Carl G. Hedlund

Services for Carl G. Hedlund are tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, July 2. His wife, Erika Meyer, survives him.

For further service information, contact the Ertel Funeral Home at 565-3468.         

Ophelia Cantsee

Ophelia Cantsee, a resident of Towaoc, passed away June 21, 2003, at Southwest Memorial Hospital. She was 39.

A funeral service was held Wednesday, June 25, in the Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel. Dr. Orrenzo Snyder officiated, with Karen and Jacqueline Cantsee as speakers. Interment followed in the Cortez Cemetery.

Mrs. Cantsee was born to Jack Sr. and Betty Yazzie Cantsee Nov. 19, 1963, in Monticello, Utah. She has lived in the Four Corners area all her life.

Mrs. Cantsee was first married to Archie House Jr. on July 27, 2002, she married Dewayne Whiteman in Cortez.

Mrs. Cantsee was employed as a secretary with the public works department in Towaoc. She worked in various positions with the Ute Mountain Tribal Government in the past.

She was a member of the Native American Church, and was a very traditional person. She enjoyed the hand game, bear dances, swimming with her children, dancing, softball and other sports, bead work. She boxed with her brothers and sisters when she was young and enjoyed dart tournaments and powwows, and took karate lessons. She was a 49 singer and had a wonderful sense of humor.

Ophelia K. Cantsee is survived by her father Jack Sr., and stepmother, Mary Jane Cantsee, of White Mesa, Utah; her mother, Betty, and stepfather, Jerry, of Bluff, Utah; her husband Dewayne Whiteman of Towaoc; her children: Owen Whiteman of Towaoc; Delvoria House, Celindra House and Katy House, all of Towaoc; and Shalya Morris of Provo, Utah; her brothers: Jack Cantsee Jr. of Montezuma Creek, Utah; Anson Baby Deer Cantsee of Towaoc; Javis Cantsee of White Mesa; Dr. Orrenzo Snyder of Anchorage, Alaska; her sisters: Elaine Etcitty and Jolene Cantsee, both of White Mesa; Jacqueline Cantsee of Flagstaff, Ariz.; and Marietta Cantsee of Anaheim, Calif.; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, some nieces and nephews.

Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale & Gerken is serving the family.         

Jeffery "Two Dogs" Price

Jeffery Price, 41, died of natural causes Saturday, June 21, 2003, at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, N.M. A memorial service will be held Friday, June 27, at 5 p.m. at Ute Park (behind the casino) in Ignacio. Cremation will occur at Hood Mortuary Crematory in Durango.

Mr. Price was born March 12, 1962, in Cortez, the son of James Sr. and Violet (Serafin) Price. He graduated from Intermountain Indian School in Brigham City, Utah, in 1980. He joined the U.S. Navy that same year and served his full enlistment until 1984.

After the service, Mr. Price lived in the Ignacio area his whole life. He played on basketball and volleyball teams as well as participating in marathons, running in a recent one in Tucson, Ariz. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was also involved in powwows, participating in Sun Dancing, Gourd Dancing and Bear Dancing. He was very outgoing and friendly and was always smiling.

He is survived by his father James Price Sr. of Cortez; his mother Violet Weaver of Ignacio; a brother James Price Jr. of Ignacio; sisters: Marlene Carel, Yvonne Price and Georgeanne Price, all of Ignacio; grandfather George Serafin of Pagosa Springs; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandmothers: Elizabeth Marsh and Anna Serafin.

Memorial contributions may be made in Jeff’s name to the American Cancer Society, 3801 Main Ave., Durango, 81301.         

Jack Rogers

Jack Rogers was born June 4, 1910, in Siebert, Colo. He passed away March 21, 2003, and was cremated in Prescott, Ariz. He was 92.

The American Legion will conduct memorial services at 10 a.m. June 30 at the Cortez Cemetery.

Jack graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in electrical engineering. After receiving his commission as a lieutenant in 1941, he was immediately posted to the Philippines to establish radar installations shortly before World War II began. He was captured when American forces surrendered, and he survived the Bataan Death March and three and one-half years in a Manchurian prison camp. He retired from the Army as a lieutenant colonel.

Jack spent 25 fulfilling post-war years at the Naval Electronics Lab in San Diego developing ship-to-shore communications systems.

In 1961, Jack married Marguerite Hazlewood, the widow of his closest childhood friend in Bisbee, Ariz. Settling in Camp Verde, Ariz., in 1970, Jack spent his retirement years indulging in his greatest creative interests: flying, barbershop quartet singing, ham radio and inventing things in his hobby machine shop.

Jack is survived by his wife, Marguerite, of Cortez; his stepchildren: Dennis, Roger and Suzannah; a sister: Mary Lou Luques and her son, Col. Jeffrey Luques, of North Carolina; and hundreds of dear friends scattered all over the country.         

Gordon Fred ‘Mickey’ Jensen

Funeral services for Cortez resident Gordon Fred "Mickey" Jensen will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 25, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel. Cremation will follow services. Pastor David Dahl will officiate. A visitation has been scheduled for Tuesday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Ertel Chapel.

Mickey was born July 2, 1935, in Choteau, Mont., to Pete W. and Arlene (Broeder) Jensen. He passed away Friday, June 20, 2003, at the New Mexico Heart Hospital in Albuquerque, N.M., at the age of 67.

On November 15, 1971, in Rock Springs, Wyo., Mickey married Phyllis Montgomery. He cherished being with his family and was very proud of all their accomplishments. Mickey also loved the outdoors.

Surviving Mickey is his wife, Phyllis Jensen of Cortez; his three children: Debra Jensen of Dolores; Michael Jensen of Missoula, Mont., and Kristian Jensen of Cortez; his 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild; his uncle and aunt, Gordon and Hazel Broeder of Kalispell, Mont.; as well as several cousins.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his stepfather, Norman Wellman; and his grandparents, Fred and Alma Broeder.

Memorial contributions can be made in Mickey's memory to the American Heart Association.

Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.         

Ann L. Potts

Mancos resident Ann L. Potts was born May 30, 1921, in Colorado Springs, to Felix DeFelece and Mary (Paris) DeFelece. She passed away Saturday, June 21, 2003, at the Valley Inn Nursing Home in Mancos at the age of 82.

Ann married Westley Franklin Potts October 29, 1943, in Raton, N.M. Throughout the years she was a helpmate to Westley. Ann was also a member of the VFW Auxiliary.

Ann's husband of 59 years, Westley Potts, of Mancos survives her. She is also survived by her two sons: Charles Potts and wife, Jeanne, of Deetsville, Ala., and James Potts and wife, Carol, of Mancos. Her three grandchildren: John, Laura and Beth; as well as her two great-grandchildren: Katie and Anna Marie, survive Ann. She leaves behind her sister and two brothers: Jay Benne of Bartlesville, Okla.; Bob DeFlece of Cañon City, Colo., and Tony DeFlece of Colorado Springs. Preceding her in death are her parents; and her brother, Pete Paris.

No services have been scheduled at this time.

Arrangements are being handled through the Ertel Funeral Home.         

Ruth Marie Walker

Graveside services for longtime Farmington resident Ruth Marie Walker will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 25, at the Memory Gardens of Farmington. Rev. Johnny Arrington of the Johnson Memorial Methodist Church will officiate.

Ruth was born Sept. 21, 1907, at Butler, Okla., the daughter of Birt Fox and Della (Webb) Fox. She passed away Sunday, June 22, 2003, at Aspen Gardens Assisted Living in Cortez at the age of 95.

On Sept. 10, 1925, Ruth wed Charles D. Walker in Oklahoma. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Farmington and taught Sunday School there. Ruth was a 20-year member of Farmington's Hillbilly Band.

Surviving Ruth are her children, Neita Rowell of Dolores, and Larry Walker and wife, Pat, of Montrose, Colo.; two grandchildren: Tom Rowell of Cortez, and Terry Rowell and wife, Verna, of Aztec, N.M.; and four great-grandchildren.

Preceding Ruth in death were her parents; her husband; four brothers and four sisters.

Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Ruth Walker with Hospice of Montezuma, 1345 S. Broadway, Cortez, 81321.

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

Rodney Allen Loper

Rodney Loper, a resident of Cortez, passed away June 17, 2003, at his residence. He was 50.

A funeral service is set for 10 a.m. today, June 21, in the Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel. Pastor Neely Lewis of the Montelores Baptist Church in Lewis will officiate.

Cremation will take place following the services, with a memorial service to be scheduled at a later date in Grand Island, Neb.

Mr. Loper was born April 13, 1953, in Omaha, Neb. He attended school in Plattsmouth, Grand Island, and received his GED through the Job Corps Service, graduating with high honors.

Mr. Loper lived in the Cortez area for six years, coming from Plattsmouth. He was formerly married to Penny Christian. They were united in marriage July 28, 1976, in Kane Hollow, Utah. They were married 20 years.

Mr. Loper was a member of the U.S. Army, 3rd Infantry, as an arms specialist, stationed in Germany. He was formerly the owner of a drywall company and worked for San Juan Drywall in Cortez. He was a local member of Alcoholics Anonymous. Mr. Loper enjoyed fishing and the outdoors, especially being in the mountains. He loved tinkering with cars and boats, and loved his dogs, cats and animals.

Rodney Allen Loper is survived by his mother and step-father, Lois I. Sell and Bill Dowse of Grand Island; sons: Devan Loper and wife, Stephanie, of Orem, Utah, and Ryan Loper of Cortez; Lois' other children; brother, Edward Loper and wife, Tarra, of Waconia, Minn.: sisters: Diane Skibstead and husband, Chris, and Beth Slough and husband, Herb, all of Doniphan, Neb.; his other brothers and sisters: Dallas G. PemBerton, Diane (Dee-Dee) Osiola, Chuck PemBerton and wife, Topper, and Garr E. PemBerton, all of White Earth, Minn.; Chris Johnson of Blain, Minn.; Paul B. PemBerton and Josh S. PemBerton, both of Vernal, Utah; and Jese B. PemBerton of Grass Valley, Calif.; numerous nieces, nephews and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Vaden Loper; a brother, Robert; and his grandparents, Carl and Ora Sell, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Memorial contributions may be made to Alcoholics Anonymous, P.O. Box 984, Cortez, 81321.

Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale & Gerken is serving the family.         

Roberta Jean Smith

Roberta Jean Smith was born May 29, 1930, to Ralph and Gladys (Baker) Drummond. She passed away Wednesday, June 11, 2003, at the Vista Grande Nursing Home, at the age of 73.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 25, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 1304 E. Empire in Cortez. With her love for the outdoors, Roberta requested her ashes to placed at Rainbow Park, north of Waldon, Colo.

Roberta passed away on her 54th wedding anniversary. She married Kenneth A. Smith June 11, 1949, in Glenwood Springs, Colo. They came to Cortez in September 1974 from Elizabeth, Colo.

Roberta never held back from her greatest love speaking to others about her God Jehovah and his wonderful Kingdom, where there will be "no more death, pain or sorrow," as Rev. 21:3 and 4 promise us. Her hope was to be resurrected into that New Kingdom here on Earth; to be able to walk, run, climb and hold a paint brush again.

Roberta not only loved the outdoors, she also painted it; on canvas, on milk cans, old saw blades, walls, etc. Working with her hands didn't stop at painting animals, flowers and beautiful scenery. She taught all facets of painting, including tole painting and ceramics. She won various prizes with her artwork.

Roberta loved table games, cooking, sewing, gardening, canning, flowers and reading. She loved life. There is not enough paper to tell of the love of this woman.

Roberta is survived by her husband, Kenneth, of Cortez; her son, Jerry Smith and wife, Marsha; granddaughter, Nikkie Mahich and husband, Sabba; two great-grandchildren: Liam and Lajla, all of Boulder, Colo.; grandson, Lance Smith of Denver; sister, Keitha Peebler and husband, Bill, of Cederidge, Colo.; sister-in-law, Barbara Pletcher of Peona, Colo., and many friends         

Earl Ellis "Smoky" Taylor

Funeral services for area resident Earl Ellis "Smoky" Taylor will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, June 23, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow at the Cahone Cemetery. Elder Conway Wood will officiate.

