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Obituaries |
James A. Coyle
James A. Coyle, 57, died Thursday, June 29, 2000, at the V.A. Medical Center in Chillicothe, Ohio.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Monday, July 3 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Portsmouth, Ohio with Rev. Mark Ghiloni officiating. Interment will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, with military graveside rites by James Dickey Post American Legion. Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m., or from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 2, at Melcher Funeral Home in Portsmouth, where Recitation of Rosary and Prayer Services will be held at 8 p.m.
Mr. Coyle, was born in Portsmouth on June 3, 1943, to Hester E. Ray Coyle and Raymond Coyle. He was a graduate of Notre Dame High School and a member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church.
Jim joined the U.S. Navy at 18 and served 26 1/2 years, being honorably discharged at the rank of First Class Petty Officer. Following his discharge he was employed as a managerial consultant for MAN Con and later had a rural route for the Portsmouth Daily Times.
He is survived by his wife, Andrea Coyle; sons Jacob Coyle, Nathan Coyle and James Coyle II; daughters Sarah Coyle; Diana (Michael) Zook; Sandy (Kevin) Jones; and by his stepson, Matthew King.
He is also survived by his sisters, Mary Jane (Bob) Jones; Anna Malone; Kathie (Bob) Meinrod of Dolores; and Barbara (Gary) Montavon; brothers Stephen Coyle and John (Barbara) Coyle; and several nieces and nephews.
James Coyle was preceded in death by his father, and one sister, Peggy Coyle Alig.
For more information, please call Melcher Funeral Home at 740-353-2808.
James Warren Allison
Graveside services for Mancos resident, James Warren Allison, will be held Thursday, June 29, 2000, at Webber Cemetery beginning at 11 a.m.
Mr. Allison passed away at his home in Mancos on Monday, June 26, 2000, at the age of 79. He was born on Dec. 25, 1920, in Moffat, Okla., the son of Arthur Allison and Ida Bell (Boyd) Allison.
James moved to Mancos 11 years ago and during that time became a member of the Lions Club of Mancos.
Surviving him are his children, Edward Allison and his wife, Lynn, of Fillmore, Calif., and Eleanor "Susie" Maguire of Mancos. James is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. His wife, Carole Virginia (Loux) Allison preceded him in death.
Ertel Funeral Home will be directing the services.
Emily Irene Dunham
Graveside services will be held for Emily Irene Dunham on Friday, June 30, at the Cortez Cemetery beginning at 10 a.m. Pastor Jimmy Kennedy will be officiating. Visitation will be held Thursday afternoon between the hours of 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the Ertel Memorial Chapel.
Irene was born in Comanche County, Texas, on Sept. 27, 1915, to Alvin and Lula Turner. She passed away at Southwest Memorial Hospital on Monday, June 26, 2000. She was 84.
Irene moved to Cortez in 1932 and married Carl Dunham in Aztec, N.M. on Sept. 26, 1936.
Surviving Irene are two sisters, Nancy Mae Monroe of Cortez, and Margaret M. Hager of Bend, Ore.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Irene Dunham with the First Southern Baptist Church Building Fund. Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
Leonard Harold Bruce II
Leonard Harold Bruce II, a resident of Dolores, passed away June 19, 2000. Funeral services are pending at the Bateman Funeral Home in Newport, Ore. For further information, call (541) 265-2751. Cortez-Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale and Gerken Funeral Directors, are serving the family locally.
Gilbert Wenger
Gilbert Wenger, 77, of Grand Junction, died June 18, 2000, following a stroke caused by an aneurysm.
Gil was chief archaeologist at Mesa Verde from 1968 to 1982. His 30-year career in the National Park Service began as a seasonal ranger at Bandelier National Monument, N.M., and then a permanent assignment at Tonto, Ariz., in 1951. He worked in many areas in the Southwest as well as South Dakota and the Western Museum Lab in San Francisco.
While at Mesa Verde, Gil oversaw the Interpretive Division, creating many programs and publications to serve the public. He is the author of "The Story of Mesa Verde" and "Archaeological Techniques used at Mesa Verde National Park." He was a dedicated public servant of the old school who believed in the resource and its interpretation to the public. He received many commendations throughout his career.
Gil retired to Grand Junction in 1982, where he continued his love of photography, travel, writing and helping his family. He served as official photographer for the Clifton Volunteer Fire Department for more than 10 years.
Gilbert Wenger is survived by his wife, Charlotte; daughter, Linda Pease, of Longmont; sons, William M. Wenger of Placerville and Stephen R. Wenger of Glade Park; brothers, Martin A. Wenger of Grand Junction and Herbert G. Wenger of Loveland; and one grandson.
Graveside services for Carson Frederick (Mike) Ince, 72, will be held Thursday, June 22, at the Kebanen Cemetery.
Mr. Ince was born May 18, 1928, in Dolores, to Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Ince. He was married in Fruita on Sept. 12, 1961; his wife, Virginia, of Grand Junction survives. He is also survived by a son, Bob D. Ince, of Tulsa, Okla.; daughters Donna McManus of Mack, Colo.; and Debra Diehl of Fort Collins, as well as six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers, Vernon Ince of Lewis and Nate Ince of Dolores, and two sisters, Edith Chappell and Elaine Lancaster, both of Cortez.
Callahan-Edfast Mortuary of Grand Junction is in charge of arrangements. memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society — Small Cell Cancer Research, P.O. Box 3115, Grand Junction, CO 81502.
Helen Beers Neeley passed away at her home in Mancos on Tuesday, June 20, 2000, at the age of 87. Helen was born in Aztec, N.M., on Aug. 28, 1912, the daughter of Clarence Roy Beers and Hattie (Lucas) Beers.
Helen was confined to a wheelchair since the age of nine when polio crippled her body. She was a very organized and accomplished woman, able to knit, cook, and sew with great skill. In 1976, Helen was chosen as radio station KVFC's Woman of the Year. She taught piano lessons in her home for 40 years, retiring in 1976. Helen taught, at some times, 35 students per week. Helen was a member of the Mancos United Methodist Church and was a 50-year member of Chapter BD of P.E.O.
In 1940, Helen wed Charles William "Chick" Neeley in Aztec, N.M. After nearly 58 years of marriage, Chick passed away on Feb. 5, 1998. No services were held at the time of his death with the plan to hold joint services at the time of Helen's passing.
Helen is survived by her sister, Betty Alexander of Mancos, and her brother, Robert Beers of Durango; and by many nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Memorial services will be held Thursday, June 29, 2000, at the Mancos United Methodist Church beginning at 2 p.m. for both Helen and Charles. Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Helen Neeley with the Mancos United Methodist Church. Arrangements are being made through the Ertel Funeral Home.
Hazel Marie Olson, a resident of Mancos, passed away at the Valley Inn Nursing Home on Tuesday, June 20, 2000. She was 84 years old at the time of her death. Private entombment services will be held at the Woodlawn Memorial Park in Colma, Calif., on Wednesday, June 28, 2000.
Hazel was born the daughter of Reuben Henry Hershberger and Vada Fay (Johnson) Hershberger on Oct. 13, 1915, in Breckenridge, Mo. She was a member of Order Of Eastern Star in Kansas City, Mo. Since 1993 Hazel has been a resident of Mancos, moving to the Valley Inn Nursing Home in 1997.
One brother, George E. Hershberger of Mancos survives Hazel, as do two nephews, Eddie and Jimmie Hershberger, both of Mancos; and a niece, Jean Ann Alexander, also of Mancos,
Arrangements are being made through the Ertel Funeral Home.
Memorial services for Alvin Bishop will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church on Sunday, June 18, at 2:30 p.m.
Clyde E. Hutchinson
Memorial services for longtime Cortez resident Clyde E. Hutchinson will be held graveside at the Goodman Point Cemetery on Wednesday, June 14, 2000, beginning at 2 p.m. Rev. Lynn Evans of the Cortez First United Methodist Church will officiate and Masonic services will be conducted by Cortez Lodge #133 A.F. & A.M.
