Manataba Messenger

Page 26 Obituaries In Loving Memory of Justine (Isabel) Ward July 22, 1953 - June 15, 2021 Justine (Isabel) Ward was born July 22, 1953 at Ft. Yuma IHS on the Ft. Yuma Quechan Indian Reservation, Winterhaven, CA. Justine passed away peacefully on June 15, 2021, in San Diego, CA., at her home. Preceded in death by parents, LeRoy Ward and Muriel Hills O'Brien; infant son, Christopher Ward; sister, Marilyn Hammond; brother, Farren Escalanti. She is survived by her sons, David Ward of Yuma, AZ, and Justin Ward of Tucson, AZ. Sister's: Karen Ward of Yuma, AZ., Lauren Mike of Albuquerque, N.M., Ramona Escalanti and Regina Escalanti of the Ft. Yuma Indian Reservation, Winterhaven CA, Iris Ward of Oregon, Beverly Ward and Shirley Ward both of Tucson, AZ, with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Honorary pallbearers are: Everett Arrow, Ron Arrow, Dave Pasqual Sr., Dave Pasqual Jr., Paul Pasqual. The family would like to thank Sr. Rosemary and Sr. Bernadette from the Joan of Arc Residency and St. Joseph's Cathedral in San Diego, CA., for their assistance with Justine's untimely death. Tribal Ceremonial Rites were held at the Ft. Yuma Quechan Big House at 3:00 a.m., with Cremation at 5 a.m., Friday, July 02, 2021. Yuma Mortuary handled all arrange- ments. In Loving Memory of Kermit A. Palmer June 26, 1957 - June 30, 2021 Kermit A Palmer, 64, of Yuma, died June 30, 2021, in Yuma. A Tribal Councilman, he was born June 26, 1957, in Yuma, AZ to Flora Nejo and Joe Palmer, he is survived by his wife, Earlena Goodman. Kermit's funeral was held on Friday, July 9, 2021, with a viewing at 2 pm and services took place at 3 pm at Funeraria Del Angel, 795 W. 28th Street, Yuma, AZ. Funeraria del Angel/Kammann Mortuary was in charge of cremation arrangements at Desert Lawn Memorial Park. In Loving Memory of Bryant Scott November 10, 1985 - July 8, 2021 Bryant Scott, age 35, of Parker, Arizona passed away on Thursday, July 8, 2021. Bryant was born November 10, 1985. In Loving Memory of Francisco Perez September 15, 1997 - July 15, 2021 Francisco Perez, age 23, of Parker, Arizona passed away on Thursday, July 15, 2021. Francisco was born September 15, 1997. In Loving Memory of Robert Darnell Maldonado September 13, 1986 - July 21, 2021 Robert Darnell Maldonado (Bob), age 34, was called home on July 21st, 2021. He was born on September 13th, 1986, in Tucson, Arizona. He was an enrolled member of the Tohono Oodham Nation.Robert was employed with the Cocopah Tribe for most of his adult life. During his younger years, he played Baseball, was a traditional Peace & Dignity Runner, a wrestler, and a traditional Peon player. He was also a part of the Cocopah Police Explorers Youth Group. He is survived by his wife, Crystal Connors, his children, Raelynn, Dylan, Mikaela, Talon, and Robert-Reign. His mother, Cynthia (Lincoln) Maldonado, grandmother Irene (Genaro) Sharkey, Sisters; Amanda and Mary Sharkey, Corina Maldonado, Brothers; Marvin (Brittany) Sharkey III, Markel Maldonado, and Eric Thomas. Uncle; Dale Jim, Aunts; Gail Maldonado, Marylou (Jerrell) Brown. Nephews; Nathaniel, Isaiah, A.J., and Xavier Sharkey. Cousins; Christopher, Vincent, and Jacob Thomas. As well as other numerous loved family members from near and far.Robert is pre- ceded in death by his father, Marvin Sharkey Jr., aunt Roberta Maldonado, grand- mother; Christine Maldonado, and grandfather, Ronald Maldonado.Pallbearers will be family and friends of Robert D. Maldonado. Funeral services took place on Friday, July 30th, 2021, at Funeraria Del Angel, 795 W. 28th St. Yuma, AZ. Viewing was from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., Church Services were from 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Traditional rites followed at 5:00 