Obituaries for July 6, 2000

Zelma Sophia Cooper Abbott

Zelma Sophia Cooper Abbott, 91, of Overton died Tuesday in Las Vegas. She was born Aug. 15, 1908, in Overton. A lifelong resident, she was a public school teacher.

She is survived by one daughter, Arlene Solomon, and five sons, Melvin Wesley, Gary, Bruce, James and Edward, all of Las Vegas; two sisters, Mytrle Brown of Henderson and Wanda Barnum of Logandale; two brothers, Eldon Cooper of North Las Vegas and William Cooper of Logandale; 26 grandchildren and 54 great-grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled 6-8 p.m. today in Bunkers Mortuary, 925 Las Vegas Blvd. North. Additional visitation is scheduled one hour prior to 10 a.m. services Friday in the LDS Harmony Chapel at Alta Drive and Jones Boulevard. Burial will be in Mesquite Cemetery.

Arthur A. Blankenship

Arthur A. Blankenship, 72, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in Las Vegas. He was born Oct. 9, 1927, in Dustin, Okla. A resident for 39 years, he was a World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War Air Force veteran and a former member of the Elks and Road Runner Association.

He is survived by his companion, Margaret Peggy Hart of Las Vegas; four brothers, Frank, Bill and Edmond, all of Oklahoma, and Lonnie of California; and two sisters, Neva Blankenship and Sally Armor, both of Oklahoma.

Visitation is scheduled 5-8 p.m. today in Bunkers Mortuary, 925 Las Vegas Blvd. North. Graveside services will 9 a.m. Friday in Eden Vale Memorial Park.

Howard Davidson Daviess

Howard Davidson Daviess, 86, of Corona, Calif., died Tuesday in a Corona care center. He was born March 4, 1914, in Stanwood, Iowa. A former Las Vegas resident, he owned and operated two Union Oil service stations for 45 years in Las Vegas, was a real estate appraiser for six years, and was a member of the Kiwanis Club, Lions Club, Elks and Hualapai Men's Club.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Dorothy; one son, Steven Daviess of Redmond, Wash.; one daughter, Carol Ackerman of Corona; one brother, Steven Daviess of Denver; one sister, Mary Alice Ladner of Sun Lake, Ariz.; three grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Thomas Miller Mortuary, Corona, is handling private arrangements.

The family suggests donations to Corona Regional Hospice, 730 Magnolia Ave., Corona, CA 91719.

Lillian Donnelly

Lillian Donnelly, 93, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in Las Vegas. She was born Oct. 24, 1906, in New Milford, N.J. A resident for 19 years, she was a homemaker.

She is survived by one son, John J. Donnelly Jr. of Sedona, Ariz.; one daughter, Elizabeth Schiffer of Florida; nine grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Services will be 11 a.m. Friday in Davis Paradise Valley Funeral Home, 6200 S. Eastern Ave. Burial will follow in Paradise Memorial Gardens.

James Elmer Ewell

James Elmer Ewell, 84, of Las Vegas died Monday in Las Vegas. He was born May 15, 1916, in Santaquin, Utah. A resident for 50 years, he was a plasterer, a member of Plasters Local 797 and was a custodian and carpenter for the Clark County School District.

He is survived by two sons, Lloyd Ewell and Larry Ewell, both of Las Vegas; one brother, Arlin Ewell of Genola, Utah; seven sisters, Rose Marie Lee and Beth Scott, both of Las Vegas, Verda Throckmorton of Genola, Martha Ann McDonald of Payson, Utah, Udean Camp of Orem, Utah, Mabel Lance of Toelle, Utah, and Shirley Jackman of Orem, Utah; 17 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled 7-9 p.m. Friday in Bunkers Mortuary, 925 Las Vegas Blvd. North. Additional visitation is scheduled one hour prior to 10 a.m. services Saturday in the LDS chapel at Walnut Street and Carey Avenue. Burial will follow in Memory Gardens.

Elizabeth J. Goldberg

Elizabeth J. Goldberg, 88, of Las Vegas died Friday in a local care center. She was born Aug. 5, 1911, in Bayonne, N.J. A resident for 15 years, she was a homemaker.

She is survived by one son, Richard Gordon of Las Vegas; three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Nevada Funeral Service-Nevada Cremation or Burial Society, 2983 Fremont St., is handling private arrangements.

The family suggests donations to the Nathan Adelson Hospice, 4141 S. Swenson St., Las Vegas, NV 89119.

