Derl Tortice

Derl Tortice, age 52, died Sunday, May 11, 2008 at Whiteriver Hospital. He was born April 16, 1956 in Show Low, Arizona to Noddy (Early) and the late John Tortice. He attended school in Salt Lake City, Utah under the LDS Placement Program. After high school, he joined and served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 6 years. He met and married Bertha Benioh of Sanostee, New Mexico, where he lived for three years before returning home to the White Mountains, where he made HonDah his permanent home. His latest employment was with BIA Forestry. Derl was a loving, strong compassionate family man who showed love to all who crossed his path in life. He fought a long and courageous battle. His grand children were his backbone who will dearly miss their "Papa". He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Bertha Tortice; three daughters, Lorinda (Arvin) Thompson, Jennifer Tortice, Derlene Tortice of HonDah; one son, Bryant Cosen of East Fork; his mother Noddy (Early) Tortice; six sisters, Tina (Raymond) Begay, Lorinda (Paul) Amos, Elena (Lincoln) Mataalii, Juanita Tortice, Louise Tortice and Lorraine John; three grandsons and one granddaughter. He was preceded in death by one son, Davey Tortice; father, John Tortice; three brothers Matthew Tortice, Emerson Tortice, Davey Tortice; one sister Shawna Tortice. His body will be brought back 10:00 AM Thursday, May 15, 2008 for a one night wake at his residence in HonDah. Funeral Services will be held Friday, May 16, 2008 at 10:00 AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Pinetop Lakes Ward. Burial will follow at Cooley Mountain Cemetery in HonDah.