Robert McCabe Pinder
Memorial services for Robert McCabe Pinder, 62 of Cortez
will be held Saturday, May 5, at the Arriola Bible Church beginning at 1
p.m.
Robert passed away at Southwest Memorial Hospital on
Wednesday, May 2, 2001. He was born on June 23, 1938 in Dove Creek, to
Robert and Dona Pinder.
On Jan. 28, 1961 Robert wed Betty A. Bettencourt in San
Diego, Calif. He lived in Moab, Utah working at the PotAsh Plant for the 25
years prior to moving to Cortez.
Robert is survived by his wife of 40 years, Betty Pinder of
Cortez; sisters and brothers, Roberta Pinder Keeler of Teec Nos Pos, Ariz.,
Donna Lee Casey of Palisade, Colo., Edward James Pinder of Park City, Md.,
Nedetta Bucchheit of Eveleth, Minn., Ben Pinder of Reistertown, Md., Janet
Pinder of Arriola, and Ernest Richard Pinder of Clifton, Colo.
Memorial contributions can be made with the Arriola Bible
Church. Arrangements are being made through the Ertel Funeral Home.
Mark Balfour Jr.
Graveside services for Mark Randall Balfour, Jr., 18 of Camp
Verde, Ariz., a former Cortez resident, will be held Saturday, May 5, at the
Cortez Cemetery at 3 p.m. Services will be conducted by the Ertel Funeral
Home.
Mark was born in Farmington, N.M. on Sept. 5, 1982, to Mark
Randall and Regina (Norris) Balfour. He died as the result of an accident on
April 28, 2001, in Camp Verde, Ariz.
Mark was a Camp Verde High School senior, proficient
guitarist, and loved motorcycles.
Beloved son, grandson, nephew and cousin, Mark is survived
by his father and mother; brother, Trever (Erica) Balfour; grandparents, Ken
and Judy Balfour, and Bob and Cleota Norris; aunts, Shanna Hagen and Janet
Svenilsson; uncles, Les Norris and Ron (Jeannie) Balfour; and nieces and
nephews, Shelbe, Jordan, and Trevor Colton Balfour.
Billie Maxine Rust
Funeral services for longtime Cortez resident Billie
Maxine Rust are pending with the Ertel Funeral Home.
Mrs. Rust passed away at Southwest Memorial Hospital on
April 27, 2001 at the age of 86.
She was born in Kansas City, Mo., on March 12, 1915, to
Zadock and Zadah (Ervin) Kennedy.
She married Glen D. Rust on Sept 19, 1931 in Monticello,
Utah. He passed away on April 29, 1973.
Mrs. Rust was a member of the Lighthouse Baptist Church.
Surviving her are her children, Wayne Rust of Cortez,
Maxine (Don) Baker of Takysie Lake, British Columbia, and Donald Rust of
Cortez.
For service information, contact Ertel Funeral Home,
565-3468.
Viola May Nixon
Graveside services for Viola May Nixon of Nucla, Colo.,
and formerly of Dove Creek, will be held at 2 p.m. today in the Dove Creek
Cemetery. Ron Steele will officiate. Visitation is set for today from 9 a.m.
to 12:30 p.m. at Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel.
Mrs. Nixon passed away on April 24, 2001, at her
residence. She was 88.
She was born to William T. and Ida Pearl Strutton Cowin
on Nov. 11, 1912, in Claire, Okla.
She married Ira Jones on Dec. 24, 1926, in Duncan, Okla..
They were blessed with three children. Her second marriage was to Paul L.
Nixon on Nov. 11, 1939, in Sonora, Texas. They were blessed with one child.
Mrs. Nixon was a homemaker all of her life.
She is survived by her son, Ira (Mona) Jones of Bedrock,
Colo.; daughter, Dorothy (N.D.) Monger of Clifton, Colo.; stepdaughter, Ima
Gene Edie of Grand Junction, Colo.; brother, C.C. Cowin of Marlow, Okla.; 13
grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and nine great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her sons Paul Nixon Jr. and
Thomas Jones; brother, J.R. Cowin; and sisters, Opal and Lena.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Nucla-Naturita
Ambulance Service, in care of Judy Elder, P.O. Box 740, Nucla, CO, 81424.
Thelma Aline Cooper
A memorial service for Thelma Aline Cooper of Mancos will
be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 1, at the United Methodist Church in Mancos.
Mrs. Cooper passed away April 25, 2001, at Southwest Memorial Hospital. She
was 82.
She was born to James and Hester Hendrixon Remer on Dec.
5, 1918, in Katesby, Okla.
On June 16, 1934, she married Kenneth Clyde (Jack)
Phillips. He passed away on Feb. 24, 1965.
She then married Sam Cooper, on March 29, 1968, in Carson
City, Nev. He passed away Feb. 21, 1991.
Mrs. Cooper was a supervisor with Campbell’s Soup Co.
in Sacramento, Calif. She also worked as a caretaker for the Sally Stanford
Estate in Santa Rosa, Calif.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church in
Mancos. She enjoyed gardening and was an expert crocheter, cook and
candy-maker.
She is survived by her sons, Delbert Phillips and Gary
Phillips; daughter, Alpha Jean Western; nine grandchildren, 17
great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands,
brother, John Remer; and her sisters, Juanita Szabo, Pauline Hallen and
Pearl Rich.
Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale and Gerken Funeral Directors are
serving the family.
Mikel Dean Gragert
Funeral services for Mikel Dean Gragert, 10, of Cortez, will
be held Friday, April 27, at the Lighthouse Baptist Church beginning at 10
a.m. Pastor Larry Chappell, and Brothers Don Smith and Don Wilson will
officiate.
Mikel was born in Moab, Utah on Nov. 16, 1990 to James Cecil
and Mary Ann (Stiles) Gragert. He passed away on Tuesday, April 24, 2001 as
the result of an accident.
Mikel was adventurous and loved to explore new things. He
was a natural born leader of other children. He attended Lakeview and Kemper
Elementary School. Mikel's favorite pastime was playing his Play Station. He
loved spending time with his mom and dad. Mikel will be deeply missed by
many.
Surviving Mikel are his parents, James and Mary Gragert of
Cortez; brothers and sisters, Dennis A. Gragert of Chicago, Ill.; Rebecca
Knight of Springfield, Mo.; Dawn Armendarez of Trinidad, Colo.; J.R.
Armendarez of Moab, Utah; Lorie Armendarez of Cortez, and Mariah Gragert of
Cortez; a grandmother, Roberta Stiles of Cortez; and grandfather, Bob
Jennings also of Cortez.
Memorial contributions can be made in Mikel Gragert’s name
with the Citizens State Bank of Cortez. Services will be under the direction
of the Ertel Funeral Home.
Archey Huskey
Funeral services for Archey Ray Huskey, a lifelong resident
of Dove Creek, are scheduled for Saturday, April 28, at the First Baptist
Church of Dove Creek beginning at 2 p.m. Interment will follow at the Dove
Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Ertel Memorial Chapel on
Friday afternoon from 2 to 5 p.m.
Archey was born on Feb. 28, 1925 in Stratford, Texas, to
Walter Theodore and Bertha May (Hanvey) Huskey. He passed away on Monday,
April 23, 2001 at the Southwest Memorial Hospital in Cortez. He was 76 years
old.
Archey worked for Union Carbide as an uranium miner. He
enjoyed hunting, gardening, and throwing horseshoes.
He is survived by a large family including his children and
their spouses, Lana (Randy) Watson of Showlow,Ariz., Lora (Terry) Nash of
Aztec, N.M., Lorna (Mike) Birch of Grand Junction, Colo., Darrel (Jamie)
Huskey of Dove Creek, Lloyd (Terri) Huskey of Cahone, and Leslie (Mike) Long
of Goldfield, Nev. Archey also leaves behind 16 grandchildren and 8
great-grandchildren; and a sister, Gladys Finley of Texas. He was preceded
in death by both of his parents.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Dove Creek Fire
Department. Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
Elizabeth M. Tracer
Funeral services for Elizabeth M. Tracer will be held today
at 10 a.m. in the Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel. Pastor Johnny
Arrington will officiate. Burial will follow in the Peel Cemetery.
Elizabeth Tracer, a longtime resident of the area, passed
away on April 22, 2001, at the Golden Years Retirement Home in Dolores. She
was 84.
Elizabeth Marion Tracer was born to Frank and Maren Hansen
Wilson on Jan. 30, 1917, in San Diego, Calif. When she was 3, her family
moved from Norfolk, Va., where her father was serving in the US Navy, to
Egnar. She attended the Burn School just west of Egnar.
