In Memoriam

George Maurer 1929 - 2008

At the age of 79, George died March 17, 2008.

George played in the National league as a pitcher from 1993 until 2004. He was a retired police officer from St. Louis.

He is survived by his wife, Jean.

Joe DePhillips, a member of the softball club since 1996, passed away March 11, 2008.

Bill Atherton passed away January 23, 2008. He had been battling cancer for some time. At Bill's request, no services are planned. Bill loved softball and the softball club. Carol, his wife, has requested that the donation from Angels in the Outfield, in his name, be returned to the SCW Softball Club. Bill will certainly be missed.

Tom Aloi, a member of the softball club since 1996, passed away last night with family by his side. He had fought a valiant battle against cancer for most of this past year. He and his wife Dolores moved from Sun City West to near San Diego this last spring to be near the kids and grandkids.

Tom was known as "Iron Man" by some of his softball buddies and would go anywhere to play a game of ball. He often travelled to tournaments across the country and was even recruited by California teams to play with them. When first joining the league, he was known as a "manager's manager" because he was always willing to take on that task.

But nothing would light up Tom's eyes more than talking about his kids and grandkids. Anytime they were here to visit, they would be at the field to cheer Tom on.

Plans for a memorial service are pending and will be posted when available. A mailing address for cards is posted at Liberty Field.

A note of remembrance from Bob Murray:

Tom played softball with the league from about 1986 until a few years ago when he became a victim of Lewy Body Alimentia. He was on the original 70’s traveling team during the time of winning the Senior World Series.

When I first moved to Sun City West in the early ninties my neighbor Tom Pletcher talked me into coming out to attempt to play softball. I was reluctant as I had never played on a team. Seventeen years later I’m still learning the game. Tom was a power line drive hitter to all fields. One day while I was playing right center in a game, I knew Tom was looking at me. I backed up almost to the fence. He hit a line drive over my head. Bill Bromley relates that he hit several home runs during the World Series Tournaments.

Those of us that have played in Lou Hurley’s 70’s league will remember Tom as a gentle person that played the game well and was respectful of all his fellow players.

Tom passed away at home. No services are planned. A donation from the Angels in the Outfield will be made in Tom's name.

Ruth Burgess, wife of Roy Burgess, passed away March 29th. She had been hospitalized in February with a blood infection and subsequently was being cared for by Hospice. Their children and families are here.

Services have been scheduled for Saturday, March 31 at 3:30 at Camino del Sol in Sun City West.

Lloyd Sellers passed away on February 10, 2007. He was active in the league until 2004 when he had to step aside for health reasons. Information regarding services, etc will be posted when available. A donation to the American Cancer Society was made in Lloyd's name.

It was reported to Ron Blackwell by Jack Hart that Tommy Thompson has passed away in Minnesota. The service was held May 30, 2006.

Joe Reynolds passed away on May 12, 2006 after a long battle with cancer. His wife Kay reports he just loved playing ball and golf. Joe, a second baseman in the National League until about 2000, played on the original grass field in Sun City, wrote the articles for the Daily News Sun and posted the scores of the games. In 2004 he was diagnosed with lung cancer and had a lung removed. In October, 2005 they determined that the cancer had metastasized to the liver. He struggled with a great deal of pain, but Kay credits Hospice of the Valley with helping her and making his last days as comfortable as possible. A mass will be celebrated at 10AM on May 23 in St. Joachim and St. Anne Catholic Church, 11625 N. 111the Ave. in Sun City. Kay has asked that all donations be sent to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix 85014-5656.

Paul Turley's wife, Mary, passed away April 28 following an illness. Services are scheduled for Monday, May 8th at 10 A.M. at Desert Palms Presbyterian Church, Stardust and 135th.

Phil Batow's wife, Loretto Agnes, 88 years old, passed away on March 3rd. A mass was held on March 8th.

John Andrulis - passed away at the age of 90, on Friday, February 17th, 2006. No service will be conducted here. John's family reports that he will be buried in Ohio. John played with the National League as a catcher until 2003. Don Goble reports that John just loved to help others enjoy the game of softball. He had a marvelous wit and a great sense of humor. In addition to playing softball, he was an accomplished racquetball player. At the request of the family, Angels in the Outfield will be making a $50 memorial donation to Sun Health Hospice of Sun City West.

Jenny Koepke, wife of Al Koepke, passed away Saturday, July 30 at home. She had been ill for some time. Al has been missed at the ball field and at the golf course, but understandably chose to spend time taking care of and being with Jenny. No services are planned, as that was her wishes.

