^{Wickenburg Obituaries from the Wickenburg Sun}

 

Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ
May 30, 2007, p. A12
CECIL C. BILLINGSLEY, age 83, passed away May 19 in the comfort of his home surrounded by loved ones. Born July 31, 1923 in Prescott Arizona to Cecil and Isie Billingsley, his life began on the OX ranch, started by his father in 1906. The Billingsley family owned the OX ranch until 1969. Cecil then moved to Nucla, Colo., with his brother Buck, son Terry, and nephew Cecil Edward to establish the Billingsley Ranch, which they operated for 10 years. Returning to Arizona, Cecil and Terry owned the M-Diamond ranch in the Verde Valley from 1979-1988. Cecil was a very talented roper and a PRCA Turtle member. Most important to Cecil was spending time with his family and many friends. Survivors include his wife Charlotte, son Terry Billingsley, daughter April Harrison, step-son Craig Stern, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Predeceased in death by his parents Cecil and Isie, brothers George and Buck and sisters Tommie Dunn, Lucille Templeton, and Ruth Pemberton. To celebrate his life, a memorial service and cowboy potluck will be held on Saturday (June 2) at 11 a.m. at the Billingsley residence, 540 Gloria Lane, Cornville, Ariz. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Cecil's memory to Arizona Cancer Society or Northern Arizona Hospice.

The Wickenburg Sun
Aug. 7, 1959
C. W. BILLINGTON Is Found Dead
CARROLL WILLIAM BILLINGTON, 63, was found dead in his bed in a little house on the alley behind the county jail last Saturday afternoon. L. D. Riggan and W. D. Swinney suspected something was wrong and notified Police Chief Dick Savage who broke down the blocked door and found the body. Mr. Billington had last been seen Tuesday evening and Chief Savage says indications were that the man had died of natural causes after he had retired in as much as the house was locked from the inside. Mr. Billington was a disabled veteran and had been in ill health for a long time. According to friends he made during the two and one-half years he has lived here, Mr. Billington’s wife died five years ago and there were no children. A sister, Mrs. Helen Dobbins resides in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Billington came here from Douglas. Burial took place in the Wickenburg Cemetery Saturday afternoon.

The Wickenburg Sun
July 6, 2005, p. A9
JAN C. BIRD, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend passed away July 3, 2005, after a valiant two-year battle with cancer. She is now rejoicing in heaven with Jesus in her new disease-free and pain-free body. Jan loved Jesus very much and leaves a legacy of over 35 years of service to Christ. Over the years, she led many women (and at least one man - her husband Stephen) to the Lord. Jan was born Nov. 6, 1942 in Belvidere, Ill., to Ben and Nancy Carpenter. She grew up on a ranch just outside Denver, Colo., where she developed a life-long love of horses. She graduated from high school in Oelwein, Iowa, in 1961. She then attended St. Luke's School of Nursing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and graduated in 1964 as a Registered Nurse. Upon graduation, she returned to Denver where she met Steve in September 1965. Five months later on Feb. 19, 1966, she married Steve in the First Presbyterian Church in Lakewood, Colo. Steve's job took them to the Las Vegas area in 1968 and then to Phoenix in 1976. In 1997, she and Steve moved to Wickenburg. From 1989 to 2000, Jan was a lay Christian counselor at Victorious Christian Living in Phoenix, where she ministered to many women. In 1994, she became a counselor-trainer and continued her counseling ministry until 2000 when she decided to spend full-time in Wickenburg. She was active in the Women's Ministry programs at Community Alliance Church until 2003 and then at First Southern Baptist Church. Jan is survived by her husband Steve, a son Stephen Bird in Phoenix, a daughter Cheryl Nelson in Surprise, eight grandchildren, her parents Ben and Nancy Carpenter in Fayetteville, Ga., a sister Beth Germaraad in Crete, Ill., a brother Ben in Peachtree City, Ga., three nieces and one nephew, two grand-nieces, and Steve's mother, R. Berniece Mahoney of Wickenburg. Funeral arrangements are pending under the direction of the Frey-Wickenburg Funeral Home. A memorial service will be conducted by Pastor Dean Stanley of First Southern Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in memory of Jan be made to the Hospice of the Valley in Phoenix or to the First Southern Baptist Church Youth Program.