Clyde was born in East Liverpool, Ohio on Aug. 4, 1924, the son of Howard Arthur Hutchinson and Flossie (Walton) Hutchinson. He attended grade school in Milford, Neb., finishing grade school and high school in Cortez. Clyde served in the Army in the South Pacific for four years during World War II. Clyde was united in marriage to Janice Darnall.
He and his family resided in Brea, Calif., until 1970 when they returned to Cortez owning and operating Sears Catalog store for eight years, followed by Jan's Fabrics until 1986. After retirement, he toured all over the United States on his motorcycle and restored several antique automobiles. Clyde passed away at Southwest Memorial Hospital on Saturday, June 10, 2000, at the age of 75.
Clyde is survived by his wife, Janice Hutchinson, of Cortez; his children, Debbie Bitler and husband, Morris, of Wichita, Kans.; Ted Hutchinson of Glenwood Springs, Colo.; Shirley Frank and husband, John, of Carbondale, Colo.; and David Hutchinson and wife, Cindy, of Cortez. He also is survived by seven grandchildren, Julie Eikenberry, Josh Nolte, Sara Nolte, Katie Frank, Adam Frank, Ryan Hutchinson, and Christy Hutchinson; one great-grandchild, Lizzie Eikenberry; a brother, Earl Hutchinson of Cortez; a sister, Helen Anderson of Fairmont, Neb., and a cousin, Floyd Hutchinson, of Cortez.
The family prefers no flowers and instead requests that memorial contributions be made in memory of Clyde Hutchinson at Citizens State Bank to benefit the Escalante Shriners. Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
Cora Fay Adair Dalton
Funeral services are pending for Cora Fay Adair Dalton, who passed away Monday, June 12, 2000. For further service information, call the Ertel Funeral home at 565-3468.
Mathew Pixler
Mathew James Robert Pixler, infant son of Kimberly ReNae Pixler, passed away on June 9, 2000 at Southwest Memorial Hospital. He was four hours of age.
A visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, June 14, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel.
A private family service is set for a later date. Pastor David Dahl of the Trinity Lutheran Church will officiate.
Mathew James Robert Pixler is survived and will always be loved by his mother, Kimberly of Cortez; maternal grandparents, Randy and Tami Pixler; sister Jasmine Scheree Bundy of Cortez; uncles Robert Pixler, Randy Pixler Jr.. and Eugene Pixler, all of Cortez. He is also survived by many friends of the family.
Cortez-Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale and Gerken Funeral Directors, are serving the family.
Robert K. Ayers
Interment services for Robert K. Ayers, a former Pleasant View resident, will be held Wednesday, June 14, 2000 at the Summit Ridge Cemetery beginning at 2 p.m. Elder Cordell Uptain will be officiating.
Robert died in Shoshoni, Wyo., on Thursday, June 8, 2000. He was 46 years old. Robert was born May 16, 1954 in Pleasant View, Colo., the son of Willard Lee and Ruth (Maslen) Ayers. He had lived in Shoshoni for 40 years, moving there from Colorado with his family. He graduated from Shoshoni High School and was a carpenter by trade. His family describes him as "always a happy man who enjoyed being with family and friends."
Survivors include two sons, Brian Ayers of Shoshoni, and Trinity Ayers of Frog Wood, Iowa; a brother, Clifford Ayers of Albuquerque, N.M.
Ertel Funeral Home is assisting in the local arrangements.
Funeral services for Charles T. "Tommy" Biard will be held Tuesday, June 13, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel beginning at 2 p.m. Burial will be at the Cortez Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled for Monday afternoon between the hours of 9 a.m. and noon at the Ertel Chapel.
Tommy was born on July 15, 1931, the son of Charlie James Biard and Cordie Myrtle (Bean) Biard in Bairdstown, Texas. He passed away at St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix, Ariz., on Wednesday, June 7, 2000.
On Oct. 1, 1949 in Aztec, N.M., Tommy took Cleo Marie Boren to be his wife. Tommy was devoted to his family and he was the family's hero. He loved hunting, fishing, camping and gardening. Tommy was a long haul truck driver for 36 years.
Surviving him is his loving family including his wife of over 50 years, Cleo Biard of Cortez; four children and their spouses, Ernie and Shelly Biard of Cortez, Kathy and Dennis Retherford of Cortez, Ronnie and Melissa Biard of Dolores, and Tommy and Rexina Biard of Silver City, N.M.; grandchildren, Van and Jill Biard, Angelo and Tara Topaha, Janae Biard, Craig Watkins, Josh Biard, Stefanie Arballo, Chantele Biard, Justin Johnson, and Jennifer Bess; eight great-grandchildren; a brother, Jackie Biard of Dolores; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Tommy was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, one brother, and a grandson, Nathan Biard.
Contributions can be made in memory of Tommy Biard with the American Heart Association. Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
Funeral services for lifelong resident, Leland Dick Nielson, will be held Tuesday, June 13, at the Cortez Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at the Cortez Cemetery. Bishop Danny Decker will be conducting.
Dick was born in Blanding, Utah on Nov. 29, 1928, the son of Gennies James Nielson and Adelia "Dee" (Burdick) Nielson. At the age of 5, Dick and his family moved to this area. Dick passed away at his home on Thursday, June 8, 2000. He was 71 years old.
Along with his brothers, Dick was a co-owner of Nielsons Incorporated until 1978.
A very active citizen of his community, Dick was a member of the Masons and the Shriners. He also had belonged to the American Contractors Association, and the Dolores Volunteer Fire Department, and served on the Dolores Town Board and School Board.
For many years Dick farmed and ranched and held a great love for all outdoor activities, especially hunting and fishing. Dick also enjoyed piloting his own plane.
On Nov. 19, 1990, Dick was united in marriage to Darlene Lopez on Summit Ridge.
Dick leaves behind a large and loving family. He is survived by his wife, Darlene Nielson of Cortez; and four daughters and their husbands, Debby Lou and Mike Jones of Summit Ridge; Sandra Kay and Glenn Koslan of Fresno, Calif.; Karla Mae and Shane Whitmer of Cortez, and Karen Denise and Matthew Gehrung of Colorado Springs, Colo. Six grandchildren, Kristen M. Jones and her husband, Shon of Phoenix, Ariz.; Clinton M. Jones of Chicago, Ill.; Amanda K. Dietz of Rockport, Texas; Justin Whitmer and Jarett Whitmer of Cortez, and Emily Gehrung of Colorado Springs; two great-grandchildren, Kortney Jones and Hadley Jones survive Dick. He is survived by three brothers, Art Nielson of Dolores; Don Nielson of Egnar, Colo., and Bill Nielson of Dolores; and a sister Bonnie Nielson of Littleton, Colo. Dick was preceded in death by three brothers, Charlie, Vaughn, and Harold; and his sister Ruby.
Memorial contributions can be made in Dick Nielson's name with Hospice of Montezuma.
Ertel Funeral Home will be conducting the services.
Services will be held for Francis L. Hill at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 28 E. Montezuma in Cortez on Friday, June 16, 10 a.m. Interment will be in Hillside Cemetery in Silverton at a later date.
Mr. Hill passed away at Southwest Memorial Hospital on June 9, 2000. He was 79.
He was born July 29, 1920, the oldest of seven children born to Howard and Nellie Hill.
He lived and went to school through the sixth grade at Eureka, Colo. The family moved to Silverton where he finished his high school education.
He joined the Navy in 1942, and was discharged in 1946. He worked in mines in the Silverton area until 1951. He then re-enlisted in the Navy, retiring from it in 1971, with 29 years of service.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Aderen Hill, and by his sisters, Nellie Hill and Ester Hill.
He is survived by his sister, Mary Mac of Omaha, Neb.; brother, Howard Hill and family, of Rocksbury, Mass.; brother James Hill and his family of Boulder, Colo.; wife, Shirley of Cortez; daughters Aleta Camron and family of Broomfield, Colo.; and Yvonne Shamy and family of Silverton; sons Terry Hill and family of Denver; Howard Hill and family of Arvada; William Hill of Cortez; and Francis Hill of Cortez. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and by many nieces and nephews.
His family suggests that those wishing to might plant a tree in Francis Hill's memory or a donation be made to the Ute Mountain American Legion Post #75.
Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
Lewy Hamlin, a lifelong resident of Towaoc, passed away Thursday, June 8, 2000 in the Vista Grande Nursing Home. He was 91.
Mr. Hamlin was born on Jan. 6, 1909 in Towaoc. He was married to Molly Posey, and they raised four daughters. Both Lewy and Molly also took part in raising their grandchildren. Mr. and Mrs. Hamlin were ranchers, raising both cattle and sheep. Mrs. Hamlin passed away in Feb. 1972 in Cortez. Mr. Hamlin quit ranching and moved to Towaoc.
Mr. Hamlin had been a Bear Dance Chief since 1973. He also worked in a coal mine, and during the Depression, worked with the Civilian Conservation Corps program.
Mr. Hamlin is survived by a brother, Wilson Hamlin of Towaoc; half-sister Emily Whiteman, also of Towaoc; 28 grandchildren, three of whom lived with him: Cleo Daville of Denver; Beverly Morgan of Towaoc and Gayly Laner of Seattle, Wash. A fourth grandchild, Raymond Posey, lived with Mr. Hamlin as well, and predeceased him. He is also survived by 62 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great grandchildren.
Mr. Lewy Hamlin was preceded in death by his daughters, Sarah, Ora, Pearl and Joan; brothers Peterson, John, Calvin and Leroy; nine grandchildren and two great-great-great grandsons, Coby Lansing and Richard Box.
Funeral services were held Monday, June 12 in the Cortez-Four Corners Funeral Chapel. Interment followed the service in the Towaoc Cemetery.
Funeral services for Gertrude M. Winter, a former 17-year resident of this area, will be held Friday, June 9 at the Ertel Memorial Chapel beginning at 9 a.m. Interment will follow at the Arriola Cemetery.
Gertrude passed away at Southwest Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, June 6, 2000. She was born on April 10, 1922, in St. Nicholas, Pa. to Frank Barth and Mary Mehm Barth. Gertrude was 78 years old at the time of her death.
She is survived by her children and their spouses, Wayne and Xinia Winter of Cleveland, Ohio; Mark and Pat Winter, also of Cleveland; Malinda and Bill Botwinis of Cortez; Charmaine and Mike Garcia of Denver; and Chris Winter, also of Denver. Gertrude is also survived by nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, and a brother, Wilber J. Barth of Philadelphia, Pa.
Contributions can be made in memory of Gertrude Winter with the American Cancer Society, 3801 N. Main Avenue, Durango, CO 81301. Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral home.
Graveside services for Lillie Lee Barrett, a longtime Dove Creek resident, are scheduled for Saturday, June 10, at the Fairview Cemetery beginning at 10 a.m. Rev. Dr. Lynn Evans of the Cortez First United Methodist Church will officiate.
Mrs. Barrett passed away at Southwest Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, June 7, 2000, at the age of 80.
She was born on June 6, 1920 in Camarrgo, Okla., to Daniel Boone Lee and Laura Ellen (Evens) Lee.
Lillie was a member of the Pleasant View Women's Club and spent a lot of time in the outdoors fishing with her husband, Buss. Lillie enjoyed crocheting. Her bird, Pretty Baby, was a great joy and companion for her as well as were her grandchildren.
She is survived by her daughters, Kathy Hurst of Dolores, and Eileen Tevault and her husband, Richard, of Mesa, Ariz.; and four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Her brother, Bob Lee of Grand Junction, Colo., and Rose Bryant of Dove Creek, also survive Lillie. Preceding Lillie in death was her husband, A.V. "Buss" Barrett on Nov. 29, 1991.
Services will be conducted by the Ertel Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Belva Ann McNeil, a longtime Cortez resident, will be held Monday, June 12, at the Francis Cemetery in Francis, Utah, beginning at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held at the Ertel Memorial Chapel Friday evening, June 9, from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m.
Belva was born in Park City, Utah, on Oct. 28, 1912, the daughter of Rollie Guy Baum and Cora Ann (Street) Baum. She passed away at her home in Cortez on Wednesday, June 7, at the age of 87.
Surviving Belva are her children, Storm McNeil, of Lyman, Wyo.; Tamera Judy Johnson, of Cortez; and Molly Hargrove, also of Cortez; and nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her husband, Alfonso McNeil, in February of 1980, and two sons, Fred A. and Sterling McNeil.
Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Belva McNeil with Hospice of Montezuma. Ertel Funeral Home will conduct the services.
Memorial services for Stella Lenora Bailey Bauer, a longtime Mancos resident, will be held Thursday, June 8, 2000, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel beginning at 2 p.m.
Stella passed away at Mercy Medical Center on Saturday, June 3, 2000, at the age of 69. She was born in Mancos, Colo., on March 22, 1931, the daughter of Theodore "Ted" Bailey and Minnie (Ewing) Bailey. She moved with her family to New Mexico at a young age, finally settling in Farmington, where she attended school.
After a short time in Texas, she moved back to Mancos where she met and married Kenny Bauer. They were united in marriage on Nov. 21, 1959, at the Mancos Baptist Church. They had one daughter, Tammy.
Stella was an excellent cook, cooking in cafes and the like, finally retiring from the Mancos Schools after 10 years of service. She had acted as the Nutrition Program Manager for the school district. Stella also had a great love of houseplants and devoted much of her time helping her many plants to thrive.
She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Kenneth M. Bauer, of Mancos; her daughter, Tammy Jo Archuleta; a grandson, Josh Archuleta; a granddaughter, Kenna Archuleta, all of Mancos. A foster daughter, Melissa Coulson, of Bullhead City, Ariz.; a niece, Melina Srader; and two nephews, Cary Srader, and Craig Hood, also survive Stella.
Preceding Stella in death were her parents; a granddaughter, Jasmine Bauer; her sister, Josephine Holder; and a nephew, Ted Srader.
Memorial contributions can be made in Stella Bauer's name at the Mancos Valley Bank. Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
Lyle Conder, 84, of Tucson, Ariz., passed away Wednesday, May 31. He was preceded in death by a son, Robert Conder. He is survived by his wife, Lucy Conder; children William Conder, Kathryn Lusk, Richard Conder; stepchildren Leora Garcia-Jones, June Kuenzler; a sister, Thelma Buell; 19 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, three step-children and four step-great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Heather Mortuary of Tucson.
Funeral services for Lawrence Spencer Whyman, "Bill" to all his family and friends, were held Wednesday, May 31, 2000, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel beginning at 10 a.m. Pastor Don Henderson of the First Assembly of God Church officiated. Interment was held at the Cortez Cemetery with military graveside services being conducted by the Ute Mountain American Legion Post #75.
Bill passed away on Friday, May 26, 2000, in the Vista Grande Rehab Center at the age of 81. He was born in Amarillo, Texas on March 7, 1919. He said he always had to be good as he was the middle child of Royal and Enid Whyman. The family moved to Dodge City, Kans., where Bill went through all his school years and graduated. He later moved with his family to Arriola in 1937 to the farm where he lived until 1995 when he moved to Cortez because of his health.
On Nov. 3, 1977, Bill gave up his life of a bachelor having found that to "Love and Be Loved" was the greatest joy on earth. When he said "I Do" to Hannah Prickett in Aztec, N.M., he became a husband, a father, and a grandfather for the first time.
Bill was a rancher/farmer for over 50 years. He believed God made man a farmer to care for the earth and animals and he loved doing just that. In Kansas, he was raised and baptized in the Presbyterian Church, later he went with his wife to the Arriola Bible Church and the First Assembly of God Church.
During World War II, Bill served four years in the Army Air Corps. He was a member of the American Legion and the Southwest Cattleman's Association for many years. He was a former board member for the Montezuma Water Company and on the advisory council for the CSU Animal Testing Operation at the old Fort Lewis College near Hesperus, Colo.