Emery Birk Graham

Emery Birk Graham, 78, of Henderson died Friday in Henderson. He was born Oct. 24, 1921, in Springdale, Ark. A resident for 45 years, he was a retired government surveyor and a World War II and Korean War Army veteran.

He is survived by one daughter, Kathi Zell, and one son, Billy Graham, both of Henderson; one brother, Jim Bob Graham of Las Vegas; and five grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled 4-7 p.m. Friday in Palm Mortuary, 800 S. Boulder Highway, Henderson. Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Saturday in Boulder City Cemetery, 501 Adams Blvd.

The family suggests donations to the Nathan Adelson Hospice, 4141 S. Swenson St., Las Vegas, NV 89119.

Barbara Jewell

Barbara Jewell, 86, of Las Vegas died Monday in a local care center. She was born July 31, 1913, in Vinita, Okla. A resident for six years, she was a homemaker.

She is survived by one son, Dave Wilms, and one daughter, Mary Ann Wilms, both of Henderson; and one grandchild.

Neptune Society of Nevada, 8570 Del Webb Blvd., is arranging private services.

James Kolson

James Kolson, 82, of Henderson died Monday in a local hospice. He was born Aug. 9, 1917, in New York City. A resident for 44 years in Las Vegas and most recently a resident for 11 years in Henderson, he was a retired director of purchasing for the Dunes hotel-casino and more recently Arizona Charlie's. He was a World War II Army veteran who served in Normandy and Germany and received the Bronze Star and Medal for Conspicuous Service from the State of New York. He was active in the City of Hope and Jewish Children's Hospital of Denver.

He is survived by his wife, Carol; two daughters, Carrie Kolson of Las Vegas and Margaret Kolson of California; and one grandchild.

A memorial service will be noon Saturday in Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave. Palm Mortuary, 800 S. Boulder Highway, Henderson, is handling arrangements.

The family suggests donations to the Nathan Adelson Hospice, 4141 S. Swenson St., Las Vegas, NV 89119.

Mary Ann Livengood

Mary Ann Livengood, 63, of Las Vegas died Saturday in Las Vegas. She was born Dec. 23, 1936, in Pennsauken, N.J. A resident for 22 years, she was a schoolteacher.

She is survived by her husband, Peter William; one son, Christopher, and two daughters, Amanda and Jessica, all of Las Vegas; one sister, Rose Ann Else of New Jersey; and two grandchildren.

Services will be 3 p.m. Saturday in Holy Family Catholic Church, 4490 Mountain Vista St. Davis Paradise Valley Funeral Home, 6200 S. Eastern Ave., is handling arrangements.

Evelyn A. Matson

Evelyn A. Matson, 88, of Las Vegas died Saturday in a local hospital. She was born April 3, 1912, in Milwaukee. A resident for one year, she was a retired dancer.

She is survived by her husband, Robert E.; two daughters, Phyllis Matson and Greta Hofmeister, both of Las Vegas; and two sisters, Jane LaCroix and Gertrude Kasun, both of Milwaukee.

Nevada Funeral Service-Nevada Cremation or Burial Society, 2983 Fremont St., is arranging private services.

Alice Ann Melandri

Alice Ann Melandri, 62, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in a local care center. She was born Oct. 31, 1937, in Bosco Bell, Wis. A resident for six years, she was a retired registered nurse.

She is survived by her husband, Vince; two daughters, Michele Melandri of Portland, Ore., and Andrea Melandri of Toluca Lake, Calif.; one sister, Carol Goltry, and one brother, Phillip Reese, both of Wisconsin.

Neptune Society of Nevada, 8570 Del Webb Blvd., is arranging private services.

James Henry Peel

James Henry Peel, 72, of Las Vegas died Monday in a local hospital. He was born May 30, 1928, in California. A resident for 48 years, he was self-employed at a picture framing shop.

He is survived by his wife, Marianna.

Desert Memorial Cremation and Burial Society, 1111 Las Vegas Blvd. North, is handling arrangements.

Ray Priest

Ray Priest, 66, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in a local hospital. He was born Oct. 29, 1933, in Fort Bayard, N.M. A resident for five years, he was an engineer for acrylic aquariums and an Army veteran.

He is survived by his wife, Glenda; two daughters, Teresa Priest and Felicia Starr, and one son, David Priest, all of California; one stepdaughter, Angela Ko of Las Vegas; one brother, Albert Priest Jr., and two sisters, Diann Sohn and Darlyene N. Basham, all of California.

