Virginia Rose Reynolds, a long-time resident of the Cortez area, passed away on Dec. 30, 1999, in the Vista Grande Nursing Home. She as 75.

A memorial is planned for Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2000, at 2 p.m. in the Vista Grande Nursing Home Chapel. Pastor Dennis Rivera of the Evangel Assembly of God will officiate the services.

Mrs. Reynolds was born to James Thomas and Ruby Beatrice Gibson-Wooten on May 7, 1924, in the Sacramento Mountains of New Mexico. Virginia grew up in southern New Mexico and west Texas.

Mrs. Reynolds was a homemaker and was employed as a waitress while residing in Cortez. She worked for several restaurants, including the Ute Cafe, Pippo’s, the Stockman’s Cafe and the Hotel Cortez. Virginia enjoyed fishing, crocheting, gospel music, bingo and cooking. She was a former member of the Baptist Chapel.

Mrs. Reynolds is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, Ross and Judy Roberson, Pine, Ariz.; Clovis and Peggy Davis of Corvallis, Ore, and Eddie and Carol Reynolds of Dolores; a daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Jim Scheller, Beaver Creek, Ore.; 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and many nephews, nieces and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Dudly, Douglas and Charley, all formerly from Odessa, Texas; a sister Irene Scarbrough, formerly of Riverside, Calif.; and a grandson, Charles Dean Peterman-Reynolds.

Funeral services for Verna Elizabeth Moss, 92, of Dolores, will be held in Mesa, Ariz.

Mrs. Moss passed away at Southwest Memorial Hospital on Thurs., Dec. 23, 1999. She was born April 7, 1907, in Jones County, Texas, to W.B. and Grovy (Knowles) Wood.

Surviving Verna are two daughters, JoAnn Davidson, of Kingston, Ark., and Jean Johnson, of Dolores, Colo.; five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Margie Campbell, of Bedrock, Colo.; and a brother, J.C. Wood, of Durango, Colo. Her husband, Oliver James Moss, preceded her in death.

Arrangements are being made through the Ertel Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Derl Gallaher, a resident of Cortez, will be held Wednesday, Dec. 29, 1999, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel beginning at 2 p.m. Interment will follow at the Cortez Cemetery. Officiating will be Pastor Gay Van Drunen of the Church of the Nazarene.

Visitation has been scheduled for Wednesday morning from 10 a.m. until noon at the Ertel Memorial Chapel.

Derl was born in Webb, Okla., Sept. 17, 1930, the son of Robert Wesley Gallaher and Sarah Estelle (Greer) Gallaher. He passed away at Southwest Memorial Hospital on Sat., Dec. 25, 1999. He was 69 years old.

On Aug. 13, 1955, in Crooksville, Ohio, Derl took Carolyn Paskell to be his wife. They had celebrated 44 years of marriage together. Derl served his country during the Korean Conflict in the U.S. Air Force.

Surviving Derl is his wife, Carolyn, of Cortez; his children and their spouses, Coral and Richard Bachler, of Peoria, Ariz., Dane and Staci Gallaher, of Dolores, and Daniel Gallaher, of Sedona, Ariz.; two grandchildren, Lane and Jaycee Gallaher, of Dolores; and a sister, Derene Massey, of Batesville, Ark.

His parents, two brothers, and two sisters preceded Derl in death.

Memorial contributions can be made in Derl Gallaher's name with Hospice of Montezuma, 1345 S. Broadway, Cortez. Ertel Funeral Home will be conducting the services.

Funeral services for lifelong Cahone resident, Charles Ray Searcy, will be held Friday, Dec. 31, 1999, at the Cahone Community Church beginning at 2 p.m. Officiating will be Pastor Larry Chappell. Military graveside services will be conducted by the Troy Young VFW Post at the Cahone Cemetery.

Charles was born in Cortez on Jan. 25, 1954, to Arthur Marion Searcy and Doris Thankful (Turner) Searcy. He passed away at his home in Cahone on Sunday, Dec. 26, 1999, at the age of 45. He attended elementary school in Cahone and high school in Dove Creek. From March of 1972 until March of 1975, Charles served his country in the U.S. Marines.

Those surviving Charles are his parents, Arthur and Doris Searcy, of Cahone; a daughter, Siloh Searcy; six sisters, Mary Ruth Searcy, of Denver, Colo.; Virginia Searcy Lee, of Durango; Mildred Ilene Markheim, of Denver, Colo.; Edna Diane McLain, of Spring Valley, Calif.; and Doris Marion Leach, of Oceanside, Calif.; and two brothers, Arthur Wayne Searcy, of Cahone, and George Edwin Searcy, of Indian Hills, Colo.

As she was growing up, she moved around a lot earning money picking cotton and working in the fields. She was on her own by age 16, and helped raise her younger brother and sister.

In 1962, she married Carl Scheuerman and moved from Oregon to Colorado to live on a ranch until the death of Carl on Feb. 4, 1999. At that time, she had such bad health, she needed assistance, and so, lived at the Golden Years Retirement Home until her death.

She was a good mother who cared for and loved her children and husband. She loved to cook and enjoyed having other people taste her food. She wanted to help others as much as possible, and enjoyed having company. She also liked to share her faith with others. She will be missed very much. We all loved her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl and a younger sister, Linda Duarte.

Survivors include her sons Christopher Scott Scheuerman and Thomas Carl Scheuerman; daughters Nancy Jane Millard and husband Ben and Judy Lynn Malarchick and her husband, Steven; granddaughters Sydney Mara and Abigail Elizabeth Malarchick; sisters Gladys Miller, Iris Miller and Martha Sheperek; and brothers Richard and Jerry Patterson.

A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 31, 1999 at 1 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witnesses, with a covered dish gathering afterwards in the Conference Room at the Comfort Inn Motel.

A memorial fund has been established at the Dolores State Bank.

Alvin L. Bishop passed away at his home in Cortez on Dec. 21, 1999 after a lengthy illness.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.

Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale and Gerken are serving the family.

Mary Short, a resident of Mancos since the mid-’50s, passed away from respiratory complications on Sunday, Dec. 19, in Fort Worth, Texas. She was 90.

She had been a resident of Huguley Nursing Center since 1995. She will be interred with her late husband, Ray Short, in Fort Worth, their previous home.

Mrs. Surveyor was born on March 12, 1946, in Ignacio, Colorado to Alfred Parker Lang and Elanor Mills Lang. She passed away at the San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington on December 19, 1999, at the age of 53.

She married Frank R. Surveyor, Sr. in Dolores in 1964.

Surviving Lucy are her son, Thurston John Manns, and daughter, Rhoda Surveyor, both of Towaoc. Also surviving her are her brothers, Raymond Lang, Neal Lang, and Norton Mills, Sr., and a sister, Janice Lang, as well as eight grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by both of her parents and her husband, as well as a son, Frank Surveyor, and a sister, Dallas Mills.

Services are being arranged by the Ertel Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Rumaldo Borrego will be held on Thursday, December 23, 1999, beginning at 10 a.m. at St. Margaret Mary's Catholic Church in Cortez. A rosary service will be held at the Church on Wednesday, December 22 beginning at 7 p.m. Military graveside services will follow at the Cortez Cemetery.

Mr. Borrego was born on February 7, 1912, at El Guique, N.M., to Nerio and Maria Borrego, and passed away on December 19, 1999, at his home in Cortez at the age of 87. He is survived by his brother, Adolph Sanchez of San Juan Pueblo, N.M., as well as five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by both of his parents; his wife, Maria Rita Borrego; a brother, Delfino Borrego; a sister, Tonita Borrego; and a son, Nicanor Sanchez.

Services are being arranged by the Ertel Funeral Home.

Ashel "Ace" B. Stewart passed away at the Valley Inn Nursing Home in Mancos on Friday, Dec. 17, 1999. A memorial Mass will be offered at St. Margaret Mary Church on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 1999 at 10 a.m. by Father Joe McGuinness.

Ace was born April 18, 1907, to Alza Mora Stewart and Jessie Mae (Burton) Stewart, in Calloway, Neb. He completed 12 years of school and worked as a salesman for Bamboo Fishing Poles.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Bessie (Barchick) Stewart. Cremation has been arranged, and interment of cremains will take place privately at the Cortez Cemetery, at a later date.

Clifford was born Jan. 9, 1908, in Ellington, Mo., to Benjamin Allen Randolph and Ester (Goforth) Randolph.

He is survived by his daughter, Karen Vines, of Chandler, Texas; four grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren; a brother, Preston Randolph, of Grand Junction, Colo., and a sister, Ethel Brickey, also of Grand Junction, Colo.

Clifford's wife, Goldia Marie Randolph, preceded him in death in 1996.

Services will be conducted by the Ertel Funeral Home.

Memorial services for Evelyn Blaine Taylor, a lifelong resident of this area, will be held Saturday, Dec. 18, 1999, at the Cortez First United Methodist Church beginning at 10 a.m. Rev. Dr. Lynn Evans will officiate.

Evelyn passed away at Southwest Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 1999, at the age of 80. She was born the daughter of Harry James Blaine and Myrtle Alice (Carver) Blaine on Oct. 18, 1919, in Esbon, Kansas. She graduated from Mancos High School in 1938.

Evelyn was a member of the Rebecca Lodge #101, the Mancos VFW Auxiliary, the Emblem Club, Mt. Lookout Grange, and the Lakeview Grange.

On Feb. 11, 1978, Evelyn married Glenn R. "Fox" Taylor.Evelyn is survived by her husband, Glenn Taylor, of Cortez; her children and their spouses, Gene and Barbara Gustafson, of Mancos; Racene and Bill McLaughlin, of Cortez; Martha and David McNeil, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and Charles and Gwen Gustafson, of Roosevelt, Utah; 15 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren; her brother and his wife, Clarence and La Veda Blaine, of Benson, Ariz.; and her sister and her husband, Doreen and Eldon Zwicker, of McElmo, Colo.

Her parents; a sister, Doris Fitzgerald; and one grandson, Dean Gustafson, preceded her in death.

Ertel Funeral Home will be in charge of the services.

Graveside services for longtime Dove Creek resident Richard Carl Weber will be held Monday, Dec. 20, 1999 at the Dove Creek Cemetery beginning at 1 p.m.

Mr. Weber was born Sept. 19, 1912, in Canton, Okla., to Christ Weber and Anna (Bill) Weber. He passed away at the Valley Inn Nursing Home on Thursday, Dec. 16, 1999. He was 87 years old.

Richard married Jessie Adelene Donaldson in Bell, Calif., on June 16, 1939. They had celebrated 60 1/2 years of marriage together.

Moving to Dove Creek in May of 1946, Richard soon became very active in his community. In 1947 he donated land for the Weber Park. During the 1950s, Richard developed the Weber Subdivision, naming the streets after his children. He held membership in the Dolores County Republican Committee for 40 years. Richard served as a school board member, was a Dolores County Commissioner, a member of the Lions Club, and a member of the Southwest Cattlemen's Association. He dearly loved refereeing high school basketball.

Left behind to mourn his passing are his wife, Adelene Weber, of Dove Creek; his children, Robert D. Weber, and his wife, Sylvia, of Las Vegas, Nev.; Donald G. Weber, also of Las Vegas, Nev.; and Sharilyn A. Richardson, and her husband, Jim, of Dove Creek; 6 grandchildren, Brenda Sue Pedersen, of Provo, Utah; Kevin Weber, of Mesa, Ariz.; O'Ryan Weber, of Las Vegas, N.V.; Ken D. Gilbreth, of Las Vegas, N.V.; Mario Richardson, of Moab, Utah; and Tina Richardson, of Nucla, Colo.; and eight grandchildren.