He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Hannah Whyman of Cortez; and four step-daughters, Evelyn and Fred Phelps, and Elena Prickett and Rod Holton, all of Cortez, Elsie and Roylee Bell, and Edith and Jeffrey Anderson, all of Grand Junction, Colo. Eight grandchildren that he always enjoyed also survive; Kim Phelps and John Phelps of Cortez, Glenda Anderson of Golden, Colo., Karen Bell, Scott and Shawna Bell, Rachel Anderson, Katie Anderson, and Jeffrey Anderson, all of Grand Junction, Colo. Other survivors include his brother, Roy and Phyllis Whyman of Boulder, Colo.; a niece, Wynne Whyman of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and a nephew, Paul Whyman of Fort Collins, Colo.
Preceding Bill in death were his parents, Royal and Enid Whyman; and a sister and brother-in-law, Sarah "Sally" Rothe and Art Rothe.
The family suggests that memorial contributions can be made in Bill Whyman's memory to the Ute Mountain American Legion Post #75. Services were under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
Daisy Emma Wright Erb passed away at her home in Dolores on Tuesday, May 30, 2000. She was 98 years old. Interment services will be held at Greenlawn Cemetery in Farmington, N.M. at a later date.
Daisy was born the daughter of Price Wright and Maggie (Chambers) Wright on April 13, 1902, in Taos, N.M. She wed William Lawton Erb in Albuquerque, N.M. in 1960. Daisy was a schoolteacher for 42 years and after her retirement from teaching, she worked many years with Mr. Erb in an insurance business. While in Albuquerque, Daisy was a member of the White Shrine of Jerusalem.
Surviving Daisy is her son, Frederick W. Erb, of Dolores, and her daughter Marie Owen, of Warsaw, Ind.; and three grandchildren.
Arrangements were made through the Ertel Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Jesse L. "Colonel" Miller will be held Friday, June 2, 2000, at the Trinity Lutheran Church beginning at 10 a.m. Pastor David Dahl will officiate. Interment services will be held at the Arriola Cemetery will military honors conducted by the High Frontier Honor Guard from Peterson Air Force Base located in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Visitation is scheduled for Thursday afternoon between the hours of 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Ertel Memorial Chapel.
Mr. Miller passed away at the Vista Grande Nursing Home on Monday, May 29, 2000, at the age of 80. He was born on Feb. 6, 1920 in Hollidayboro, Ill., the son of Roy Miller and Etta (Craig) Miller. On Aug. 6, 1944, Jesse took Irene Mae Freidenberger as his bride in Raton, N.M. Irene preceded him in death on Jan. 11, 1999.
"Colonel" served 26 years with the U.S. Air Force as a pilot. He was the first zoning administrator for Lakewood, Colo. when it incorporated, and owned AAA Storage here in Cortez. He was also a 32nd Degree Mason.
Three children, Kay Ramsey and her husband, Ron, of Arriola; Donna Rae Wagoner, of Federal Heights, Colo., and Jesse L. Miller Jr. and his wife Wendy, also of Arriola survive him. Colonel also leaves behind eight grandchildren, Burt and Bret Ramsey, Marsha Chaffin, Ronda Ficco, Tina Faulkenberry, Andrea, Dawn, and Heather Miller; and 12 great-grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, Colonel was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Wanda Whetstine.
Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Jesse " Colonel" Miller with Hospice of Montezuma. Services will be conducted by the Ertel Funeral Home.
Funeral services for longtime resident, Minnie B. Kardokus, will be held Friday, June 2, 2000, at the Evangel Assembly of God Church beginning at 2 p.m. Pastors Dennis Rivera and Ron Hernandez will officiate. Burial will follow at the Cortez Cemetery.
Minnie passed away on Monday, May 29, 2000, at Madison House in Cortez, at the age of 89. She was born in The Dalles, Ore., on Jan. 27, 1911, to William Charles Kruger and Matilda Augusta (Bretting) Kruger. Minnie was united in marriage to Charles David Kardokus Sr. in Arapahoe, Okla. on Jan. 10, 1931.
Minnie was a member of the Evangel Assembly of God and of the Four Square Gospel Church. She had been ordained as a minister of the International Church of The Four Square Gospel.
A son and his wife, Charles D. and Wilma Kardokus, of Cortez survive Minnie. She also is survived by nine grandchildren, Daniel Kardokus, Melanie Lien, James, John, Peter, Lee, Andrew, and Phillip Harvey, and Dennis Kardokus; as well as seven great-grandchildren. Her daughter, Augusta Harvey preceded Minnie in death in 1991, as did one brother and four sisters.
Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Minnie Kardokus at the First National Bank of Cortez to build a sidewalk for the residents at Madison House. Ertel Funeral Home will be conducting the services.
Gilbert R. Madsen, 69, of Dolores, passed away Sunday, May 28, 2000, at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction, Colo. following a long illness. Graveside services will be held Saturday, June 3, at the Summit Ridge Cemetery beginning at 10 a.m. Officiating will be Pastor David Dahl of the Trinity Lutheran Church.
Gilbert was born Dec. 9, 1929, in Racine, Wisc., to Helmuth Madsen and Rose (Clopher) Madsen. He worked in Denver at one time for the Colorado Public Service Company and had served in the Air Force.
His wife Esther (Pearson) Madson, of Dolores, and a brother, Donald Madsen, of Tucson, Ariz., survive him.
Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
Stella Garnand, a resident of the Vista Grande Nursing Home passed away Tuesday, May 30, 2000, at the age of 89. She was born in Allison, Colo., on March 30, 1911 to Clayton Babcock and Flora (Gove) Babcock.
Stella is survived by two sisters, Mary Adcock, of Texas, and Lillian Adcock, of Durango, Colo. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Garnand, and a son, Monty Garnand.
Private interment services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are being made through the Ertel Funeral Home.
Arlene Gee passed away at the Vista Grande Nursing Home on Sunday, May 28, 2000. Memorial services will be held Saturday, June 3, 2000, at the Cortez First United Methodist Church beginning at 1 p.m. with Rev. Lynn Evans officiating.
Mrs. Gee was born in Ovid, Mich., on Dec. 1, 1921, and was 78 years old at the time of her death. She wed Edwin Raymond Gee in Ovid, Mich., on Feb. 28, 1943. Together they celebrated 35 years of marriage before Ed's death on May 19, 1978.
Arlene was a member of the Circle 8 Square Dance Club and had been a Licensed Practical Nurse.
Surviving Arlene is her daughter and son-in-law, Sande and Don Story, of Dolores, Colo.; and two grandchildren and their spouses, Staci and Dane Gallaher, and Scott and Lucia Story, all of Dolores; and three great-grandchildren, Lane and Jaycee Gallaher, and Olivia Sage Story. A brother, John Castle, of Mason, Mich.; and two sisters, Jane Robson, of Carson City, Nev., and Bonnie Machen, of Las Vegas, Nev., also survive Arlene. Her brother, Vernon Castle preceded her in death. Arrangements were made through the Ertel Funeral Home.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley, 64, of Cortez, Colo., joined our Father on April 26, 2000, after an extended illness. She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Robert A. Bradley, also of Cortez, and by two brothers, Ned Solomon of Nashville, TN, and Bill Solomon of Shelbyville, TN; three children; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Sue left Tennessee after her high school graduation to help her brother Jerry with his young children in south Texas. It is here that she met Robert and they began their life together. The Bradley’s were married in Pharr, TX on March 28, 1957. Edward L. Bradley was born to the couple after they moved to El Paso, TX, in 1958.
Robert’s career moved Sue and the fledgling family to numerous locations across the U.S. During this time, Bradley’s rejoiced in the birth of their daughter and Kenneth Allen. The family moved to Cortez, CO, in June of 1974 and has continued to call their home since.
Sue touched many lives in the Cortez area. Whether organizing leagues and tournaments at the bowling center, where she was secretary for several years, or simply listening to friends talk about worries or joyous occasions in their lives; Sue cared about the going-on in the local community.
Sue will be missed, not only by Robert, the children, grandchildren, and surviving family members, but also by those that called her friend. But in our grief at the loss of her caring and love, let us not forget that this is the time to be thankful for the mercy of our savior Jesus, for calling her home before she suffered. She has left our daily lived, but will not leave our hearts and prayers.
Thanks to all of those who have helped the family during this time, your thoughtfulness and simple acts of kindness mean so much to them and to Sue.
