James Elwyn Hillis

James Elwyn Hillis, formerly of Laceyville, Pa., passed away March 13, 2009, in Las Vegas.

Born Nov. 20, 1939, he was raised in Montrose, Pa., and Laceyville and graduated from Wyalusing Valley High School in 1957.

He was a veteran of the United States Navy and Air Force, collectively serving 22 years in the military, first as a Naval Corpsman, then an Air Force Medic.

He married the former Karen Jackson of Wyalusing in 1959, and together they traveled the world.

He retired from the military at Nellis Air Force Base in 1980, and then worked in administration of the University Medical Center in Las Vegas for 15 years.

After his retirement, the family moved to Pahrump, which was his residence at the time of his death.

Jim's name appeared in "Who's Who in the West and Midwest," published by the American Biographical Institute in 1979. He was the first Nellis Air Force Base airman to be nominated for Federal Employee of the Year. He was awarded the United States Air Force Commendation Medal and Meritorious Service Medal.

Survivors include his wife, Karen; son Timothy of Omaha Neb.; daughters Patricia Barbieri of Pahrump and Terri Jo Gauthier of North Las Vegas; brother William of New Jersey and three grandchildren.

Services were Thursday. (03/13/2009)

Lani D. Hogan

Lani D. Hogan, 50, passed away March 9, 2009, in Pahrump.

She was born April 19, 1958, in Canada and was a resident of Pahrump for four years, having come from Las Vegas.

She was of the Christian faith.

Her mother, Ramona Woodward of Pahrump and ex-husband, David Hogan of Las Vegas, survive her.

She was preceded in death by her father and two brothers.

There will be no services. (03/09/2009)

Frank Allen Pierce

Frank Allen Pierce, 83, passed away March 6, 2009, at Summerlin Hospital in Las Vegas after a short illness.

Frank was born Oct. 6, 1925, in Providence, R.I., and was the younger of two children.

He graduated in 1943 from New Britain High School in New Britain, Conn., as well as numerous Army technical schools while he was in the service and others during his civilian employment.

In 1951, Frank started his own successful business, Cheshire Television and Appliances, in Cheshire, Conn. While living in Cheshire, he was a volunteer fireman, a Cub Scout leader, president of the PTA, Little League president, a Rotarian and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

After moving to Las Vegas in August 1963, Frank was employed as a electronics technician and supervisor for Edgerton, Germeshausen and Grier, where he remained until his retirement in 1986.

He served as Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 99 of Our Lady of Las Vegas Parish for several years and he was a member of the Order of the Arrow.

Frank was one of the first members of the Pahrump Escapee's RV Park, having joined in 1989.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Norma Entwistle Pierce; three children, Miriam (Mickie Mark) of Central Point, Ore., Gregory of Cold Creek, and Raymond of Tracy, Calif.; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

In addition to his parents, Frank was preceded in death by his sister, Miriam.

A private funeral service is planned. The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Boulder Dam Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America in Frank's name. (03/06/2009)

Robert A. Swadell

Robert A. Swadell, 77, passed away March 15, 2009, in Pahrump.

He was born June 16, 1931, and was a resident of Nevada for 35 years.

Bob graduated from Balboa High School in Panama and the University of Nebraska in Omaha.

He was a veteran, having served in Vietnam and Korea and retired as an Army lieutenant-colonel

He is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Mary; sister Mary Rose (George) Shelton; sisters-in-law Loyd Beth and Joice; nieces Karen, Debbie, Laura and Sally; nephews Steven, Carl Eric, David, Mark, Eric and many grand-nieces and -nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brothers Carl and Eric.

Private services are pending at the Nevada Veterans Cemetery in Boulder City.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Sunday, April 19, at the Henderson Convention Center.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Bob's name at Nevada State Bank to benefit Desert View Hospital. (03/15/2009)