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Charles Rex Mossler
Aug. 25, 1927 May 8, 2007
Charles Rex Mossler died May 8 at the San Juan Living Center in Montrose. He was 79.
Funeral services were held Saturday, May 12, at Taylor Funeral Service Chapel in Delta with the Rev. Vernon Dockter and the Rev. Nathan Bryant officiating. Interment will follow in the Cedaredge Cemetery.
Rex was born Aug. 25, 1927, in Stillwater, Okla., to Carl and Elma (Howland) Mossler. He spent his childhood and went to school in Stillwater, Okla. Rex furthered his education at Oklahoma A&M, now Oklahoma State University, where he graduated with a bachelor s degree. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
After graduation, Rex went on to work for the Arthur Fullmer Company in Memphis, Tenn. He later went to work for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in sales. He continued working for Goodyear Tire Company for 33 years retiring as district manager in Honolulu, Hawaii.
On Aug. 5, 1950 Rex married the love of his life, Elwyn Wynn Thompson in Memphis. This August, they would have celebrated 57 years of marriage.
Rex loved all kinds of sports and followed all his favorite teams. He also liked to play golf and had a chance to play many courses. His greatest joy was supporting his grandsons in their sporting activities, football, baseball and wrestling.
Rex was a member of the Delta United Methodist Church. He was also a member of the Montrose Lions Club and the Montrose Elks Lodge.
Survivors include his wife, Wynn; his son, Ross of Sherman Oaks, Calif.; his two daughters, Elaine Queen and husband Mark of Hotchkiss and Jackie Tatakis and husband John II of Bronxville, N.Y.; five grandsons, Scott Queen of Hotchkiss, Eric Queen of Eagan, Minn., Todd and Bradley Queen of Hotchkiss, and John Tatakis III of Bronxville, N.Y.; and very good friend Tom Peterson of Sherman Oaks.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory.
William Riegel Barter
June 20, 1920 May 16, 2007
Bill Barter died at home in Grand Junction after a short illness, surrounded by his loving family. He was 86.
Funeral services will be Saturday, May 19, 4 p.m. at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary.
He is survived by his wife, Marge and children, Skeet (Charlie Snellgrove), Pat (Tom Fleming) and Mark (Mary DuSablon) and grandson Jess, as well as his sisters, Grace Marie Gordon and Jackie McDonough.
Bill was born in Harrisburg, Ill., and grew up in Pueblo. He was a Marine during World War II and served in combat in the South Pacific. Bill met his wife, Marge, who was also a Marine and married her on Feb. 19, 1944. He also served in the Marines during the Korean War. Bill moved with his wife, Marge, to Grand Junction in 1967.
After a short career owning and managing service stations, he was employed by PowerMotive, Inc., in Denver to sell large mining and construction equipment. He retired in 1982. He was then recruited by Southwest Emulsions in their sales department, and continued to work as a sales representative and consultant for the next 22 years throughout several mergers of the company.
After retirement at age 85, he continued to be active, returning frequently for meetings and company events. Bill and Marge traveled extensively throughout the years, visiting friends and family in California and throughout the United States.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado.
James Dale Jim Leyerly
June 10, 1928 May 20, 2007
James Dale Jim Leyerly died May 20 at Community Hospital in Grand Junction. He was 78.
A service of remembrance will be held Friday, May 25, at 2 p.m. at the Living Hope Evangelical Free Church, 2840 B 1/2 Road, Grand Junction.
Jim was born June 10, 1928, in Caldwell, Kan., to Ottie C. and Gladys O. (Burger) Leyerly, and was raised in Newton, Kan.
On Sept. 25, 1946, Jim married Betty Jo Berryman in Wichita, Kan.
Jim previously resided in Newton, Kan., Gallup and Farmington, N.M., and has been a resident of Grand Junction area for 30 years. Jim s special interests include the outdoors, fixing things and helping others.
Survivors include his wife, Betty Jo of Clifton; son, J.J. Leyerly of Grand Junction; daughter, Sharon Guntle of Mesquite, Nev.; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
A son, Billy, and a granddaughter, Sarah Jackson, preceded Jim in death.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado, P.O. Box 60307, Grand Junction, CO 81506.
