Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 92

ARIZONA REPUBLIC VALLEY STATE OBITUARIES FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2002 B7 Duaen E. Schaper, 74, of Kenyon, MN visitor to Mesa, AZ, died Jan. 29, 2002. No services. Arrangements by Melcher's Mission Chapel.

Mr. Robert "Bob" E. Schlupe, 88, Sun City Arizona, passed away January 30, 2002. Army Air Force in WW II. Services: Monday, February 4, 2002 at 11:00 A.M.

at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, 9728 Palmeras Lane, Sun City, Arizona. Arrangements by Sunland Mortuary. Grace E. Schwetz, 85, Mesa Arizona, passed away January 31, 2002.

Mesa Heritage Mortuary handled the arrangements. Anna Servino, of Tempe, passed away January 30, 2002 at 54 years old. She was a loving wife, mother and homemaker. Anna was accustomed to taking the road less traveled. She was born in Brooklyn, NY.

She is survived by her husband of 31 years, Patrick; her children, Anne Marie and Patrick; and her mother, Marthe. Visitation will be held Friday, Feb. 1st at Tempe Mortuary, 405 E. Southern from 5-8 P.M. Funeral at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 1800 E.

Libra Tempe Saturday, Feb. 2nd at 10:00 A.M. Anna M. Simmons, 59, Coolidge Arizona, passed away January 30, 2002. Private services to be held at a later date.

Simes Mortuaries Coolidge Chapel. Betty J. Skuse, 76, of Mesa AZ, passed away January 27, 2002. No services are planned. Arrangements by Bunker's Desert View Chapel Patricia Solomon, Graveside services will be held on February 1, 2002 at 2pm at V.A.

National Cemetery, 23029 N. Cave Creek Road. Mildred Marie "Millie Sowa, of Mesa AZ, passed away January 30, 2002. Visitation will be Thursday January 31, 2002, 3-4pm with services at Sprite, Mesa Funeral Care, 400 S. Mesa.

Contributions: Christ The King Catholic Church, 1616 E. Dana St, Mesa, 85205. Marjorie Mae Spinker, 77, of Black Canyon City, died Jan. 29, 2002. Private services.

Arrangements by Arizona Aftercare. Byrness Patricia Roach Steward, 70, of Phoenix, passed away January 29, 2002. Pat was born March 10, 1931 in Glendale, AZ into the Roach family that came to the valley in 1891. She 1S preceded in death by her husband, Lester Howard Steward. Survivors include 4 children: Donald Steward, T.E.

Steward, Susan Russo, Joan Steward, and her 4 grandchildren: Trisha Midgett, Christy, Kyle and Bradley Russo. Also by her 2 remaining siblings Marsha Roach and Wayne Roach. She received a BA from ASU 1960. She earned a Master's in Library Science in 1967 from Wayne State University. She was a Librarian for the Scottsdale School District from 1961 to 1990 working at Cocopah and Hopi Elementary Schools.

Services will be held at Saturday, February 2, 2002, Hansen Chapel, 8314 N. 7th St in Phx. Interment following at Greenwood Memory Lawn. Patsy B. Stewart, 59, of Glendale AZ, passed away January 28, 2002.

Patsy B. Stewart was born in Bernie, Missouri. She attended the Learning Enrichment Development Center located at 12801 N. 47th Drive, Glendale, Arizona. Patty loved music.

She was preceded in death by her mother-Mamie Stewart; fatherClarence Stewart; and brother-James Stewart. Survivors incldue sisters: Savilla Medders, Nancy Wilkerson, Sandra Stewart, and Brenda Stewart; brothers- Wally Stewart, Tommy Stewart, Clarence Stewart and Roy Stewart. Memorial service is Feb. 2, 2pm, Estrella Mountain Church, 10485 S. Estrella Parkway, Goodyear, AZ.

Jarl I. Sundseth, 93, Mesa, died Services 2pm Sun. Feb. 3, St. Peters Lutheran Church, 1844 E.

Dana, Mesa. Melcher's Mission Chapel Oline Rotch (Whitfield) Taraci, 87, passed away Jan. 30th, 2002, peacefully at Maryland Gardens senior living facility. She, was born in Clarke County, AL, Feb. 19, 1914 and moved to Navajo Nation's Sawmill, AZ in 1944.

She became the first public school teacher in Sawmill, then moved to Phx where she taught at Ingleside and Kaibab in the Scottsdale District. She was a graduate of NAU, a member Sigma Sigma Sigma, the Order of the Eastern Star, and member of the Naomi Circle at Prince of Peace Church Lutheran Church in Phx. She is survived by four daughters; Jan (Fred) Moore, Mecha (Foster) Matteson, Dee Jane (Del) Wright, and Ferris (Lou) Whitfield Laner (John She was preceded in death by her son Harvey D. Whitfield Mar. 16, 2001.

