Search Archived Marriage Records
Martha Jane Bonds
Visitation for Martha Jane Bonds will be on Wednesday, Feb. 14, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel between the hours of 2 and 4 p.m. Graveside services will be in Provo, Utah, at the Provo City Cemetery
on Friday, Feb. 16, at 10 a.m.
Jane was born to George Henry and Dora Alice (Ray) Barlow on May 26, 1909, in Bethany, Mo.
She passed away on Feb. 11, 2001, at the Valley Inn Nursing Home in Mancos at the age of 91.
She is survived by a daughter, three granchildren, eight great-grandchildren and her longtime companion. She was preceded in death by her former husband, son-in-law, one son, two infant daughters, two sisters and one brother.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Valley Inn Nursing Home.
Betty Jeanne Baysinger
Betty Jeanne Baysinger, a lifelong resident of Cortez, passed away on Feb. 8, 2001, at Southwest Memorial Hospital. She was 69 years old.
She was born to Eldon and Lillian Christine (Smith) Foster on April 20, 1931, at Garden City, Kan.
Betty is survived by her husband, Bill of Cortez; daughters, Christy (Michael) Moore of Cortez, and Dena (Ed) Guttridge of Cortez; grandchildren, Andre and Alesha Lobato of Aztec, N.M., Janae and Tim Pearse of Aztec, N.M., Dane, Koltan, Koby, and Daylan Guttridge of Cortez; and five great-grandchildren.
There are no services planned at this time.
Arrangements are being made through the Ertel Funeral Home.
Isaac Beanland
Funeral services for Isaac Beanland, a lifelong resident of Cahone, are scheduled for 1 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 13, at the First Baptist Church of Dove Creek. Interment will follow at the Cahone Cemetery. The Rev. Don Daniels will officiate.
Isaac was born to Ben and Maybell (Monger) Beanland in Houston, Texas, on July 3, 1930, and passed away on Feb. 11, 2001, at his home at the age of 70.
Isaac is survived by his wife of 47 years, Willadean (Ayers) Beanland; four children and their spouses, all of Dove Creek; 13 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one sister and one brother.
Services are under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
Jesy Kirsch
Memorial services for Jesy Gregory Kirsch are scheduled for Monday, Feb. 12, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel beginning at 10 a.m.
Jesy was born to Bruce and Linda (Odom) Kirsch on Oct. 5, 1981 in Montclair, Calif. He passed away on Feb. 7, 2001 at the Southwest Memorial Hospital at the age of 19.
Jesy was a special young man who was loved by his community. He was a proud member of the Special Olympics, an accomplished swimmer, and he loved to go camping. Jesy spent much of his pastime watching various movies and playing Nintendo and Playstation. Anyone who knew Jesy, knew that he always had a smile and was a friend to everyone.
Jesy's family sends a special message: "A special thanks to all the teachers, aides, and staff at MCHS, and this community for accepting Jesy as a person for whom life was a smile."
He is survived by his parents, Bruce and Linda Kirsch of Cortez; his sister and brother-in-law Holly and Ian Kincade and their daughter, Mellodie of Cortez; grandparents, James and Carol Odom of Cortez, and Alvin and Beverly Kirsch of Florence, Ariz.; great-grandmother, Mary Sulzer of Covina, Calif.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial contributions can be made at the Citizens State Bank. Arrangements are being handled through the Ertel Funeral Home.
Pauline Spruell Sleeper
Pauline Spruell Sleeper, former Cortez resident, passed away Thursday, Feb. 1, in Portland, Ore. She was 99.
No services were held. There was cremation.
She was born Oct. 11, 1901, in Willowdale, Kans. Pauline lived in the Cortez area from 1924 until 1976. Many will remember Pauline as the very energetic "deaf-mute lady" who worked at the Cortez Dry Cleaners. Although she was unable to talk, she had no difficulty communicating. She knew no strangers.
Pauline is survived by her son, Alfred Spruell, seven grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Harry Spruell and her second husband, Harley Sleeper; sons James, John and Alfred, and daughter, Zola Rice.
Belmear Dustan Brown
Memorial services for Belmear Dustan Brown, a lifelong resident of this area will be held Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel beginning at 10 a.m.
Belmear was born the son of Byron Douglas and Mary Teresa (Belmear) Brown in Dolores, on June 20, 1929. He passed away at his home in Cortez on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2001, at the age of 71.
Memorial contributions can be made at the Citizens State Bank of Cortez to the Belmear Brown memorial for the benefit of the American Lung Association.
Goldie Hamilton
Funeral services for longtime Cortez resident, Goldie Mae Hazel Hamilton are scheduled for Monday, Feb. 12, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel at 2 p.m. Interment will follow at the Cortez Cemetery. Elder Lyman Black of the Grace Sovereign Baptist Church will officiate.
Goldie passed away at her home in Topock, Ariz., on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2001. She was 86. Goldie was born Oct. 1, 1914 in Snyder, Okla. to Andy Loren and Bertha Emily (Delay) Wilhite. She married Verl Hamilton in Durango. on Aug. 3, 1934 and they resided in Cortez until his death in 1996.
