Helen Montana Thomas
Helen Montana Thomas was born Aug. 29, 1909, in Jardine,
Mont., to Arthur and Grace (Palmer) Denny. She passesd away Jan. 1, 2002,
at the Valley Inn Nursing Home in Mancos. She was 92.
On March 3, 1930, in Dolores, Helen married her
sweetheart, Glenn Clarence Thomas. She was a dedicated homemaker and an
active member of the Church of Christ.
Helen is survived by her children, James (Mabel) Thomas
of Eloy, Ariz., Art (Shirley) Thomas of Cortez, Lynne (Archer) Swank of
Casper, Wyo., Gerald (Shirley) Thomas of Eloy, Ariz., Gayle (Ed) McNutt of
Cortez and Stanley (Jeanne) Thomas of Tucson, Ariz.
Her siblings, Wayne (Viola) Denny, Dorothy Roatcap,
Willard (Agnes) Denny, Shirley (Jim) Hunt, and Lawson (Lanore) Denny, also
survive her. Helen also leaves 15 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren,
three great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved
husband, Glenn; two children, Louise Thomas and Glenn Thomas Jr.; three
brothers, Tom Denny, Alec Denny, and Lee Denny; her sister, Emma Denny
Swank; two grandchildren and a great-grandson.
No services have been scheduled. A memorial service will be held at a
later date. Arrangements are being handled through the Ertel Funeral Home.
Bessie Edith Hinton
Funeral services for Bessie Edith Hinton, a lifelong resident of this
area,
will be held on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2002, at the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-Day Saints in Cortez at 1:30 p.m. Interment will follow at the
Cortez
Cemetery.
Visitation has been scheduled for Wednesday afternoon at the Ertel Memorial
Chapel from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m.
Bessie was born to Henry and Mary Elizabeth (Murphy) Stiles on Jan. 15,
1908, in Beulah, Colo. She passed away on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2001 at the
Vista Grande Nursing Home in Cortez. Bessie was 93 years old.
On Aug. 5, 1926, in Cortez, Bessie became the bride of Rudy David Hinton.
Bessie worked throughout the years within the Cortez area, retiring in 1969
She loved being with her family and enjoyed walking and eating out.
Crocheting, gardening and going to church activities were all pastimes
Bessie took pleasure in.
She is survived by her children; Arveda Bruce, Harold (Freeda) Hinton, Dale
(LaVerne) Hinton, Jerry (Vonita) Hinton, Betty Risenhoover, Rick (Murna)
Hinton; and foster-son, Melvin Belveal. Two sisters, Dorothy Smith and Ruth
Mangel; and a sister-in-law, Alma Stiles, also survive Bessie.
She also leaves 24 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren, and 24
great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Bessie's
parents
and her beloved husband, Rudy, precede her in death.
Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
Charles "Chuck" Gonzales
Funeral services for Charles Elasario "Chuck"
Gonzales, a former resident of
Mancos, will be held Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2002, at St. Rita's Catholic Church
at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Father Kevin
Novack will officiate.
Rosary services have been set for Tuesday evening at the Ertel Memorial
Chapel at 6 p.m.
Chuck was born to Jake Felipe and Helen (Lujan) Gonzales in Monte Vista,
Colo., on Dec. 30, 1940. He passed away at his home in Kirtland, N.M., on
Thursday, Dec. 27, 2001, at the age of 60.
Chuck grew up in Mancos and in his early years was a barber. He loved being
outdoors fishing and hunting. His children, grandchildren and family were
his greatest treasure and he loved the time spent with them.
Surviving Chuck is his mother, Helen Gonzales of Mancos; his children,
Margaret (Tom) Maestas of Mancos, Charles M. (Marquita) Gonzales Jr. of
Bayfield, Colo., and Jennifer (Isais) Lopez of Durango, Colo.; and his
seven
grandchildren, Brian and Stephanie Maestas of Mancos, Tristan and Kyra
Gonzales of Bayfield, and Taylor, Teagan, and Tarynn Lopez of Durango.
He also leaves behind his brothers and sisters, Fred Gonzales of Oxford,
Colo., Don Gonzales of Mancos, Gerald Gonzales of Farmington, N.M., Vera
Cardenas of Aztec, N.M., Dorothy Lopez of Cortez, and Rae Leon of Mancos.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Marie Gonzales; and brothers, Jake
Gonzales Jr. and Joe Gonzales.
Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Charles E.
"Chuck" Gonzales
with the First National Bank, Mancos branch. Services will be under the
direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
Owen F. Burnham
Word was received on Dec. 30, 2001, that Owen F. Burnham
had passed away at
his home in Hayward, Calif. Services are pending. Burnham was born and
raised in Mancos.
Genevieve Eppich
Funeral services for Genevieve Eppich will be held at 10
a.m., Monday, Dec. 31, at St. Rita's Catholic Church in Mancos. Interment
will follow at the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Rosary services will be Sunday at
6 p.m., also at St. Rita's.
Genevieve was born on Dec. 24, 1919, in Thompson Park,
Colo., to Frank and Florence (Jones-Mahan) Sponsel. She passed away on
Thursday, Dec. 27, 2001, at her home in Thompson Park. She was 82.
She was a third-generation rancher whose family
homesteaded the ranch that has been in their family for 114 years.
Genevieve is survived by her children, Mary Rita
(Robert) Simmons of Lamar, Colo., Helen (Mark) Cernich of Phoenix, Ariz.,
Pauline (Les) Moody of Windsor, Colo., Tom Eppich of Thompson Park, Colo.,
Linda (Dan) Archibeque of Mancos, Theresa (Davin) Montoya of Hesperus,
Colo., and Gary (Kathy) Eppich of Stafford, Va.
She also leaves seven granddaughters, seven grandsons,
and two great-granddaughters. Four sisters and three brothers also survive
Genevieve.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George, son
Joseph, grandson Dustin Eppich, and sister Ruth Bartel.
Memorial contributions can be made with St. Rita's
Catholic Church.
Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
Michelle (Phillips) Lucero
Michelle (Phillips) Lucero, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Jerald Paulson and the late George "Bill" Phillips, passed away
as the result of an automobile accident on Dec. 26, 2001, in Santa Fe, N.M.
Michelle was born in Cortez. Survivors include her
mother and stepfather; husband; daughter, Rachel; sister, Jeanette
(Phillips) Schnell and her family, and many friends.
A memorial fund has been set up in Michelle’s name,
partly to benefit her husband and daughter, who were injured in the same
accident.
Donations may be made at both the Cortez and Dolores
branches of the Dolores State Bank.
Services are pending.
Daniel Austin Bryant
Services for Daniel "Danny" Austin Bryant of
Nucla, Colo., will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 29, at the First
Baptist Church of Dove Creek. Pastor Don Smith will officiate. Interment
will follow in the Fairview Cemetery in Yellow Jacket, with graveside
services conducted by Pastor Cy McKinney.
Danny was born to James Roland and Rose Lee Bryant on
May 21, 1960, in Durango. He passed away on Dec. 23, 2001, as the result of
an automobile accident near Uravan, Colo. He was 41.
Danny attended schools in Dolores County and graduated
from high school. He continued his education in computer, welding and
drilling skills, and had lived in the area for 35 years. He worked as a
driller, a truck driver, and on fishing boats in Wyoming, Colorado and
Washington.
Danny was baptized by the Rev. Mark Shore in the First
Baptist Church of Dove Creek. He was most recently a member of the
Christian Fellowship in Redvale, Colo.
He was formerly married to Durana Lynn Collom, who now
lives in Bakersfield, Calif.
On Oct. 9, 2001, he married Carolyn Lee Roberts in Nucla.
Danny is survived by his wife, Carolyn, of Nucla;
mother, Rose, of Dove Creek; sons, Thomas and Jerry Basco of Boise, Idaho,
and Derek May of Aztec, N.M.; daughters Jeannie Marie Bryant Heatherington
and Jessica Bryant Dennison, both of Cortez; brother, William Bass of
Cortez; sister, Pauline Fulks, also of Cortez; three grandchildren and many
nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jacqulyn Rose
Bryant and his brother, James Bryant.
Memorial contributions may be made to Citizens State
Bank of Cortez, 77 W. Main St., Cortez, CO 81321.
Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale and Gerken, are serving the
family.
Mate Elizabeth Cabell
Funeral services for Mate Elizabeth Cabell will be held on
Saturday, Dec. 29, at the First United Methodist Church in Salt Lake City,
Utah with burial to follow at the Larkin Sunset Lawn Cemetery.
Mate was born in rural Burlington, Colo. on May 13, 1905 to
Samuel and Gertie Westbrook (Taylor) Morrow. She passed away at the Mesa
View Retirement Center in Cortez on Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2001 at the age of
96.
Raised in the Burlington area, Mate married Roy Edward
Cabell on the family farm on June 15, 1930. She was an active woman
dedicating her life and service to the Methodist Church through the
church's many organizations. She was also very involved in the United
Nations and had the opportunity to met with President Kennedy, which was a
major highlight of her life.
Mate, beloved mother and grandmother, is survived by her
son, Ed and his wife, LaVerne Cabell, of Cortez, and daughter Ruth Ann
Settles of Abbyville, S.C.; six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren;
and by her sister, Gertrude Caudell of Redmond, Ore.
Local arrangements are being made through the Ertel Funeral
Home.
Sherwin Zac Lansing
Sherwin Zac Lansing of Towaoc was born to Stacy and
Yvonne Lansing on Aug. 4, 1974, in Cortez. He passed away on Dec. 25, 2001,
at the Mercy Medical Center in Durango, at the age of 27.
Funeral services were held Dec. 28 at Cortez Four
Corners Funeral Chapel. Terry Knight officiated. Interment followed at the
Towaoc Cemetery.
Zac, as he preferred to be called, graduated from
Montezuma-Cortez High School. He was a track star and earned a letter in
cross-country. He placed in the Mesa Verde Run. Zac was also a Gourd
Dancer, and was taught by his grandfather, Ernest Bearshead.
Zac was formerly employed by the Ute Mountain Casino in
Towaoc, and worked for Read Bear Construction Company in Ignacio, Colo. He
was also a certified welder, trained at Weeminuche Construction Company of
Towaoc.
