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Maxine Eva Downing
June 212, 1914 - July 3, 2003
PAONIA - Maxine Eva Goodrich was born on June 21, 1914, in Rifle, Colorado, to Dewitt Clinton Goodrich and Edith Goodrich, nee Thompson. DeWitt became a well - respected brand inspector and Edith was the daughter of Alden Stewart “Judge” Thompson, a prominent member of Aspen, Colorado, society, reputedly descended from the Mayflower John Alden. In 1917, Judge Thompson ceded his Lee Creek homestead to the Goodrichs, providing the setting for an idyllic western upbringing that is now the stuff of a bygone age. Laura Clock, Maxine’s best friend since early childhood, reminisces in her book: “Maxine… and I would sally forth into the high country alone with a blanket or two wrapped around enough grub to last two or three days and camp out, sleeping under the stars. Neither of us is apt to forget the experiences we shared.” Indeed, Maxine retained the rugged, independent spirit of a child of the high country throughout her entire life.
Maxine attended elementary school at Marble, Spring Creek, Ragged Mountain, and Bowie and graduated from Delta High School in 1931. In 1935, she entered nursing school at St. Luke’s Hospital in Denver, and graduated summa cum laude in 1938, as a Registered Nurse. For a while she practiced at St. Luke’s, during which time her mother was admitted and eventually died there in 1939. Around 1940, Maxine moved to Rifle, where she became reacquainted with Frank Downing, an acquaintance since childhood, who was punching cattle there. On September 13, 1941, Frank married Maxine in Raton, New Mexico, and the couple took up residence at the Downing ranch on the Upper Spring Creek in the Ragged Mountains. They would reside there for sixteen years, wintering on a ranch outside of Paonia, Colorado, acquired in 1947. In 1957, this became their sole residence after the Downing ranch was sold.
The years saw the birth of Maxine’s children. Mary Ann was born on May 5, 1934, George Clinton on July 16, 1942, Carvel James “Jim” on March 11, 1944, Mark Douglas on February 2, 1947, and Eileen Fay on April 9, 1953. Eric Leighton was born on August 11, 1970, and was adopted by Maxine and Frank around 1972. In addition to her full - time duties as a homemaker, Maxine worked part time – alternately at Delta Memorial Hospital and nursing homes in Delta and Montrose. Frank worked full - time as a coal miner and on the ranch. Both would retire to ranch life in the early seventies.
In the years after retirement, as in the years before, Maxine devoted herself to her family and to her faith. She took an active role in Bible Center Church in Paonia, teaching various Sunday School classes, as well as, Bethany Circle, a women’s group. She contributed to numerous missionary organizations, monetarily and otherwise, doing such things as serving as a camp nurse and a pregnancy - center counselor. Maxine was an avid student of Christianity and the Bible, interested in such things as the nuances of the original Greek words of the New Testament.
The years also saw hardships and tragedies within the Downing familiy. Around 1953, the family house burnt to the ground, taking with it most of the Downing’s earthly possessions. In 1965, Clint was taken by a construction accident. In May of 1972, Eileen was also taken, suffering an untimely death at her own hand. In January of 1989, the Downing house burnt again. In January of 1991, Frank passed away, the victim of heart disease. They had been married forty - nine years. Through it all, Maxine took solace and strength from her family and her faith, looking to such scriptures as 2 Corinthians 11:9, “My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is ;made perfect in weakness,” and Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.”
In 1999, Maxine sold the remaining portion of the ranch and moved into Paonia. In September, 2001, she moved to Grand Junction, entering a nursing home a year later due to the onset of ill health. During this year, Maxine enjoyed numerous visits from her family and friends, who took what measures they could to make her s comfortable as possible. On July 3, 2003, Maxine passed away at a quarter till noon, attended by her sons, Mark and Eric, and by Eric’s two children, Tempestt and Soren, and the children’s mother, Sarah. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Memorial Services for Maxine will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Wednesday, July 9, 2003, at the Bible Center Church in Paonia, Colorado, with Pastor Paul Millermon officiating. Services will conclude at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Project Hannah, Trans World Radio, P.O. Box 8700, Cary, North Carolina, 27512.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory.
