In Passing – February 2026

Ronald Silkey

Major Ronald David Silkey, USAF, Ret., a proud veteran of the United States Air Force, took his final flight on Dec. 4, 2025. The son of Irven and Eleanor (née Krughoff) Silkey, Ron was born in Peoria, Ill., in 1942 and graduated from the University of Illinois, where he was a member of Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity. It was there he met his college sweetheart and wife of 61 years, Fran (née Naughton). Together they raised three exceptional children—Colonel Brian Silkey, USAF, Ret. (Dr. Jacqueline), Susan Silkey (William White), and Katherine Benton (Joshua)—and were blessed with nine wonderful grandchildren: Taylor Myers (Jordan), Kacie, Joey, and Kyler Silkey, Ethan and Eli White, and Stella, Asher, and Caleb Benton.

Major Silkey served two tours in Vietnam, beginning his Air Force career as a Navigator-Bombardier in the 8th Bomb Squadron, one of the service’s oldest and most storied flying units. Flying the B-57 Canberra on demanding night interdiction and close-air-support missions, he earned a reputation for precision and courage. Among the great honors of his career, he served as Chuck Yeager’s bombardier, reflecting his exceptional skill and the trust placed in him by a legendary aviator.

Committed to advancing his flying career, he completed pilot training at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Okla., and transitioned to the cockpit. He returned to Vietnam as an F-4 Phantom pilot with the 497th Tactical Fighter Squadron, “The Nite Owls,” an elite unit known for its dangerous night strike missions. Across his two tours, he flew more than 260 missions, demonstrating extraordinary bravery, resilience, and devotion to his fellow airmen.

Ron later served as a test pilot at Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., contributing to critical advancements in military aviation. His distinguished career earned him two Distinguished Flying Crosses, 17 Air Medals, two Air Force Commendation Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Air Force Presidential Unit Citation, and other honors. He ultimately retired as a Major from the Texas Air National Guard.

An accomplished scratch golfer and enthusiastic traveler, Ron lived retirement with the same passion that defined his service. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Marcia Hazelwood, and is survived by his devoted family, including siblings Rick Silkey and Carolyn Wilson.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, or a charity of your choice.

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.

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 was held on Jan. 11 at Thompson Funeral Chapel with a graveside service on Jan. 12 at the Hazelton Memorial Cemetery in Buckeye.

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.

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, with celebrations of life planned at later dates in Minnesota and Arizona.

Cards can be mailed to: Nelson-Doran Funeral Home, 202 8th Avenue N.E., Brainerd, MN 56401.