Sherwin Zac Lansing is survived by his parents; sister
Mollett and brother Dave Astor, of Towaoc; grandfather Ernest Bearshead of
Tulsa, Okla., and his loving friend, Sandy Ogeen of Ignacio.
He is also survived by his uncles, Paul Fields, Norman
Lansing, Nubz Norman Herbert, Sam Lansing and Fred Keelick; aunts, Melody
Fields, Cynthia Keelick, Shirley Deer, Wanda Deer and Cleo Whitebuffalo,
and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his son, Colby James Lansing.
Clayton Melby
Funeral services for Clayton M. Melby will be held at 10
a.m., Friday, Dec. 29, at the Trinity Lutheran Church. Interment will
follow at the Cortez Cemetery. Pastor David Dahl will officiate.
Visitation has been scheduled for Thursday afternoon at the
Ertel Memorial Chapel from 2 to 4 p.m.
Clayton was born on June 18, 1923 to Ingval Arvid and Agnes
Genevieve (Clemenson) Melby in Fargo, N.D. He passed away on Sunday, Dec.
23, 2001, at the Southwest Memorial Hospital. He was 78.
After deciding to serve his country, Clayton joined the
Navy where he was stationed in the Pacific.
On Sept. 2, 1948 Clayton married his sweetheart, Patricia
Lee, in Fargo, N.D.
He was a professional man who worked hard as an
architectural designer. He was the president and C.E.O. of Montezuma
Mortgage, and was part of the Laborers for Christ. He designed and helped
construct churches in the United States, and Russia. A member of the
Chamber of Commerce, and Planning & Zoning Economic Development
Commission, Clayton remained an icon in his community. He was also an avid
golfer, and an active member of the Trinity Lutheran Church.
Clayton is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Pat
Melby of Cortez; and his children, Lisa (Ralph) Wegner of Cortez, Chris
(Barb) Melby of Fort Collins, Colo., Peter (Reta) Melby of San Antonio,
Tex., Sara (Kelly) McCabe of Cortez, Tina (Lou) Killean of Cortez, and
David (Karine) Melby of Hopkins, Minn. He also leaves behind 16
grandchildren, Katie McCabe, Brianna McCabe, Bryson McCabe, Hannah Melby,
Caleb Melby, Rachel Melby, Rebekah Melby, Lydia Melby, Anna Melby, Daniel
Melby, Sarah Melby, Abigail Melby, Jordan Carter, Brett Carter, Mattie
Killean, and Karsten Killean; and his one great-grandchild, Kieran; and his
brother Arvid (Helen) Melby of Englewood, Fla.
Contributions can be made to the Clayton Melby Memorial
Fund at the Trinity Lutheran Church 208 N. Dolores Road Cortez, CO 81321.
Borje 'Bud' Hesselgren
Borje "Bud" Johannes Hesselgren, 75, of Mancos
passed away at the Valley Inn Nursing Home on Saturday Dec. 22, 2001.
Services will be held at a later date.
Bud was born in Langnas, Sweden on March 16, 1926 to
Brynolf and Ina (Karlsson) Hesselgren. He married Dorothy Lindmark on Oct.
13, 1945 and in 1948 the young couple and son, Bill, immigrated to the
United States. Bud and Dorothy have been residents of the Mancos Valley for
the past 25 years.
Bud is survived by his wife of 56 years, Dorothy Hesselgren
of Mancos; and his children, Bill (Patricia) Hesselgren of Craig, Colo.,
Robert Hesselgren of Mesa, Colo., Linda (Mark) Mahlum of Durango, and
Linnea (Daniel) Vegas of Mancos. Eight grandchildren, three
great-grandchildren also survive Bud, as do one sister and four brothers
all residing in Sweden.
Arrangements are being made through the Ertel Funeral Home.
Vivian Crawford
Funeral services for Vivian June Crawford, a longtime
resident of Mancos, will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Dec. 28, at the Ertel
Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow at the Greenmount Cemetery in
Durango.
Vivian was born on June 5, 1918 to George and Nora Dell
(Fluke) Williams in Crawford, Colo. She passed away on Saturday, Dec. 22,
2001, at the Four Corners Health Care Center in Durango. She was 83.
Her parents and her husband, Lin Crawford preceded Vivian
in death.
Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral
Home.
Pauline 'Polly' Barstow
Pauline "Polly" May Barstow, a longtime Cortez
resident passed away at her home on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2001. She was born in
Colorado Springs, Colo., on Aug. 16, 1927, to Ernest and Rosa May (Green)
Jesse.
Polly enjoyed a variety of pastimes including; bowling,
fishing, and cross-stitch work. She also liked being a dog sitter and time
spent with her grandchildren. During her working years she was employed by
Southwest Memorial Hospital as a respiratory therapist.
Surviving Polly are her children, Patricia May (Al) Wortham
of Del Norte, Colo., Frank James (Debra) Johns Jr. of Grand Junction,
Colo., and Rose Mary (Lee) Tapia of Durango; her three grandchildren, Tracy
Smith of Denver, Kirsten Johns and Matthew Johns both of Grand Junction;
and her three great-grandchildren, Amy, Jeremy, and Nicholas Smith, of
Denver.
Her husband, Willis S. Barstow, preceded her in death.
Memorial contributions can be made in Polly Barstow's name
at the Citizens State Bank of Cortez to benefit Hospice of Montezuma.
Arrangements are being made through Ertel Funeral Home with services to be
held at a later date.
Carvel "Carl" Odas Kitchens
Funeral services for Carvel "Carl" Odas
Kitchens will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Dec. 24, at the Ertel Memorial
Chapel. Interment will follow at the Cortez Cemetery. Visitation is Sunday,
Dec. 23, from 4 to 5 p.m.
Carl was born on Oct. 15, 1940 in Houston, Texas to O.C.
and Imelda (Jourdain) Kitchens. He passed away on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2001
at his home in Las Vegas, Nev. He was 61.
His wife, Shirley Kitchens of Las Vegas, and his
children, Rodney Raiser and Karla Powell, both also of Las Vegas survive
him. He also leaves his brothers, Sam and Ken Kitchen, and his two
grandchildren, Justin Powell and Indya Raiser all of Las Vegas.
Memorial contributions can be madewith the First National Bank of
Cortez. Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
Willis "Bill" Walton Rees
Funeral services for Willis "Bill" Walton Rees
will be held at 2 p.m. today, Dec. 22, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel. The
Rev. Ron Horne will officiate. Interment will follow at the Summit Ridge
Cemetery. The Ute Mountain American Legion Post #75 will conduct military
graveside services.
Bill was born on Jan.16, 1909 in Cortez, to Zoram and
Jane Emma (Maddox) Rees. He passed away on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2001 at
Southwest Memorial Hospital. He was 92.
Bill was born 1/4 mile east of Mylers Corner in Cortez.
He later left the area and traveled for a period of years. Then in 1932
Bill joined the United States Navy and served his country until his
honorable discharge in 1936.
In 1935 he married his sweetheart, Mabel Martha Moser,
in Gallup, N. M. They settled in Denver, Colo. until the onset of World War
II when they moved to Long Beach, Calif. where Bill worked building ships
until the end of the war.
In 1957 they moved to Englewood, Colo. where they owned
and operated a health food store for 17 years and retired. After the loss
of his beloved wife Mabel, whom everyone called "Auntie Peg," on
Feb. 10, 1992, he moved back to Cortez, where he resided until his passing.
His nieces and nephews, Janie and Leo Maclaren of
Montclair, Calif., Toni Hill of Stockton, Calif., Bob (Ruth) Rees, Bill
Rees, Clayton (Darlene)Rees of Wash., and many great- nieces and nephews
all survive him.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.
Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
Virginia Hatcher Rhoades
Virginia Hatcher Rhoades was born on February 28, 1908
in Bentley, N.D., to Samuel Lee and Gillie May (Divers) Hatcher. She passed
away on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2001 at the Vista Mesa Retirement Center in
Cortez. She was 93.
Her children, William D. Rhoades of Durango, Colo., and
Marcus M. Rhoades of Gaithersburg, Md., survive her. She also leaves her
sister, Sally H. Herr, of St. Louis, Mo.
Virginia was preceded in death by her parents and her
husband, Marcus M. Rhoades.
Arrangements are being handled through the Ertel Funeral Home.
David Leon Hightower
David Leon Hightower, a longtime resident of Naturita,
passed away on Dec. 15, 2001, at the St. Mary’s Medical Center in Grand
Junction. He was 58.
Mr. Hightower was born to Earl Franklin and Maxine M.
(Downey) Hightower at Rifle, on Jan. 16, 1943. He spent his chidhood in
Rifle and Meeker and attended schools in Rifle, Uravan, and Nucla.
On June 15, 1962, he married Carol Sue Langford at Grand
Junction. They were blessed with a daughter.
Mr. Hightower was a uranium-miner with Union Carbide. He
worked in the King Solomon, Sunday, and Coimax mines locally. He enjoyed
hunting, fishing, camping, arrowhead-hunting, and macrame.
He is survived by his wife, Carol, of Naturita;
daughter, Shelly (Leif) Karo of Nucla; brothers, Jack (Mary) Hightower of
Olathe and Gary (Sandy) Hightower of Egnar; sister, Patty Record of Grand
Junction; mother and stepfather, Maxine and Jack Peters of Grand Junction;
and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father and a brother,
Bobby.
Funeral services are set today at 2 p.m. in the West End
Community Church, 219 W. First St. in Naturita. Rod Gerken will officiate.
Interment will follow in the Nucla Cemetery.
Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be made
to the Diabetes Association, 2480 W. 26th Ave., Suite 120B, Denver, Colo.
80211, or to the Nucla-Naturita Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 740, Nucla,
Colo. 81424.
Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale & Gerken
Funeral Directors, are serving the family.
Victoria Kaibetoney
Victoria Kaibetoney of Shiprock, N.M., passed away Dec.
15, 2001, in an accident on a cold and snowpacked road near Mancos. She was
48. Memorial services were Dec. 20 at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints in Shiprock.
She was born Aug. 23, 1953, in Shiprock to John and
Christine Allen of Sheep Springs, N.M. She graduated from Layton High
School in Layton, Utah, in 1973.