p.m. at the East Cocopah Reservation with cremation on Saturday, July 31st, 2021, at 5:00 a.m. In Loving Memory of Joseph Elias Martinez “Joe” October 3, 1964 - July 24, 2021 Joseph Martinez was born on October 3, 1964 and passed on July 24, 2021. He was husband to Lisa Ann Martinez, and father to Lindsey Dobbins. He was the son of the late Elias Martinez & Genevieve Stevens- Martinez. His brothers are David L. Craig and the late Robert A. Scott, and his sister Tonia “Shelly” Stone. Joe had the honor of sounding TAPS, the solemn final farewell for Colorado River Indian Tribal military and veter- an’ rites. Viewing took place on August 6, 2021, from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Dignity Memorial Parker Funeral Home 1704 S. Ocotillo Ave., Parker, AZ 85344. Interment took place on August 7, 2021, at 8 a.m., at Town of Parker Cemetery, Parker, AZ. In Loving Memory of Marilyn H. Brown May 27, 1957 - July 29, 2021 On Thursday, July 29, 2021, Marilyn H. Brown (born May 27, 1957) got her wings to be with the Lord and walk with the angels. She was the youngest daughter to the late Fritz & Alice Brown in Ft. Yuma, CA. Marilyn was raised on the Quechan Reservation and eventually attended Sherman Indian School in Riverside, CA, where she graduated high school. After graduating, she moved to the San Jose area while attending DeAnza College, majoring in Physical Therapy. She spent the majority of her life thereafter dedicating herself to being a mother to her three daughters. Later in life, she wanted to go back to school for social work because of her love of helping people. She attended Arizona Western College major- ing in Social Science/Social Work. Marilyn had to return to the workforce and ded- icated several years to the Bingo Dept. at Paradise Casino. Marilyn is survived by her two daughters, Renee Brown and Venisha Brown. Her treasured grandchildren, Cyprus, Killian (Tiny), Alicia (Purdy), Dynasty (Pumpkin), Uniqke (Neekie), Adrian (Papa), and Nakari (Kari). She also leaves behind her great- nephew Jonathan Brown-Massey, cherished nieces and nephews, adored great nieces/nephews, great-nephews/nieces, beloved dear cousins, best friends Danny and Kerri, and many lifelong friends. Marilyn was preceded in death by her daughter Alicia Brown; grandson Baby Boy Brown; father, Fritz E. Brown; mother, Alice Brown; brother Reginald Brown; broth- er Fritz Brown Jr; sister Marveen C. Brown; sister Georgina Massey; partner Frank Martinez; nephew, Ernest Brown; nephew Gilbert Brown; nephews, Gabriel Massey, Dennins Massey Jr.; niece, Marlene Marks. Funeral services were held at Yuma Mortuary on Monday, August 9, 2021. Public viewing was from 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. Services were held from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. Tribal Rites followed at the Quechan Big House, Winterhaven, CA, on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, at midnight on the Quechan Reservation. Cremation was held on August 10, 2021, at 5 a.m. Pallbearers were Cyprus Comet, Killian Comet, Jonathan Brown-Massey, Marlon Barley Sr., Mario Barley Sr., Marcus Barley Sr., Marco Barley, Daniel Barley, Joseph Barley, Raymond Barley, Benjamin Massey, Marlon Barley Jr. Honorary Pallbearers were Adrian Montaldo, Aaron Brown, Allister Brown, Elliot Brown, Jarrell Brown, Jon Brown, Woodrow Brown, Marlowe Barley Sr., Marlowe Barley Jr., Joe Cachora, Jason Coyote, Jermaine Celina, Emilio Escalanti, Danny French, Jordan Joaquin, Joe Laurenzana Kevin McEwen, Andrew Leal, Jermaine Miguel, Anthony Comet Manchado, Gordon Osbourne, Norman Osbourne, Xavier Osbourne, Charles Reel, Alvin Robles, James Robles, Felipe Solis, Virgil Smith, Stephen Vicenti, John Villacana, Juan Villacana, Zion White, Jeffrey Cachora.