Earl was born June 18, 1930, in McElmo Canyon to William Earl and Dolly Mary Angeline (Simmons) Taylor. He passed away Wednesday, June 18, 2003, at his home in Flora Vista at the age of 73.

Earl was a trading post owner who loved to prospect for precious metals. He had prospected in Alaska, Nevada and Mexico.

Surviving Earl are his children: James "Jim" Earl Taylor of Cortez; Donald Glenn Taylor of Fairbanks, Alaska; Wilbur Lane Taylor of Las Vegas, Nev.; Duane "Joe" Lee Taylor and wife, Pam, of Fairbanks, Alaska, and Leita Louise Hughes and husband, Tom, of McElmo; as well as 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents.

Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.          

Lester Gus Bain

Services for Lester Gus Bain were held Tuesday, June 10, at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Gregory, S.D., with Pastor Wade Harr officiating. Music was furnished by John Jacobsen and Leann Sinclair. Casket bearers were Dennis Purvis, Clark Horn, Kerry Stiner, Myron Johnson, Ed Engelmeyer and Luther Wilhelmsen. Interment was in Graceland Cemetery in Burke, S.D.

Lester Leroy Gus Bain was born Aug. 30, 1921, at Long Pine, Neb., the fourth of seven children to Clarence and Margaret (Samples) Bain. He died June 7, 2003, at Community Memorial Hospital in Burke at the age of 81.

Gus served in the European Theater during World War II in the 10th Mountain Division from Aug. 8, 1942, until Jan. 26, 1946. He was united in marriage to Evelyn Schipporeit Dec. 20, 1947, at Ainsworth, Neb. To this union two children were born: Don and Bev.

His horses, ranching, playing cards and following his childrens and granddaughters activities were Gus focus throughout his lifetime. He always had time to lend a helping hand to a neighbor or a friend.

Gus is survived by his wife, Evelyn of Burke; his son, Don Bain and wife, Deb, of Cortez; daughter, Bev Engelmeyer and husband, David, of Burke; four granddaughters: Donnelle Miller and husband, Taylor, of Kokomo, Ind.; Michelle Engelmeyer of Lone Tree, Colo.; Colette Dick and husband, Matt, of Waseca, Minn., and Tasha Engelmeyer of Burke; one great-grandson, Logan Miller; his sister, Dorothy Zoerb of Ainsworth; his sisters-in-law: Vivian Bain of Ainsworth; Irene Bain of Bassett, Neb.; and Leah Jane Bain of Moreno Valley, Calif.; and one brother-in-law, Gary Christopher of Parker, Ariz.

Gus was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers: Howard Bain, Clifferd Bounce Bain, and Harold Bain; two sisters: Hazel and Iva Mae Susie, and one brother-in-law, Ben Zoerb.         

Chuck Lyen

Chuck Lyen, a longtime resident of Cortez, passed away June 17, 2003, in the VA Hospital in Albuquerque, N.M., after a long battle with cancer. He was 58.

Military rites will be performed by the Ute Mountain American Legion Post 75 at the post home, 320 N. Harrison St., in Cortez, Friday, June 20, at 6 p.m. Chaplain Linley Leonard will officiate.

Chuck was born to George W. and Ruth M. McCall Lyen July 7, 1944, in Henderson, N.V. He graduated from Montezuma High School in Cortez.

Chuck entered the U.S. Navy and served his country during the Vietnam War for two tours of duty, from 1961 to 1965. He was ranked as E-3, and performed duties as a jet fueler aboard an aircraft carrier. Chuck re-enlisted and continued to serve from 1968 to 1970.

Chuck was formerly employed as a hardrock miner, and most recently as a bartender at the Old Stagecoach Bar for 17 years. He was a member of the Ute Mountain American Legion Post 75 of Cortez. He enjoyed hunting elk and fishing.

Chuck is survived by his brothers: David G. Lyen and Edward Lyen, both of Cortez; sisters: Sue Cutler and husband, Bob, of Campbelsville, Ky., and Mary Pierce and husband, Carl, of Huntington Beach, Calif.; a stepson, Gene Sanders of Cortez; numerous nieces, nephews and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale & Gerken is serving the family.

Eugene Gene S. Neel Jr.

Eugene Gene S. Neel Jr., of Holliston, Mass., formerly of Dolores, and an active participant in the soccer community, passed away Monday June 16, 2003, at St. Vincents Hospital of heart problems. He was 58.

Memorial service will be held Sunday, June 23, at All Saints Episcopal Church in Hanover, Pa. Interment will follow Monday, June 24, at Salem United Church in Dover, Pa.

Gene was born Nov. 14, 1944.

He leaves behind his best friend and loving wife Jackie; his sons: Travis Neel and Justin Neel of the family home, Chris Neel of Detroit, Mich.; daughters: Shelly Belcher and husband ,Brian, of Towson, Md., and Leslie Little-Staples and husband, Brady, of Scottsdale, Ariz.; grandchildren: Sophia, Brooke and Coby; his father, Eugene S. Neel Sr., of Fayettville, Tenn.; brother, Tom Neel and wife, Debra, of Tennessee; sister, Suzy Neil and husband, Richard, of Connecticut, as well as a host of family and friends.

A memorial fund has been established at Dolores State Bank.         

Avis Ardith Hamilton

Graveside services for longtime Cortez resident Avis Ardith Hamilton will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 19, at the Cortez Cemetery. A visitation has been scheduled for Wednesday evening at the Ertel Memorial Chapel from 5 to 7 p.m.

Avis was born Jan. 29, 1912, in Randolph, Kan., to Victor and Ethel (Erickson) Hawkinson. She passed away Saturday, June 14, 2003, at the Vista Grande Nursing Home at the age of 91.

On Nov. 23, 1950, in Kansas City, Mo., Avis married J.C. Hamilton. She pursued a career as a registered nurse and worked 17 years for Southwest Memorial Hospital. Avis enjoyed being a ranch hand, and loved the horses and cattle.

She is survived by her husband, J.C. Hamilton of Cortez; her children: Vicki Parker and husband, Jim, and George Linford and wife, Gwen, all of Grand Junction. She leaves four grandchildren: Kevin, Karen, Kristen and Cindy; four great-grandchildren; and her sister, Joan Beaver and husband, Don, of Wichita, Kan.

Preceding her in death were her parents.

Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.         

Rebecca Archibeque Sanchez

Funeral services for longtime Cortez resident Rebecca Archibeque Sanchez will be held at 2 p.m. today, June 17, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow at the Cedar Grove Cemetery in Mancos. David Nipper will officiate.

Rebecca was born July 10, 1910, in Durango, to Daniel and Sophia (Arnold) Smith. She passed away Saturday, June 14, 2003, at the Vista Grande Nursing Home.

Rebecca was raised by her aunt, Franciscita Romero. She married Pocomio Archibeque August 14, 1926, who preceded her in death August 14, 1958.

They were the parents of 13 children George (Marylee) who passed away in 1992, Victor (Mary) who passed away in 1998.

Her surviving children are Antonita Brown and husband, Victor, of Nucla; Gilberto Archibeque and wife, Alice, of Agate, Colo.; Sophie Stevenson of Cortez; Madelina Brown of Grand Junction; Ruth Jordan of Mancos; Enoch Archibeque and wife, Nancy, of Bountiful, Utah; Elias Archibeque and wife, Cindy, of Salt Lake City; Betty Nipper and husband, David, of Ft. Myers, Fla.; Francis Clarke of Cache Creek, British Columbia; Pacomio Archibeque and wife, Linda, of Salt Lake City, and Rebecca Likes and husband, Carl, of Alexandria, La.

She married Salvador Sanchez in 1965 and he passed away in 1979. She was a Christian and raised a beautiful family, which includes 54 grandchildren, 91 great-grandchildren, and 37 great-great-grandchildren.

Also surviving is the family of Salvador Sanchez and many friends.

We are thankful that God allowed her to be with us for 93 years.

Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.

Maria Delfina Gallegos

Funeral services for longtime Cortez resident Maria Delfina Gallegos will be held at 2 p.m. today, June 19, at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church. Interment will follow at the Cortez Cemetery. A visitation has been scheduled for 10 a.m. this morning at the Ertel Memorial Chapel.

Delfina was born April 3, 1916, in Cebolla, N.M., She passed away Sunday, June 15, 2003, at her home in Cortez at the age of 87.

Her son, Sammy Jaramillo and wife, Alex, of Lubbock, Texas, survive Delfina. She leaves behind two granddaughters: Cynthia Marquez of Texas, and Delphina Guerrera of Arizona; and one grandson, Armando Jaramillo of California. Her sister and two brothers: Carmelita Archibeque and husband, Mike; Adonais Gallegos and wife, Mary, and Victor Gallegos and wife, Roberta, all of Cortez, survive Delfina.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Adolfo and Euphemia (Gurule) Gallegos.

Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.

Sarah Jean Sally Murray

Graveside services for Cortez resident Sarah Jean "Sally" Murray will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 18, at the Cortez Cemetery. Pastor David Dahl will officiate.

Sally was born Aug. 2, 1934, in Pittsburgh, Pa., to Seldon Henry and Edith W. (Welling) Marshall. She passed away Friday, June 13, 2003, at the Vista Grande Nursing Home at the age of 68.

After completing 15 years of education, Sally pursued her career as a registered nurse.

Sally is survived by her sister and brother, Carol Holsing of Pennsylvania, and Charles H. Marshall of Kiowa, Colo.; as well as her friend, Marjorie Kelly.

Preceding her in death were her parents; and her son, Patrick David Murray, who passed away in 1985.

Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.         

Paul Martin

Funeral services for Paul Martin, currently of Cortez and a lifelong resident of Dove Creek, will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, at the First Baptist Church in Dove Creek. Pastor Sam Thompson will officiate. Visitation has been set for this evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Ertel Memorial Chapel. Burial will be in the Dove Creek Cemetery immediately following the service.

Paul was born Jan. 1, 1916, in Dove Creek, the son of Charles and Inez (Allen) Martin. He died Sunday, June 15, 2003, at Southwest Memorial Hospital at the age of 87.

Paul married Viola Jackson in Monticello, Utah, Jan. 24, 1936. Together they shared 67 years of marriage. Paul served on the bank board in Dove Creek as well as the fire department. In his free time, Paul enjoyed fishing, hunting and gardening.

Surviving Paul is his wife, Viola Martin of Cortez; his children: Paula Hancock and husband, Lester, of Dove Creek; Roger Martin of Conifer, Colo.; and Judy Young and husband, Edwin, of Terrell, Texas. Also surviving are his brother, Charles Hatfield of Dove Creek; and his sisters, Rena Jo Todd of Lewis; Zena Whitener of Dove Creek; Pearl Maxwell of Sacramento, Calif., and Celesta Mykel of Sanger, Texas. Four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren also survive Paul.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother; his brothers: Martin Hatfield and John Martin; and sister, Lucille Mayes.

Memorial contributions can be made in Paul Martin's name with the Dove Creek Ambulance Fund.

Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.

Betty J. Tibbits

Betty J. Tibbits, born Jan. 15, 1930 in Mancos, passed away in Phoenix, Ariz., March 6, 2003. She was 73.

A resident of Bouse, Ariz., Betty spent her summers in Dolores.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, June 26, at 2 p.m. in the Dolores Methodist Church.

Abenilde "Red" Cardenas

Abenilde "Red" Cardenas (Vallejos) was born Feb. 2, 1936, in Cuba, N.M., to Jose Sanporal and Petrita Salazar. She lost her 10-year battle with cirrhosis and diabetes June 10, 2003, in Englewood, Colo. She was 67.

A graveside service with inurnment will take place Thursday, June 19, at 2 p.m. in the Cortez Cemetery.

Red married Alfred Vallejos Oct. 31, 1950. They were married for 22 years and had three sons and a daughter.

She enjoyed and loved being with her family and friends. Even when she was not feeling well, Red did not miss a change to be with her family. Her favorite things were to go to Central City, yard sales and going to second-hand stores. Red loved Betty Boop, search word puzzles, playing bingo and eating watermelon.