Darl Lewis, 72, a former resident of Cahone and Cortez, died Tuesday, Nov. 23, 1999.

He is survived by his wife, Lola (Buffington) Lewis, of their home in Los Lumas, N.M.; sons Stan Lewis and wife, Jeanne, of Pleasanton, Calif.; Boyad Lewis and wife, Peggy, and Jeff Lewis and wife, Barbara, all of Albuquerque, N.M.; daughter La Dawn Crockett and husband, Dale of Springdale, Ark.; five grandsons and six granddaughters; brothers Clem Lewis and La Verl Lewis, both of Cortez; and Frank Lewis of Colorado Springs, Colo.; sister, Opal (Ramsey) Griggs of Cortez; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial services were held in Albuquerque on Saturday, Nov. 27, at French Mortuary, University Chapel, with Bishop Dwight Clark officiating.

Private interment has taken place at Sunset Memorial Park, in Albuquerque.

Private family services will be held at a later date for Anita McCormick, a lifelong resident of this area.

Mrs. McCormick passed away at the Valley Inn Nursing Home on Saturday, Dec. 11, 1999, at the age of 88.

She was born the daughter of Edward Winbourn and Kitty Evelyn (Dillon) Winbourn on April 1, 1911 west of Dolores, Colo.

Anita is survived by her children, Ronald E. McCormick, of San Jose, Calif., Kathleen M. Anderson, of San Diego, Calif., and Carolyn Goodall, of Cortez; five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Her sister, Lorna Lynton, preceded her in death.

Funeral services for Charles Paul Stiasny, a longtime resident of Dove Creek, will be held Friday, Dec. 17, 1999, at the Dove Creek High School Memorial Hall beginning at 2 p.m. Interment will follow at the Dove Creek Cemetery.

Visitation is scheduled for Thursday afternoon from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Ertel Memorial Chapel.

Charlie was born on Feb. 12, 1936, in Bronx, N.Y. to Charles Paul and Marie Evelyn (Egbert) Stiasny. He passed away at his home in Dove Creek on Sunday, Dec. 12, 1999. He was 63.

On June 30, 1956, Charlie wed Carol Stevens in Yuma, Ariz. From this union were born a daughter, Diana, and a son, Steven.

Charlie served his country in the Navy during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the Dove Creek VFW and the Masonic Lodge. Charlie was a retired fireman from the Dove Creek Volunteer Fire Department.

Those surviving Charlie are his wife of 43 years, Carol Stiasny, of Dove Creek; his daughter and her husband, Diana and Rick Taff, of Canton, Ill.; his son and his wife, Steven and Janie Stiasny, of Dove Creek; four grandchildren, Christopher, Jason, Mathew, and Eric; and his sister, Phoebe Yarroll, of Port Orange, Fla.

Memorial contributions can be made in Charlie Stiasny's name with Hospice of Montezuma or the Dove Creek Fire Department. Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.

Leonard Carl Ellerman passed away at Southwest Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 1999, at the age of 68. Private family services will be held.

Carl was born March 10, 1931 in Ackman, Colo., to Emit Earl and Maggie J. (Kirkpatrick) Ellerman. He had been a resident of the Dolores area for the past five years.

A true cowboy at heart, Carl embodied the many characteristics that can be associated with cowboys of his generation. He loved horses and roping, and from that he practiced the trade of silversmithing, primarily bits and spurs. He held membership in the Pro Rodeo Association.

Carl was big hearted, donating much of his time helping out with high school and junior rodeos. And as any true cowboy can be, Carl could be very hardheaded. He believed in the notion that he could do most things himself without the need of asking for help. Mostly, though, Carl's family was everything to him. He was a very devoted father, grandfather, and friend.

Carl is survived by his children, Jay Ellerman, of Fort Lupton, Colo., Kellie Toft, of Dolores, and Stacey O'Keefe, of Fayetteville, S.C.; seven grandchildren, one great-grandchild; his sister, Mildred Swift, and her family; his brother, Denny Ellerman, and his family; and a host of friends.

Memorial contributions can be made in Carl Ellerman's name with the Citizens State Bank of Cortez to benefit a memorial scholarship fund for Junior Rodeo. Ertel Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Funeral services for Patty Mills Dutchie, a resident of White Mesa, Utah, will be held Monday, Dec. 13, 1999 beginning at 1 p.m. Location of the services is yet to be determined. Burial will be at the Towaoc Cemetery.

Patty was born Feb. 2, 1918, in Towaoc, Colo. She passed away at the Valley Inn Nursing Home on Friday, Dec. 10, 1999, at the age of 81.

She is survived by her husband, Edward M. Dutchie Sr., of White Mesa; her children, Bonnie Colorow, of Miton, Utah, Eddie Dutchie Jr., of White Mesa, Azalea Dutchie, of White Mesa, and Rodney Hatch, of Towaoc. Her son, Lonnie Dutchie, preceded her in death. Patty is also survived by 10 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; and a sister, Pearl Alice Arkansas, of Randlet, Utah. One sister and one brother preceded her in death, as did her great-grandson, Colby Lansing.

For service location information please contact the Ertel Funeral Home at 565-3468.

Memorial services for Dorothy K. Higman, a lifelong resident of the Cortez area will be held Friday, Dec. 10, 1999, at the Cortez Church of Christ beginning at 2 p.m. Mr. Hunt Zumwalt will officiate.

Dorothy was born the second child of Jacob Swenk and Ida T. Knight on Sept. 30, 1921, in Dolores, Colo. She passed away in Cortez on Dec. 7, 1999 at the age of 78.

She was raised in Dolores, attending school there and graduated from Dolores High School in 1939. Then on Dec. 24, 1939, Dorothy married Ronald W. Higman. To this union were born three children, Herbert G. Higman, Allen W. Higman, and Carol A. Higman Tullis.

