Deaths

— T.Jay Dakai, Jr
— Stella Saucedo
— Leonard Deal

T.Jay Dakai, Jr.

CROWNPOINT — Funeral services for T. Jay Dakai, Jr., 23 will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 29 at the Mariano Lake Community Bible Church. Pastor Jones Dehiya will officiate. Burial will follow in the Old Gulf Mine family cemetery.

Dakai, Jr. died Jan. 22. He was born Oct. 24, 1981 in Grants into the Sagebrush People Clan for the Towering House People Clan.

He enjoyed working on the ranch, bullriding and basketball.

Survivors include his father, Thomas Dakai, Sr. of Mariano Lake; mother, Bertha C. Etcitty of Crownpoint; sisters, Iris Ann Dakai of Twin Lakes, Terri Dakai of Thoreau, Tracey Ann Dakai of Bluewater Village; Diana Etcitty of Albuquerque, Jessica Etcitty, Sabrina Etcitty both of Crownpoint; brothers, Ty Jay Dakai of Canoncito, Gilbert Etcitty, Gilesbert Etcitty, and Nathan Etcitty, all of Crownpoint.

Dakai, was preceded in death by his grandmother, Betty Dakai; grandfathers, Johnny Dakai and Martin Garcia.

Pallbearers will be Erick Cadman, Eddie Dakai, Sr., Eddie Dakai, Jr., Malcolm Dakai, Thomas Dakai, Sr., Gilbert Etcitty, Jr., Gilesbert Etcitty and Orlando Etcitty.

Stella Saucedo

GALLUP — Funeral mass for Stella Saucedo, 66, will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 29 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Private burial will be held at Sunset Memorial Park.

A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today, Jan. 28, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

Saucedo died Jan. 25 in Gallup. She was born Jan. 27, 1938 in Gallup.

Survivors include her children, Theodore "Teddy" Saucedo of Gallup, Sandra "Sandy" Seldner of Las Vegas, Nev., Paul "Fluffy" Saucedo of Gallup and Brian Lucero of Gallup; brothers, Tommy Saucedo of Gallup, Trinidad "Sonny" Saucedo, Jr. of Okla.; sisters, Rosemary Griego, Josie Garcia, Marcy Guerrero, all of Gallup, Mary Ann Tafoya of Albuquerque, Arlene Thommen of Tempe, Ariz.; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Saucedo was preceded in death by her parents, Trinidad Saucedo, Sr. and Mary Rodriguez Saucedo; son, Michael Saucedo; daughter, Bernadette Lucero and brother, Billy Saucedo.

Pallbearers will be Michelle Benavente, Christina Saucedo, Daniel Seldner, Danay Saucedo, Jessica Seldner, Jacob Seldner and Aaron Paul Saucedo.

Compassion Mortuary of Grants is in charge of arrangements.

Leonard Deal

BIG MOUNTIAN, Ariz. — Graveside services for Leonard Deal, 100, will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 29 at the Big Mountian East, family plot. Pastor Vincent Nell will officiate.

Deal died Jan. 26 in Chinle. He was born July 4, 1904 in Forest Lake into the Salt People Clan for the Towering House People Clan.

Deal was a life long rancher and farmer and retired from the Santa Fe Railroad in 1974. He became a volunteer foster grandparent after retirement. Deal helped many with traditional prayers and ceremonies.

Survivors include his wife, Ella K. Deal; son, Percy Deal; daughters, Virginia Burnham, Lavonne Deal, Lorena Riggs, Dorothy C. Deal, Annie Homes, Dorothy L. Deal, Julia Little, Betty Etsitty; 31 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, and seven great-great grandchildren.

The family will meet this evening at the Tuba City Chapter House at 6 p.m.