Donald Earl Fritsche, Sr
Donald Earl Fritsche, Sr. was called home by his Heavenly Father on Nov. 28, 2019 “Thanksgiving Day” at Banner Estrella Hospital in Phoenix, AZ after a brief stay in hospice.
Don was born on April 22, 1935 to Earl Fritsche and Emma Fay Fritsche in Orange, CA. In 1953 he graduated from Lincoln High School, Los Angeles, CA. He then studied and completed courses at Mt. San Antonio College in Hydraulic Systems Design, basic engineering and descriptive geometry. He met the love of his life, Rose Marie Bartko, at the Free Methodist Church, in Highland Park, CA and married her in 1955.
Don loved the Lord and was never shy about sharing his faith in Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior, God, and friend. Don took part in planting the Free Methodist Church, in Orangevale, CA.
As he began his career Don was extremely gifted and sought out for his excellent engineering skills. He was employed from 1953-64 by Areojet General and then went on to work for Lockheed Martin from 1965-69 in Redlands, CA. As Don traveled for business, he built a relationship with Les Fike, Sr. and accepted an offer as Chief Engineer, at Fike Metal Products beginning in 1969 located in Blue Springs, MO. During his time there, Don also served as a deacon and member of Blue Springs Baptist Church.
He and his wife Rose Marie moved to Goodyear, AZ in 2002. They made their new home in the PebbleCreek Community and are members of the PebbleCreek Community Church in Goodyear, AZ.
Don was creative and enjoyed woodworking with his hands. He had a fabulous sense of humor, loved great conversation, and eating out with family and friends whom he loved and adored. He enjoyed traveling. Some of his most memorable vacations were to the Holy Lands, Hawaii, and Alaska.
Don is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Rose Marie Fritsche, of Goodyear, AZ; daughter, Debi George and son-in-law, Ken of Goodyear, AZ; son Donald Earl Fritsche, Jr. of Bates City, MO; son, Randy Alan Fritsche and daughter-in-law Martha of Lee’s Summit, MO; daughter, Lynelle Sanders and son-in-law Jim of Springfield, MO.
Surviving grandchildren include, granddaughter, Lori Marchasault and her husband Doug and great-grandsons, Mason and Myles of Coventry, RI; grandson, Brandon Coats, wife, Jenn, and great-granddaughters, Averi and Addison of Roanoke, TX; granddaughter, Shauna Parks, husband, Brett, great-granddaughter Breanna and great-grandson Amos of Oak Grove, MO; granddaughter, Dustie Foster, husband, Matt, and great-granddaughters, Wilah and Vedah of Oak Grove, MO; grandson, Ethan Fritsche and wife Bree of Blue Springs, MO; granddaughter, Amanda Foley, husband, Stephen, great-grandson, Lincoln Noah, and great-granddaughter, Violet Mae of Lee’s Summit, MO; grandson, Zack Fritsche of Oak Grove, MO; granddaughter, Whitney Bruette, husband, Dave, great-granddaughter, Adlee Raymond and great-grandson, Gentry of Sparta, MO; grandson, Alex Sanders of Scottsdale, AZ; grandson, Brian George, great-granddaughter, Claire, and great-grandson, Cohen of Nixa, MO; grandson, Chris George, wife, Scotti, and great-grandson, Ryker of Spokane, MO, and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his father, Earl Fletcher Fritsche; his mother, Emma Fay Fritsche; uncle, Bill Broyles; aunt, Betty Broyles, Auntie Ruth Duplice, grandson Amos Fritsche, along with many other loved ones.
A gathering with a Celebration of Life was held on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, at Thompson Funeral Chapel. Pastor Bob Ripley of PebbleCreek Community Church officiated. There will be time to visit and share memories with family and friends in the foyer following the service with coffee, tea, and cookies.
A pending date for the burial of ashes will be announced for family and friends at a later date in Oak Grove, MO.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Americare Hospice & Palliative Care, 1212 N. Spencer Street, #2, Mesa, AZ 85203 Tel: (480) 726-7773, www.americarehospice.com. Condolences for the family may be left at www.ThompsonFuneralChapel.com.
