Russell Galewski
Russell Thomas Galewski of Goodyear, AZ left us and went to heaven February 8, 2019.
A Wisconsin native, Russ was born in Milwaukee, WI to Joseph and Lucille (Pietrzak) Galewski September 2, 1943. Russ and his wife of 55 years, Diane (Wichman) raised their three children in Franklin, WI. Russ was a Eucharistic Minister, Premarital Counselor with Diane, and served on the Finance Committee, Education Committee and Parish Council at St. Mary’s Parish and School of Hales Corners, WI. The couple moved to the PebbleCreek community in Goodyear in 1998 where Russ finished his 30-year career with Metal Improvement Company, as a Senior Vice President of North American Operations, Shot Peening Division in 2007. Once retirement began Russ devoted his time to traveling the world with Diane. Together they visited six continents, over an 11-year span. When not discovering the culture, history, art and cuisine of the world Russ was passionate about golf and serving his community. He belonged to the PebbleCreek Sandbaggers where he developed deeply cherished friendships on and off the course. Russ served the PebbleCreek community in a variety of ways in the Sandbaggers group, led various community committees and task force projects and most recently on the HOA Board of Directors. His singular goal in each project was to keep the best interests of the PebbleCreek Community at heart. Russ received the Volunteer of the Year Award in 2016.
Russ was a life-long learner, an avid reader, a mentor to many in business and in life. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He led his family in a way that showed the necessity of faith in God, the value of hard work, the honor of service to the community and the benefits of laughter. Lots of laughter.
Russ is survived by his wife Diane (Wichman), son Christopher (Tracy), daughter Mary (David) Goudie, son Matthew (Christina). Grandchildren, Crystal and Amanda Galewski, Matthew and Audrey Goudie, Isabella Galewski and step grandchildren, Morgan, Tanner, Payton and Carter Wolf, brother Gerald (Margaret), cousins, nieces, nephews and countless others whose lives he touched.
A Celebration of Life Mass will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Avondale at 10:30 a.m. on March 8, 2019. Reception and light lunch to follow at Tuscany Falls Chianti Room in PebbleCreek. All are welcome to attend.
If you wish, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Hospice of the Valley or St. Vincent de Paul c/o St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.
Dana and Cindy House
Dana and Cynthia (Cindy) House, residents of PebbleCreek and Bloomington, MN died January 14, along with their beloved family dog Sophie, in a tragic car crash near Meade, Kansas. They were returning to Goodyear after spending the holidays with family in Minnesota.
Dana and Cindy were both 71 years of age at the time of their passing and were married 50 years. During their marriage they built a family, started businesses and gave selflessly to others both locally and internationally.
They are survived by their daughter, Janet (Brian) Boie and their son Darren (Yvonne) House and eight grandchildren.
Dana and Cindy shared their time between Minnesota and Arizona and also enjoyed traveling worldwide. They moved to PebbleCreek in 2004. Both enjoyed playing golf and bridge, were avid readers and book club members, and were active in weekly Bible study groups. Cindy was a member of the PCLGA and the Cinema Club and enjoyed playing MahJongg. Dana was a member of the PebbleCreek Roadrunners golf group.
After serving two years in the Marine Corps, Dana started his own accounting firm which eventually became known as Baker Tilly. After retiring from Baker Tilly, Dana started a consulting business that provided mediation, dispute resolution and assistance with business planning and strategies.
Cindy taught English while Dana started his accounting firm. She also started a data processing company that put records into electronic format. When she closed that business, she returned to school for a degree in German and taught at Minneapolis Lutheran High School.
Dana and Cindy were active members in both Peace Lutheran Church in Bloomington, MN. and Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Goodyear, AZ. They felt a strong calling for service work and were involved in multiple charitable and community organizations both in Minnesota and Goodyear, AZ. They were both steadfastly determined that their lives would make a difference and they were known for their generosity.
Services were held in Bloomington, MN on January 26. Services are pending in Goodyear, AZ. Memorials preferred to Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People (VEAP) https://veap.org/donate.
Mary McErlean
Mary L. “Mollie” McErlean, age 72 of Goodyear, AZ died February 4, 2019 in Glendale, AZ. She was born March 25, 1946 in Evergreen Park, IL to Charles and Theodora McErlean. Mary earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at Mundelein College in Chicago and her MBA at Lewis University in Romeoville, IL. She retired as Director of Human Resources at Columbia La Grange Memorial Hospital in La Grange, IL. She moved from Oak Brook, IL to PebbleCreek in Goodyear, AZ in 2002. She was a member of St. John Vianney Parish and was active in Kare Bears and the Pet Companions, Bocce, Computer and Singles clubs.
Mary is survived by her brothers, Charles, F. McErlean, Jr. and Robert E. McErlean; nieces and nephews, James P. McErlean, Laura J. Enright, Kelly L. Hunt, Amy J. Szeszol and Brian E. McErlean. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Theodora.
A visitation was Sunday, February 10, 2019 at Thompson Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Road, Goodyear, AZ. A funeral mass was held, Monday, February 11, 2019 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 539 La Pasada Blvd., Goodyear, AZ 85338. Burial will be at Queen of Haven Cemetery, Chicago, IL. Condolences for the family may be left at www.ThompsonFuneralChapel.com.
Richard Stewart
Richard Stewart, age 83 of Goodyear, AZ died February 7, 2019. He was born September 22, 1935 in Charleston, WV. Richard had a tough upbringing in West Virginia, but he made it out and moved to Michigan. He graduated from Ford Motor Company vocational school, an education that was interrupted by being drafted into the U.S. Air Force and serving in Chateauroux, France as a Radar technician. While there, he raced Opal GT’s and played football against NATO teams across Europe. After four years in France, he returned to finish school and started working for Ford Motor Company in Detroit on the assembly line. He quickly realized this was not for him and changed over to the engineering department at General Motor Fisher Body in Detroit and had a successful 33-year career.
During his GM career he pioneered the development of the seat belt that has saved countless lives. Dick was recognized by GM as their seatbelt subject matter expert and transitioned into becoming an expert witness. He worked many high-profile cases that saved GM millions of dollars in false claims. After his career at GM he became a freelance subject matter expert and helped other car companies like Ford and Toyota.
During his career he married Kay and they raised four children. When he finally retired, he traveled the U.S. for several years in a motor home, finally settling in Phoenix, AZ. Richard was always looking for ways to keep active, so he volunteered for a variety of church organizations in the area and became a Chaplain for the Avondale Police Department. The highlight of his life was getting Gracie, a 120-pound bull retriever and training her to be a service dog. Together they performed at many events and won many awards for service with the Police Department and the community.
Richard is survived by his daughters, Kim Soave and Patricia Rowden; sons, Michael Stewart and Richard Stewart Jr.; ten grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 12:30 p.m., Friday, February 22, 2019 at The Church at Litchfield Park, 300 N Old Litchfield Rd, Litchfield Park, AZ 85340. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that you donate to the Phoenix 100 Club or The Church at Litchfield Park. Condolences for the family may be left at www.ThompsonFuneralChapel.com.
Marlene Werner
Marlene Werner, age 79 of Peoria, AZ died February 8, 2019 in Glendale, AZ. She was born October 6, 1939 in Chicago, IL to Fritz and Irma Peterson. Marlene is survived by her son, Scott Werner and his wife Varaporn Werner and one grandchild, Leilani Werner. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Richard Werner. The family suggests that donations be made to Stand Up to Cancer. Condolences for the family may be left at www.ThompsonFuneralChapel.com.