Obituaries

March 13, 1943 – May 31, 2023 Elaine Anne Byrnes passed away on May 31, 2023, at a Hospice house in Tucson. Elaine was born on March 13, 1943 in Boston, Massachusetts to Samuel and Anna (O’Shea) Cooke. In June 1961 Elaine married her soulmate, John Byrnes. Together, they raised a familyand relocated to Lake Havasu in 1976.  Elaine volunteered at her children’s elementary schools, Starline and Oro Grande and eventually built a career at the Lake Havasu Board of Realtors. Upon retirement, she volunteered at the Lake Havasu City Visitor Center. In 2020, she moved to Tucson to be closer to family. Elaine was a loving wife, and a dearmother to her five children. She was also a proud“Grammy/Gigi” to ten grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Elaine was preceded in death by her

Chester “Chip” LaVerne Burden Jr., 78, passed away January 29, 2024, with his wife by his side.  Chester was born in Anchorage, Alaska to Chester LaVerne Burden Sr. and June Burl (Hecker) Burden on September 18, 1945.  As a young man he served in the U.S. Navy and was in the Vietnam War.  He lived and worked for several years in CA and retired from the Boeing Aircraft Co after working as an Aircraft Structure Mechanic and a Wing Tank Mechanic.  He worked on engine pylons and was responsible for moving the first C-17 wing out of the production area to be installed on the fuselage of the first C-17

Jim Westfall passed away on February 2, 2024, at the age of 84.  Jim was born to Virginia Gulick and Ralph Westfall in December 1939 in Dearborn, Michigan.  He spent several years in Tucson. AZ.  After being honorably discharged from the Marines he moved to the town he loved, Kingman, AZ, almost 60 years ago.   Jim enjoyed spending time with family and friends and was active in several civic organizations over the years including the Jaycees and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.  He spent much of his career working in sales in the insurance and real estate fields, ending his working career as a Real Estate teacher.  Jim is survived

Loretta Eloise Callahan (Bland), of Kingman, died January 29, 2024. Loretta was born on April 11, 1942, in Kingman, AZ. Her parents were A.T. and Fern Bland. She was one of 11 children who grew up on the Big Sandy. Loretta attended area schools in both Wikieup and Kingman, then graduated from Mohave Union High School. She met Dennis H. Callahan, Sr., when she worked for her dad at the Wikieup Store and Bar, and he came into town looking for a job. They married in 1961 at the Wikieup Schoolhouse. The couple went on to have five children who were raised in Kingman. Loretta went on to work at

Easa Kassees, 84, passed January 19th 2024, at his home in Kingman, AZ, surrounded by his loved ones. He was preceded in death by his many brothers and sisters and his son Murad Kassees. Survived by his wife Sylvia (Shihadeh) Kassees, daughter Sheila Kassees, son Marwan Kassees, daughter Sharon Kassees, nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Arrangements are being handled by Lietz-fraze funeral home in Kingman. In fond remembrance of Easa, was a remarkable individual whose journey was adorned with education, travel, and a zest for life. Easa, a devoted family man, was not only an established businessman but also a loving father figure for many. His genuine sense of

“Gone Diving” Donald Ray Marks, Jr., courageously left this life January 26, 2024 in Kingman, Arizona with his daughters by his side. He was born May 5, 1965 in Phoenix, Arizona. He was raised in Farmington, New Mexico and attended school, made friends, caused mayhem, and had countless adventures under the high desert sky. Don was a decorated Veteran of the U.S. Army where he served as a Paratrooper and the U.S. Marine Corps where he served his country in the Gulf War – Operation Desert Storm. He was a skilled scuba diver, a passionate hobby he shared with his dad. He was also an avid lover of books, movies