Abenilde "Red" Cardenas (Vallejos) is survived by the father of her children and friend, Alfred Vallejos; her "mom," Fedelina Vallejos; sons: Rudy Vallejos and wife, Emilia, of Olathe, Colo.; Ruben Vallejos and wife, Debbie, of Denver; daughter, Lynette Vallejos-Fesler and husband, John, of Denver; nine grandchildren; eight stepgrandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; her sisters: Carmelita Sanchez of Cortez; Louise Valdez of Denver; Becky Le Doux and husband, Gilbert, of Albuquerque, N.M.; loving ex-daughters-in-law: Karen Schonberger and Debbie Hodge; many loving nieces, nephews and friends.

A memorial fund has been established in Abenilde's name at the Westar Bank, 1500 E. Oak Grove, Montrose, 81401, contact Debbie Mills, (970) 240-6000.

Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale & Gerken is serving the family.

James Albert Collins

James Albert Collins, 54, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, died June 8, 2003, while fishing near American Falls, Idaho.

Funeral services will be held today, June 14, at 11 a.m. at Buck-Miller-Hann Funeral Home, 825 E. 17th St. in Idaho Falls. Pastor Bob Cutler will officiate. Burial will be in Boise on Monday, June 16, at 2 p.m.

He was born Feb. 13, 1949, at Fruita, Colo., the son of K. Edward and Betty Hiatt Collins. James spent his early years and was educated in Fruita and graduated from Fruita Union High School in 1967.

James met Kathryn Jean Bray on a blind date and they were married Nov. 2, 1973, in Grand Junction, Colo. He worked in the electrical field for 28 years and presently for Bonneville Power Administration as chief operator supervisor.

James hobbies and interests included skiing, fishing, hunting, bowling, softball and spending time with his family and friends. He was a devoted husband of 30 years. His love for his children and grandchildren was unmatched and well known. Those who knew him had a friend for life. He will be greatly missed but never forgotten.

James is survived by his wife, Kathy Collins of Idaho Falls; his son, Cory Collins of Nampa, Idaho; a daughter, Carrie Knauf and husband, Chris, of Boise, Idaho; granddaughters: Allison and Nicole Collins of Nampa; his parents, Ed and Betty Collins of Grand Junction; two sisters: Diana Bailey and husband, Roy, of Fruita, and Barbara Gail Botkin and husband, Ed, of Salt Lake City; two brothers: Kenny Collins and wife, Julie, of Grand Junction; Bruce Collins and wife, Betty, of Rifle, Colo.; mother-in-law, Peggy Bray of Grand Junction; father-in-law, Joe Bray of Loma, Colo.; and many nieces and nephews in the Cortez area.

James was preceded in death by his grandparents, Edwin "Red" Hiatt, Louise Saunders, Pearl Hiatt and Rowland Saunders.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Jim Collins Memorial Fund, care of Idaho Bass Federation, 3602 Berry Dr., Boise, ID, 83703.

Services are under the direction of Buck-Miller-Hann Funeral Home, Idaho Falls.          

Naomi Ruth Maynes Metzelaar

Naomi Ruth Maynes Metzelaar was born March 26, 1936, in Cortez to Ernest and Hazel Maynes. She died of a heart attack June 4, 2003, in Phoenix, Ariz. at the age of 66.

No public services are planned.

Ruth married Charles Metzelaar on July 8, 1953, and lived in Utah for many years where their three children were born.

At the time of her death, Ruth was living in Mesa, Ariz., where she enjoyed being near her children.

Naomi Ruth Maynes Metzelaar is survived by her children: Barbara Metzelaar of Mesa, and Jay C. Metzelaar of Apache Junction, Ariz.; a brother, Robert Maynes of Cortez; and two sisters: Luella Wesolowski of Montrose, Colo.; and Ruby Spear of Heber, Ariz.

She was preceded in death by her husband; a son, David Metzelaar; a granddaughter, Tanya; two brothers: Howard Maynes and David Maynes; and two sisters: Karen Rossen and Mary Stork.         

Leo F. Black

Memorial services for longtime Cortez resident Leo F. Black will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 17, at the Trinity Lutheran Church. Pastor David Dahl will officiate.

Leo was born Nov. 27, 1927, in Kingman, Ariz., to James Arthur and Mable Emily (Van Marter) Black. He passed away Friday, May 30, 2003, at his home in Cortez at the age of 75.

On Sept. 28, 1971, in Las Vegas, Nev., Leo married Susan Evaline Lichty. He continued his life an avid reader and archeology buff.

Surviving Leo is his wife, Susan Black of Cortez; his children: Leo Black and wife, Wendy, of Mesquite, Nev.; James Black and wife, Charmaine; Robert Black and wife, Katherine; Gary Black and wife, Wendy Jo; Michael Black and wife, Lori, all of Las Vegas; Peggy Jones and husband, Frank, of Westminster, Calif.; his stepchildren: Douglas Moss and Allison Carey; his siblings: Virginia Doyle, Donald Black, Mai Gray, Helen Tapp, Frances Madole and Sister Madonna Marie.

Preceding him in death were his parents; and his stepdaughter, Kristin Moss.

Memorial contributions can be made in Leos name at Dolores State Bank.

Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.

George A. Fry

Funeral services for longtime Cortez resident George Albert Fry will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, June 13, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow at the Cortez Cemetery. A visitation has been scheduled for this afternoon from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Ertel Chapel. Hunt Zumwalt will officiate.

George was born May 5, 1915, in Oswego, Kan., to Ether and Nora (Ray) Fry. He passed away Monday, June 9, 2003, at the Southwest Memorial Hospital at the age of 88.

Reading Louis LAmour books, fishing, hunting and playing baseball were all favorite pastimes of George's. He was a member of the American Legion, and enjoyed helping at the rodeo grounds. He was also a devoted member of the Four Corners Rifle and Pistol Club, where he was the last charter member and the first lifetime member.

George is survived by his wife, Thelma Louise Fry of Cortez; his children: Dan Fry and wife, Joyce, of Pompton Plains, N.J., and Darlene Fry-Holst and husband, Richard Holst, of Cortez. He leaves behind his grandchildren: Sean Fry and wife, Kristin, of Anarbor, Mich.; Todd Fry of Germany; Leslie Manno and husband, Jeff, of New Jersey; Jesse Uptain and wife, Candice, of Cortez; and two great-grandchildren: Eva Uptain and Marie Fry. His three sisters: Mildred Judd of Pueblo, Colo.; Pearl Rose of Hasting, Neb., and Aletha Jones of Elk City, Okla., also survive George.

Preceding him in death were his parents; two brothers, and three sisters.

Memorial contributions may be made in Georges name at the First National Bank of Cortez for the Four Corners Rifle and Pistol Club.

Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home at 565-3468.

Rose Lela Bryant

Rose Bryant, a longtime resident of Dove Creek, passed away June 4, 2003, at her residence. She was 85.

A graveside service is set for 2 p.m. today, June 10, in the Fairview Cemetery in Yellow Jacket. Rev. Don Smith will officiate. Cremation will precede the service.

Mrs. Bryant was born to Daniel Austin and Laura May Evans Bryant April 24, 1918, in Ackmen, Colo. She grew up and attended school there. On Jan. 14, 1946, she married James Austin Bryant in Aztec, N.M. He preceded her in death in 1979.

Mrs. Bryant worked for the U.S. government as a welder, making ships and airplanes during World War II. She also sold cosmetics, farmed, was a homemaker, and welded at her shop across the street from her home in Dove Creek.

Mrs. Bryant was a member of the First Baptist Church in Dove Creek. She enjoyed rock collecting; her CB-radio nickname was "Lady Rock Hound." Mrs. Bryant was a good cook and cooked for the children in the Dove Creek school system.

Rose Lela Bryant is survived by her daughter, Pauline Fulks of Dove Creek; her brother, Robert E. Lee of Hotchkiss, Colo.; two sisters: Wanda Allen of Jerome, Idaho, and Marie Wood of Durango; 18 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, and her children: Daniel Gene Bass, J.R. Bass, William Earl Bass, James Earl Bass, Daniel Austin Bryant, Rose Ella Bass, an infant son Bass, and 10 siblings.

Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale & Gerken is serving the family.

Lewis Miner Chinn

Funeral services for Cortez resident, Lewis Miner Chinn will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, June 9, at the Cortez First United Methodist Church. Rev. Lynn Evans will officiate. Inurnment services will be held at a later date at the Coats Cemetery in Coats, Kan.

Lewis was born Sept. 6, 1923, in Coats to Maple Dunning and Cecil (Bobbit) Chinn. He passed away Thursday, June 5, 2003, at his home in Cortez at the age of 79.

Surviving Lewis is his wife, Jody Chinn of Cortez; his children: Michael Chinn and wife, Loretta, and Rebecca Chinn and husband, Rob Burkart; her three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren; as well as several brothers and sisters.

Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.         

Doris Virginia Eitel 

Graveside services for longtime Cortez resident Doris Virginia Eitel were held Friday, June 6, at the Cortez Cemetery. Pastor Lyman Black officiated.

Doris was born March 7, 1930, in Magnolia, Ark., to Loyd and Lettie (Staggs) Booth. She passed away Wednesday, June 4, 2003, at her home in Cortez at the age of 73.

Doris married her beloved husband of 56 years, Raymond D. Eitel, Jan. 25, 1947, in Magnolia, Ark. They were seen together everywhere and loved each other dearly. Doris was dedicated to her family and was a homemaker extraordinaire.

She is survived by her husband, Ray Eitel of Cortez; her children: Ron Eitel and wife, Connie, of Glendale, Ariz.; Rita Thomas and husband, Jim, of Prescott Valley, Ariz.; her grandchildren: Richard Knippers and wife, Desiree, of Evanston, Wyo.; Randy Eitel and wife, Denise, of Farmington, and Barbie Duckett and husband, Nate, of San Angelo, Texas; and her great-grandson, Dillon Knippers. Her brother, Horace Booth and wife, Ann, of Magnolia, also survive Doris.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Memorial contributions may be made in Doris name to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, 720 S. Colorado Blvd., Suite 450-S, Denver, 80246.

Services were under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.         

Joseph Heffernan Ismay

Funeral services for lifelong Dolores resident Joseph Heffernan Ismay will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 10, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow at the Summit Ridge Cemetery. Johnny Green will officiate.

Joe was born March 1, 1921, in Cortez to John Harvey and Eleanor (Heffernan) Ismay. He passed away Wednesday, June 4, 2003, at the Southwest Memorial Hospital at the age of 82.

On Jan. 26, 1945, in Aztec, N.M., Joe married Mary Baer. He loved his family and enjoyed leather crafts, the outdoors, and farming and ranching.

Joe is survived by his wife, Mary Ismay of Dolores; his children: Norman Ismay and wife, Barbara, of Vail, S.D.; John Ismay and wife, Bonnie, of Sturgis, S.D.; Jane Curtis and husband, Bill, of Denver; Sherril Ismay of Granby, Colo.; Ron Ismay and wife, Debbie, of Windsor, Colo.; Brent Ismay and wife, Sandy, of Pensacola, Fla.; JoAnne Bangs and husband, Dan, of Pleasant View. He leaves 15 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren; as well as his two sisters, and two brothers: Laura Hatch and husband, Sherman, of Montezuma Creek, Utah; Anna Wallace and husband, Ray, of Washington; Robert Ismay of McElmo Trading Post, and Eugene Ismay of Dolores.

Preceding him in death were his parents.

Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.         

Berniece Bradshaw

Funeral services for longtime Cortez resident Berniece Bradshaw will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 7, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow at the Cedar Grove Cemetery. A visitation has been scheduled for Friday evening from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Ertel Chapel.

Berniece was born Feb. 23, 1916, in Rowe, Okla., to William Jackson and Nettie Caterine (Brown) Cornelison. She passed away Tuesday, June 3, 2003, at the Valley Inn Nursing Home at the age of 87.

Berniece was a homemaker who enjoyed gardening, crocheting and crafts.

She is survived by her children: Rose Rich and husband, Eugene, of Cortez, and Alfred Dean of Mesa, Ariz. She leaves her brother, Alvin Cornelison and wife, Naomi, of Pampa, Texas; her brother-in-law, Herb Trimble and wife, Barbara, of Pampa; and her sister-in-law, Frances Cornelison of Hobbs, N.M.; as well as numerous stepchildren, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Harvey Dean Bradshaw; her son, Jimmie; and her grandson, Lyle Alan Bradshaw.

