012623 obituaries

Mr. Allen was a son of Ralston and Rosalie Allen, born on May 5, 1958, in Sacaton. He was a lifelong resident of District 5 on the Gila River Indian Community. His life was one of service. As a young adult, he volunteered with the Gila River Police Department and Fire Department. His 25-year Gila River career began with the security department at Lone Butte Industrial Park.

As he advanced in his career and became part of the office staff, he dressed with an eye for style. He was passionate about heavy metal music and was a season ticket holder for the Arizona Cardinals. People knew not to call or visit him on a Sunday when the Cards were playing. He enjoyed road trips around the Southwest in his Chevy truck, and while at home he read political thrillers and spy novels.

Preceded in death by his parents and older brother Harlan Allen, he is survived by a sister, Carol Chunvichit of Fairfax, Virginia; a brother, William Allen of Casa Grande; and several nieces and nephews.

Graveside service at 9 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 27, in Vah-Ki Cemetery.

J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud Coolidge Chapel in charge of arrangements.

Virgil Cannon Sr.

CASA GRANDE — Virgil O. Cannon Sr., 77, died on Jan 20, 2023.

Mr. Cannon was born on June 22, 1945, to Ethel Cannon in Leland, Mississippi. He was raied there by his grandmother Gracie until he moved to Chicago in 1962. He proudly served his country in the 173rd Army Airborne Brigade from 1965 to 1967. He served in the Vietnam War and received two Bronze Star Medals, the Good Conduct Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award. He returned to Chicago and joined the city police force for two years. He then went to work for People’s Energy and rose to general supervisor. He retired in 1999.

He moved to Casa Grande, where he completely remodeled a house and made a home for his beloved grandmother Gracie until her death in 2005. He married his beloved wife Idella in 2010 and she died in 2018. He loved watching all sports but especially pro football and basketball. He had some favorite teams but mostly just enjoyed watching. He was a God-fearing man who loved his family very much.

Survivors include his significant other, Bettie Burrell; two sons, Virgil O. Cannon Jr. of Gurnee, Illinois, and Jumoke Amoakon of Chicago; two daughters, Mishaun Cannon and Katherine Ealy-Cannon of Chicago; his mother, Ethel Harper-Reed of Casa Grande; three brothers, Don Cannon of Tucson, Charles Cannon of Alton, Illinois, and Hank Cannon Sr. of Arizona City; a sister, Theresa Cannon of Chicago; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Idella; grandparents Gracie and Mitchell Cannon Sr.; brothers Mitchell Cannon Jr., John, Charles Cannon Sr., Joseph Cannon Sr., Isiah Cannon Sr. and Leroy Cannon and sisters Edna Wilson, Gracie Williams and Irene Johnson.

Visitation beginning at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 27, at Estrella Community Church in Eloy. Funeral at noon. Burial in Eloy Memorial Park.

Donations may be made to Honoring/Hiring/Helping Our Heroes of Pinal County in Casa Grande.

J. Warren Funeral Services in charge of arrangements.

Lynette Histia

SACATON — Lynette Dawn Histia, 52, of Sacaton died on Jan. 12, 2023, in Chandler.

Ms. Histia was born on Nov. 20, 1970, in Sacaton to Lindred F. Histia and Ethelyne L. Jones. She was a great artist who enjoyed making traditional jewelry and doing gourd work. She was a businesswoman and enjoyed working in her family business.

She liked traveling and going to the casinos. She was a good, spirited woman and nurturer. She kept her family together after their mother’s death.

She is survived by two daughters, Daryl Stewart and Francis Histia, and two siblings, Tammy Histia and Dexter Ortiz. She was preceded in death by her parents.

J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud Coolidge Chapel in charge of arrangements.

Patricia Johnson

MARICOPA — Patricia Lynn Johnson, 68, died on Jan. 22, 2023, in Maricopa.

Ms. Johnson was born on Sept. 29, 1954, in San Diego and was a daughter of Romie and Phyllis Johnson. She was devoted to her family and friends and touched everyone with her heart and soul. She became a dog groomer in 1994 at PetSmart. She moved back to California and started a mobile grooming business. She retired in 2015.

She loved to create with stained glass and ride quads. She gave her children a love of roller coasters. She was always there for her family day and night and helped them through any issues. She had a way of explaining things so people understood, even if it was something small. She was always a good listener.

Survivors include three adult children, Maggie Ware of Illinois, Jeremy Kuhn of Arizona and Stacy Wesolowski of Utah; five siblings, Suzi Jones of Idaho, Theresa Clair of Colorado, Chrissie Miller and Jenny Hellman of California and Laura Anker of Texas; and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her spouse, Terry Johnson, and a brother, Jack Johnson.

No service immediately.

J. Warren Funeral Services in charge of arrangements.

Danny Turner

FLORENCE — Danny L. Turner, 85, of Florence, who coached state champion baseball and softball teams, died peacefully on Jan. 18, 2023.

Mr. Turner was a son of Wilbur D. “Red” and Dorothy B. (Hawkins) Turner. His family moved to Tucson when he was a child. He graduated from Tucson High School and the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s degree in education. He moved to Bowie and the following year to Florence as he started his teaching and coaching career. He continued to be a Florence community member for over 60 years.

He enjoyed all sports but loved the game of baseball and his beloved Chicago Cubs. He was a card-carrying member of their Die-Hard Fan Club. He also loved the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Known to his students and athletes as Mr. T or Coach, he led Florence High School baseball to 1972 and 1973 state championionships and the softball team to the 1978 state championship. He mentored many of his students as their coach and teacher. His horribly bad jokes eventually became known as “Turner Jokes.”

He is survived by two daughters and a son, Linda Turner, David Turner and Kathy Turner, all of Florence; two sisters, Melanie Turner Black and Nancy Kunzler; two grandchildren; and a great-grandson. He was preceded in death by a brother, Jack Swinford.

Celebration of life at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, in the Florence High School cafeteria. Attendees asked to wear their Florence Gopher crimson and white with no black. Parking by the baseball fields off Van Haren Road, behind The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Private burial in Tucson on Jan. 30.

Mountain View Funeral Home of Mesa in charge of arrangements.