Showing off a rug



Store employee Sue Carlson and Bill Richardson, owner of Richardson's Cash Pawn, hold up a Two Grey Hills Navajo rug in the rug room at the Route 66 store. Richardson's biggest seller this Christmas season was Navajo rugs.

Photo by Nicole Goodhue

 

---

Police arrest gun-pointing Gamerco man

Tanya Brazil
Staff Writer

GALLUP — A Gamerco man was arrested Wednesday night after police said he went on a drunken shooting rampage and then pointed a rifle at his girlfriend.

When officers arrived, the suspect's girlfriend, Evonne Gracia, 19, told police her boyfriend, Osman Ledezma, 24, had picked her up from work and then headed to Gamerco where he started shooting signs with a rifle.

Gracia told police she was afraid because the gunfire was loud and Ledezma was intoxicated. She then asked the suspect to take her to a residence on Mesa Avenue, police said.

The victim told police that on their way there, Ledezma made a right turn from Aztec Avenue onto Fifth Street and drove into a light pole, breaking the concrete and knocking over the light pole.

Once at the residence, Gracia told police she pulled the keys out of the truck's ignition and went inside.

When Ledezma demanded his keys back so he could re-park the truck, Gracia said she moved the vehicle herself due to Ledezma being "drunk" but that in the meantime he took the rifle out of the vehicle.

At the same time, one of Ledezma's friends drove up and the suspect asked him for a ride, a police report said.

When Gracia told the friend not to give her boyfriend a ride, she told police he held up the rifle and pulled the action back.

At that time, the friend decided to give Ledezma a ride as Gracia continued to ask the suspect to stay, police said.

When the suspect began cursing and calling Gracia obscene names, police said she told him "to go shoot himself" and that Ledezma then pointed the loaded rifle at her. The suspect and his friend then drove away.

During the interview with police, Gracia received a phone call from Ledezma who asked her to pick him up at the Roseway Inn on Highway 66.

Police then proceeded to the motel where the suspect was taken into custody but not without first putting up a fight.

One officer reported that Ledezma kicked him in the leg and another said that the suspect threatened to come after him once he was released from jail.

While at the McKinley County Adult Detention Center, Ledezma asked to speak to a Region II Narcotics Task Force agent about "drugs at the Shalimar," police said.

Detention officers later had to restrain and Mace the suspect after he became irate and began banging his head on the door and cinder block wall of the holding cell, police said.

The suspect refused to take a Breathalyzer test but at one point stated, "Man, I'm drunk," a police report said.

Ledezma was booked into the county jail on felony charges of aggravated assault, battery on a peace officer, aggravated driving while intoxicated and bribery or intimidation of a witness.

He also was booked on misdemeanor charges of assault on a peace officer, resisting/obstructing an officer, careless driving and immediate notice of accident.

Police also suspected that Ledezma may be a convicted felon and were instructed by the District Attorney's Office to book him on the felony charge of felon in possession of a firearm, at least until they could verify if he was.

| Top |

---

Mixed bag for merchants
Retail sales up; wholesale down

Bill Donovan
Staff Writer

GALLUP — It was a mixed Christmas for area Indian arts and crafts dealers. Overall, the dozen local store managers
interviewed by the Gallup Independent over the past two days indicated that retail sales were better in some cases, a lot better than wholesale sales.

Because Gallup is still considered the hub for worldwide sales of Indian arts and crafts, the decline in wholesale sales here this past fall indicates that many retail store dealers throughout the world went into the season with less than rosy feelings about their Christmas sales potential.

At Richardson's Trading Co. & Cash pawn, wholesale business was down 40 percent but owner Bill Richardson said this was offset somewhat by good retail sales as the Christmas season got closer.

"Sales started dropping about the time of the Florida recount," he said, echoing comments made by several other area dealers who said the double whammy of the uncertainty surrounding the presidential race and sharp declines in the stock market sent vibrations through the Indian arts and crafts industry as it did other areas of the economy.

Richardson pointed to all of the talk a few years ago about Gallup having more millionaires per capita than any other city in the country.

But many of these millionaires, he said, were investing their money in stocks that tanked during the past few months. "They were really up for two or three years and then lost most of what they made in one day," he said.

Joel Jones, manager of Bob French Navajo Rugs near Farmington, said his company saw declining wholesale figures this past fall. "Retail sales were where we did pretty good," he said.