Goldie was a member of the Ute Mountain Art Club, first president of Women's Bowling Association, and held offices in the Cortez Women's Golf Association. She enjoyed painting and watching baseball. Goldie loved to golf, bowl, and play in women's Fast Pitch Softball Leagues.
Her children, Jack (Nadene) Hamilton of Cortez, and John (Betsy) Hamilton of Waddup, Ariz., survive her. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Buddy and Glenys Hamilton and Tony and Debbie Hamilton of Cortez, Rose and Ken Reynolds of Champaign, Ill., and Will and Wesley Hamilton of Waddup; great-grandchildren, Kortney, Kylee, Kenin, and Tyler Hamilton all of Cortez; as well as an aunt, Ruth Hookham, of Cortez.
Memorial contributions can be made at the Citizens State Bank of Cortez.
Grace McWhirt
Grace McWhirt, longtime Mancos resident, passed away at Southwest Memorial Hospital on Sunday, February 4, 2001 at the age of 82. She was born to Troy and Grace Emma (Henshaw) Ramsey on June 16, 1918 in St. Louis, Mo.
Grace had been an active member of the Mancos community, serving as Deputy Marshall and dispatcher, Mancos City Court clerk, and until recently, bookkeeper for the Mancos Fire Department.
She despised idleness and volunteered her energies as chairperson of the State Centennial Project, Mancos Days committee, Mancos Businesswomen's Association, and with the Mancos Valley Chamber. She was a lifetime member of Eastern Star and was associated with the Lions. Grace was a selfless person always more concerned with the other person than herself.
Survivors include her son, Troy McWhirt of Mancos; a daughter, Linda McWhirt of Coperopolis, Calif.; a stepdaughter, Helen Moreland of El Monte, Calif.; six grandchildren, Jayson McWhirt, Bryan McWhirt, Sean McWhirt, Jacob McWhirt, Jessica McWhirt, and Keith Moreland; as well as 12 great-grandchildren. A sister, June Stitt of Tucson, Ariz.; two nephews, Jerry Stitt of Tucson, and James Stitt of Minnesota; and a niece, Cindy Nelson of St. George, Utah also survive Mrs. McWhirt.
Preceding Grace in death were her husband, Lloyd "Buck" McWhirt; her parents; and a brother, Troy Louis Ramsey.
Memorial contributions can be made with the Mancos Valley Bank. Arrangements are being made through the Ertel Funeral Home with services taking place at a later date.
Nathan Henry Conne
Services for Nathan Henry Conne of Junction City, Kans., were held Feb. 7 in Kansas. Burial took place at Fort Riley Cemetery, in Fort Riley, Kans.
Mr. Conne was born Aug. 7, 1933, in Konowa, Okla.. He passed away Feb. 1, 2001, at the age of 67. He served his country in the U.S. Army in two different enlistments, receiving several awards, and the professional world as a sign, scenic and display artist. He also worked as a sign painter and illustrator at Fort Riley.
He is survived by his wife, Carmella Conne of Junction City; sons Tommy and Nathan; daughter Gina Himelick, all of Junction City; brother, Mike Conne of Cortez and six grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Mike and Goldie Mae (Johnson) Conne, and his sister, Carmene Allen.
Gwendolyn 'Gwen' McLean
Funeral services for Gwendolyn "Gwen" McLean are scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 6, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Pastor Joseph Yates will officiate.
Gwen was born to Bazz and Elizabeth (Templeton) Chapman on July 14, 1920, in West Virginia. She passed away on Feb. 2, 2001, at the Valley Inn Nursing Home at the age of 80.
Gwen married John D. McLean Jr. on June 25, 1975, at the Baptist Chapel in Cortez. She enjoyed staying home and was an accomplished seamstress, gardener, and cook.
She is survived by her husband, John of Mancos; daughter, Barbara (Jim) Black of Salt Lake City; grandchildren, Teresa Murdock and her companion, Joe Montoya of Salt Lake City; Bob (Wendy) Black of Los Angeles, Calif.; Tonya (Rodney) Keith of Salt Lake City; 11 great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters in West Virginia, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends in Mancos.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a grandson, James Joseph Black, who passed away in September 1987.
Roger B. Robbins
Funeral services for Roger B. Robbins, a native of Mancos, are scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 8, at the Mancos United Methodist Church at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Ora Dailey officiating. Interment will follow at the Cedar Grove Cemetery
with military graveside services provided by the John Derrick Halls VFW Post. Visitation is scheduled at the Ertel Memorial Chapel on Wednesday, Feb. 7, between 4 and 6 p.m.
Roger was born to Vern and Gertrude (Wilkerson) Robbins on Nov. 13, 1928, in Mancos. He passed away on Feb. 3, 2001, at the San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington. He was 72.
Roger was united in marriage to Ruth M. Alexander on Dec. 14, 1974, in Durango. He owned a plumbing and heating company.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth Robbins of Bloomfield, N.M.; children, Rodney Robbins of Longmont, Colo., Bobby Robbins of Anchorage, Alaska, and Lee Robbins of Flora Vista, N.M.; stepsons, Jesse Latham of Albuquerque and David Latham of Bloomfield; stepdaughter, Linda Roby of Denver; five grandchildren, five stepgrandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and seven step-great-great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by his sisters, Verna Towne and Virgie Edwards, both of Mancos; Iki Moore of Gallup, N.M.; brothers, Eddie Robbins of Mancos, Clyde Robbins of Jacksonville, Ark., and Buster Miller of Mancos; and sister-in-law, Rowena Robbins, also of Mancos.