Visitation is scheduled 90 minutes prior to 9:30 a.m. services Friday in American Burial and Cremation Services, 310 Foremaster Lane. Graveside services will follow at 11:30 a.m. Friday in Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Boulder City.

Robert M. Shawn

Robert M. Shawn, 61, of Searchlight died Tuesday in Las Vegas. He was born July 8, 1938, in Westerly, R.I. A resident of Searchlight for nine years and a former Las Vegas resident, he was a retired tow truck driver and an Air Force veteran.

He is survived by his wife, Jean J.; four sons, Robert G. Shawn of Searchlight, Russell Shawn of Claremont, N.H., Randy Shawn of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Sean Shawn of Las Vegas; four daughters, Sylvia J. McDonald of Burnsville, Minn., Sandra Buxton of England, Sharon Aldrich of Omaha, Neb., and Rhonda Watkins of Crystal City, Texas; two brothers, Roger Shawn and Ryan Shawn, both of Bradford, R.I.; one sister, Mary Ellen Terrenova of Westerly; 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be 9:30 a.m. Saturday in the Searchlight Bible Church at Hobson and Main. Neptune Society of Nevada, 8570 Del Webb Blvd., is handling arrangements.

The family suggests donations to the Searchlight Volunteer Fire Department.

Fred Smith Jr.

Fred Smith Jr., 67, of Las Vegas died Monday in a local hospital. He was born March 27, 1933, in Wisconsin. A resident for seven years, he was a laborer in the construction industry and an Army veteran.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie; three daughters, Sheila Topp of Madison, Wis., Susan Smith of North Freedom, Wis., and Cynthia Smith of Las Vegas; one brother, Dean Smith of Basaboo, Wis.; and one sister, Louise Wipperfurt of Lodi, Wis.

Desert Memorial Cremation and Burial Society, 1111 Las Vegas Blvd. North, is handling arrangements.

Robert Smith

Robert Smith, 64, of Las Vegas died Monday in a local hospital. He was born April 18, 1936, in Neptune, N.J. A resident for 30 years, he was a state government social worker and a Korean War Air Force veteran.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara C.; two daughters, Maria Elizabeth Larson of Carson City and Barbara Anne Ryne of Gilbert, Ariz.; two brothers, Bill Smith of Las Vegas and Richard Smith of Los Angeles; and six grandchildren.

Palm Mortuary, 1600 S. Jones Blvd., is handling arrangements.

Frank Melvin Somes

Frank Melvin Somes, 63, of Las Vegas died June 28 in a local hospital. He was born Sept. 12, 1936, in Michigan. A resident for four years, he was a machinist.

He is survived by his wife, Catherine; three sons, Frank Somes Jr., Daniel Somes and Thomas Somes; two daughters, Joann Rhodes and Ahreyal Somes; three brothers, Bruce, Glen and Wayne; four sisters, Marie Schultz, Beatrice Walters, Helen Duncan and Arvena Bain; 17 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Desert Memorial Cremation and Burial Society, 1111 Las Vegas Blvd. North, is handling arrangements.

Christina Thompson

Christina Thompson, 72, of Las Vegas died Monday in Las Vegas. She was born Aug. 17, 1927, in New Orleans. A resident for 46 years, she was a homemaker.

She is survived by three sons, Mylas Thompson, Ilars Thompson and A.J. Thompson Jr., all of Las Vegas; three daughters, Elouise Strode of Santa Rosa, Mexico, and Jocelyn Oats and Henrietta Thompson, both of Las Vegas; one sister, Wilma L. Collor of Palmdale, Calif.; 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled 1-8 p.m. Friday in Davis Funeral Home, 2127 W. Charleston Blvd. Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday in Victory Missionary Baptist Church, 500 W. Monroe Ave. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery. American Burial and Cremation Services, 310 Foremaster Lane, is handling arrangements.

Chiyo I. Weilenmann

Chiyo I. Weilenmann, 66, of Las Vegas died Friday in Las Vegas. She was born Jan. 26, 1934, in Japan. A resident for 23 years, she was a homemaker.

She is survived by one son, Kenny Weilenmann of Las Vegas; one sister, Yoniko Kato of Japan; and three grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled one hour prior to 2 p.m. services Saturday in Bunkers Mortuary, 925 Las Vegas Blvd. North. Burial will follow in Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Boulder City.

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