"I was worried about the effect the political stuff would have and it appears that a lot of dealers did wait to see what happens and how it would affect sales," Jones said.

Others felt that this dread over the future of the American economy and the presidential race may help the arts and crafts industry, especially those who specialize in Navajo jewelry.

Nathan Ramadoss at Gallup's Indian Village said wholesale business these past few months have been decent in the Indian jewelry section.

Generally, he said he sees Indian jewelry sales doing better in times when Americans are worried about their economic and political future. "They seem to feel better in these times when they buy jewelry," he said.

Both Richardson and George Kozeliski, manager of Tobe Turpen's Trading Post in Gallup, indicated they agreed in the so-called inverse theory.

"Everyone has told me," Kozeliski said, "that when the national economy was bad, the sales in Gallup go up and when the national economy is good, it's bad in Gallup."

Stores that deal primarily in retail sales also reported sales being up.

Chuck Neal, owner and manager of Gallup's Shi'ma Traders and Pawn, said business this Christmas was steady, although for some reason the Friday before Christmas was better than Saturday. In fact, the Friday sales were the best of the entire Christmas season.

Domenic Biava, one of the larger area Indian arts and crafts wholesalers through his First American Traders, said that everyone he has been talking to in the business has indicated that sales were off this fall and Christmas season.

But these same people, he added, seem optimistic about the future and if this optimism continues, this should mean a good wholesale business for area dealers this spring.

"You have a whole different kind of buyer in the summer months," he said.

| Top |

---

6 running in school board race

Tara Drolma
Staff Writer

GRANTS — Six people have filed declarations of candidacy for the three seats on the Grants/Cibola County School Board.

The seats on the board now held by Rita Suazo, chairman Terry Fletcher, and Undersheriff Johnny Valdez are up for re-election on Feb. 6. Lloyd Felipe and Bob Murdoch each have two more years to serve.

Valdez is the current board member from District 2, but he did not file for re-election. District 2 is made up of parts of Grants, San Rafael, and San Mateo.

Suazo is running unchallenged in District 1 for a second four-year term. The district includes the pueblos of Laguna and Acoma, and the communities of Seboyeta, and Cubero.

Fletcher was elected from District 3 two years ago after Andy Tafoya resigned from the position and he is running for re-election in his district along with Elma Jaramillo and Marcella "Mitzie" Baca.

Samuel Trujillo and Dion Sandoval, both of San Rafael, are hoping to fill the seat vacated by Valdez.

Trujillo was born and raised in San Rafael and, although he has not held any elected positions in the past, he decided to run when he found out Valdez was not seeking another term. Trujillo said he is concerned about how money is being spent.

In particular, Trujillo said the board has wanted to shut down San Rafael Elementary and he believes if it is costing too much to keep the school open, then it should be closed and the children should be bused into Grants. "Let's concentrate on fixing the schools in Grants and let everyone enjoy them; the facilities are a lot better (in Grants) all around," Trujillo said.

At 28, Dion Sandoval is the youngest candidate. He is serving his second term as chairman of the board for the New Mexico Midwest Community Action Program Head Start and vice chairman of the Policy Council for the Midwest CAP. The council reviews and approves policies and budgets for five county Head Start programs.

Sandoval also serves on the screening committee for the Grants Head Start. He said he has "learned quite a bit in the past two years about how schools are run."

"I am looking forward to hearing people's concerns (about district issues)," Sandoval said. He believes the most important challenge for the new board will be working as a team and he would like to see everyone unite and work together. From there "we can get things accomplished," he said.

Baca retired from the School District in June after working in the business office for 41 years. When she retired she was the business manager in the central office.

"Twenty years ago, I said when I retire I am going to run for the school board and I have been saying that ever since, but I continued to work," Baca said. She is running because she "cares about the district." She believes her many years of experience will be valuable to the board.

Baca said the most important issue for the board now would be to disburse the money from the bond election the way that it was scheduled on the ballot.

Elma Jaramillo also retired from the school district in June after working 28 years in the central office. She was the head payroll technician for the district.

Jaramillo enjoyed her time at the district and said she would like to continue to work for children. She believes she would be an asset to the board because she knows what needs to be done on a day-to-day basis in the district and she is familiar with the budget process.

For Jaramillo the greatest challenge for the board will be to "make sure Grants gets a new high school."

Fletcher is the general manager for New Mexico Operations for Quivira Mining Company. He has served two years on the board and he wants to continue the "exceptional progress that the board and district have made in the past 12 months."

