Eva June Kilmer

Eva June Kilmer, 91 died September 23, 2012 in the comfort of her home. Loving daughter, sister, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Eva June Kilmer (June) was born in Russell City, Pennsylvania in 1921. She was the daughter of the late Myron Dewitt and Edith Robinson Jolly. At the age of 17 she owned June Kilmer's Beauty Salon which her dad purchased for her after completing cosmetology school. She married John (Jack) Russell Kilmer Sr. in 1945. She and Jack owned a service station and restaurant where she was famous for her hot dog sauce and chili. They moved to Arizona in 1958 and lived in the Phoenix area. She worked as a beautician at Diamond's Department Store before moving to Pinetop in 1960 after adopting their first of four children. June owned and worked a three chair beauty shop for several years from her homes and even made house calls. She worked in several hair salons in the Pinetop-Lakeside area, eventually commuting her last 20 years to Mesa in the winter and Pinetop-Lakeside in the summer. June enjoyed her work immensely and worked until she retired at the age of 88. June is best known as the tiny lady with fiery red hair and a feisty personality. She loved to dance and danced up until the very end of her life. June loved attending her children's and grandchildren's activities and events. She loved Mexican food especially chili relleanos. June was a great cook and enjoyed cooking. She always offered food to anyone who showed up at the house. Sometimes you would find her Saturday nights at the White Mountain Country Club grilling her amazing tasting steaks. June was a devout Catholic who treasured her faith which helped her through many difficult times. June often told the story of how her family and several other Catholic families helped establish St. Mary of the Angels and St. Rita's Catholic churches in the White Mountains. Surviving are four children, Mary Kilmer of Mesa, Arizona, John Kilmer of Silver City, New Mexico, Melissa (Tim) King of Wagon Wheel, Arizona, Michael Kilmer of Glendale, Arizona; ten grandchildren, Tom O'Brien IV, William Kilmer-Lewry, Jordan Kilmer, Elizabeth King, Sara King, Joe King IV, Audrey King, Christian Kilmer, Jacob Kilmer, and Anabella Blue. She was preceded in death by her husband, John (Jack), brother and sister in law Myron Francis and Jeanne Jolly and great-grandchild Thomas O'Brien V. A memorial mass will be held at 10:00AM Saturday October 6, 2012 at the St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Church, 1915 S. Penrod Lane, Pinetop, Arizona 85935. Reception will follow at the King family residence, 6442 Wagon Wheel Lane, Lakeside, Arizona 85929