Other survivors include her sisters Mary Lee Horlick, Cynthia Corbett, and Ethlyn Givhan, and brothers Lamar Rotch and Thomson Rotch, all of Mobile, AL; and 8 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Sunday, February 3 at 3pm at Prince of Peace, 3641 1 N. 56th Phx, AZ. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in her name to the Alzheimer's or Prince of Peace building fund. Thanks to all the caregivers these last six years and especially to Hospice of the Valley.

Newcomer Family Mortuary assisted the family. Morris James (Jim) Taylor, 78, of Happy Jack AZ, passed away January 26, 2002. He served U.S. Army WW II. Services Sunday, February 3, 2002 at Brown's Colonial Mortuary, 4141 N.

19th Phoenix AZ. Arrangements by Brown's Colonial Mortuary. Leighton Hess Tooms, 63, of Scottsdale Arizona, died 2002. Military service: U.S. Public Health Services.

Visitation on Feb. 2, 2002 from 4-6pm at Desert Hills dale, AZ 85254. Services at 2pm Mortuary, 6500 5 E. Bell ScottsFeb. 3, 2002, Hansen Desert Hills Chapel, 6500 E.

Scottsdale, A LIFE REMEMBERED Gardener's long career was all about growth By Connie Cone Sexton The Arizona Republic Berdie Stevens was the "quick draw" of the garden world, a horticulturist who could spit out Latin terms for flowers and trees with precision. She knew their characteristics, their likes and dislikes. She knew what to plant for Arizona soils, and when to let go of futile dreams. Plenty of novice gardeners approached Stevens to test her knowledge, some believing they knew better. Instead of quickly shooting down inaccuracies, she would and roll her theirs eyes if she knew they weren't looking- and then make a few suggestions.

But for those who humbly turned to her for advice, she would dig deep into her decades of information. Stevens, who died Dec. 26 at age 89, was one of the Valley's masters of master gardeners. What began as a hobby in the 1930s after perusing a few garden magazines turned into a career and extensive volunteer service. Numerous ribbons and certificates filling her scrapbooks are testaments to her talents.

For more than six decades, she put her steady hand and patience to use at the Valley Garden Center near Encanto Park. She helped with landscape design and with programs at the center, a gathering spot for area garden clubs. And for years, Stevens served as superintendent of floriculture at the Arizona State Fair. For a few years in the early 1980s, she worked in the greenhouse at the Garden Grove Nursery in north Phoe- Manuel "Cookie" Vanegas, 86, of Chandler, died January 28, 2002. He is survived by his wife Elidia, daughter Velma Corral (Ernie), son Bob (Vi), sister Esther Trujillo, brother Alfred, 4 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren.

There re will be a Rosary Sunday, 7pm, with visitation until 8pm at Lakeshore Mortuary, 1815 S. Dobson Mesa. Mass is Monday, 10am, St. Mary's Catholic Church, 230 W. Galveston, Chandler.

Margaret "Peg" Vetter, 72, of Glendale Arizona, died Jan. 6, 2002. Memorial services on Feb. 2, 2002 at 3pm at Heritage Funeral Chapel, 6830 W. Thunderbird Rd.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the charity of your choice. Gerald Walker, 70, of Mesa Arizona, died Jan. 29, 2002. Military service: U.S. Navy Veteran.

Services at 11am on Feb. 1, 2002 at Mariposa Gardens Chapel, 6747 E. Broadway, Mesa, AZ. Eunice G. White, 52, of Peoria AZ, passed away January 30, 2002.

Memorial Service is 11am, Feb. 2, Menke Funeral Home, 12420 N. 103rd Sun City, AZ Patricia Williams, 54, Phoenix Arizona, passed away January 21, 2002. No Services. Crystal Rose Funeral Home.

Doris Williamson, 71, of Phoenix AZ, passed away January 31, 2002. Private services will be held through Greer- Wilson Funeral Home. Lorana "Rainy" Patterson Winsor, was born on June 26, 1913. in Pine, Arizona and passed away Thursday, January 31, 2002 at her home in Gilbert. Rainy was preceded in death by her husband, Shirley Kay Winsor.

She is survived by her 5 children: Joyce Reeves, Valdine Riggs, June Pace, Ann Moots, and Marla Sherwood. Rainy had 18 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren. She was beloved by all and she wore out her life by serving those that she loved. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2002 at 11:00 A.M. at the Eagar Ward Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Main Street and 2nd Ave.

in Eagar with viewing beginning at 9:30 AM at the church. Interment will follow at the Eagar Cemetery. Arrangements by Bueler Mortuary. Grace M. Zillman, 87, of Sun City Arizona died Jan.