Donna Joy Dodson
Donna Joy Dodson, 50, of Greeley, Colo., and formerly of Cortez, died Tuesday, March 14, 2000 at the Hospice of Northern Colorado inpatient unit in Greeley, from complications of breast cancer.
She was born Sept. 15, 1949 in Lubbock, Texas. Her family relocated to Cortez in 1955. She was employed with the Montezuma County Sheriff’s office from 1976 until 1995. During this time, she held the positions of Secretary to the Sheriff and Under-sheriff, Administrative Assistant in the Detective Division, and as Public Service Coordinator. In 1995, she began working for the City of Cortez Police Department, first as an Operations Secretary and latter as Records Technician.
Donna relocated to Greeley in January of 1999 to be closer to medical care. She desperately wanted to find someone to help her recover from her cancer. She was always seeking any kind of new treatment; she had a very strong will to live.
Donna’s children were the most important aspects of her life. Her son, Ryan, was born on April 24, 1985 in Cortez, and her daughter, Ashley, was born on June 30, 1988 in Cortez. Donna gave her full attention to her children. She loved and nurtured them, and their well-being was foremost to her. Once, she took her children bowling. She told them they could bowl as many games as they liked because she didn’t know how much time she had left, and she wanted them to remember the good times.
Ryan remembers that his mom always put her children first, and that her favorite color was blue. Ashley said that her mom liked to color and she liked to fix her hair. Her nephew, Sheldon said that she was very loving and caring, and even though she was sick for a long time, she was strong and fought her illness.
Donna loved all of her family and especially enjoyed family gatherings. She opened her home to her family many times, and cooked a lot of delicious meals. She loved cooking and baking and was very talented and creative when preparing and serving food.
She had a lot of wonderful friends and co-workers in Cortez. Everyone pulled together to assist Donna and her children through her illness. She received a lot of help from many different people and was given support in all kinds of ways. Their kindness and love was very much appreciated.
Donna’s favorite flower was a yellow rose. She liked frogs and angels. She had started collecting them and had been given several by her friends and family. She also enjoyed reading. She had been showered with cards during her last few weeks. So many people who cared about her and were concerned with her health sent good wishes to her.
Surviving Donna are her two children, Ryan and Ashley Staats; her mother and stepfather, Ena and Norman Kermode; sisters, Debra Dodson Randall and Sandra Morrison; brother, Paul A. Dodson; nephew, Sheldon Randall; and brothers-in-law Nick Randall and Rod Morrison.
A younger sister, Irene Nell and her father, Paul M. Dodson, preceded her in death.
Her family will sadly miss Donna. Her wish for recovery kept us praying and gave us strength to face each day with her and giver her our support and love. One of our comforts is that she is longer in pain, and is free of the sickness that took her life.
James E. Hooper
James E. Hooper of Littleton, Colo., a petroleum landman, died May 7 at home. He was 72.
A memorial service was held May 11 at the Drinkwine Family Chapel in Littleton.
Jim was born on Dec. 2, 1927, in Casper, Wyo. On May 6, 1950, he married Barbara M. Seelaus in Casper. He was preceded in death by his wife.
He is survived by two sons, Kodi, of Littleton, Colo., and David, of Farmington, N. M.; a daughter, Jane, of Littleton, Colo.; a sister, Carolyn Dame, of Casper, Wyo.; and five grandchildren.
Jim enjoyed spending his summers at his cabin in the Mancos area.
Contributions may be made to the James Hooper Memorial Fund, c/o St. Rita Catholic Church, P.O. Box 150, Mancos, CO, 81328.
Ollive Helen Armstrong
Ollive Helen Armstrong passed away at the Vista Grande Nursing Home on Thursday, May 25, 2000, at the age of 85. She was born in Valier, Mont., on Jan. 7, 1915, the daughter of Edwin Carroll and Ethyl (Leader) Carroll. Interment services will be held at a later date in Montana.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Roy Ireton, of Cortez; her son and daughter-in-law, Gary and JoAnn Armstrong, of Cache Creek, British Columbia; and five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
She also leaves behind three sisters, Ethyl McNett and her husband, Jim, of Spokane, Wash., Edna Carroll, of Spokane, Wash., and Eleanor White and her husband, Bob, of Shelby, Mont.; and a brother and his wife, Lewis and Roselynn Carroll, of Cut Bank, Mont.
Ollive was preceded in death by her husband, Gene G. Armstrong; a son, Ben Carroll Armstrong; her parents; a sister, Virginia McGarvy; and a brother, John Carroll.
Arrangements were made through the Ertel Funeral Home.
Memorial services for Hurshell William Gosnell, a former long-time resident of Cortez, will be held Saturday, May 27, at the Cortez Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, beginning at 10 a.m.
Mr. Gosnell passed away in Bloomfield, N.M., on Tuesday, May 23, 2000, at the age of 90. He was born in Agra, Okla., on Oct. 24, 1909, the son of Erven and Maida (Merritt) Gosnell.
Hurshell is survived by his children, Bobby Gosnell, of Cortez; Dorsa Martin, of Bloomfield, N.M.; Billy Gosnell, of Cortez; Carolyn Hubble, of Cushing, Okla.; Don Gosnell, of Cortez; Donna Tanner, of Cortez, and Hurshell Gosnell Jr., of Cushing, Okla.; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
His wife Lela (Isenberg) Gosnell, and daughter, Patricia Gosnell, preceded Hurshell in death.
Interment services will be held in Parkland, Okla., at the Parkland Cemetery on Friday, May 26.
Barbara Lee Cavender, 42, of Flagstaf, Ariz., passed away on May 16, 2000. Graveside services will be held in the Garden of Blessed Hope at Greenlawn Cemetery in Williamsport, M.D. on Thursday, May 25, at 2?30 p.m.
Ms. Cavender was born on Feb. 4, 1958, in Hagerstown, M.D.
She worked in Flagstaff as a paralegal, after having received an AAS in Legal Assistant Service in 1997, and an Associate of Liberal Arts degree in 1999 from San Juan College in Farmington.
Barbara Cavender is survived by her daughter, Jessie Deal; sons Bryan and Kevin Deal; sisters Pat Bailey, Brenda Clever and Deborah Jordan; and by her brother, Kenneth Robert Cavender II.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth R. Cavender I and Mary Calhoun.
Flagstaff Mortuary handled the arrangements.
Curtis M. King, a teacher, counselor and coach for more
than 31 years in Colorado and California, passed away on April 6, 2000.
Curtis was on the faculty of Cortez High School in 1946. He died of a sudden
heart attack in Concord, Calif. He was 79.
The native of Farmington, N.M., was born Nov. 28, 1922. He attended Fort
Lewis College and was honored as an outstanding athlete. He married Althea
Koppenhafer of Cortez in 1942.
He served in the United States Army Air Force as part of the bomber crews
that flew missions from England to the Continent. He received several medals
and citations, including a Presidential Citation.
He returned to the Cortez area at the end of the war. He began teaching and
coaching at Cortez High School in 1946.
He was also a small businessman in Cortez. His teaching career continued, as
did his coaching across Colorado, until he became principal of Springfield
High School. Curtis completed additional levels of education at the
University of Utah in 1959. It was there that he was recruited to teach in
California.
As a hobby in non-sports seasons, Curtis obtained construction license ad
personally completed the building of his home in Walnut Creek from the
foundation to the roof. He also built a cabin in Lake Tahoe and hundreds of
woodworking projects.
His spare time was also spent with sports of all sorts. He was an avid
skier, tennis player, bowler and golfer. His favorite sport was
participating and coaching his two grandsons in their chosen high school
sports, football place-kicking and tennis, respectively.
Both Mr. and Mrs. King returned to Cortez last August to attend the 50 year
reunion of the classes of Cortez High School.
Curtis is survived by his wife of 58 years. Althea King; son Loren D. King
of Salinas, Calif., wife Nancy and son Christopher; daughter, Aleita
Huguenin of Concord, Calif., and grandson, Derek Hildebrand.
A memorial service was held on Monday, April 11, in Concord, Calif., and
attended by hundreds of Curtis' friends, faculty members and students.