Sarah Geneva Binkley
February 11, 1909 - July 7, 2003
ECKERT - Longtime Eckert resident, Sarah Geneva Binkley, died on Monday, July 7, 2003 at Horizons Care Center. She was 94.
Graveside memorial services will be held for Sarah on Tuesday, July 15th at 2:00 p.m., at Memorial Gardens Cemetery
in Grand Junction.
Sarah Geneva Dunlap was born on February 11, 1909, to Sam and Belle (Henderson) Dunlap in Farmington, New Mexico. She spent her early childhood in Farmington.
On May 15, 1932, Sarah married Maurice Binkley in Greeley, Colorado. They moved to Eckert, Colorado thirty - one years ago. Maurice preceded his wife in death on May 6, 1997, at Eckert, Colorado.
Sarah enjoyed being a homemaker. She attended the Church of God in Delta.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory.
Malcolm W. Towne
April 3, 1904 - July 5, 2003
ECKERT - Eckert resident, Malcolm W. Towne, died on Sunday, July 5, 2003 at Horizons Care Center. He was 99.
There will be no services held here. Inurnment will take place at Shepherd Memorial Park in Hendersonville, North Carolina.
Malcolm William Towne was born on April 3, 1904 to Howard Malcolm and Chestina Mae (Tate) Towne in Everett, Massachusetts. He spent his childhood in Everett and attended school there. He graduated from high school at Union Springs, New York. He attended Union College in South Lancaster, Massachusetts.
Malcolm married Dora A. Greene in Hendersonville, North Carolina. She preceded him in death on January 1, 1986, in Hendersonville.
Mr. Towne was a medical technician. He enjoyed camping in his earlier days and had a passion for reading. He was a member of the Cedaredge Seventh - day Adventist Church.
Those grateful to have shared in Malcolm’s life include a son, Carl Towne and his wife Joan of Austin, Colorado; two grandchildren; and one great - grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Dora; and a sister, Alice Hopkins.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory.
Ruth Elizabeth Rowland
October 10, 1919 - July 2, 2003
Austin - Austin resident, Ruth Elizabeth Rowland, died Wednesday, July 2, 2003 at her residence. She was 83.
A memorial service is planned for 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 8th at the Austin Baptist Church in Austin, CO. Pastor Bob Watts will officiate. Services will conclude at the church. There will be a private family inurnment at the Cory Cemetery.
Ruth Elizabeth Hussey was born on October 10, 1919 in Austin, Colorado, to the late Truman and Myrtle (Schraft) Hussey. She spent her childhood in Austin and attended Delta High School.
Ruth Elizabeth Hussey married Robert Shawyer Rowland on January 10, 1937 in Austin, Colorado. He preceded her in death on August 12, 1990 in Eckert.
Ruth was a homemaker but also worked at Horizon’s Health Care Center in Eckert, Colorado as a housekeeper. She was a member of the Austin Baptist Church and the Orchard City Women’s Club. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, crocheting, and making quilts.
Survivors include a son, Ron Rowland and his wife Rhonda of Molina, Utah; two daughters, Sharon Fuller and husband Art of Austin; and Virginia Pulliam and husband Ken of Delta; a sister Dorothy Blore and her husband John of Standish, ME; eight grandchildren, Ken Pulliam Jr. and Linda Sanchez and companion Brad Doyle of Delta, Cindy Kokesh and husband Kim, Kirby Pulliam and wife Laura, and Robert Fuller all of Austin; Nikki Rowland, Amanda Rowland, and Candice Rowland all of Molina, Utah. She is further survived by four great - grandchildren.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, two brothers James Hussey and Robert Hussey and a sister Marie Rowland.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Austin Baptist Church, P.O.Box 130, 2201 Canal St., Austin, CO 81410.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory.
Lloyd R. “Big” Miller
November 28, 1923 - July 2, 2003
PAONIA - Paonia resident Lloyd Miller, died Tuesday, July 2, 2003 at Paonia Care Center. He was 79.