Memorial contributions can be made in the name of Berniece Bradshaw to Hospice of Montezuma.

Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.         

Jessamin Mae West

Jessamin Mae West, 80, passed away Sunday, May 31, 2003, at her home in Cortez. She requested no services be held.

Jessamin was born in Springview, Neb., Oct. 24, 1922, the first-born child of Bert M. and Edna Mae Bauld Stone. The Stone family moved to Cortez in 1939.

Jessamin married Richard Earl Jessup Jr. in 1941. They had two children: Helen Raye and Donald Eugene. The family lived in California while Richard served in World War II. Jessamin came back to Cortez to raise the children after their divorce.

Jessamin married Jess West Aug. 9, 1952, and to this union a son, George, was born. The family moved to Shiprock, N.M., where the Wests operated the Chief Conoco for many years beginning in 1953. After closing the Conoco, the family lived in a housing complex while Jess worked for the helium plant in Shiprock.

After the helium plant closed, the family moved to Cortez in 1968. Jess worked in Aneth, Utah, and Jessamin was employed by the Re-1 school district as a cook. When George graduated from high school, Jessamin moved to Aneth and worked at the Aneth Trading Post.

In the late ‘70s, Jess and Jessamin retired to Cortez. Jessamin’s time was divided between the Disappointment Valley Ranch and her home. She made sure no one every left her home hungry or in need. She cared for her loved ones with respect, and taught her children and grandchildren courage to pursue their dreams.

Jessamin belonged to several organizations including Rebecca’s, Cortez Chapter 87, Order of the Eastern Star, Southwestern Cowbelles, American Legion Auxiliary and the VFW Auxiliary.

Jessamin Mae West is survived by her husband, Jess West; sons: Donald Jessup and wife, G-Ann; George West and wife, Halene; brothers and sisters: Raye Kennedy and husband, Merrill of Dolores; Glen Stone and wife, Rita, of Gallup, N.M.; Gerald Stone and wife, Janice, of Dolores; Charles Stone and wife, Bonnie, of Mantor, Kan.; Judy Bishop and husband, Dan, of Dolores; sisters-in-law: Cleo Gore of Cortez; Anna Mae Johnson of Greeley, Colo.; Virginia Smith of Farmington; and a friend whom she called “son,” Ken Harvey of Texas; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Paul Joseph “Joe” Stone; daughter, Helen Raye Jessup; and a sister, Geraldine Stone.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Montezuma, 1108 N. Mildred Rd., Suite B, Cortez, 81321.  

Silvia Anna Gai Painton

Funeral services for lifelong Cortez resident Silvia Anna Gai Painton will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, June 2, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow at the Lewis Cemetery. Rev. Lynn Evans will officiate. A visitation has been scheduled for Sunday evening from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Ertel Chapel.

Silvia was born Aug. 11, 1920, in Yellow Jacket to Terenzio and Anna (Waldspurger) Gai. She passed away Wednesday, May 28, 2003, at the Southwest Memorial Hospital at the age of 82.

Silvia was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star; she loved to fish, hunt and play poker.

Surviving Silvia are her children: Cynthia Anne Johnsboen, and Jerald Cauley and wife, JoAnn, both of Cortez; her grandchildren: Gene Johnsboen of Harrimay, N.Y.; Trana Jeffries of Kalispell, Mont.; Misty Gordon, Kristy Johnston, and Lee Cauley all of Las Vegas, Nev.; her sister, Margory E. Gai of Yellow Jacket; and two nieces: Faye O'Dell Lambert of Lewis, and Janice Gai Harvey of Yellow Jacket.

Preceding her in death are her parents; her husband, Berlyn H. Cauley; a brother and sister, Boyd Gai and Angela O'Dell; as well as her nephew, Guy William O'Dell.

Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.        

Lenora B. Wood

Lenora Wood, a longtime resident of Dolores, passed away May 30, 2003, in the Vista Grande Nursing Home in Cortez. She was 79.

Private family services will be held at a later date.

Mrs. Wood was born to Henry and Mary Lawrence Blair in Akron, Ohio, June 17, 1923. She was a high school graduate.

Mrs. Wood previously resided in Florida and Nevada before she and her husband, Tolvin "Tom," moved to Dolores in 1984. Mr. Wood preceded her in death in 1998.

Lenora B. Wood is survived by her sons: Timothy Wood and wife, Lauri, of Pensacola, Fla., and Tom Wood and wife, Marilee, of Elk Grove, Calif.; granddaughters: Sarah Blair Wood of Dolores; Julia Barr of Reno, Nev.; Erin Wood of Janesville, Calif.; grandsons: Benjamin Perry Wood of Pensacola; Greg wood of Carson City, Nev.; and five great-grandchildren.

Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale & Gerken is serving the family.        

Vernon Oscar Dennison

Funeral services for lifelong Cortez resident Vernon Oscar Dennison will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 30, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow at the Cortez Cemetery. Darrell Veach will officiate. A visitation has been scheduled for this afternoon from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Ertel Chapel.

Vernon was born June 28, 1928, in Cortez to Clarence William and Caroline Irene (Mitchell) Dennison. He passed away Monday, May 26, 2003, at his home in Cortez at the age of 74.

On May 6, 1950, in Aztec, N.M., Vernon married Ruby Cantrell. He adored his family and dearly loved his grandchildren. Vernon enjoyed fishing, camping, snowmobiling and four-wheeling.

Vernons wife, Ruby Dennison of Cortez; his children: Donna Anderson and husband, Don, of Farmington; Jeannie Riggott of Farmington; Ronnie Dennison and Rick Dennison, both of Cortez, and Vicki Gallob and husband, Tony, of Norwood, Colo.; 10 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren all survive Vernon.

Preceding him in death are his parents; four brothers, and one granddaughter.

Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.         

Marie Homman

Marie Homman, 83, of Solomon, Kan., passed away, Sunday, May 25, 2003, at the Salina Regional Health Center, Salina Kan. Funeral services will be held today, May 29, at the First Presbyterian Church of Solomon.

Marie was born Jan. 6, 1920, in Minneapolis, Kan. She was adopted at a young age by Wilbur and Mary Powell. She grew to womanhood in the community of her birth and attended schools in Minneapolis and Bennington, Kan., graduating with the class of 1938 from Bennington High School.

Marie was united in marriage May 27, 1938, to Herbert L. Homman in Solomon. They resided in the Solomon area their entire married lives. Herbert preceded her in death in June 1997.

She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Solomon, the United Presbyterian Women and had worked at the former St. Johns Hospital of Salina for 33 years before retiring.

She is survived by two sons: Garold and Larry, both of Solomon, and one daughter, Marlene Duran, of Cortez; 14 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Besides her husband, a granddaughter, Jody Lynne Duran, and one brother, Alvin Powell, preceded her in death.          

Anna May Karo

Anna Karo, a longtime resident of Nucla, passed away May 25, 2003, at her residence. She was 81.

A graveside service is set for Thursday, May 29, at 10 a.m. in the Nucla Cemetery in Nucla. Jack Willis of the Church of Christ, Independence, Mo., will officiate.

A visitation will be held in the cemetery from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.

Memorial contributions may be made in Annas name to Alpine Hospice and Health Care, Royer Building, Room 11, Grand Avenue, Norwood, CO, 81423.

Anna was born to Edward Erick and Matilda Anna Soderstrom Nygren May 9, 1922, in Nucla. She lived all her life in Nucla, except for approximately one year she spent in California.

On April 6, 1939, Anna married Edward Karo in Telluride. They were blessed with seven children. Edward preceded Anna in death on Dec. 13, 1990.

Anna was a homemaker and a ranchers wife, who raised her children and worked hard growing large gardens and helping with the livestock and irrigation.

Anna and Ed were members of the Church of Christ. They attended a little log church that was formerly located where the Nucla Town Park is today.

Anna was a member of the Second Park Sewing Club. She made lap robes for senior citizens in the west end of Montrose County who were in nursing homes located in Delta, Grand Junction and Montrose. Anna made 2,000 to 3,000 lap robes and also made them for the Nucla-Naturita Fire Department. She enjoyed painting roses on her quilts and also enjoyed fishing.

Anna May Karo is survived by her children: Ron Karo and wife, Jodi, and Ken Karo and wife, Joan, all of Nucla; Alf Karo of Pensacola, Fla.; Norm Karo and wife, Barbara, of Fallon, Nev.; Roy Karo and wife, Cathy, of Craig, Colo.; and Sandy Bronson and husband, Richard, of Lees Summit, Mo.; 23 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ed; a daughter, Matilda Ann; eight sisters and three brothers.

Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale & Gerken is serving the family.          

Nora M. Satterfield

Funeral services for Nora M. Satterfield will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 31, at the Cortez Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Interment will follow at the Summit Ridge Cemetery.

Nora was born in Australia Jan. 11, 1923, the daughter of William J. and Marjorie (Burke) Graham. She passed away at Lovelace Health Systems in Albuquerque, N.M. Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at the age of 80.

Nora was currently a resident of Sabinal, N.M., and former resident of Bloomfield, N.M.

Surviving Nora are her son, Graham W. Nielson and wife, Dianne, of Dolores; daughters: Marge Padilla and husband, Gilbert, of Albuquerque; Barbara Morena and husband, Manuel, of Sabinal; Janet Humphrey and husband, James, of Albuquerque; 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; three sisters and two brothers.

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

Nicholas Snead

A Life Celebration ceremony for lifelong Cortez resident Nicholas Adam Snead will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 31, at the Cortez Middle School Gymnasium. Interment will follow at the Cortez Cemetery. Michael Thornton of Aztec, N.M., will officiate. There will be a memory board available for friends to share photos and notes. Please bring copies, not originals.

Nick was born to Mark S. and Debbie A. (Wilson) Snead Dec. 1, 1986, in Cortez. He returned to his Lord Saturday, May 24, 2003, at the age of 16.

Nick was a member of the Grace Fellowship EFC and loved his Lord Jesus very much.

Nick was a sophomore at Montezuma-Cortez High School. He excelled in all of his classes, had just been inducted into the National Honor Society and especially loved marching band, jazz band and his work on the Panther Press.

He enjoyed auto racing locally and Nascar, the church softball league, Power Lunch on Wednesdays, playing Play Station 2 with his family and especially spending time with all his friends who were very important to him. He also loved rollerblading.

Surviving Nick are his parents Mark and Debbie Snead of Cortez; brother, Samuel Snead of Cortez; grandparents, Judith Wilson of Apache Junction, Ariz.; Richard Wilson and wife, Carol, of Lewis, and Marion and Margery Snead of Yuma, Ariz.; great-grandmother, Edna LaGore of Onsted, Mich.; and numerous aunts, uncles, great-aunts and uncles, cousins and friends too numerous to mention.

Preceding him in death are his great-grandparents, Harold and Virginia Wilson, Mary Rogers, Jay Ressiguie, Alvin LaGore, and Walter and Mabel Snead.

A memorial fund has been established for Nick at the First National Bank, donations can also be given to the Grace Fellowship Evangelical Free Church in Nicks name at P.O. Box 196, Cortez, 81321.

Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.          

Ruby Hazel Wilkin

Funeral services for Ruby Hazel Wilkin, a longtime Cortez resident, will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, May 30, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel. Rev. Lynn Evans of the Cortez First United Methodist Church will officiate. Interment will follow at the Cortez Cemetery. Visitation has been set for this afternoon at the Ertel Chapel from 4 to 6 p.m.

Ruby was born the daughter of Elmer Alonzo and Iva Mae (Britt) Wilkin July 16, 1910, in Texco, Okla. She passed away at Southwest Memorial Hospital Saturday, May 24, 2003, at the age of 92.

At the age of 15, Ruby and her family moved to the Cortez area. She worked for many years as a secretary and bookkeeper for Denny and Jones Motor Company and for Gene Patton Motors. In her free time, Ruby enjoyed knitting, crocheting, cooking, baking and reading.

Although Ruby never married and had a family of her own, she was devoted to and deeply loved by her extended family.

