With profound sadness, Alex Sr., a child of God, was called home on May 15, 2013, after complications from surgeries. Alex was born February 26, 1943 in Phoenix, and was a lifelong resident. Upon graduating from Phoenix Union High School, he married his sweetheart, Amelia and began a long career in the construction trades, including sheetmetal, tarazzo and concrete.  His free time was spent traveling, fishing and enjoying the loving family to which he was devoted to.  Alex is survived by wife Amelia (née Orosco), son Alex Jr., and daughter-in-law Kit brothers Ernesto, George and Richard, his nieces and nephews Dodie and Jose Estrada, Tony and Teresa Barraza, Matt Barraza, Sandy Orosco and Elias Orosco, Bobby and Elizabeth Flores, Randy and Ernesto Jr. Flores as well as numerous others who were loved as if they were his own children.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 from 6:00-8:00 P.M., with a Rosary at 7:00 P.m., at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix.  A Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 10:00 A.M., at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 909 E. Washington St., Phoenix.  Interment to follow at the Glendale Memorial Park, 7844 N. 61^st Avenue, Glendale, AZ.

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81, of Phoenix, passed on to the Lord on May 17, 2013.  Lou was born on March 17, 1932 to immigrant Italian parents in Rockford, IL., where he attended elementary school, high school and Illinois Wesleyan University.  Lou and Priscilla Johnson were married in August 1951 in Rockford and brought seven children into their loving and caring arms.  Lou spent his life in the construction industry starting as a tradesman, then as a salesman and finally as the head of his granite, stone and marble company in Peoria, IL., Houston, TX and Phoenix.  Lou was extremely active in business and educational associations throughout his career.  Besides his love of The Lord, Lou took great pride in the time he spent with Cursillo, TEC and Prison Ministry in the Catholic communities of Illinois, Texas and Arizona.  In 2002 Lou finally retired in Phoenix and in 2004 Lou met and married the second love of his life, Barbara (B.J.).  Lou is preceded in death by his parents, sister Clorinda, brother Roy and first wife Priscilla.  He is survived by his wife Barbara (B.J.), sister-in-law Sheila Keyser (Rick), sons Brian (Maggie), Christopher (Connie), Otto, David (Pamela) and daughters Celeste (Ken) Swank, Clorinda D’Agnolo and Dianne D’Agnolo.  Fourteen grandchildren, Sean, Laura, Paul, Jayme, Nicole, Kim, Candace, Joshua, Jayde, Karina, Kelsey, Kristian, Lauren and Nicholas.  One great-granddaughter Allyson and another great-granddaughter and grandson expected this year.  Lou also leaves behind a nephew, three nieces and many dear extended family members, close friends and golfing buddies.  His humor and warmth will be greatly missed by all who knew him.  A visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 from 5:00-7:00 P.M., at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix.  There will be a Funeral Mass on Thursday, May 23, 2013 at 10:00 A.M., at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 5045 E. Thomas Rd., Phoenix.    A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Thomas Church in Peoria Heights, IL in early June followed by interment at Ressurection Mausoleum.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Lou’s honor to Cursillos/TEC Program, 401 N. E. Madison, Peoria, IL  61603 or The North Phoenix Kidney Dialysis Center, 1957 W. Dunlap Ave., Suite 6C, Phoenix, AZ  85021  

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61, passed away April 30, 2013. She was born in Phoenix, Arizona to John and Patricia McCarthy. Marion studied English at Arizona State University. She worked in the Temporary Employment field where she managed several offices. Marion is survived by her daughter, Allison, sisters Michelle, Colleen, Susan, Mary, Elizabeth, brother John, grandchildren Liam and Teagan and many nieces and nephews. Marion lived life to the fullest, loved to take risks, and had an insatiable appetite for adventure. Her interests were varied from photography to white water rafting but it was her family that meant the most to her. Marion inspired many and had an impact on all who knew her. There will be a memorial service for Marion in Mission Beach, CA in the fall.