A graveside memorial service for Lloyd and his wife Edith is planned for 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 7th at Cedar Hill Cemetery
in Paonia. Bob Mick will officiate. Services will conclude at the cemetery.
Lloyd was born on November 28, 1923 in Erie CO, to the late Don and Autrea Wolcott Miller.
Mr. Miller spent his childhood in Erie and graduated from high school there.
“Big” as he was known as served in the Navy from 1942 until 1946. On November 24, 1948 he married Edith Lavely in Lafayette CO. She died on March 17, 2001 in Grand Junction CO.
They lived in Dragerton UT for six years before moving to Paonia in 1963, were they spent their lives.
“Big” was member of the Masonic Lodge in Price UT, as well as the Hotchkiss Elks Lodge #1807, and the American Legion Wilson Head Post # 97 in Paonia CO. He enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, trapping and bingo.
Survivor’s include a son Dan Miller and his wife Lori of Paonia; a daughter Colleen Vader and her husband Chuck of Gunnison CO and one brother, Elvy Miller of Erie CO. He is further survived by five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory.
Edith Gardner - Howell
Sept. 9, 1904 - Feb. 5, 2003
DELTA - A former longtime resident of Delta, Edith Gardner - Howell, was called to Heaven on Wednesday, February 5, 2003, in Denver, Colorado.
A Graveside Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Monday, July 21, 2003, at the Delta City Cemetery
in Delta, Colorado, with inurnment to follow.
Edith Patterson was born on September 9, 1904, the first of seven children of Gale H. and Sadie Patterson of Cedar Mesa, Colorado. The couple had homesteaded there the previous year, and lived on Cedar Mesa until 1916, when they moved the family to Delta, so the children would have better educational opportunities.
On August 6, 1924, Edith married Knowel (AK) Gardner. They became long - time residents of Delta and were active in the community, as well as, the Nazarene Church. Knowel passed away in 1967. They had two children, Donna M. Gardner, and Alvern K. Gardner, Jr.
In November, 1968, Edith married long - time friend, Ray Howell. For a few years they wintered in California and summered in Colorado, before finally deciding on California for full - time residency. Ray passed away in 1982. Edith continued to reside in Seal Beach, California, until 1998, when she moved to the Denver area to be near her children. Sadly, in 1999, her son, Alvern, died suddenly and unexpectedly while visiting his daughter in Iowa.
Edith was the pianist and organist for the Nazarene Church at Delta, beginning at the age of 14. She taught Sunday School and volunteered for many community and church - related services. She was a homemaker for most of her life. However, she was employed by two businesses while her children were in college. Later in life, she started doing oil paintings and won ribbons for some of her art.
Those grateful to have shared in Edith’s life include her daughter, Donna Gardner of Centennial, CO; a brother, Gale Patterson and his wife of Salt Lake City, UT; daughter - in - law, Fran Gardner of Silverthorne, CO; and three grandchildren: Debbie Tyson of Iowa, Rick and Stan Gardner of Colorado; eight great - grandchildren; sixteen nieces and nephews; and several step grandchildren and step great - grandchildren.
Mrs. Howell was predeceased by her parents; her husbands, Knowel Gardner and Ray Howell; her son, Alvern Gardner; sisters: Doris Gardner and Joy Wilson; brothers: Wesley Patterson and Leighton Patterson and their spouses; sister - in - law, Ellen Stucker; and a brother who died in infancy.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory.
Dr. Ernest P. Carreau, M.D. (Ret)
DELTA - Retired surgeon, Dr. Ernest P. Carreau, M.D., died Monday, June 30, 2003, at Willow Tree Care Center in Delta. He was 86.
A visitation for Dr. Carreau will be held on Wednesday, July 2nd from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Taylor Funeral Service Chapel in Delta. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 3rd at the Taylor Chapel in Delta. The Rev. John Mueller, Jr. will officiate. Interment will follow at Delta City Cemetery.
Ernest Parker Carreau was born on January 14, 1917, in Wichita, Kansas, to the late Dr. Napoleon and Natalie (Parker) Carreau. He spent his childhood in Wichita and graduated from the University of Kansas with his B.A. in 1939. He then graduated from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 1946. He served his residency at the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center in Wichita. Ernest served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War.