She was married to Joe Kaibetoney on Oct. 27, 1973, in
Black House Mesa in Sheep Springs. They were blessed with four wonderful
children and eight beautiful grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband, Joe; daughters, Tonya
Sue, Latonia Toria, Christine Jo; son, Coriantumur John Kaibetoney;
sisters, Laverne Yonnie of Waterflow, cousin-sister Gloria Edsitty of Sheep
Springs and half-sister Kathleen Jones of Farmington; brothers, Johnnie
Allen of Shiprock, Rex Allen of Mesa, Ariz., Albert Allen of Waterflow,
Jackie Allen of Little Water, Alvin Allen of Sheep Springs, Jonathan Allen
of Temple, Ariz.; and several nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Alfred Allen,
and three grandparents.
Victoria Kaibetoney was loved by one and all. She was
loving, caring, helpful, understanding and strong-hearted. She took great
care of her husband and stood by him through thick and thin. She was his
best friend.
Memorial donations can be made at Wells Fargo Banks under Victoria
Kaibetoney Memorial Fund. Funeral arrangements were through Chapel of
Memories Funeral Home in Kirtland, N.M.
Jacqueline Dobbins
Funeral services for Lola Jacqueline Dobbins, a lifelong resident of this area, will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 20, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow at the Battlerock Cemetery.
"Jackie" as she was fondly known, was born in Ackman, Colo. on Feb. 24, 1925, to Arthur Berson and Lola (Stevenson) Rose. She passed away at the Southwest Memorial Hospital on Monday, Dec. 17, 2001 at the age of 76.
She married Hall Keith Dobbins, and they resided in McElmo Canyon, ranching. Although Hall and Jackie had no children of their own, Jackie surrounded herself with lots of children. She taught art in the Cortez schools for many years, and acted as a 4-H teacher for 15 years.
Her home was very important to her and she loved raising roses and flowers. The dahlias that grew in her garden were dinner plate size.
Jackie will be missed greatly by those dear people who looked in on her faithfully over the past several years; Dale Jeter, Audrey Allmon, and Dixie Veach.
Preceding Jackie in death were her husband, Hall Dobbins; her parents; and three brothers, Arthur, Berson, and Herbert.
Memorial contributions can be made with the Dolores State Bank. Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
Marcia Leota Wall
Funeral services for Marcia Leota Wall, 62, of Towoac will be heldat 2 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 19, at the Towaoc Presbyterian Church. Interment will follow at the Towaoc Cemetery. Mr. Ernest House will officiate. A wake will be held at the church tonight at 6.
Marcia was born to Joe Wall and Sarah Ute on June 18, 1939 in Towaoc. She was raised by her mother and stepfather, Sarah and Jack House.
Marcia passed away on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2001 at Southwest Memorial Hospital.
Marcia's children, Valencia Ketchum of Towaoc, Dennis Vicenti of Towaoc and Ignacio, Colo., Troyd Vicenti of Towaoc, Victor B. Vicenti of Towaoc and Dulce, N.M., Abby N. Petago of Albuquerque, N.M., Vinton H. Vicenti, Deanna L. Gower both of Towaoc, Hilda Vicenti of Dove Creek, Delanie Gurloch of Cortez, and Tracy Vicenti of Arizona all survive her. She also leaves her siblings, Frances Wall, Eva Wall Colorow, and Alfred Wall Sr., all of Towaoc. Also surviving Marcia are 26 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Preceding her in death are her parents; her brother, Thomas Ute; her two sisters, Josephine Wall Arrates, and Loita Ute; and her grandson, Troyd Vicenti Jr.
Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
Miles Metzger Mills
Funeral services for Miles Metzger Mills, a lifelong resident of Towaoc will be held at 9 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 19, at The Chapel. Sister Lois Wooten will officiate. Interment will follow at the Cortez Cemetery. The Ute Mountain American Legion Post #75 will conduct military graveside services. Visitation has been set for today, from 4 to 6 p.m., at the Ertel Memorial Chapel.
Miles was born April 12, 1927 in Towaoc, to Harry G. Mills and Mayme Ketchum. He passed away at Southwest Memorial Hospital on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2001. He ws 74.
A very social man, Miles loved to visit with friends and relatives. He enjoyed watching sports on television and going to church.
Surviving Miles are his half brothers, Wilbert Mills and Norton Mills Sr.; his half sister, Nora Mills; and his aunt, Dorothy Ketchum.
Memorial contributions with the Ertel Funeral Home, 42 N. Market, Cortez, CO 81321, to benefit the Gideons International.
Russell Edwin Strause
Russell Edwin Strause went to his promised mansion on Dec. 16, 2001. He came into this world on Apr. 6, 1910 in Little Pine, Minn.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Roxanna (Moss) Strause of Crawford, Colo., and by son, Denver G. Strause.
He is survived by his much-loved daughter, Bonita J. Bettinger and her husband, Ed of Lewis; eight grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 12 great-great grandchildren.
His life was hard but he was rich in love with the family he began in Crawford. Each life he touched in his quiet, gentle way was always made better. The world has lost a loving cowboy but heaven has gained a son who finished the race and won! Thank you Dad, thank you Grandpa, for you taught us how to make this world a better place. We all love you.
Arrangements are being made through the Ertel Funeral Home.
Jane Horton
A celebration of life services for Jane E. Horton will be at 1 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 19, at the First Baptist Church, 100 N. Market. Pastor Ron Horn will officiate.
Jane passed away on Dec. 14, 2001, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was born April 8, 1933, Aurora Ill., to Edward and Doris
Emeny, who have both preceded her in death.
She is survived by her sister, Jan Horton of Dolores; her nieces, Susan Merillat and family of Dolores and Jane Ellen Horton and family of Cortez; nephews Scott Horton and family of Farmington N.M., and James Horton of Dolores.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Montezuma, 1108 Mildred Road, Ste. B, Cortez CO 81321. Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.Funeral services for Miles Metzger Mills, a lifelong resident of Towaoc will be held at 9 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 19, at The Chapel. Sister Lois Wooten will officiate. Interment will follow at the Cortez Cemetery. The Ute Mountain American Legion Post #75 will conduct military graveside services. Visitation has been set for today, from 4 to 6 p.m., at the Ertel Memorial Chapel.
Miles was born April 12, 1927 in Towaoc, to Harry G. Mills and Mayme Ketchum. He passed away at Southwest Memorial Hospital on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2001. He
was 74.
A very social man, Miles loved to visit with friends and relatives. He enjoyed watching sports on television and going to church.
Surviving Miles are his half brothers, Wilbert Mills and Norton Mills Sr.; his half sister, Nora Mills; and his aunt, Dorothy Ketchum.
Memorial contributions with the Ertel Funeral Home, 42 N. Market, Cortez, CO 81321, to benefit the Gideons International.
William 'Billy' Speer
Memorial services for William "Billy" Frank Speer
will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 29, at the St. Margaret Mary
Catholic Church in Cortez. Interment will be held at the Old Dolores
Cemetery, where the Ute Mountain American Legion Post #75 will conduct
military graveside services.
Billy was born on March 29, 1947 to Julian A. and Sophie C.
Speer in Ogden, Utah. He passed away on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2001 in Salt
Lake City, Utah. He was 54.
After joining the Army, Billy served his country during the
Vietnam War.
He resided in Lead, S.D. until moving to Salt Lake City.
Billy is survived by his mother, Sophie Speer; and his
siblings, Jimmy Speer of Texas, Anita Martinez, of Roy, Utah, Theresa
Garcia of Salt Lake City Josephine (Jerry) Killey of West Jordan, Utah,
Cordie (Clark)Watts of Salt Lake City, Martha Garcia of Roy, Utah, Juanita
(Kelly) Valdez of Ogden, Utah, Betty (Eddie) Chandler-Goodall of Cortez,
Robert Speer of Bloomfield, N.M., Richard Speer, Arthur (Marie) Speer, and
Tony Speer all of Salt Lake City, Esther Speer, and Tina Speer both of
Cortez, Dolores Valdez of Denver, Lois (Darrell) Hillman of Salt Lake City,
Darrell (Rose) Speer of Farmington, N.M., and Debbie Speer of Cortez.
His father; brother Albert Speer, and sister, Romancita
Speer, all preceded him in death.
Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral
Home.
John H. Miller
John H. Miller, one of the last old-time ranchers, passed away at the Vista
Grande Rehab Center in Cortez on Oct. 19, 2001. He was 85.
He was born in Arriola on Feb. 16, 1916, to John T. and Josephine (Smith)
Miller. John's grandfather, I.O. Miller, grandmother Ella, and their three
children settled north of Cortez in the early 1900s, giving the community
of
Arriola its name.
I.O. Miller was appointed the first superintendent of
schools in Montezuma
County and John's grandmother was the first teacher at Arriola. His
father,
John T., donated the land for the Arriola Cemetery.
John's mother passed away when he was 3, leaving five small children. The
family lived for a while in the Arriola community, later moving to Cortez.
John graduated from MCHS in 1935. He soon began ranching with his father
and
his brother, Robert E. Miller. On March 15, 1944, John married Audrey May
Oliver. They shared 48 years of marriage before Audrey's death in May
1992.
John ranched with his father and brother until 1962, when his father died.
John and Robert were partners until the late 1970s, when Robert sold his
portion to John.
John continued running the ranch until he was 79. In 1994,
he sold the bulk
of it to the Wesley Wallace family. The "Miller Cow Outfit" included
deeded
and BLM land in lower McElmo Canyon, Ferris Canyon and Salter Y, along with
deeded property in the Dolores Canyon below McPhee Dam. At the height of
the
operation, John ran around 600 head of mother cows.
John leaves his daughters and their families: Myrna (Harold) Nix of Dunlap,
Ill.; Jody (Don) Schwindt of Cortez, Karel (Wayne) Brown of Dolores;
grandchildren Kristi and John Nix, Dylan and Caley Schwindt, Kare'lia and
Krystal Brown; sister, Mary (Ray) Patten and a host of other relatives and
friends.
Two sisters, Marjorie French and Helen Steerman, and a
brother, Robert
Miller, preceded John in death.
Georgette Roberta (Terry) Davis
Graveside services for former Cortez resident Georgette
Roberta (Terry) Davis will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at the
Cortez Cemetery.
