In Passing

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Harold “Tubby” Garverick Jr.

Harold George Garverick Jr., affectionately known as “Tubby,” passed away peacefully on March 2, 2026.

Tubby was born July 14, 1937, in Galion, Ohio, the third of five children born to Harold and Mina (Wilson) Garverick. He graduated from Galion High School in 1955, where he was a three-sport letterman in football, basketball, and baseball, earning All-Conference honors in multiple sports. A natural leader, he served as class president and was later inducted into the Galion High School Hall of Fame. It was during his high school years that he met the love of his life, Nola Belle Althouse.

After high school, Tubby attended Bluffton College where he excelled as a football linebacker and baseball catcher for the Beavers from 1958 to 1960. He was elected football co-captain and earned All-Conference recognition in football two years and in baseball his senior year. He was later inducted into the Bluffton College Hall of Fame for his athletic achievements and leadership.

Tubby married Nola on Aug. 24, 1958, and together they shared 67 devoted years of marriage. They raised their three sons (Mike, Pat, and Kelly) in Mentor, Ohio. A devoted father, he was deeply involved in coaching youth league sports and mentoring young athletes. His proudest accomplishment was his family, and he especially cherished being Papa to his beloved grandchildren.

After earning his degree in business, Tubby built a distinguished career with State Farm Insurance (agent, manager, Director of Education/Training). He also taught insurance courses at Lakeland Community College. His dedication to education extended into public service, where he served eight years on the Mentor School Board and served as president of the Pinegate Community HOA.

In 2006, Tubby retired and he and Nola moved to PebbleCreek in Goodyear, Ariz., where they enjoyed golfing in retirement and time with family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Margie Leyden and Kate (Walter) Smith; and his brother Harry (Faye) Garverick.

He is survived by his loving wife, Nola; his sons, Mike (Chandra), Pat (Kathleen), and Kelly (Beth); his cherished grandchildren, Krista (Trey), Michael (Katelyn), Maggie, and Jack; his brother, James (Bonnie) Garverick; his sister-in-law, Nancy Weiner; and many relatives and dear friends.

Tubby will be remembered for his leadership, loyalty, competitive spirit, devotion to family, and the lasting impact he made on his community.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Mentor, Ohio (TBD).

www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries

Philip Lee Sobocinski

Philip Lee Sobocinski, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, educator, and coach, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, with his loving spouse of 58 years, Kathleen (“Kathy”), by his side.

Phil is survived by his devoted wife Kathy; daughters Shelly (Chris) and Kristin (Conrad); grandchildren Jacob (Samantha), Kayla, Jackson, Sydney, Nathaniel, and Peyton; and great-grandchildren Ignatius and Kolbe. He is further survived by his six brothers: Jerry (Sandy), Mike (Claudia), James (Suzanne), William, Thomas (Catherine), and Pat (Laura). He was preceded in death by his parents, Sherman and Genevieve, his brother Donald, and his sister Janice.

Born 80 years ago, Phil grew up and attended school in South Milwaukee. He went on to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison on a football scholarship, where he met the love of his life, Kathy. They built a life rooted in love, family, education, athletics, and an unwavering devotion to the Wisconsin Badgers.

Phil was the original “girl dad,” spending countless hours on playing fields, basketball courts, softball diamonds, and in the driveway. He was immensely proud of his daughters’ accomplishments.

Known as “Pop” to his grandchildren, Phil found great joy watching them pursue their own passions and especially cherished time spent at the family’s beloved cabin up north. Kayaking, snowshoeing, skiing, campfires, even a wedding, were all part of the memories made there. The cabin was a place of laughter and tradition, and Pop was at the center of it all.

After his collegiate football career, Phil had a brief stint in the NFL, including time with the Atlanta Falcons. He then dedicated 23 years to teaching and coaching at West Allis Central High School. Known affectionately as “Coach Sobs,” he left a lasting impact on hundreds of student athletes. He coached with intensity and heart, emphasizing character, integrity, resilience, and self-belief. In recognition of his influence and success, Phil was inducted into the Wisconsin High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame.

Phil earned his bachelor’s degree from UW-Madison, a master’s degree from UW-Whitewater, and his PhD from UW-Milwaukee. He went on to serve in leadership roles, including Superintendent of three school districts: Monona Grove, West Allis-West Milwaukee, and Warren Township in Illinois.

Beyond school and sport, Phil was an avid golfer and traveler. From St. Andrews to Paris to the Galápagos, he embraced the world with curiosity and appreciation. He lived fully and intentionally, always valuing time spent with family.

Phil will be remembered for his booming voice on the sidelines, his unwavering standards, his quick wit, and his favorite sayings: “Run the damn ball!” and “Moderation in all things…including moderation!” that perfectly captured his spirit.