Memorial donations may be made to Los Lomas High School Foundation, 1460 S.
main St., Walnut Creek, CA 94596.
Graveside services for Donna Marie Weeks, 65, of Towaoc, will be held Thursday, May 25, 2000, at the Towaoc Cemetery beginning at 10 a.m. Officiating will be Sister Lois Wooten and Brother Mac Coyote of The Chapel. Donna was a member of The Chapel church for many years.
Donna was born in Towaoc, Colo., on Jan. 7, 1935 to Toby Weeks and Chictia Alice Lang. She passed away at Southwest Memorial Hospital on Monday, May 22, 2000.
Surviving Donna is a son, Gilbert Dutchie, of Towaoc; her mother, Chictia Lang, of Towaoc; a grandson, Terance Dutchie, of Towaoc; and a great-grandson, Torance Dutchie, of Towaoc. She also is survived by a nephew, Nathan Dutchie, of Towaoc; four sisters, Clara Dutchie, Ruby Moreno, and Christine Weeks, all of Towaoc, and Bernice Weeks, of Alburquerque, N.M.; by a brother, Alvin Weeks, also of Towaoc; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Donna was preceded in death by her father; a son, Delbert Dutchie; three brothers, Paul Dutchie Sr., Kern Dutchie Sr., and Pedro Dutchie; and one sister, Bonnie Reid.
Services will be under the direction of Ertel Funeral home.
Funeral services for Thadyne Ruth Freeman, a longtime Cortez resident, will be held Saturday, May 20, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel beginning at 2 p.m. Pastor Jimmy Kennedy of the First Southern Baptist Church will officiate. Interment will be held Monday, May 22, at the Orchard Mesa Cemetery in Grand Junction, Colo., at 10 a.m.
Thadyne was born in Lubbock, Texas on Aug. 19, 1917. She passed away at Southwest Memorial Hospital on Thursday, May 18, 2000, at the age of 82.
Thadyne was a Past Worthy Matron of the Order of Eastern Star, and was a member of the Kitchen Band. She could really play the "Gut Bucket" very well.
Surviving Thadyne are her children, Ray M. Freeman Jr., of Grand Junction; Judith Ann Freeman Hall, of Barstow, Calif.; and Richard Bradley Freeman, of Arvada, Colo.; eight grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; and her step-brother, Les Landry, of Grand Junction.
Preceding Thadyne in death were her parents, Thomas King and Ruth Blanche (Dear) King; her husband, Ray Maurice Freeman Sr., on Dec. 9, 1998; and a son, Warren Dale Freeman, in 1941.
The Ertel Funeral Home will conduct the services and interment.
Services for Fred P. Lancaster Jr., who resided in this area for many years, are tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, May 23.
Mr. Lancaster passed away at Desert Samaritan Hospital in Mesa, Ariz., on Friday, May 19, 2000.
His wife, Virginia Lancaster, and his daughter, Debbie Fowler, of Mesa, Ariz., survive him. His son, Douglas Lancaster, preceded him in death in 1992.
For information regarding time and place of services, please contact Ertel Funeral Home at 565-3468.
Funeral services for Arianna Iris Nelson, infant daughter of Wayne and Fabrienne (Billy) Nelson, will be held Thursday, May 18, 2000, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at the Cortez Cemetery. Officiating will be Pastor David Dahl of the Trinity Lutheran Church.
Arianna was born March 2, 2000 in Shiprock, N. M. She passed away in Murray, Utah, on May 15, 2000, at the age of 2 months and 13 days.
A loving family is left behind to mourn her passing. She is survived by her parents, Wayne and Fabrienne Nelson, of Murray, Utah, as well as her sister, Sabrina Chenoa Nelson, and her brother, Garrett Gerrard Nelson. Arianna is survived by two grandmothers, Patsy Kelly, of Montezuma Creek, Utah, and Linda Schweigert, of Aberdeen, S.D.; a grandfather, Harold Ray Billy, of Hatch, Utah; a great-grandfather, John Rhoerrich, of Aberdeen, S.D.; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family.
Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
Daniel C. Wadsworth, a longtime Colorado rancher who was born in Del Norte, passed away on Monday, May 15, 2000. He was 87. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, May 19, at Blackburn-Shaw Memorial Chapel, Amarillo Texas. For more information, call 806-376-6443.
Barbara Mae Evans, 84, died Thursday, May 11, 2000, in Durango, Colo. A graveside service will be held Monday, May 22, at 2 p.m. in Greenmount Cemetery. Her death was the result of a lengthy illness.
Mrs. Evans was born Sept. 13, 1915, in Arriola, Colo., the daughter of Wilbur and Ruby Bishop. She began her teaching career at age 19 at McPhee School, teaching kindergarten through 12th grade. She married Robert Roy Evans on May 7, 1943, at Aztec, N.M. Mrs. Evans attended college at the old Ft. Lewis campus for two years; she obtained her B.A. at Western State in 1956, and her masters degree at Adams State in 1970.
Mrs. Evans moved to Durango in 1946, where she and her husband had their only child, Diana, in 1946. She began teaching at Park Elementary School in 1946, where she taught for 30 years. Mrs. Evans and her husband joined the Durango Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1948. Her last eight years of teaching were spent at Mason elementary School Teaching special education students.
Mrs. Evans retired in 1979. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma in Durango (a retired teacher’s association) and will be remembered as an extremely gifted teacher.
She is survived by daughter and son-in-law Diana and Bryant Robb of Mancos; grandsons Radburn Robb of Satellite Beach, Fla., Randon Robb of Mancos, Raegan Robb of Ft. Collins, Colo.; granddaughter Amanda Carey of Colorado Springs, Colo.; two great-grandsons; three great-granddaughters; brother Willard Bishop of Cortez; and sisters Minnie Ashby of Albuquerque, Nelta Wilson of Aurora, Colo., and Mrs. Robert "Pearl" Bishop of Arriola.
Her husband Robert, sister Billie Hall, and brother Robert Bishop preceded her in death.
Hood Mortuary is handling the arrangements.
Anita Winbourn was born April 1, 1911, on the Ritter Place about two miles west of Dolores. She was the first child of Kittie Dillon Winbourn and Edward A. Winbourn, both from families of early Montezuma Valley pioneers.
Nita, as she was called, spent her early years with her family in Lewis, and Grants Pass, Ore. The family returned to Lewis in 1928, where she attended the old Fort Lewis College at Hesperus for the two years necessary to attain a teaching credential. She taught at the Upper McElmo School, at Ackman, and at Fish creek, a few miles below Dunton.
In 1933, Nita and Paul A. McCormick of Dolores were married in Silverton. They lived in Dolores for several years where two children, Ronald and Kathleen, were born. The family moved to San Diego, Calif., where their youngest daughter, Carolyn, was born. Nita completed her education at San Diego State University, where she received a bachelor of arts degree.
She returned to Cortez to care for her parents in 1960. She then worked for the Department of Social Services until her retirement in 1979. One of the things she enjoyed most was the outdoors. She loved hiking in the mountains and taking rubber raft trips on the rivers in the Four Corners region. Her hobbies included collecting bottles and other relics from mining camps that were active in the heyday of the Colorado silver boom.
Nita’s family and friends have many wonderful memories of her and will always cherish her unselfish nature. She always put the needs of others above her needs, and she devoted herself to raising her children. When her parents needed her, she returned to Colorado, and devoted the next 30 years of her life to caring for them and her sister Lorna. Her children Ronald McCormick, Kathleen Anderson and Carolyn Goodall; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren survive her.
Nita McCormick passed away Dec. 11, 1999, at the Valley Inn Nursing Home in Mancos, at the age of 88. A private memorial service is planned for late summer.
Funeral services for Lorraine I. Beyale are pending with the Ertel Funeral Home. Mrs. Beyale passed away at the Valley Inn Nursing Home on Sunday, May 14, 2000, at the age of 83.
For further service information and scheduling, please contact the Ertel Funeral Home at 565-3468.
Graveside services for Rita L. Bridgewater will be held Friday, May 19, 2000, at the Cedar Grove Cemetery in Mancos beginning at 2 p.m. Officiating will be Darrell Veach.