Georgette passed away Dec. 9, 2001, in Pueblo, Colo. She
was 89.
She was born Jan. 29, 1912, in Seargents Bluff, Iowa,
and had been a longtime Cortez resident. She and her husband, Von, owned
and operated the V&G Variety Store in Cortez for over 30 years. She had
been a Pueblo resident since 1984.
Surviving her are her daughters, Donna Alber and Sharon
(Joseph) Prutch, both of Pueblo, Colo.; grandchildren, Morgan Alber of
Gardner, Colo. and Catherine (Richard Martin) Alber of Denver;
great-grandchildren, Jacob ElBekhty, Leigh Martin and Willow Alber Martin.
Georgette's husband, Von Davis, preceded her in death in 1982.
Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral
Home.
Jasmyne Cayaditto
Services for Jasmyne Cayaditto, 1, of Cortez, will be
held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 15, at the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints (1700 E. Empire). Bishop Black will officiate.
Jasmyne was the infant daughter of La Tanyia Begay and
Rufus Cayaditto. She was born on Dec. 5, 2000. She passed away on Dec. 8,
2001, as the result of an automobile accident.
Jasmyne Cayaditto is survived by her paternal
grandparents, Richard Martinez and Marilyn and Anderson Frank of
Farmington, N.M.; her maternal grandparents, Dennis and Harriet Yazzie of
Cortez, and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale and Gerken, are
serving the family.
Alice Belt
Funeral services for Alice Jane Belt will be held at 10
a.m. Monday, Dec. 17, at the Cortez First United Methodist Church.
Interment will follow at the Cortez Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled for
Sunday at the Ertel Memorial Chapel, from 2 to 4 p.m.
Alice was born on April 1, 1928, in Mabton, Wash., to Harry
and Nellie Belle (Nance) Brown. She passed away on Dec. 12, 2001, at her
home in Cortez. She was 73.
On May 3, 1946, in Mabton, Alice married her sweetheart,
Richard Vance Belt. She was a dedicated homemaker, and a member of the
American Legion.
Surviving Alice are her children, Danny (Diane Moody) Belt
of Cortez, and Sandy (Dwight) Wardrip of Cortez. Her grandchildren, Chris
Belt, Kelly Belt, Marci Clark and Ginger Davies, and seven
great-grandchildren also survive her. Alice also leaves her two sisters,
Betty Sears, and Josie Stewart, both of Washington. Preceding her in death
are her parents, and her husband, Richard Belt.
Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
Elberta Bishop
Elberta J. Bishop of Cortez passed away on Dec. 9. 2001,
at her home. She was 80. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday,
Dec. 14, at Trinity Lutheran Church.
Mrs. Bishop was born to Elbert J. and Anna Muriel
(Dickens) Quail on June 30, 1921, in St. Louis, Ill. She attended school in
Gallup, N.M.
On May 4, 1940, she married Alvin J. Bishop. They were
blessed with three children. Mrs. Bishop was a cook and a homemaker. She
loved children and animals, and enjoyed traveling, singing and music. She
was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.
Elberta Bishop is survived by her sons, Leslie (Jenny)
Bishop of Kansas City, Mo. and Gary (June) Bishop of Dolores; daughter,
Jeanette Bishop of Baltimore, Md.; grandchildren, Diana (Neil) Garland and
Chris (Marshall) Pelot; sister Yvonne Mills; dearest friends, Floyd and
Joyce Johnson and Randall and Adeline Liska and children.
She was preceded in death by her husband.
Memorial contributions may be made to Noah’s Ark, 14929
County Road G, Cortez, CO 81321, or Hospice of Montezuma, Inc., 1108 N.
Mildred, Cortez, CO 81321.
Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale and Gerken are
serving the family.
Martha Ann List
A rememberance service for Martha Ann List, a longtime
Cortez resident, will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, Dec. 14, at the Ertel
Memorial Chapel.
Martha passed away at the Vista Mesa Retirement Center
on Dec. 10, 2001, at the age of 75. She was born to Clarence Thornton and
Lillian (Hamilton) Foster on Jan. 9, 1926, in Columbus, Miss.
Martha wed James Walton List in Santa Fe, N.M., in 1950.
The couple moved their family to Cortez in 1966. Martha worked as a medical
lab technologist for Southwest Memorial Hospital for a number of years. In
her free time, Martha enjoyed quilting, reading and shopping.
Surviving Martha are her husband of 51 years, James, of
Cortez; her daughter, Marian (Tom) Lane of Aurora, Colo.; sons, Jay
(Claudia) List of Colorado Springs, Colo., and David (Kathy Campbell) List
of Lakewood, Colo.; two grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and four
step-grandchildren. A sister, Lillian Meacham of Vicksburg, Miss., also
survives her.
Memorial contributions can be mad at the Vectra Bank to
benefit Hospice of Montezuma.
LaTanyia Begay
Funeral services for La Tanyia Begay of Cortez, will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 15, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1700 E. Empire). Bishop Black will officiate.
Miss Begay was born to Alvin and Harriet Kaye (Francis) Begay on Jan. 19, 1982. She passed away on Dec. 8, 2001, as the result of an automobile accident. She was 19.
She graduated from Aztec High School in May 2000. At the time of her death, she was attending Pueblo Community College. She was recently employed as a food service worker with the Cortez Wal-Mart.
Miss Begay enjoyed participating in pow-wows as a dancer of Northern Tradition. She also enjoyed playing basketball in high school.
She is survived by her mother and stepfather, Harriet and Dennis Yazzie; father, Alvin Begay; brother, Dennison Yazzie and sister, Shaundiin Yazzie, among other relatives and friends.
Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale and Gerken are serving the family.
Rufus Cayaditto
Services for Rufus Cayaditto of Cortez, will be held at
10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 15, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints (1700 E. Empire). Bishop Black will officiate.
Mr. Cayaditto was born to Richard Martinez and Marilyn
Cayaditto on June 19, 1981, in Cuba, N.M. He passed away on Dec. 8, 2001,
as the result of an automobile accident. He was 20.
He attended high school, and was an employee with
Western Excelsior Corp. in Mancos. He was a member of the Native American
Church.
Mr. Cayaditto enjoyed arts and crafts, basketball, and
cruising around in "low riders."
He is survived by his father, Richard Martinez; mother
and stepfather, Marilyn and Anderson H. Frank; paternal grandparents,
Willie and Grace Martinez; Herman and Marie Cayaditto; step-grandparents,
Henry and Ester Frank; six brothers, six sisters, and other relatives and
friends.
Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale and Gerken, are
serving the family.
Hugh Poyer
Funeral services for Hugh Poyer of Aneth, Utah, will be
held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Ertel Memorial Chapel. Interment will
follow at the Cortez Cemetery. Military graveside services will be
conducted by the Ute Mountain American Legion Post #75.
Hugh passed away on Dec. 8, 2001, at St. Mary's Hospital
in Grand Junction, Colo. He was 56.
He was born Sept. 3, 1945, to Myron H. and Harriet
(Jackson) Poyer in Aneth. He was a Bi'taani' Clan born for the Ashii'hi'
Clan.
He is survived by his wife, Rosina, of Montezuma Creek,
Utah; children, Refina and Cherina Poyer, and stepson, Arredondo N.
Merritt, all of Montezuma Creek; Jeffrey (Sandra) Poyer, of Shiprock, N.M.,
Kimula Poyer and friend, Andrew of Kirtland, N.M., Norleen (Leonard)
Poyer-Begay of Kirtland, Darlene Curley and husband of Fruitland, N.M.,
Huberta (Joe) Poyer, of Teec Nos Pos, Ariz., Miranda Poyer and friend,
Leroy of Farmington, N.M., and numerous nieces, nephews and grandchildren.
He is also survived by his siblings, Everett (Geneva)
Poye, of Aneth, Mary (Jerry) Johnson, of Cortez, Janet (Raymond) Blackgoat,
of Shiprock; and stepsisters, Nellie (Wilson) Buck, of Cortez, and Lillie (Wilford)
Yabeny, of Beclabito, N.M., and Marylou Yazzie of Los Angeles.
Elizabeth Loretta Sanders
Funeral services for Elizabeth Loretta Sanders will be
at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Mancos First Baptist Church. Interment will
follow at the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4 to
6 p.m. at the Ertel Memorial Chapel.
Elizabeth was born in Kremmling, Colo., on March 3,
1918, to Guy Archibald and Nevetta (Morris) Foster. She passed away on Dec.
7, 2001, at the Valley Inn Nursing Home in Mancos. She was 83.
Elizabeth married her sweetheart, Richard Jay Sanders,
and later moved to the Cortez area in 1963.
She was a lifetime member of the Order of Eastern Star.
Surviving are her children, Bert E. Sanders of Mancos,
Barbara Randolph of Cortez, Robert L. Sanders of Delta, Colo.; her special
son-in-law, Allan Randolph and daughter-in-law, Mary Ann Sanders; her
grandchildren, Jared Sanders, Tonya Hargis, Jason Valdez, and Natasha
Randolph; nine great-grandchildren and her brother, Guy Archibald Foster
Jr. of Roswell, N.M.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a son,
Edward F. Sanders, in 1994.
Memorial contributions can be made with the Valley Inn
Nursing Home.
Sharon Bott
Funeral services for former Mancos resident Sharon Bott
will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, Dec. 10, at the Pennwood Chapel Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Las Vegas, Nev. Interment will follow
at the Paradise Memorial Gardens.
Sharon was born to Richard "Dick" Hale and
Betty Jean (Ertel) Dillon on July 8, 1940, in McPhee, Colo. She passed away
in Las Vegas on Dec. 5, 2001, following a lengthy illness. She was 61.
Surviving Sharon are her mother, Betty Dillon, of
Mancos; her husband, Gene Bott, of Las Vegas, Nev.; son, Gregg Bott of Las
Vegas; daughter, Angel Nielson of Portland, Ore.; stepson, Glenn Bott of
Las Vegas; stepdaughters, Suzanne Huffman of Long Beach, Calif., Paulette
Day and Bonnie Alger both of Las Vegas; and 19 grandchildren.