Arrangements are under the direction of Callahan Edfast Mortuary.
Helen M. Wright
Oct. 4, 1916 Oct. 21, 2007
Helen M. Wright, an educator, community leader, volunteer and horsewoman, died Oct. 21. She was 91.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. today, Friday, Oct. 26, at First United Methodist Church, 522 White Ave.
Helen Maureen Bradbury was born Oct. 4, 1916, to Frank and Nellie Gilbert Bradbury
and grew up on the Kannah Creek ranch her grandparents homesteaded in 1895.
Despite the hard work and hardships of ranch life, Helen, sisters Vera and Nina and brother Bud created games out of daily chores, played along the creek banks and raced their ponies across cow pastures. Long cattle drives to Grand Mesa were Helen s favorite times. Her closest companion was Pony Boy, an orphaned filly she raised and trained.
She attended Pride School for 11 years and then graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1934.
She then went to Grand Junction Junior College (the precursor to Mesa State College.) Despite suffering from scarlet fever, she graduated in two years with a teaching certificate.
Her first assignment was summer school in a mud-chinked Moffat County log cabin. Throughout her career more one-room and two-room schoolhouses in Mesa County followed: Salt Creek in Collbran, Summit School in Unaweep Canyon, Pride School in Whitewater, Purdy Mesa, Rhone and Hunter schools.
During her time in the Unaweep Canyon, Helen fell in love with Leslie Wright. The pair was happily married for nearly 67 years before Les died in 2006. They had two children, Don Earl Wright and Esther Lorena Rena Carver, both of Grand Junction.
In 1999, at age 82, Helen and Nina, several family members and friends rode mules into the Grand Canyon. The rules required that the guide helped every rider dismount, one at a time, at each stop.
During one stop, Helen jumped off well before her turn. When her grandchildren scolded her, she said with some disgust: Well, I ve never needed help off a horse in my whole life!
Alzheimer s robbed her family and the community of her vigor, confidence and ambition over the last few years. Her lifetime of achievement endures, an inspiring and significant resume of energy, spirit and service.
Helen s credo was I can do that. And she did.
Among her accomplishments:
Earning her bachelor of arts degree in 1955 from the Teacher s College at Greeley while raising her children.
Teaching school for 35 years, retiring in 1977 after 22 years at Columbus Elementary.
Serving on the School District 51 Board of Education from 1979 to 1989.
Being a pioneer member of a side saddle drill team that became the Frontier Bells.
Receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Mesa State Alumni Association in 1997.
Riding as Grand Marshal of the PRCA Rodeo in 1999 which was among her last times on horseback when she was 83.
Being a member and leader of the Elks Ladies, the Mesa County Retired School Employees Association, the Historical Society, the River Skippers and the Mesa County Democratic Party.
Having both knee-joints replaced in the early 1990s, so she could continue raising a garden and bowling into her mid-80s and riding side-saddle until age 80.
Grandma Wright wasn t one to kiss boo-boos or bake cookies. She had things to do, and she brought her grandchildren along: They walked the neighborhoods with her for the 1980 Census; read meters for her Orchard Mesa neighborhood s water district; and shoveled the first scoop of dirt at Mesa View Elementary s ground breaking.
Survivors include: daughter-in-law, Jone Wright of Grand Junction; grandchildren and their spouses, Bryan and Lisa Mortimer of Green River, Wyo.; Justin and Jasmine Carver of Fruita; Patrick Strawbridge and Kristi Wright of North Yarmouth, Maine; great-grandchildren Nathan, Grace and Scott Mortimer; Sitori and Stone Carver; Donnie and Nora Strawbridge.
A granddaughter, Selinda Simpson, died in 1982.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent to Family Health West, Attn: Sue Saelens, 228 N. Cherry, Fruita, CO, 81521; or the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens, 655 Struthers Ave., Grand Junction, C0, 81501.
Thomas J. Franklin
Aug. 27, 1923 Oct. 22, 2007
Thomas J. Franklin of Grand Junction died Oct. 22.
