In Passing

James (Jim) Allen Butner

Kare Bears respectfully acknowledges the passing of James (Jim) Allen Butner, Unit 39, who died on June 22, 2023, after a cardiac event. Jim was 77 years old.

Jim served in the U.S. Navy for 21 years as a Senior Chief E8. After retiring from the Navy, he was an engineer, and designed and manufactured silicon computer chips. He also taught computers in Germany for six weeks at a time.

Jim was a caregiver for his wife of 59 years, Darlene, during the past year while she battled cancer. A devoted husband and father, he and Darlene took 22 cruises, traveling the world together.

Darlene and Jim moved to PebbleCreek in 2004. Jim liked to bike ride and was a videographer and IT specialist for his friends and neighbors. Fluent in Spanish, Jim was known for his Mexican salsa recipe!

Jim is survived by his wife Darlene Marie Butner; son Rob Allen Butner, wife Janette Leigh, and their children Celene, Payton, Ashleigh, Dom and Kya; and son Michael Vernon Butner, wife Kellie Nicole, and grandchildren Coty and Cheyenne.

A Celebration of Life memorial service in PebbleCreek for Jim was held on July 9, 2023.

Bettie Lou Jones

Bettie Lou Jones of Litchfield Park, Ariz., was called home to her Heavenly Father on June 17, 2023. Bettie was born to Avery Daniel and Alta Lee Niblett on Feb. 12, 1929, in Christopher, Ill. She was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Bettie was married to Ken Jones on May 28, 1949. Together they raised their daughter Kendra and enjoyed 74 years of their lives with each other.

Bettie was a resident of the West Valley for over 65 years and spent many of those years working side by side with her husband in his auto and business endeavors and as a secretary at Buckeye Union High School. She was a fierce competitor, accomplished in bowling and golf, and loved watching sports; especially the Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, and any sports her grandsons were participating in. Bettie was an excellent homemaker who loved to cook and bake and spend time with her grandsons. Her family, friends, home, sports, cooking, and her dogs throughout the years were among the things that brought her the most joy. She was active in The Church at Litchfield Park.

She is survived by her husband, Ken Jones; daughter, Kendra (Larry) Gable; sister, Billie VanZandt; grandsons, Nathan (Olga) Gable, Jacob (Devin) Gable, Loren (Kylie) Gable; and 14 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Margaret, Howard, Mildred, Ronald, and Donald.

Funeral services were held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on June 28, with interment at the Louis B. Hazelton Memorial Cemetery in Buckeye, Ariz.

Vincent Michael Tobin

Vincent Michael Tobin, 79, passed away peacefully at his home in Goodyear, Ariz., on July 3, 2023.

He is survived by his wife Kathy, his son Ryan, his daughter Shannon, his sisters Teresa Hackett and Kathleen Dolph, his brother-in-law Tom Dolph, his brother Bill Tobin, his sisters-in-law Katy Tobin and Dusene Tobin, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Ed and Nora Tobin, brothers Paul and Al Tobin, sister-in-law Melba Tobin, sister Louise Madden, and brothers-in-law Bill Hackett and Jim Madden.

He spent his entire career coaching football starting at the University of Missouri. After leaving Missouri, he joined the Canadian Football League. Following a six-year stint with the B.C. Lions, Vince proceeded to join the USFL. As the defensive coordinator, he helped lead them to two championships.

He next joined the NFL serving as defensive coordinator for both the Chicago Bears and the Indianapolis Colts. He was named the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals in 1996 and later finished his career with the Green Bay Packers.

The Tobins, married for 45 years, moved to PebbleCreek in 2004. Vince enjoyed participating in the Roadrunners Golf Group, golf, the Wine Club, and the Irish Club.