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Ernest L. Thatcher
January 18, 1926 - September 13, 2003
DELTA - Delta resident, Ernest L. Thatcher passed away on September 13, 2003, at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado. He was 77.
Cremation has taken place with ashes to be scattered at sea at a later date. No local services are planned.
Ernest Lloyd Thatcher was born on January 18, 1926, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Arthur Donald Thatcher and Clementine “Clema” Florabelle (Smith) Thatcher Maca. Ernie was raised in Oklahoma City and attended schools there.
At the age of 17, he had his mother and dad sign papers so that he could join the Navy. He spent 21 years of active duty and a total of 30 years of service for his country. He served at the end of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam wars as a Corpsman. The tours of duty he spent in Japan were the best times he could remember. He loved Japan.
Ernest married Edna Earle Griggs. To this union three girls were born: Linda Fay, Teresa Ann and Darlene Gail. They had also lost a baby boy at birth. This marriage ended in divorce. She preceded him in death.
On December 31, 1974, in Clayton, New Mexico, he married Virginia Kay Bussell Moore. To this union a son, Ernest Donald (Donnie) Thatcher was born on November 10, 1975. He also took on the responsibilities of Kay’s four children: Peggy Sue, Jimmie Lee, Wanda Nel, and became the only father William Leeroy ever knew.
Ernie enjoyed fishing, and hunting. He was a life member of the Grand Mesa VFW #9221 in Cedaredge, a member of the Fleet Reserve, and a former member of Elks Lodge #1235 in Delta. He loved the time that he could spend with his two grand - daughters, Sistine and Saige, since they lived close by.
In December of 1999, Ernie and Kay opened up an assisted living facility in Delta called Comfort Home for the elderly. They also made their residence there.
Those grateful to have shared in Ernie’s life include his wife, Kay of Delta; son, Donnie Thatcher of Delta; daughters: Linda Harmon and husband Glenn of Lake Charles, LA, Teresa Adams and husband Mike of Dothan, AL; a special cousin, Dick Thatcher and wife Ann of Idaho Falls, ID; and several other cousins. He is further survived by seven grandchildren; five great - grandchildren; four step - children; eight step - grandchildren; and two step - great - grandchildren; also his mother - in - law, Virginia Bussell.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son; his first wife, Edna; grandson, Lance; and an infant great - grandchild.
Memorial contributions may be made in Ernie’s name to the Scholarship Fund of the Delta Emblem Club #462, P.O. Box 362, Delta, CO 81416 or to Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado, P.O. Box 24, Delta, CO 81416.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory.
Donald Petersen
Sept. 29, 1938 - Sept. 12, 2003
PAONIA - Donald R. Petersen, husband and loving father, age 64, just two weeks shy of his 65th birthday, finally succumbed to bile duct cancer after a nine month courageous and gallant battle against the disease.
A visitation for family and friends will be held on Sunday, September 21st from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Taylor Funeral Service Chapel in Paonia. Graveside services are planned for 1:00 p.m., Monday, September 22nd at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery
of Western Slope in Grand Junction, Colorado. Pastor Charles Steinberg will preside.
Donald R. Petersen was born September 29, 1938 in Oak Park, Illinois to the late Robert and (Swanson) Peterson.
Donald had his own construction/engineering business which he closed in 1995 after multiple personal tragedies and the recession that caused financial hardship. He since worked at different construction companies in California as well as Colorado. He semi - retired from Metropolitan Water of Southern California where he was chief inspector of one of the biggest reservoirs ever built in the United States. After his move to Colorado, he was employed by Yeh Associates of Glenwood Springs until he became ill and had to resign.
He served in the U.S. Navy for four years in which he was awarded a “good conduct medal” and a letter of honor by the President for his heroic efforts in the Vietnam War. He was a member of the Assembly of God in Paonia. His interests included fishing and building model boats.
