Obituaries
Although your loved one or friend is no longer here in person, they will forever be in our hearts. Find their name, and sign the guest book with a fond memory or note for their family. All comments are moderated and will be posted after review. Obituaries are updated Monday – Friday, 9am to 4pm.
John “Mike” Cullen
John “Mike” Cullen of Buckeye, Arizona passed away September 7, 2023 at the age of 75. He was born November 13, 1947 to John & Rose Cullen in Camden, New Jersey. Both of his parents preceded him in death.
Mike was raised in Gloucester City, New Jersey graduated and from Gloucester City High School in 1966. Shortly after graduating, he was drafted into the Army. He met his wife Alice Wilson at a USO dance, and they were married in 1968. Upon his return from overseas, the couple returned to Gloucester City to start their lives together. They were soon joined by their children John and Stacey. While they lived in Gloucester City, Mike worked as an electrician for the IBEW Electrical Union.
After retiring in 2007, Mike & Alice moved to Arizona and built their retirement home. Mike remained busy in retirement by serving a volunteer with the Buckeye Police Department.
During his life, Mike was active in many civic and local organizations including serving as a youth baseball coach, serving on the city planning board, acting as an officer in the union, and was a member of the church and VFW councils.
Mike is survived by his wife, Alice, son John (Jolene) Cullen, Jr., daughter Stacey (Norman) Mockry, sisters Peggy (Larry) Silverman, Chrissy (Barry) Boehner, and Jean (Skip) Ege, and his brothers Pat (Evelyn) Cullen, Pete Cullen, Jerry (Jill) Cullen and Joe Cullen. He is also survived by his five grandchildren: Jackson, Alexia, Payden, Addison Rose, and John Christopher.
Visitation will be held on Monday, September 25 beginning at 5pm wtih the funeral service starting at 7pm at Thompson Funeral. Interment will take place at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in the future.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in memory of Mike Cullen to the American Heart Association (www.heart.org or 1-800-242-8721).
LaRonnia Williams
LaRonnia ‘Ronnie’ D. Williams was an incredible lady who blessed us for 89 years. Born in Kansas City, MO and spent most of her married life in Valdosta, GA, she was a very distinguished educator for 41 years with numerous state, national, and global accomplishments, accolades, and awards. But most of all, she was an incredibly loving, sweet, God-fearing woman who was very humorous, loved to fish, sing, play ‘Scrabble’, travel and spend time with her family and all who loved her. Her smile was heavenly. ‘Ronnie’ leaves to cherish her memory 4 children, Annette Sims and Patricia Williamson (husband Johnny) of Phoenix, AZ, Gladys Faye Haile (husband Malcolm) of Tampa, FL and Elmo “E.G.” Green, III (wife Felicia) of Ashburn, VA; 1 brother, Lyle Davis of Independence, MO. “Ronnie” was married to the late Elmo Green, Jr. for 14 years and a devoted wife of Air Force Retiree, MSGT Franklin D. Williams of Valdosta, GA for 37 years until his passing in 2011; 6 Grandchildren (Maurice, Bridgette LaRon, Christopher, Malcolm Jr., Myles & Wesley); 8 Great-grandchildren, a host of extended family, colleagues, former students and friends. LaRonnia was preceded in death by her 3 sisters, Helen Watkins, Mary Cox, and Jeanetta Holmes, all of Kansas City, MO.
John Duenzen
John P Duenzen of Phoenix, Arizona passed away September 5, 2023 at the age of 74. He was born June 1, 1949 in South Gate, California to Joseph and Betty (Haikura) Duenzen.
He was a veteran of the United States Army.
Services will be held at 9am, Friday, September 22 at Thompson Funeral.
Larry Lake
Larry A. Lake of Avondale, Arizona passed away September 7, 2023 at the age of 60. He was born August 28, 1961 in Monroe, Michigan to Frederick and Evelyn (Butler) Lake. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Sherry, his sisters Nancy, Ruth, Mary and Violet, and his brothers Lewis and Harold. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Freddy.
Larry was a proud veteran of the US Air Force. He loved to cook for his family and friends. He made sure that those he loved, knew it.
Services are private.
Regina Adelman
Regina M. Adelman (Gina) passed away on September 4, 2023, from metastatic breast cancer. Gina was 80 years old.
Gina was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on July 12,1943. To the delight of her Polish family, she learned to play the accordion to accompany her father’s singing at family events. After graduation from the Institute of Notre Dame in Baltimore, she married and began her family and career.
Gina met Rodney in Alexandria, VA, in early 2002 and married in 2004. In mid-2005, they both retired and in late 2005, moved to the “active adult community”, PebbleCreek, in Goodyear, Arizona. Gina became a member of the Wine Club, the Lady Tigers PC Women’s Softball team, and the Pickleball Club at their founding. She assisted new Pickleball Club members in understanding and playing the game.
