Menke Funeral & Cremation Center

12/16/2025

Menke Holiday Service of Remembrance

The annual “Holiday Service of Remembrance” was held on Saturday, December 13, 2025, by Menke Funeral & Cremation Center to celebrate the lives of the loved ones of families served throughout the year. The event was designed to support those facing the holidays for the first time without their loved ones, offering a sense of community and remembrance. A commemorative video paid tribute to those being remembered.

Menke General Manager Kelly Browder welcomed the families and introduced Chaplain David Kaminski from Hospice of the Valley, who led the service. Musical selections were performed by Karin Gunderson (harp and vocals), joined by Menke Receptionist/Admin Vicki Jasperson for a rendition of “Silent Night.”

During the ceremony, Funeral Director Rob Zimmerman, assisted by Funeral Director David Hinton and Continuous Care Specialist Nancie Scarlercio, presented each family with a candle ornament as their loved one’s name was read aloud. Families placed these ornaments on the memorial tree, after which the room was darkened except for the illuminated tree, creating a reflective atmosphere for the performance of “Angels Among Us.”

The service concluded with a prayer emphasizing peace, strength, and hope for the journey ahead. Families were invited to take their candle ornaments home as keepsakes. Following the ceremony, light refreshments were served in the Menke Sun City Room, and guests enjoyed a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus.

12/08/2025

The more digging you do into your family history, the more you realize there’s a lot more to know about your family than you thought! Join Menke Funeral Director David Hinton on Tuesday, December 16 at 5:00 p.m. in the Menke Sun City Room to continue your genealogy research. Please bring your laptop and RSVP by calling David at (623) 979-6451.

12/04/2025

Cookies, cookies and more cookies! Drop cookies, molded cookies, no bake cookies, bar cookies, rolled cookies, pressed cookies, refrigerator cookies, filled cookies, sandwich cookies—these are the most common types of cookies. There are entire cookbooks dedicated just to cookies. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate National Cookie Day than to enjoy a cookie...or two (or more)! What is your all-time favorite cookie?

11/27/2025

11/21/2025

The objective on World Hello Day (November 21) is to greet ten or more people on this day. This demonstrates the importance of personal communication for preserving peace.

The origins of World Hello Day have an Arizona tie. According to Wikipedia, Brian McCormack, a Ph.D. graduate of Arizona State University, and his brother, Michael McCormack, a graduate of Harvard University, founded World Hello Day in 1973 in response to the Yom Kippur War. The McCormack brothers mailed 1,360 letters in seven languages to government leaders worldwide to encourage participation in the first World Hello Day. Since that time, World Hello Day has been observed by people in 180 countries.

11/18/2025

Grief versus Mourning
That was just one of many concepts learned by attendees at the presentations here at Menke given by Dr. Alan Wolfelt last week. On Monday, Dr. Wolfelt’s program “Understanding Your Grief: Touchstones for Hope and Healing” was geared toward grieving families while Tuesday’s presentation, “The Art of ‘Companioning’ the Mourner: Caring versus Curing,” was directed at healthcare and hospice providers, social workers, pastors and counselors. Menke Funeral & Cremation Center General Manager Kelly Brower had the honor of introducing Dr. Wolfelt who proved to be a dynamic and engaging speaker. He is also a prolific writer, penning over 100 titles on grief and loss, ranging from “Stay for the Cup of Coffee: How to Support Others in Grief” to “The Wilderness of Su***de Grief: Finding Your Way.” Dr. Wolfelt is the founder and director of The Center for Loss and Life Transition in Fort Collins, Colorado and is considered one of the foremost authorities on death education and grief counseling.

11/11/2025

Veterans Day—November 11

Today we honor and show appreciation for ALL who have served in the United States military—in wartime or peacetime, living or deceased. We salute you and THANK YOU for your service.

Did you know that the Office of Veteran’s Affairs offers burial in national cemeteries for qualifying veterans and spouses? The Menke staff can assist you with completing the necessary forms and in making the arrangements.

11/09/2025

Join Menke Funeral Director David Hinton on Thursday, November 13 at 4:00 p.m. in the Menke Sun City Room to dig further into your family genealogy. David helps you use your laptop to unearth your family history. Please RSVP by calling David at (623) 979-6451.

11/06/2025

Menke Funeral & Cremation Center is proud to bring you this special presentation of hope and healing from bestselling author and grief educator, Dr. Alan Wolfelt.

Seating is limited, so register today by scanning the QR Code or by calling (623) 979-6451. Menke Funeral & Cremation Center is located at 12420 N. 103 Ave., Sun City, AZ 85351.

11/04/2025

Happy Election Day—November 4. Have a voice in your local government. Vote.