Palm Valley Funeral Home

07/20/2025

07/14/2025

Pauline Katherine Hopkins, aged 61, passed away on July 9, 2025, in El Mirage, Arizona. Pauline was Born on April 4, 1964 to Leona and Ralph Mueller. She was a strong, caring, and independent woman who loved spending time with her family, friends and her dogs (Penny, Mable, and Curtis).
Pauline graduated from Clinton High School and later earned a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Mount St. Claire College in Clinton, Iowa.
Her passions included crafting and gardening, activities that brought joy not only to her but also to those fortunate enough to experience her creative gifts.
Pauline was a cherished member of The Gathering Church, where she found a community of faith and fellowship. Her life was a testament to her strong will and the deep love she held for her family and friends.
She leaves behind the love of her life, her husband, Raymond Hopkins, and her children: Shaun (Christine) Hartman, Shane (Stephanie) Hartman, Megan (Sam) Juarez, Alex (Amber) Hopkins and Janeen (Joseph) Asay-Hopkins. Pauline was a proud grandmother to her thirteen grandchildren: David, Alex, Jacob, Hannah, Nora, Lucas, Elijah, Madison, Eden, Evan, Karsyn, Freya, and Natalia. She is also survived by her brothers Todd Mueller, Steven (Viki) Mueller, Matt Mueller, and Troy Mueller, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Pauline was preceded in death by her parents, Leona and Ralph Mueller, and her mother-in-law, Kathy Ford.
Services were held at Palm Valley Funeral Home in Sun City, Arizona, on Tuesday July 15th, 2025 where family, friends, and community members gathered to honor her memory and celebrate her life.

07/13/2025

🕊️ In Loving Memory of Federico “Freddy” T. Amavisca Sr.
August 14, 1962 – July 8, 2025

Federico “Freddy” T. Amavisca was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. He lived a life grounded in compassion, integrity, and quiet strength. A skilled and certified electrician, Freddy used his talents not just as a profession, but as a way to serve others. He was always willing to lend a hand—fixing, building, or simply being there when someone needed him. No task was too small, and no favor too much.

Freddy’s kindness was second nature. He would give his last dollar without hesitation. His heart was big, his laughter contagious, and his sense of humor had a way of making everyone feel like family. His playful teasing and easy smile were trademarks of the deep love he held for those around him. To be loved by Freddy was to be seen, supported, and fiercely protected.

He leaves behind his loving wife, Nancy H. Amavisca—his partner, best friend, and light in this world. He is also survived by his devoted mother; his brother and sister; and his children—Eric, Tila, Stephanie, and his late son, Freddy Jr.—as well as five grandchildren who were the pride and joy of his heart. Freddy also embraced Nancy’s daughter as his own, offering her the same love, guidance, and laughter he gave to all he considered family. His love extended beyond blood, touching countless friends and relatives who were all better for having known him.

Freddy’s legacy is one of love in action. He taught us to give without expecting, to laugh through hard times, and to always show up for the people we care about. His presence will be missed beyond words, but his spirit will live on in every life he touched.

🕯 Celebration of Life Service
📅 Friday, July 18, 2025 | 9:00 AM
📍 Palm Valley Funeral Home
10761 Grand Ave, Sun City, AZ 85351

🪦 final farewell :
Glendale Cemetery
7844 N. 61st Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301

07/10/2025

Craig Orville Lawson
August 27,1947-June 20,2025

Craig Orville Lawson, 77, of Glendale, Arizona, passed away peacefully on June 20, 2025. He was born in Prescott, Arizona, on August 27, 1947.

Craig was a devoted husband to his wife of 51 years, Joan, a loving father to two sons, Todd and Sean, and a proud grandfather to two granddaughters. He was preceded in death by a beloved grandson. Craig was known for his quiet strength, steady presence, and deep love for his family.

He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him. A private service will be held in his honor.

