Jean Ellis Benton

Jean Ellis Benton passed away Aug. 12, 2008, from the effects of a massive stroke. She had resided at Sunrise Assisted Living in San Gabriel, Calif., and was transported to Citrus Valley Hospice in West Covina, where she stayed until her death.

Wanda Jean was born on Nov. 16, 1925, in Greenwood, Arkansas. She was the only child of John and Margaret Ellis. Jean spent her childhood in Arkansas, and moved to Broken Arrow, Idaho, where she graduated from high school. She attended the University of Tulsa and graduated with a degree in business and a minor in music.

Shortly after, she worked for a prominent insurance company in Tulsa.

Jean married in Tulsa and had two children, Hunter L. Martin and David P. Martin.

She continued to pursue her musical interests and played oboe for the Tulsa Symphony and Billings, Mont., Symphony.

After her divorce, Jean was remarried to William H. Benton, a business owner from Houston, Texas. She then moved to Fountain Hills, where she enjoyed an outdoor lifestyle that included tennis. Her musical pursuits led her to join the Phoenix Masterworks Chorale, of which she was a charter member.

Jean enjoyed several overseas visits with the Chorale, singing in Royal Hall in London, various European venues, and Carnegie Hall in New York.

Jean survived the death of her husband William in 2001 and  moved to California in the fall of 2007.

She is survived by her two sons, Hunter and David Martin, and two grandchildren, Cameron and Hunter Martin.

Jean will always be remembered for her sense of humor and laughter, as well as her passion for music and Italian temper.

Visitation was Tuesday, Aug. 18, at Messinger Fountain Hills Chapel, followed by the funeral.  Interment was in National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.

Thomas L. Connolly

Thomas L. Connolly, 73, of Fountain Hills, formerly of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died July 30, 2008, in Aspen, Colo., following a short illness.

A Memorial Celebration will be held at MacAlpine’s Restaurant and Soda Fountain, 2303 N 7th St and Oak in Phoenix, on Sunday, Aug. 24, at 6 p.m.

A Funeral Mass was held on Aug. 5 at All Saints Catholic Church and internment was at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Survivors include his children, Monica (Cary) Heizenrader of Fountain Hills; Brenda (Brett) Stratton of Tyler, Texas; Mary Lou (Bill) McCartan of Cedar Rapids; Tom (Jodi) Connolly Jr. of Iowa City, Iowa; Paul Connolly of New York, N.Y., and Erin Connolly of Aspen, Colo.

Also surviving are his sister Kathy Sparks of Des Moines,  Iowa, and his sister-in-law, Carol (Don) Kieffer, Mt. Carmel, Ill; his beloved grandchildren, Holly, Heidi, Steven, Tommy, Catherine, Claire, Will, Kerry, Kate, Augustine and Cash; and his dogs, Ginger and Geronimo.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jolene Connolly; his daughter, Carrie Connolly; his brother, Robert Connolly; and his brother-in-law, Mike Sparks.

Thomas Lloyd Connolly was born Oct. 5, 1933, in Cedar Rapids, the beloved son of Lloyd Thomas and Catherine Woods Connolly.

He was a graduate of Immaculate Conception High School and attended Loras College. He served his country honorably in the United States Army during the Korean War. He was united in marriage to Jolene on Sept. 3, 1960, in Walton, Ill. She preceded him in death on June 16, 1997. He was owner of the Tobacco Bowl in Cedar Rapids from 1970 to 1998.
Tom was a man who will be remembered as a real character who enjoyed life. He also enjoyed cars, volunteering, his dogs, and was a friend of Bill W. He will be greatly missed but fondly remembered by those left to grieve his passing.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Thomas’ honor may be made to the ARC of East Central Iowa.

Please leave a message, tribute or memory to Thomas’ family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.

‘Peggy’ White

Marjorie M. “Peggy” White, 80, of Omaha, Neb., formerly of Chicago and Minneapolis, died peacefully on Aug. 17, 2008.

She and her husband, Bob, were winter residents of Fountain Hills and were members of the Church of the Ascension. Peggy’s service was in Omaha at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, and she was interred in Resurrection Cemetery.

She was loved by all and will be sorely missed.