Survivors include his wife, Linda B. Petersen of Paonia; two daughters, Netherlee Ann Potts originally from Iowa and Wendy Lynn Thomas from Carbondale, CO; one granddaughter, Kaley Brianna.
Memorial contributions may be made to the VAMC, The Fisher House (136T), 1055 Clermont St., Denver, CO 80220 - 3873.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory.
Edna Louise Hill
July 25, 1918 - September 11, 2003
OLATHE - Edna Louise Hill died and went on to join her family on Thursday, September 11, 2003. She was living at Colorow Care Center in Olathe at the time of her death.
A memorial service is planned for 2:00 p.m., Friday, September 19th at Taylor Funeral Service Chapel in Delta. Pastor Lee Ponder will officiate. Inurnment will follow at Olathe Cemetery, with Gary Stephens presiding.
Edna was born on July 25, 1918 on a farm in the Fairview area west of Olathe. She was the fourth child of John and Gertrude (Back) Hill. She attended grade school at the Fairview Country School and graduated from Olathe High School in 1936. Upon graduation, she went to work for the Olathe Telephone Company as an operator. She soon became the supervisor and lived in the apartment behind the telephone company on Main Street in Olathe. She continued working for the telephone company, ending up in Montrose as the business office manager. She retired in 1973 after 36 years of service.
Edna was a faithful Christian. She was raised in the Baptist Church and joined the Assembly of God later in life, attending the Assembly of God in Delta until she moved to Colorow Care Center in 2002 where she brightened the lives of both residents and staff. She was voted Valentine’s Day Queen by them last February. She was a devoted sister and a wonderful friend. She loved God and her family and friends. We will all miss her care and love.
Edna never married and so became the beloved aunt and fairy godmother to her eight nieces and nephews. She loved sports and attended all of her nephews’ high school ballgames. Her niece, Judy, hosted her at some professional baseball games in Denver in the years before her death. She appreciated music and was always there for band and choir performances by both nieces and nephews. She loved new cars and traded every two or three years.
Survivors include, her sister, Jean Stephens of Olathe; a sister - in - law, Dorothy Hill of Delta; four nephews: Jerry Hill and wife Dora of Grand Junction, CO, Ted Hill and wife Cindy of Eugene, OR, Don Stephens and wife Deyon of Texas, Gary Stephens and wife Helen of Montrose, CO; four nieces: Judy Comstock of Denver, CO, JoLynn Plata and husband Santiago of Bangkok, Thailand, Joan Hadly of Boston, MA, and Laurel Andrews and husband Cork of Kalispell, MT. Edna is furthers survived by 19 great nieces and nephews and 6 great - great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Olive and Virginia Hill and Amber Lilly; one brother, Robert Hill; two brothers - in - law, Joe Lilly and Paul Stephens; a nephew, Lee Comstock and her good friend, Dorothy Kehmeier.
Memorial contributions may be made to Colorow Care Center Resident Activity Fund, 750 S. 8th St., Olathe, CO 81425.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory.
Robert R. Gore
April 10, 1960 - September 11, 2003
Delta - Delta resident, Robert R. Gore, died Thursday, September 11, 2003 at Delta County Memorial Hospital. He was 43.
There are no services planned for Robert.
Robert was born on April 10, 1960 to the late Charles Jack and Moselle (Scott) Gore in Ft. Worth, Texas. He spent is childhood in Texas and Colorado. Robert graduated in 1978 from Cedaredge High School. Robert had been a resident of Delta for 5 years coming from Cedaredge.
Mr. Gore enjoyed reading but his main interest was his pets. Robert had a dog and cat.
Survivors grateful to have shared Robert’s life include one brother, John Gore of Cedaredge, Colorado.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of Taylor Funeral Services and Crematory.
Donna Jean Kempf
Sept. 5, 1942 - Sept. 1, 2003
PAONIA, CO - Paonia resident, Donna Jean (McCracken) Kempf died Monday, September 1, 2003 at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Grand Junction, CO. She was 60 years old.