Surviving Ruby are her nephew, Leon Wilkin and wife, Sandy, of Cortez, and Karen Cravens and husband, Don, of Farmington; as well as by several other nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Ruby Wilkin with Hospice of Montezuma.

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

Dalton Gary Box

Funeral services for Dalton Gary Box, a lifelong resident of Towaoc, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 24, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow at the Cortez Cemetery. A wake will be held at the family home in Towaoc, 1316 Chipeta, Friday evening beginning at 7 p.m.
Dalton was born in Cortez Sept. 8, 1983, the son of Vernon Dutchie Sr. and Sophia Box. He passed away in Towaoc Sunday, May 18, 2003, at the age of 19.
Dalton attended kindergarten through ninth grade in Cortez and completed two years of high school in Riverside, Calif. Both athletic and artistic, Dalton loved archery, basketball and football, music and drawing. He held a deep affection for his “Homies.”
Surviving Dalton are his mothers: Karen and Sophia Box of Towaoc; grandparents: Hewitt Colorow and Eva Colorow, both of Towaoc, and Annie Lee Rabbit of White Mesa, Utah; aunts: Cindy and Marvin Cuthair; Marissa and Clyde Casey, and Lena and Stan Begay, all of Towaoc; uncle, Floyd Box Jr. of Towaoc; and all Homies far and near.
Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.          

Kenneth J Martin

Funeral services for lifelong area resident Kenneth J “Ken” Martin will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 23, at the Cortez Church of Christ. Mr. Hunt Zumwalt will officiate. Interment will follow at the Cortez Cemetery. Visitation has been set for this afternoon, May 22, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Ertel Memorial Chapel.
Ken was born at Yellow Jacket March 20, 1942, the son of Alexander J and Helen Marie (Cummings) Martin. He passed away at Southwest Memorial Hospital Sunday, May 19, 2003. Ken was 61.
Jan. 25, 1964, Ken married Suzanne Coppinger at Lewis. He was a former Re-1 school board member and served as the board representative to the San Juan Basin Vo-Tech School.
He was a former Rotary member. Ken held his doctorate of plant pathology in the field of agriculture development.
In his free time, Ken loved to hunt, fish and garden. He would spend many hours playing his guitar, “Julie,” writing and playing songs. He enjoyed writing poetry as well.
Surviving Ken are his wife of 39 years, Suzanne Martin of Cortez; children: Gregory J Martin of Lubbock, Texas, and Kendra Leigh Carroll and husband, Jeffery, of San Antonio; and grandchildren: Emerald, Jaesei, Crystal, Zakhery and Zakhiah Carroll, all of San Antonio. Three sisters: Marilynn Flores and husband, Alfred, of Houston; Marjorie Duncan and husband, Ted, of Bakersfield, Calif., and Pamela Thompson and husband, Carl, of Cortez; two aunts: Mickie Baker and husband, Bill, and Edith Flannagan, all of Cortez; and one uncle, Ben Cummings of Mesa, Ariz. also survive Ken.
Memorial contributions can be made in the name of Kenneth Martin with the Dolores State Bank, Cortez Branch.
Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.         

Troy Dillan Youngblood

Troy Youngblood, a longtime resident of Naturita, passed away at his residence May 20, 2003. He was 87.
A graveside service with inurnment will take place Sunday, May 25, at 2 p.m. in the Nucla Cemetery in Nucla. Pastor Clint Perry will officiate.
Mr. Youngblood was born to Charles Franklin and Pearl Ann King Youngblood July 20, 1915, in Fairland, Okla.
He was employed with CFI steel in Pueblo, Colo., and also was a logger and uranium miner locally.
Mr. Youngblood was a member of the First Baptist Church in Rock Ford, Colo. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, prospecting and gardening.
Troy Dillan Youngblood is survived by his wife, Geneva Mellon Youngblood of Naturita; his sons: Tom Youngblood and wife, Laveda, of Naturita, and Stephen Youngblood and wife, Barbara, of Norwood, Colo.; daughters: Carole Londberg and husband, Owen, of Yuma, Ariz., and Kay Johnson and husband, Cliff, also of Yuma; a brother, Floyd Youngblood, and a sister, Opal Switser, both of Rocky Ford, Colo.; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of Alpine Home Health Care in Montrose, Colo.           

Frances Normera Barrett

Frances Normera Barrett, a longtime resident of Mancos, passed away at the Valley Inn Nursing Home Friday, May 16, 2003, at the age of 84. Memorial services are planned for a later date.

Born in Durango March 9, 1919, Frances was the daughter of Frank and Dazarene (Kaufmann) Petty. She married James Allen Barrett in Durango June 16, 1940. James was absolutely devoted to Frances. They shared nearly 60 years of marriage before James death in January 2000.

Frances spent her working life as a schoolteacher; teaching in the Arriola, Dolores and Mancos schools. Education was a passion for Frances, not only trying to make sure her students were well-educated but also for herself. Frances held a masters degree.

Surviving Frances are her children: James F. Barrett of California, and Susan Kuenzler and husband, John, of Cortez; and daughter-in-law, Maxine Barrett of Redbluff, Calif.; five grandchildren: Kermitt Barrett and wife, Amy, of Durango; Natasha Reinhard and husband, Eric, of Northridge, Calif., Alesha Traylor and husband, Dan of Bakersfield, Calif., Corinna Barrett of Redbluff, and Zane Kuenzler of Anchorage, Alaska; and two great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters: Betty Twers and husband, Chuck, of Las Vegas, Nev., and Della Sanders and husband, Lee, of Aztec, N.M.; and one brother, Jack Bossett and wife, Deloris, of Culver City, Calif.

Memorial contributions can be made on behalf of Frances Barrett with the Scott McComb Memorial Scholarship Fund with Vectra Bank.

Arrangements are being made through the Ertel Funeral Home             

Ann Marie (Aulston) Madeux

Longtime Aurora resident Ann Marie Madeux, 83, died of natural causes May 15, 2003, at Azure Crest Assisted Living Home in Wasilla, Alaska.

A graveside service will be held at the Cortez Cemetery tomorrow, June 29, at 2 p.m. Pastor David Dahl of the Trinity Lutheran Church will officiate.

Ann was born Feb. 16, 1920, in Hastings, Okla., to Lonnie and Rosie Aulston. The family moved to the Four Corners area in 1930. Ann grew up helping her folks make a farm of their homestead land in Montezuma County. She was educated through the eighth grade at Yellow Jacket School.

Ann worked at a munitions plant in Torrington, Conn., during World War II. She was a dietitian at Fitzsimmons General Army Hospital in Aurora, Colo., after the war. Ann worked as a waitress and catered special parties in the Denver area for more than 40 years. She also worked assembling semiconductors at Fairchild’s plant near San Rafael, Calif. Ann moved to Fernandina Beach, Fla., in the 1980s where she helped her son establish a laundromat and arcade business.

Ann was a member of the St. Theresa Church in Aurora for 55 years. She was also a member of Epsilon Sigma Phi Sorority.

Ann Madeux is survived by her daughter Roberta Shields of Ketchikan, Alaska; son Gary Madeux of Jacksonville, Fla.; brothers: Russel Aulston of Yellow Jacket, and Johnny Aulston of Washington; sisters: Pearl Bishop of Arriola, Jean Jaskewicz of Monroe, N.J., Sarah Weilbacher of Yakima, Wash., Della Richardson of Tempe, Ariz., Dorothy Jones of Phoenix, Ariz., Arlene Strubel and Doris Vaughn of Enid, Okla.; six grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother, Ray Aulston.   Memorial services are pending.          

Delene Billie Schrage Smith

Funeral services for Delene Billie Schrage Smith, 44, of Cortez, will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, at the Cortez Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Bishop Spencer Smith will officiate. Interment will follow at the Cortez Cemetery.

Delene was born Dec. 27, 1958, in Glendale, Calif., the daughter of Robert and Diane Nelson. She passed away Friday, May 16, 2003, near Bayfield, Colo., as the result of an automobile accident.

Delene married Norman Gregory Smith Aug. 23, 2002, in Colorado Springs.

She was a member of the Cañon City LDS Church and was a longtime member of the Christian Womens Club. Delene loved scrapbooking, shopping and gardening. She was devoted to her three children and loved caring for them.

Surviving Delene are her husband, Norman Smith, of Cañon City, Colo.; her three children: Jefry J. Schrage Jr. of Mesa, Ariz.; Courtney D. Schrage of Cortez, and Skyler M. Schrage also of Cortez; her parents, Robert and Diane Nelson of Mesa, Ariz.; and her sister, Dawn Davis and husband, Jack, of Chandler, Ariz.

Delenes brother, Dean Nelson, precedes her in death.

Memorial contributions can be made in the name of Delene Smith with Citizens State Bank of Cortez.

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

Victor Wayne Bryon

Victor Bryan, a life-long resident of the area, passed away May 16, 2003, in the Southwest Memorial Hospital. He was 76.

A graveside service was held Monday, May 19, in the Cortez Cemetery. Pastor Johnny Arrington officiated.

Mr. Bryan was born Oct. 26, 1926, to Floyd Wayne and Clara Ann Rutherford Bryon in Stillwater, Okla. He moved to Dolores with his family when he was 6 years old and attended the Lakeview School in Cortez.

On Aug. 29, 1956, he married Emmaline Martin in Aztec, N.M. They were blessed with two sons: Richard and Robert.

Victor Wayne Bryan is survived by his children: Richard Bryan and wife, Leslie, of Dolores; Robert Bryan of Washington state; a brother, Bob Bryan and wife, Inez, of Monticello, Utah; sisters: Georgia Branson and husband, Ray, of Somersville, Okla.; Clio Nebeker of Monticello, and Margaret Williford and husband, Wayne, of Cortez; 11 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife in 1979; his parents; and brothers, Harvey and Walter.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 3801 Main Ave., Durango, 81301.

Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale & Gerken is serving the family.           

Joseph Thomas Cleary

Graveside services for Cortez resident Joseph Thomas Cleary will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 21, at the Cortez Cemetery. Bishop Adam Black will officiate.

Joe was born March 6, 1926, in Akron, Ohio, to Timothy Daniel and Irene Marie (Thomas) Cleary. He passed away Thursday, May 15, 2003, at Southwest Memorial Hospital at the age of 77.

On September 11, 1971, Joe married Geralene Faye Leimer. Oct. 9, 2000, the couple was sealed together at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple. A thoroughbred horse breeder by trade, Joe loved the time spent with his horses and also his pets.

His wife, Geralene Cleary of Cortez; his foster daughter, Genile Dennison and husband, Russell, of Dolores; his grandson, T.C. Stinson of Sacramento, Calif.; and his two sisters: Mary and Rita, both of California, survive Joe.

Preceding him in death are his parents.

Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.          

Esther M. Sligar

Esther M. Sligar passed away early Friday morning, May 16, 2003, at Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces, N.M. at the age of 66.

Graveside Services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Monday, May 19, at the Cortez Cemetery. Pastor Anthony Maes with the Cortez Nazarene Church will officiate. A luncheon will immediately follow at the church.

Esther was born to Lee and Grace McGuire Oct. 23, 1936, in Rockyford, Colo. She was united in marriage to Gene L. Sligar and together they raised one son and one daughter.

Esther was a homemaker throughout most of her life and greatly enjoyed sewing and making quilts. She enjoyed dressing up, visiting the casinos and playing the slot machines. Her other interests included fishing, hunting and gardening.

Esther M. Sligar is survived by her husband of more than 48 years, Gene, of the family home in Elephant Butte, N.M.; a son, Michael Sligar and wife, Rositta, of Farmington, N.M., and a daughter, Radonna Turner and husband, Paul, of Palmer, Alaska; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Other survivors include two brothers: Frances McGuire of Aromas, Calif., and Dean McGuire of Salem, Ore.

Her parents, and three sisters: Wanetta, Arlene and Betty, preceded her death.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Sierra Funeral Home, Truth or Consequences, N.M.           