On March 10, 1934, Elizabeth married Lionel Vanoy "L.V."
Hill at the Methodist Church on S. Beech in Cortez. They were blessed with
nine children. This marriage ended in divorce.
Elizabeth then married Virgil Tracer. She became a
stepmother to his 13 children. Virgil preceded her in death.
She was a homemaker for most of her life; however, she did
work for a photographer’s studio for 10 years. She enjoyed this very much,
and kept many family pictures, and loved to take photographs. She also
enjoyed quilting and traveling to visit her children, who lived all over the
country. She also enjoyed attending the Baptist Chapel in Cortez and the
Methodist Church in Dolores with her family. Elizabeth also studied with the
Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Elizabeth enjoyed attending the Senior Citizen’s Group in
Dolores, where she was a member. She was a mild and timid individual.
Of her greatest enjoyments was her visit to Norway, taken
when she was 70, with her sister Daisy, three daughters and one son. There,
they saw her mother’s relatives. She also enjoyed seeing the refurbishment
of the Statue of Liberty.
She is survived by her sons, Bruce (Fanny) Hill of Canby,
Ore.; Clinton (Carol) Hill of Russelville, Ark., and Steve Hill of Dolores;
daughters Arlene (Chuck) Fillmore of Cantonment, Fla.; Beverly (Mac) McClay
of Green Valley, Ariz.; Molly Warren of Cortez; Carolyn (Jack) Squires of
Green River, Wyo. and Jill (Jack) Smith of Bloomfield, N.M.; three brothers;
a brother-in-law; 26 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren and seven
great-great grandchildren; 10 nieces and nephews and 13 stepchildren and
their families.
She was preceded in death by her son, Douglas and sister,
Daisy Patterson.
Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the
Hospice of Montezuma, 1108 N. Mildred Road, Cortez, CO 81321.
Aleene Dailey
Aleene Broughton Dailey, 89, passed away Saturday, April 21,
2001, in Cortez. Mrs. Dailey lived in the Four Corners area for 30 years.
Burial will take place at Pomona Valley Memorial Park in Pomona, Calif.
Mrs. Dailey was born Feb. 12, 1912 in Altona, Mo., to Earl
and Gerty Broughton. She married William Dailey on Oct. 16, 1932 in Wichita,
Kans. Mrs. Dailey was a direct descendant of both presidents Benjamin
Harrison and William Henry Harrison. Throughout her career, she was a nurse,
mostly in California. She was a loving and devoted mother.
She is survived by her sons, Herb Dailey of Salt Lake City
and William Dailey of Dolores, five grandchildren and five
great-grandchildren.
Her husband preceded her in death on June 12, 1989.
Arrangements are being made through Hood Mortuary. Contact
247-2312 for further service information.
Harvey Earl Oliver Jr.
Memorial services for Harvey Earl Oliver Jr., a longtime
resident of Lewis, will be held Thursday, April 26, at the Ertel Memorial
Chapel, at 2 p.m.
The Rev. Johnny Arrington of the Johnson Memorial United
Methodist Church will officiate.
Harvey passed away at his home in Lewis on Sunday, April 22,
2001. He was 71.
Harvey was born in Akron, Colo., on Feb. 24, 1930, to Harvey
Earl Oliver Sr. and Gaither (Tewell) Oliver.
During the Korean War, Harvey served his country proudly in
the Army.
He married Alberta Honaker on April 13, 1958, in Mesa, Ariz.
They had celebrated 43 years of marriage earlier this month.
Harvey was a member of the American Legion. He was a farmer
and rancher enjoying his time with his cows and horses; but fonder still was
the time spent with his family and his eight grandchildren.
Surviving Harvey are his loving wife, Alberta
"Bert" Oliver of Lewis; his children and their spouses, Alisa
(Jeff) LaRue of Arriola, Lori (Les) Likes also of Arriola, and Cindi
(Raymond) Millich of Bayfield; and his eight grandchildren, Shay, Stevi, and
Lane LaRue, Jessie and Cody Likes, and Kara, Carly, and Raymond Millich Jr.
Harvey is also survived by three sisters, Roberta Wood of
Yellow Jacket, Veda Wood and Della (Wes) Osborn, both of Cortez; two
brothers, Troy (Shorleen) Oliver and Herschel Oliver, both of Cortez, and a
brother-in-law, John Miller.
His parents, a sister, Audrey Miller, and two brothers,
Lester Oliver and Duard Oliver, preceded him in death.
Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Memorial
Chapel.
Norman G. 'Mike'
Pikarsky
Norman G. "Mike" Pikarsky of Cortez died Saturday,
April 14, 2001, at Southwest Memorial Hospital in Cortez. He was 77.
He was born on April 19, 1923, in Syracuse, N.Y. to Francis
and Elizabeth (Foeder) Pikarsky. He married Helen Baker,on Sept. 12, 1946,
in Dwight, Ill. He worked in general construction as a superintendent. He
served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II.
He is survived by his wife, Helen, of Cortez; children, Kurt
(Diane) Pikarsky of Houston, Texas, and Kae (Jerry) Skala of Dolores; three
grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
There are no services planned at this time.
José Antonio "Tony"
Rivera
José Antonio "Tony" Rivera, a
longtime resident of Cortez, passed away April 10, 2001 at Mercy Medical
Center in Durango. He was 53.
No services are planned at this time, with
cremation taking place.
Tony was born to José and Maria Cueva
Rivera on June 19, 1947, in San German, Puerto Rico.
Tony Rivera is survived by his mother of
Rosario, Puerto Rico; his wife of Cortez; children Rogue and Patricia of
Cortez; and Tanya Rivera of San Antonio, Texas; two brothers, one sister,
and several extended family members and friends.
Memorial contributions may be made at
Citizens State Bank, 77 W. Main, Cortez, CO 81321.
Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale
and Gerken Funeral Directors are serving the family.
Clifford Beecher Whyte,
Sr.
Funeral services for lifelong Towaoc
resident, Clifford Beecher Whyte, Sr. will be held Tuesday, April 17, at St.
Margaret Mary Catholic Church, at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at the
Cortez Cemetery. Rosary services will be held Monday evening at the Ertel
Memorial Chapel 7 p.m.
Clifford was born in Towaoc on Oct. 19,
1934, the son of Marshall Whyte and Harriet (Beecher) Whyte. He passed away
at San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington, N.M. on Thursday, April
12, 2001. He was 66 years old.
He married Mildred "Millie"
Watts at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church on May 15, 1963.
He is survived by a large and loving
family which consists of his wife, Millie of Towaoc; his children Rose Whyte
(Dean) Chavez of Roswell, N.M., Donald Whyte and Kristi Sharpeta of Mesa
Verde, Colo., Melanie (Lambert) Garcia of San Felipe Pueblo, N.M., Fawnda
(Bailey) Cotonuts of Towaoc, Eric Whyte and Lorraine Begay of Mancos Creek,
Colo., Clyde (Susan) Whyte of Clifton, Colo., Valerie Whyte and Darren
Whiteman of Towaoc, and Madonna Whyte also of Towaoc; 19 grandchildren and
one great-grandchild; and a sister, Karen Whyte (George) Mills.
Two sons, Clifford Whyte Jr. and Gordon
Watts, and two brothers preceded him in death.
Memorial contributions can be made to the
M-CHS Marching Band, 206 W. 7th St., Cortez, CO, 81321; or at Vectra Bank,
350 W. Montezuma, Cortez, CO 81321. Services will be under the direction of
the Ertel Funeral Home.
Corene Ball
Corene Ball passed away Friday, April 13,
2001, due to complications from a lengthy illness. A memorial service will
be held Monday, April 15 at 10 a.m. at Durango Christian Church, 255 E. 11th
and 3rd Ave. A luncheon will follow the ceremony at the church.
Corene's passion in life were her
grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband, Randy
Ball, son Steven (Amy) Ball of Cortez, daughter Darcy (Lawrence) Barela of
Durango; grandchildren Brandon Barela, Ryan Barela, Dylan Ball, Kaitlin
Barela, and Lauryn Ball. She is also survived by five sisters: Mary Cooley
of Houghton Lake, Mich., Alice Davis of Ithaca, Pat Roof of Perrinton,
Mich., Norma Stahl of Ithaca, and Hope Tucker of Jacksonville, Fla; six
brothers: Grant Uribe of Carson City, Mich., Ray Uribe of Harrison, Mich.,
Roger Uribe of Mason, Mich., Robert Uribe of Detroit, Mich., Doug Uribe of
Jacksonville, Fla., and Gary Uribe of Dewitt, Michigan. She is also survived
by numerous nieces and nephews.