Services were held Oct. 28 at Grand Junction Church of Christ.
Thomas J. Franklin was born Aug. 27, 1923, in Big Sandy, Texas, to Joe F. Franklin and Loney Eaton Franklin. He was raised in East Texas, farming 60 acres of cotton, cane and peanuts, mostly by hand. There was little time for fun, but on Sunday afternoons the boys would get together and, using a pan lid as a sled, slide down the hill of the pine needles.
At 16, he left Texas, without a high school education and with his mother s signed permission, he went to work with the Conservation Corps, first in Santa Fe, N.M., and later in Colorado, sending money home to help his family.
With the start of World War II, he joined the Navy. He was stationed in Williamsburg, Va., for boot camp, and then sent to Sanford, Fla. After leaving the Navy, he went to work as a ranch hand for Dick Lloyd in Mesa. There he met Alma Merle Branson.
On March 4, 1950, they were married at her parents home in Plateau City. She preceded him in death. They had three sons, Conrad in 1951, Joel in 1952, and Jeffrey in 1954. All died at birth.
They moved to Grand Junction in 1955. He worked for Grand Junction Pipe and Steel, Climax Uranium, Rio Grande Motorway, and Powderhorn Coal Co. He retired in 1977. He was a member of the Grand Junction Church of Christ.
Survivors include two daughters and one son, Norma (Eddie) Dietrich, Zelda Franklin and Boyd (Lori) Franklin; five grandchildren, Tori Rauch, Travis, (Kim) Beezley, Audric, Derric and Christopher Franklin; six great-grandchildren, Troy, Nicole, Thomas Rauch, Wayne, Justin and Dylan Beezley; one sister, Irene Brooks.
Two brothers, Jack and Benjamin, preceded him in death.
Donations can be make to Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado, P.O. Box 60307, Grand Junction, CO 81506.
Arrangements entrusted to Snell-McLean Funeral Home.
Norma L. Davis
May 20, 1914 Nov. 5, 2007
Norma L. Davis of Montrose died Nov. 5 at Valley Manor Care Center in Montrose. She was 93.
Funeral services will be Friday, Nov. 9, at 11 a.m. in Mesa View Mortuary Chapel with burial to follow at Mesa View Cemetery, Delta.
She was born May 20, 1914, in Hartshorn, Mo., to Joseph and Phoebe (Smith) Eudy.
She married Archie H. Davis May 27, 1932, in Hayden.
Norma and her husband moved to Delta in 1944, living there until moving in 1984 to Montrose where she has since resided.
She was a member of the Church of Christ in Montrose.
She treasured her relationship with her Lord and over the years sent Bible lessons to over 1,000 students all over the world. Many times her children were welcomed home from school with hot rolls and in the winter had the stove hot to warm little feet.
She enjoyed doing crafts, quilting, and crocheting afghans, potholders and many other items to pass on to friends and relatives. Many summers were spent with her family in the beautiful outdoors. Another one of Norma s great passions in life was the love of her family and much time was spent with them passing on the love for God and His creation.
She is survived by three sons and spouses: Clinton H. and Barbara Davis of Delta; Dean and Bonnie Davis of Grand Junction and Terry and Colleen Davis of Rifle; three daughters and husbands, Virginia and Roland Beaver of Bald Knob, Ark., Judy and Wendell Turner and Tami and Donnie Sitton, both of Montrose; brothers, Bill Eudy of Sutherland, Ore., and Jack Eudy of Tillamook, Ore.; sisters, Mickey Cavender of Albany, Ore., and Pearl Turner of Tulsa, Okla.; 17 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers, Murle Eudy and Arnold Eudy.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Mesa View Mortuary-Cemetery, Delta.
John Sydney Jordan
Nov. 4, 1933 Nov. 5, 2007
John Sydney Jordan died on Nov. 5 at the VA Medical Center in Grand Junction with his family by his side.
Visitation will be from 4 -7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary. The memorial service will be Thursday, Nov. 8, at 2 p.m. also at Callahan-Edfast.