The Wickenburg Sun
March 12, 2008, p. A10
Memorial services for MARGARET ANNA BISCHOFF, age 71, will be held on Friday (March 14) at 3 p.m. at Morristown Christian Fellowship with Pastor Mike Jones officiating. Margaret was born March 13, 1936 in Backnang, Germany. She attended schools there and moved to New York in 1960 where she was a store manager in a bakery. She met OTTO BISCHOFF while he was serving in the Army. They married in 1970 and moved to New Jersey where she became the purchasing manager for Colex Corporation in Paramus, N.J. She attended college at Bergen Community College in Paramus where she majored in Art. She and Otto moved to Morristown, Ariz., in 1999. Her hobbies were cooking and gardening. She had the largest and most beautiful garden in the community where she lived. If one was fortunate enough to be asked over for dinner, the consensus was to eat as little as possible that day so you could save your appetite for one of her delicious meals. Her many friends say she never thought about herself; she was always there for her friends, and she was generous and was very unselfish. She will be missed by anyone lucky enough to have known her. Margaret is survived by her husband Otto BISCHOFF of Morristown, sisters Christa SCHNEIDER of Backnang, Germany, and Gisela KOCH of Basel, Switzerland, and brother Manfred KLIEGL of Genchen, Switzerland. Arrangements are under the direction of Wickenburg Funeral Home & Crematory.

The Wickenburg Sun
June 22, 1962
Man Found Dead
Body of a man identified as ANTON BISELY, 76, of Prescott was found dead beside a trash dump one and a half miles north of Morristown on the Castle Hot springs Road early Wednesday afternoon. Coroner R.L. WESTALL estimated that death occurred Tuesday evening.

The Wickenburg Sun
Dec 19, 2001, p. A11
ABAGAIL BISHOP of Lehi, Utah, returned to her heavenly father on Nov. 7, 2001. Abagail entered the world Jan. 23, 2001. She brought much joy to her parents Mark and Kathy Bishop, and sisters Shelby, 4, and Sydney, 3, all of Lehi. Also surviving are grandparents Steve and Doris Roberts of Wickenburg, and Ray and Peggy Bishop of Utah; uncle and aunt Doug and Annette Roberts of Wickenburg; cousins Kinzie Taylor Saydi and Tobi Roberts; and a number of aunts, uncles and cousins in Utah.

Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, Arizona
Dec. 7, 1944
IVAN BISHOP is Killed in Action
A telegram from the War Department early Tuesday morning, December 5th, 1944, brought the sad news to Mrs. Dorothy Bishop. IVAN BISHOP had been killed in the European Theatre of War on November 18th. Before entering the service last spring he was employed at Clairborne Flight Academy. He was home on furlough in July, going overseas soon after his furlough was over. Besides his wife he is survived by two daughters, Mary five years old, and Patricia Ann, who was three years old the day her father was killed. Mrs. Bishop is the former Dorothy HARRIS, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack W. HARRIS of Wickenburg.

Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, Arizona
Nov. 11, 1955, p. 3
Mrs. Wolcott's Mother Summoned In Pasadena
Her friends are extending condolences to Mrs. Vera WOLCOTT who was bereaved last week by the death of her mother, Mrs. GRACE BJORGLUM, at her home in Pasadena, Calif. Mrs. Wolcott was at her mother's bedside. Death occurred November 3 and funeral services were held last Saturday. Mrs. BJORGLUM, who had been in ill health for some time, came to Wickenburg with Mr. & Mrs. Wolcott when they purchased the Circle JR Motel, and made her home here for a time. Another daughter, a son and two sisters survive.

Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, Arizona
April 17, 1996
BLANCHE LaVERNE BLAIR of Wickenburg died April 10 in the Wickenburg Nursing Home. She was 89. Mrs. Blair was born Aug. 2, 1906 in Tangent, Ore. She had lived in Arizona for the past 50 years. Mrs. Blair was a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Wickenburg. She was employed in the past by Brayton’s Commercial Store in Wickenburg, Bryant’s Variety Store in Wickenburg and Poncho’s Store in Wickenburg. In her early years before she moved to Wickenburg, she worked for the May Co. in California. Mrs. Blair is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Dewey Dawson of Wickenburg; brother Delvan C. Simons of Redmond, Ore.; grandchildren Cathleen Ledford of Willcox, and Dan and Joe Franklin, both of Congress; 13 great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. She was preceded in death by a grandson, John Franklin in1989. Private graveside services were Saturday, April 13 at the Wickenburg Municipal Cemetery. Dewey Dawson officiated. Memorial contributions in Mrs. Blair name may be made to the Wickenburg Nursing Home, 520 Rose Lane, Wickenburg, 85390. All arrangements were handled by Brown's Wickenburg Funeral Home.