Dorothy worked along side her husband in the early 1950's in their grocery store known as Ronnie's Grocery. After the grocery closed, Dorothy worked for Safeway Stores, Cortez Credit Bureau, and for 26 years she worked in the Montezuma County Clerk's Office. She retired in 1986.

On May 13, 1993, her grandson, Craig Tullis, baptized Dorothy into Christ. She was a faithful member of the Cortez Church of Christ.

Those surviving Dorothy are her children and their spouses, Herbert G. Higman and his wife, Betty, Allen W. Higman and his wife, Gloria, Carol Tullis and her husband, Don, and step-daughter, Carol Reynolds and her husband, Ed. Dorothy also leaves behind a sister, Lucille Holloway, of Lynchburg, Va.; sisters-in-law, Colleen Swenk, Kate Asa and her husband, Ace; seven grandchildren, Sonja Foley, Paul Higman, Kristen Westbrook, Ronald Higman, Teresa Blair, Scott Tullis, and Craig Tullis; one step-grandson, Brandon Reynolds; eleven great-grandchildren, one step-great grandson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Her husband, parents, a brother, Neeley J. Swenk; and one step-grandson preceded her in death.

Bert N. Stuckman passed away Dec. 6, 1999.

Services will be held in Cottonwood, Ariz. at a later date.

Mr. Stuckman had many friends in the Cortez area and will be greatly missed.

Funeral services for Jewell Dean Berry, a longtime resident of Cortez, will be held Thursday, Dec. 9, 1999 at the Cortez First Assembly of God Church beginning at 2:30 p.m. Interment will be at the Cortez Cemetery. Rev. Don Henderson and Rev. H. H. Davis will officiate. She passed away at Rose Medical Center in Denver on Saturday, Dec. 4, 1999. She was 70 years old.

Jewell was born Aug. 23, 1929, in Cordell, Okla., to Elmer Patterson and Elsie "Birdie" (Ward) Patterson.

Thomas O.K. Berry and Jewell married on Nov. 16, 1948, in Tecumseh, Okla. For more than 20 years, Jewell worked for the Cortez school district at Manaugh School in food service. She was a member of the First Assembly of God Church.

Jewell is survived by her husband of 51 years, Thomas "Cotton" Berry, of Cortez; a daughter, Jaki Berry, of Arvada, Colo., a son, David Berry, of Denver; and a sister, Daisy Bell Perry, of Missouri.

Preceding her in death were her parents; a son, Clarence Rickie Berry; and three brothers, Elmer Josiah "E.J." Patterson, Lyndle Patterson, and Galen "Pat" Patterson.

Memorial contributions can be made in Jewell Berry's name with the American Cancer Society or the Truckin' Troubadours for Christ, c/o Marvin Graves, 602 N. Chestnut St., Cortez, CO 81321.

Ertel Funeral Home will be in charge of the services.

Funeral services for Mancos resident, Howard Norman Whipple, will be held Saturday, Dec. 11, 1999, at the Mancos United Methodist Church beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Officiating will be Rev. Ora Daily.

Mr. Whipple passed away at Suburban Medical Center in Paramount, Calif., on Monday, Dec. 6, 1999, at the age of 69. He was born the son of John Whipple and Elsie (Sandstrom) Whipple on June 9, 1930 in Bay City, Wis.

Howard is survived by his wife, Shirley (Hanson) Whipple, of Mancos; his children and their spouses, Dennis Whipple, of Paramount, Calif., Howard and Jerilyn Whipple, of Cortez, Sharlott and Tom Thomas, of Mancos, Catherine and James Helmer, of Mancos, Julie and Holland Sheppard, of Santa Fe, N.M., Darla and Dave Frain, of Wichita, Kans., Connie and Rob Seader, of Silverdale, Wash., Michelle and Clarence Strohn, of West Jordan, Utah, and Rosemary and Les Spraker, of Springfield, Va.

Also surviving him are 18 grandchildren; a sister, Rosselle Hoyt, of Mancos; and two brothers, Charles Whipple, of Durand, Wis., and Jim Whipple, of Randolph, Minn.

Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.

Willis Alfred Hurst passed away at his home in Mancos on Saturday, Dec. 4, 1999, at the age of 75. Funeral services will be held Friday, Dec. 10, 1999 at the Ertel Memorial Chapel beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at the Cedar Grove Cemetery with military graveside services being observed.

Visitation has been scheduled for Thursday afternoon between the hours of 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Ertel Chapel.

Willis was born in Mancos, Colo., on Nov. 2, 1924, the son of Jasper Fleet Hurst and Ruby (Rhoades) Hurst.

Those left behind to mourn his passing are his children and their spouses, Shonna and Ed Hemphill, of Rozet, Wyo., John Wayne and Sue Hurst, of Burley, Idaho, and Jeff L. and Sue Hurst of Shosone, Idaho; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; his sister, Lorena Fulbright, of Mancos; and his friend, Kevin Sategna, of Cortez.

His wife, Cora (Hall) Hurst and three brothers, Junial Hurst, Milton Hurst, and Vernon Hurst preceded Willis in death.

Services will be under the guidance of the Ertel Funeral Home.

Matilda B. Barry a resident of the Four Corners Health Care Center, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 4, 1999. She was 94.

She was born March 6, 1905, in Chicago, Ill., the daughter of Henry Buchholz and Matilda (Kirchbaum) Buchholz.

Matilda is survived by her three children, Pamela McCabe, of Chicago, Ill.; Robert Barry, of Chesapeake, Va.; and Gene Barry, of Ignacio, Colo.; three grandchildren, Grant Barry, Bruce Barry, and Eve Jones; two great-grandchildren, Emily Barry and Jody Alan; a brother, Fred Buchholz, of Chicago, Ill., and her sister, Violet Gyssler, of Des Plaines, Ill. Her husband, Robert E. Barry Jr., preceded her in death.

Virginia Marie Yazzie, a resident of Shiprock, N.M., and a former longtime resident of Cortez, passed away at her residence in Shiprock on Nov. 30, 1999. She was 64.