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86, beloved mother, nana, sister and friend of Phoenix, AZ passed away on May 08, 2013.  Mary (aka Maria Louisa Gaucin, “Licha”) was born in Claypool, AZ and raised in Camp 53, Litchfield Park, AZ.  She was a homemaker and worked for Salon de Venus for many years.  Mary is survived by her children; Gloria Aguilar, Elvira Howard, Manuel and Tony Estrada; daughter-in-law Christina Estrada; son-in-law Vidal Aguilar; 16 grandkids, 27 great grandkids, 10 great great-grandkids; sisters Belen, Ofelia, Ester, Celia; and brothers Alfonso, and Raul.  Services will be held at Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1421 S. 12^th Street in Phoenix. Visitation will be held from 6-9pm, with a Rosary at 7pm, Thursday, May 16.  Funeral Mass will be on Friday, May 17 at 10am.  Interment will follow at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery in Phoenix. 

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Born on May 2, 1931, Mary Ann Bernadette Wanslee began her life in San Francisco, California. She was an extraordinary woman who instantly enveloped others in her warmth, her goodness, her passion for God, her family and life. The eldest of nine siblings, Mary Ann was raised in Seattle and Los Angeles by her parents Montgomery and Ann Nelford.  Mary Ann’s earliest years were spent with her beloved paternal grandmother Mamie, who exposed Mary Ann to Norwegian culture, including sailing, fishing, enjoying raw oysters, and taking traditional sauna and ice plunges; all of which helped to form  her adventurous personality. After graduating from Bishop Conaty Memorial High School, Mary Ann attended the University of Nevada at Reno.  During the 50’s through the 70’s Mary Ann worked as a black jack and craps dealer in Lake Tahoe, Reno and Las Vegas.  The love of Mary Ann’s life was Patrick Wanslee, and they were married on the very day they met.  While Mary Ann and Pat may have had one of the shortest courtships in history, each day was a celebration of their love and commitment.  They experienced a brief separation when Pat passed away in 2011 but are now reunited and certainly playing their favorite card game of gin rummy. Mary Ann always had a twinkle in her eye and a zest for living.  Down to earth but elegant, she gathered strength from her deep faith and helping others.  Mary Ann spent countless hours in service right up to her passing.  Her many civic and service activities include labor organizing for dealers in Las Vegas, serving as a Catholic Daughter, teaching religious education, comforting the ill as a hospital Eucharistic minister at St. Joseph’s and Phoenix Indian Medical Center, and serving as a volunteer chaplain at the Maricopa County Jails and State and Federal Prisons. She was passionate about all right to life issues and helped to found a women’s center providing pregnancy counseling and adoption services.  Throughout her entire life, Mary Ann wholeheartedly and enthusiastically shared her God given talents to assist others. Mary Ann’s passions included a natural love for travel and an insatiable curiosity about anything involving history, science and etymology.  She was extremely creative and fearless of undertaking any project once she made up her mind.  Mary Ann also enjoyed the Arts.  She loved live opera, ballets, plays and musicals and dragged her children and grandchildren to countless performances. Mary Ann’s greatest gift to her children and grandchildren was her unconditional love. She was fun and generous with her time, money and love.  She was the best mother that anyone could have wished for and we are eternally grateful for the privilege of calling her Mom. She was preceded in death by Pat Wanslee and her beloved daughter, Maris Marie Stern. Mary Ann is survived her son, David (Michele); and her twin daughters, Madeleine (Brian Mullen) and Melissa (Bob McCullough). She is also survived by four grandchildren whom she adored, Rachel, Rebecca, Carmel and Benjamin. A Visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00 p.m., Thursday, May 16, 2013 with a Rosary at 6:00 p.m. at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 17, 2013 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 4715 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. Interment will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 20, 2013 at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, 2033 N. 48^th St., Phoenix.

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Constance Marie Wayland, 74, of Scottsdale, passed away May 5, 2013.  Constance was born October 2, 1938 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix.  Her parents were Arthur and Vaheda Hurley Szink.  Her brother, Stuart Arthur Szink, predeceased her in 2012.  She attended local schools, North High, the University of Arizona and graduated from Arizona State University in 1960.  She married John Robert Wayland on December 27, 1960, and they remained married for 52 years.  Connie and John raised two children, Alison Paige and Lance Fielding.  John and their children survive her.  John and Connie raised their family in Paradise Valley and eventually relocated to the Briarwood IV community in Scottsdale, where she served the Homeowners’ Board for several years.  Throughout her life, she was an elementary school educator, home maker and store manager.  Connie volunteered much of her time to local causes, particularly the Arizona Kidney Foundation and Hospice of the Valley.  Her love, caring and strength greatly impacted her family and many lives outside her family. A Memorial Service will be held at Central Methodist Church, 1875 North Central Avenue, Downtown Phoenix, on Monday, May 13 at 10:00 AM.  A reception will follow at Scottsdale North Assisted Living, 9883 E. Cortez  Street, Scottsdale, AZ  85260 at 1:00 PM.