Courtney Eugene Smith

Funeral services for longtime Dove Creek resident Courtney Eugene Smith will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, May 19, at the Dove Creek First Baptist Church. Pastor Don Daniels will officiate. A visitation at the church is scheduled prior to the service from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Courtney was born July 2, 1927, in Springfield, Baca County, Colo. He was the eighth of 13 children born to Harold and Nellie (Richard) Smith. He passed away at his home in Dove Creek Thursday, May 15, 2003, at the age of 75.

Courtney attended schools in western Kansas and eastern Colorado, graduating high school in Two Buttes, Colo. in 1945.

He served the United States as a member of the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict from October 1950 to October 1952. Following his military service, he attended Chanute Junior College, graduating with an industrial arts degree.

He accepted the Lord as his personal Savior at a young age, and was baptized and became a member of the Dove Creek First Baptist Church in 1977.

Courtney settled in Dove Creek in 1960 and accepted the position of transportation supervisor for Dolores County Schools in March 1964.

He loved kids and never saw a child he didnt like. One of his special joys in life was driving Dove Creeks kids to ball games.

He and Marilynn "Lynn" Gore were married Aug. 22, 1964, and together they had four children: LaVerna, Blayne, LaRita and Gary.

He leaves behind his wife, Lynn, of the family home in Dove Creek; sons: Blayne Smith and wife, Dawn, of Mancos, and Gary Smith and wife, Jenny, of Salida, Colo.; daughters: LaVerna Baxter and husband, Jerry, of Jackson Hole, Wyo., and LaRita Randolph and husband, Travis, of Hayden, Colo.; 11 grandsons, two granddaughters, and one great-granddaughter. Courtneys siblings: Mildred Stolebarger, Jim Smith, Doris Grant, Bill Smith, Dan Smith, Pete Smith and Larry Smith also survive him.

Those who precede him in death are his parents; brothers, Harold Jr., John, Phil, Paul and Bob; his father-in-law, Cal Gore; and one grandson, Courtney Dean Baxter.

Memorial contributions can be made in Courtneys name to the Dove Creek Ambulance Fund.

Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.           

Remigio R. Candelaria

Remigio R. Candelaria was born Sept. 16, 1946, in Cortez. He passed away April 28, 2003, in Dunedin, New Zealand, after a short illness. He was 56.

Graveside services will be held Friday, May 23, at 10 a.m. in the Cortez Cemetery.

Mr. Candelaria is survived by his wife, Henakura, of New Zealand; his parents, Ray and Clara Candelaria of Cortez; one brother, Paul Candelaria of Cortez; sisters: Yvonne Candelaria of Cortez; Connie Klingher and husband, Kirk, of Wyoming; Donna Wallace and husband, Jerry, of Texas; Michelle Dunston and husband, Brett, of Idaho; eight nieces and nephews, and many friends.             

Edna Lorraine Schultz

Graveside services for Mancos resident Edna Lorraine Schultz will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, May 16, at the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Mr. Tom Colbert will officiate.

Edna was born Dec. 18, 1916, in Long Beach, Calif. to Frank and Marsha (McComic) Chamness. She passed away at her home in Mancos Tuesday, May 13, 2003, at the age of 86.

On Dec. 31, 1935, in Arcadia, Calif., Edna wed Elmer Conrad Schultz. Edna loved to stay at home and paint and do needlework. After her move to Mancos in 1980, Edna became involved with the Southside Church of Christ.

Surviving Edna are her children: Ramona Mitchell and husband, Charlie, of Mancos, and Donna Ballan and husband, Ken, of Southern California. Her daughter-in-law, Gail Schultz of Bullhead City, Ariz.; grandchildren: Sharon Crook and husband, Paul, of Mancos; Jeff Schultz and Tom Schultz both of Bullhead City; Blake Mitchell and wife, Melody, of Mancos, and Amber Pfeiffer and husband, Paul Lisowski, of California; five great-grandchildren; and three sisters: Dorothy Ervin and Beulah Dickau of California, and Audrey Sexton of Tucson, Ariz. also survive Edna.

Preceding her in death are her husband; son, Frank Schultz; grandchild, Ryan Pfeiffer; and one sister.

The family has requested contributions be made in memory of Edna Schultz with Hospice of Montezuma. Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.             

Ara Wilson

Graveside services for Mancos resident Ara Wilson were held at 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 16, at the Cortez Cemetery. The Rev. Ora Dailey of the Mancos United Methodist Church officiated.

Ara was born Feb. 12, 1911, in Temple, Texas, to Charlie Robert and Myrtle Jane (Humphrey) Smith. She passed away Wednesday, May 14, 2003, at the Valley Inn Nursing Home at the age of 92.

Ara was a member of the Presbyterian Church and of the Licensed Practical Nurses Association.

She is survived by her children: William Wilson of Phoenix; Joan Peterson and husband, Eric, of Alexandria, Va., and Charles "Butch" Wilson and wife, Carol, of Cortez. She leaves seven grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren; as well as her sister, Maud Smith, of Mancos.

Preceding her in death are her parents, and three brothers, and one sister.

Memorial contributions can be sent in Aras name to Hospice of Montezuma or to the National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20005.

Services were under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.             

William "Gene" Cantrell

William "Gene" Cantrell passed away May 11, 2003, at Southwest Memorial Hospital in Cortez. He was 79. As per his previously stated wishes, no services will be held.

Gene was born July 2, 1923, to Gene and Mattie Cantrell. He married Marie Ham in 1972 and lived in Mancos until his death.

Gene loved to fish and hunt whenever he could. Most of all, he loved his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Marie of Mancos; brother Wayne Cantrell; sisters Ruby Dennison and Betty Davidson; stepchildren, Pat, Lyle and Tom Ham of California; Charlotte Mathews of Cortez and MaryAnn Wall of Mancos; 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He was a great step-dad and grandpa and will be greatly missed.

Gene is preceded in death by his parents and stepchildren Dale, Jim and Ed Ham.

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

William Lawson "Chad" Chadwick

Arrangements are pending for William Lawson "Chad" Chadwick.

Chad was born in Fruita, Colorado on March 14, 1911. He passed away May 11, 2003.

He was employed as a farmer and a miner until his retirement at age 65.

He is survived by daughters; Twylla Mahoney, and her husband Bill, of Telluride; Carole Mortenson and her husband, Delbert of Pima, Ariz.; Connie Anderson and her husband, Otto of Leadville, Colo.; and a daughter-in-law, Ladean Chadwick of Dolores.

He is also survived by a brother and sisters; Charlotte Pyle, Globe, Ariz.; Leone Lynch of Grand Junction, Colo.; and Jerry Chadwick of Dolores.

Chad had 10 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

He is preceded in death by his parents, a son Rod Chadwick, and a sister Lucille Long, formerly of Cortez.

Callahan-Edfast Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. The funeral home can be reached at 970-243-2450.             

Dale D. Goodall

Graveside services for lifelong Dolores resident Dale D. Goodall will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 17, at the Lebanon Cemetery. Mr. Hunt Zumwalt will officiate. The Ute Mountain American Legion Post 75 will conduct military graveside services.

A gathering of family and friends will be held immediately following the services at the American Legion Hall.

Dale was born August 19, 1938, at Lebanon, Colo. to Edward Willis and Lola May (Hampton) Goodall. He passed away Monday, May 12, 2003, at the Southwest Memorial Hospital at the age of 64.

A lover of baseball, Dale tried out for the San Diego Padres as a young man.

He is survived by his children: Marty Dee Goodall, and Jodi Dawn Goodall, both of Dolores; his ex-wife, Loava Jo (Dorr) Goodall; his stepchildren: Maxine Jo Keck and husband, Dick, of Cortez; and Leo Bartholomew of Dolores; his grandson, Christopher Dee Goodall of Dolores; and his step-grandchildren: Sierra Dawn Romero, Dawn Rachelle Keck, and Lucas Bartholomew. His two sisters, Norene Denham of San Diego, Calif., and Nadene Black and husband, Stanley, of Lewis, Colo.; his four brothers: Eddie Goodall and wife, Betty, of Cortez; Wayne Goodall and wife, Jean, of Lewis; Clyde Goodall and wife, Pat, of Dolores, and Jerry Goodall and wife, Rosie, of Lewis, all mourn Dales passing. Preceding him in death are his parents; and his brother, Donnie Goodall.

Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.             

Jack E. Kissinger

Services for Jack Everett Kissinger, 77, of Nucla, were held Thursday at the Abundant Life Christian Fellowship Church of Norwood. The Rev. Mark Jones officiated. Interment followed in the Nucla Cemetery, and a reception was held at the Nucla Moose Lodge.

Mr. Kissinger was born to Neland Augustus and Sarah Josephine Greenwell Kissinger May 28, 1925, in Delta, Colo. He passed away at his residence May 11, 2003.

He attended school in the Delta area and entered the U.S. Army in 1942, serving his country during W.W.II. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge in Europe and was honorably discharged in 1945.

Following the war, he married Marjorie White in Aztec, N.M.

Mr. Kissinger worked as a welder for Union Carbide in Uravan, Colo., He became a machinist and eventually ended his employment as supervisor of the Uravan Shop. He retired after 35 years with Union Carbide.

Jack Kissinger is survived by his children: Neland Kissinger and wife, Kellie, of Edwards, Colo.; Jacque Blinn and husband, Ken, of Nucla; Theresa Defoe and husband, Bobby, of Coopers Landing, Alaska; siblings: Lawrence Kissinger and wife, Mary, of Gresham, Ore.; Bond of Henderson, Nev., and Caryle Cassahn and husband, Jack, of Cedaridge; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, three brothers, two grandchildren and a son-in-law.

Memorials may be made to the Nucla-Naturita Ambulance Fund, in care of Judy Elder, P.O. Box 740, Nucla, 81424.

Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel is serving the family.

Claude V. Martin

Memorial services for lifelong Cortez resident Claude Vincent Martin will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 16, at the St. Barnabas Episcopal Church. Rev. Erika Meyer will officiate.

Claude was born Oct. 3, 1921, at Goodman Point, Colo., to Thomas Elbert and Margaret Elizabeth (Chastain) Martin. He passed away Monday, May 12, 2003, at the Vista Grande Nursing Home at the age of 81.

On July 10, 1948, Claude married Jean Rutherford at the St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Cortez. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the same church, of which Claude was a member.

His community was an important part of Claudes life. He was a member of the Rotary Club and served as a director on the First National Bank board. He was a former school board member and was the founder of the Cortez Little League Association.

Claude is survived by his wife, Jean Martin of Cortez; his children: Claudia Martin of Woodland Park, Colo.; Russell Martin and wife, Lydia Nibley, of Denver; and Carol Martin and husband, Kurt Schneider, of Durango; grandchildren: Sarah Drummond of Woodland Park; Ian Drummond of Loveland, Colo.; Megan Nibley of Mesa, Ariz.; Laurel Hatch of Bozeman, Mont.; and Silas Hatch of Durango. His sister Edith Flanagan of Cortez is left behind as well.

Preceding him in death are his parents; his four brothers: Leonard, Alec, Oscar, Elbert and two sisters: May and Lela.

Memorial contributions can be made in Claudes memory at First National Bank to establish a memorial scholarship fund. Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.     

Lester Lee Posey

Services for Lester Lee Posey, 53, of Towaoc, were held at Friday, May 16, at The Chapel on South U.S. Highway 160. Sister Lois Wooten and Brother Mac Coyote officiated. Interment followed at Towaoc Cemetery.

Visitation was held Thursday at the Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel in Cortez.

Mr. Posey was born to Kean Posey and Rose Mary Mills Whyte March 9, 1950, in Ignacio, Colo. He passed away at his residence in Towaoc May 10, 2003.

He lived most of his life in Towaoc, where he was employed as an artisan and painter for Ute Mountain Pottery, and also was a painter for Mesa Verde Pottery in Cortez.

Mr. Posey enjoyed spending time with his nieces and family. He loved his pet cats and dogs.

Some of his favorite activities were attending church at The Chapel and singing in the choir.

Lester Lee Posey is survived by his siblings: Kean Washington Jr. and Rose Ann Mills, both of Towaoc; Karen Washington of Las Vegas, N.M.; numerous nieces and nephews and an aunt, Pearl Alice Arkansas of Randelett, Utah.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents and two brothers.

Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale & Gerken is serving the family.