He was preceded in death by both of his parents.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Hospice of Montezuma County.
Myra Tsosie
Myra Tsosie, a lifelong resident of Sweetwater, Ariz., passed away Feb. 3, 2001 at the Northern Navajo Medical Center, Shiprock, N.M. She was 79.
Services will be held Friday, Feb. 9, at 10 a.m. in the Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel. Pastor Eddie Benally will officiate. Interment will follow in the family cemetery in Sweetwater, Ariz.
Mrs. Tsosie was born to Denet and Emma Tsosie on Oct. 10, 1921, in Sweetwater. She married Carson Tsosie on Dec. 13, 1938, also in Sweetwater. They were blessed with six children.
Mrs. Tsosie was a homemakeer, a housekeeper at Mesa Verde National Park, and a secretary for the Sweetwater Chapter.
She is survived by her sons, Lee (Mary) Tsosie of Cortez; Frank (Alice) Tsosie of Cortez; daughters, Loretta "Lottie" (David) Willie of Kirkland, N.M.; Marlene (David) Tom of Cortez; Elveria (Daniel) John of Sweetwater; Charmaine (Eddie) Draper of Cortez; sister, Grace Growler of Sweetwater; 19 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Carson; brothers, Paul and Boyd Tsosie and Charlie Lee; and sisters, Myrtle Warren and Ellen Tso Begay.
Leland 'Lee' Durand III
Graveside services for Leland Pat Durand III, a lifetime resident of Cortez, will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6, at the Cortez Cemetery. Mr. Hunt Zumwalt will officiate.
Lee was born to L.P. (Pat) and Harriet (Johnson) Durand on July 12, 1949, in Buffalo, Wyo. He passed away at his home in Cortez on Feb. 1, 2001, at the age of 51.
A 1967 graduate of Montezuma-Cortez High School, Lee served in the 2nd Regiment, "Wolfhounds," 27th Infantry Division, U.S. Army, at Cuchi, Vietnam. He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received in combat, together with the Bronze Star, and other notable medals.
He married Debra Kay Helkey on Oct. 29, 1980, in Nucla, Colo.
Lee loved the outdoors and going bass-fishing. He was a member of the VFW.
He is survived by his parents, Pat and Harriet Durand, both of Cortez; his wife, Debi Durand of Cortez; his daughters, Phebe Durand and Renae Durand, both of Cortez; and his son, Thomas Aaron Hatch of Utah. Five grandchildren, Bethany Dennison and Morgan Durand of Cortez, Lanie Hatch, Chandler Hatch and Sindey Sellers, also survive him; as does a brother, Harry K. Durand of Cortez; and a sister, Theresa Finley of Pleasant View; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions can be made at the Citizens State Bank of Cortez.
Linda Sprague
Funeral services for Linda Diane Johnson Sprague, a former resident of Dolores, will be held Monday, February 5, at the Cortez Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints beginning at 10 a.m. Bishop Larry Yarbrough will officiate. Interment will follow at the Sylvan Cemetery
in Pleasant View.
Linda was born the daughter of Charles "Buddy" Johnson and Georgia (Lanier) Johnson in Cortez on July 20, 1948. She grew up in Dolores and graduated from high school there. Upon her graduation, she attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. She married William Sprague on Aug.31, 1967 in Salt Lake City.
Together they lived in Georgia, Iowa, and Alabama while Bill was in the military. Their last move had been to Fargo, N.D., where Linda had worked for the Fargo-Moorhead Chamber of Commerce. Linda went to be with her Heavenly Father on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2001, passing away at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo, N.D.
Surviving Linda are her husband of 33 years, Bill Sprague of Fargo; sons, Justin (Melissa) Sprague and Matthew Sprague, both of Lehi, Utah, and Jeremy Sprague of Fargo; daughters, Tyra (Doug) Williams of Orem, Utah and Amy (Robert) Zerkle of Des Moines, Iowa and eight grandchildren. She also leaves behind her parents, Charles "Buddy" and Georgia Johnson of Dolores; two brothers, Gus (Rosanne) Johnson and Lanier (Darla) Johnson both of Salt Lake City; and three sisters, Reba Johnson also of Salt Lake City; Kim (Alan) Jarvis of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Gail (Kim) Perkins of Dolores.
Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.
Joseph J. Slack
Memorial services for Joseph J. Slack, formerly of Durango, are Saturday, Feb. 2, 11 a.m. at Crist Mortuary, 3395 Penrose Place, Boulder.
Joe is survived by his children, Bill Slack, Tim Slack and Penny Hess. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betti, and daughter, Claudia.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Colorado Trail Foundation for the erection of a "Joe Slack Memorial Bench," which will be placed in his favorite area, the Sliderock section of the Colorado Trail, near Durango.