Rita, a lifelong resident of this area, passed away at her home in Cortez on Saturday, May 13, 2000, at the age of 78. She was born in Akron, Ohio, on Jan. 18, 1922, the daughter of Robert M. Saulters and Mary Adeline (Goodwin) Saulters.
She is survived by her husband, Harold Bridgewater, of Cortez; her daughter, Mary Louisa Pyle, also of Cortez; three grandsons, Randy, Rob and Rick Kirks; and five great-grandchildren, Wylder Wilson, Wiley Kirks, Mayan Kirks, Weslie Kirks, and Aura Kirks. A brother and his wife, Williams R. and Gladys Saulters, also survive Rita, as do two nephews, Rusell and Robert Saulters; and two nieces, Billie Ruth and Dawnie Sue. Her parents preceded Rita in death.
Memorial contributions can be made in Rita Bridgewater's name with Hospice of Montezuma. Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
Leonard Owen Wyatt, a longtime resident of Cahone, passed away at his home on Saturday, May 13, 2000, at the age of 87. Graveside services will be held at the Big Cabin Cemetery in Big Cabin, Okla., on Saturday, May 20, 2000, beginning at 2 p.m. Rev. W. Eugene Kay will be officiating.
Leonard was born in Bernice, Okla., on Aug. 7, 1913, to Robert Wyatt and Nancy (Wilkie) Wyatt.
Surviving Leonard are his children, Leonard Kendall Wyatt, of Thousand Oaks, Calif.; Bill Dale Wyatt, of Kingman, Ariz.; Linda Kay Hunter, of Santa Maria, Calif.; and Randall Lynn Wyatt, of Cahone, Colo. 19 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. A brother, Bill Wyatt; and five sisters, Madge, Faye, Maxine, Betty, and Nadine also survive him. Leonard's wife, Cathrena Maude (Rice) Wyatt, preceded him in death on Aug. 8, 1998, as did his parents.
Arrangements are being made through the Ertel Funeral Home.
Memorial services for Lewis Ray McInnes Sr. will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 17, at Arriola Bible Church. He was 67.
Lewis Ray Mcinnes Sr. was born June 10, 1932, to Lewis Loyd and Vera McInnes in Roswell, N.M. He grew up taking on responsibilities early in life. Being big brother to JoyAnn, Pete and Barbara, building fences, driving jeeps and riding horses to check on the family’s 13-section sheep ranch led to a reputation of dependability and commitment.
Lewis answered his country’s call and served eight years in the Navy, part of this time on the USS Yorktown during the Korean War. he workd in the missile industry at Alamogordo, N.M., and at the White Sands Missile Range.
When on a picnic July 4, 1958, he met Lois Landreth camping with her folks on the Upper Piedra. They married in Bayfield, Colo., on Dec. 27 of that year and spent over 41 years together. While in Alamogordo they had their son, Lewis Ray Jr. (Mac). In 1963, they moved with the White Sands Missile Program to Green River, Utah. It was in Green River that Lynette Gayle, their daughter, was born.
in 1972 the McInnes family made Cortez their home. life in Cortez gave Lewis many jobs that allowed the family to remain in Cortez. In recent years he had been employed by Jimmy Porter, hauling hay to surrounding states. He was a board member of the Landowners Assocaition, a lifetime member of NRA and is an eternal member of the Family of God.
He was preceded in death by his sister, JoyAnn. He is survived by his wife, Lois, of Cortez; his son, Mac McInnes, and wife, Kay, and grandchildren, Tender, Samantha, Daniel and Elisa, of San Angelo, texas; and by his daughter, Lynette Lucas, and husband, Jesse, and grandsons Travis, Matthew, Dillon and Zachary Lucas, of Albuquerque, N.M. His sister, Barbara Foley, and husband, Mickey, of Kirkland, N.M.; his brother, Pete McInnes, and wife, Vickie, of Florida Mesa, Colo.; and his brother-in-law, Cotton Yancey, of Bloomfield, N.M., as well as numerous nieces and nephews also survive him.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Montezuma or the American Cancer Society. Ertel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Charles Lee Cox passed away at his home in Cortez on May 12, 2000.
He was born on March 17, 1926, in Coch County, Tenn. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Marilyn D. Cox; his five children: Debbie and Richard Griffin, Seattle, Wash.; Michael and Doris Spall, Cortez; Phillip Spall, Hannah, Wyo.; Daniel and Tommi Sue Cox, Cortez; and Carol and Clyde Wright, Cortez; 18 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
A private family celebration of his life will be held at First Assembly of God Church in Cortez. Memorial contributions may be made to Gideons International.
Ertel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Charlotte Virginia 'Cricket' Weese
Graveside services were held for Charlotte Virginia "Cricket" Weese on Friday, May 12, 2000, at the Dove Creek Cemetery at 2 p.m. Cricket was a longtime Dove Creek resident.
Cricket, as she had fondly been known since childhood, was born in Mountain Park, Okla., on Sept. 2, 1922. She was the daughter of James Wilhite and Mary (Bennight) Wilhite. She passed away at her home in Dove Creek on Wednesday, May 10, 2000, at the age of 77.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Ray and Diane Smith, of Cahone, Colo.; and her daughter, Glendeana Cressler, of Dove Creek. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, who provided Cricket with much enjoyment; and by her brother, James C. Wilhite, of Florence, Colo. Her parents; husband, Clayton Weese; a son; two brothers; and two sisters preceded Cricket in death.
Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Charlotte "Cricket" Weese with the Dove Creek Ambulance fund and the Community Clinic.
Ertel Funeral Home conducted the services.
Funeral services for Lester Ralph Crain, a longtime resident of this area, will be held Saturday, May 13, 2000, at the Dove Creek Cemetery beginning at 10 a.m. Military graveside services will be conducted by the Troy Young VFW Post #5181.
Mr. Crain passed away at his home in Cortez on Wednesday, May 10, 2000. He was 80 years old. Lester was born to Arthur Luke Crain and Ada Ella (Johnson) Crain on May 25, 1919, in Briartown, Okla. On Sept. 14, 1938, Lester was united in marriage to Helen Nadine Larrance in Cortez. They have celebrated more than 61 years of marriage together.
Lester served his country in the Signal Corps during World War II. He loved to be outdoors hunting and fishing.
Surviving Lester is his wife, Nadine, of Cortez; daughter and son-in-law, Ledine and Kenneth Hull, of La Junta, Colo.; his son and fiancée, Robert Crain and Marlayne Flowers, of Pleasant View, Colo.; a granddaughter and her husband, Stacey and Kevin Gilliland, of North Pole, Alaska; a grandson and his wife, Brett and Leslee Hull, of Monument, Colo.; and two great grandchildren, Michelle Hull and Christopher Hull, both of Monument, Colo. Lester also leaves behind a brother and his wife, Sam and Imo Crain, of Dove Creek; two sisters and their husbands, Ruby and Adolph Wolff, of Denver, Colo., and Maxine and Bob Hawkins, of Wood Lake, Neb.; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.
Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
Loretta J. Holly passed away at the Valley Inn Nursing Home on Monday, May 8, 2000, at the age of 84. Services will be held in Phoenix, Ariz., with interment being in the St. Francis Cemetery.
Mrs. Holly was born July 23, 1915, in Chicago, Ill., to Michael and Mary (Dukes) Cieselski. She was a resident of Phoenix, Ariz., from 1944 to 1987, where she was employed with A.J. Bayless grocery chain in the meat department. She moved to Cortez in 1987, and then became a resident of the Valley Inn Nursing Home in Mancos, Colo., until her death. Her husband, Felix F. Holly, preceded her in death.
Loretta is survived by her son, Phillip M. Holly, of Tempe, Ariz.; her daughter, Patricia M. Robichaux, of Cortez; and six grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.
Services will be conducted by the Ertel Funeral Home.
Services for Alana Faye Stewart, 50, of Cortez, will be held Thursday, May 11, at the Mancos Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will be at the Cedar Grove Cemetery.
Ms. Stewart passed away at her home in Cortez on Sunday, May 7, 2000. She was born in Rapid City, S.D., on Sept. 5, 1949, the daughter of Alfred Stewart and Charlyne (McClard) Stewart.