"The board has a strong responsibility to spend the bond money the way voters were told they would be spent and to be judicious with the money so we get the most for our dollars," Fletcher said.

He said the bottom line was the board has continued to prepare students better for the global future.

| Top |

---

Valley teams score easy win

Michael Peretti
Staff Sports Writer

SANDERS, Ariz. — The Valley Pirates did not have any problem winning in the first day of the round-robin, Terantino Begay Tournament at Valley High School in Sanders Wednesday evening.

The Pirate boys defeated Leupp 97-23 in both teams' second game of the day, while the Lady Pirates beat Leupp 83-8.

Valley coaches did not have results of any other tournament games. The Pirate boys, 12-2, will play today at 10:15 against Sun Valley and in the last game of the evening against Rock Point.

The Lady Pirates played at 9 a.m. this morning against Sun Valley and will play again against Rock Point at about 7:30 p.m.

Boys Valley 97, Leupp 23

Leupp did not give much of a battle in the late game as Valley jumped out to a big lead and never looked back.

The game started off slow, with a time-out being called less than 20 seconds into the game. Valley and Leupp battled back and forth early in the first quarter. The two teams exchanged baskets and were tied at 2-2 and 4-apiece.

Valley pulled out to an 8-4 lead before Johnnie Yazzie pulled the game to 8-7 with a three. The Pirates went on a 14-5 run to end the quarter and led 22-12 after one period.

Blaine Nastacio scored four of the first six points of the second quarter as Valley extended their lead to 28-12 before Leupp could end the Valley run.

Valley would then pull away by going on an 18-0 run. Leupp could not keep up with the Pirates and the Valley pressure caused several Leupp turnovers. A full court press caused nine turnovers, all converted into points by Valley.

Leupp scored three more points before the end of the half, but Valley was in control, 55-17.

With the game out of reach, the Pirates continued to score, pushing the score to 77-21 at the end of three. Leupp only scored one basket in the fourth, a shot from Norvel Redhair early in the quarter.

The Pirates ended the game with a 20-0 run. Valley scored eight points in the final minute and a half but a three at the buzzer fell short and the Pirates were unable to score over 100 points.

"We are a very fast team," said Valley head coach Mark Forster. "With a little bit of work they (Leupp) could be a very good team."

The Pirates were led by Ardell Watchman with 21 points. Watchman was one of six players scoring in double figures. JC Baldwin scored 17, Anthony Zazueta added 13 and Adam Mitchell, R-Jay Thomas and Blaine Nastacio scored 10.

Leupp was led by Arlo Benally with seven points.

The Pirates out rebounded Leupp 41-28. Leading rebounder for the Pirates was Watchman with 11.

Nastacio had 12 steals for Valley.

In its earlier game, Valley defeated Shonto 101-31.

Valley led 15-8 at the end of the first quarter and pulled ahead 49-20 at the half.

The Pirates scored 16 points in the third and 36 in the fourth to only 11 by Shonto in the two quarters combined.

Valley was led by R-Jay Thomas with 18 points. JC Baldwin put in 16 and Ardell Watchman and Shawn Gene added 14. Arilson Six had 10.

Shonto was led by Julius Harney with seven.

Girls Valley 83, Leupp 8

In a very slow game, the Valley Lady Pirates did put the game away early.

Valley scored the first 16 points of the game and led 22-2 after one quarter.

The Pirates continued to score in the second, pushing the score to 39-5 at the half.

Denise Roan scored 10 of her game high 18 points in the first quarter, eight in the first quarter.

Leupp did not score in the third quarter as Valley pushed the score to 57-5. Cynthia Ashley hit a three for Leupp's only points of the half a minute into the fourth quarter.

Late in the game the Leupp players continued to turn the ball over, and Valley continued to score on lay-ups. Several times Leupp turned the ball over and would not get on defense. Valley scored 32 points off lay-ups in the second half.

Leupp would walk the ball down the court and get the ball across the halfcourt line just before their ten seconds were up. Valley did not put any pressure on the ball in the second half but Leupp continued to hold the ball as long as they could before getting it up the court.

"The tournament is good for the girls," said Valley head coach Julia Six. "It is good because it keeps them playing over the break. We have a big conference game coming up."

The Lady Pirates were led by Denise Roan with 18 points. Lauren Ashley added 14 and Amber Matt had 12. Cynthia Ashley was the only Leupp player to score, putting in all eight of her team's points.