Gina was a true competitor. Didn’t matter if it was board games with family (Scrabble “champion” of the family), family fantasy football leagues (where she spent hours each week studying statistics and reviews before selecting her starters), cheering on her beloved Maryland Terrapins (besides the major sports, she became an avid lacrosse fan). After covid, cruising became her #1 pastime, with sailings in the Sea of Cortez, the Inside Passage with an Alaska Railroad trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks, a trans-Atlantic crossing including several stops in Iceland, and a South America/Antarctica voyage.
Gina loved art and music. She enjoyed listening to a variety of popular music and Motown from the 50s through the 70s, classical, and opera (especially The Three Tenors and in particular, Andrea Bocelli). As a teenager, she landed one of the coveted spots as a Committee Member (dancer) on The Buddy Deane Show (the Baltimore equivalent of the Dick Clark show) at the close of the 1950s. Her favorite song was “Truly” by Lionel Richie.
A caring and compassionate person, she cared for her ailing mother for eight years until her passing in 2020. And nothing could prevent her from spending the holidays with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Gina was preceded in death by her parents, James and Regina Gregorek (Odachowski), and son, Kurt James Tesch. She is survived by her husband, Rodney Adelman; daughter, Tara Tesch Forsburg (Gerald); stepdaughter, Valerie Adelman Collier (Tony and sons Aiden, Camden, and Weston); granddaughter, Ashley Zwillman Withey (Justin); grandson, S. Mitchell Forsburg; and great-grandchildren, Judah and Esme Withey.
A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday, September 14, 2023, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 13720 W Thomas Rd, Avondale, AZ, with inurnment at St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Baltimore, MD, at a later date. Donations in Gina’s memory may be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
George Stratos
CMSGT George Stratos (Retired) of Goodyear, Arizona passed away August 31, 2023 at the age of 98. He was born November 24, 1924 in Akron, Ohio to Andrew and Maria (Marentakes) Stratos. He was preceded in death by his parents and his son David George Stratos. He is survived by his wife of 71 years Irene May Stratos and daughter Debra Ann Stratos.
George was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force. His career in the military (enlisted and in the private sector) spanned nearly 50 years (1943 to 1990). He earned many awards and decorations during his time working for and with the Air Force.
In his free time, George enjoyed spending time with his family, watching the Ohio State Buckeyes play football, and watching M.A.S.H. on tv. He also an avid reader of western novels by William Johnstone. He was a loving husband and father and will be deeply missed.
A graveside service will be held at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. Details will be posted when available.
CMSGT George Stratos Military Service 1943-1974
Two weeks after graduating from high school, George entered the US Army
5 July 1943 Fort Haynes Ohio Inducted. 2 weeks. Got uniforms and took various aptitude tests such as IQ test and morse code test.
1943-1944 Camp Haan and Camp Irwin, California Battery D 125th AAA Gun Battalion and Battery B 144 AAA Gun Battalion. Basic training and received training on the 90 mm anti-aircraft gun; a skill George didn’t get to use as the Army Air Corps significantly cut AAA training and George was cross trained to the Infantry.
1944 Camp Howze, Gainesville Texas for 3-4 months – Company F 140th Infantry Battalion for infantry training.
1944 Fort Meade Maryland and Camp Kilmer New Jersey for overseas processing. Here he received new uniforms and briefings on European customs.
1944 Departed U.S. from New York on the RMS Queen Elizabeth (Troopship), arrived Grenlock, Scotland
1944-1946 England, France, Belgium, Germany
Company G 317th infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Regiment, 40th Mobile Repair and Reclamation Squadron — 9th Air Force (US Army).
28 Mar 1946 Camp Atterbury Indiana – discharged from the US Army.
1947 Enlisted in the US Air Force in Akron Ohio. Sent to Chanute AFB, Illinois for clothing and Medical
1947 Westover Field Massachusetts – 1377th Army Air Forces Squadron
1947-1948 Fairfield — Suisun Army Air Base California (later renamed Travis AFB) – 1501 Supply Squadron (warehouse worker)
1948 Camp Kilmer New Jersey for overseas processing
1948-1951 Burtonwood AFB England — 59th Air Depot Wing (Berlin Airlift support)
1951-1952 Bergstrom AFB Texas – 27th Supply Squadron (Supervised the Clothing Sales store)
1952 Camp Kilmer New Jersey overseas processing
1952-1955 RAF Wyton — RAF Lakenheath – RAF Mildenhall HQ 7th AD 3912 Air force Base Squadron
1955-1956 Lockbourne AFB Ohio – 801st Supply Squadron
1956 Fort Hamilton New York — DET 4 Overseas processing
1956-1960 Rome, Italy — Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) 1171st USAF Foreign Mission Squadron
1960-1962 WurstSmith AFB — Michigan — 379th Supply Squadron
1962 McGuire AFB New Jersey for overseas processing
1962-1965 Torrejon AFB Madrid Spain HQ 16th AF – 3970th Supply Squadron
1965-1966 Whitman AFB Missouri – 351st Supply Squadron
1966-1967 Cam Rahn Bay Air Base Vietnam — 12th Supply Squadron
1968 McGuire AFB, New Jersey – overseas processing
1968-1973 RAF South and RAF West Ruislip Air Stations England – HQ 3AF
1973-1974 Luke Air Force Base Glendale Arizona – 58th Supply Squadron
1 Sep 1974 Chief Master Sergeant George Stratos retired from the US Air Force (after 30 years of combined Army and Air Force active service)