30, 2002. Rosary at on Tues. at St. Joachim St. Anne Catholic Church, 11625 111th Sun City, AZ.

Funeral Mass at 2pm on Tues. at St. Joachim St. Anne Catholic Church, 11625 111th Sun City, AZ. 859 Cemetery Lots, Monuments Svcs GREENWOOD MEMORIAL.

Double tandem crypt in Mausoleum. Value $10,095. Will sacrifice for OBO. (602)955-4145 GREENWOOD Memory Lawn 2 cemetry lots in Mediation Call 928-772-9690 PHOENIX Memorial Park, single space A376, sells for $4840 all extras etc), asking $2200, space only $1180. (623)974-9326 Scottsdale, Green Acres Cemetery Garden of Good value Shepherd $5485, section, sell all 2 tor choice Jots Surrent FIRST DAY AD cemetery, lots in East Rest Haven, includes extras.

(602)237-2463 Mesa crime increases Crime is up 8 percent in Mesa for 2001, compared with the previous year. Property crimes including auto thefts and business burglaries fueled the increase. nix, where she struck up a fast friendship with Renee Castillo. It didn't matter that 50 years separated the two. "She was my best friend," Castillo said.

"Her intelligence was humbling. She was my mentor." Stevens, in her late 60s at the time, could hold her own with the young workers. She would sling fertilizer bags across her shoulder and haul heavy planters across the nursery. "She was happiest when her hands were in the dirt," Castillo said. Stevens loved to share her expertise not only at garden clubs and at the State Fair but also in a newspaper column during the 1980s in the Moon Valley Tattler.

"She was constantly introducing people to the uniqueness of different plants that could grow here. She couldn't understand why people would just opt for a tree that everybody else was growing," Castillo said. "She was more than your basic garden-variety gal." Stevens didn't have a college degree, and acquired most of her background from endless reading and talking to fellow gardeners. If not for the intervention of her future mother-in-law, Bertha Stevens, a young Berdie wouldn't even had have had a high school education. Over her father's initial objections, Berdie became the first in the family of seven girls to attend high school.

Berdie and Seymour Stevens married soon after she graduated from the old Monroe School in downtown Phoenix. After a few years of living outside Arizona, the couple and their three children fi- The Arizona Republic Berdie Stevens (left) loved to share her extensive gardening knowledge with others. What began as a hobby in the 1930s turned into a lifetime of learning and teaching. Berdie Stevens "was happiest when her hands were in the dirt," says a longtime friend. nally settled in Phoenix.

In time, they took over Seymour's family business, the Arizona Earthworm Farm on East McDowell Road. When the business closed about 25 years ago, Stevens devoted herself to her family and gardening activities. But in 1977, she was tapped as a prospective juror for one of the highest-profile criminal cases ever to hit the Valley. Stevens and 15 others were sequestered for nearly 70 days as testimony went on in the trial over the 1976 car-bomb slaying of Arizona Republic reporter Don Bolles. But on Oct.

31, Stevens and three other alternate jurors were released as the jury began deliberations. Granddaughter Monica Rodgers said she never talked about the experience, not even when family members tried to pry information from her. "She was too honest, she took it seriously," Rodgers said. Survivors include her sister, Georgia Spangler; 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and three great-greatgrandchildren. Her husband, Seymour, daughter, Averil, and sons Charlie and Lloyd preceded her in death.

A Life Remembered celebrates the lives of interesting people in Arizona who have recently passed away. To suggest someone, call Connie Cone Sexton at (602) 444-8894 or e-mail 43 de fashion Sorts HE Ellman Cos. This architect's sketch, looking the Ellman Cos. want to redevelop LOS ARCOS From Page BI bers Ned O'Hearn and Tom Silverman, with whom he frequently forms a coalition. Ellman got general support for the concept but ended up angering the four council members left out of the discussions.

Two of them, Cynthia Lukas and Robert Pettycrew, are up for re-election with Zraket in March. Pettycrew said Thursday he was delighted that Ellman and the city finally were get- LIVABLE From Page BI that are a common side effect of medications used to treat Parkinson's. Until the mid-1990s, many patients were treated with drugs to increase production of dopamine, which is needed for motor functions. The problem is that the drug often stopped working after 10 years and built up in the system, creating dyskinesia. Another treatment has been deep brain stimulation, which until recently was limited to implanting electrodes in one side of the thalamus to curb tremors in the opposite side of the body.