Sharon also leaves behind her sisters and their
families, Dixie Robbins, Roma Ewing, Diane Bartel, Pat Morgan, all of
Mancos, and Michael Sue Kern of Tucson, Ariz.; her brother and his family,
Scott Dillon of Mancos; and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and
cousins.
Sharon was preceded in death by her father.
Dorothy Luella Brown
Dorothy Luella Brown was born on
Jan. 23, 1911, in Freemont, Ohio, to Stanley and Pansy (Tyron) March. She
passed away on Dec. 5, 2001, at the Valley Inn Nursing Home in Mancos. She
was 90.
On Feb. 19, 1930, Dorothy married
her sweetheart, William R. Brown, in Littleton, Colo. They shared 71 years
of marriage. She became a devoted wife and mother. Dorothy was a
compassionate woman who shared a love for animals, and had a flair for
knitting and crocheting. Her work was often sent to fairs where she won
many prizes.
Dorothy's husband, Bill, and her
children, James R. Brown and Lila Brown, all of Cortez, survive her, as do
two sisters, Leliah Tryon of Cañon City, Colo., and Dessie White of
Deckers, Colo.
She was preceded in death by her
parents.
No services have been scheduled at this time.
Arrangements are being handled through the Ertel Funeral Home.
William Bruce Hart
Funeral services for William Bruce Hart will be at 2
p.m. today at the First Southern Baptist Church of Cortez. Interment will
follow at the Cortez Cemetery. Pastor Jimmy Kennedy of First Southern
Baptist Church, Pastor Gary Fowler of New Life Chapel, and the Rev. Ron
Horne of First Baptist Church will officiate.
Bruce was born to Edwin Leroy and Eileen (Phillips) Hart
on July 17, 1942 in Piqua, Ohio. He passed away on Dec. 7, 2001, at his
home in Cortez. He was 59.
On Nov. 24, 1962, Bruce married Jeanette Gayle Crook in
Tucson, Ariz. They moved to the Cortez area in 1973, where Bruce opened his
own tire stores. Bruce then became the manager of Basin Co-op on South
Broadway, where he worked until November of this year. Bruce was also a
member of the National Turkey Association.
He is survived by his father, Edwin L. Hart of Tucson,
Ariz.; his beloved wife, Jeanette, of Cortez; and his children, Zandra Lynn
Hart, Eric Leroy Hart both of Cortez, and William Taft Hart of Salt Lake
City, Utah. Bruce's grandchildren, Jearl Blake Ruiz of Denver and
Jacqueline Jeanette Hart, Kacey Dawn Hart and Auston Dylan Hart, all of
Cortez, also survive. He leaves his brothers and sisters, the Rev. Ron
(Sue) Hart of Tucson, Ariz., Karon (Jack) Ford of Phoenix, and Beverly
(Dick Sidabras) Spitler-Sidabras, also of Phoenix.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Eileen.
Memorial contributions can be made with Vectra Bank for the Diabetic
Association Pancreatic Cancer Research.
Phyllis Florence Rosander Kelsch
Phyllis Kelsch, formerly of Williston, N.D., passed away
at her residence in Cortez on Dec. 5, 2001. Memorial services will be given
by the Rev. David Dahl at Trinity Lutheran Church at 11 a.m., today, Dec.
22. A light luncheon will follow at the church.
Phyllis Florence Rosander was born on March 12, 1923, to
Florence (Krugler) and Benjamin Franklin Rosander, in Bear Creek, Mont. She
attended grade school in Red Lodge, Mont., and high school in Fairview,
Mont.
Following graduation from high school Phyllis earned a
bachelor’s degree in education from the Montana College of Education in
Great Falls, Mont.
Phyllis married Anton "Tony" Kelsh on April
26, 1943, in Vancouver, Wash. They made their home in Lewistown, Mont.,
Bismarck, N.D. and Minot, N.D., prior to moving to Williston in 1954.
After Tony’s death in 1969, Phyllis returned to school at
the University of North Dakota-Williston, where she earned her degree as a
licensed practical nurse. She was employee as a nurse at Mercy Medical
Center, Western Dakota Clinic, and worked for Drs. Ritter and Anderson in
their dental practices.
After moving to Mesa, Ariz., she was employed at Mesa
Lutheran Hospital. She retied in the mid-1990s, and returned to Williston.
Phyllis moved to Cortez in 1999, to be closer to her family.
She was active in several groups in Williston. She was
dedicated to St. Jospeh’s Catholic School where she was a substitute
teacher.
She was an accomplished vocalist, and enjoyed sharing
her special talent for singing. As an active participant at the Williston
Heritage Center, she also directed the Heritage Choraliers.
Phyllis enjoyed playing bridge and pinochle, and the
challenge of crossword puzzles. She was a gifted seamstress and hand work
artist. He family and friends were the recipients of her work. She also
participated in many church groups.
Phyllis is survived by her children, Weltha (Paul) of
Cortez; Kathleen (John) of Atlanta; Gregory (Barb) of Purcell, Okla.;
Stephen (Julie) of Cortez; Bruce (Diana) of Longmont, Colo. and her
"other daughter" Carol Jean (Lowell) of Williston; 14
grandchildren; 10 great-children; brothers Jack and Verald; sisters Faye,
Helen and Alta Mae and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents,
infant daughter Nadine Louise, infant son, David, and brother, Donald.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Montezuma, 1108 N. Mildred Rd.,
Cortez, CO 81321.
Adrian Ronald Wolfard
Memorial services for Dove Creek resident Adrian Ronald
Wolfard will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 8, at the Dove Creek
Community Center.
Adrian was born to Ronald Henry and Dorthy Louise
(Monger) Wolfard in Saratoga, Wyo. on March 3, 1948. He passed away on
Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2001 in Dove Creek at the age of 53.
On April 9, 1982 in Dove Creek, Adrian took Beverly
Joyce Daniels to be his bride. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting
and fishing.
Surviving Adrian are his wife of 19 years, Beverly
Wolfard of Dove Creek; children, Mary Wolfard and her friend, Steve of
Casper, Wyo., Jerry Wolfard also of Casper, Wendy (Curtis) Walker of Elko,
Nev., Thea (Paul) Langston of Monticello, Utah, Carla (Tim) Thompson of
Dove Creek, Dondi Palmer of Fernley, Nev., and Michael (LeAnn) Bailey of
Monticello; and 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He is also
survived by his brothers and sisters, Ed (Carla) Roxanna (Jim), Connie,
Laura (Fred) Marilynn, Peggy (Jim) and Sally (Jim).
Arrangements are being made through the Ertel Funeral Home.
Christovel 'Chris' Rivas
Memorial services for Christovel "Chris" Lloyd
Rivas will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, Dec. 10, at the Immaculate Heart of
Mary Catholic Church in Pagosa Springs. There will also be a rosary service
at the church Sunday evening at 7. Visitation is Friday, Dec. 7, from 2 to
6 p.m. at the Ertel Memorial Chapel in Cortez.
Chris was born on Nov. 9, 1934, in Arboles, Colo. to
Fred and Elizibeth (Lister) Rivas. He passed away on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2001
at the Southwest Memorial Hospital. He was 67.
Enlisting in the Navy, Chris served his country in Guam.
He later opened his barbershop in Cortez. Chris was a member of the
Optimist Club, and loved to hunt and fish. Playing basketball and watching
his grandchildren play was a pastime he enjoyed.
Surviving Chris are his children, Robert (Martha) Rivas
of Aztec, N.M., Glen (Christina) Rivas, Bernadette Archuleta, and Libby
Rivas all of Cortez, Lily Rivas and her children, Chris and Cassie of
Pagosa Springs, Dolores (Randy) Rivas Armenta of Farmington, N.M. and
Michael Rivas of Cortez.
Also surviving Chris are his ex-wife, Fabiola Rivas of
Cortez, and 10 grandchildren. His siblings, Cora Woolsey, Lester Rivas, and
Ernest Rivas of Pagosa Springs, Pete Martinez, and Anselmo Martinez of
Ignacio; and numerous nieces and nephews also survive him.
Chris is preceded in death by his parents; his daughter,
Libby, in 1960; three brothers, one sister; and his brother-in-law, Wade
Woolsey.
Memorial contributions can be made with Citizens State
Bank of Cortez. Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
Mark Edward Smith
Mark Edward Smith was born on Sept. 4, 1956 to Curtis L.
and Jewel Wallen "Judy" Smith in LaPorte, Ind. He passed away on
Thursday, Nov. 29, 2001 at the Valley Inn Nursing Home in Mancos, at the
age of 45.
For the last 13 years Mark resided in the Dolores area,
where he worked as a talented cabinetmaker.
Mark's son, Andrew Smith of Kentwood, Mich.; his brother,
Todd Smith of Phoenix, Ariz.; and his father, Curtis Smith all survive him.
His mother preceded him in death.
No services are scheduled at this time. Arrangements are
being handled through the Ertel Funeral Home.
Mendel E. Eagle
Funeral services for Mendel Earl Eagle will be
held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the Cortez Church of Christ. Mr. Hunt
Zumwalt will officiate. Interment will follow at the Cortez Cemetery. The
Ute Mountain American Legion Post #75 will conduct military graveside
services.
Visitation has been set at the Ertel Memorial Chapel from 3
to 7:30 p.m., Dec. 6.
Mendel was a beloved father, grandfather and friend to
many. He passed quietly from this life into the eternal arms of his
Heavenly Father on Friday, Nov. 30, 2001. He was born Sept. 15, 1919 in
Whitesboro, Tex. to Ruth Elizabeth and Marvin Davis Eagle.
He served with distinction with the 10th Air Force 7th
Bombardment Group 492nd Squadron of the Army Air Corps in India during
WWII. Mendel later moved his family to Farmington, N.M. where he lived and
worked during the oil boom of the 1950's, and afterward moved to Colorado
where he had been a longtime resident of Bayfield and Cortez.
Mendel is survived by his sons, Terry (Lorna) Eagle of
Aztec, N.M.; son, Gary (Debbie) Eagle of Show Low, Ariz.; daughter, Ronda
(Larry) Thompson and husband, Las Vegas, Nev.; son, Kerry (Sandy) Eagle of
Flora Vista, N.M.; 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; sister,
Francis (Raymond) Hufft of Nashville, Tenn.; brother, Marlin (Opal) Eagle
of Panhandle, Tex.; and former wife of more than 30 years, Jean and her
husband, and a very special friend, Willis Rice of Farmington, N.M.