Corene was proceeded in death by her
parents, a brother Alfred Uribe; and two sisters, Amelia Marcy and Barbara
Ball.
Memorial contributions may be made to Home
Health Care at Mercy Medical Center, 3801 N. Main Ave, Durango, CO 81301
(970) 382-2000.
Stanley Alexander Masters
Funeral services for longtime Cortez
resident, Stanley Alexander Masters, are scheduled for Monday, April 16, at
the Ertel Memorial Chapel at 2 p.m. Interment will follow at the Cortez
Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, April
15, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel between 1 and 5 p.m.
Stanley was born to Lloyd and Stella
(Hamilton) Masters on March 12, 1915, in Woodson, Texas. He passed away at
his home on Thursday, April 12, 2001 at the age of 86.
He is survived by his wife, Mary CeNona
Masters of Cortez; his son, Mitchell (Kathy) Masters of Jonesboro, Ark.;
grandchildren, Leslie Ross of Wichita Falls, Texas, Dana Hewett of Austin,
Texas, and Keri Dimeuque of Lubbock, Tex.
He was preceded in death by both of his
parents; three sisters; and one brother.
Memorial contributions can be made to the VFW. Funeral
services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
José Rivera
Arrangements are pending for José Rivera of Cortez, who
passed away April 10, 2001 at Mercy Medical Center, in Durango. He was 53.
Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale and Gerken Funeral
Directors may be contacted at 564-0667 for further details.
William 'Bill' Johnson
Services for William "Bill" Johnson of Greeley,
Colo., will be held Thursday, April 12, at Adamson Memorial West Chapel.
Cremation will follow. A memorial service for family and friends will be
held at the Beaver Corrals, near Dolores at a later date.
Bill Johnson passed away April 7, 2001. He was born Sept.
25, 1922, in Cortez to Charles and Dorothy Carlise Johnson.
He ranched in Montezuma and Dolores counties until 1958. He
and his wife, Anna Mae West Johnson, moved to Greeley in the late 1960s,
where he worked as a brand inspector for the state of Colorado.
He is survived by his wife; sons Bill and Shane of Lima,
Colo.; daughters Sharon Johnson of Pagosa Springs; Libby Allinder and Darla
Bullock of Greeley; sisters Josephine Greenlee and Catherine Lichliter of
Cortez; thirteen grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Cy Johnson of
Cortez.
Michael 'Dylan' Dunn
Memorial services for Michael Dylan Dunn of Wellborn, Fla.,
will be held Monday, April 16, at 11 a.m., at the Live Oak Florida Church of
Christ.
Dylan passed away Wednesday, April 3, 2001 at Shands,
University of Florida. He was born Aug. 3, 1998, in Denver, to Michael Adam
and Kathie Dunn.
He is survived by his parents and sisters, Kaylee and
Brittany of Wellborn; grandparents Cecil and Brenda Dunn of Dolores and Tim
and Doreen McNulty of Cortez; great-grandparents, C.B. and Sue McMullen of
Live Oak, Fla. and Tina Wilson of Cortez; aunts, Shawn Valdez and Lesley
Dunn of Dolores and April Wright of Cortez; uncle, John Dunn of Dove Creek,
and a multitude of cousins, great-aunts and great-uncles.
Donations can be made to the Dylan Dunn Memorial Fund at
First Federal Savings Bank of Florida.
Raymond Fertsch Jr.
Funeral services for Raymond Fertsch Jr. are scheduled for
Thursday, April 12, at the Lighthouse Baptist Church in Cortez beginning at
3 p.m. Pastor Larry Chappell will officiate.
Raymond Fertsch Jr. was born to Raymond and Ann (Thompson)
Fertsch on May 1, 1913 in Ambler, Penn. He passed away on Monday, April 9,
2001 at the Valley Inn Nursing Home at the age of 87.
Raymond had been a resident of Pennsylvania for over 86
years. He recently moved to Colorado to be close to his son and to enjoy
being outdoors. He worked as a long haul trucker for much of his adult life.
Hewas a wonderful husband, dad, and always a great provider for his family.
He was a dedicated provider who quit school in the 8th grade
to help meet the needs of his family. He was a member of the New Britain
Baptist Church in New Britain, Penn. He was also a member of the Wissahickon
Fire Dept. for 65 years. He loved to hunt and garden.
He is survived by his children, Raymond (Mary Jane) Fertsch
III of Lansdale, Penn. and Robert (Julie) Fertsch of Cortez; six
grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and his brother, Frank (Marjorie)
Fertsch of Lansdale, Penn.
He was preceded in death by his wife of over 60 years, Grace
(Haldeman) Fertsch; one brother; and one sister.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Lighthouse Baptist
Church in Cortez. Arrangements are being handled through the Ertel Funeral
Home. Interment will be at a later date in Ambler, Penn.
Cecil Henry Cash
Funeral services for Dove Creek resident Cecil Henry Cash
are scheduled for Tuesday, April 10, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel beginning
at 2 p.m. Military graveside services and interment will follow at the Dove
Creek Cemetery. Pastor Don Daniels of the Dove Creek First Baptist Church
will officiate
Cecil was born on Sept. 28, 1950 in St. Louis, Mo., to
Reuben Allen and Della Norlene (Turner) Cash. He passed away at his home in
Dove Creek on Thursday, April 5, 2001 at the age of 50.
He worked as an oil rigger in the petroleum production
industry. He served his country in the Air Force. He was in the Strategic
Air Command in Vietnam. He was a member of the VFW, Paralyzed Veterans
Association, and the American Legion. He loved to read, hunt, fish, and be
outdoors.
He is survived by his parents, Reuben and Della Cash of Dove
Creek.; sister, Cathy (Joe) Nelson of Dove Creek; and brother, Ricky Cash of
Dove Creek. Many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins also survive
him.
Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
John J. Hersch
John J. Hersch died March 30, 2001, at his home in Durango.
He was 72.
A celebration of life will be observed Friday, April 6, at
10:30 a.m. at Calvary Presbyterian Church in Bayfield. Cremation will be at
Hood Mortuary Crematory in Durango.
Mr. Hersch was born March 9, 1929, in Del Norte, Colo., to
Joseph and Berenice Hersch. John attended schools in Pagosa Springs and Del
Norte. He graduated from Del Norte High School, attended Adams State College
and served with the U.S. Air Force.
He was a member of the Cortez B.P.O. Elks, the Cortez
Masonic Lodge # 133 and a Shriner in Durango. He had several businesses in
the Cortez, Pagosa Springs, and Durango. He was a well-known and respected
commercial pilot.
He is survived by his sons, Troy Jon Hersch of Waukomis,
Okla., and Trenton Jay Hersch of Stavanger, Norway; brothers, David W.
Hersch of Port Orchard, Wash., and Richard E. Hersch of Marysville, Wash;
grandchildren, Linn Emilia Hersch of Stavanger, Norway, Jarrod Maly and
Colton Maly both of Waukomis; and numerous nieces and nephews
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Mercy, 375
E. Park Ave., Durango, CO 81301
Thomas Lee Jordan
Services for Thomas L. Jordan will be held at the First
Assembly of God Church, 120 S. Linden, on Wednesday, April 4, at 2 p.m.
Pastor Don Henderson will officiate.
Thomas L. Jordan was born to Thomas Lane and Lisa (Vorhees)
Jordan on Aug. 3, 1982, in Decatur, Texas. He passed away at his home April
1, 2001.
"T.J." loved the outdoors, and loved to be with
his friends and his family. T.J. worked as a cook in the food service
industry. He was a former member of the High School Rodeo Team and was in
the Cortez chapter of the FFA. His hobbies were working on cars and rock
climbing. He will be deeply missed.
T.J. is survived by his father, Tom Jordan of Cortez; mother
and step father, Lisa and Steve DeKruger of Cortez; grandmother, Donna
Johnston of Cortez; grandfather, Paul Lambert of Cortez; sister, Amber
Jordan; brother-in-law, Justin Earle; niece, Summer Earle; nephew, Tyler
Earle, all of Cortez; brothers and sister, Justin DeKruger, William DeKruger
and Kayla Rae DeKruger, of Glendale, Ore; grandmother, Veronica
"Ronnie" Jordan of Mountain View, Calif.; and many other extended
family members.
Memorial contributions can be made at the First National
Bank of Cortez. Arrangements are being handled through the Ertel Funeral
Home.
Thelma M. Hodges
Funeral services for Thelma M. Hodges, a Dolores resident,
are scheduled for Wednesday, April 4, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel at 2 p.m.