The treatment did nothing to combat the rigidity that can be the more debilitating part of the disease. Earlier this month, the Food and Drug Administration approved the Activa Parkinson's Control Therapy, made by heart pacemaker giant Medtronic Inc. Electrodes are placed deep in the brain, then two battery packs are implanted on each side of the body in the clavicle area three weeks later after the brain has had time to heal. Violent Percent crimes 2000 2001 change Homicide 18 20 Rape 120 107 Robbery 433 452 Aggravated 1,825 1,943 assault ArGOS. Total violent 2,396 2,522 crimes Property Percent crimes 2000 2001 change Business 1,068 1,341 burglary Residential 2,653 2,972 burglary Theft 15,983 16,204 Motor 4,567 vehicle Arson 63 36 Source: Mesa Police department Jeanne Arizona Republic Crime in Mesa up in 2001 By Senta Scarborough The Arizona Republic More burglars broke into Mesa 1 businesses last year, but police say better surveillance equipment will help catch the criminals who helped bump the city's crime by 8 percent.

Preliminary year- end statistics for 2001 show business burglaries rose 26 percent on the heels of a 20 percent increase in 2000. "The numbers tell us we need to be more vigilant in our business in how we transact and how we leave our businesses after business hours," Mesa Chamber of Commerce President Charlie Deaton Police say that though it is difficult to pinpoint the cause of crime increases, population growth, the economy and erratic crime sprees often affect the number of crimes. They also said the commercial burglary rise might be attributed partially to a reclassification of coin theft from vending machines to a felony burglary offense last year. Businesses are especially vulnerable because they usually are located near other businesses that also are closed at night, making it easier for crooks, Mesa police Sgt. Mike Goulet said.

But Goulet said video surveillance is making a difference. "We are seeing more cases solved as a result," Goulet said. "The technology has improved the quality of the photos for identification." Last year residential break-ins increased 12 percent over 2000. Residential burglaries also decreased 12 percent in 2000. But police have a plan to help combat the residential burglary plague, Lt.

Greg Hargis said. After years of doing burglary calls by telephone, patrol officers will take reports at the scene. Hargis said the telephone approach became the norm about 10 years ago when police departments were juggling high crime rates and low resources. Police are initiating the residential-burglary pro-' gram because home burglaries are more numerous and are considered a higher violence risk since residents often are home during the break-ins. Auto thefts made the greatest jump last year, posting a 33 percent increase and helping spike property crime to an 8 percent increase.

Arsons dropped to 36 from 63 from the year before, a 43 percent decline. Although it was the largest percentage drop in a single crime category, fire officials cautioned that it doesn't depict arsons accurately because many reported by police are not counted by the fire department. Violent crimes, including homicide, robbery and aggravated assault, all went up by 5 percent from 2000. Reported rapes declined two straight years, with a 10 percent drop in 1999 and an 11 percent drop in 2000. Homicides led the increase.

There were 20 homicides last, year, compared with 18 in 2000. The city's official annual crime report and rate will be released later this year. southeast from McDowell and the old Los Arcos Mall site Plans for site ting back to the table and his only concern had been having something "rammed down our throats." Lukas also said she was disturbed by the side dealings with Zraket and others because Scottsdale generally operates in the open. "It's not that feelings were hurt," she said. "It's the matter of process." She also considers the subsidy suggested to be a very big number that needs independent analysis.

Patients get 6 This is not a cure because Parkinson's is not reversible, but this can make life livable. Dr. Dan Lieberman Neurosurgeon who conducted a clinical trial of a new Parkinson's treatment Lieberman said the trickiest part of the surgery is "looking for the sweet spot." To do that, patients are kept in "twilight sleep" where they remain conscious but feel no pain so they can answer questions to determine the best location for the electrodes, which are one-tenth the size of a human hair. Working with Dr. Padma Mahant, a neurologist who has mapped the patient's brain ahead of time, a patient is asked to perform a simple task, such as pinching his fin- Scottsdale roads, shows how with a "north Scottsdale feel." in doubt Both council members said they are willing to negotiate for a relatively quick agreement they can all live with.

Woods said he hopes to start with that next week. "The city of Scottsdale needs to get its act together," Woods said. "I don't know if they ever will, but a good time to start would be now." Reach the reporter at lesley. wright or (602) 444-6883. pacemakers ger and thumb together or holding her arms out straight.

When the tremors stop and the rigidity eases, doctors know they have hit the correct spot. Before FDA approval, Lieberman and Mahant had operated on four other Parkinson's patients who participated in a clinical trial. The recent FDA approval means the treatment, which runs about $60,000 and is covered by some insurance companies, will be more widely available. "This is not a cure because Parkinson's is not reversible, but this can make life livable," Lieberman said. For Chandler resident Julia Butler, any improvement is welcomed.

Part of the clinical trial, the 83-year-old Butler underwent her second surgery for the generators last week. Ever since, she has been able to dress herself and cut her own meat. "It's the very small things that you want to get back," said Julia's husband, Jerry. Reach the reporter at kerry.fehr-sndyer@arizona republic.com or (602) 444-8975..