LOPEZ, John Christobal

The White Mountain Independent Show Low, Arizona 07/24/2007 John Christobal Lopez died Thursday, July 19, 2007, in Peoria at the age of 89. John was born Dec. 7, 1917, in Mountainair, N.M., to the late Fidel Zamora and Irmela (Cisneros) Lopez. He moved to Arizona from his native New Mexico 75 years ago. In 1939 he married the former Lilly Gutierrez in Holbrook. They were married for 66 years when she died. He was a U.S. Army Veteran and served during WWII. John worked as a mechanic for the Arizona Highway Department for many years until his retirement. He is survived by his son, Charles H. Lopez (Priscilla) of Phoenix; son-in-law Theodore W. Kiepke of Holbrook; six grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Selso Lopez of Winslow and Jacinto Lopez (Gloria) of Winona; and sister Regina Baca (Freddy) of Winslow. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Mary Ellen Kiepke, in 2004 and his wife, Lilly Lopez in 2005. Visitation will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 24, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with the rosary service beginning at 7 p.m. The funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 25, at the church. Interment will follow at the Holbrook Cemetery. Owens Mortuary of Show Low handled the arrangements.