Interment will follow at the Summit Ridge Cemetery. Pastor David Dahl of
Trinity Lutheran Church will officiate.
Thelma was born on Feb. 22, 1906, to Thomas and Amanda
(Jacoby) Howard in Atlanta, Kan. She passed away on Friday, March 30, 2001,
at the Valley Inn Nursing Home at the age of 95.
Thelma married Victor O. Hodges Sr. on June 17, 1923, in
Springfield, Colo. Victor and Thelma settled in Dolores in the early ’40s.
Thelma enjoyed being at home and caring for her family. In her later years,
she liked to go to the Dolores Community Center and play cards with her
friends. She attended the Methodist church.
She is survived by her children, Ruby A. Sanders of Durango;
Yvonne M. (Clyde) Rule of Dolores, Colo., and Victor O. (Jeanie) Hodges Jr.
of Dolores; 10 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; and 11 great
great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a
daughter, Lavella R. Pyle; four brothers and two sisters.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Dolores State Bank
for the benefit of the Valley Inn Nursing Home in Mancos. Services are under
the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
Dorothy Cleo Rash
Dorothy Cleo Rash, a longtime Dolores
resident, passed away at her residence on March 27, 2001. She was 77.
She was born to Jon and Vivian Short
Sagrillo in Telluride, Colo., on July 22, 1923.
She passed away quietly at home under the
loving care of her nurses at Hospice of Montezuma.
In accordance with her wishes, there will
be no formal ceremonies. A private interment will be held at a later date.
Dorothy C. Rash is survived by her sons
and their wives, Donn (Kathleen) Hilton and Dan (Lynn) Hilton; their
children; grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents,
a brother, Don L. Sagrillo, and her long-time companion, Thornton Lockett.
Memorial contributions may be made to
Hospice of Montezuma, Inc., 1108 N. Mildred, Cortez, CO 81321.
Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale
and Gerken Funeral Directors are serving the family.
Victor Hugh Goodwin
Memorial services for Victor Hugh Goodwin,
a longtime Cortez resident, are scheduled for Monday, April 2, at the Ertel
Memorial Chapel at 11 a.m.
Vic was born on Dec. 24, 1919, to Frances
Hugh and Lillian (Marian) Goodwin in London, England. He passed away on
March 28, 2001, in Grand Junction, Colo., at the age of 81.
He is survived by his wife, Jeanne Goodwin
of Cortez; son, Philip H. (Janet) Goodwin of Boulder, Colo.; stepchildren
and their families, Katherine Moritz of Boulder, Colo., John Lovett of
Edwards, Colo., Kevin Lovett of Cortez, and Bill Lovett of Homer, Alaska.
Vic was known to the community of Cortez
as the owner and operator of his own photography business for over 42 years.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's
Association at 701 Camino Del Rio, Ste. 115 A, Durango, CO 81301, attention
Elaine Stumpo.
Lita Sevir
Lita Fern Sevir was born on Aug. 15, 1904 in Claremore,
Okla. to Walter and Sylvia Mae (Hughes) McCain. She passed away from this
life on Tuesday, March 27, 2001 at the Mesa View Retirement Home. Lita was
96 years old.
Lita lived a very full life of helping others. She worked
for many years as a care taker for those ill in their homes.
She is survived by her children, Steve (Ira) Dean of Cortez,
Doris (Gene) DeCoster of Vickor, Iowa, Lloyd (Lee) Dean of Ocala, Fla.; four
grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; sister, Norma Retherford of Chandler,
Ariz.; brothers, Jessie McCain of Green Valley, Ariz., Lawrence McCain of
Whittier, Calif., and Lavel McCain of Los Angeles, Calif.
She was preceded in death by both of her parents; her
husband, Irvin R. Dean; and one grandchild.
There are no services planned at this time. Arrangements are
being handled through the Ertel Funeral Home.
Irene Handy L. Filfred
Graveside services for Irene Handy L. Filfred are scheduled
for Wednesday, March 28, at the family plot located six miles northeast of
Aneth, Utah. Daniel Harvey will officiate the service.
Irene was born on Nov. 11, 1941 to Handy Hosteen Nez and
Elizabeth (Anderson) Lansing in Aneth.
She passed away on Saturday, March 24, 2001 at the Southwest
Memorial Hospital at the age of 59.
Irene was married to David B. Filfred in 1962 at the
Moonlight Presbyterian Church in Monument Valley, Utah. She was a faithful
homemaker and mother. She loved to sew, do arts and crafts, crochet, bead,
quilt, make sashes and belts; all of these skills she learned on her own.
She is survived by her husband, David Filfred of Aneth; her
children, Clarilene Filfred of Salt Lake City, Gilfred (Theresa) Filfred of
Ismay, Utah, Davis (Linda) Filfred of Aneth, Shirilene (Donald) West of
Earlsboro, Okla., Lorenzo (Michelle) Filfred of Albuquerque, Freciareen (Philbert
Foster) Filfred of Cortez, Johnnie (Nita) Filfred of Ogden, Utah, Marion
(Ralph Fredson) Filfred of Aneth, Winfred A. Filfred of Aneth; 23
grandchildren; and one sister, Mary H. Begay of Aneth. She was preceded in
death by both of her parents.
Memorial contributions can be made with the First National
Bank of Cortez.
Mary Bernice Leavell
No services are planned at this time for Mary Bernice
Leavell, a lifelong Dolores resident. Bernice was born on Dec. 25, 1911, in
Dolores, to James and Mary Jane (Peel) Morrison. She passed away at her home
on Sunday, March 25, 2001, at the age of 89.
Bernice worked for many years as a cook for the Dolores
school district.
She is survived by her children, Keith Leavell of Dolores,
Kay (Darlene) Leavell of Dolores, and Mike (Karen) Leavell of Durango; six
grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by both
of her parents; her beloved husband, Albert (Paddy) Leavell; and one
grandson, Lynn Leavell.
Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice through the
Dolores State Bank. For further information, contact Ertel Funeral Home at
565-3468.
Brian Dennison Sr.
Private memorial services for Brian Jay Dennison Sr. will be
held on Wednesday, March 28, at Parque De Vida beginning at 4:20 p.m. Steve
Jenkins will officiate.
Brian Jay Dennison was born to Clarence Harold Dennison and
Violet (Mettie) Manning on Sept. 29, 1958, in Houston, Mo. He passed from
this world on March 23, 2001, at Southwest Memorial Hospital at the age of
42.
Brian worked as a general carpenter in the construction
industry. He loved his children very much as well as the rest of his family.
His favorite pastime was riding Harley Davidson motorcycles.
He is survived by his mother, Violet Manning of Cortez;
children, Shanna Emery of Delta, Colo., Brian J. Dennison Jr. of Durango;
Charlie "Chuck" Harold Dennison of Upland, Calif., Jason Robert
Dennison of Cortez, and Tyler Cole Dennison of Cortez; four grandchildren;
nine brothers; and six sisters. He was preceded in death by his father.
Arrangements are being handled through the Ertel Funeral
Home.
Memorial contributions can be sent to Citizens State Bank.
Margaret 'Lorilla'
Calkins Crowson
Margaret Lorilla Calkins Crowson of Albuquerque passed away
at St. Joseph’s Hospital on March 15, 2001. She was born July 4, 1919, to
Dr. R.W. and Margaret Calkins in Cortez, where she lived until moving to
Albuquerque in 1966.
Always intelligent, beautiful and vivacious, Lorilla had
many interests. She as active in Eastern Star, both in Cortez and in Moab,
Utah.
She was also active in St. Barnabas of the Valley Episcopal
Church in Cortez, but her family always came first.
She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and
great-grandmother, and a sympathetic and caring friend, loved by all who
knew her. She loved animals, especially her dogs, gardening, cooking and
traveling.
Lorilla was preceded in death by her husband, Jack D.
Crowson, and is survived by her son, Roy, of Albuquerque; daughter, Diana;
grandson, Michael Armendariz and wife Leslie; great-grandsons, Michael Jr.
and Fabian Jackson Armendariz, all of Los Lunas, N.M.
She is also survived by her dogs, Shadow and Rascal, who
also miss and love her.
She wished to be cremated and a celebration of her life will
be held at a later date.
Elda Prescott Sparks
Elda Prescott Sparks passed away at the Vista Grande Nursing
Home on Friday, March 23, at the age of 86. She was born to Leslie John
Prescott and Ellen (Tippetts) Prescott in Heyburn, Idaho, on Dec. 7, 1914.
In September, 1934 Elda became the bride of Stanley Ray
Sparks. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
She loved to paint, travel and spend her winters in Arizona.
