James G. Aultman

James “Jim” G. Aultman, 85, of Fountain Hills, passed away Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010.

He was born Sept. 23, 1924 in Ottawa, Ohio to Blaine and Jessie (Dray) Aultman. Jim worked at Spicer (Dana Corp) for many years and was a master machinist at Holtman Machine and Tool in Toledo for 21 years.

He was an avid outdoorsman, fisherman and boater, enjoying the last six years of his retirement in the warm sunshine and blue sky of Scottsdale and Fountain Hills.

Jim married Ruth Anspach on April 7, 1945, who preceded him in death. He is also preceded in death by his grandson, Ronald Good Jr.; and siblings, Gladys, Helen, Blanche, Lowell and Robert.

Jim is survived by his son, Gary (Tracey) Aultman, of Stone Lake, Wis., daughter, Vicki Brown of Fountain Hills; grandsons, Michael (Elizabeth) Good of Phoenix, and Joshua Aultman; great grandchildren, Andrew Good (US Army), Brittany Good of Holland, Ohio, Jessica and Jesus Good of Phoenix.

Final arrangements were made by Messinger Fountain Hills Mortuary. The family wishes to acknowledge the exceptional care given by Hospice of the Valley.

Joseph G. Barone

This is a reminder to friends that a celebration of life will be held for Joe Barone this Saturday, Jan. 16, at 10 a.m. in the Overlook Pavilion at Eagle Mountain Golf Club in Fountain Hills.

Joseph Gene Barone went to be with the Lord on Oct. 13, 2009. 

After retiring, he became a snowbird, spending six months each winter in Arizona close to his daughters and working part-time at Eagle Mountain Golf Club. 

When he wasn’t working or spending time with his family and friends, you could always find him on the golf course. 

Unfortunately Joe’s time here on earth was suddenly shortened and he did not get to live out his dream of permanently moving to Arizona with his partner Judy. He was loved by so many and we will all miss his smile, his laughter, his jokes and his big hugs.  

Dr. Charles Chedister

Dr. Charles R. Chedister, 78, of Rio Verde, formerly of Edina, Minn., died Jan. 10, 2010 at Mayo Hospital in Phoenix after a brief illness.

Dr. Chedister was a member of Rio Verde Country Club, former member of Edina Country Club and member of St. Anthony on the Desert Episcopal Church in Scottsdale.

Retired Chief of Pathology at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Minneapolis, Dr. Chedister was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary. He is survived by three daughters, Karin, (spouse Martin Teigen) of Minneapolis, Susan Allbright (Steven) of Fountain Hills, Linda Chedister, of Nederland, Colo.; two grandchildren, Matthew and Christina Allbright of Fountain Hills, and his special dog, Tuffy.

Special thanks goes to ICU nurses Melissa and Patricia as well as doctors Patel and Agrwal of Mayo Hospital.

A memorial service will be held at St. Anthony on the Desert at 12990 E Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, on Thursday, Jan. 14, at 2 p.m.

Memorial contributions are being requested for St. Anthony on the Desert Episcopal Church or American Cancer Society. Arrangements were entrusted to Messinger Fountain Hills Mortuary.

Madge Westlie

Madge Westlie, 89, a winter resident of Rio Verde, and a resident of Karlsruhe, N.D., passed away Jan. 8, 2010  in Rio Verde.

She is survived by her loving husband, Charles; her son, John Westlie of Minot, N.D.; daughter, Mary Ellen Westlie of Littleton, Colo.; two sisters, Bert Paulich and Rose Valler, both from St. Paul., Minn.; one grandchild, Robyn Thomas (Joe), of Laramie, Wyo.; and two great grandchildren, Hunter and Taylor Thomas.

Madge sang in the choir at St. Dominic Mission, Rio Verde Community Church.

She enjoyed golfing, playing bridge, hunting, fishing, traveling and entertaining.

There will be a funeral mass today, Wednesday, Jan. 13, at 11 a.m. at St.  Dominics Mission, Danny Lane, Rio Verde.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Messinger Fountain Hills Mortuary.

Fred A. Yoder

Fred Allen Yoder was born in Van Alstyne, Texas on Feb. 18, 1912.   When he was still very young, the family moved to Snyder, Texas where Fred lived, working in his father’s power and light business and in the family’s automobile dealership.

From there, he attended Asbury College in Wilmore, Ky. where he met Dorothy Mae Weikert, who was to become his wife on Sept. 8, 1935. 

She influenced him to move to Middletown, Ohio where he worked for Armco Steel Co. and as state editor and staff photographer for The Middletown Journal. This experience lead him to establish his own photography business, which in turn evolved into a photo engraving company, Yoder Engraving. 

In 1954, he sold this business and began work for Formica Corporation.  As part of his duties there, Fred was responsible for developing a number of processes that the company patented. He was also responsible for the construction of a number of Formica plants in various parts of the United States and Mexico.

Retiring in 1973, he moved to Fountain Hills where he formed Yoder Corporation with sons Glen and Fred T. (Tim).  Yoder Corporation started a custom home building business, originally Yoder-Juett, Inc., with partner Reed Juett. Soon his sons and their wives became active members of the company. 

In 1978 the Yoder Juett partnership was dissolved and the company became Yoder Built, Inc., building over 350 homes in Fountain Hills and surrounding areas. 

Fred was an active member of the community serving in the Chamber of Commerce, Builder’s Association, and on the board of the Bank of Fountain Hills. 

At age 82, Fred purchased a lathe and began turning bowls and candlesticks to give to friends and customers and to sell in the Fountain Hills art fairs. He officially retired from Yoder Built, Inc. at age 90. 

Fred is survived by sons, Glen (Judy) and Fred Timothy (Ramona); five grandsons, Timothy, Jason (Terri), Brandon (Debra), Dustin, and Matthew (Chandra); and six great grandchildren, Tyrus, Jalin, Trenton, Brenden, Mitra, and Danika. 

He was preceded in death by Dorothy, his wife of 73 years.

A visitation will be held at Messinger Fountain Hills Mortuary, 12065 N. Saguaro Blvd., on Monday, Jan. 18, from 5 until 7 p.m.