07/09/2025

Darlene Hayes, 91, of Sun City West, Arizona, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 6, 2025. She was born on May 18, 1934, in Colefax, Iowa, to Rollie and Martha Rettinghaus. She graduated salutatorian in 1952 from Clifton Hill High Scholl in Cliffton Hill, Missouri. She earned a teaching certificate from Kirksville, Missouri State Teachers College in 1956.
After college Darlene moved to St. Louis, Missouri where she met the love of her life, Lorn Hayes. They married on December 31, 1960, and were married over 58 years until his passing on October 5, 2019. They have one son, Geoffrey (Rebecca) of Surprise, Arizona.
Darlene worked as a secretary for Optimist International, St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church, and later retired from Southwestern Bell. She also worked for many years as a homemaker. Aside from family, her biggest loves were animals and art. Among the pets gracing her life were a toy poodle named Bijou, and a cat Bingo named, after another favorite pastime. Her sister Betty said that as a young girl, Darlene also loved horses and rode two miles each way to grade school. And as for art, she was excellent at drawing, needlepoint, and her favorite - Bob Ross style painting. Several of her paintings adorn Geoffrey and Rebecca’s home.
Darlene was also a fighter. She got Polio at age 6. Doctors feared she would not be able to walk, but after undergoing surgery and therapy she kept her mobility into later life. She survived Covid twice and persevered through dementia.
Darlene was preceded in death by her husband Lorn, her parents, sister Elizabeth Moody, and brothers Lewis Rettinghaus and Lavern Rettinghaus. She is survived by her sister Betty Barron of Iowa, her son Geoffrey, his wife Rebecca, and their children Zachary Hayes and Kyle Breeze.
A celebration of life is planned for Saturday, July 12, 2025, in the chapel at Sierra Winds Retirement Center, 17300 N. 88th Avenue, Peoria AZ 85382

06/24/2025

Gabriel Rene Del Castillo, 30, of Surprise, Arizona, passed away on June 12, 2025.
Born on November 30, 1994, in Phoenix, AZ.
Gabriel was a dedicated father, loving husband, extraordinary salesman, beloved brother and friend to many throughout the city. He had a deep passion for basketball, anime, and music, and was known for his quick wit and incredible sense of humor that could light up any room.

Gabriel is survived by his wife, Clarissa, and their daughter, Diana; his mother, Angela; his fathers, Rene and Joseph; and his siblings Christopher, Noah, Chloe, Seth, Rene Jr, Nicholas, and Jeremiah.

To help his family get through such a difficult loss, a celebration of Gabriel’s life will be held on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 6:00 PM at the Cortez High School North Gym in Phoenix, AZ. The Celebration of Life will begin at 6:00 PM, followed by the first game of the memorial basketball tournament at 6:30 PM.

Gabriel’s energy, laughter, and love will continue to echo in the lives of everyone he touched. He leaves behind a legacy of heart, hustle, and unforgettable memories. Though his time with us was far too short, his loving spirit will forever live on in those who knew and loved him.

“We’ll carry you with us, always — on the court, in our music, in our hearts.”

Any donations submitted online and in person are for his 2-year-old daughter, Diana. Please show up for her so she can see how many people loved her Father, and please wear your favorite Suns jersey to honor his memory!

Below is the Link for the event/dontions:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-dianas-future-and-gabriels-tribute?utm_campaign=natman_sharesheet_dash&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&attribution_id=sl:843e658b-3685-4296-8f98-c42ffcc0e341

06/24/2025

Beautiful Barbara Singletary was celebrated today surrounded by her family and her many friends. You will be missed friend.

06/13/2025

Mae M Lauer, 95, of Sun City, formerly of the Lehigh Valley PA died Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at Hospice of the Valley, Surprise.
She was the widow of Luther L Lauer. Born in South Whitehall Township, she was the daughter of the late John U. and Minerva S
(Meyer) Litzenberger.
Mae worked for Brown Shoe Company in the 60s and 70s. In the 80s, she worked for Allentown
Paper Box and for Kresge Paper Box Company.
Mae loved her cats, Stripes, Sonic, and Wolfie, and they will miss her.
She is survived by her daughter Charlotte, Gene Auman's wife.
She was predeceased by a daughter, Nancy Dankel.
Contributions can be made in her memory to Foxy’s Cradle, 5260 Overlook Rd, Coplay, PA
18037