The Wickenburg Sun
July 10, 1996
ANNE BLUNDELL of Wickenburg died July 2 at her home. She was 67. Mrs. Blundell was barn Sept 11, 1928 in Shelbyville, Kentucky. She had lived in Arizona for 11 Years. She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Marshall. Mrs. Blundell worked in the construction industry with her husband for many years. Mrs. BLUNDELL spent much of her time caring for the "underdogs" in life, raising money for those who were in need. She will be remembered for all the charity and love she bestowed upon her family and friends throughout her life. Survivors include her daughter Rebecca J. BLUNDELL of Wickenburg; daughter and son-in-law Marsha and Fred HAUPTMANN of Oregon; sons Dan, Walt, and Ron KIGHT; sisters Hope McCAULLEY and Elizabeth MOYDELL; brother Bill WHEATLEY, grandchildren Courtney, Mink, Erik HAUPTMANN, Tanya HAUPTMANN, Tyler, Jared and Ashley MART. Awake was held Friday, July 5 at Ranch Bar 7. Memorial contributions may be made to Samaritan Hospice, 2222 S. Dobson, #401, Mesa, Ariz. 85202.

 

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The Wickenburg Sun
June 25, 2008
ELLADEAN HAYS BITTNER, 89, died June 10 in Anchorage, Alaska, surrounded by her family. She had suffered a stroke five days earlier. Elladean, known as Ellie, was born to Roy and Hazel HAYS February 1, 1919, in Phoenix, Ariz., during the great flu pandemic. She often remarked on why she had no birth certificate: the hospital did not expect her to survive. Ellie grew up on the Hays Ranch in Peeples Valley. Her ancestor, Boone Hays, Daniel Boone’s grandson, drove cattle to California in 1849 and began the family ranching operations, which remain in business to this day. Ellie’s father moved to Arizona in 1912 to start the Hays Cattle Company. He thought California was too crowded: “When they started raising white chickens and Jersey cows, it’s time to move.” As a child and young woman, she worked on the open-range ranch and attended class at the one-room schoolhouse in Peeples Valley, which she successfully fought to preserve in the last years of her life. When her older sister Margaret first went to school, Ellie also packed up her things and headed across the ranch to the one room schoolhouse, only to be sent home each day, as she was too young. Ellie wouldn’t take no for an answer and, after escaping home and going to school on her own several times, she was finally allowed to attend permanently. Ellie often shared stories of riding the range around Peeples Valley, proudly laying claim to the fact that she had ridden all of the land you could see for 360 degrees. She studied home economics at the University of Arizona, graduating in 1939. During her time at the University of Arizona, she rode with the U.S. Army Cavalry and was crowned “Aggie Queen.” She was chosen to be a member of Mortar Board, a national honor society. Ellie married William Edward Bittner on August 5, 1944. Bill was born in 1917 in Anchorage and learned to fly in Alaska. With the shortage of pilots during World War II, Bill instructed Navy recruits in Holbrook, Ariz., where he met Ellie. They honeymooned in the territory of Alaska that year, traveling by Alaska steamship to Anchorage to meet her in-laws Catherine and Edward Bittner, and Catherine’s mother Anna Ashton, who had moved from Nome to Anchorage in 1915. There she encountered another breed of Western women - Anna, who had run the Banner Train Station outside of Nome during the gold rush, and Catherine, who won the Nome High School dog mushing race on the Bering Sea in 1914. In 1950, Ellie and Bill moved to Anchorage with their children Catherine, William and Judith. Ellie worked for the Anchorage School District from 1951 to 1964, teaching home economics at Anchorage High School and later at East High School. She started a boys’ cooking class and an early childhood education daycare. Ellie later attended graduate school in early childhood development at Cornell University and Oregon State University. Governor Hickel appointed Ellie to a position with the State Department of Education. In this position, Ellie traveled extensively, interviewing women in remote villages and towns around Alaska and published a study that was a pioneer effort to identify economic opportunities for women in Alaska. Ellie returned to ranching in the early 1970s when she and Bill began splitting their time between Alaska and Arizona. She established the “Quien Sabe” Outfit, in her words a greasy sack outfit, and remained active in ranching until her death. Ellie and her Quien Sabe Outfit were featured in the “Modern Ranching Women” exhibit at the grand opening of the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, Texas, in June 2002. Ellie is included in “Hard Twist,” Barbara Van Cleve’s book on Western ranching women. Ellie was involved in many community organizations throughout her life including the Nature Conservancy, Peeples Valley Yarnell Historical Society, and Wickenburg Cultural Organization. She served as chairman of the Desert Caballeros Western Museum and as president of the Yavapai Cattle Growers Association, which hosted the annual Calf Sale at the Hays Ranch. She is survived by her daughter Catherine and son-in-law Senator Ted Stevens; son William and daughter-in-law Michelle; daughter Judith Bittner; granddaughters Angie Cagle and Lily Stevens; grandsons Jonathan, Daniel, William, and Nicholas Bittner; great-grandson William Edward Cagle; sister Margaret Rigden; brother John Hays and sister-in-law Mary Hays; nieces Cynthia Rigden, Anna Mary Rigden, Janie Surgent, Becky Rovey; nephews Charles Rigden and Johnny Hays; and many other beloved great nieces, great nephews and other family members. She is preceded in death by her husband William Edward Bittner and parents Roy and Hazel Hays. A memorial service to celebrate the life of Elladean Hays Bittner will be held later this year in Wickenburg. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Desert Caballeros Western Museum, 21 North Frontier Street, Wickenburg, Arizona 85390, 684-2272.

