Joseph J. “Joey” Richards-Sanchez, 26, of Casa Grande died on Jan. 24, 2022, at Banner University Hospital-Phoenix, with his parents by his side. He was very brave and fought hard until the very end.

Mr. Richards-Sanchez was a handsome, charming, strong-willed, very likeable, and easy-going person and had a gentle soul. He loved music and being outdoors. He was devoted to his children and loved spending time with them. He was devoted to all his family and made an impact on people in his short 26 years.

His career was mostly in sales, and he was good at it. He won two trips to Mexico based on his stellar sales performance. He was very good at talking to people, but yet he didn’t think so; he was very humble.

He is survived by his fiancée, Jazmine; two children, Axcel and Ellie; his parents, Jose A. Sanchez and Nikki A. Richards; two brothers, Arthur Sanchez and Eric Sanchez; and a sister, Cerese Sanchez. He was preceded in death by grandparents James J. Richards, Betty J. Richards, and Manuela Nellie Lopez. 

Navneet (Heather) Ann Lahti, 65, passed away peacefully at her home in Tucson, Arizona on January 19th, 2022, after living with glioblastoma in a courageous and graceful manner for two years. Navneet was born in Kansas City, Missouri to the late Giovanni and Frances Volpi. She attended Northern Illinois University and received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin.

To know Navneet was to be known by her. She has an amazing ability to connect with everyone she crossed paths with and devoted her life to helping others through her career as a social worker providing therapy to children and families. She viewed her biggest accomplishment as raising her three daughters, but undoubtedly made an impact in the lives of thousands of people through her relentless pursuit in helping families in Texas, Maine, and Arizona, as a Kundalini yoga teacher, by developing a yoga therapy curriculum taught around the world, and through her lifelong work as a mixed media artist. 

Navneet loved to garden and spend time in nature, often remarking on the importance of appreciate the beauty of the environment and enjoying what each day brought. She was joyfully optimistic and found beauty in each moment, big and small. She was deeply spiritual, interested in history and learning about different cultures through travel. In addition to her pursuits as a mixed media artist, Navneet loved to quilt and play the piano. She also loved the water and to swim, which is something she continued through her treatment. Navneet was an amazing wife, mother, and friend, who always made an effort to stay connected to the people she loved.

Navneet is survived by her husband Michel Lahti; her daughters Jessica Stephenson, Kristin (Drew) Mysers, and Lindsey Brook; her stepsons Oryan and Gabriel Lahti; her grandchildren Emory and Taylor Myers, and Declan and Benson Lahti; her sister Nita (John) Gayle South; and her beloved rescue Boston terrier Missy.

My father, Francisco Eddie Morga, was born on September 17, 1931, in Nogales, Arizona. He graduated from Nogales high school in 1950. He was an athlete all his life; he played baseball and basketball. In his later years, he played golf. Baseball was his love; he was a UofA pitcher from 1950-1955.

My father didn’t use drug, drinks alcohol, or smoke cigarettes. He exercised faithfully all his life. Up until a few months ago, he was still hitting golf balls.

“Eddie” had six children: Clarissa, Frank, Eddie, Ruben, Normal, and Annete. Eddie had 10 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild (on the way).

Eddie was a man of faith, well-educated (graduated with an engineering degree), and worked hard: first at a Convair in San Diego, and later he had his own HVAC company (for 25 years).

Eddie wanted to help others; he volunteered at church, Knights of Columbus, boy scouts, elks, 4h, school board member, and community political positions.

One of his last requests was to donate his body to research, so someone could benefit from him.

We thank you for accepting his donor gift into your program.

Passed away on July 16, 2022

Born in Charleston, Illinois on May 31, 1932, to James and Opal Wright.

Siblings, sister Nila, brothers Joe, Max, and Terry.

James was an Army Veteran. He remembered everything and could fix anything. He moved to Arizona in the late 1950s. He came to Tucson on vacation in the Winter time and people were playing golf. That was it: he never went back to Illinois except to visit. Golf was his passion! He was also a pool shark! He retired from the Southern Pacific Railroad after 30+ years. He worked in various positions and locations. Most of his years were downtown Tucson at the depot. He looked forward to the monthly Railroad luncheons, so he could catch up with the guys and gals.

James married Bonnie on August 20, 1960. They had four children: Brett, Bradley, Teryl, and Heather. Six grandchildren: Brianna, Barry, Tawny, Colton, Sebastian, and Brandey. James and Bonnie loved to travel! Mostly by car, van, and small camper. Tennessee storyteller festival, National parks, genealogy adventures – he wanted to know who we were related to. They packed up the minivan and went on a month-long adventure in Mexico. They also enjoyed going to Laughlin, Nevada and staying at the Riverside casino on the Colorado River starting in the 1970s. The list goes on and on.

For several years, he was in the Corvair Auto Club. He fully restored a 1964 Spyder Coupe, from a rust bucket to perfect. He loved going to car shows!

James and bonnie have lived the last 23 years at the Highlands at Dove Mountain on the seventh pro tee. He loved his view of the mountain, butterflies, bird,  and sports. He loved going to the horse track and golfing. He loved his family, “fresh air and sunshine”; he loved life so much! But most of all, he loved his “little darlin'” Bonnie; they were married almost 62 years of “marital bliss”.

Rest in peace, Daddy
We all love you 

Dennis Lee Kingery, 79, passed away peacefully on August 2, 2022 at the VA Medical Center in Tucson, AZ. Dennis was born on December 5, 1942 in Knoxville, Iowa to Earnest D. and Marian (Currier) Kingery.

Dennis graduated from Knoxville High School in 1961. He attended Iowa State University and Northwest Missouri State University each for one year before enlisting in the United States Army where he served as a morse code operator from 1963 to 1967. Upon separating from the service, Dennis settled in Virginia and worked for the Tandy Leather Factory in Washington, D.C. for six years.

Dennis eventually returned to Iowa where he owned and operated a tavern in Monroe for many years. While hunting for mushrooms in Iowa, Dennis discovered a fossil by accident and became intrigued. In 1979 he decided to pursue his fossil interests full-time, relocating to Rock Springs, Wyoming where he opened a small fossil business, Den’s Petrified Critters, which he maintained until his retirement. Dennis enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow fossil enthusiasts from all over the world.

Dennis retired to Tucson, Arizona in 2003 where he enjoyed spending time with the late Al Janesky, Al’s wife Jackie, and their family who became like family to Dennis, including Tracy and Jim Tishion, Cindy and Jim Purvinis, Chris and Taryn Purvinis all of Tucson and Jason and Heather Janesky of Campbell, CA. In retirement Dennis enjoyed crafting, reading, doing puzzles, and photography.

Dennis is preceded in death by his parents, brother Ronald, and sister Donna (Kingery) Karr. Dennis is survived by his brother Frank Kingery and wife Vicky of Monroe, Iowa and many nephews and nieces.

A memorial service for family and friends will be arranged at a later date. Mr. Kingery directed his body be donated to science.