OBITUARIES: ’61 GALS

 Eleanor Theresa (Carbacio) Sahlin, 66, passed away on April 7, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. Eleanor was born in Keyser, West Virginia, moved to Phoenix at six months of age, and graduated from Camelback High in 1961. She was married for 27 years to James Sahlin, who preceded her in death in 1991. She was employed at GE/ Honeywell for 38 years as a secretary, programming aide, configuration aide, and contracts administrator. Eleanor was a devoted Jehovah's Witness since 1975. She loved her little garden, her first puppy dog Peaches, and was fabulous cooking anything Italian. She painted with watercolors, and tried every recipe she read. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Patricia Ann Carbacio.  Survivors included her brother, Joseph Carbacio; and two daughters, Michele and Stephanie Sahlin. (excerpted/edited from The Arizona Republic, 4/16/2010)

Mary Raymond (Shumway) Weaver, 67, of La Cañada Flintridge, CA, passed away on June 19, 2010, after a brave battle with cancer. Born in Evanston, Illinois, Mary spent most of her childhood in Phoenix. She graduated from the Univ. of Arizona and received a master’s in education from Calif. State Univ., Los Angeles. At La Cañada High School, she taught math and coached softball and volleyball.  As she did at Camelback High School, she played competitive tennis, volleyball and golf all her life.  A beloved teacher, coach, athlete, friend, wife, mother and “Mamaw”, she loved being with family and friends and always delighted in watching her three grandsons laugh and play.  Her sense of humor, the twinkle in her eye, and her selflessness will be greatly missed. Survivors included her husband of 43 years, Warren; daughters, Erin Nassir and Cate Hanohano; and sisters, Anne Williams (Camelback class of 1962) and Barbara Meek (class of 1963).

Dona Lee (Squires) Littleton, 67, of Scottsdale, passed away on July 5, 2011, after losing a courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). She was born in Phoenix, was a devoted Diamondback's fan, and enjoyed golfing, fishing, waterskiing, and boating. She also enjoyed Bunco games with her grade school and high school friends, and loved her work on the Camelback High School Class of 1961 reunion committee. Animals were a large part of Dona's life, too. Dona spent many years at Motorola, Grubb & Ellis, and at her most recent position (13 years) with Ross Brown Partners, working in commercial real estate. She credited her mother and long-time friendships for the growth and balance in her life. She was preceded in death by her mother, Loyce Austin; stepfather, Cedric Austin; brother, Donald Squires Jr; and her beloved dog of 15 years, Mandi. Survivors included her son, Preston T. Brewer; and former husband, Ed Littleton (Camelback class of 1956). She also has family in Dewey, Arizona, as well as California and Florida.

OBITUARIES: ’61 GUYS

David Charles Beck, 64, born in Chicago, IL, passed away July 27, 2008. Dave owned and operated Sundance Automotive in Mesa, AZ, for 35 years. His passions were cars, racing, and life itself. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Johanna Beck. Survivors included his brother, William Beck of Phoenix; and sister, Katherine Kelley of Sierra Vista AZ.  A Celebration of Life party was held for Dave on September 6th at the Fraternal Order of Police, Phoenix Lodge 2.

Lynn Owen Johnson, 56, of Panama City, Florida, passed away Sept. 27, 1999.  He was born to Malcer and Emma Gene in Rockford, Illinois. His family moved to Phoenix AZ, where Lynn graduated from Camelback High School in 1961. He began his career in anesthesia as a Corpsman in the U.S. Navy. His profession led him to many cities throughout the United States. He found his home in Panama City where he has resided for his last 13 years. He retired from Bay Medical Center where he held the position of Lead Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, as well as Clinical Coordinator for the Gooding Institute of Nurse Anesthesia. Survivors included his wife, Teresa Johnson; a son, Marc; a daughter, Jody; a step-son, Mike; and a brother, Brian. (excerpted/edited from the Panama City News Herald, 9/29/1999).