Mr. George Stratos Department of the Air Force Civilian Service -1975-1990
1975 George landed a job as a Supply Section Supervisor (Civil Service) at Luke AFB AZ.
1990 George retired as the Deputy Chief of Supply at Luke AFB Az.
Awards and Decorations for George Stratos
US Army 5 Jul 1943 — 28 Mar 1946
Bronze Star Medal
World War 2 Victory Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Stars
American Campaign Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal with 2 bronze loops
Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp
Combat Infantryman Badge
US Army Marksmanship Qualification Badge with 2 Bars Rifle Marksman and Carbine Expert
Honorable Discharge Lapel Pin (Ruptured Duck)
US Air Force 1947 — 1 Sep 1974
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Air Force Good Conduct Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
National Defense Service Medal with 1 Star
Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with one Silver Oak leaf Cluster
NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Viet Nam Service Medal with 1 Silver Star
Republic of Viet Nam Campaign Medal with Silver Plated 1960 Device
United Nations Service Medal
Medal for Humane Action (Berlin Airlift)
Air Force Small Arms Expert Ribbon
Domenic Fuccillo
Domenic A. Fuccillo of Goodyear, Arizona passed away August 26, 2023 at the age of 93. He was born January 1, 1930 in Brooklyn, New York to Domenic and Josephine (Nardone) Fuccillo.
Services were private.
*A longer obituary will be posted when available.
Richard Sena
Richard R. Sena of Avondale, Arizona passed away August 21, 2023 at the age of 60. He was born November 2, 1962 in Los Angeles, California to Tiofilo Sena and Frances Canez, both of whom preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 39 years Gina Sena, daughters Ashley, Chelsea, and Lindsay Sena, and his son Brandon R. Sena. He is also survived by his sisters Linda Sena, Irene Barraza, Gloria Tena, and Pauline Kowatch along with his extended family and friends.
A memorial mass will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church at 10:30am, September 12.
Floy Leon Looney
Dearest neighbors, friends and Family, we have lost a bright star from our world.
- Leon Looney went home to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday the 27th of August, 2023.
After a massive stroke and two weeks in the hospital, he is now at rest.
Leon was born to his parents Floy and Helen Looney on the 16th of February, 1945 in “Old St. Joe’s” in Phoenix and raised in Buckeye. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Cheryl, his two sons, Brian (Karen) and Carter (Christina) as well as his four grandchildren Helen Marie, John, Annabelle and Samuel as well as his siblings Patricia Ann and Steven.
He was a loving husband and father, brother and friend. To all who knew him, he will be missed greatly. Over the past five years we have spoken often of this day and I know he left the world with no regrets. He always told me not to worry if he went first, he would be happy in Heaven with the Trinity and praying for our wellbeing.
His most ardent wish was that you should know the Almighty Father and your Savior Jesus Christ who died for our sins.
Please pray for peace for his friends and family.
The Leon Looney family
Alaine Claire Myers
Alaine “Laney” Myers, age 84 of Goodyear, AZ passed away August 29, 2023 wrapped in the love of her family. She was born March 6, 1939 in Menominee, Michigan to Alfred and Dorothy Millette.
Laney met the love of her life, Richard, while he was stationed at Luke Air Force Base. They married on July 1, 1961 and enjoyed a beautiful 54 years together before his passing in 2016. Richard and Laney were wonderful parents of two sons, Steve Myers and Barry Myers, and one daughter, Karen Myers. Laney was a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother who always stood by her family and her unconditional love created an incredibly close-knit family. Her loving soul, beautiful smile, and infectious laugh brightened the day of anyone blessed to know her. Laney was a loving grandmother and enjoyed watching over her grandson, Joshua Myers, from the moment he was born. They enjoyed hanging out together, playing games, doing puzzles, and watching cartoons. Throughout his life, she helped instill in him the love for God and family and character that has made him the man he is today. Laney was a long-time parishioner of St. Thomas Aquinas and served the community as a member of the St. Vincent de Paul ministry and as a Eucharistic Minister to the homebound.
Laney is survived by her son, Steve Myers, daughter, Karen Myers, sisters, Toddy Mulvey and Kathy Delwiche. She has one grandson, Joshua Myers. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Myers, her beloved son, Barry Myers, and sisters Marilyn Steffen and Joan Pfromm.
A visitation will be held at 6:00 pm Thursday September 7, 2023 at Thompson Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Road, Goodyear, AZ. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 am on Friday September 8, 2023 at Thompson Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (https://www.alz.org) or Hospice of the West Journey Health Foundation (https://hospicewestaz.com) 21410 N 19th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85027.