The Wickenburg Sun
April 16, 2008 p. A9
DONALD ASAY BLACKBURN left this earthly life April 12 at his family home in Wickenburg with his wife Victoria by his side. He was born Dec. 1, 1932, in Lovell, Wyo., to Hyrum and Gladys BLACKBURN. June 11, 1985, he married his wife VICTORIA WATSON of Chinook, Mont. On Feb. 4, 2003, he was sealed for time and eternity in the Mesa Temple in Arizona. His life was marked by an unconditional love for his family. Don was preceded on his journey by his three sons Steve, Danny, and Lynn BLACKBURN. He awaits the reunion with his loving wife Victoria, Marilyn WITT and husband Kelly, Jeffrey BLACKBURN and wife Linda, David BLACKBURN and wife Velma, Teri Lee BENOIT and husband Kenny, Troy HUNTER, Harley BLACKBURN and wife Jodi, Brenda Lorash and husband Eddie, Derk Hunter and wife Katrina, Brent BOWEN and wife Allyson, grandchildren Natalie RALLO and Justin BLACKBURN of Wickenburg, and over 60 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Don grew up in Lovell where he was an outstanding athlete in football and basketball before leaving for Korea as an Army soldier in 1951. Upon his return from Korea, he worked the jobs no one else would. He worked setting concrete forms for the Glen Canyon Dam in Arizona. He owned and ran a large uranium mine in his mid-20s. He worked as a salesman for FMC selling agricultural products to some of the largest farms in the United States near Stockton, Calif. His business ventures included owning and managing various gold mines in Montana, Wyoming, and Arizona; consulting work for the governments of China and Vietnam; uranium ventures in Arizona, Utah, and Wyoming; Blackburn Drilling that operated across the United States and in Australia; Bear Creek Coal Partners of Montana; Titanium Resources Corporation; Vanadium Partners, Inc.; and other projects too numerous to recount. His character, humor and personality will be celebrated at the Wickenburg LDS Church at 6 p.m., Thursday (April 17) with visitation an hour prior to services, and at the LDS Stake Center in Lovell, Wyoming, at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 23. He will be laid to rest with his sons Steve, Danny, and Lynn in Lovell. All are welcome to attend. A memorial fund has been set up for the Perpetual Education Fund and for the Humane Society. Contributions can be sent to: P.O. Box 20238 Wickenburg, AZ 85358 The family would like to thank you for all your prayers. Arrangements are under the direction of Wickenburg Funeral Home & Crematory.

