OBITUARIES: '58 GALS

Viola Louise “Lola” (Johnson) Flesher, 67, passed away September 19, 2007, in Eureka, CA, after a courageous battle with Leukemia.  Lola was born in Arkansas and spent her childhood years in Phoenix, AZ. She married Dale J. Flesher in 1959, and they shared 48 years together raising four children: Steven Dale Flesher, Brenda Lee Boyd, Joe Anthony Flesher and Michelle Janine Collver.  Dale and Lola moved to Willow Creek, CA, in 1992 where they enjoyed their quiet life and retirement years. Lola loved spending time with her six grandchildren, Andrew, Alyssa, Levi, Krissa, Amanda and Jeremy. Lola found no greater happiness than being surrounded by friends and family. (excerpted from the Eureka Times-Standard, September 23, 2007)

Kathleen (Lyon) Romley, 67, passed away on April 6, 2008. Born in San Diego, she spent most of her life in Arizona, where she graduated from Camelback High School and the University of Arizona. While in college, Kathy met her husband, Arthur. Kathy enjoyed times with her friends, and was intensely interested in many things, especially vacationing in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, tennis, ice hockey, working with children at day care, her exacting craft work, and her canine companions. Survivors included her husband; and her 3 children: Phillip, Jenni Jewett (Brian) and John (Allison). (excerpted/edited from The Arizona Republic, April 9, 2008)

Judith Ann “Judy” (Reilly) Lifgren, 71, of Phoenix, passed away December 1, 2010.  She was for many years affiliated with the family nursery business. A friend said that Judy was a very ‘giving’ person. Survivors included her husband, John A Lifgren; her children; and a sister, Marion Holden. Judy was predeceased by a brother, Frank Reilly, Camelback class of ’56.

Ida Louise (Shoemaker) Lawrence, 66, of Phoenix Arizona, passed away on Sunday, September 3, 2006.  She was an Arizona native, and had been afflicted with Multiple Sclerosis for many years. Survivors included her husband, Barney Lawrence; mother, Margaret Fifield; son, Michael Schrab; sister, Margaret Gardner; and brother, Brad Shoemaker.  Ida was a graduate of Camelback High School, class of 1958, and then graduated from Arizona State University in 1965. She taught school in the Scottsdale School District for 25 years, and was blessed with many close friends and an unforgettable smile. (excerpted from The Arizona Republic, September 7, 2006)

Barbara Jean (Wade) Corsette, 66, of Scottsdale Arizona, passed away on February 16, 2007. A former employee of the State Division of Emergency Management, she spent her early years on the Wade family farm in Peoria and earned a bachelor’s degree at Arizona State University before starting her career as an elementary school teacher in California.  That commitment to public service and helping others was a defining element of her life.  Barbara was a devoted mother who worked hard to help her two sons through college and on to future success.  She was about family – her kids, her grandson, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews were most precious to her.  An avid reader and history buff, she was always quick to see the humor in life.  Her legacy is one of kindness, generosity, love, smiles and laughter. Survivors included Camelback High siblings Suzanne ’57, Bill ’61, Michael ‘66 and Mark ’73. (excerpted/edited from The Arizona Republic, 2/21/2007)

June Dele (West) Daniels, 69, of Phoenix, died on May 3, 2009. June was born in Phoenix to Paul and Samantha (Clifton) West. As a girl, her interests included the youth group at West Phoenix Church of Christ, where she also met her future husband, William "Bud" Daniels of North Carolina. They married in 1960. Every event at June's started with a hug and invitation to sit and stay. Extra helpings of her cooking were impossible to resist.  After graduating from Camelback High in 1958, she received her undergraduate degree in education from Arizona State University, and a master's degree in education from Northern Arizona University. June taught special education for the Scottsdale Unified School District until she retired in 2003, and was highly devoted to her students. Fellow teachers, classroom aides, and former students became lifelong friends. June cherished her sorority sisters from Alpha Delta Kappa, an international honorary organization for women educators. She was an active member of her church.  She gave ongoing care and companionship to her mother.  And, for the past 13 years, her grandchildren have been the center of her life. Survivors included her son, Jim; four grandchildren; her mother; and her brother, Ray. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bud, and her father. (excerpted/edited from The Arizona Republic, 5/7/2009)

OBITUARIES: '58 GUYS

Frank Esplen Benson, 71, of Hereford, AZ, died peacefully in his sleep on June 18, 2011. He was born in Culver City, CA, to Elroy and Sarah Benson, graduated from Camelback High School, and attended Phoenix College. After receiving an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy, he joined the family business, Southwest Engine Services in Phoenix as an automotive machinist. He later joined Citywide Mechanical (Tempe) as an air conditioning technician. After moving to Hereford, AZ, he worked in the Sierra Vista school system, where he retired. Frank was a member of Boy Scouts of America, where he held many positions, including Assistant Scout Master, and was able to share that experience with his sons. He was also a devout member of Knights of Columbus, where he was a Fourth Degree Knight and held office.  He loved to volunteer at events, his favorites including Oktoberfest, bingo, golf tournament, free throw tournament and the annual Children's Christmas party. Hobbies included fishing, camping, bowling, wood working and helping family & friends with home improvements. He enjoyed baking sweet treats, including his famous apple pie, for friends and family. In his retirement, he most enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Survivors included his wife of 36 years, Jan; his children Luke, Anthony & Nishita; and brother, Bruce (Camelback ’64).