John was born Nov. 4, 1933, to Sydney and Esther Jordan (Anderson) in Collbran. Esther died in 1936 and Sydney later married Elizabeth Bolinger. John graduated from Collbran Union High School. He joined the Army in 1954.
John married Rayma Jean Case in 1959 and they had twins, Linda Rae and Johnny J. They were later divorced. John ranched in Collbran for many years and owned and operated two mechanic and gas stations in Collbran. He also operated a pool hall.
He later moved to Grand Junction and worked for the Mesa County Road Dept., where he later retired from. John rodeoed for many years and he loved to ride on the mountain and gather cattle in the fall.
John was always willing to help a friend and he knew no strangers. He loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and his family and was very blessed with many, many friends. John had a very giving and generous spirit. He was very active in his church, The Fellowship Church, in the usher ministry. He also attended New Life Church. John was an avid square dancer in the Calico Square Dancing Group, Non-Smoking Singles, Sun lighters, 60 and Over Singles and Pinochle Groups. Where there was food, John was first in line; he loved those pot luck dinners.
Survivors include his daughter, Linda (Rich) of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada; grandchildren, Erika (Mark) of Grand Junction, Korene (Jason), Skylar, Kayden, Alexee of Emmett, Idaho, Jared and Layne of Winnemucca, Nev.; son, Johnny (Rhonda) of Gilbert, Ariz.; Lance of Gilbert, Ariz.; sister, Sharlee Hittle of Grand Junction; and three nieces, Roberta, Terry, Judy.
John was preceded in death by his father, Sydney; mother, Esther; stepmother, Elizabeth; and stepsister, Berth Mae.
Fern Antoinette Ridgway
Dec. 10, 1926 Nov. 13, 2007
Longtime North Fork area resident, Fern Antoinette Ridgway, died peacefully at her Paonia home on Tuesday, Nov. 13. She was 80 years old.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 17, at the Paonia United Methodist Church with Rev. Russell Fletcher presiding. Services will conclude at the church.
On Dec. 10, 1926, Fern Antoinette was born to Orin Kenneth and Ethel Beatrice (Vosburgh) Olds in Sayre, Penn. She spent her childhood in Port Jervis and Cortland, New York, and graduated from Cortland High School in 1945. Fern furthered her education at the Baldwin Wallace College where she earned a degree in sociology in 1949.
On Nov. 23, 1950, Fern married Don N. Ridgway, M.D., in Cortland, N.Y. They shared over 57 years of love and marriage together.
She became teen-age program director for the YWCA in Binghamton, N.Y., and subsequently held the same position in Columbus, Ohio, where she continued post graduate work at the Ohio State University. She lived in Grand Rapids, Mich., Winslow, Ariz., and Saginaw, Mich., before moving to Paonia in 1959. She was active in several organizations in her community, including The Paonia United Methodist Church, an EMT with the North Fork Ambulance, a long-time board member of the Ambulance Association and Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader.
In addition to being a homemaker, she was a certified water safety instructor and a lifetime member of Delta Zeta and the National Rifle Association.
Fern enjoyed river rafting, competitive pistol shooting, camping & skiing. Most importantly, she loved and cherished her family.
Fern was a loving wife, and mother to three children Those grateful to have shared in Fern s life include her husband of 57 years, Don N. Ridgway, M.D., of Paonia; two sons, Alan Ridgway, D.D.S., and his wife Cheryl of Paonia; Eric Ridgway, M.D., and his wife Lori of Riverton, Wyo.; and one daughter, Kathryn Linnell and her husband, Roger of Paonia. Fern is further survived by 10 grandchildren; Kristin Ridgway, Derek Ridgway, Briana Ridgway, Tanner Ridgway, Lindsey Ridgway, Logan Ridgway, Kiley Ridgway, Aaron Linnell, Kurt Linnell and Benjamin Linnell.
Fern was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Dorla Whipple; and one brother, Frank Olds.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Fern s memory to the Salvation Army 1235 N. Fourth St., Grand Junction, CO 81501, or to Childrens Inc., 4205 Dover Road Richmond, VA, 23221-3267.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory.