Preceding him in death are his parents, four siblings, and
grandson, Travis Earl Eagle.
His pride and joy in this world were his grandchildren who
will greatly miss him. Nothing pleased him more than rocking the little
ones to sleep.
He will be fondly remembered for his love of the mountains,
hunting and fishing. He had a keen sense of humor and a great love for his
family and church family in Cortez.
Memorial donations be made to the Mountain View Christian
School, 3900 E. Bonanza, Las Vegas, Nev. 89110.
Lillie V. Black
Lillie V. Black, a resident of Aztec, N.M., passed away
Thursday, Nov. 29, 2001, at her home, with her family at her side. She was
born in Perrytown, Texas, on March 3, 1920.
Services are at 10 a.m., today, Dec. 1, at the Cope
Memorial Chapel in Aztec. Jack Moore, pastor, will officiate. Burial will
follow at the Aztec Community Cemetery.
Lillie was the owner and manager of Cortez Hotel in the
1950s. She also owned a boarding house for veterans in Grand Junction
before moving to Farmington. In Farmington, she started her own janitorial
service, and moved to Aztec after retiring.
She is survived by her son, Ben "Butch"
(Phyllis) Evans of Albuquerque; daughter, Mae Cline of Aztec; brothers,
William F. Black of Durango, John Black of Aztec and Jerrel Black of
Barstow, Calif. She also leaves behind the joys of her life, 10
grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.
Lillie was preceded in death by her son, George Tice;
her parents; five sisters; one granddaughter and two great-grandchildren.
Services are under the direction of Cope Memorial Chapel, 505-334-9332.
Richard Tolfree Tupper
Richard Tolfree Tupper passed away on Nov. 23, 2001, at
the Vista Grande Rehabilitation Center. In accordance with his wishes,
cremation is planned, with his ashes to be scattered at sea.
Richard was born on Sept. 15, 1908, in Los Angeles, to
Charles A. Tupper and Gertrude Tolfree Tupper.
He is survived by his children, Diane Hudson of
Monrovia, Calif., Steve Tupper of Victorville, Calif., and Nancy Sawyer of
Dolores; sister, Martha Smith of Canyon Lake, Calif.; six grandchildren and
seven great-grandchildren.
His wife Rosemary preceded him in death on Nov. 10,
2001.
Frederick Bauer
Former area resident Frederick Bauer of Nucla, Colo.,
passed away on Monday, Nov. 26, 2001, in Price, Utah. He was 72. As per his
wishes, there are no services planned.
Mr. Bauer was born on March 18, 1929. Survivors include his sons, Lyle
Bauer of Price and Randy Bauer; brothers, Kenneth Bauer of Mancos and Bill
Bauer of Arriola; and aunts, Nellie Allum of Mancos and Ada Dean of
Kirtland, N.M.
Emily S. Billings
Emily S. Billings, a lifelong resident of this area, died
Wednesday, Nov. 21, at Four Corners Health Care Center in Durango. She was
92. Funeral services will be Monday, Nov. 26, at 10 a.m. at First United
Methodist Church in Durango. Burial will follow at Hermosa Cemetery.
Mrs. Billings was born July 6, 1909, in Durango, to Lyman
and Clara Mead. She graduated Durango High School in 1926 and then attended
a teacher’s college in Greeley, where she received her lifetime teaching
certificate. She returned home and taught in one-room schools at Waterfall
and Cottonwood until she married her husband, Herbert Billings, in 1934 in
Durango. Mrs. Billings was a member of the Animas Valley Grange for many
years, a 4-H leader, charter member of the Animas Valley Garden Club and
member of the First Presbyterian Church. She loved children, gardening and
playing pinochle.
She is survived by her children, Clara Mae Mason,
Farmington, N.M.; Ruth Shock, Durango; Mary Franchini, Cortez; Jan
Thompson, Durango; Barbara Berkshire, Portland, Ore.; Julie Ellison,
Farmington, and Herb Billings of Jacksonville, Ill.; 21 grandchildren and
21 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1980 and by a
brother, Robert Mead.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Durango
Foundation for Educational Excellence, 201 E. 12th St., Durango, or to the
Colorado State Grange Scholarship Fund, c/o Animas Valley Grange, c/o Ruth
Shock, 5036 CR 203, Durango, CO 81301.
Harold Wayne Miller
Harold Wayne Miller of New London, Mo., passed away Nov.
16, 2001 after a brief illness. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m.,
Dec. 1, at the Aztec Cemetery in Aztec. N.M., followed by a reception at
the Aztec High School Multipurpose Room.
Mr. Miller was the son of the late O.E. and Eva Miller and
brother of the late Carol Higman, all of Cortez. He was born in Alamosa on
Nov. 19, 1929 and graduated from Cortez High School in 1947. He served in
the Army’s 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Division in Korea, earning the
Purple Heart for wounds received in combat. Following his discharge from
the Army, he worked for Shell Oil Company before returning to Fort Lewis
College, where he received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. He later
earned a master’s degree in education from New Mexico State University.
He was a teacher and administrator in the Aztec Public
Schools from 1964 until his retirement in 1991. He was active in many
extracurricular activities, including a year as Aztec High School baseball
coach. Throughout his career in education, both in and out of the
classroom, Mr. Miller recognized and developed the talents of all his
students, but especially those who most needed extra encouragement and
guidance.
Mr. Miller is survived by Carol, of New London, Mo.;
children, Andy Miller of Morrisville, N.C., Barbara Malaj of Mesa, Ariz.,
and Bob Miller of Huntington Beach, Calif.; five grandchildren, Stacey
Stinson, Nikki and Marc Yates, and Kellie and Brian Miller; and
great-granddaughter Kelcie Stinson. He was preceded in death by wife Mary
Jo in 1972.
Donations may be made to the Harold Miller Memorial Scholarship Fund at
the Citizens Bank in Aztec. Cards may be sent to Barbara Malaj, 7426 E.
Naranja, Mesa, AZ 85205.
Thomas Gene Sullivan
Thomas Gene Sullivan, a lifelong resident of Colorado,
passed away suddenly on Nov. 15, 2001. Tom was born Sept., 22, 1942, to
Gladys and Thomas Sullivan, in Gunnison, Colo.
He married Cheryl Dunlap on May 4, 1969 in Denver. This
marriage was blessed with a song, Raymond Gene, on April 20, 1971. Tom was
also blessed with two grandsons, Thomas Ray, 8, and Austin Lee, 6; they
were most definitely the lights of his life.
Tom and Cheryl moved to the Nucla, Colo. area in 1995,
where Tom worked for Granite Construction as a heavy equipment operator.
When this job was finished, he began working out of town, most recently on
tunnel construction through Wolf Creek Pass.
Tom lived life to its fullest, enjoying the outdoors on a
daily basis. Along with his work, he also enjoyed bow and rifle hunting,
fishing, horseback riding, riding bikes, and snake hunting with Thomas and
Austin. Most of all, he cherished the time he spent with his beloved
grandsons.
Tom is survived by his wife Cheryl of Nucla; son Raymond of
Sterling, Colo.; grandsons Thomas and Austin of Nucla; mother Gladys of
Montrose, Colo.; siblings Jessie (Jack) Weaver of Gunnison, Colo.; Jerry
(Chris) Sullivan of Battlement Mesa, Colo.; Patsy Wertz of Montrose; Clay
(Janet) Sullivan of Eugene, Ore.; and John Sullivan of Montrose. He is also
survived by many nieces and nephews.
Tom was preceded in death by his father and his brothers,
Theadore "Tex" Sullivan and Marvin Sullivan.
Services were held at the Union Congregational Church of
Nucla on Nov. 20. The Rev. Jimmy Carter officiated. Cremation followed.
Memorial contributions may be made to Citizens State Bank,
Montrose County Branch, 115 Hwy. 97, Naturita, CO 81422.
Services were through Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel.
Andrew E. Gatzke
Graveside services for Andrew Gatzke will be held at 10
a.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, in the Cortez Cemetery. Military rites will be
performed by the American legion Ute Mountain Post No. 75.
Mr. Gatzke passed away on Sept., 20, 2001. Cremation took
place.
Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale and Gerken, are
serving the family.
Violet Lorene Lewis
Graveside services for Violet Lorene Lewis will be held at
11 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 20, at the Cortez Cemetery. Pastor Ron Horne of the
First Baptist Church will officiate.
Lorene was born Sept. 25, 1917 in Ft. Sumner, N.M. to
Kelsey Presley and Sadie (Pitt) Presley. A resident of Cortez since 1979,
Lorene passed away Saturday, Nov. 17, 2001, at the Vista Grande
Rehabilitation Care Center in Cortez. She was 84.
Lorene was a lifelong rancher and enjoyed anything
pertaining to ranching.
She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Elvin Lewis of
Cortez; her son, Milton (Dorothy) Lewis of Cortez; her siblings, Marguerite
(Al) Lambert, Edna Anderson, Virginia Wilson and Gary Presley, all of
Alaska, and Eloise "Totsy" (Fred) Woodson of Billings, Mont.
She is also survived by three grandchildren, six
great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Lorene was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers,
and a sister, Ruth Kirk.
Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral
Home.
Mary Ann Whiteman
Funeral services for Mary Ann Whiteman, lifelong
resident of Towaoc, will be held at 10 a.m., Sunday Nov. 18, at the Towaoc
Recreational Center. Interment will follow at the Towaoc Cemetery. Terry
Knight and Gerald Peabody will officiate. A wake service will be held at 5
tonight, Saturday, Nov. 17, at Mary Ann's home.
Mary Ann was born to Billy Dooley and Charlotte Williams
on Oct. 26, 1939 in Towaoc. She passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2001 at
her home in Towaoc. She was 62.
A traditionalist, Mary Ann loved going to the sweat
lodge and to pow wows. The Sundance and Bear Dance were her favorites. She
was also a talented artist who did beautiful bead work.
Mary Ann is survived by her children, DeWayne (Lorina)
Whiteman of Cortez, and Darwin (Darlene) Whiteman of Towaoc; grandchildren,
Sherrell, Waylon, Brittney, and Braxton; and her sister, Rose Paytiamo of
Towaoc.
Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents.
Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
Edward Leon Baird
Edward Leon Baird was born on Sept. 4, 1921 to Edward B.
and Adra (Allen) Baird in Cortez. He passed away on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2001
at his home in Dove Creek, at the age of 80.
Ed loved to work his cattle and be on his farmland.
Ed is survived by his wife, two daughters, four
stepchildren, one brother, three sisters, three granddaughters, 13
great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a grandson.
No services have been scheduled at this time. Arrangements are being
made through the Ertel Funeral Home.
Mary Hazel Garner
Services for Mary Hazel Garner will be at 2 p.m. Friday,
Nov. 16, at the Norwood Baptist Church. Visitation is from 1 to 2 p.m.
Mary passed away in Grand Junction, Colo. on Tuesday, Nov.
13, 2001, at the age of 95. Originally of the McPhee settlement, her family
was one of the area’s first pioneers.
Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale and Gerken, is
serving the family.
Mary Boswell Canfield
Mary Boswell Canfield passed away at the Vista Grande
Nursing Home on Monday, Nov. 12, 2001, at 93 years of age. Memorial
services will be held in Tulsa, Okla., at a later date.
Mary was born to Frank and Elizabeth Boswell on June 10,
1908, in Brooklyn, N.Y. She loved to travel the world and to play bridge.
Surviving Mary are her daughter-in-law, Sally Canfield of
Cortez; grandchildren, Blake C. Canfield and Melinda A. Biard both of
Cortez; great-grandchildren, Zeke K. Biard and Clarissa A. Dukeminier, both
of Cortez; and a nephew, Bruce Doran of Virginia.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Rieter
Canfield; a sister, Eleanor L. Doran; and her son Craig Littleton Canfield
in September, 1998.
Arrangements are being made through the Ertel Funeral Home.
Rosemary
Turnbull Tupper
Rosemary Turnbull Tupper was born on Sept. 5, 1912 in
Chicago, Ill. to George Lauder and Ida Lillian (Hale) Turnbull. She passed
away on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2001 in Cortez. Rosemary was 89.
On Oct. 25, 1939 in Berkley, Calif., Rosemary wed Richard
Tolfree Tupper. They lovingly shared 62 years of marriage.
She is survived by her husband, of Cortez; her children,
Diane Hudson of Monrovia, Calif., Steve Tupper of Victorville, Calif., and
Nancy Sawyer of Dolores; and six grandchildren, and seven
great-grandchildren.
As was Rosemary's wish, cremation will take place with a
scattering at sea to be held at a later date.
Demetria 'Dee' Muniz
Funeral services for Demetria "Dee" Muniz will be
held at 10 a.m.,Wednesday, Nov. 14, at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church.
Interment will follow at the Cortez Cemetery. Father Kevin Novack will be
officiating.
Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. today at Ertel’s. A
rosary service will be held at 7 tonight at the church.
Demetria was born on June 24, 1921 in Summit Ridge, to Jose
Luis and Prejeres (Archibeque) Espinoza. She passed away on Friday, Nov. 9,
2001 at her home in Cortez. Dee was 80.
December of 1937 Dee married her beloved Bonifacio Muniz.
They raised a large family. "Mama Dee," as many children knew
her, loved to care for her family and extended family. A true homemaker at
heart, Dee loved to cook and sew. She worked hard caring for her family, as
well as working hard outside of the home.
She is survived by her children, Eddie (Sandra) Muniz of
Cortez, Ada (Salvador) Gallegos of Baltimore, Md., Herman (Margie) Muniz of
Mancos, Louis (Patsy) Cordova of Cortez, Linda (Robert) Ramirez of Alamosa,
Colo.; her three siblings, Rosa (Faustine) Armenta of Bloomfield, N.M.,
Mary (Ralph) Armenta of Bloomfield, N.M., and Leno (Della) Espinoza of
Cortez. She also leaves 25 grandchildren, and 41 great-grandchildren.
Preceding Dee in death were her parents; her beloved
husband, and two children, Lorraine Cordova-Valdez, and Walter Adams.
Irene W. Brown
Funeral services for Irene W. Brown, a resident of the
Valley Inn Nursing Home will be held at 10:30 a.m., in Kenton, Ohio, on
Monday Nov. 12. Interment will be at the Grove Cemetery in Kenton.
Irene was born one of 13 children to John Radabaugh and
Matilda Jane (Pace) Radabaugh on Aug. 27, 1915 in Leipsic, Ohio. She passed
away at the Valley Inn Nursing Home on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2001. She was 86
years old.
Surviving Irene are her daughter, Gloria Brown of
Mancos; grandchildren, Candice Kay Stewart-Sabin, Melody Brown both of
Mancos, and Rick Brown of Kenton, Ohio; great-grandchildren, Keith Stewart
of Mancos, Brant Stewart of San Diego, Calif., and Melissa Brown of
Columbus, Ohio, and eight great-great grandchildren; and a sister, Velzora
Sorensen of California.
Irene was preceded in death by four husbands, Harold
Naylor, Sy Harrison, Woodrow Youngpeters, and Roland Brown; as well as by
nine brothers and three sisters.
Local arangements are being made through the Ertel
Funeral Home.
Dorris Pearl Jackson
Funeral services for Dorris Pearl Jackson, a Dolores
resident, will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11, in Saint Jo, Texas. Interment
will follow at the Perryman Cemetery in Saint Jo. Pastor Sonny Cole of the
Church of Christ will officiate.
Dorris was born in Montegue County, Texas, on June 25,
1910, the daughter of Elbert E. and Maggie Mae (Moore) Fanning. She passed
away at the Vista Grande Nursing Home in Cortez on Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2001.
She was 91.
A lifelong member of the Church of Christ, Dorris was
devoted to her church.
Surviving Dorris are her children, Colleen (Bill) Smith
of Dolores, EuDell (Vern) Votroubek of Walford, Iowa, Paula Bradford of
Kirtland, N.M., and Alton (Lisa) Jackson of Phoenix; daughter-in-law,
Jeanie Jackson of Snyder, Texas; 12 grandchildren and "16.5"
great-grandchildren, (one on the way); her sister, Ella Mae (Aubrey)
McMahan of Saint Jo, Texas; and sister-in-law, Laura Fanning of Meunster,
Texas.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Andrew
Jackson in 1998; a son, Jerry Jackson; and her brother, Earl Fanning.
Arrangements are being made through the Ertel Funeral
Home.
James Dale Rollins
James D. Rollins died Nov. 5, 2001, at his home in Cortez.
He was born May 23, 1935, in Sutton, Neb. Later, he worked in retail sales
in Greeley, Colo., from 1953 to 1957. He was a Colorado veteran, having
served in the Medical Corps of the U.S. Navy from 1957 to 1961.
Mr. Rollins entered the life insurance business in Santa
Barbara, Calif., in 1961, where he earned a national reputation for sales
and service to his clients. He was a leading producer for some of the
nation’s largest and well-known life companies. In Santa Barbara he was a
lifelong member of the Life Underwriters Association, the Channel City Club
and Trinity Baptist Church.
In November 1987 he relocated to Cortez, Colo., where he
successfully continued his life insurance business as a general agent
serving other agents and brokers on the Western Slope as well as his own
clients. He loved working with the people of the area.
Jim was a member of the Cortez Rotary Club, the National
Association of Life Underwriters and the Montezuma Valley Presbyterian
Church. He was a lover of classical music, fine art, history, travel and
fishing. His passion for life, family, music and politics was shared with
Anita Nogare, a dear-friend in Farmington, N.M., over much of his last two
years.
Survivors include: his son, Scott G. Rollins and his wife
Lorri of Sammamish, Wash.; son, Jeffrey Baykal-Rollins and his wife Esra of
Santa Barbara, Calif.; his mother, Dot Hurst of Sutton, Neb.; a brother,
Dr. Thomas Hurst of San Diego; his sister, Jean Ann Kissler of Lincoln,
Neb.; six grandchildren: Matthew, Rebecca, Daniel, and David Rollins, of
Sammamish, Wash., and Shems and Sina Baykal-Rollins of Santa Barbara,
California. He was preceded in death by his birth parents, Howard and
Minetta Rollins, his father, Clarence Hurst, and by brothers Robert and
Donald Rollins.
A memorial service will take place Friday, Nov. 16, at 2
p.m., at the Montezuma Valley Presbyterian Church. Contributions may be
made to the church’s memorial fund.
Mitchell Dean Ford
Mitchell Dean Ford, 29, of Dolores, passed away Nov. 2,
2001, at his residence. As per his request, no services are planned.
Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, hale and Gerken are serving the
family.
Lee Allen Ashworth
Lee Allen Ashworth, 40, of Cortez, passed away Nov. 7, 2001
at his residence. A private family service is planned, with cremation to
take place.
Lee was born to Bobbie Allen and Willemyna Hubbling
Ashworth on May 3, 1961, in Fortuna, Calif. He graduated from high school
in Oroville, Calif., and studied creative writing at Tucson Community
College in Tucson, Ariz.
He worked as a mechanic in California. Lee served his
country in the U.S. Army, and during the time he was stationed in Germany,
he enjoyed breaking horses and bull-riding at rodeos. He also enjoyed
fishing, especially at Joe Moore Reservoir, and hunting.
On Dec. 13, 1998, he married Cathy Lynn Foster in Tucson.
They were blessed with a son, Jacob , who, with Cathy, was Lee’s great
love in life.
Lee Allen Ashworth is survived by his wife and son, both of
Cortez; brothers Dale (Mari) Eberhardt of Red Bluff, Calif.; Timothy
(Brenda) Ashworth of Desert Hot Springs, Calif. and Robert Ashworth of
Carson City, Nev.; sisters Karen Ashworth, also of Carson City and Cara
(Mike) Hagar of Kirkland, Wash. A special aunt, Beverly Ashworth of Carson
City, also survives him.
Lee was preceded in death by his father, in 1986 and his
mother, in April, 2001.
Condolences may be sent to Space No. 9, Happy Valley
Trailer Court, 203 E. 7th St., Cortez.
Alva Ellis Heath
Graveside services for Alva Ellis Heath a longtime
resident of Cortez will be at 1 p.m., Saturday Nov. 10, at the Arriola
Cemetery. Pastor Larry Chappell of the Lighthouse Baptist Church will
officiate.