Dolores Marie Schmit
Dolores Marie Schmit, age 86 of Goodyear, died peacefully on Nov. 18, surrounded by her entire family. She was born Jan. 26, 1933, in Chicago to Leo and Marie Leonard DeBock. Dolores grew up in Chicago and graduated from Immaculata High School in 1950. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Loyola Nursing School in 1954.
Nursing defined Dolores’ life. She was dedicated to the profession and worked in a variety of unique situations.
She began her career working for a hospital and then became a visiting nurse. She enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Reserve and achieved the rank of captain. She worked for Amtrak as a traveling nurse, making the trip between Dallas and San Francisco hundreds of times. She was approached by the Chicago Board of Education to help start a two-year practical nursing program and stayed with the program for ten years. During the 1970s and ’80s, she was a member of the Nurses Club and worked as the village nurse for Wheeling Township in Illinois.
Dolores and her husband, Karl, a public school teacher, were married in 1969. They moved to Arlington Heights, IL where they raised their two sons. Dolores played an active role in both her sons’ lives. She was the rock of the family, requiring unwavering respect for rules while showering her sons with love and encouragement. Her fun personality and sense of humor endeared her to her sons’ friends who lovingly called her, “Mom”.
In 1997, Dolores and Karl retired to Goodyear. She joined the Nurses Club and volunteered through St. Vincent De Paul doing home visits. She helped organize the PebbleCreek Lunch Bunch group and was also involved in the Canasta group. She was an avid reader and loved to dance, taking ballroom dancing and line dancing classes with her husband.
Dolores is survived by her husband, Karl Otto Schmit, and sons, Mark Schmit and Todd Schmit. A vigil with a rosary, followed by a memorial service was held on Nov. 30, at Thompson Funeral Chapel. Condolences for the family may be left at
www.ThompsonFuneralChapel.com.
Frederick J. Daniels
Frederick J. Daniels, died peacefully on Dec. 2, surrounded by loving family. He was born July 14, 1936, in Casper, WY, the son of Frederick and Helen (Forman) Daniels.
Fred graduated from North High School, Phoenix, class of 1954. Following graduation, he attended New Mexico State University to study engineering and met and married Josephine Pearce. Jo and Fred celebrated 62 years of marriage in January. After college, Fred was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. In his twenty-year career, Fred rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel as a Master Navigator. Following his Air Force career, Fred engaged in his passion for aviation as an instructor of Air Frame & Power Plant Mechanics at University of North Dakota, Chandler-Gilbert Airport campus. As a civilian Inspection Authorization mechanic, pilot, and flight instructor, Fred was an avid general aviation enthusiast and member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother William. Fred is survived by his wife, Jo (Pearce) Daniels; his daughter, Leslie Quinn and her husband Kevin, of Fountain Hills; his son Jay Daniels and his wife Paige (Chapman) Daniels, of Tucson; and three grandchildren, Cassie Van Omen, Ryan Daniels, and Kyle Daniels.
A memorial service was held on Monday, Dec. 16, at Tuscany Falls Clubhouse, Bordeaux Ballroom, followed by a reception.
Condolences for the family may be left at www.thompsonfuneralchapel.com/obituary/frederick-jon-daniels.
James Edmond Lohmiller, Jr.
James Edmond Lohmiller, Jr., age 77 of Goodyear, died Nov. 15, in Sun City West. He was born Jan. 24, 1942, in Pueblo, CO to James Edmond and Margaret (Perkins) Lohmiller. James served in the U.S. Air Force from 1961 to 1967, where he was responsible for tracking space junk for NORAD. He worked for 24 years for Public Service of Colorado until retiring to Goodyear. Musically gifted, he played the French horn in the Pueblo Symphony Orchestra. In retirement, he played golf with the PebbleCreek Rat Pack.
James is survived by his wife, Patricia Boustead Lohmiller, of Goodyear, and sister, Mary Lohmiller of Hoodsport, WA. He was preceded in death by his sister, Diana Lynn. The family suggests that donations be made to the American Diabetes Association. Condolences for the family may be left at www.ThompsonFuneralChapel.com.