Funeral services are planned for Saturday, Dec. 4, at 11 a.m. in the Cortez LDS Church, located at 1700 East Empire. Bishop Robert Lanier will officiate.

Mrs. Yazzie was born to Nava and Grace John on June 5, 1935, in Shiprock. She lived most of her life in Cortez.

Mrs. Yazzie worked for several restaurants in our area as a prep cook, including the Ramada Inn, the Anasazi and Saggy’s. She enjoyed her work very much.

Virginia had an interest in "thrift shopping," working on her farm, taking tips, enjoying all animals, especially her dogs and cats. She loved her grandchildren, and all little children. Mrs. Yazzie liked to sew when she had the time.

Virginia Marie Yazzie is survived by sons John Begaye of Fruitland, N.M.; William Yazzie of Midvale, Utah; Stanley George of Randlett, Utah; daughters Verna Jane Yazzie of Cortez; Rena Yazzie of Salt Lake City; Vanessa Ann Yazzie of Shiprock; brothers Richard Jon , Raymond Johnson and Nelson John, all of Shiprock; sisters Lucy Lee of Shiprock; Irene Goodrich of Cortez; Louise Fulton of Ogden, Utah; 17 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Yazzie was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and an infant daughter, Verda.

Memorial contributions may be made to assist the family in funeral expenses care of: Rena Yazzie,, 629 Garfield Avenue, Salt Lake City, Utah 84105.

Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale and Gerken Funeral Directors are serving the family.

A memorial service for Janice Ann (Heisler) Toso will be held on Dec. 11, 1999 for her family and friends, at 20120 178th Avenue NE, Woodinville, Wash., from 12 to 4 p.m.

She passed away Nov. 24, 1999, in Kirkland, Wash. She was 57.

Mr. Butt passed away at his home in Cortez, Nov. 30, 1999, at the age of 83. He was born the son of Willard Karlton and Anna Levina (Shumway) Butt on Oct. 17, 1916, in Monticello, Utah.

Carl married Ellen Beatrice Monger in Cortez on June 2, 1938, and they were later sealed at the Salt Lake Temple in 1943. Carl and Bea celebrated 61 years of marriage. To this union were born seven children, six of whom survive.

Carl was a longtime member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and living the principles he was taught, he devoted his life to his church and family.

Those surviving Carl are his wife, Beatrice Butt, of Cortez; his children and their spouses, Ginger and Jim Palmer, of Blanding, Utah; Janet and Don Moore, of Cortez; Ellen Butt, of Cortez; Nelson and Donna Butt, also of Cortez; Eric and Becky Butt, of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Donna and David Brimhall, of Farmington, N.M.; and 26 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his son, Robert Butt, in 1972; and two brothers, Leon Butt, in 1980, and Winston Butt, in 1999.

Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.

Edna Alwilda Adams Goodall passed away at her Dolores home on Friday, Nov. 26, 1999 at the age of 88. Services for Mrs. Goodall are to be held at a later date.

She was born Dec. 20, 1910, in Tribune, Kans., one of 11 children born to Guy Garfield Adams and Minnie (Sheppard)Adams.

Edna married William Darwin Goodall on the 25th of January, 1931, in Durango. To this union were born six children, Luella, Joan, Newell, Judy, Jeanie, and Richard.

Mr. Goodall preceded her in death in 1983.

Left to mourn Edna's passing are five children and their spouses, Joan Knowles, of Canyon Lake, Texas, Newell and Barbara Goodall, of Cumberland Furnace, Tenn., Judy and Bernard Baros, of Colorado Springs, Colo., Jeanie and Thomas Counihan, of Bakersfield, Calif., and Richard and Gerry Goodall, of Cortez.

She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, Peggy Troupe, Robert Knowles, Richard Knowles, Kristi Knowles, Tami Wiese, Alvin Goodall, Tina Garney, Tracy Goodall, Erik Baros, Lia Baros, Katrina Counihan, and Sean Counihan; eight great-grandchildren, Josh Troupe, Ryan Knowles, James Knowles, Jason Knowles, Aaron C. Evans, Cecil Wiese, Caleb Wiese, and Corbin Wiese; two brothers, Aaron Adams, of Wimberly, Texas, and Gwinn Adams, of Cortez; and four sisters, Orpha Koppenhafer, of Cortez, Florence Davis, of Portland, Ore., Virginia Logan, of Concord, Calif., and Irma Ortbahn, of Virgil, S.D.

In addition to her husband, Edna was preceded in death by her daughter, Luella Ruth Goodall in 1931; two brothers, John Quincy Adams and Paul Adams; two sisters, Eva Ruth Adams and Naomie Hogue; and a son-in-law, Richard Knowles.

Memorial contributions can be made in Edna Goodall's name with Hospice of Montezuma, 1345 S. Broadway, Cortez. Arrangements are being made through the Ertel Funeral Home.

Sonja Theodora Niesen, 66, passed away Sunday, Nov. 28, 1999 in Mesa, Ariz.

Funeral services will be Friday, Dec. 3, at 2 p.m. at the Washington Main Street LDS Chapel, 82 N. Main, Washington, Utah. Friends may call Thursday from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Spilsbury and Beard Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., in St. George, Utah, and Friday from 12:30 - 2 p.m. at the chapel. Interment will be in the Washington City Cemetery, under the direction of the mortuary.

Sonja Niesen was born Nov. 16, 1933, in Amsterdam, Holland, to Frederick Christian Sluyter and Anna Maria Reiter. She married Paul Niesen June 25, 1955, in Bordeaux, France. Their marriage was solemnized April 2, 1956, in the Swiss LDS temple.

Sonja was raised and educated in Amsterdam. She came to America in 1956, where she lived in California and Colorado. She came to Washington, Utah in 1990.

She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving as an extraction worker for 15 years. Through her travels, Sonja made and kept many devoted friends. She will be greatly missed by all.