Ernest married Lorraine Culley on February 22, 1941, in Kansas City, Missouri. She survives.
Dr. Carreau was a surgeon for years. When he retired in 1981 from his private medical practice in Wichita, he and Lorraine moved to Cedaredge, Colorado. They then moved to Delta.
He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the Sedgwick County (Kansas) Medical Society. He enjoyed working with wood and was a highly skilled and avid woodworker.
Survivors include his wife Lorraine Carreau of Delta; one son, Mark Carreau of Pearland,TX; and one daughter, Jeanne Carreau and her husband Shuhei Sato of Pelham, NY. He is further survived by four grandchildren, Matthew, Camille, Claire and Chloe Sato.
Besides his parents, he was also preceded in death by a sister, Eugenia Davis.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory.
Mary Ann Durkin
November 7, 1927 - June 27, 2003
Mary Ann Durkin died June 27, 2003, leaving behind countless people affected by her life. She was a great friend, mother, grandmother and even a great great grandmother.
She was a career professional with the Young Women’s Christian Association for 33 years. One of her greatest joys and accomplishments was creating a program to teach newborn babies to swim. She dedicated much of her life providing affordable day care for women and helping underprivileged women get back on their feet.
In 1995 Mary Ann followed her good friend, Skip DeLamater, to Paonia and became active in the United Methodist Church. She created the Sunshine Cottage, an affordable day care center, funded by the grant proposals she wrote. She brought in over a quarter of a million dollars to the Paonia community.
Mary Ann Durkin packed a lot of passion, enthusiasm, knowledge and commitment into her life of 75 years. She was loved by many and will be greatly missed.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 5, 2003 at the United Methodist Church, 3rd & Onarga , Paonia at 11:00 a.m.
Contributions to the Mary Ann Durkin Scholarship Fund, c/o Paonia United Methodist Church Sunshine Club, P.O. Box 157, Paonia, CO 81428 are being accepted in lieu of flowers.
Harold Putney, Sr.
September 12, 1926 - June 27, 2003
AUSTIN - Longtime area resident, Harold Putney, Sr., died on Friday, June 27, 2003, at Delta County Memorial Hospital in Delta, Colorado. He was 76.
A visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, June 30, 2003, at Taylor Funeral Service Chapel in Delta, Colorado, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Graveside funeral services for Harold will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 1, 2003, at the Eckert Cemetery
in Eckert, Colorado, with Pastor Earl Douglas officiating. Interment will follow.
Harold Lloyd Dean Putney was born to Floyd and Pearl (Jordon) Putney on September 12, 1926, on a farm in Fonda, Oklahoma. He was the first of ten children; six boys and four girls: Joe, Eugene, Norma, Oneta, Delores, Paul, Ruth, David and Dan.
Harold graduated from the eighth grade, which at that time was considered a full education. The family packed up and moved to the Delta - Montrose, and Grand Junction area where they followed the fruit picking harvest and then tree pruning in the early spring. They finally settled in the Olathe area, living on High Mesa and Ash Mesa, where Harold drove truck and farmed for several years. His family moved down to what is now Allison Street in Olathe. They moved everything, including their house, which was quite a fete at that time.
Harold met and married Josephine Curtis. They had four children together: Louella, Jack, Rose, and Harold, Jr., before they divorced. They moved away from the Olathe area to Lake City, Colorado, where he worked a short time in the gold and silver mines. He moved back east to Kansas where he worked in a lead and zinc mill in Medicine Lodge. He also worked for the Civil Service guarding prisoners during the war.
Harold moved his family back to the Western Slope of Colorado where he met and married Anna Marie Ricketts on April 29, 1956. To make ends meet, and keep his family together, he worked at several jobs. He was a truck driver, mechanic, custodian, and bus driver. He moved again, following jobs to Prescott, Arizona, where he worked as a logger and heavy equipment operator.
The uranium mines and mills opened up in Uravan and the Naturita - Nucla area, so he moved back and worked in the mines for the next eight to ten years, putting his kids through school.