Surviving Elda are her three children, William R. (Marie)
Sparks of Cortez, Dorothy (Ronald) Wilke of Boise, Ida., and Richard Sparks
of Moab, Utah; 11 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.
Elda was the eldest of her 12 siblings. She is survived by
brothers and sisters, Aaron (Elaine) Prescott of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho;
Reuben (Aleen) Prescott of Banks, Ark.; Donna (Thayal) Byington of
Clearfield, Utah; Connie (Stanley) Domino of Edison, N.J.; Stanford (Ann)
Prescott of Riverdale, Utah and David (Alice) Prescott of Ellendale, Wash.
Three brothers and one sister preceded Elda in death, as did
her husband, Stanley.
Arrangements are being made through the Ertel Funeral Home.
Jerrel 'Jerry' Burton
Funeral services for longtime Cortez resident Jerrel Victor
Burton will be held Monday, March 26, at the Cortez Cemetery at 10 a.m.
Pastor Guy Van Drunen of the Church of the Nazarene will officiate. Military
graveside services will be conducted by the Ute Mountain American Legion
Post #75.
Jerry, as his friends knew him, was born Dec. 16, 1913 in
Floydada, Texas, the son of Charlie Edward Burton and Mary Olive (Marshall)
Burton. He passed away at the Vista Grande Nursing Home on March 22, 2001 at
the age of 87.
Jerry served his country during World War II in the Army 8th
Infantry, earning two Purple Hearts during his service. He was very active
in 4-H Clubs and the American Legion and was a member of the Church of The
Nazarene. Jerry loved to hunt and fish in his spare time.
Surviving Jerry are his children, Lee G. (Sharon) Burton of
Cortez; Eva Burton also of Cortez, and Edna and Brian Frazier of Phoenix,
Ariz.; 18 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and two sisters,
Josephine Nelson of Seattle, Wash., and Ivy Lee Crandell of Martinez, Calif.
His son, Charles Burton and his wife, Betty Nadine (Hart)
Burton preceded him in death, both in 1998.
Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral
Home.
Daniel C. Kardokus
Memorial services for Daniel Charles Kardokus will be held
at 3 p.m., April 8 at New Life Chapel, Foursquare, 500 N. Washington.
Daniel was born March 12, 1954 in Los Angeles, Calif., to
Charles and Wilma (Palmer) Kardokus. He went to be with the Lord on March
21, 2001, at the age of 47. He succumbed to lymphoma cancer after a
year-long struggle.
He leaves to mourn his passing one son, Robert (Megan) of
Durango; daughter Michelle of Cortez; ex-wife Lorraine Blanchfield of
Cortez; grandson Khristopher of Durango; his parents; maternal grandmother,
Dorothy Palmer of Cortez; sister Melanie Lien of Cortez; brother Dennis
(Charlotte) Kardokus of Salem, Ore.; three nieces and one nephew. He also
leaves a large extended family and many friends.
Douglas Raisley
Graveside services for Douglas Raisley, 44, of Cortez, will
be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, at the Summit Ridge Cemetery in Dolores.
Brother David Armstrong will officiate. Visitation will be the same day,
from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in the Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel.
Mr. Raisley was born to Robert and Faith Nelson Raisley on
Aug. 19, 1956, in New Haven, Conn. He passed away at his residence in Cortez
on March 22, 2001.
He attended schools in East Haven and Jeffersonville, Ind.
Mr. Raisely worked as a truck driver and also worked in customer services,
while employed for Kwik Service Co., located in Lousiville, Ky. He moved to
Cortez from Otisco, Ind. in December, 1998.
Douglas Raisely is survived by his mother, of Cortez;
brothers Edward (Brenda) Raisley of Otisco; William Raisley of
Jeffersonville and Bruce (Doris) Raisley of Searcy, Ark.; sisters Roberta
(Paul) Dooley of Otisco and Rebekah (Russ) Green of Milltown, Ind. He is
also survived by nine nephews and nieces, and four great-nephews and nieces.
Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale and Gerken Funeral
Directors are serving the family.
James 'Jim' Miller
Graveside services for James "Jim" Harold
Miller, 71, of Kerrville, Texas and former Cortez resident will be held
Tuesday, March 27, at the Summit Ridge Cemetery beginning at 11 a.m. Rev.
Johnny Arrington of the Johnson Memorial Methodist Church will officiate.
Jim was born in Cortez, Colo. on Aug. 4, 1929. He passed
away on March 20, 2001 in Kerrville.
Surviving Jim are his wife, Dorothy Miller and their
children: Randy Miller, Cheri Turner, Melanie Dow and Trisha Miller.
The family request in lieu of flowers, a donation in his name be made to
the American Cancer Institute. Your prayers for Jim following him into God's
Kingdom are appreciated.
Jim graduated from Deer Park High School and attended Lamar
Technical University and Southwest Texas School of Law. During the Korean
War, he served with the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps as a Combat
Field Corpsman.
Jim served as the past-president and 38-year employee of
Clif Mock Company, now Halliburton Clif Mock. Through his entire Clif Mock
career, he represented Kimray Corporation.
He also served in various Christian leadership roles over
his lifetime and is warmly remembered for his contributions.
Surviving Jim are his wife, Dorothy Miller and their
children; Randy Miller, Cheri Turner, Melanie Dow and Trisha Miller.
Donations in memory of Jim Miller may be made to the
American Cancer Institute. Your prayers for Jim following him into God's
Kingdom are appreciated.
Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral
Home.
Gene Leroy Benavidez
Services for Gene Leroy Benavidez, 34 of Cortez, will be
held Thursday, March 22, at 2 p.m. in the Evangel Assembly of God Church.
Pastor Dennis Rivera will officiate. A potluck dinner will follow, also at
the church.
Mr. Benavidez passed away Friday, March 16, 2001 at his
residence.
His wife, Beth, three children, three brothers, four sisters
and many nieces and nephews survive him.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Gene Leroy
Benavidez Fund at Citizens State Bank.
Mr. Benavidez was born to José and Karen
Cooper Benavidez on Aug. 14, 1966, in Denver. His education was through the
Cortez school system. On Dec. 1, 2000, he married Barbara Elizabeth (Beth)
Eldridge, in Cortez.
Mr. Benavidez was the owner of EnviroSafe
International, Inc., here in Cortez. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating
and camping.
He is survived by his wife Beth, of
Cortez; son Talon Quinn of Washington, Utah; daughters Kayla of Corpus
Christi, Texas and Tawnee of Cortez; brothers, William and Robert Cooper of
Cortez and Joel Benavidez of Denver; sisters, Patricia Benavidez of Cortez;
Bonnie Benavidez of Texas, Maribel Benavidez of Colorado Springs and Lorena
Benavidez, also of Colorado Springs.
Mr. Benavidez was very fond of his nieces
and nephews, who also survive him: Chelsea White, Maddison Cooper, Beau
Beckham, Jungle Cooper, Liam Cooper, Austin Short, Jonathan Smith and
Zachariah Cooper.
Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale
and Gerken Funeral Directors, are serving the family.
Delbert William Hopper
Graveside services for former Cortez
resident, Delbert William Hopper will be held on Wednesday, March 21, at the
Arriola Cemetery beginning at 11:30 a.m. Pastor Luther Shields of the
Montelores Baptist Church will officiate.
Delbert was born in Graft, Colo. on May
16, 1924 to Hervie Hudson and Hazel May (Terpening) Hopper. He passed away
at the Valley Care Manor in Montrose, Colo. on Friday, March 16, 2001.
Delbert was 76 years old.
Delbert spent much of his adult life
farming, which was what he enjoyed.
He is survived by his two children, Cheryl
(Paul) Floyd of Cortez, and step son, Keith (Monica) Anderson of Dallas,
Texas; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild; brother, John J. Hopper
Jr. of Cortez; sisters, Veda (Jim) Wilson of Cortez, Verda (Ernest) Baxstrom
of Mancos, Alvina (Skip) McCulley of Cortez, and Vera Tate.
Services are under the direction of the
Ertel Funeral Home.
John Peterson
Funeral services for John Albert Bernett Peterson are
scheduled for Saturday, March 24, at 1 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints in Eastland, Utah. Branch President Scott Johnson will
officiate. Visitation will be held at the church prior to the service, at
11:30 a.m. Interment will follow at the Mountain View Cemetery in Eastland.
John was born to Andrew Christian and Gunda (Olsen)
Peterson on July 6, 1911 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He passed away on
Saturday, March 17, 2001at Southwest Memorial Hospital at the age of 89.
