William Colton
William Sprague Colton, age 85 of Goodyear, AZ died March 16, 2019, in Goodyear, AZ. He was born November 28, 1933, in Altadena, CA to William and Ethyl Colton. William served in the U.S. Navy, retiring as a Commander. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master’s Degree in Education. He worked for 20 years as a teacher and principal. He was a member of the teachers union and the Lion’s Club.
William is survived by his wife, Carolyn Shirley Colton; daughter, Catherine Colton; son, Bill Colton; and one grandchild. A memorial service was held on Saturday, May 25, 2019, at Christ Presbyterian Church, 925 N Sarival Ave, Goodyear, AZ 85338. Condolences for the family may be left at www.ThompsonFuneralChapel.com.
Muriel Lee Hodges
Muriel Lee Hodges, 81, has gone to be with her Lord and Savior. Born August 10, 1937, she died March 25, 2019, after a long illness of heart related problems.
Her parents, Mr. Elmer O. and Pearl Hurtt; three brothers, Phillip, Robert and Paul of Oklahoma City; a twin sister, Margorie Pitts of Phoenix; father- and mother-in-law, Carlos V. and Velma E. Hodges later Florence and Bill Hodges of Clinton, Oklahoma, preceded her in death. She is survived by Virginia Sherman; Darlene Lewis and husband A.D. of Oklahoma City; brother-in-law David Hodges and wife, Susan; sister-in-law Carla Cruson and husband Gary and numerous children and grandchildren of Carla and David.
She was visiting with her daughter and family in Munich, Germany at the time of her death. She is also survived by her husband Lewis Riley Hodges who was with her at the time of death; two daughters, Cynthis Lee Trigas and husband Tom of Munich and Sharon and Wayne of PebbleCreek; three grandchildren, Alex, and Orestes and Vessie Srchoff and her husband Chris and by her four great grandchildren all of Munich.
Lee, as she was affectionately known, obtained a Bachelor and a Master’s Degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and a Ph.D. in Higher Education, then held higher education positions training teachers in Special Education at Salt Lake City Unified School District, two community colleges, the University of Utah Medical Center, University of Iowa, University of Hawaii, University of Alaska, Union College in Kentucky. She finished her career as Special Education Director in Snowflake, Arizona.
Dr. Hodges continued giving seminars in special education at colleges and universities in retirement. Her husband, Riley, also a Ph.D., worked in these same places and together they published many journal articles and select chapters in books.
Lee loved her children and extended family. She was a very positive person who continually served others. Service, research, strength, wisdom, enthusiasm and fortitude were a few of her attributes that others sought to mimic.
The world is a better place for her presence on earth. Lee requested that her ashes be buried in the Hodges Family plot in the Clinton Oklahoma Cemetery and her marker be placed next to her husband whose ashes will be buried there when he passes on.
Charlene Lucille Lockitski
Charlene Lucille Lockitski, age 67 of Goodyear, AZ died April 24, 2019, in Goodyear, AZ. She was born April 22, 1952, in Bucyrus, OH to Kenneth and Lucille Stewart. Her family moved frequently as she grew up and she lived in Virginia and West Virginia, finally ending up in the Cleveland, OH area where she graduated from high school. She received an Associate’s Degree from Tiffin University in Tiffin, OH.
Charlene was a strong, Independent woman. She worked as an executive legal secretary and paralegal for large and small firms for many years. She was an expert at bookkeeping and budgeting. Her financial abilities allowed her as a single mother to give her daughter, Angela, everything she needed and wanted. She was always there for Angela with a listening ear and great advice and made sure she was safe.
When her husband Stan first met Charlene, he thought she was the most fantastic woman he had ever met. They had the same thoughts and similar personalities, but they didn’t share the same dry humor. It took a little bit of time for Charlene to warm up to Stan, but he eventually won her over.
Charlene’s interests highlight her many talents and abilities. She was a table tennis champion in college. She enjoyed traveling and had a love and compassion for animals. She enjoyed knitting and even more, cross-stitch. Her house was adorned with cross-stitched pictures she created. She was an excellent cook that could take any recipe and transform it into something unique and luscious. But her passion was bowling. As a young girl she learned to bowl from her father. She was good. Later, as an adult, she joined several leagues and then began to compete in tournaments. As she excelled, she decided to train to become a member of the Professional Women’s Bowling Association. For six months of the year she traveled mostly east of the Mississippi, competing against much younger and more experienced women in professional tournaments, but never giving up – no matter how difficult the match.
Charlene is survived by her husband, Stan Lockitski; daughter Angela Masisak-Borer (James); brother, James Stewart and two grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Lucille Stewart and her brother, Ronald Stewart. The family suggests that donations be made to the Cancer Research Institute. Condolences for the family may be left at www.ThompsonFuneralChapel.com.
Roger Milewski
Roger Milewski, age 71 of Goodyear, AZ went to see the Lord May 1, 2019. He was born in Chicago, IL, to the late Stanley and Mary Milewski. He worked in marketing and sales for Motorola for 37 years where he traveled the U.S. and Europe selling Piezo ceramic products. In 1981, Roger married his best friend Muriel in Albuquerque, NM where they resided for 25 years. After his retirement from Motorola, Roger worked at Desert Golf Cars in Sun City West, AZ for ten years. Roger was very active in various sports including golf, bowling, tennis and his favorite, bocce. Roger is survived by his loving wife Muriel of 38 years; stepdaughters, Madonna (Robert Wallace) and Diane Champeau; grandchildren, Ellen O’Donnell, Jessica, Jonathan and Jolene Rice; two great grandchildren, Ava Beets and Jaedan Rice; also many friends and his best friend since first grade, Peter Andjelkovich. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Cancerresearch.org.
Steve Thurm
Steve Thurm passed away on April 8, 2019.
Steve is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 55 years, Rochelle, along with his daughters Suzanne and Tracie and son-in-law Ronnie. He is further survived by his grandchildren Kristin, Zachary, Kathryn and Jacob.
Steve and Rochelle came to PebbleCreek in 1997. Steve loved the sunshine and warm winter weather of Arizona but returned each summer to Albany, New York where he enjoyed spending time with his family and boating on the Mohawk River.
Steve was secretary for the Fun Line Dancing Club for many years and was the original Angel. You would have seen him leading and helping with a big smile in the back of the room. He also played Bocce Ball and was an avid golfer. Steve was a member of Showtime Productions, serving as an usher and occasional performer.
After 35 years of service, Steve retired as a Senior Court Reporter for the Supreme Court of New York State.