Harold really enjoyed the outdoors, spending a lot of his extra time with his wife and kids, hunting, fishing, exploring, and looking for that lost treasure that was out there some where. He enjoyed reading, and passed this trait on to his children. He was a volunteer fireman, and became an EMTI. He was also a full member in the Moose Lodge where he worked with kids and the needy.
As the mining industry slowed down and his kids married off and moved away, Harold moved back to the Delta - Montrose area, where he worked as a truck driver, gravel crusher operator, and heavy equipment mechanic. This also brought him back to the area where he and his wife, Ann, could be around and, at times, take care of their family members as needed.
Harold and Ann bought a place in Austin, Colorado, and he finished out his life resting and listening to the coal trains from up country roll by. He would read and play with his cats and would give his daughters a hard time when they wanted him to go see Dr. Speedie for checkups.
Those grateful to have shared in Harold’s life include his wife, Ann of Austin; two sons: Jack Putney and his wife Pat of Montrose, and Harold Putney, Jr. and his wife Betti of Rangely; two daughters: Louella Dowell and her husband William of Montrose, and Rose Myrick and her husband Deuane “Skip” of Delta; two brothers: David Putney and his wife Kay of Dallas, TX, and Dan Putney and his wife Tawna of Delta; three sisters: Norma Jean Blancett and her husband Don of Grand Junction, Delores Stout of Naturita, and Oneita Ballard of Albany, OR. He is further survived by ten grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and one grand nephew. He was also surrounded by lots of loving family from Ann’s side of the family – especially his brother - in - law, Herb Ricketts.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Pearl Putney; his father and mother - in - law, Charles and Melvina Ricketts; brothers: Eugene, Paul, and Joe; a sister, Ruth; and a granddaughter, Shelly Dawn Myricks.
Memorial contributions may be made in Harold’s memory to the Maranatha Fellowship, 500 Sunridge Dr., Delta, CO 81416
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory.
Mitch G. Morris
June 17, 1964 - June 24, 2003
Loving Husband, Daddy and Best Friend
OLATHE - Lifelong Uncompahgre Valley resident, Mitch G. Morris, died Tuesday, June 24, 2003, at his residence. He was 39.
A visitation is scheduled for Thursday, June 26th, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., at the Taylor Funeral Service Chapel in Delta. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 27th at the Taylor Chapel in Delta. Mark Branham and Trent Cunningham will officiate. Interment will follow at Pea Green Cemetery
in Pea Green, Colorado.
Mitchel Gene Morris was born on June 17, 1964, in Delta, Colorado, to Bobby and Merrell (McCracken) Morris.
He spent his childhood in the Uncompahgre Valley and graduated from Olathe High School in 1982.
On May 11, 1984, in Delta, Colorado, Mitch married Cheryl Trimmer. She survives. Together they have owned and operated Morris Monument in Olathe for the past 15 years.
He was a member of the General Assembly and Church of the First Born in Montrose. Mitch was a true family man. He loved spending time with them and his many friends. His other interests included hunting, fishing, working with his hands and serving God. He also loved the beauty of the mountains.
Survivor’s grateful to have shared in Mitch’s life include his wife, Cheryl Morris of Olathe; two daughters: Linsey McGaha and husband Luke and Tara Morris, all of Olathe; his parents, Bobby and Merrell Morris of Olathe; four brothers: Rod Morris and wife Lynell of Olathe, Warren Morris and wife Sherry of Missouri, Eric Morris and wife Christa of Vici, Oklahoma, and John Morris and wife Emalee of Clinton, Oklahoma; three sisters: Kris Gibson and husband Tim of Olathe, Val Easter and husband Darrell of Delta, Colorado, and Tonya Wilson and husband Jerod of Grand Junction, Colorado; mother - in - law, Shirley Trimmer of Delta; a sister - in - law, Cathy Howell and husband Scott of Austin, Colorado; and a brother - in - law Brian Trimmer of Delta. He is further survived by several nieces and nephews.
Mitch was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents and his father - in - law, Frank Trimmer.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory.