On July 25, 1933 John wed Fern Snow in Wayne County,
Utah. He spent most of his adult years as a farmer. He loved being on his
tractor enjoying every part of the outdoors. He was a hunter and fisherman
with all of the tremendous stories to tell about these adventures. He was a
member of the Farm Bureau.
He is survived by his wife, Fern Peterson of Monticello,
Utah; his children, Joyce (James) Harvey, Byron (Kaylene) Peterson, Netta
McDonald, James (Anita) Peterson, all of Monticello, , and Andy (Aleta)
Peterson of Mack, Colo.; 31 grandchildren, 70 great-grandchildren, nine
great- great grandchildren; four brothers and three sisters.
John was preceded in death by both of his parents; son,
John "Bert" Albert Peterson and one grandchild.
Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
Arvist Leroy Franklin
Memorial services for Arvist Leroy
Franklin, 54, of Mancos, will be held Tuesday, March 20, at Ertel Memorial
Chapel at 11 a.m.
Leroy passed away on March 14, 2001, at
Mercy Medical Center in Durango from a combination of cancer and pneumonia.
He was born Nov. 16, 1946, in Beaumont,
Texas, to Arvist Leo and Thelma Franklin. While living in California he met
Alice Rutledge, whom he married on Sept.26, 1965.
Leroy had visited the area before and,
like so many of us, fell in love with the valley, so he moved into the
Mancos Valley in August 1985, with his family following in May 1986.
Leroy worked in a couple of different
places as an auto-body and paint man before striking out on his own. With
his son and wife, Alice, he purchased J&D Autobody in Dolores. He liked
to paint cars and was very good at it. Some of the cars he has painted can
be seen in regional car shows.
However, anyone who knew Leroy knows that
his greatest pleasure in life came from hunting and fishing all over the
Four Corners area. The more he fished and hunted the bigger the fish got and
the bigger the elk got. He was always quick with a good story and a good
laugh to go along with it.
Leroy was preceded in death by his father,
brother David and sister Donna.
He is survived by his loving wife, Alice,
of Mancos; his mother, Thelma Fry of Cortez; sister, Ruby Moss of Votaw,
Texas; son, Leroy Lynn (Laura) Franklin; and daughter, Crystal (Lloyd)
McNutt, all of Mancos. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Travis
Franklin, Alicia and Keith Williams, and Zachary, Jacob and Kyerstin McNutt;
and aunts, uncles, cousins, and nieces. He will be sorely missed by his
family and friends.
Donations may be made to the Leroy
Franklin memorial account at the Mancos Valley Bank.
James Melvin Buffington
Graveside services for Dove Creek resident
James Melvin Buffington will be held Monday, March 19, at the Peel Cemetery
beginning at 11 a.m.
Visitation will be Monday morning at the
Dove Creek First Baptist Church from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m.
Jim was born in Eminence, Mo., on June 3,
1923 to Fred George and Ida Mae (Knuckles) Buffington. He passed away at his
home in Dove Creek on March 15, 2001. Jim was 77.
On Dec. 23, 1949, Jim wed Erma Beaver in
Aztec, N.M. He enjoyed the outdoors and hunting and was a member of the Dove
Creek Roping Club and the VFW Post #5181.
Surviving Jim is his wife of 51 years,
Erma Buffington of Dove Creek; his children, Jimmy (Kay Lynn) Buffington,
Marie Martinez, Steve Buffington, Sherry (Emil) Shutt, and Duley (Terri)
Buffington, all of Dove Creek; 14 grandchildren and four
great-grandchildren; and one brother and two sisters. Jim was preceded in
death by his parents, two brothers, one sister, and a granddaughter, Debra
Dawn Martinez.
Memorial contributions can be made in Jim
Buffington's name with either the Dove Creek Ambulance Fund or Hospice of
Montezuma. Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
Lucille F. Graham
Lucille F. Graham, a resident of the
Valley Inn Nursing Home, passed away on March 14, 2001, at the age of 90.
Lucille, the daughter of Joseph Curtis Justice and Laura Victoria (Roberts)
Justice, was born in Chetopa, Kan., on Nov. 19, 1910.
Lucille was a very private woman. She
loved spending her time with wild animals and caring for them. She
maintained birdfeeders for her feathered friends and was deeply fond of the
fourth-generation deer that came to her place to be fed. Lucille had a great
love for travel. Lucille came to the Mancos Valley to reside at the Valley
Inn Nursing Home nearly three years ago and to be nearer to her daughter.
Surviving Lucille are her daughter, Karen
Black of Mancos; grandson, Barry Steadman of Craig, Colo.; granddaughter,
Darla Hayner of Jackson, Mich.; and great-grandson, Barry also of Craig. One
brother, Huston Justice of Kansas; and one sister, Helen Moore of Virginia,
also survive Lucille.
Arrangements are being made through the Ertel Funeral
Home. For further details, contact 565-3468.
Maude Evans
Services for Maude Evans of Dove Creek,
are set for Friday, March 16, at 1 p.m. and the Peel Cemetery. Viewing will
be held at the Four Corners Funeral Chapel in Cortez from 5 to 7 p.m. on
March 15, and at Dove Creek First Baptist Church from 10 to noon on March
16.
Mrs. Evans was born to Jefferson Davis
Knuckles and Clara (Buffington) Knuckles on March 28, 1914. She passed away
at Southwest Memorial Hospital on March 13, 2001. She is survived by four
daughters and their spouses; 15 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren and
four sisters.
Minnie Ola Gidcumb
Funeral services for Minnie Ola Gidcumb, a
45-year resident of Dove Creek, are set for Saturday, March 17, at the First
Baptist Church of Dove Creek at 2 p.m. Interment will follow at the Dove
Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Ertel Memorial Chapel on Friday,
March 16, between 5 and 7 p.m. Pastor Don Daniels will officiate
Minnie was born Jan. 6, 1916 in Floydada,
Tex. to Arthur Thomas and Clemmie Catherine (Garrison) Edward. She passed
away at the age of 85 at the Phoenix Baptist Hospital in Phoenix, Ariz. on
Monday, March 12, 2001.
Minnie was a homemaker and dearly loved by
her children and grandchildren. She was one who loved to be out and busy.
She was known to just take a long drive and looked forward to any kind of
sightseeing and traveling. She enjoyed spending time with her children and
grandchildren. She was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Dove
Creek.
Minnie is survived by her children,
Chester Ray (Jennie) Gidcumb of Westminster, Texas, Wanda Gidcumb and Betty
Gidcumb both of Phoenix; her seven grandchildren and eight
great-grandchildren; and one sister, Alma Rape of Lockney, Texas.
She was preceded in death by her parents;
her husband of 55 years, Kline Lee "Jack" Gidcumb of Dove Creek;
four children including her son, Dwayne Gidcumb in 1997; two brothers; and
three sisters.
Mary Ellen Stork
Graveside services for Mary Ellen Stork of
Star Valley, Ariz., will be held at the Lebanon Cemetery on Saturday, March
17, beginning at 3 p.m.
Mrs. Stork, a former Cortez resident,
passed away March 10, 2001, at the age of 78. She was born Nov. 6, 1922, to
Ernest and Hazel Maynes in Ignacio, Colo. She graduated high school in
Cortez.
She married Carl Newlin, and to this union
two children, Sharon and Carla, were born. She later married Gerald Stork,
in 1966. The couple moved to Payson, Ariz., in March 1992. Mrs. Stork was a
member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Mary Ellen Stork is survived by her
husband; daughters, Sharon King of Chandler, Ariz. and Carla
"Penny" Cook of Overgaard, Ariz.; brother, Robert Maynes of
Cortez; sisters, Luella Wesolowski of Montrose, Colo., Ruth Metzelaar of
Cortez and Ruby Spear of Heber, Ariz.; grandchildren, Sherrie Clubb, Chris
and Troy Teagardin, and Todd and Scott King; seven great-grandchildren and
two great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents;
sister Karen Rossen; brothers, Howard E. Maynes and David E. Maynes; and
grandson, Michael G. Smith.
Mary Constance Townley
Mary Constance Townley, a resident of the
Vista Grande Nursing Home, passed away on Wednesday, March 14 just days
after 81st birthday.
She was born to Charles and Beulah
(Huston) Dowell in Robinson, Kans. on March 9, 1920.
Mary became the bride of Thomas Edwin
Townley on April 14, 1940 in Jefferson City, Mo. Together they shared nearly
60 years of marriage.
Surviving Mary are her husband, Thomas E.
Townley of Cortez; her children and spouses, Connie Jean (Chuck) Beisang of
Pelham, N.H., Thomas Charles (Diane) Townley of Mancos, Linda Joyce Israel
of Homestead, Fla., and Paul Burke Townley of Granby, Colo.; as well as
eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
For further service information, please contact the Ertel
Funeral Home at 565-3468.
