In memoriam: Funeral notices, April 1, 2021

BRADFORD, Paul Everett

85, passed away March 22, 2021. He was preceded in death by parents, Oliver and Alice Bradford and sister, Beverly Hamm of Rapid City, SD. Paul married Janett Larson of Wall, SD in 1956. The next day they moved to Los Angeles. After Paul's Army service, they moved to Phoenix in 1959 and Tucson in 1967. Paul was a scout leader with his sons in Troop 733, which led to many family camping trips. At age 58 he received his degree from the Univ. of Phoenix. After retiring from Raytheon as an Engineering Analyst in 1999 he and Janett became full time RV-ers, traveling to 49 states and Canada. Paul is survived by Janett; children, Steven, Richard (Tamra), Teri (Frank), David (Desi), Kathy (Mark) and grandchildren, AJ, Max, Ryan, Skyler, Morgan, Lauren and Katie and great- grandchildren, Carson and Cameron. Paul requested no services, wishing to be remembered when you take in an AZ sunset or watching planes fly overhead. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to your favorite charity.

KERSELS, Nina Fay (nee Smith)

November 7, 1941 - March 27, 2021

Nina Kersels was taken from us all too soon on Saturday, March 27, 2021, after a long-fought battle with bronchiectasis and pseudomonas. She went peacefully, at home, surrounded by her family and two dogs.

Born in Los Angeles, California on November 7, 1941 to Faith K. and William Edward Smith, Nina began her lifelong adventure with the love of her life, her husband of 60 years, George, on February 17, 1961. Together, they lived in numerous places, including: Southern and Northern California, Beaverton, OR; Beaconsfield, Bucks in the UK; St. Louis, MO; Houston, TX; Baltimore, MD, finally settling in Tucson, AZ in 2000. Their many travels took them around the world together.

Her love of gardening and bountiful knowledge was passed along to her daughter; a voracious reader, she loved spending time reading with her granddaughter, Sydney, and was a member of countless book groups, to which she brought plentiful insight and humor. Her wit was quick and dry; her laugh contagious.This beautiful, smart, talented, and funny woman leaves behind an ache in many hearts, including: her husband of 60 years, George; her two children, Sara and Mike; her two current dogs, Louie and Gus. She is also mourned deeply by her daughter-in-law, Kathryn, and her two granddaughters, Sydney and Zoe. She will also be missed by her extended family and friends: niece, Janine King Paganuzzi (Steve); nephews, Andy King (Leslie) and Bruce King (Sarah); her "little sis" of 65 years, Sally Stoner and her wife, Marcianne Fast of Halcyon, CA; Norm Testa and Cristiane Testa-Rekemeier of Tucson, AZ; Barbara, Gordon and Todd Hartwig of Santa Barbara, CA; Cindy Grassl of Janesville, WI; Gail Cohen (Alan) of Tucson, AZ; Susan Walker (Charlie) of Tucson, AZ.

The family would like to thank Emblem Hospice for their care and support, especially Katie and Jessica, who made her life just a little bit easier at the end of her journey.

A special thank you to caregiver extraordinaire, Sherry Payne, who has been with us for the last two years and held a special place in Nina's heart.

Due to COVID, a celebration of life will be held later in the year (no Zoom service for this woman!) when we can all get together and share our favorite memories and stories.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite animal shelter or charity, or just get out in the garden with "butts to the sky."

The grass will always be green, the flowers always in bloom, there's no pollen or weeds, Mom, and I know you are watching out for us for the rest of our journey here on earth. Arrangements by NEPTUNE SOCIETY.