Lelah Fay Pelton, a resident of Durango and former resident of Fountain Valley, Calif., passed away at her residence on Nov. 25, 1999. She was 60 years old.

Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 30 at 2:30 p.m. in the Frontier Baptist Church, located at 2061 County Road 225 in Durango. Pastor Peter Reitz will officiate. Interment will follow in the Florida Cemetery.

Lelah was born to Clarence and Martha Ellen Tandy Wolfe on Sept. 23, in Fulton, Ky.

She graduated from high school and continued her education by attending and graduating from a school of cosmetology. Lelah also furthered her education by becoming a dental assistant.

Mrs. Pelton was employed by Wal-Mart as a clerk, and was formerly employed by Dr. Pearson as a dental assistant. She was also a member of the Frontier Baptist Church.

She loved her family very much, and enjoyed working with people at Wal-Mart. She was as wonderful mom and grandmom.

Lelah Fay Pelton is survived by her mother, Martha Wolfe of Durango; son David A. and wife Linda Pelton of Durango; daughter Debra K. Pelton Furguson of Bayfield; grandchildren Amber Lee, Lindsey, Andrew, G.G., and Joseph; and her best friend of 20 years, Gretchen Lloyd of California.

Mrs. Pelton was preceded in death by her father, Clarence Wolfe.

Funeral services for Jeannette Avis Jacobson, a resident of the Valley Inn Nursing Home, will be held in Marshfield, Wis., on Friday, Nov. 26, 1999 at the Hanson Funeral Home Chapel beginning at 2 p.m. Interment will follow at the Loyal Cemetery in Loyal, Wis.Mrs. Jacobson was born in Loyal, Wis., to George and Nettie (Wicker) Castner on July 6, 1908. She passed away at Southwest Memorial Hospital on Saturday, Nov. 20, 1999, at the age of 91.Jeannette grew up on her parents' farm near Loyal, and graduated from Loyal High School. After graduating from Wausau Business College, she moved to Marshfield in 1929. Jeannette married Gerald L. Jacobson on Dec. 27, 1951, in Marshfield.She spent many years as a volunteer and bookkeeper for the Wood County Senior Citizens' craft shop.Jeannette was predeceased by her husband, Gerald; five sisters; a brother; and her parents. She is survived by her daughter, LouAnn Jacobson Ball, of Dolores, and nieces and nephews.Ertel Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Funeral services for Mary Louise Hatch, a longtime resident of Towaoc, will be held at the Ouray-Tabbee Family Cemetery near Randlett, Utah, on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 1999, beginning at 11 a.m.. Priest Boyd Lopez of the Native American Church will officiate.

A visitation period has been set for Sunday morning between the hours of 10 a.m. and noon at the Ertel Memorial Chapel.

Mrs. Hatch was born in Ouray, Utah, on Sept. 16, 1937, to Wallace Tabbee and Genivie Williams Tabbee. She passed away at the Valley Inn Nursing Home in Mancos, on Wed., Nov. 17, 1999, at the age of 62.

Louise is survived by her husband, LeRoy Truman Hatch Sr., of Towaoc. LeRoy and Louise were married Oct. 9, 1986 in Cortez. In addition to her husband, Louise is survived by her children, Berlinda Cotonuts, of Towaoc, Glen Earl Cotonuts, of Indiana, Lance Cotonuts, of Heber, Utah, Kursh Bailey Cotonuts, Boyd Lopez, Prisllena "Hoppy" Lopez, Tracy G. Lopez, and Shelly M. Lopez, all of Towaoc; 23 grandchildren and one great-grandchild; and her brothers and sisters, Wendell Navanick, Patsy Navanick, Yolanda Navanick, Miranda Navanick, Virgil Navanick, Paulette Navanick, Gloria Tabbee, Lela Tabbee, and Willard Tabbee, all of Fort Duchesne, Utah.

Gladys Louise Perkins passed away at her home in Dove Creek on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 1999, at the age of 64. Funeral services will be held Monday, Nov. 22, 1999, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel beginning at 2 p.m. Burial will follow at the Arriola Cemetery.

A dinner will be held at approximately 4 p.m. at the Lewis Arriola Fire Department following the interment services. Everyone is invited.

Visitation is scheduled for Monday morning at the Ertel Chapel from 9 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

Gladys was born the daughter of William Arthur Hughes and Annie Gladys (Stanley) Hughes in Freona, Texas, on Oct. 19, 1935. She married Douglas Perkins in Cortez on June 10, 1981. Gladys enjoyed arrowhead hunting, fishing, arts and crafts, and cooking.

She is survived by her husband, Douglas, of Dove Creek; her children, Karen Stevens, and her husband, Marty, William Leigh, Cindy Sanchez, and her husband, Octaviano, Gary Leigh, Terry Leigh, all of Cortez, Jerry Leigh, of Dove Creek, and Donnie Leigh, also of Cortez; and 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Gladys leaves behind three sisters, Helen Yarborough, of Cortez, Carmen McGill, of Clayton, Okla., and Mary Richardson, of Rock Springs, Wyo.; two brothers, Thomas L. Hughes, of

Cortez, and William R. Hughes, of Reno, Okla.; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Preceding her in death was her parents, two sisters, and one brother.

Word has been received of the death of Marilyn (Womack) Tozer, 43, who died Nov. 10, 1999, in Colorado City, Texas.

Mrs. Tozer knew a lot of people in this area, and her parents lived here. She is survived by a daughter, Rickie Tozer.

Bertha Leotha Utley left us on Saturday, Nov. 13, 1999, to return to our Heavenly Father, while staying at the San Juan Manor in Farmington, N.M. She was 89.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Nov. 16, 1999, at the Farmington First Church of the Nazarene, 2600 N. Sullivan, Farmington, N.M., beginning at 10 a.m. Officiating will be the Rev. Fred Grenier. Interment will be at the Reedley Cemetery in Reedley, Calif.