Tennie Bernice Puckett

Tennie Bernice Puckett, 90, died Friday, May 9, 2003, of natural causes at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 14, at the Church of Christ in Durango.

Mr. Hunt Zumwalt will be officiating. Burial will occur at Greenmount Cemetery in Durango.

Visitation will be held at Hood Mortuary today, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Mrs. Puckett was born May 25, 1912 in Fayetteville, Arkansas, the youngest of 10 children of Sam and Annie (Bunyard) Caudle. She married Marshall Puckett on December 18, 1945 at Carlsbad, N.M. She had lived in the Durango area since 1957.

Mrs. Puckett attended grade school in Woolsey, Ark., graduated from high school in 1930 in Eureka Springs, Ark. and attended nursing school in 1934 at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. She also received nurses training at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago. She held nursing positions in New Jersey and Arkansas until she moved to southern New Mexico.

She served in the U.S. Navy in San Diego in 1942 and was stationed in Pearl Harbor for two years until W.W.II ended. She returned to New Mexico to raise her family and was honorably discharged from the service in 1950.

She moved to Durango in 1957 and from 1963 to 1970 worked with her husband at Puckett Electric Company doing bookkeeping. She liked to fish, sew, crochet, garden and can food. She also taught bible study for 30 years and enjoyed trips to Arkansas.

She is survived by her husband Marshall of Durango, children, Jerry Puckett of Durango, Joe Puckett of Durango, Marsha Beaver of Cortez; grandchildren, Lacy Puckett of Durango, Jodi Puckett of Durango, Valerie Puckett of Columbia, S.C., Jason Puckett, currently deployed on a U.S. Navy nuclear submarine, Stephanie Puckett of San Diego and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, five sisters and four brothers.

Donations may be sent to the New Mexico Christian Childrens Home, 1356 NM Highway 236, Portales, NM, 88130 or to the Four Corners Youth Camp, P.O. Box 145, Cortez, CO 81326.

Flora Opal Cruzan

Memorial services honoring longtime Cortez resident Flora Opal Cruzan will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13, at the Montezuma Valley Presbyterian Church. Reverends Jan and Samuel Adams will officiate.

Flora was born March 23, 1922, in Empire, Okla., the fifth child of nine to John Wiley and Clara Lula (Armstrong) Roundtree. She passed away at the Vista Mesa Retirement Center in Cortez on Wed., May 7 at the age of 81.

Flora became the bride of Herbert Logan Cruzan at Oklahoma City, Okla., on Dec. 20, 1938. The couple shared 41 years of marriage before Herbert's death in 1980. Flora enjoyed a strong faith in God all her life. She valued hard work and personal integrity above all. She was a loyal wife, mother and friend. She will be remembered for her many years of volunteer service at Southwest Memorial Hospital and Montezuma Valley Presbyterian Church.

She crocheted and knitted all her life and loved craftwork. When asked how she would like to be remembered, Flora hoped that others would recall that she was congenial and helpful.

Surviving Flora are her children, Robert Cruzan and wife Marsha of Cortez; Duane Cruzan of Cortez, and Linda Wancura of Mesa, Ariz. She is also survived by nine grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren; two brothers, William Roundtree of Charlotte, N.C., and Elvin Roundtree and wife, LaDelle of Cortez; a sister, Maxcine Retherford and husband, Ted of Grand Junction, Colo.; and a host of friends.

The family requests that anyone who desires may make a contribution in Flora's name with Hospice of Montezuma, 1108 N. Mildred Road Suite. B, Cortez. Arrangements are being made through the Ertel Funeral Home.      

Dennis Wells Root 

Graveside services for lifelong Towaoc resident Dennis Wells Root will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, at the Towaoc Cemetery. Brother Jaron Levi will be officiating.

Dennis was born at Ignacio, Colo., on March 2, 1950, to Hugh Root and Jane Wells Root. He passed away on Monday, May 5 in Cortez. Dennis was 53 years old.

He is survived by his children, Kendall Cuthair, Eric Lopez, Chloann Laner, Vicki Denise Root-Lehi, Antoine Laner, all of Towaoc, and Cheryle Root of Ignacio; his 12 grandchildren; and his siblings, Barbara Peabody of Towaoc, Genevieve Root-Thompson of Ignacio, Virginia Root of Towaoc, Steve Root of Tucson, Ariz., and Alvin Root of Towaoc. He leaves his aunt, Jessie Root House of Towaoc, as well. Preceding him in death are his parents.

Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.      

Charles Kelsey Spear

Funeral services for longtime Cortez resident Charles Kelsey Spear will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 11, at the Lifeway Baptist Church in Cortez. Pastor Jimmy Kennedy will officiate. A private family burial will be held at a later date.

Chuck was born Nov. 16, 1930, in Clay Center, Neb., to Gerald Charles and Eleanor Orila (Wright) Spear. He went to be with the Lord Thursday, May 8, 2003, at the Southwest Memorial Hospital at the age of 72.

Chuck served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. Upon his return he made his home in San Jose, Calif.

On May 29, 1965 he married Betty Kerley in Los Altos, Calif. He later retired from Kaiser Airspace/Electronics in 1991 and has since made his home in Cortez. Chuck loved fishing, the outdoors, hunting, and he adored his family.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Spear of Cortez; his daughter and son, Nancy Spear of Aztec, N.M., and Randy Spear of Dolores; his grandsons: Paul Spear of Cortez; Joshua David Spear of Flagstaff, Ariz.; his granddaughter, Elizabeth Rutherford of Farmington; his brother, Earl Dean Spear of Placerville, Calif.; and several nieces, nephews, all of California.

Preceding him in death are his parents; his daughter, Constance Fern Lofton; and his brother, Kenneth Spear.

Memorial contributions can be made in Chucks memory to the Lifeway Baptist Church Building fund.

Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.      

Donald G. Ripley

Memorial services for longtime Dolores resident Donald Gilbert Ripley will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 14, at the Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church in Dolores. Rev. Johnny Arrington will be officiating.

Don was born on Dec. 3, 1910, in Fort Morgan, Colo., to Samuel and Jesse (Irons) Ripley. He passed away on Wednesday, May 7, at the Vista Grande Nursing Home, at the age of 92.

On June 7, 1939, in Victor, Colo. Don married Besse Marie Myers. He worked as a national park ranger and developed the original signs at Mesa Verde.

He was also the very first ranger at Hovenweep. In 1992, Don was honored by Colorado University through the Cortez Cultural Center for his archaeological work. He was also honored by the Crow Indians and taken into their tribe as a brother. Don always said that Old Coyote was his brother. Old Coyote was the medicine man that blessed Don and Besse's home when it was completed in 1958. Don was a good carpenter who built several homes.

Woodworking, writing and artistry were other areas Don was good at. He collected knives, belonged to the rotary, American Legion, NRA, and the CU Foundation. Don was on the Dolores Public Library board of directors as well.

He is survived by his half sister, Lavina Housman of Nampa, Idaho; his cousins, Kenny Irons and Sandra Marquis, both of Bonners Ferry, Ida., Delbert Irons of Kingsville, Tex., Ernest Irons of Denton, Tex., Edgar Irons of Elko, Nev., Darrus Irons of Sand Point, Ida. Jim and Donita Graves of Wheatland, Wyo., Jean and Sherm Wiseman of Cheyenne, Wyo., Lucy and David Flora of Ocean Park, Wash., John and Nancy Graves of Colorado Springs, Colo., Herb Graves of Wheatland, Wyo.; and his cousins-in-law, Shirley Dennison and Charlotte Thompson both of Dolores.

Preceding him in death are his parents; his wife, Besse, who passed on May 16, 1982; and his sister, Hazel Ripley who passed in October of 2002.

Memorial contributions can be made in Don's memory to the Dolores Public Library Fund, P.O. Box 847, Dolores, 81323. Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.       

Christine C. Perkins

Longtime Montelores resident Christine C. Perkins died a few days short of her 98th birthday at the home she shared with her son, Gary, in San Jose, Costa Rica. Christine was born May 10, 1905, in Pickens County, S.C., to J. W. and Ola Cauley.

Christine and a cousin came to Cortez in 1928 from Brownwood, Texas, where she had moved with her family as a child. They found work at a café at the present location of the El Grande in Cortez.

After a few months, her cousin returned to Texas but Christine decided to stay. She worked quite a few years teaching school at several of the one- and two-room schools scattered around the area in those days, including: Dripping Springs, Cahone, Pleasant View, Prospect, Old Ackman and Sylvan.

It was at the two-room Sylvan School in 1933 while teaching the lower four grades, she met another young teacher, Marcus Perkins, who was teaching the upper four grades. They were married in October 1934.

Mrs. Perkins enjoyed many varied interests during her lifetime: piloting her own airplane, hunting, traveling and harvesting and canning the fruits and vegetables she grew on her farm.

She was a wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, farmer and businesswoman, owning at one time a hotel in San Diego, Calif., a motel in Dove Creek, and a rental business in Ft. Worth, Texas.

At the age of 93, she sold the businesses and retired in Costa Rica, Central America.

Christine Perkins is survived by her sons: Delano, Gary and Douglas; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her brothers: Joel, Delores, Bobby and Berlyn Cauley; sisters: Ola Mae Rowell, Berniece Williams and Selma Brown; and her husband.

Christine requested no services or memorial be made. She wished everyone who knew her to remember her in their own way.

She did, however, hope to be remembered fondly by the family of the late Al and Alice Lancaster of Pleasant View and later Cortez. Christine and Alice Lancaster were fellow teachers, kindred spirits and great friends for more than 60 years.

Cremation will take place and Christines ashes returned to Colorado to be scattered over her favorite places.       

James L. Hunt

James L. Hunt, 83, died Monday, May 5, 2003, at his home in Cortez. Open visitation was held at Hood Mortuary Wednesday, May 7. Burial will occur at Greenmount Cemetery. Private family services will be held. Mr. Hunt died of mesothelioma, a rare type of cancer.

Mr. Hunt was born Jan. 22, 1920, in North Platte, Neb., the son of William and Marie (Buchtel) Hunt. He married Marjorie Laura Cowan April 13, 1946, in Reno, Nev.

Mr. Hunt enlisted in the U.S. Navy Seabees in 1943 and served as a machinists mate, stationed on Atu in the Aleutian Islands.

James L. Hunt is survived by his daughters: Geri Sanders-Klein of Cortez; and Linda Smithson of Filmore, Calif.; granddaughter Leigha Herrera of Filmore; grandsons: Jacob Nugent and Brandon Nugent, both of Filmore; and a great-grandson Bryant Herrera of Filmore.

He was preceded in death by his wife in 1997; a brother Raymond Hunt; and sisters: Cecelia Cobb; Mary Kirchhefer, and Eleanor Wilkinson.

Arrangements are being handled by Hood Mortuary in Durango.       

Patricia Byers

Patricia "Murph" Ruth Byers, a longtime resident of Dolores, passed away May 4, 2003, in the San Juan Medical Center in Farmington. She was 77.

A memorial service was held May 7 in the Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel. A committal service followed in the Lebanon Cemetery. Rev. Bud Rousset officiated.

Patricia was born to Michael Patrick and Elizabeth Ruth OGara Murphy Jan. 1, 1926, in Chicago. She graduated from Catholic schools in the Chicago area.

On March 31, 1945, she married James Laughlin Byers in Chicago. They moved to the Four Corners area in October 1945. The couple was blessed with six children.

Mrs. Byers was a homemaker and formerly employed with City Market and Safeway in Cortez. She enjoyed going to the VFW and the American Legion functions with her husband.

Mrs. Byers was a scorekeeper for the Little League baseball games in the area. She was very involved with her children and enjoyed them very much. A young granddaughter used to call her "Mam."

Patricia "Murph" Ruth Byers is survived by her husband of 58 years, James, of Dolores; her children: Patricia Carrington and husband, Mike; Mike Byers and wife, Ginger, of Albuquerque; Peggy Smith and Ron Brooks of Phoenix, Ariz.; Bill Byers and wife, Mitzi, of Cortez; Kathleen Watters and husband, Rocky, of Clayton, N.M., and Jean Moore and husband, Randy, of Arriola; 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a sister, a brother and a granddaughter, Shaney Erin Watters.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.

Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale & Gerkin is serving the family.         

Ruth Garcia Chavez

Ruth Garcia Chavez, a long-time resident of Cortez, passed away Jan. 19, 2003, at her residence. She was 91.

A funeral service for Ruth Garcia Chavez is set for Saturday, May 10, at 10 a.m. in the St. Patricks Catholic Church in Silverton, Colo. Fr. Nathanall Foshage will officiate. Interment will follow in the Hillside Cemetery in Silverton.

Mrs. Chavez is survived by her children: Ray P. Chavez of Lumbertos, N.M.; Fred Chavez and wife, Maggie, of Pagosa Springs, Colo.; Frank T. Chavez of Cortez; and Clodoveo Chavez of Ralston, Neb.; a sister, Lilly Gurule, of Pagosa Springs; a sister-in-law, Genevive Brice, of Cortez; 20 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; her life-long and constant companion, Puddles, and many other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Chavez is preceded in death by her husband, Porforio J. Chavez and one son, Harum Mitchell Chavez.

Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale & Gerken is serving the family.

Sarah Jane Hill

Memorial services for Cortez resident Sarah Jane Hill will be held at 2 p.m. today, May 6, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel.

Sarah was born March 10, 1923, in Berlen, N.D., to John and Wilhelmina (Wagner) Furdet. She passed away Saturday, May 3, 2003, at her sons home in Cortez. Sarah was 80.

Some of Sarahs favorite pastimes were reading, crocheting, watching television and doing crossword puzzles. She absolutely loved her dog, Mikey.

Her sons, Larry Hill and wife, Dolores, of Cedaredge, Colo.; Hubert Hill and wife, Sarah, of Oxford, Ga.; and Bob Hill and wife, Nancy, of Cortez, all survive Sarah. She leaves 13 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren, and 10 step-great-grandchildren. Her three sisters: Marion Naugle and Eileen Williams, both of Michigan; and Pudge Sneedon of Florida, also survive Sarah.

Preceding her in death are her parents; and her husband, Howard Thomas Hill.

Memorial contributions can be made in Sarah's name to Hospice of Montezuma.

Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.

Ritanne Rita S. Wilber

Ritanne S. Wilber, a resident of Cortez, passed away May 2, 2003, at her residence. She was 56.

A family service was held Monday, May 5, at the Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel. Cremation will take place.

Mrs. Wilber was born to Myler and June Amrine Fogle Nov. 23, 1946 in Durango. She graduated form the Montezuma County High School in 1965.

Mrs. Wilber and her husband resided in Denver for 35 years.

Ritanne "Rita" S. Wilber is survived by her husband Leroy "Lee" of Cortez; a son Randy Wilber of Boulder, Colo.; a daughter Leighann Wilber of Cortez; and sisters: Sheree Valdez and husband, Rubin; and Connie Edwards and husband, Harold, all of Phoenix, Ariz.

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

Wilhelmina Gertrude Schimpf Apple

Private family services will be held for longtime rural Dolores resident Wilhelmina Gertrude Schimpf Apple.

Wilhelmina was born the daughter of Alex and Emma (Meyer) Schimpf Nov. 5, 1916, at LaSalle, Colo. She passed away Tuesday, April 29, 2003, at the age of 86.

In Lewiston, Mont., Wilhelmina married Dudley Ferrell Apple Sept. 26, 1937. The couple shared 56 years of marriage until Dudleys death March 1, 1994.

For many years Wilhelmina worked as manager of the Far View Lodge Restaurant. Always ready to go, she loved fishing and traveling.

Surviving Wilhelmina are her five children: Ferrell Ann Apple of Congress, Ariz.; LaVeryle Apple and wife, Betty, of Cortez; Genevieve Apple of Bosque City, N.M.; Gary Apple of Dolores, and Dwayne Apple and wife, Anna, of Belen, N.M.; 15 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; four brothers and three sisters.

Preceding Wilhelmina in death are her husband and four siblings.

Memorial contributions can be made in the name of Wilhelmina Apple with the Alzheimers Association, SW Colorado Region of Rocky Mountain Chapter, 701 Camino Del Rio, Durango, 81301.

Services will be conducted by the Ertel Funeral Home.

Esther Warren Daniel

Funeral services for Esther Warren Daniel, a resident of the Valley Inn Nursing Home, will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 3, at the Mancos First Baptist Church. Pastors Jimmy Burton and Paul Schultz will officiate. Interment will follow at the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Visitation will take place Saturday afternoon from 1:30 p.m. until service time.

Esther was born Sept. 23, 1903, in Cincinnati, Ohio, the daughter of Frank and Della (Conquest) Warren. She passed away at the Valley Inn Nursing Home Tuesday, April 29, 2003, five months short of her 100th birthday.

Esther married Chester A. Baker in Sapulpa, Okla., in 1921. She became a widow in 1971. April 1973 in Phoenix, Ariz., Esther married Earl W. Daniel.

After Earls death, Esther continued to live in Phoenix until her move to the Mancos Valley and the Valley Inn.

She was active in Baptist churches wherever she lived, teaching Sunday school classes until the year 2000, when her health forced her to retire from more than 50 years of Bible teaching.

Surviving Esther are her son, Curtis C. Baker and wife, Fay, of Mancos; stepson, Gayle Daniel and wife, Adri; grandchildren: Bob Baker and wife, Karen, of Phoenix; Susie Frantz and husband, Jim, of Loma, Colo.; Becky Klocker and husband, Greg, of Glade Park, Colo., and Peggy Samora and husband, Tommy, of Cortez; great-grandchildren: Bobby Baker Jr.; and Valerie Gibson, of Phoenix, and Carmen and Cody Samora of Cortez; step-grandchildren: Chris Daniel and wife, Lisa; Vicki Galarneau and husband, Bob; Gary Daniel; and Michelle Adler and husband, Bob; great-great-grandchildren: Lance and Victoria; five step-great-grandchildren; and her sister, Dorothea Adams, of Durango.

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

Thomas Horace Gilliland

Funeral services for Thomas Horace Gilliland, a lifelong area resident, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 3, at the Trinity Lutheran Church. Pastor David Dahl will officiate. Interment will follow at the Lewis Cemetery.

Visitation has been set for Friday afternoon from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Ertel Memorial Chapel.

Tom was born in Yellow Jacket April 27, 1919, the son of Thomas William and Eva (Stevenson) Gilliland. He passed away at Southwest Memorial Hospital Tuesday, April 29, 2003. Tom had just celebrated his 84th birthday.

Tom earned his livelihood farming and ranching, raising beans, wheat, alfalfa and cattle. He helped found the Lewis Arriola Fire Department and served that organization for 20 years. Tom was a Mason for 52 years and was a member of the Lewis Grange, which he served as Grange Master for several terms.

Surviving Tom are his children: Judy Vogel and husband, Ron, of Denver; and Bill Gilliland and wife, Laura Jane, of Lewis; grandchildren: T. W. Gilliland, James Gilliland and Brenda Gilliland, all of Lewis; Jole Sorenson of Phoenix, and Seth Sorenson of Denver. His brother and sisters: Bill Duncan of Lewis; Peggy Roe of Cortez; Pat Ashbaugh of Grants, N.M.; and Daisy King of Cortez; as well as many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews also survive Tom.

Preceding Tom in death were his parents, and his beloved wife, Dorothy (Toles) Gilliland in December, 1994.

Memorial contributions can be made in the name of Tom Gilliland with the Lewis Arriola Fire Department. Service will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.

Karl Alfred Howell

Karl Alfred Howell was born Nov. 4, 1929, to Karl and Margaret Howell at Ucola, Utah. He passed away April 23, 2002, at the age of 73.

Karls mother soon nicknamed him "Mickey," which remained with him all his life.

Mickey attended school in the Ucola area then went on to high school in Moab, Utah. He soon decided high school was not the thing he wanted so he went to work for area farmers and ranchers.

Mickey joined the Army in 1949, he completed tours in Korea and Vietnam. He was wounded in battle during his third tour in Korea and was denied when he requested a fourth tour. He retired from the Army in 1969 and moved to Colorado.

Mickey Howell is survived by a daughter, Wanda Irene Murray and husband, Bill, of Moody, Texas; sons: Herbert Karl Howell and wife, Cathy, of St. Charles, Mo.; Richard Howell and wife, Tina, of Cortez; and Robert "Chuck" Howell of Dove Creek; a brother, Bob Howell of Bluff, Utah; seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and many relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and a sister.

Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale & Gerken is serving the family.

Jose "Henry" Enriques Martinez

Jose "Henry" Enriques Martinez passed away April 14, 2003, in Caldwell, Idaho.

James Morris

James Morris, a resident of Cortez, passed away April 26, 2003, in Cortez. He was 25.

A graveside service is planned for Saturday, May 3, at 2 p.m. in the Cortez Cemetery. Family and friends will officiate.

Mr. Morris was born to Dale Leonard and Linda Joyce (Thorpe) Morris March 21, 1978, in Durango. He grew up and attended schools in Cortez.

Mr. Morris worked as a laborer in the construction industry, set fences and did roofing. He was a very hard worker.

Mr. Morris enjoyed biking, skateboarding, spending time in the mountains and being with his family and friends.

James "Jimmy" Henry Morris is survived by his father, Dale Leonard; stepmother, Catherine; and half-brothers: David and Dale, all of Albuquerque; stepbrother, Orry Balencia of Bloomfield, N.M.; mother, Linda Joyce, and stepfather, Earl McWilliams, of Nucla, Colo.; sister, Corbie Montgomery and husband, Shawn, of Cortez; paternal grandmother, Vernal Swank of Dolores; maternal grandmother, Ellen Thorpe of Cortez; aunts and uncles: Robert and Karen Yarbrough and family of Cortez; Don Swank of Cortez; Gene Thorpe of San Diego, Calif.; Helen Higgins of Cortez; great-aunt, Hilda Ransom of San Diego; nephews: Shawn Jr., Cameron and Krystopher; niece, Taylor Montgomery, all of Cortez; his girlfriend, Hollie, and her children: Tabitha, Jade, Seth and Chris, whom he loved very much.

He was preceded in death by two brothers: Levi and Dustin; and his grandfathers.

Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale & Gerken is serving the family.

Lula Belle Uptain

Funeral services for longtime Lewis resident Lula Belle Uptain will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, May 5, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel. Bishop Echols will officiate. Interment will follow at the Sunny Side Cemetery in Lewis.

Visitation has been set for Sunday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Ertel Memorial Chapel.

Lula Belle was born March 28, 1915, in Eldorado Springs, Mo., the seventh child of George Elijah and Rose Maude (Duncan) Maslen. She passed away at the Vista Grande Nursing Home Monday, April 28, 2003.

In 1928, at the age of 13, Lula Belle and her family moved to Yellow Jacket. She attended Rhyman School, Old Ackman School and one year of high school.

She then began working for other people until she met the love of her life, Clarence Uptain. The couple was married June 14, 1937. They homesteaded north of Lewis, where their first son, Cordell, was born.

Lula Belle and Clarence farmed together, enjoying the time shared. Later they bought the home where Lula Belle has lived for the past 58 years.

In 1945 a daughter, Carol, was born. Lula Belle joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1959 and loved every moment of her relationship with her church and Christ.

Surviving Lula Belle are her children: Cordell Uptain of Lewis; and Carol Uptain Beals Wilson and husband, Dick, of Lewis; seven grandchildren: Lynn Rougeau and husband, Frank, of Louisiana; Scott Uptain of Nebraska; Ron Uptain of Cortez; Gina Marriott and husband, Randy, of Mesa, Ariz.; Teresa Clark and husband, Les, of Spring, Texas; Stacey Corbin and husband, Craig, of Chandler, Ariz.; and Dusty Beals and wife, Radiance, of Hesperus; 16 great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren; brothers: Claude Maslen and Homer Maslen, both of Cortez; sister, Grace Randol, also of Cortez; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Memorial contributions can be made in the name of Lula Belle Uptain with the Vectra Bank of Cortez. Services will be conducted by the Ertel Funeral Home.      

Contents copyright © 2003 the Cortez Journal. All rights reserved.