A memorial service is planned for 11:00 a.m., Thursday, September 11th at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Delta with the Reverend John Mueller presiding. Services will conclude at the church. An additional memorial service will be held on September 16th at 2:00 p.m., at the Bayard Memorial Chapel in Bayard, Nebraska with Pastor Craig Niemeier officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Bayard Memorial Cemetery.
Donna Jean McCracken was born on September 5, 1942 in Bridgeport, Nebraska to the late John V. “Pat” and Henrietta (Busing) McCracken.
Donna was a horse breeder and trainer. She was a life member of the United States Dressage Federation Inc. She will be remembered for her love of horses and having made the momentous 217 mile horseback ride from Scotts Bluff, Nebraska to the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado with her friend Jo Stafford. The ride was accomplished in three and a half days with extremely cold weather conditions in January of 1968. The ladies attracted so much attention that the Associated Press picked up the story and ran it nationwide. Donna also had a passion and love for gardening and flowers.
Donna married Robert Kempf on January 16, 1997 in Bullhead City, Arizona. They traveled between their two homes in Sun City, Arizona and Paonia.
Survivors include her husband, Robert Kempf of Paonia, CO; her son, Henry Austin “Jake” Christensen of St. Cloud, MN; two daughters: Laura Lee Kaufman and Beverly Ann Fisher, both of Scotts Bluff, NB; two sisters: Betty Jo Fillis - Smith and husband Blake of Spokane, WA and Gail D. Hocott and husband Rod of Little Rock, AR; and her Aunt, Agnes McCracken of Bayard, NB. Donna is further survived by her granddaughter, Chancey, one niece, Lanier Hocott of Little Rock, AR, and five nephews: Doug Fillis and wife Mitzi and Dave Fillis all of Bridgeport, NB, Dan Fillis and wife Tana of Alliance, NB, Jefferson Davis and wife Suzette of Little Rock, AR, and Jordan Davis and wife Petrea of Ketchum, Idaho.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Delta County Humane Society, P.O. Box 1111, Delta, CO 81416, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Building Fund, 145 W. 5th, Delta, CO OR St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 40, Bridgeport, NB 69336.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory.
Johnny Hale
April 14, 1936 - September 3, 2003
ECKERT - Longtime Gateway, Colorado resident, John “Johnny” Hale, died Wednesday, September 3, 2003 at his home in Eckert. He was 67.
Services are pending at this time.
John Eugene Hale was born on April 14, 1936 in Riverton, Wyoming to the late Ward Eugene and Vera (Walkup) Hale. He spent his childhood in Riverton and in Grand Junction, Colorado. He attended high school in Gateway, Colorado.
Johnny married Lois M. Shreck on May 4, 1957 in Denver, Colorado. Johnny and Lois had resided in Gateway, Colorado until five years ago when they moved to Eckert. Lois passed away on May 6th of this year in Eckert.
Mr. Hale had been a logger. He enjoyed rock collecting, painting, fishing and hunting.
Survivors include his son, Bill Hale and wife Laurie of Hotchkiss, CO; two sisters, Joy Shipman and husband Harold of Mancos, CO and Pat Lewis of Las Vegas, NV. He is further survived by nine grandchildren.
Along with his parents and his wife, he was also preceded in death by a brother, Joe Hale.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory.
Florence “Evelyn” Vincent
February 8, 1921 - August 31, 2003
DELTA - Longtime Delta resident, Evelyn Vincent, died on Sunday, August 31, 2003, at Willow Tree Care Center in Delta. She was 82.
A visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, September 5th from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., at Taylor Funeral Service Chapel in Delta. A graveside funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 5th at Mesa View Cemetery
in Delta. Bishop Ted Graff will officiate.
Florence Evelyn Vincent was born on February 8, 1921, to John Otis and Lillian (Nightingale) Vincent in Lamar, Iowa. She spent her childhood in Englewood, Colorado, and graduated from Englewood High School in 1939. She moved to Delta in 1945, where she spent the remainder of her life.