Bertha was born on Aug. 4, 1910, to Caroline (Goodner) and Nathan Fair Doyel in Weatherford, Okla. She married Burnice Utley on March 31, 1929. Burnice preceded her in death in 1979, after 50 years of marriage.

Bertha is survived by her 10 children: Norma Lee McFarlin, Sandra Eastep, Margaret Pierce and husband, Richard; Roger Utley and wife, CinDee; Frank Utley and wife, Ann, all of Farmington, N.M.; Norman Utley and wife, Imogene, of Cortez; David Utley and wife, Vicki, of Monticello, Utah; Shirley Cressler, of Ft. Collins, Colo.; Pollie Mason and husband, Mike, of Visalia, Calif., and June Buller and husband, Merlin, of Reedley, Calif. Her 85 great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; two brothers; and four sisters also survive her.

Conducting the services in Farmington will be the Ertel Funeral Home.

Charles Edward Emery, a long-time resident of Montezuma County, Colo., died Sunday, Nov. 14, 1999 in Austin, Texas. He was born May 7, 1912 in Council, Idaho. His wife, June Hillebrand Emery, precedes Mr. Emery in death. He is survived by his four children: David E. Emery of Clinton, Mont.; Linda L. Reynolds of Pittsburgh, Penn.; Mary T. Emery of Butte, Mont.; and Daniel L. Emery of Bastrop, Texas; 11 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Celina DeLovina Lynch, a lifetime resident of this area, passed away Nov. 11, 1999 in the Southwest Memorial Hospital. She was 76.

Mrs. Lynch has been cremated. No services are planned. Interment of her remains will take place in the Mancos Cemetery.

Mrs. Lynch was born to Remigio and Marie Luz Romero Chavez on Oct. 21, 1923 in Mancos. She was one of nine children. Celina attended Stoner and Mancos High Schools, and graduated from the latter.

Mrs. Lynch worked in food service most of her life here locally. She was a member of the VFW Women’s Auxiliary Chapter Number 5231 of Mancos and also a former member of the First Southern Baptist Church of Cortez.

She enjoyed crocheting, and spent many hours making beautiful objects.

Celina DeLovina Lynch is survived by her son Stanley McNeil and wife Cindy of Cortez; brothers Fred Chavez of Layton, Utah; Benny Chavez of Roy, Utah; and Robert Chavez of Yakima, Wash.; sisters Eleanor Redden of Kaysville, Utah; Faye Chavez of Salt Lake City; Virginia Nikerson of Layton; Mary Lou Montenson of Kaysville; and Clara Candelaria of Cortez. She is also survived by four grandchildren: George, Brian, Chancie and Emily McNiel and numerous nieces and nephews.

Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel Hale, and Gerken Funeral Directors served the family.

Marvin J. Jones, formerly of Mancos, passed away Nov. 7, 1999 in Charleston, Ore. He was 72.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Nov. 13 at the Charleston Community Church, with Rev. Malcolm Turkington officiating. Mr. Jones was cremated and interred at Ocean View Crematory in Coos Bay, Ore.

Marvin Jones was born Aug. 4, 1927, to Jake and Edna (Skinner) Jones in Aztec, N.M. He grew up in Mancos and was a World War II Navy Veteran.

He married Mary R. Moore on June 11, 1949 at the Charleston Community Church. He had worked in several bakeries in Colorado, Coos Bay and the Morning Fresh Bakery in North Bend, Ore. He also worked at the broom handle factory that was near Evans Woods Products, and as a panel tester in the lab at Georgia Pacific in Coos Bay until they closed in 1979.

A long-time member of the Charleston Community Church, his life came full circle there. He was married in the church, passed away just before church services there would have started, and his memorial service will be held there as well.

He enjoyed traveling, woodworking, fishing and being with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Russ.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Jones of Charleston; sons Douglas Jones and wife Tina of Scappoose, Ore.; David Jones and wife Karen of Clarkston, Wash.; Daryl Jones and wife Pannarye of Tucson, Ariz. ; and Don Jones of Sparks, Nev.; sisters Phyllis and husband Jim Holley of Belfair, Wash., and Edna Wilderson of Mancos; brothers Clyde Fitzgerald and wife Karen of Mancos; Jack Fitzgerald and wife Nita of Globe, Ariz.; Richard Fitzgerald and wife Nola of Nucla, Colo.; and Kenneth Fitzgerald and wife Jo of Wasilla, Alaska. He is also survived by six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Donald Fredrick Fairbairn left this life on Nov. 6, 1999 at the Valley Inn Nursing Home in Mancos. He was 84 years old. Services will be held at a later date in Margaretville, N.Y.

Donald was born in Belleayre, N.Y. on Jan. 29, 1915, the son of Benjamin Harrison Fairbairn and Bessie Belle (Freer) Fairbairn. On April 29, 1940 in Arkville, N.Y. he married Alice Lovenia Meade. They had celebrated 59 years of marriage.

He is survived by his wife, Alice Fairbairn, of Mancos; his daughter and her husband, Donna L. and William Weber, of Mancos; a grandson, Glenn E. Finch, of Hawaii; a granddaughter, Lori Jorgensen, of Albuquerque, N.M.; great grandson, Justin Johnsmeyer, also of Albuquerque, N.M.; a brother, Howard J. Fairbairn, of Margaretville, N.Y.; and two sisters, Evelyn Norton, of Mancos, and Eloise Elloitt, of Vero Beach, Fla.

Arrangements are being made through the Ertel Funeral Home.

Arrangements are pending with the Ertel Funeral Home for Mark R. Miller, 44, of Cortez. For further service information and scheduling, please contact the Ertel Funeral Home at 565-3468.

Memorial services for Frank Milford Milligan, a lifelong resident of this area, will be held Thursday, Nov. 11, 1999, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel beginning at 2 p.m. Interment will follow at the Cortez Cemetery.