Ten area players selected for AA All-State team
Eunice and Tucumcari players head 2000 team in Class AA

Staff and wire reports

ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — They were some of the players that provided some of the biggest plays in Class 2A football this season.

Eunice wide receivers Jesse Contreras and Nick Thompson. Tucumcari running back Adam Gurule and Estancia quarterback Steve Coburn.

They led their teams into the playoffs and Wednesday were named to the Associated Press All-State first team offense for the 2000 season.

Laguna-Acoma led the list of ten area players tabbed for all-state honors led by senior lineman Jerin Aragon who was named to both the first team offense and defensive teams. Joining him on the offensive line was senior Frank Ortiz-Cerno.Three other area players were named second team offense as linemen: Laguna senior Louis Sarracino, Newcomb junior Nathaniel Martin, and Newcomb senior Ivan Lewis. Sarracino was also a second selection on the defensive line and Hawk teammate Graham Drummonds was a second team selection as defensive back.

Garnering honorable mention honors were Laguna's Jason Mariano at wide receiver; Drummonds at quarterback; Laguna's Adrian Lazos at running back; Newcomb junior Tyrone Smith, Newcomb and Zuni's Jamie Hooie, Zuni as defensive backs.

Eunice, which beat Tucumcari 9-7 in a controversy-filled state championship game, also had place-kicker Jesse Contreras named to the first team offense. It was Contreras' 18-yard field goal with no time left on the clock that gave the Cardinals their 12th state football championship.

Contreras kicked the game-winner after the officials said Tucumcari was offsides on Eunice's final running play of the day a quarterback sneak by Eunice quarterback Ryan Dean that the Rattlers' defense stopped short of the goalline as time expired. The officials then gave Eunice one more play and Contreras booted the field goal.

The controversial loss left Tucumcari with a 12-1 record and denied the Rattlers a chance for their first state championship since
1959. Tucumcari school officials have filed an appeal with the New Mexico Activities Association and will present their case to the governing body next month in Albuquerque.

Gurule, lineman Jake Jimenez and tight end Angel Gonzales were Rattlers named to the first team offense. Tucumcari defensive end Robert Vargas, linebacker Seth Lewis and defensive back Lewis Martinez made the first team defensive unit.

Contreras and Thompson headed Eunice's potent offense that led the Cardinals to an 11-2 record. Thompson also was named to the first team defensive secondary.

Estancia finished with a 9-2 record, losing to Eunice in the first round of the playoffs. Coburn also was named to the first team defensive secondary and Bears lineman Sean Lynch also made both first teams. Estancia lineman Matthew Ferreira also made the first team defense.

The first team offensive backfield consisted of Coburn, Gurule, Tularosa running back Louis Vigil and Dexter running back Cole Perrin. Perrin also was a first team selection in the defensive secondary.

Ruben Ruiz of Dexter, who averaged better than 42 yards a kick, was selected the best punter in Class 2A.

The rest of the first team offense consisted of linemen Evan Nevarez of Dexter, Ortiz-Cerno of Laguna-Acoma and Jacob Marrufo of Lordsburg. Other first team defensive players were linemen Adam Alvarado and Jimmy Lopez of Lordsburg and linebacker Armando Chavez, also of Lordsburg.

| Top |

---

Oljato president to repay money

Jim Maniaci
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — A former 12-year member of the Navajo Nation Council has agreed to repay $6,125 and resign as a chapter president and community school board member for violating the tribal ethics law.

Walter Atene accepted an agreement on Dec. 19 with the Office of Ethics and Rules and the Navajo Nation special prosecutor.
The council's Ethics-Rules Committee then voted 6-0 to approve the deal in which the Oljato Chapter president and Kayenta Community School Board member will avoid criminal prosecution.

Special Prosecutor Fred Chris Smith accused Atene of accepting more than $13,000 in meals and rooms for free on 228 occasions in five years.

He just started a four-year term as chapter president, having won the September election by a 182-143 vote over Neal Crank.
From January 1995 to May 1999 Atene was on the Navajo Nation Hospitality Enterprises management board. He served on the council's Economic Development Committee from 1995-99, and was first elected to the council in 1987...

| Top |

---

Workforce employees suspended
But director retains job

Larry Di Giovanni
Staff Writer

WINDOW ROCK — A compromise reached between the tribe's Human Services Committee and President Kelsey Begaye's office has kept intact the job of Rosalyn Curtis, director of the Department of Workforce Development.