Lawrence L. Jacob
Lawrence L. Jacob was born Dec. 1, 1947, in New York City, NY to George T. Jacob Sr. and Lorraine (Donofrio) Jacob. He disliked school until he went to George Westinghouse High School, where his love for electronics was nurtured. After graduating fourth in his class, he went into the Air Force and rose to the rank of sergeant. He had a top cryptographic clearance and listened to the Russians in Sakeline Island, keeping the radar systems functioning, while stationed at Wakannai Air Force Base off the northern coast of Japan.
After four years, Larry returned to NYC where he applied for a job with AT&T and was sent to school. The day he was to start at AT&T, they went on strike, so Larry took a copy of his resume and entered Sterling Communications, where he was hired as a TV tech. After a few weeks, Sterling Communications became Home Box Office as they broadcast a hockey game and a movie to a few hundred subscribers. After building the HBO Communications Center in Hauppauge, LI and managing same for many years, Larry left the company as Vice President of Engineering.
Larry was an avid traveler and covered most of the globe visiting six of the seven continents. He even convinced his wife to take a four-masted schooner (Royal Clipper) across the Atlantic, as well as a trip around the world on the maiden voyage of the new Queen Elizabeth. He loved the sea and boats. He was always amazed at how things worked.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Ellen (Burns) Jacob, his brother George T. Jacob Jr., his sister-in-law Kristine Jacob, his sister Lorelei Lange, his niece Carolyn Berchtold, his nephew Andy Jacob and his wife Coronne, and their daughters Jamie Yungen and Casey Jacob.
A Mass of the Resurrection was held at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church on Oct. 28. An internment followed at the Cave Creek National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Karen Phyllis Collins (Lipe)
Karen Phyllis Collins (Lipe), 77 of Goodyear and Pine, ID, passed away on Sept. 22, 2019, at Banner Hospice in Sun City, AZ. She was born in Gooding, ID and graduated high school in Prescott, AZ. She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Thomas Dale Collins. Karen is survived by her daughter, Liesl Anne Ebenholtz (Keith), son, Thomas Dale Collins II (Veronica), and two grandsons, Thomas 18 and Eddie 13.
She met and married her true love in Tucson, AZ in 1962. They traveled the world together enjoying different experiences and cultures. Both were Guild Members of the Heard Museum where they continued their passion for the Native American culture and arts. They moved to PebbleCreek in 1995 and Karen was active in Bocce and Bunco clubs. She was a “mom” to all who knew her and her heart and doors were always open to those who needed it.
A Celebration of Life was held on Dec. 7, 2019, at her home on Amelia Drive in PebbleCreek for all family and friends and to thank all those who were such a tremendous help during her illness.
Patricia Naylor Howse
Patricia Naylor Howse, age 97 of Litchfield Park, died Nov. 16, in Litchfield Park. She was born Oct. 22, 1922, in San Diego to George and Florence Naylor. She graduated from John Marshall High School in Los Angeles in 1940 and attended Los Angeles City College. In March 1943, she married Benjamin M. Howse, a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. After World War II, they moved to many different military posts, including Athens, Greece; San Antonio, TX; Valdosta, GA; and the Pentagon. Ben was promoted through the ranks to become a full Colonel, and retired from the Air Force in 1969.
The couple first moved to Padre Island, TX and then returned to southern California and settled in Fallbrook where Pat served as senior warden at St. John’s Episcopal Church. She became active in the Diocese of San Diego, was elected to the Standing Committee, Diocesan Corporation, and three times elected as a delegate to General Convention.
In 1997, Pat and Ben moved to PebbleCreek and joined St. Peter’s Church where Pat served on the vestry. In 2010, they moved to La Loma Village.
Pat is preceded in death by her husband, Ben, and her youngest daughter, Debb Robison. She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Howse of Cold Spring, NY; two granddaughters, Jenna Raniowski (Marty) of Mechanicsburg, PA; and Emily Mulvey (Matt), stationed at the U.S. military base in Okinawa; five great-grandchildren, Declan, Anya, Samuel, Dean, and Eleanor, and her brother, Douglas Naylor.