In celebration of Phil’s remarkable life, a memorial service will be held at a later date. Details will be shared with family and friends.

Phil Sobocinski lived a life of purpose, love, and laughter. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he shaped, the family he cherished, and the values he instilled in all who were fortunate enough to know him.

James B. Seymour

Sept. 9, 1941 – Jan. 31, 2026
James “Jim” Seymour—known as “Jimmy” to longtime friends—was born and raised in San Diego, Calif., the son of Clyde and Sally Seymour. He grew up alongside his brother, Richard, and they remained close throughout their lives.

Jim met the love of his life, Geri, at the beach in the summer of 1962. They married on Nov. 28, 1964, and shared 61 years of marriage. Together, they built a life centered on family, faith, friendship, and community.

He was a proud father to his two sons, Brian and David, and a wonderful Papa to his grandchildren—Rachel, Carson, Cade, Ella, and Brandon—who brought him great joy. Jim was steady, supportive, and deeply proud of his family.

Jim earned a civil engineering degree from UCLA in 1964 and spent many years working in construction throughout San Diego. His work included major commercial projects such as Pomerado Hospital, the Towers in Coronado, the U.S. Grant Hotel, the seismic buildings on the UC San Diego campus, and the San Diego Airport. In 1993, Jim and Geri started a real estate appraisal business in Escondido, Calif., where he worked until retiring in 2019, when they moved to Goodyear, Ariz.

Jim enjoyed staying active and loved sports—golf, pickleball, basketball, and skiing at Mammoth Mountain. He also looked forward each year to hiking in the Sierras with his brother Richard, his sons Brian and David, and close friends on their long, demanding annual trek known as the “Assinine Hike.”

Jim was a Christian and lived his faith in everyday ways—through kindness, loyalty, and how he treated others. He was known for his warm presence, gentle nature, easy smile, and great laugh. He was a husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend who will be deeply missed.

Jim is also remembered by extended family members: Mary Seymour, Michelle Seymour, Kitty Seymour, Sydney Seymour, Matthew and Petria Seymour, Judy Bongarzone, Anthony Jenkins, and Tracy Larson.

Church services will be held at Mission Hills Church in San Marcos, Calif., on April 23, 2026. In memory of Jim, donations may be made to the Barrow Neurological Foundation.

Joan N. Sloat

Joan N. Sloat, age 89, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Jan. 23, 2026. She was born on March 11, 1936, in Dixon, Ill., to Lucille and Wilbur Speaker.

Joan was raised in Sterling as the oldest of three sisters. A bright and spirited young woman, she was honored as her high school’s Homecoming Queen and shared her love of music by singing in St. Mary’s Catholic Church choir during her high school years.

She married the love of her life, Kenneth Sloat, and together they raised three children: Christine, Douglas, and Margo. Joan and Ken spent many years living in La Grange, Ill., where Joan dedicated her career to caring for others as a nurse at La Grange Hospital. In addition to her nursing career, she was also a Mary Kay beauty consultant, a role she enjoyed for the relationships she built and the confidence she helped inspire in others. Her compassion, work ethic, and steady presence left a lasting impact on both her patients and colleagues.

Above all else, Joan was deeply devoted to her faith and her family. In her free time, she found joy in painting and gardening, pursuits that reflected both her creativity and her patience.

In later years, Joan and Ken moved to Arizona to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Joan embraced life fully at PebbleCreek, where she was an active and cherished member of the community. She participated in the bocce ball league, enjoyed water aerobics, was part of the wine club, played many lively games of canasta with friends, and also served as a Unit 19 representative. She was an enthusiastic member of the Red Hat Society and looked forward to monthly brunches with her “cul-de-sac gals.” Joan loved attending community theatre and concert productions, treasured time spent traveling with her husband and friends, and especially cherished the tradition of annual trips with her sisters.

Joan is survived by her son Doug (Tina) Sloat; her daughter Margo (Peter) Mahoney; her beloved grandchildren Ryan (Renae) Rude, Megan (Scotch) Domingo, Shea Mahoney, and Kendra Mahoney; her cherished great-grandchildren Kayleigh Rude, Blake-Ryan Domingo, and Ronin-Dean Domingo; and her sister Mary Lou (Les) Johnson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Sloat; her daughter, Christine (Mark) Weaver; and her sister, Janet (Bob) Prescott.

Joan will be remembered for her kindness, quiet strength, deep faith, and unwavering love for her family. Her warmth, generosity of spirit, and joyful presence will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

A Funeral Mass celebrating her life and faith will be held on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at 1 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 13720 W. Thomas Road in Avondale, Ariz.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Hospice of the Valley in Joan’s memory. Donations may be made at hov.org/donate.