The Wickenburg Sun
June 1, 1956
Father Of Local Man Is Summoned
Funeral services were held last Saturday afternoon in Mesa for CHARLES M. BLAKELY, Sr., father of Charles M. BLAKELY of Wickenburg, operator of Blakely's service station west of town. The senior Mr. Blakely passed away May 24 in the California Lutheran Hospital in Los Angeles where he had been a patient for a month. He was 72 years of age and had been a resident of Arizona since he was six years old. Born in Webster City, Iowa, Mr. Blakely moved to Mesa and later delivered mail there by horse and buggy and later by motorcycle. He worked as a parts man in a Ford agency after finishing his rural mail carrier service. Moving to Gilbert, Mr. BLAKELY operated an auto agency of his own until 1938. He then established a general merchandise store which is still in operation. He was a member of the Gilbert Community Methodist Church, a former Gilbert school board member and a director of the Mesa Southside District Hospital. He was also active on the Roosevelt Boy Scout Council. Besides his son in Wickenburg, he is survived by two other sons, Monroe BLAKELY of Phoenix and M. Vincent of Tucson, and a daughter, Mrs. John L.

The Wickenburg Sun
June 5, 1996
ROBERT ROY BLEDSOE of Congress, died June 2 in Congress. He was 86. Mr. Bledsoe was born Jan. 22, 1910 in Santa Rosa, Calif. He had lived in Arizona for the past 20 years, coming from California. Mr. Bledsoe, and his wife, Rae, were well known to many in the area from their ownership and operation of the Aztec Trailer Park in Wickenburg from 1973 to 1991, when they sold the, park. Mr. Bledsoe had a love of aeronautics, having bought and teaching himself to fly when he was 80 years old. During his lifetime Mr. Bledsoe worked at car sales, antique sales and restoration, and tuning and restoring pianos and organs, He also had artistic talent, working in painting and silk screening. In his youth he enjoyed fishing with his brother, Ernest Wayne Bledsoe, who preceded him in death. Mr. Bledsoe also served in the U.S. Navy. Survivors include a stepson, Milo Elofson of Chandler; cousin Gladys Matovich of Cloverdale California and close friend Ines Saems of Wickenburg. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rae, in March 1994, and his father, Ernest Ray Bledsoe. Services will be at2 p.m. Saturday, June 8 at Frey Funeral Home and Cremation Service, with interment to follow in the Congress Cemetery. Pastor Duane Middleton will officiate. Contributions in Mr. Bledsoe’s name may be made to a charity of one's choice. Frey Funeral Home and Cremation Service was in charge of all arrangements.

The Wickenburg Sun
July 25, 2001
VESTA MISSALL BLOOM of Santa Rosa, Calif., and a former longtime resident of Wickenburg, died July 23 in Santa Rosa. She was 91. Mrs. Bloom worked for many years at Dr. Floyd Bralliar's medical clinic in Wickenburg. Memorial services for Mrs. Bloom will be at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 29 at the First Presbyterian Church of Wickenburg. Pastor Jim Longstreet will officiate.

The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ
Dec 5, 2001, p. A20
VIRGINIA "GINNY" HOLDEN BLUSHKOFSKI of Wickenburg died Nov. 28, 2001. She was 61. Mrs. Blushkofski was born May 21, 1940 in Sheboygan, Wisc., and had lived in Arizona since 1964. Survivors include her husband John, who she married on Dec. 28, 1963; daughter Risa, grandson Austin and son-in-law Matthew Noble of Tucson; sisters Dorothy, Winifred, Helen and Betty; sister-in-law Dorothy and brother-in-law Orville of the Sheboygan area; mother-in-law Anna Blushkofski; and brother and sister-in-law Art and Ruth Perry of Elkhart Lake, Wisc. She was preceded in death by her son Peter, her parents and two brothers. Visitation and funeral services were held Monday (Dec. 3) at Redeemer Lutheran Church, with Rev. Wahl officiating. Burial was held at Sunland Memorial Park following the services. Memorials may be sent to the Virginia/Peter Blushkofski Memorial Fund at the Arizona Cancer Center, Development Office, University of Arizona, Tucson AZ 85724-5013.

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