Thomas Franklin “Tom” Fogle, 53, suffered from diabetes for many years and died Oct. 21, 1993 from a stroke.  Tom was born in Phoenix, attended Camelback High School, and was a member and/or officer of many organizations on campus, including the Science, Biology, Music, Drama and Chess Clubs, Model Legislature, Hi-Y, National Honor Society and Parnassus and played bassoon in the orchestra.  Tom was co-valedictorian of his 1958 graduating class.  Among many full academic scholarships he was offered, he chose Harvard College, where he entered in the fall of 1958. While his initial intention was to major in astronomy, his lifelong passion, he graduated in 1964 with a degree in government.  One of his best known professors was Henry Kissinger. Another of Tom's passions was serious music, with emphasis on 20th century works.  Following graduation from Harvard, Tom planned to enter the University of Arizona Law College, but, for health reasons following a car accident, his direction turned to computers. He worked for many years at GE and Honeywell as a systems analyst and project leader on large process computer automation projects. Tom loved the outdoors and was an avid hiker.  He was active in his church, Self-Realization Fellowship, and in local politics.  In later life, inspired by his mother, he also took up bird watching with much enthusiasm. Tom will be remembered for his intellect, sense of humor, and a kind and loving heart. Tom was survived by his parents, Elsie and John Fogle; brother, Donald (Carole Finch); and three sisters: Margaret Oakley, Kathryn (Rudy) Dankwort, and Carolyn (Lou) Balady.

Kenneth R. “Ken” Harris, born in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, January 3, 1940, passed away February 17, 2005. The family moved to Phoenix in 1951 in hopes of improv­ing Ken's health, which was affect­ed by asthma. Ken not only improved, but flourished and became an all-city and all-state athlete in both football and basketball at Phoenix Camelback High School, class of 1958. Also active in ex­tracurricular school programs, he was a representative to Boy's State and Regional Governor of the Key Club. Ken went to the Univ of Arizona on a basketball scholarship, graduated with a degree in Business Administration, and was a member and officer in Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Ken's drive and ambition led  him to a career at CoIdwell Banker Commercial Real Estate, where he was involved in  the development and leasing of numerous shopping centers in metropolitan Phoenix during the 1960's and 1970's. After twelve years with CoIdwell Banker, Ken joined Santa Anita Develop­ment Corp, in charge of their Arizona operations in developing neighborhood shopping centers. Ken will be remembered by his fami­ly and friends for his avid love of sports, his taste for cigars, his wry sense of humor and his willingness to help those in need. His father, Randall, and mother, June, preceded him in death. Survivors included his daughters, Cindy (Darren) Pear, Donna (Brian) Harris and Kim Deal; and sons, Kevin (Adelia) Harris and Mark (Julie) Harris. Ken is also survived by his brother Larry (Karen) Harris. (excerpted/edited from The Arizona Republic, 2/20/ 2005)

Joel Brian Myers, 68, of Yuma, Arizona, died May 14, 2008, after a courageous 8 month battle with cancer.  He was born in Mantua, Ohio, and moved to the Phoenix area in 1950.  He spent 20 years in the Pine-Strawberry area as a building contractor and avid hunter (the elk in 6A can rest easier now!). He retired to Page, AZ, in 2003, and enjoyed fishing and boating on Lake Powell.  Survivors included his loving and devoted wife, the former Nancy J. Kier, class of ’60, and her sisters Judith (class of ’58) and Lorilee (class of ’56); his children: Sherry, Diana, and Michael; his brother, Tim; and his sister, Marilyn.  Services and burial were on May 24, 2008, in Pine, AZ. (excerpted/edited from the Arizona Republic, 5/20/2008, and other sources)

Henry Gerald “Hank” Pyhel, 68, of Pinetop, Arizona, died of sudden onset lung cancer, July 30, 2008. He was born in Union City, NJ, and moved to Phoenix in 1955, where he attended Camelback High School and was a member of its 1957 State championship basketball team (see THEN & NOW write-ups in “Alumni & Teachers in the News” from the Home Page menu bar on this web site). Hank attended Eastern Arizona College on a basketball scholarship, graduating with honors. He worked at Salt River Project for 29 years as project engineer. After retiring, he owned and operated the Paradise Lounge in Paradise Valley for many years, then sold it and built a home in Pinetop in 2004, where he became a member of the Pinetop Country Club and played golf with the "Nooners". He also loved fishing and spending time at Lake Powell on his boat "the Hanky Panky". Survivors included his wife, Mary Jo; mother, Ann Shaenfield; daughters, Vickie Garrison & Anna Jones; and sisters, Joyce Hatch & Debbie Heckendorn. Hank will be remembered for his kindness, honesty, loving heart and sense of humor. (excerpted/edited from the Arizona Republic, 8/6/2008, and other sources)

Thomas M “Thom” Witt, 70, of Phoenix, passed away April 16, 2010.  Thom was born in Ajo, Arizona, in 1939, and moved to Phoenix in 1950. He served in the Army during the Vietnam War. Thom graduated from NAU with a teaching degree. Survivors included his sister, Betty Brown; brother, Jim Witt; companion, Ralph Kovach; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He will be truly missed by all his family and friends.