Her ashes will be buried in St. Peter’s Memorial Garden beside Benjamin, her husband of 67 years. Condolences for the family may be left at www.ThompsonFuneralChapel.com.
Susan Carol Lindner
Susan Carol Lindner, 69, of St. Paul, MN, passed away peacefully on Oct. 31, at her Minnesota home from metastatic breast cancer after a long and courageous battle. She was born on Nov. 14, 1949, in Waterloo, IA, to Vernon and Shirley Bredow.
Susan graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Education. She later moved to Minnesota where she met her husband (Fred) of 42 years. They lived in Switzerland for six and a half years before settling in Minnesota. Susan worked in the local school system for many years.
She enjoyed a full and blessed life, teaching elementary students, raising two sons, traveling the world, and later joining the PebbleCreek community in Arizona as a snowbird. Pickleball, playing cards with friends, going for walks and hikes, enjoying movies, and spending many fun and interesting hours with friends.
Being with family and many close friends brought Susan tremendous joy. She always dedicated time for her two sons and her grandchildren. She was blessed with many long lasting, close friendships which supported her throughout.
Susan is survived by her husband Fred and two sons, Jeff (Jenny) and Kevin (Lindsay), five grandchildren, and brother Tim (Kate) Bredow, two nieces, a nephew, one aunt and uncle, multiple cousins, and her many relatives in Switzerland.
A funeral service was held at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Woodbury MN on Nov. 9.
Susan will be deeply missed by her family and many others she has touched.
William B. Stough
William B. Stough, age 83, of Goodyear, died on Nov. 11. He was born Nov. 4, 1936 in Terre Haute, IN, the only child born to Ernest and Margaret (Scott) Stough. He graduated from Glenn High School in Seelyville, IN and studied business and marketing at Oklahoma State University and Indiana State University. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a crew chief for F-100 jet fighters. Bill always felt that the Air Force molded him to be a more responsible individual.
After his honorable discharge, he began selling advertising for a television station. A born leader with high standards and a strong work ethic, he rose through the ranks, eventually becoming president and general manager. His career took him to CBS affiliates WISH-TV channel 8 in Indianapolis (three times); WANE-TV in Ft. Wayne, IN; KTSP-TV channel 10 in Phoenix; and WGME-13 in Portland, ME.
Bill was highly respected by his family and peers. He was a bottom-line guy—practical and balanced in his approach to life. A man of few words, he quietly listened to absorb the conversation before responding. He made every effort to understand other’s strengths and weaknesses and gave advice in a way that was easily grasped. He led by example, inspiring his family members and employees with his wisdom and principles. He was a God-fearing man, full of compassion, encouragement, and love.
Bill led a healthy lifestyle. He enjoyed golf, gardening, and caring for his lawn. Reading, especially history, was always enjoyable. He was a sports fan and loved the Chicago Cubs and the Baltimore Ravens. His disciplined life continued even as his health failed. He was a model of strength and courage to the end. He was a strong follower of Jesus Christ, a loving husband, an endearing father and grandfather. His greatest joy came from his family. Classy and disciplined, he was known to let his hair down when he was with his grandchildren. Each member of his family felt his love and protective care deeply. One hug from Bill and the cares of the world would go away.
Bill is survived by his wife, Judy Stough; sons, Scott Stough, Reed Stough and his wife Tona; ten grandchildren, Caroline Wyatt, Cassandra Robison, Scott Wyatt, Andrew Stough, Aubrianna Stough, Nathanael Stough, Ella Stough, Hannah Stough, Coralee Stough, and Emmaline Stough; three great-grandchildren, Allie Robison, Luke Robison, and Lyra Jean Wyatt; and brother-in-law, Jim Jerrels.
A visitation was followed by a funeral service on Nov. 21, at Thompson Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Road, Goodyear, AZ 85338. Burial with military honors was at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85024. The family suggests that donations be made to the Boys & Girls Club by visiting www.bgca.org/ways-to-give or the HealthWell Foundation at www.healthwellfoundation.org. Condolences for the family may be left at www.ThompsonFuneralChapel.com.