Stephen Winfield Morgan, 67, of Maricopa, AZ, died suddenly on March 8, 2011. On March 15, many people came to the Town Hall and shared their memories, thoughts, and experiences of him. Steve Davis, Pastor of Shepherd of the Hill United Church of Christ, officiated at the Service. He told several stories that illustrated the wonderful personality and character of Steve Morgan. Stephen Winfield Morgan was a big man in size and heart. Everyone said he was a person who truly cared for people. He was generous and kind and was well liked by everyone. Steve was born in Milwaukee, but his parents moved to Phoenix soon after his birth. He graduated from Camelback High School where he played football. He then attended the University of Arizona and later transferred to Arizona State University. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity and helped colonize the Fraternity at ASU. After college, he rode rodeo and won a silver buckle. He also played pro football briefly with the New York Jets, and with Joe Namath. His football career was brought to an end because of injuries. He then turned to business and became Vice President of Motorola and then NCR, working with semi-conductors. Survivors included his wife Cynthia, his three daughters: Kristina, Stephanie, and Stacy; stepdaughters: September and Patricia; and brothers: Jack and Bill.

Warren B. Siegal, 58, of Tempe AZ, passed away July 5, 2001. He was born in Chicago IL and moved to Phoenix in 1948 with his parents and younger sister. After graduation from Camelback High in 1961, he continued his education at Arizona State College in Flagstaff (now NAU) where he earned his B. S. degree in 1965, and was a member of Sophos & Blue Key.  He received the Distinguished Scholar award and Golden Axe award, and was also listed in Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities. While deciding whether to go into medicine or law, he rode the rodeo circuit for 2 years.  In 1967 he was accepted into law school at ASU, where he also competed in college rodeos.  After graduation and passing his bar exams, he devoted 3 more years to bareback riding.  In 1973 he married and began his law practice. Warren and his wife raised 3 sons on their small farm in Tempe.  In 1980, Warren hung up his bareback rigging and pursued breeding and racing of thoroughbred horses, becoming well known and respected at Turf Paradise and other race tracks in Arizona & New Mexico.  Survivors included his wife Alexandra; sons: Morgan, Wyatt & Brett; and a sister, Roberta Wertin. (excerpted/edited from The Arizona Republic)

Wm Vincent “Bill”Thelander II, 67, of Cave Creek, AZ, known to many as ‘Wild Bill’, died June 29, 2009, of heart failure. The Thelander family moved to Cave Creek in 1959. Bill and his brother Bob became ‘instant cowboys’, riding over the nearby mountains. They would ride into Cave Creek with their guns strapped on to the delight of tourists who took pictures of ‘real cowboys’. Bill was expert at Team Roping and Bareback Riding, winning several buckles. He attended the National Finals Rodeo for over 30 years. As a charter member of the original Saddle Club in Cave Creek, he served as president.  Another accomplishment was his graduation with honors in 1959 from the Black Horse Troop at Culver Military Academy summer program. Bill graduated from Camelback High, and from the University of Arizona with a degree in Agriculture.  With this knowledge, he and his brother Bob had a jojoba business for several years in Tacna, AZ. For 13 years Bill was an Arizona Highway patrolman, and served as Range Officer for the department’s annual shooting requalifications (himself scoring 100% accuracy). Bill was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association since 1958. Many will remember Bill for his love of life, his love of the area’s mountains, and the fact that he always had a positive attitude even in the face of some challenges. He was always willing to nurse anyone’s injured animals, especially birds which were his specialty (volunteered for Liberty Wildlife). It seemed his ‘free spirit’ soared with the birds! (excerpted/edited from family obituary submission)

Thomas J. "Tom" York, 65, of Phoenix, passed away at his home on December 12, 2008, with his wife and daughters by his side, after a nearly four-year battle with brain cancer. Tom was born in Dearborn, MI, to Edward and Sally York, and moved to Phoenix with his family in 1948. He graduated from Camelback High School in 1961, and attended Arizona State University. Tom retired from Arizona Public Service in 2003, as Manager of Real Estate & Facilities, having begun his 40 year career in 1963 as a meter reader. It was there he met the love of his life, Nancy Bennett, whom he married in 1964. Tom cherished time spent with his three "girls" and was a proud husband and father. He had a passion for nature and the outdoors, and enjoyed camping, hiking, mountain biking, running, and skiing. Tom loved rafting the Grand Canyon, and did so for the third time in 2006 while fighting his cancer. He also enjoyed playing golf and tennis with his buddies. He was well respected, good natured, and known for his kindness, generosity, his wonderful, wicked sense of humor and his quick wit. He was known for his immaculately detailed vehicles, which were the envy of many. Survivors include his wife, Nancy; his daughters, Kendra and Molly; and his sister, Mary (York) Baker (Camelback ’57 grad). Tom was preceded in death by his father, Edward; mother, Sally; and brother, David. (excerpted/edited from the Arizona Republic, 12/21/2008)