Janet Rose Harris
Janet Rose Harris, a former Cortez resident and 1970
graduate of MCHS, passed away March 11, 2001, following a long battle with
lymphoma cancer. She was 49.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held
at the Farnum-Holt Mortuary Chapel in Glenwood Springs, Colo., on Wednesday,
March 14, at 10 a.m.
Interment will take place at the Highland Cemetery in
Meeker, Colo., following the service. A graveside service will be held at 2
p.m.
She was born on Jan. 10, 1952, to Elinor (Wear) Anderson and
John L. Anderson.
She is survived by her husband, her mother, one sister, two
nephews, two uncles and many cousins. She was preceded in death by her
father, several aunts and uncles, and one cousin.
Memorial contributions may be made to Roaring Fork Hospice,
410 20th St., Ste. 203, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601.
Truman Van Auken
Memorial graveside services for Truman Van
Auken will be held Saturday, March 17 at 1 p.m. in the Cortez Cemetery.
Pastor Loel Gray will officiate.
Mr. Van Auken was born to James Truman and
Mildred Beck Van Auken on Aug. 21, 1939 in Scranton, Penn. He passed away
March 11, 2001, at his residence at the age of 61.
He attended school in Scranton and
enlisted in the Navy in Albuquerque, in 1956. He served as a Bowsman Mate
until being discharged in San Diego in 1959. Truman Van Auken was a
self-employed carpenter for most of his life.
He married Emily "Bonnie" Tozer
on Nov. 17, 1973 in Bernalillo, N.M. Truman and Bonnie were blessed with 11
children.
In April 1994, they moved to Cortez. Mr.
Van Auken enjoyed his life here in the Four corners. He was known as
"Mr. T, the CB Radio Doctor" by his friends. Truman was always
willing to repair broken CBs. He also enjoyed talking on his CB, hunting,
and especially fishing on Lake Shasta in California. He appreciated and
enjoyed the company of his many Native American friends.
Truman Van Auken is survived by his wife
Bonnie of Cortez; seven sons David, Rodney, Dennis, Richard, Robert, Ronald
and Truman II; four daughters Lea Ann, Darby, Becky and Brenna Jean; 34
grandchildren; brother Jim Van Auken; sister Dianna (Loel) Gray; aunt Lila
Wesfal and seven nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorial contributions may be made to the
Hospice of Montezuma.
Brenda Lynn Wells
Memorial services for Brenda Lynn Wells of Blanding, Utah,
will be held at First Baptist Church of Blanding, 300 W. 157 South, on
Friday, March 16, at 11:30 a.m.
Interment will follow at the Blanding Cemetery. Alton House
will be officiating the service.
A viewing will be held at the Ertel Funeral Home in Cortez
on Thursday, March 15, from 1 to 5 p.m.
Brenda was born March 27, 1964, to Mark Anthony Wells and
Rose Mary Lang in Monticello, Utah. She passed away on March 10, 2001, in
Cortez, at the age of 36.
Brenda worked as a beverage server at the Ute Mountain
Casino.
She is survived by her brothers, Troy Wells and Todd Wells,
both of White Mesa, Utah; Eric Wells of Blanding; Orelan Wells of Towaoc;
Chad Wells of Cortez; sister, Rowena House of White Mesa; grandfather Calvin
Wells, also of White Mesa; grandmothers Alice Lang, Helen Lang and Marie
Lang, all of Towaoc, and many nieces, nephews, friends and relatives.
Brenda was preceded in death by her parents; paternal
grandmother, Ida A. Posey; maternal grandparents, Harry Lang and Rachel
Eyetoo; sister Primrose Wells; aunt Sandra Lang; and uncles DeWayne Lang and
Wilford Lang.
Edith Freeman
Funeral services for Edith Christena Freeman are scheduled
for Wednesday, March 14, at the Friendship Assembly of God Church in Dolores
at 2 p.m.
Interment will follow at the Summit Ridge Cemetery. The Rev.
Robert Cogburn will officiate.
Edith was born on Nov. 28, 1927, in Scottsbluff, Neb., to
Ernest L. and Edna E. (Harsin) Pratt. She passed away on March 10, 2001, at
the Vista Grande Nursing Home in Cortez at the age of 73.
Edith owned and operated the Ponderosa in Dolores for many
years. She loved to garden, bake, and cook at home.
She is survived by her children, Jim Morrison of Belen,
N.M., and Gwen (Jeffrey D. Bouwer) Johnson of Dolores; brothers, Ernest W. (Orpha)
Pratt of Penrose, Colo.; Wayne (Francis) Pratt of El Dorado, Ark., and Dean
(Ronda) Pratt of Spokane, Wash.; sisters, Emma (Howard) Van Pelt of Dolores;
Virginia (John) Purvis of Lewis; and sister-in-law, Elizabeth Pratt of
Penrose.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lewis
William Freeman, in 1999; brothers, Dallas Pratt and Clyde Pratt; sisters,
Hazel Beasen, Helen King, and June Pratt.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Dolores State Bank
for the benefit of the Friendship Assembly of God Church in Dolores.
Funeral services are under the direction of the Ertel
Funeral Home.
Oleta Amrine
Memorial services for Oleta Amrine, a longtime Cortez
resident, will be held at the First Assembly of God Church on Friday, March
9, at 10 a.m. Pastor Don Henderson will officiate.
Oleta was born to Jerry Almarion and Stella (Joslyn) Green
on July 1, 1909, in Neosho, Mo. She passed away on March 6, 2001, at the
Southwest Memorial Hospital at the age of 91.
Oleta married Herman F. Amrine in April of 1926 in Dalhart,
Texas. They later relocated to Cortez, where she was known to this community
as the one who helped begin Cortez Laundry. She also taught school for some
time in Teec Nos Pos, Ariz.
She was a wonderful homemaker and in her later years loved
to go to the Senior Center and be with her friends. She was a faithful
member of the First Assembly of God Church in Cortez.
She is survived by her loving children, Fayella Larimore of
Mancos; Stella Wright of Phoenix, Ariz., Karl Duane (Eylondia) Amrine of San
Jose, Calif., Dena (Marvin) Elliot of Cortez, Zelma Epps of Woodland, Penn.,
daughter-in-law, Frankie Amrine of Cortez; her 20 grandchildren and 49
great-grandchildren; sisters, May Crick of Wichita, Kan., Velma Weaver of
Cleburne, Texas, Dorthy Seago of Denver, Colo.; and brothers, Everett Green
of Harlass, Calif., Lester Green of Cortez, and Verl Green of Indian Rocks,
Fla.
Preceding Oleta in death were her parents; her husband and
son, Herman Eugene Amrine.
Ertel Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Winston Thaxton
Graveside services for Clyde Winston
Thaxton, of Cortez, will be held Monday, March 5, at the Cortez Cemetery
beginning at 10 a.m. Pastor Don Henderson of the Assembly of God Church will
officiate and military graveside services will be conducted by the Ute
Mountain American Legion Post #75.
Visitation has been set for Sunday
afternoon at the Ertel Memorial Chapel between the hours of 2 p.m. and 4
p.m.
Clyde was born the youngest child of
Winston J. Thaxton and Mary I. (Reeder) Thaxton in Giles, Texas on Feb. 7,
1906. He passed away at the Valley Inn Nursing Home on Feb. 28, 2001, having
turned 95 years old days earlier.
Raised in Texas, Clyde with his seven
brothers and two sisters were orphaned at a young age. During the seventh
grade, Clyde quit school to go to work. He also began a love affair with
trains that would last throughout his lifetime. He was known to "hop a
train," riding with the hobos around the country.
Sometime in the 1930s, Clyde made his move
to Colorado where he went to work for various farms as a farmhand. He
continued his fascination with the Narrow Gauge Railroad Road, making many
trips to Silverton aboard the train.
Clyde met and became a close and constant
companion to Martha Jane Bonds over 30 years ago. One year ago Clyde and
Jane moved from Cortez to the Valley Inn Nursing Home. Jane passed away
earlier in February.
Surviving Clyde is a distant cousin of
Amarillo, Texas; and loving friend and daughter of Jane, Doris Tatum of
Sapulpa, Okla. Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral
Home.
Harvey Otis Young
Harvey Otis Young, born Feb. 25, 1914, in
Colorado Springs, Colo., died Feb. 27, 2001, in Durango. He was 87.
Harvey graduated from Colorado State
University in Fort Collins, with a degree in mechanical engineering and did
graduate work in engineering at Lehigh University, Penn., before accepting a
commission in the Army Air Corps. In the service he served both in the
States and overseas, primarily in India.