But the compromise results in five Workforce Development staff members punished with five-day suspensions for unauthorized absences receiving full back pay. That potentially sets a bad policy precedent and undermines the authority of department heads to use personnel policy rules to punish wrongdoers, Curtis said.

The compromise, set during a closed Human Services Committee session Dec. 14, with the full Navajo Nation Council on lunch recess, rescinded a motion by Greasewood Springs Delegate Omer Begay Jr. to eliminate Curtis' position. Begay had proposed using the termination of Curtis' position to create two workforce development positions an employment officer and secretary's position in a Phoenix suboffice...

| Top |

---

---

Deaths

Edison Yazzie Sr.

TWIN LAKES — Services for Edison Yazzie Sr. will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 29, at the Fellowship Church. Franklyn Fritzjerrell will officiate. Burial will follow at the Gallup City Cemetery.

Yazzie died Dec. 24 in Gallup. He was born April 17, 1961 in Fort Defiance, Ariz. into the Sleeping Rock for the Bitter Water.
Yazzie attended Fort Wingate High School. He was employed with B&F Auto Sales as a mechanic.

Survivors include his wife Beatrice Jones of Twin Lakes; sons, Anderson Jones and Edison Yazzie Jr., both of Twin Lakes; brothers, Sampson Yazzie and Benson Becenti, both of Smith Lake; and sisters, Caroline Dawes of Mexican Springs and Geraldine Yazzie of Smith Lake.

Yazzie was preceded in death by parents, Julia L. and Sammie Yazzie.

Pallbearers will be Sampson Yazzie, Rufus Wilson, Bucky Chavez, Benson Becenti, Franklyn Yazzie and Cleo Kaufman.
The family will receive friends and family after the burial services at the Fellowship Church.

Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Gene H. Peters

TOHLAKAI — Services for Gene H. Peters, 61, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 29, at Rollie Mortuary-Palm Chapel. Pastor Bobby Boyd will officiate. Burial will follow at the Gallup City Cemetery.

Peters died Dec. 25 Gallup. He was born May 10, 1939, at Rehoboth into the Bitter Water People Clan for the Zuni Clan.

Survivors include his wife, Louise Peters of Tohlakai; sons, Eugene H. Peters and Gerald H. Peters, both of Tohlakai; daughters, Beverly Peter of Kansas City, Mo., Jill Ann Peters of Chevy Chase, Md., and Janice Peters-Begay of Gallup; brothers, Ben Peters of Tseyatoh, Harrison Peters of Mentmore and Jerry Peters of Twin Lakes; sisters, Louise Bates of Tsalie, Ariz., Grace Silversmith of Coyote Canyon, Emma Yazzie of Fort Defiance, Ariz., Pauline Henry, Doris Peters, Marlene Peters and Sharon Peters, all of Tohlakai, and Cecelia Peters, Christine Peters and Irene Peters-Montross, all of Gallup; and two grandchildren.

Peters was preceded by parents, Tom and Annie Peters, and brothers, Johnny Peters and Nelson Peters.

Pallbearers will be Gerald C. Begay, Phillip Jim James, Jerald I. Peters, Nathan Peters, Nathaniel Peters and Daniel J. Yazzie.
Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Barbara Jean Bias

BLUEWATER — Services for Barbara Jean Bias, 68, will be held at 1 a.m. Friday, Dec. 29, at the Church of Christ. Eddie Roberts will officiate. Burial will follow at Pioneer Memorial Cemetery, Bluewater.

Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 29, at the Church of Christ.

Bias died Dec. 24 in Grants. She was born Dec. 8, 1932, in Oakdale, Calif.

Bias was a retired dietitian.

Survivors include her husband, Howard Bias of Bluewater; sons, Richard Burkett, Roger Bias and Michael Bias, all of California, Harold Bias of New Mexico and Russell Bias of Kansas; daughters, Betty Dennison and Shirley Pletcher, both of California; brothers, Bud Burkett of California, Larry Burkett of Arkansas and Charles Burkett, Leroy Burkett, Raymond Burkett, James Burkett and Johnny Burkett; sisters, Nita Ketter of Arizona, and Linda Shaw of Idaho; 26 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Richard Burkett, Harold Bias, Roger Bias, Mike Bias, Robert Bias and Russell Bias.

Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Peter Catron Sr.

