OBITUARIES

50th Wedding Anniversary

Anthony & Sherry Thomas of Buckeye celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 12, 2021. They were united in marriage on June 12, 1971 at the First Southern Baptist Church of Tolleson. They moved to Buckeye in 1981. The couple raised four children: Andrew, Amy (Ryan), Allison (Paul), and Aaron. Anthony & Sherry are retired and enjoy spending time with their grandchildren and traveling. They teach Sunday School and are active members of their church, First Southern Baptist Church of Buckeye. They are a wonderful example to all of us and we are wishing them many more years of happiness!

William“Bill”EdwardVandergriff

William“Bill”EdwardVandergriff, age40ofSurprise,Arizonapassedaway June5,2021inSurprise,Arizona.He wasbornOctober30,1980toLarryand Mary Lou Vandergriff in El Paso, Texas. Condolencescanbeleftforthefamilyathttps://www.simplycremationaz.com/ obituary/william-edward-vandergriff/.

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Deadline for obituaries is Thursday at 5pm for Wednesday. All obituaries will be approved by our staff prior to being activated. Be aware there may be early deadlines around holidays.

Call 623-535-8439 Mon-Fri 8:30-5 if you have questions.

David Ray Manriquez Sr.

Reverend David Ray Manriquez Sr. was born on March 19, 1941 in El Centro, CA to Ramon Manriquez and Sara Lujan. He died in Phoenix, Arizona on May 29, 2021. He will be missed by many. You can view the whole obituary and leave the family condolences at https://www. thompson funeralchapel.com/obituary/12937/

Donald“Donnie”EugeneBrown

Donald“Donnie”EugeneBrown,age59 ofSurprise,ArizonapassedawayJune4, 2021,inSurprise,Arizona.Hewasborn December16,1961,toDonaldBrownSr. andPearlWaltersinCentralia,Illinois. Youcanleavethefamilycondolencesandviewthe wholeobituaryathttps://www.simplycremationaz.com/ obituary/donald-donnie-eugene-brown/.

Mercedes Mia Cabrales

Mercedes Mia Cabrales, 18, of Phoenix, Arizona died May 31, 2021 in Buckeye, Arizona. She was born April 27, 2003 in Phoenix, Arizona to Adrian Cabrales and Veronica Sanchez. Mercedes was born an athlete. She loved the game of softball since the first time her dad pitched a softball to her at the age of five. Since then, she never stopped. She was doing online high school through Primavera. She was deeply in love with Joshua Franco, her first real love. She wanted to accomplish finishing high school and have career as a beautician, maybe even her own business. Mercedes loved make-up and hair. Her smile, laugh, love and humor will be remembered. She loved camping, lakes, fishing, swimming, and anything outdoors. She will be missed and never forgotten. She is survived by her boyfriend, Joshua Franco, sisters, Adrianna Cabrales, Jasmine Cabrales, and Karizma Cabrales, parents, Veronica Sanchez and Adrian Cabrales, grandparents, Rosa Corralejo, Oscar Corralejo, Rachel Cabrales, and Terrell Cabrales. Mercedes was preceded in death by her son, Adrian Franco. A funeral service will be held at 9am on June 17, 2021 at Desert Hills Baptist Church, 20909 W. Yuma Rd. Buckeye, AZ 85326. Mercedes will be buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, 9925 W. Thomas Rd. Avondale, AZ 85392. The family suggests that donations be made to gofundme.com funeral for Mercedes Cabrales. You can leave the family condolences at https://www.thompsonfuneralchapel.com/ obituary/mercedes-mia-cabrales/

Donald Dean Burgess

Donald Dean Burgess was born in DeSoto, Missouri on January 20, 1934 and entered into rest on June 5,2021 at his home in Litchfield Park, Arizona. He was the child of Donald Franklin Burgess and Gertrude (Couch) Burgess. Dean was an avid golfer and sports enthusiast. His generosity and kindness will never be forgotten by those who experienced it. You can leave the family condolences at https://www.thompsonfuneralchapel.com/ obituary/donald-dean-burgess/

Sharon Louise DePace

Ms. Sharon Louise DePace, 76, of Goodyear, Arizona died May 26, 2021 in Goodyear, Arizona. She was born January 26, 1945 in Seattle, Washington to Daniel DePace and Violet York. She is a proud grandmother of six grandchildren, soon to be a greatgrandmother of twin girls. Her family was more important to her than anything else. A funeral service will be held at a later date. You can leave the family condolences at https://www.thompsonfuneralchapel.com/ obituary/ms-sharon-louise-depace/

HeidiAnnStewart

HeidiAnnStewart(Schmelzer),62,of SunCity,AZ,wenttobewiththeLordon May30,2021. ShewasbornOctober7, 1958inSaginaw,MichigantoThomasF. andRosemaryK.Schmelzer. Havinglived infivedifferentstates,Arizonaiswhere sheplantedherrootsandcalledhome. Heidihadalovefortravel,theoutdoors, campinginthemountains,puttinghertoesinthesand,fishing, hunting,tubingdowntheSaltRiver,crafting,lightingupthe dancefloorandrainydays. Shelovedbeingwithfamilyand friends,playingcardsorjustsittingbackandtalking. Shealwayshadastorytotellandherlaughwasinfectious. Shewas anavidanimalloverwhoalwayshadacatordogbyherside. Heidialsohadagreatrespectforthemilitaryandthosethat served. Alltold,shelivedandlovedsimply. Heidileavesbehindthreesisters,HollyCoast(Dana),Sally GrahamandLucyWeimer(Jay). Shewasalsoblessedwith fournephewsandoneniece,RyanCoast(Tawni),ErinByrd (James),ZacharyGraham(Sierra),NicholasGraham(Oscar) andCollinWeimer,alongwithagreatnieceandnephew, EmelyneandElden. Heidiwasblessedtohavemanyfriends, whichwecallfamily. Sheisprecededindeathbyherbrother, ScottThomasSchmelzer,herfather,ThomasF.Schmelzerand mother,RosemaryK.Schmelzer. Agatheringoffamilyandfriendswillbeginat9:00a.m.on Saturday,June19,2021withaRecitationoftheRosaryat9:30 a.m.andaMemorialLiturgyservicefollowingat10:00a.m., alltakingplaceatHolyCrossCatholicFuneralHome,9925W. ThomasRoadAvondale,AZ 85392.