James (Jim) Workman

James (Jim) Workman passed away peacefully on Jan. 18, 2026. He was born on June 18, 1952, in San Angelo, Texas, to James and Judye Workman, both of West Texas.

Jim was an only child and lived in several cities in west Texas and in Tulsa, Okla.

He was a bright, energetic, talented gentleman who was a friend to all who knew him. He had an insatiable love for the ocean as exemplified by his love for scuba diving and underwater photography and had a fine collection of underwater artifacts and Japanese glass fishing floats. He was an avid fisherman, gardener, and an animal lover. He loved traveling to different countries and photographing people, landscape, and architecture. He enjoyed photographing ShowTime productions and sharing his pictures with the members of the shows. Jim was an optimist who found good in others and leaves a legacy of kindness.

Jim retired from Bristol Myers Squibb after 34 years of devoted service. During his career, he worked primarily in Hawaii with promotions to California, Colorado, Seattle, and eventually Arizona. After retirement, Jim sold new homes here in PebbleCreek, making many friends in the community. His smile and enthusiasm always lit up a room wherever he went. Jim served faithfully in church as a Sunday school teacher for children and enjoyed bringing Bible stories alive with his experiences in life. He had a wonderful sense of humor, which we will remember forever.

Jim is survived by his loving wife Shotzie of 45 years and six children: Ann (Brendan) Coots, JB Workman, Leissa (Karl) Gashler, Aimee (Peter) Early, Tara (Justin) Rubin, and Rachael (Steve) Randall. He leaves 10 grandsons, five granddaughters, and one great-grandson. They will always remember their “Papa” as a source of fun and adventure.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on March 14, 2026, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 13277 W. Thomas Rd., Goodyear, Ariz.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Walter Moe

Walter Moe, age 85, of Scottsdale, Ariz., passed away on Jan. 18, 2026.

Walt was born on Nov. 6, 1940, in Duluth, Minn., the first and only child to Gordon and Mabel (Johnson) Moe. He grew up in Duluth and moved to the Twin Cities after high school.

Walt married the love of his life, Joyce (Jordre) Moe, on June 21, 1969, and together they lived in Burnsville, Minn., for many years, where they raised their son, Michael.

Walt worked for ThermoKing for many years prior to his retirement. He was an avid sports fan and known to many for his kindness, quick smile, energy, and love of his family.

Walt and Joyce retired to the Phoenix metro area in 2004. In retirement, Walt enjoyed traveling, reading, following his favorite sports teams (especially the Philadelphia Phillies), and spending time with friends and family.

Walt is survived by wife of 56 years, Joyce; their son Michael and his wife Sharon; their beloved grandsons Alex Moe and Mason Moe; and his cousins Dick and Nancy Stevens, Ralph Stevens, and Bob Stevens. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Mae.

A private memorial service will be held at Walt’s request. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the World Wildlife Fund or Feeding America.

Robbi Lowe

Robbi Jensen (Ryan) Lowe passed away on Jan. 5, 2026, in Goodyear, Ariz., after a short illness. She was born in Atkinson, Neb., on Dec. 7, 1952, and lived in Nebraska most of her life. She is survived by her husband, Charles Lowe; stepdaughter Becky Lowe-Weyand (Foster); sisters: Linda Jensen, Helen Teeters (Bill), Milissa Jensen, Tina Holmes, Mary Price (Jerry); brother John Jensen; step-grandchildren Hugh and Simon Lowe-Weyand; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews; and a large extended family. She is preceded in death by parents Bob and Helen Jensen, sister Trudy Jensen-Pablonis, and nephew Bobby Pittack.

She retired from the phone company and went on to work in software project management and quality assurance for several large corporations. After her last retirement she started a genealogy company. She met Charlie in August 2014 and they married in August 2017.

Robbi and Charlie snowbirded to Goodyear, Ariz., starting in 2020 and moved there full time in 2024. She loved to do many different types of crafts, to travel, and was a voracious reader and popcorn addict! At PebbleCreek she learned to carve wood and play mahjong and was active with the genealogy club.

She was a lovely lady who will be deeply missed. To honor Robbi’s legacy, a donation may be made to Hope’s Closet in Goodyear, Ariz., or to Shriners Children’s Hospitals.

Cheryl Gertrude Looney

Cheryl Gertrude Looney peacefully passed away on Dec. 29, 2025, at the age of 79 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

Cheryl was born on May 9, 1946, in the state of Minnesota, the third of seven children born to Alonzo and Vera Elder. The family moved to Buckeye, Ariz., in 1959. After graduating from Buckeye Union High in 1964 she married Leon Looney, remaining so until his passing in 2023. While raising two sons, she worked in the finance offices at Buckeye Union High and Ruth Fisher Elementary. She also put herself through college to get a degree in accounting, then worked as an accountant for several schools and government agencies. During her lifelong passion for sewing, she made her own and her children’s clothing, curtains, other home decor, doll and doll clothing restoration, and more.