WINDOW ROCK — Services for Peter Catron Sr., 63, will be held at noon Friday, Dec. 29, at the Good Shepherd Mission, Fort Defiance, Ariz. Deacon sister Margret Hardy will officiate. Burial will follow in Fort Defiance, Veterans Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 3-5 p.m. tonight, Dec. 28, at Tse Bonito Chapel.

Catron died Dec. 25 in Albuquerque. He was born April 11, 1937, in Fort Defiance into the He Who Walks Around People Clan for the Mexican People Clan.

Catron served in the United States Marines during the Korean War. He was employed with the Navajo Nation as an accountant. His hobbies included hunting, fishing and bowling.

Survivors include his sons, Peter Catron Jr. of Las Vegas, Nev., Richard Catron of Las Lunas and Aaron Brian Catron of Gallup; mother, Joesphine Gatewood Catron of St. Michaels; brothers, Edward Anderson, Edwin Anderson, Wilson Anderson and Nelson Anderson; sisters, Anna Ruth Bohanan, Agnes Reed, Mary Jane Catron, Charlotte Greenstene, and Ann Mae Aspaos; three grandchildren and one great-grandchildren.

Catron was preceded in death by father, Nelson Catron; brother, Oscar Carr; and sister, Rosie Hildreth.

Pallbearers will be Peter Catron Jr., Richard Catron, Aaron Catron, Joshua Catron, Clarence Catron and Willy Anderson.
The family will receive friends and family after the burial services at 105 Shonto Blvd, Window Rock.

Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Henry Hank Analla

PAGUATE — Services for Henry Analla, 93, will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 29, at the Presbyterian Church of Paguate. The Rev. Jerry Eastridge will officiate. Burial will follow in Paguate.

He was born Nov. 11, 1907, in Paguate.

Analla was employed with Anaconda, Fort Wingate Army Depot and was a supervisor with the youth summer program. He was a councilman for the Pueblo of Laguna and was a member of the Laguna Sheep Association and Laguna Cattleman's Association.

Survivors include his son, Calvin A. Analla Sr. of Gallup; daughter, LaVern Aragon of Paguate; sister, Ester Johnson of Old Laguna; nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Analla was preceded in death by his wife, Rose Cheromiah Analla.

Pallbearers will be Joseph David Analla, Galvin Analla Jr., Patrick Analla, Eric Analla, Olin Twobulls and Jay Twobulls.

The Rev. Davin Von Hagel

FORT DEFIANCE, Ariz. — Services for the Rev. Davin Von Hagel, 80, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 29, at the Parish Church. Burial will follow at St. Michaels Community Cemetery.

A reception will take place at 7 p.m. tonight, Dec. 28, at Mary Mother of Mankind Parish, St. Michaels.

VonHagel died Dec. 25. He was born July 1, 1920.

Von Hagel was a Navajo missionary, assigned to Chinle, Ariz., as an associate pastor 1947-48. He later served at St. Michaels as a chaplain of the school, 1949-50. Von Hagel served at Shiprock as an associate pastor and pastor 1950-62. In 1962 he returned to St. Michaels, Ariz., as guardian. He also served on the SJB Definitorium from 1965-1968.

Von Hagel served as pastor of the missions of Kagetoh and Chinle from 1969-1976. He was pastor at Tuba City, Ariz., from 1976-94 when he was transferred to Kayenta, Ariz., as pastor. In summer 1997, Von Hagel retired to St. Berard Mission in Navajo, N.M.

Survivors include his brothers, Alvin Von Hagel of San Diego, Calif., Elmer Von Hagel and Robert Von Hagel, both of Cincinnati, Ohio; and sisters, Agnes Naberhaus, Jane Von Hagel and Irma Rusche, all of Cincinnati.

Von Hagel was preceded in death by his brothers, the Rev. Elmer Von Hagel, John Von Hagel and Gerard Von Hagel, and sister, Alma Handorf.

Mary English Summers

COTTONWOOD, Ariz. — Mary English Summers died Dec. 5 in Cottonwood, Ariz. She was born June 29, 1919, in Stewart, Nev.

Summers attended college in Missouri. She taught public and mission schools in Kansas, New Mexico, California and Arizona.

Survivors include daughters, Dixie Boatright of Elkins, Ark., Faye Villalobos of Tucson, Ariz., and Joanne Betancourt of Sacramento, Calif.; sister, Betty Cousins of Gallup; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Summers was preceded in death by husband, Alfred Summers, and parents, Tom and Jessie R. English.