Evelyn, who had never married, was a bookkeeper. She was also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter - day Saints in Delta. Her interests included singing and sewing.
Survivors grateful to have shared in Evelyn’s life include a son, Mike Coffin and his wife Donna of Logan, Utah; two grandchildren; one great - grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Betty Jane Garrett; two brothers: Allen Henry Vincent, and Charles Warren Vincent.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory.
Roy R. Grober
March 4, 1928 - August 23, 2003
CEDAREDGE, CO - Roy R. Grober, a resident of Cedaredge, died on Saturday, August 23, 2003, at Horizon’s Care Center in Eckert, Colorado. He was 75.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 12:00 noon until service time at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, August 30, 2003, at Taylor Funeral Service Chapel in Cedaredge, Colorado. Burial will follow at Cedaredge Cemetery.
Roy Robert Grober was born on March 4, 1928, to Kurt and Martha (Arnold) Grober in Portland, Oregon. He spent his childhood in Portland and attended schools there. He lived in Germany for two years when he served in the U.S. Army.
On August 24, 1948, Roy married Dorothy Freling in Portland, Oregon. They would have celebrated fifty - five years of marriage on the day following his death. She survives. Roy and Dorothy spent several years in Beaverton, Oregon, and also West Palm Beach, Florida, before moving to Cedaredge three years ago.
Roy began raising and racing greyhounds as a hobby with his daughter. He enjoyed it so much that it became his life’s vocation. He was a member of the Church of Christ in Independence, Missouri.
Those grateful to have shared in Roy’s life include his wife, Dorothy of Cedaredge, CO; a daughter, Jan Carroll of Cedaredge, CO; a sister, Gerda Grober of Eckert, CO; sisters - in - law: Mildred Croker of Delta, CO, Margaret Griffith of Colorado Springs, CO, June Dickerson of Cedaredge, CO, and Jessie Dixon of Delta, CO. He is further survived by one grandson, Shawn Ladd and his wife Lora of Portland, OR; five great - grandchildren: Erica Wagner, Jimmy Ladd, Johnny Ladd, Jake Ladd, and Sarah Ladd.
Roy was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Bodo Grober; and a granddaughter, Kellie Hoefer.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory.
Loi Iva Kier
November 9, 1917 - August 24, 2003
AUSTIN, CO - Lifetime Colorado resident, Loi Iva Kier died Sunday, August 24, 2003 at Horizon’s Care Center in Eckert, Colorado. She was 85.
A memorial service is planned for 2:00 p.m., Friday, August 29th at the First Baptist Church in Delta, Colorado. Pastor James Conley will officiate. Services will conclude at the church.
Loi Iva Brooks was born on November 9, 1917 in McCoy, Colorado to the late Earl S. and Elsie L. (Scrivens) Brooks. She spent her childhood in McCoy and graduated from high school there in 1935.
Loi married Charles J. Kier on December 22, 1935 in McCoy, Colorado. He survives. They resided in several different Colorado towns before moving to Austin just one and a half years ago.
Loi was a homemaker. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Yampa, Colorado and the Ladies Home Demonstration in Toponas, Colorado. She enjoyed sewing and gardening.
Survivors grateful to have shared in Loi’s life include her husband of over 67 years, Charles Kier of Austin, CO; two daughters, Beverly Reuker and husband Donald of Cedaredge, CO and Joan Carnahan and husband James of Rifle, CO; two sisters, Margaret Porter and husband Harold of Eckert, CO and Jean Matthews and husband Paul of Midland, OR. She is further survived by 12 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren and numerous other relatives.
Along with her parents, she was also preceded in death by a sister, Ethel Strait, a brother, Howard “Bud” Brooks, two grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Memorials may be made in memory of Loi Kier, to Horizon’s Air Mattress Fund, Horizon’s Care Center, 1141 Hwy 65, Eckert, CO 81418.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory.