A visitation period has been set for Tuesday afternoon at the Ertel Memorial Chapel between the hours of 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Frank, or as some knew him, Milford, was born in the Beulah area on Oct. 24, 1925 to Cecil Ernest and Ella (Parker) Milligan. He passed away at the Valley Inn Nursing Home in Mancos on Sunday, Nov. 7, 1999. He was 74 years old.

Frank married Hazel Meadows on Nov. 5, 1943, in Aztec, N.M. Together they had two children, Jack and Janell. After the end of that marriage, Frank met and married Marieta May Samson. They were married in Cortez on June 7, 1947, enjoying 52 years of marriage. From this union six children were born to them: Mildred, Marilyn, Marsha, Daniel, Debbie, and Sandra.

Serving his country during World War II, Frank was enlisted in the Navy. He held a membership in the Ute Mountain American Legion Post #75. Frank spent many of his working years working for the U.S. Forest Service and also did some farm work. He enjoyed bowling, fishing, camping and playing

games with his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Marieta Milligan, of Dolores; his children, Jack (Milligan) Smith, of Bloomfield, N.M.; Janell Bartley, of Cortez; Mildred Dunlap, of Vail, Ariz.; Marilyn Lee, of Mancos; Marsha Buck, of Bloomfield, N.M.; Daniel Milligan, of Bloomfield, N.M.; Debbie Exon, of Amarillo, Texas; and Sandra Le Blanc, of Dolores, Colo.; 17 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. Two sisters, Esther Reed and Norma Coppinger, both of Cortez, also survive Frank.

Memorial contributions can be made in Frank Milford Milligan's name with Hospice of Montezuma, 1345 S. Broadway, Cortez, or in his name with the Citizens State Bank of Cortez. Ertel Funeral Home will be in charge of the services.

Harriet Duncan of Durango died Nov. 3, 1999. She was 90 years old.

Harriet was born in Custer, S.D., Nov. 5, 1908, the daughter of Frank and Elma Kirk. The family moved to Cortez in 1924. She graduated from the Cortez High School and married Lem Duncan in 1926.

To this union were born three daughters and two sons. The family lived in Cortez until 1942, when they moved to Durango.

Harriet loved gardening, and was an excellent seamstress, producing lovely handwork. Her quilts received many awards at the county fair. She was also a homemaker.

She was employed for many years at the Basin Livestock Commission Company and at the Gardens Department Store.

Harriet is preceded in death by son Harold; an infant son, Charles; granddaughter Gayle Duncan; sisters Blanche, Hazel, Elma; and brothers Norman, Francis and Preston.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her daughters Connie Christenson of Aurora, Colo.; Joann Armstrong of Colorado Springs, Colo.; sister Gail Warthen of Chula Vista, Calif.; six grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Duncan will be cremated, and a private service will take place at a later date. Memorial contributions in her name may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale and Gerken Funeral Directors are serving the family.

Funeral services for lifelong resident, Wilma Mae Veach, will be held Wednesday, Nov. 10, 1999, at the Cortez First United Methodist Church beginning at 2 p.m. Interment will follow at the Cortez Cemetery.

Wilma was born the daughter of William Merle Coppinger and Rhoda Agnes (Pierce) Coppinger in rural Cortez on April 6, 1909. She passed away at her home in Cortez on Fri., Nov. 5, 1999. She was 90 years old.

Wilma attended school at the Blue Door School and on Jan. 28, 1928, she married William Russell "Buster" Veach in Durango, Colo. They had celebrated 51 years of marriage before Buster's death in 1979.

She is survived by her three children and their spouses, Robert Dale Veach, and wife, Helen, of Fountain Hills, Ariz., Donna Lou Veach Miller, and husband, Ray, of Los Altos, Calif., and Sharon Dee Van Loenen, and husband, Richard, of Denver, Colo. Nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild also survive her.

In addition to Wilma's parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her two brothers, Glenn and Merle Coppinger, and her sister, Arlene Hindmarsh.

Memorial contributions can be made to the W.R. and Wilma Veach Education Fund at the First National Bank of Cortez.

Bessie Boren Miller, 79, of Mancos went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, Nov. 4, 1999.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, Nov. 8, 1999, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel beginning at 11 a.m. Pastor Rick Luster of the Naturita Trinity Baptist Church will officiate. Burial will be at the Cortez Cemetery.

Bessie was born on Feb. 4, 1920, in Montezuma, Kans., to Joseph Oliver Crouse and Edith Angeline (Fincher) Crouse.

She is survived by her husband, Albert Miller, of Mancos; son, Jimmie Boren, and his wife, Robbie, of Rio Rancho, N.M.; daughters, JoAnn Spangler, and husband, Billy, of Nucla, and Alta Derrick, of Cortez. She is also survived by two brothers and two sisters; nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Virginia Jones, 62, of Cortez went home to be with the Lord on Nov. 1, 1999. She passed away at Southwest Memorial Hospital.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, Nov. 5, 1999 at Deeper Faith Ministries in Kirtland, N.M. beginning at 10 a.m. Rev. Tena R. Yazzie will officiate. Burial will follow at the Cortez Cemetery, with Randy Thomas, Raymond Begay, Willis Jim Blackhat, Randy John, Reynolds Begay, and Rayland Begay serving as pallbearers. Alternate pallbearers will be Herman Harrison and Edison Thomas. Virginia was born on March 2, 1937 in Sweetwater, Ariz. to the late Sam and Lily Thomas.

She is survived by her three daughters, Ella Jay; Marie Begay and her husband, Raymond of Cortez, and Norma Delgadillo of Torrence, Calif. She is also survived by son Keith Jay and his wife, Sharon, also of Cortez; four sisters, Jean and Sam Benally of Cortez; Bessie Blackhat of Red Mesa, Ariz.; Lucy Allen of Shiprock, N.M.; Sally Benally of Sweetwater; and brother, Harry Thomas of Cortez.