06/09/2025

05/16/2025

David Harvey Schoger died Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at the age of 76. He was born to Grant and Evelyn
(Mandel) Schoger in Aurora, Illinois, January 14, 1949 and raised on the Schoger farms where he learned hard
work and a good work ethic--principals he lived by all his life. Through grade school he attended St. Paul's
Lutheran School where he learned the foundations of the Christian faith. His favorite song as a child was "This is
my Father's world." He graduated from Oswego High School in 1967 and went on to attend Colorado State
University in Ft. Collins, Colorado.
Dave's life was forever changed October 19, 1967 when as a new freshman he was invited by the Navigator
group to attend a meeting. Thinking it was a flight club, he agreed to go. That night he personally accepted
Jesus as his Lord and Savior and a love for the Word of God began. His Junior year he transferred to the
University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado and changed his major from Engineering to Business
Administration. This proved to be another life changing move because it was there he met his wife Carroll Lind
his Junior year and they married his Senior year on September 11, 1971. During those 53 beautiful years of
marriage, they had 6 sons: Jonathan (Lisa) AZ, Matthew (Kelly) CO, Michael (Teresa) IA , Jeremiah (stillborn),
and nephews Bryce (Kim) TX, and Shawn (Suzee) AZ. He had 14 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Dave is
survived by a brother Dennis (Cindy) CO, two nieces and their families.
Not only did Dave excel at 53 years of marriage but he was a wonderful father who coached soccer and other
team sports with the boys, teaching them to drive, camping trips and modeling his willingness to help everyone
as he taught the same principals of hard work and teamwork sprinkled with lots of humor and of course, his
puns.
Moving from the Illinois farm in 1978, Dave and his brother started a Christian Retreat Center, Christ Haven, in
Florissant, Colorado which provided a retreat for families in the beautiful Colorado mountains. His involvement
in the local church was where his love and call for the ministry began. He was ordained and became Associate
Pastor and later Senior Pastor of New Covenant Christian Fellowship while getting his Masters of Arts in
Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary September 18, 1998. He highly valued marriage and a highlight was
officiating the weddings of his sons as well as other family members and many friends. Because of his farm
background, it's no wonder his favorite parable was the parable of the sower. His love for evangelism and
missions grew as many missionaries were hosted at the church resulting in fruitful mission trips to Burma, India,
Nepal, Thailand and Hungary. In 2001, Dave joined the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association as Regional
Manager, first in Colorado, then moving to Florida and ending his last 13 years in Arizona. This ministry provided
Dave to use his God given gifts of Pastor/Shepherd as his congregation grew to 1000's while ministering to
many by praying for their needs, giving encouragement, sharing his faith and his love of the Word and driving
thousands of miles to accomplish this. For Dave it was "Always Good News"! His unforgettable sense of humor
made the journey joyful for everyone he met--even if you didn't always understand his puns.
Skipping retirement all together, he died entering Heaven with his work boots on!
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Church on the Green 19051 N. R H Johnson Blvd, Sun City West, AZ
85375 on Friday, May 30, 2025 at 10:30am. A second Celebration of Life service will be held at Emmaus
Fellowship 205 Pine St. Woodland Park, CO 80863 on Sunday, June 22, 2025 at 3:30 pm.
Memorial contributions in honor of David Schoger may be made to Church on the Green , Billy Graham
Evangelistic Association, Emmaus Fellowship or a charity of your

05/08/2025

Cecilia (Cece) Jay Simonelli of Sun City, Arizona, went peacefully home to heaven surrounded by family on March 5, 2025 at the age of 88. She was born on October 25, 1936 in Hermosa Beach, California. Tragically her father died three weeks before she was born saving the life of another fisherman in Depoe Bay, Oregon, which caused the sudden move to Hermosa to stay with family.

Cece came from a long line of strong and talented women. Her aunt, Virginia Van Up was the first female executive director of Columbia pictures. She wrote and produced most of Rita Hayworth’s films, and who was also a close personal friend of the family. Her grandmother was Bertha Muzzy Bower (B.M. Bower) who was one of the first female published writers of western fiction, and had several books produced into films.

Cece continued this amazing family legacy with her talents managing dental offices until she was 70. She was an accomplished artist and entrepreneur; producing oil paintings, pet portraits, custom jewelry, hand painted clothing, and many other types of media. She loved to write, and participated with the Sun City Players production of “Mixed Nuts” in 2014. Cece had a passion for volunteering as well, working in Sun City in many different capacities. One month before she passed she was still teaching craft classes at her assisted living facility.

In 1975 she met the love of her life Frank Simonelli. They enjoyed 40 years together, traveling, fishing, metal detecting, and spending time with family. In 2015 Frank passed away and is now in the arms of his loving wife Cece.

Cece is survived by her children, Veni, Mark (Jie),Todd, Michael (Vicki), and Peter. Grandchildren William (Natalie), Paul, Luke, Dana (Miguel) Shane (Ashley), Briana (Brantun), Frankie, and great grandchild Nathaniel. Also her nephew and niece, Michael (Kathleen) and Valerie (Daniel) and their children.

She was proceeded in death by her parents, and sister Cara. Her first spouse and children’s (Veni, Pamela, Mark, & Todd’s) father Richard Lea. Frank Simonelli, her love, and father to Michael and Peter. Her daughter Pamela, granddaughter Sarah, and nephews Jimmy and David.

Cece’s love of fashion, all things artful, her thoughtfulness, and love of spirituality will be missed in the deepest way. She was strong, fierce, resilient, and faithful. Above all she loved God and her family!

Services to be held at
Veterans Cemetery
2929 E Pinnacle Peak Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85024
Monday, May 12 2025, 9:30 AM

Please join us for her
Celebration of Life and brunch immediately following the service hosted by Michael & Vicki Simonelli at their home: 3010 W. Sahuaro Dr
Phoenix AZ 85029