Moving to PebbleCreek, Goodyear, in 2000 and retiring a few years later, she involved herself in the crafting community there. She dabbled in many crafts and hobbies including quilting, ceramics, wood carving, wood burning, water color painting, stained glass, knitting, crochet, and tatting. (I found a new gourd carving tool in her craft room!) She will be remembered for her faith in God and the many quilts she made for family along with those made with the quilting club.

Cheryl is survived by her husband Steve, sons Carter and Brian, their wives Christina and Karen respectively, granddaughters Helen and Annabelle, grandsons John and Samuel, sister Sandy (Fred) Weiss, sister Dorothy, brother Marc (Gail) Elder, sister Terri Elder, and several nephews and nieces. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Leon, sister Cindy, and brother Larry.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, Jan. 11, at Thompson Funeral Chapel, 926 Litchfield Rd., Goodyear, AZ 85338.

Graveside service will be on Monday, Jan. 12, at the Hazelton Memorial Cemetery, 23100 W. Broadway Rd., Buckeye, AZ 85326.

Dr. Frederick Lee Barlow

Dr. Frederick Lee Barlow, of Torrance, Calif., and later Goodyear, Ariz., passed away of heart failure on Dec. 14, 2025. He was born in Berkeley, Calif., on Nov. 15, 1948. He earned a D.D.S. in 1974 and an M.S in 1976. He married Christine Fitzgerald in 1977, practiced dentistry for more than 30 years, and served faithfully in many church callings, including as Bishop of the Torrance First Ward.

He is survived by his wife, Christine; his children, Jared, Jeffrey, Julie, and Janet; and 11 grandchildren.

Fred was a member of the PebbleCreek community. He was involved with the PebbleCreek Singers, Stock Club, Tennis Club, Ballroom Dance Club, and started the What’s Up Club.

A Celebration of Life was held Dec. 20, 2025, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was loved and will be deeply missed.

Constance “Connie” Marie Peterson

Connie Marie Peterson, age 76, passed away peacefully on Dec. 13, 2025, in Goodyear, Ariz., in the arms of her husband of 57 years, Tom Peterson.

Connie was born Dec. 12, 1949, in New Ulm, Minn., to Walter and Florence Arbes and raised on a farm in Courtland Township, Nicollet County. She attended St. Paul’s Lutheran School and graduated from New Ulm High School in 1967. Connie went on to earn her registered nursing degree from Abbott Northwestern Nursing School and later completed her BSN at Southwest State University.

Connie married Tom Peterson in New Ulm in 1969. Together they raised two daughters, Karie and Kimberly. Connie dedicated 36 years to nursing at New Ulm Medical Center, serving in roles including floor nurse, intensive care, cardiac rehab, infection control, clinic manager, and Director of Patient Care. Connie loved nursing and her job and made the hard decision to retire in 2005. Known for her humility and dedication, Connie was honored with the NUMC Legends Award for her exceptional service to patients and the community.

Family was Connie’s greatest joy, and time spent together was always her top priority. She cherished the many fun years at the cabin and holidays filled with food, games, and laughter. After retirement, Connie and Tom enjoyed life in the Brainerd Lakes Area, Minnesota, and spent winters in Goodyear, Ariz. Connie especially loved visits with family, attending and hearing about the many activities her grandchildren were involved in. She also enjoyed golfing with friends, reading, playing cribbage and marbles with Tom each evening.

She is survived by her husband, Tom; daughters Karie (Brian) Bruder of Buffalo, Minn., and Kimberly (Jon) Mueller of Mankato, Minn.; four grandchildren, Tyler Bruder (friend Morgan Matanich), Morgan Bruder, Emily (Mueller) Knepprath (Brian), and Jacob (Tatyana) Mueller; two great-grandchildren, Winry Knepprath and George Mueller; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

A private family funeral will be held in Minnesota. We have two Celebrations of the Life of Connie Peterson: March 19, 2026, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Chianti Room/Tuscany Falls Ballroom in the PebbleCreek community, Goodyear, Ariz., and a second Celebration of Life on May 16, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the White Birch Room at Breezy Point Resort, Breezy Point, Minn. At these events we hope to share the stories, memories, pictures, and joy Connie brought into so many lives. We hope that you are able to join us.

Any cards or memorials can be sent to the Nelson-Doran Funeral Home, 202 8th Ave NE, Brainerd, MN 56401, 218-829-4755. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or the charity of your choice.