Alva was born to Charles and Laura Price (Givens) Heath on
Sept. 5, 1909 in Southwest City, Mo. He passed away on Friday, Nov. 2,
2001 at the Southwest Memorial Hospital. He was 92.
Alva married Violet Myrtle Lakey. With their union came
five daughters. Working as an operating engineer for 20 years, Alva always
worked hard. He also worked for the mosquito control, and later retired
from auto repair work as a mechanic. When Alva wasn't hard at work he
enjoyed hunting and fishing.
Surviving Alva are his children, Loris Violet Finch,
Sharon (Bryan) Meadows, Kay Cassels, and Mary (Don) Lingo all of Cortez,
and his 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and five great-great
grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife Violet
Heath; and his daughter, Phyllis Jean Manness.
Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral
Home.
Helen May Humison
Helen Humiston passed away on Nov. 6, 2001, at the age of
93. She had resided at the Valley Inn Nursing Home in Mancos since
November 1998.
Helen was born in Galland, Iowa, on May 29, 1908, to
Warren E. and Maude (Stanley) Lyen. She was married to Frank Doss, Sr., in
Iowa. They had two sons, Frank Doss, Jr., and Gene W. Doss. In 1929 she
moved to Colorado with her sons and her parents. Her parents became
longtime residents of the Mancos area.
On Feb. 24, 1936, Helen married Edward Max Humiston, son
of Edward Everett and Belle Humiston of Mancos. Helen and Max moved to
Grand Junction and lived there until after World War II. They then moved
to California in the 1950's and lived there until Max retired in 1971 and
they returned to Mancos.
Helen and Max celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in
1986. As part of their celebration they went to Hawaii for two weeks with
their son, Gene, and his wife, Dorothy. On their return they celebrated
with relatives and friends in Mancos. Helen was active in the Lioness Club
and enjoyed bowling until recent years.
She is survived by her son, Gene, and his wife, Dorothy,
of Fresno, Calif.; a step-granddaughter in Washington, and a
step-granddaughter in California; a daughter-in-law, Tomi Doss of
Dennison, Texas; and a step-grandson of Texas. A grandson, Tim Doss; a
granddaughter, Jane Doss and five great-grandchildren, all of California;
a sister-in-law, Lois Humiston of Mancos, and numerous nieces and a nephew
in the Mancos area and in Southern California also survive her. She also
leaves a sister-in-law, Barbara Orendorf and nieces and a nephew from that
side of her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Max Humiston,
her son, Frank Doss, Jr., her father and mother, Warren and Maude Lyen, a
brother, Emerson Lyen and a sister, Margaret Lyen Kuykendall.
A private burial service will be held at Cedar Grove
Cemetery of Mancos at a later date. Remembrances may be sent to the Mancos
United Methodist Church. The Ertel Funeral Home is handling the
arrangements.
Michael Owen Towne
Private graveside services for Michael Owen Towne,
lifelong resident of Rico are being held at the Rico Cemetery. Military
graveside services will be conducted.
Mike was born on Jan. 19, 1951 to Chester Edmond and Mary
Inez (McGlamery) Towne in Cortez. He passed away on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2001
at his home in Dolores. He was 50.
In 1969 Mike graduated from the Dolores High School. On
Feb. 23, 1977 he married his sweetheart Laura Ellen Bebout in Ogden, Utah.
Mike enjoyed fishing and gardening, and had a passion for photography.
When he wasn't enjoying his hobbies, Mike worked hard as the manager for
the Rico Telephone Company.
Surviving Mike are his parents, Chester and Mary Towne;
his wife, Laura Ellen Towne of Dolores; his children, Tanya Michelle
Fuller of Denver and Sarah Ellen Towne of Dolores. He is also survived by
his four sisters, Patricia Ann (Charles) Holecek of Montrose, Colo., Karen
(Chuck) Randol of Montrose, Kathleen Grace (Glenn) Smith of Columbus, Ga.,
and Shelley (Kenneth) Herrick of Craig, Colo.; his nephew, Jason Clark of
New York City, N.Y.; his grandson, Eric Dawson Towne of Denver, his aunt,
Ruby Jones of Montrose; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended
family.
Preceding Mike in death was his son, Christopher Eric
Towne.
Memorial contributions can be made with Citizens State
Bank of Cortez. Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral
Home.
Ruth Payne
Funeral services for Ruth Payne, a lifelong resident of
Cortez, will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 7, at the Ertel Memorial
Chapel. Interment will follow at the Cortez Cemetery. Visitation will be
held at the Ertel Chapel Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m.
Ruth was born on May 20, 1918 in Englewood, Colo., to
Hoyt and Ollie (Winner) Dow. She passed away on Nov. 3, 2001, at her home
in Cortez, at the age of 83.
She is survived by her children, Susie (Wayne) Daves of
Arriola, and Ines (David) Bradley of Pacific Palisade, Calif.; five
grandchildren and their spouses; six great-grandchildren; one brother and
many extended family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband,
Gilbert Payne, a brother and a great-granddaughter.
Memorial contributions can be made with Hospice of
Montezuma or Heart to Heart of Cortez.
Ronald H. Campbell
Funeral services for Ronald H. Campbell will be held at
10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, at the Lighthouse Baptist Church at 10 a.m.
Interment will follow at the Cortez Cemetery. Visitation will be at the
Ertel Memorial Chapel on Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m.
Ron was born on June 2, 1942 to John Hugh and Juanita
Campbell in Ross Martin, Calif. He passed away on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2001, at
the Southwest Memorial Hospital, at the age of 59.
Surviving Ron are his children, Timothy H. (Brenda)
Campbell of Susanville, Calif., and Paul A. (Tammy) Campbell of Peoria,
Calif.; four grandchildren; one sister, two sisters-in-law, one
brother-in-law and an aunt.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife,
Betty Jane.
Memorial contributions can be made with the Lighthouse
Baptist School.
Katherine "Katie" M. Soden
Katherine "Katie" M. Soden passed away Friday,
Nov. 2, 2001, at the Valley Inn, in Mancos. She was 85. A memorial service
will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 8, at New Life Assembly of God in
Mancos. Cremation will occur at Hood Crematory in Durango. Interment will
be at a later date at Desert Lawn Memorial Gardens in Mojave Valley, Ariz.
Mrs. Soden was born Feb. 26, 1916, in Long Beach, Calif.
Mrs. Soden moved to Mancos in 1994, following her husband’s death in
1992.
She is survived by he sons Jim (Debbie) of Lake Havasu
City, Ariz. and Larry (Margaret) Soden of Fairbanks, Alaska; daughter Mary
(Windy) Davis of Mancos; 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack A. Soden,
a brother and a sister.
Memorial contributions may be made to New Life Assembly of God, P.O. Box
275, Mancos, CO 81328.
Cheryl Wing Hamlin
Funeral services for Cheryl Wing Hamlin of Towaoc will
be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday Nov. 7, 2001 at the Ertel Memorial Chapel at 2
p.m. Interment will follow at the Towaoc Cemetery. Visitation is set for
Tuesday at the Ertel Chapel from 2 to 5 p.m.
Cheryl was born on March 12, 1973 to Wilson Hamlin and
Ramona Wing in Cortez. She passed away on Friday, Nov. 2, 2001 at Southwest
Memorial Hospital, at the age of 28.
She is survived by her father, Wilson (Wanda) Hamlin of
Towaoc; her siblings, Chad Hamlin, Roger Wing, Sonya (Gerald) Ketchum,
Charlotte (Darnell Etsitty) Hamlin, Marcianne (Isaac Dale) Wing all of
Towaoc, and Ellen (Paul) Gurule of Albuquerque, N.M.; her grandmother, an
uncle an aunt and many other family.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Ramona Wing.
Lois Greenlee
Services for Lois Greenlee will be held at 11 a.m.,
Saturday, Nov. 10, at the Montezuma Valley Presbyterian Church. Her family
invites all of her friends to join them for a luncheon following the
services.
Lois passed away at her home on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2001. She
was born Feb. 1, 1913, to Mary and Lester Butler in Cleburne, Texas, the
eldest of 12 children.
The Butlers lived in the Dolores area from 1918 on. They
acquired a homestead on Granith Mesa, north of Dolores in 1920.
In the 1930s, Lois taught in rural, one-room schools in
the Cortez and Dolores area. While she was teaching at the Mesa Verde
School, south of Cortez, she met George Greenlee. They were married Aug.
17, 1935, and together maintained a ranch and comfortable home.
Lois is survived by her children, Georgia Ramsey of
Tucson, Ariz.; Gale Greenlee of Cortez; Grace VandenBerg of Canoga Park,
Calif.; brothers, Paul Butler of Dolores, Maurice Butler of Apache
Junction, Ariz., John Butler of Palisade, Colo.; sisters, Ruth Dennison of
Olathe, Colo., Hannah Blackburn of Farmington, N.M., and Sarah Barner of
Holt, Mich.
Lois is also survived by her grandchildren, Amy Hansen of
Tucson, Farrell Greenlee of Cortez, and David and Molly Greenlee of
Carmel, N.Y. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Scott and
Kelly Hansen. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and friends in
the community.
Lois was preceded in death by her husband, George; sister,
Jane Novack; brothers, Norman Butler, Harry Butler, Wilbur Butler and
David Butler, and by her grandson, Patrick Ward.
Leroy Underwood
Leroy Underwood, a former resident of Cortez, passed
away Nov. 1, 2001. He was 79.
He was born Oct. 13, 1922, to Fred and Nina Underwood in
Amber, Okla.
Leroy proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during
World War II. He worked as a master mechanic in the oil industry before his
retirement.
He is survived by his children: Gary Underwood and wife
Lil, and Deanna Bond and husband John; his stepsons, Michael Stack and wife
Becky, and Phil Stack and wife Linda; 12 grandchildren and 11 great
grandchildren. Leroy was preceded in death by Virginia Underwood, the
mother of his children; by his wife of 20 years, Gwendene Underwood, and by
his brother, Freddie Melvin Underwood.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Nov. 6, at the Ertel Funeral Home
chapel at 10 a.m., with interment to follow in the Cortez Cemetery.
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