She is survived by her children, Lynda Bush and her husband, Frank, of Cortez, Kevin Switzer and his wife, Terri, of Tempe, Ariz., Aran McLaughlin and her husband, Darin, of Hysham, Mont., and Amy Switzer, of Cortez. Alana also leaves behind her grandson, Colton Candelaria, of Cortez; granddaughters, Paytyn and Nydra McLaughlin, of Hysham, Mont.; two sisters, Anita Bjella, of Indiana, and Sara Adamson, of Utah; and three brothers, Larry Stewart, of Arizona, Lance Stewart, and Jeff Stewart, both of Cortez.
Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
Funeral services for longtime Dove Creek resident Case Broderick will be held Wednesday, May 10, at the Dove Creek First Southern Baptist Church beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at the Dove Creek Cemetery. Officiating will be Pastor Sam Thompson. Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon between the hours of 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the Ertel Memorial Chapel.
Mr. Broderick passed away in Cortez, Colo. on Friday, May 5, 2000, at the age of 92. He was born the son of William Broderick and Luretta May (Jones) Broderick in Gate, Okla., on Jan. 18, 1908.
Case moved to the Dove Creek area in 1920, where he began a lifelong career of dry land farming, raising wheat and beans. On Jan. 1, 1941, Case was united in marriage to Jennie June Clarkson in Hennessey, Okla. They had recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary. Case belonged to the Farmers' Union, and had been a longtime member of the Peel School Board and the Dolores County School Board.
Case is survived by his wife, Jennie Broderick, of Dove Creek; his son and daughter-in-law, Carl and Nancy Broderick; also of Dove Creek; his daughter, Luretta Sharman, of Cortez; five grandchildren, Debbie Keen, Randy Broderick and his wife, Michelle, Crystal Broderick, Donella Sharman, and Angie Sharman; and six great-grandchildren, Dakotah Broderick, Katiah Broderick, Billy Joe Keen, Kendra Rachel Keen, Travis Wayne Keen, Brandon Michael Keen.
Preceding Case in death, were his parents; four sisters, Myrtle Wancura, Gladys Graves, Ollie Wilson, and Cosie Ingram; and a brother, Earl Broderick.
Memorial contributions can be made in Case Brodrick's memory with the Dove Creek Ambulance Fund. Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
Memorial services for longtime Cortez resident Philip Lewis Sapp, will be held Saturday, May 6 at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church beginning at 11 a.m. Officiating will be Father Joseph McGuinnes.
Interment will follow at the Cortez Cemetery with military graveside services provided by the Ute Mountain American Legion Post #75. Rosary services were held Friday evening at St. Margaret Mary.
Mr. Sapp passed away May 3, 2000 at Southwest Memorial Hospital. He was born May 25, 1919 in Durango, to Peter Lewis and Ida Margaret (Wheeler) Sapp. He graduated from Bayfield High School in 1937. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on Nov. 7, 1941 and served in the last horse-drawn cavalry in the European Theater.
In June, 1951, he was united in marriage to Barbara Alice Parks of Bayfield. In the fall of 1951, they moved to Cortez. Phil worked for the Montezuma County Road Department for 42 years, retiring in 1994.
An outdoorsman, Philip enjoyed raising his cattle, and hunting and camping in the high country. He also held a great love for high school basketball games.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara, of Cortez; son, Wesley Lewis Sapp and his wife, Ginger, of Durango; daughter, Alma Gene Sapp, also of Durango; two granddaughters, Terra Ann Sapp and Tamis Lyn Sapp, both of Durango; a brother and his wife, Roger and JoAnn Sapp, of Casa Grande, Ariz.; a large extended family, and many friends.
Phil was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and sister-in-law, Dan and Vera Sapp; his sister and brother-in-law, Mary Gene and Elmer Harvey, and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, George and Chris Parks.
Memorial contributions may be made at the Dolores State Bank to benefit the National Leukemia Foundation. Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
Glen S. (Joe) Baker passed away April 29, 2000. Cremation has taken place, and no services are planned at this time.
Joe was born Feb. 23, 1910, the son of Oscar and Delia Baker of Forrest City, Mo. Joe’s family homesteaded near Boone, Colo. in 1914. In 1936, Joe married Thelma Sigler. He worked for the Soil Conservation from 1932 to 1943 and was a member of the National Guard based out of Colorado Springs.
In 1943, Joe joined the Navy and held the rank of Chief Petty Officer., As a member of the Seabees, Joe had the privilege of constructing the pole that was used to raise the flag at Iwo Jima. After World War II, he returned to the Soil Conservation and was sent to Mancos, where he worked until 1950.
Joe was transferred to Albuquerque and remained there until his retirement in 1968. He returned to Mancos and worked for Mesa Verde Company for seven years.
He returned to Albuquerque, where his children and grandchildren lived, in 1975. His heart was still in Mancos, and he continued to return year after year for hunting and fishing with his friends. He was a lifetime member of VFW #5231 and was its oldest member.
He is survived by his wife, Thelma; daughters, Linda (Albert) King and Diana (Tony) Clark; by Denny and Melodie Fitzgerald; six grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.
Funeral services for Marjorie Fern Morse, a longtime Cortez resident, will be held Thursday, May 4, 2000, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel, beginning at 10 a.m. Rev. Dr. Lynn Evans of the Cortez First United Methodist Church will officiate. Interment will be at the Union Center Cemetery in Dacoma, Okla., on Monday, May 8, 2000, beginning at 2 p.m.
Marjorie was born the daughter of Sherman and Blanche (Stoner) Joachims, on March 10, 1911, in Dacoma, Okla. She passed away at Southwest Memorial Hospital on Monday, May 1, 2000, at the age of 89. On Oct. 11, 1936, she was united in marriage to Wiley C. Morse in Dacoma. Wiley passed away in June of 1973, having celebrated more than 36 years of marriage together.
She was a member of the Methodist Church and very active in both the VFW and American Legion Auxiliary and the Senior Citizens Program.
Marjorie is survived by her daughter, JoAnn Linnens, of Cortez; and her son and daughter-in-law, Bob L. and Diana Morse, of Tulsa, Okla. Her son, Wiley C. Morse, preceded her in death on Dec. 23, 1977, in Georgia. She also leaves behind six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Marjorie Morse to the charity of the giver’s choice. Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
Funeral services for lifelong Dove Creek resident Barbara Mae Soper will be held Wednesday, May 3, at the Dolores County High School Memorial Hall beginning at 2 p.m. Officiating will be Rev. Jerry Boles of the Dove Creek United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at the Dove Creek Cemetery.
Barbara was born in Cortez on Dec. 24, 1942, to William Rutherford Johnson and Dorothy Mae (Buffington) Johnson. She passed away in Grand Junction, Colo., on Friday, April 28, 2000, at the age of 57.
On July 1, 1971, at the United Methodist Church in Dove Creek, Barbara married Kenneth L. Soper. Through the sports that her husband Ken coached, Barbara became one of the greatest supporters of Dolores County High School athletics, acting as "Team Mom" and score keeper. She was a library aide for the Dolores County School District for a number of years. One of her pleasures was reading and she loved seeing her kids read. Barbara was very fond of crafts, listening to music, and writing poetry, at which she was quite talented. Her six grandchildren, though, were the most important aspects of her life. She will be greatly missed.
Barbara leaves behind her husband of 28 years, Kenneth Soper, of Dove Creek; her daughter and son-in-law, Terri and Dustin Rockwell, of Ely, Nev.; two sons, Brad Donelow, of Morristown, Tenn., and Dan Vagle, of Aspen, Colo.; six grandchildren, Branden Donelow, Trinity Donelow, Erica Rockwell, Dexter Rockwell, Billy Ray Donelow, and Shilo Donelow. She is also survived by a brother, Floyd Johnson, of Page, Ariz.; three sisters, Bernice Capron, of Dove Creek, Trudy Fuller, of Yellow Jacket, and Janet Hall, also of Dove Creek; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions can be made in Barbara Soper's name with the Dove Creek State Bank. Ertel Funeral Home will conduct the services.
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