Gerald Launer

1928-2006

Update: Gerald suffered a stroke in December and spent 3 months in rehab. Once he returned home his daughter Marilyn was staying with him. He began complaining of stomach pains and she took him to the doctors. They were awaiting test results when an aneurism in his stomach burst and he subsequently passed away. Anyone wishing to send a card can send it to: Marilyn Amstuz and Family, 13356 W. Ocotillo Ln., Surprise, AZ 85374. They have asked that all donations be sent to: Boys Town National Research Hospital-Hearing Research. Angels in the Outfield has sent a $50 memorial donation in his name to the above

SUN CITY WEST, Ariz. -- Gerald Launer, 77, of Sun City West, Ariz., formerly of the Grand Island, Kearney and Fremont, Nebraska areas, died Wednesday, June 22, 2005.

Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Jacobsen-Greenway Funeral Home in St. Paul, Nebraska. Burial will be in the Elmwood Cemetery at St. Paul, Nebraska.

Mr. Launer was born Jan. 14, 1928. He played for Amazing 60's softball team in Sun City West.

His burial is in the same cemetery as Grover Cleveland Alexander.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Iva Mae Launer.

Survivors of the immediate family include three daughters, Geri From of David City, Marilyn Amstuz of Surprise, Ariz., and Carolyn Launer of Poway, Calif.; a son, Garon Launer of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; and a sister, Elayne White of California

Duke died at Del Webb Hospital, Saturday evening, March 26, 2005, at the age of 69, after a number of years of failing health. He had played in both the National and American Leagues and had served as a manager while playing in the National League. He is survived by his wife Shirley, two daughters and a sister. Shirley is employed by Grandview Terrace.

Jim passed away on Friday, March 18, from complications following an automobile accident that had occurred on Bell Road at the Avenue of the Arts intersection on March 4th. There will be no memorial services here. The family will fly his remains back to Pittsburgh for viewing and a service there, which is their home. Mary and Jim have been winter residents of Sun City for 20 years during which he was an active ball player. As his daughter Susan reported, "Softball was something he loved to do and had done all through high school and college." He just loved softball. Mary will remain in Pittsburgh and over the pursuing months make a decision on whether or not to keep or sell their home here. Mary had physical challenges that made it difficult for her to get to Jim's games and now she and the family look back and so wish they had made time to see him play. They have a request. Would anyone who played with Jim, please write down their memories of their playing time with him. In addition, if anyone has a team picture or personal picture we can copy, it would be SOOOO appreciated. Please forward your notes and pictures to Gail Stouthamer, Angels in the Outfield, so she can assemble them into a memory book for the family. It would be most helpful to have all these notes by the end of the present season on April 7th.

Please mail or give your notes and pictures to Gail Stouthamer (623-214-1515) or Linda Graham (623-974-3793).

Al, father of Bob Stouthamer, passed away on Friday February 4, 2005. He became quite ill and was hospitalized about 3 weeks ago with an intestinal blockage. Because it was necessary to immediately stop all of his medications due to his condition, it became a real challenge to keep him comfortable and get him stabilized again. Gail remembered quieting her kindergarteners in years past by rubbing their shoulders, a technique that soothed Al as well. Bob and Gail and many of you who visited Al and enjoyed his smile will surely miss him. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bob, Gail and their family. No local services are planned.(Linda G.)

Elmer Edgell's wife, Louise, passed away February 2, 2005. We will pass along more information when it becomes available.

A long time member of the softball club, Ken has been part of or helped with many duties relating to the running of the club. He has helped in the maintenance of the old field on Grand Avenue. He has also been a member of the field maintenance crew at Kuentz Field during the Del Webb tournaments. He helped form the "Barney's Gals and Guys" league which became the "Rinkydinks" in later years. Of course we can't forget that Ken help bring the softball club into the computer age by creating a database of all the players, making it easier to keep track of addresses and other information pertinent to running the club.

Passed away December 22, 2004. She is also survived by daughter Mary Gore, sons, Edwin Victor, David, Robert, William John, George, and James; brother Melvin Kaszupski, numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Family suggest donations to Sunhealth Hospice , 12740 N. Plaza Del Rio Blvd. , Peoria , Az 85381 . Memorial service will be held Wednesday, December 29, 2004 at 11A.M. at Lundberg White Rose Chapel, 5310 W. Northern Ave. , Glendale .