Our beloved mother, grandmother, and sister Toni Ellen Hastings passed away peacefully with the people she loved most by her side Sunday, February 26, 2017 in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Toni was born on March 24th, 1953 in Rock Island, Illinois to MaryLee Meritt. She was later adopted by her stepdad Roger Erichsen when she was 5 years old. She moved to Wickenburg, Arizona in 1969 in which she lived in a house at Bowman's Barn. Toni graduated from Wickenburg High School in 1971. She soon met and married Calvin Hastings with whom she was married for 27 years.
In 1976 Toni went to work for the Yavapai County Sheriff's department as a dispatcher. She was very proud to have worked in the historic Prescott Courthouse during her tenure there. Over the course of 10 years with the Yavapai County Sheriffs she was promoted to Sergeant and oversaw the entire dispatching unit.
Toni left Yavapai County in 1986 where she then moved to Double 7 Camp on the Desert Hills Ranch in Morristown, Arizona. This was home. The love of her life, and her constant companion Thunder the wonder horse was born that very same year on the ranch. Her time spent on the Desert Hills Ranch were the greatest days of her life. She was able to raise her 5 children in her version of paradise; horses, dogs and the beauty of the Sonoran desert.
Toni worked various jobs throughout the years in the Wickenburg area where she got to know many locals. During her time at Bar S Animal Clinic she could recognize people more by their dogs than by their faces, a skill she carried with her throughout life. In addition to Bar S, she also worked for over a decade at Anita's Cocina where she made a lasting impression on all those who were part of the little Anita's Family. She very much enjoyed her time at both Bar S and Anita's and is still remember by many patrons.
Her greatest passions in life were her animals, her children, her grandchildren and her faith. She always had a dog and a horse through every step in her life, most of which lived an extraordinarily long time undoubtedly due to her loving care. In addition to her animals she held her faith in the highest of regards. One of the highlights of her life was a trip she was able to go on to Israel where she was able to delve even deeper into her faith.
Toni had amazing artistic talent in which she generously shared with the many gifts she gave to various friends and family.
Toni was a mother first and foremost. She did anything she had to to take care of her five children to whom she devoted her entire life. Toni is survived by the love of her life Thunder the wonder horse and her loyal dog/husband Banjo, as well as all five of her children; Jessie Solper (husband Jeff Solper), Tory Hastings-Flynt (wife Jen Hastings-Flynt), Jolie Kelton (husband Skylar Kelton), Callie Hastings, and Bub Hastings (wife Kalyn Hastings). Once her children were raised her grandchildren became her greatest source of joy. She spent her final years taking care of many of them and making it a point to instill in them a great love for animals, faith and family. She survived by 11 grandchildren: Cassidy, Everett and Will Solper; Josie, Janie, Timbo Rudy; Kutter Kelton; Jessie and Jackson Rudy; and Ira and Tinzley Hastings. She was preceded in death by her oldest grandson, Samuel Paul Solper and another grandson Angel Paul Rudy with whom we are comforted to know are back in their grandma's arms.
Toni is also survived by her siblings: Terri Martin, Charlie Erichsen (wife Mari Erichsen), Jolie Erichsen, and George Erichsen as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother MaryLee Erichsen, her beloved Granny, and her stepfather Roger Erichsen.
Toni was an extraordinary person. She constantly gave to everyone around her, even when she had nothing to give. Her quirkiness will live on through her family. Our loss is heaven's gain. The White House will surely miss her daily phone call.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 3, 2016 at 1:00 PM at the Morristown Christian Fellowship Church with interment to follow in the Morristown Cemetery. A reception following the services will be held at Desert Hills Ranch in Morristown.
Friends may offer online condolences at www.wickenburgfuneralhome.com
Arrangements under the direction of Wickenburg Funeral Home & Crematory.