NYE, Derald Dean

died due to complications of Parkinson's disease on March 26, 2021 in Tucson, AZ. He was born on March 2, 1935 on a farm in NW Kansas and lived there until he was 13 when his family moved into the town of Oakley, KS. He graduated from Oakley Consolidated High School in 1953, served two years in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957 and graduated from Kansas State University in 1961 with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. He then worked for IBM corporation from 1961 until his retirement in 1991 including at Cape Kennedy, FL on the Saturn 1B & V rocket instruments, and in Owego, NY, Puerto Rico, Boulder, CO and finally Tucson, AZ. Derald became interested in astronomy in high school and ground his first telescope mirror in 1964. He went on to build a number of telescopes and a 2-story observatory topped by an 18.5' dome in his backyard, named for his inspirational former professors, Kirmser-Wakabayashi. He was married to his first wife, Viva Little for nine years. Later Derald met Denise Blum when they both were traveling in Australia in February 1972 and they married in Boulder, CO on April 9, 1973.

Together Derald and Denise traveled to all of the continents and over 90 countries and island groups, including 28 trips to view total and annular solar eclipses. They were jointly honored when the International Astronomical Union named asteroid number 3685, as DERDENYE for them. In total, Derald went on 42 solar eclipse trips where he often collected data for a long-term solar radius study by the International Occultation Timing Association (IOTA). Two eclipse trips included airplanes following the eclipse path to ensure cloudless observation and an extended time in totality.

Derald was exceptionally good at keeping in touch with family and the many friends he made throughout his life. He and Denise were regular attendees of the Gaslight theater and in his last years Derald had lunch nearly daily at Little Anthony's Diner. He was active in a number of astronomical societies including the Astronomical League where he was given the Leslie C. Peltier Award in 2010 for astronomical observations of lasting significance by an amateur astronomer, the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers where he was given the Walter H. Haas Observer's Award in 2017 for excellence in observational solar system astronomy and the IOTA which bestowed on him the David E. Laird Award in 2020 for significant contributions to occultation science.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Denise; his parents, Victor A. Nye and Mildred L. Nye and his brother-in-law, Seth Burt Hodges. He is survived by his sister, Marilyn Hodges of Carmichael, CA; nephews, Jeff Hodges and wife, Wendy Wheaton, Redwood City, CA, Scott Hodges and husband, Douglas Bush, Cambria, CA and Eric Hodges, Mill Valley, CA. His ashes will be interred at the Oakley, KS cemetery and there will be a celebration of life held at a later date. Arrangements by BRING'S BROADWAY CHAPEL.

STEIN, Charles Clyde

Born October 28, 1966 to Niles S. and Betty L. Stein in Scottsdale, Arizona. Died in his sleep of natural causes March 29, 2021. Charlie was the third child in the Stein family. He was raised in Tucson, Arizona and attended Sabino High. Throughout his life, he was an avid sportsman and athlete. In his younger years, Charlie enjoyed baseball, boxing, basketball, football and wrestling, the latter being his first love. He was a fierce competitor, holding the record at Sabino High for most wins which he still may hold today. During his high school years, he participated in the famed Iowa wrestling camps successfully three times.

As a 12-13 year old, he had his own business helping his father with the bees and selling the honey to his neighbors, friends and at the local swap meets. He worked for Costco for 18 years. Ace Hardware at Tanque Verde for 12 years and then worked as a forklift driver for Home Goods corporation. He was consistently among their top drivers and received honors as employee of the month multiple times. Charlie had a lifetime love affair with working on and riding motorcycles. He married Jennifer Knapp on October 28, 1990, she gave birth to their son, Nathan "Nate" Stein, December 8, 1998. Charlie was truly proud of Nathan and loved to attend and film Nathan's sporting events. Despite his somewhat gruff exterior, Charlie had a heart of gold. Even now, he continues to be an inspiration to his loved ones for his humility and compassion. He is survived by his son, Nate; his ex-wife, Jennifer Knapp Stephens; brother, Niles S. Stein and sister, Nyla Stein Love and many loving nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Due to Covid-19 concerns, there will be a short graveside service/remembrance at the EAST LAWN PALMS MORTUARY AND CEMETERY, 5801 E. Grant Road, Tucson, AZ 85712 on Friday, April 2, 2021 at 1:30 p.m.