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81, of Phoenix, passed away on May 2, 2013 in Las Vegas, where she loved to be with her best friend Betty George.  She went out in style.  She is survived by her daughter Debbie Atchley, two grandsons, John (Maria) and Danny (Angela) Atchley, six great-grandchildren, Sabrina, Larissa, Danny, Johnpaul, Pristine and Jestine and one great great-grandchild Elias.  Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 11^th, from 10:00 – 11:00 A.M. with a Funeral Service at 11:00 A.M. at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix.   Interment will follow at St. Francis Cemetery.

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DiPietro, James, (Jim) 89, of Phoenix, AZ and successful owner of DiPietro Plumbing with his brother Peter for over 50 years in Deerfield, IL passed away May 5, 2013.  Jim was born on October 26, 1923 in Provincia Di Teramo, Italy.  He arrived in America with his family when he was 6 years old.  Served in World War II as an Army Air Force pilot and flew missions over Italy, Tunisia, and all of Southern Europe.  He was a very successful business man, but he was also a very generous and kind man, doing what he could to help others.

He is survived by his two daughters, Theresa Mena and Constance (Barry) Herchenroder, grandchildren Louis, Andrew (Kristin), Alex (Eleanor) Mena , Eugenia (Victor) Kapusta, Anthony, Raymond, Matthew Herchenroder and Theresa (Paul) Bissonnette and great-grandchildren German Berna, Christine (Kris) Glass, Ivan Kapusta, Anthony, Jimmy, Kiara, Marlene Mena and Breanne Bissonnette.   He is also survived by his brother Peter (Pam) DiPietro and two sisters-in-law Alberta and Margaret DiPietro and all their children, and Olivia Cicconi, his loving friend and Caregiver, and his beloved dog Nikki.

A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 2312 E. Campbell Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85016 (602-954-0989) on Friday, May 10 at 1:30 PM. Refreshments will be served at St. Thomas Church Hall immediately following the Mass.  In lieu of flowers, if you wish, please make a donation in his honor to Foothills Food Bank, PO Box 715, Carefree, AZ 85377.

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Passed away on May 5^th, 2013 at 90 years of age.  He was born February 11^th, 1923 in Williams, Arizona.  Moving to Peoria and later settling in Phoenix.  He graduated from Phoenix Union High School and proudly served his country with the U.S. Army in Europe while his four brothers were serving in the Pacific during WWII.  An accomplished woodworker and jack of all trades he along with his brothers built his family home where he and his wife raised eight children.  He crafted dressers and cabinets for his children and grandchildren that will remain family heirlooms for years to come.  An avid hunter and outdoorsman he taught his children to love and respect nature in all its glory.  After a 36 year career with Reynolds Metal Co. he retired in 1984.  He leaves behind Rosa his loving wife of 63 years, brothers Victor and Salvador, sisters Ruth Gonzales (Norwalk, CA), Esperanza Hinojos, Josepina Soto, Mary Compton (Liberty, MO), eight children, sons Carlos, David, and Ramon, daughters, Gloria Flores, Esther Rojas, Martha Cuevas (Yorktown, VA), Sylvia Ramirez, Juanita Mead, fourteen grandchildren, three great-grandchildren.  He is preceded in death by brothers George and Edward.  This loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Visitation will be held at 10:30am with a Funeral Mass at 11:00am, Thursday, May 9, 2013 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 1954 N. 24^th Street, Phoenix. Arrangements entrusted to Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home.

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Age 59, resident of Albuquerque, passed away on Friday, April 26, 2013.  He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Patricia; son, Jasin Weaver and wife, Ashley; mother, Joan Whiting; brothers, Gene Weaver and James Weaver; and extended family members and many friends.  He will be remembered as a man who was devoted to his wife, family, church, and the Knights of Columbus.  A Memorial Gathering will be held from 6:00-8:00pm on Wednesday, May 8^th at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ.  Larry will be laid to rest at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery in Phoenix, AZ. 

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