Finding information about someone who has passed away is never easy, especially when you're scanning through a local paper like the Yuma Sun. Life in Yuma moves at its own pace, but when the community loses a member, the ripple effect is felt from the Foothills all the way to the Valley. Whether you’re looking for service times or just trying to keep up with who we’ve lost in the neighborhood, the Yuma Sun obituaries last 10 days represent more than just names; they are the stories of our neighbors.
Honestly, the way we digest this information has changed. Most people aren't waiting on the doorstep for the physical paper anymore. We're on our phones, usually looking for a specific name while drinking coffee. Between January 8 and January 17, 2026, a significant number of notices have been published, reflecting the diverse lives that make up this desert community.
Who We've Lost: Notable Notices from the Last 10 Days
The recent record shows a mix of lifelong Yuma residents and those who chose our city for their retirement years. For instance, Alvin Manuel III, a resident born right here in Yuma in 1965, passed away on January 14, 2026. At just 60 years old, his loss is felt by many who knew him through his decades in the community.
On the other end of the spectrum, we see the passing of those who lived nearly a century. August L. Headington reached the incredible age of 96 before passing on January 13. When you see a name like that, you can't help but think about how much the city changed during his lifetime—from a small agricultural hub to the sprawling city it is today.
Here are a few other individuals whose obituaries were recently published:
- Rosalia Urrea Montano, age 51, passed away on January 10. She was known for her compassionate nature.
- Richard Warren Martin, 79, who passed on January 11. He was originally from Illinois but made his mark here in Yuma.
- Anna Mae O’Dell, an 85-year-old originally from Colorado, who left us on January 10.
- Daniel Huston Thompkins, a veteran and dedicated individual who passed at 82 on January 8.
- Mary Ann Shaw, 84, also passed on January 8, remembered for her thoughtful spirit.
It's a heavy list, but it's important. These aren't just statistics; they're the people who sat next to us at the grocery store or worked in the offices downtown.
Why the Yuma Sun Still Matters for Local News
Kinda feels like everything is digital these days, right? But for the Yuma area, the Yuma Sun remains the primary record for these life transitions. While sites like Legacy.com and Dignity Memorial host the digital versions, the publication in the Sun is often the "official" word for many families.
Usually, the notices published in the last 10 days include details that you won't find in a quick social media post. You get the full picture—where they went to school, their military service, and where the family wants you to send flowers (or, more often lately, where to donate in their name).
For example, Ronald Edward Yowell, who passed away at 85 on January 6, had his notice circulate recently due to a tragic motor vehicle accident. Details like these, while heartbreaking, help the community understand the circumstances and offer better support to the grieving families.
How to Find Specific Records Without the Hassle
If you're looking for someone specific from the last week or two, you don't have to scroll forever. Basically, you've got three main routes:
- The Official Yuma Sun Website: They have a dedicated "Obituaries" section. It's usually behind a soft paywall, but it’s the most direct source.
- Legacy.com's Yuma Portal: This is often easier to navigate on a phone. You can filter by "Last 24 Hours," "Last 7 Days," or "Last 30 Days."
- Local Funeral Home Sites: Mortuaries like Johnson Mortuary, Yuma Mortuary, and Desert Lawn Memorial Park often post the full text of the obituary before it even hits the paper.
Honestly, if you missed a name in the physical paper on Sunday—which is usually the biggest day for these listings—checking the funeral home’s website is your best bet. They keep the records updated in real-time.
Common Misconceptions About Local Obituaries
People often think that every person who passes away in Yuma gets an obituary in the Sun. That's not actually true. It’s a paid service. Families have to choose to place it there. Sometimes, you might find a "Death Notice," which is a shorter, free or lower-cost listing that just gives the bare-bones facts: name, age, and date of death.
If you can't find a name you're looking for in the Yuma Sun obituaries last 10 days, it might be because the family chose a private service or used a different platform like a memorial Facebook page.
Understanding the Timeline of a Notice
There's usually a lag. Someone might pass away on a Monday, but the obituary doesn't appear until the following Sunday. Why? Families need time to gather photos, write the bio, and coordinate with the funeral home.
In the Yuma area, we also see "Winter Visitors" listed frequently. Take Marilyn Rose Lermon, who passed on January 11. While she was a resident of Minnesota, she wintered in Yuma for years. Her life was shared across two states, which is a very "Yuma" thing to see in the records.
Moving Forward with the Information
If you've found a name you recognize in the recent listings, the next step is usually reaching out or attending a service. Most of the notices from the last 10 days include specific instructions for "Celebrations of Life." In Yuma, these are often held at local parks, VFW halls, or the various chapels along S. 4th Avenue and S. 5th Avenue.
Actionable Insights for Readers:
- Check the Date: Ensure you are looking at the "Published Date" versus the "Death Date," as they can be a week apart.
- Search Variations: If a name isn't appearing, try searching by just the last name and "Yuma" to catch any spelling errors in the digital database.
- Sign the Guestbook: If you find a listing on Legacy or a funeral home site, leave a note. Families often print these out weeks later and find great comfort in them.
- Contact the Mortuary: If service details are listed as "Pending," call the funeral home mentioned at the bottom of the obituary for the most current schedule.
Keeping track of our community members is a way of honoring the history of Yuma itself. Whether they were here for a season or a lifetime, every entry in the Yuma Sun records a piece of the city's story.