A lifelong rancher in Dry Creek Basin,
Disappointment Valley and Summit Ridge, he was on the executive boards of
the Colorado Wool Grower’s Association, Colorado Cattlemen’s
Association, the Norwood School District and the Montezuma County Housing
Authority. He was a long-time member of the Farm Bureau and was honored with
state awards for his service.
He is survived by Beverly Murphy Young,
his wife of 48 years; his children, Beverly Baril of Roanoke, Va., Max
Witkind of Tucson, Ariz., Jane Morehart of Durango, and Clemence Overholt of
Phoenix, Ariz. He has four grandsons: Travis Witkind, Ilan Baril, David
Baril and Thomas Overholt; and three granddaughters: Jeffe Morehart, Jamie
Morehart and Jeremie Morehart.
A celebration-of-his-life potluck dinner
will be held on Saturday, March 3, at noon at the Dolores Community Center.
Memorials may be made to the Fort Lewis
Foundation, 1000 Rim Dr.ive Durango, CO 81301.
Ralph L. Coulon
Services for Ralph L. Coulon, a longtime
Cortez resident, will be March 6 at the Wild Rose Chapel of Fresno, Calif.
He passed away at his home in Kingman,
Ariz., on Feb. 28, 2001. He was born Aug. 11, 1927, in California, and
served in the Navy. From 1956 to 1970, he lived in Cortez and managed Cortez
Diesel.
He is survived by his children, Sharlene
(Mike) Upchurch of Orem, Utah; Dennis (Johnnie) Coulon of Anchorage, Alaska;
John (Rosa) of Kingman; Carolyn (Steven) Smith of Pleasant View; sister-in
law, Dorothy (Jake) Mills of Fresno; brother, Raymond (Sami) Coulon of
Dolores; brother-in-law, Don German of Fresno; 17 grandchildren and 14
great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife
Darcus in July 1999.
For further details phone 559-486-7777.
Lilly B. Velasquez
Funeral services for Lilly B. Velasquez
will take place on Monday, March 5, at the Evangel Assembly of God Church,
209 W. 5th St., at 10 a.m. Pastor Dennis Rivera will officiate. Interment
will follow in the Cortez Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled for Sunday,
March 4, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the church.
Mrs. Velasquez passed away Feb. 28, 2001,
in the Vista Grande Nursing Home. She was born to Antonio and Antonia Chavez
Mestas on Feb. 6, 1932, in Gallina, N.M.
She attended school there, and the family
moved to Mancos, where Lilly met Kelly Epifanio Velasquez. They were married
on Aug. 16, 1950, in Mancos, and were blessed with three children.
Mrs. Velasquez worked for 15 years at the
Ohio Match Company in Mancos. She also worked for Louise Hawkins for many
years. Lilly became a member of the Evangel Assembly of God Church in 1981.
She taught Sunday school there, and was very active in the church,
especially with the youth.
She is survived by her husband Kelly, of
Cortez; son Randy and daughter Jessie Quintana, both of Cortez; daughter
Jolene (Carlos) Cazavez of Covina, Calif.; brothers Joe Mestas of Mancos and
Frankie Mestas of Ogden, Utah; sisters Hazel Corrales of Mancos; Annie
Martinez of Ogden; Molly (Charlie) Sanchez of Ogden; Virginia (Ray) Pena of
Ogden; Sally (Desi) Alcon of Blanco, N.M.; Margaret (Joe) Sanchez of Ogden;
Alfey (Pete) Leon of West Valley Utah; and Helen (Milli) Abeyta of Ogden;
Zenda Rice, a granddaughter who was adopted by Lilly and Kelly; 12
grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and
friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to the
Evangel Assembly of God Youth Organization.
Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale
and Gerken Funeral Directors, are serving the family.
Fadi Fred Hallak
Fadi Fred Hallak, a recent Cortez
resident, formerly of Whittier, Calif., passed away Feb. 27, 2001, at the
Montezuma County Fairgrounds. He was 35.
Funeral arrangements are pending at Queen
of Heaven Mortuary in Rowland Heights, Calif.
Local arrangements are being handed through Cortez Four
Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale and Gerken Funeral Directors. For further
information, call 564-0667.
Carol Elene
Sturdevant
Memorial services for Carol Elene Sturdevant of Cortez are
set for Saturday, March 10, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel beginning at 2 p.m.
Carol was born on Dec. 30, 1924 in Eagle Grove, Iowa. She passed away at the
Heart Hospital of New Mexico on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2001, at the age of 76.
Carol was born to Wayne Wheaton and Mabel
Bertina (Ponsness) Gates on Dec. 30, 1924, in Eagle Grove, Iowa. She passed
away at the Heart Hospital of New Mexico on Feb. 18, 2001, at the age of 76.
Carol was a devout Christian, a loving
wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and
friend.
Surviving Carol is her husband, Wendell F.
Sturdevant, whom she married in Marshalltown, Iowa on July 14, 1945. Also
surviving are her children, Rick Sturdevant, Ph.D. (Katherine) of Colorado
Springs, Colo., Trudy (Larry) of Ft. Collins, Colo., Pamela (Frank) DeFranza
of Skokie, Ill., Karen (Karl) Vetter of Fresno, Calif., Edward Sturdevant of
Cortez, and Michael (Sharon) Sturdevant of St. Louis, Mo.; six grandchildren
and three great-grandchildren. Two brothers survive her, Wallace (Jackie)
Gates of Murrieta, Calif. and Dennis (Barbara) Gates of Mesa, Ariz.
She was preceded in death by her parents
and one brother, Paul Gates, who passed away just last year.
Memorial contributions can be made with the American Heart
Association or to a charity of choice.
Irma June Powell
Funeral services for longtime Cortez resident, Irma June
Powell will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 1, at the Cortez Church of
Christ. Burial will follow at the Cortez Cemetery. Mr. Hunt Zumwalt will
officiate.
Irma, the daughter of Cornelius "Neily" and Vera
(Miller) Roe, was born in Brown County, Neb., on June 14, 1931. She passed
away at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, N.M. on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2001.
She was 69.
A regular at the Elks Lodge on Thursday nights, Irma loved
playing bingo as well as all card games. Reading was a favorite pastime for
Irma.
Irma leaves behind a loving and devoted family. She is
survived by her husband, Sidney Powell of Cortez; son Brent (Elaine) Powell
of Cortez; daughter Roxanne (Grant) Armstrong of Cortez; and her beloved
grandchildren, Melissa, Janelle, Brandon, Erin, Elizabeth, and Candace, all
of Cortez. A brother Darwin Roe of Fort Collins, Colo.; and two sisters,
Lois (Bill) Rutledge and Vada Small, both of Cortez; and many nieces,
nephews, cousins, and a host of friends also survive Irma.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Darrel Roe; sister,
Lillie Mae James; and twin sisters, LaVonna and LaVerna Roe.
Memorial contributions can be made at the First National
Bank of Cortez to benefit the American Heart Association. Services will be
under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
Edna Sylvia Seitz
Funeral services for Edna Sylvia Seitz, a lifetime resident
of Cortez, are scheduled for Thursday, March 1, at the Cortez Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will follow
at the Goodman Point Cemetery. Bishop Mortensen will be conducting the
services.
Edna was born on Feb. 15, 1912 in Mancos, to William McEwen
and Laura Jane (Bell) Willden. She passed away on Friday, Feb. 23, 2001 at
the Valley Inn Nursing Home at the age of 89.
Edna was known and loved for her domestic skills. She was
part of the Dolores River Garden Club and helped to create a recipe book.
She kept a beautiful flower garden. She was a help to her husband, McBirney
Seitz, as a farmer's wife and also helping in the years that they ran the
Trailways Bus Station in Cortez. A highlight in her life came while in her
60's when she and her sister, Harriet, climbed Helmet Peak.
She is survived by her grandchildren; Brad (Keri) Mustoe of
Cortez, Clay Mustoe of Cortez, Craig Mustoe, Susan Holt, Brett Mustoe all
three of Utah, Aaron Mustoe, Nancy Patt, Cyndi Seitz, Erica Cunningham all
four of Calif, Warren Seitz of Mass., David Seitz of Ariz., Scott Seitz of
Ill.; and numerous great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by both of her parents; her
husband in 1995; daughter, Charlotte Mustoe; sons, Charles and George Seitz;
grandson, Grant Mustoe; and 12 brothers and sisters.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's
Association in care of the Valley Inn Nursing Home, 211 3rd Ave. Mancos, CO
81328. Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
|