the hospital. Still, she felt she had enough time to open a much-needed restaurant at the base of the ski area, so “The Soup Kitchen”/branch post office came into being.

With her daughters out of college and starting their own families, a now-single Peggy returned to Boulder where she met and married the love of her life, Bob Eyres. When not at their beautiful home in the Foothills, they enjoyed traveling the world and collecting art. She loved gardening, penny slots, a good card game, and watching all sports. She also volunteered at Boulder Community Hospital. The couple spent their winters in Cocoa Beach, Fla. When Peg lost her husband of 32 years, she decided to move to PebbleCreek to be near her sister and escape the cold for good. Once again, the two sisters were together to live out their creed: “My sister is just like me, only better.”

She leaves behind a legacy of kindness, generosity, humor, resilience, and love of friends and family.

A Celebration of Life is planned in Steamboat at a later date.

Stephen Louis Gramm

Stephen Louis Gramm, 77, passed away on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, from Parkinson’s disease. He was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. He graduated from Bishop Watterson High School in Columbus, Ohio.

He graduated from The Ohio State University and was commissioned upon graduation a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army through the ROTC program there. Additionally, he earned his MBA through Monmouth College of New Jersey. He met his wife-to-be, Cynthia Rose Hon, while at OSU. They were to be married for 54 years, and had three children Bradley Stephen, Suzanne Jayne, and Rebecca Rose.

Immediately following his graduation, Steve would embark on a 22-year career with the U.S. Army beginning with his first assignment in Frankfurt, Germany.

His military career took him to Ft. Knox, KY; Ft. Ord, CA; Ft. Lee, VA; Ft. Dix, NJ; Sikorsky Aircraft, Stratford, CT; Tooele Army Depot, UT; Heidelberg, Germany; Ft. Douglas, UT; and his last deployment to Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf War/Operation Desert Storm. His devoted service earned him the final rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Following his retirement from the military in 1992, Steve worked for the State of Utah, Dyno Nobel, and Rio Tinto in Salt Lake City before he and Cindy relocated to their retirement home at PebbleCreek in Goodyear, Ariz. He last worked for Honeywell International in Phoenix.

Steve’s retirement was full of things he loved from frequent golf outings to trips to OSU and Notre Dame football games with friends and family, annual cruises, visiting and hosting his children and grandchildren, and a good single-malt scotch.

Although quiet and reserved by nature, he had a great sense of humor, a wry chuckle, and an infectious laugh. Steve was ‘old school’ in the best of ways, fiercely loyal and devoted to God, his country, and his family.

Steve is survived by his wife and lifelong partner Cindy, his son Brad, his daughters Suzi and Becky, grandchildren Eyva Jayne, Jaxon David, Miles Stephen, and Cecilia Rose, his sister Julie, and many friends and family who loved him dearly.

And in the end, he gave his life for his country, battling the Parkinson’s with his last breath, quietly and peacefully.

A private ceremony and inurnment at the Veterans National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix was held on Nov. 7, 2025. In honor of Steve’s memory, donations can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation or the Parkinson’s Foundation.

John Reuland

John Reuland passed away on Dec. 4, 2025, surrounded by his family. John is survived by his wife, Karen, and the true joys of his life, daughter Brittany Wayne (Tim Wayne) and grandsons Justin, Ryan, and Dylan Brown.

John was born and raised in Washington, graduating from the University of Washington (UW) in 1969 and will forever be an avid Husky fan. John and Karen married in 1970 and would have celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary in February. John served in the U.S. Army for four years, including one tour of duty in Vietnam. After getting his MBA from the UW, John worked for Boeing in marketing/sales for 30+ years and got to enjoy an overseas assignment selling airplanes in Europe. The family moved to Rome, Italy, in 1986 for almost five years. Even though he still traveled most of the time, it is still remembered as one of the most fabulous experiences of their lives. John loved golf, bridge, and traveling, especially with his grandsons. John and Karen built a home in PebbleCreek almost 20 years ago and continue to enjoy the many friendships they have made.

A reception honoring John will be held in the Chianti Room, Feb. 6, 2026, from 4 to 6 p.m. Private burial services will be held at Phoenix National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Homeless Youth.