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Robert Joyce Story
September 29, 1909 - May 30, 2003
Former Meeker resident Robert Joyce Story, 93, of Homelake, Colorado died May 30, 2003, at the Rio Grande Hospital in Del Norte.
He was born Sept. 29, 1909, in Boonville, Mo., to James Pearl and Iona McDowell Story. He married Fredrique Crockett on Oct. 19, 1947, in Las Vegas, Nev., and she precedes him in death.
Robert was a member of St. James’ Episcopal Church, and a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during World War II, where he was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He was also a 65-year member of the Rio Blanco Lodge #80, AF & AM, the Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, Ducks Unlimited and The Order of Eastern Star.
He enjoyed white water rafting, reading and playing cards, especially Bridge. He also enjoyed square dancing and writing.
Surviving are a daughter, Karin L. Kruger of Oklahoma City, Okla.; his nieces, Barbara Branscom of Poway, Calif., and Bobbi Wegner of Tribune, Kan.; and four great nieces and great nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents, one sister and two granddaughters.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday from St. James’ Episcopal Church with Military and Masonic rites to follow interment in the Highland Cemetery.
Cochran Memorial Chapels have been entrusted with the local arrangements.
Daniel C. Peach
May 20, 1963 - July 3, 2003
Daniel C. Peach of Rangely, passed away Thursday, July 3, 2003, at his home at Trail Canyon. He was born May 20, 1963, in Hartford, Conn.
Peach is survived by his wife Jayne Kuck-Peach, his son Tyler Peach, parents Don and Anne (Tineke) Peach, his sister Diana Peach, his brother Justin Peach and stepsons Kellen and James Kuck.
Peach was raised in Glastonbury, Conn. He attended Brewster Academy in Maine and Woodstock Academy in Vermont. He moved to Rangely in 1981 where he worked for companies involved in the development of Western Fuels-Utah coal mine.
In December 1982 he married Amy Winchester whom he had met while they were students at Woodstock Academy. They had one son, Tyler, who was born June 3, 1984, in Rangely. In 1985 he and his family moved to Massachusetts where he worked as a carpenter. He and Amy separated and were later divorced.
He returned to Rangely in 1987 where he worked as a pipe fitter, pipeline foreman and heavy equipment operator. In 1992 Dan and Jayne Kuck exchanged commitments and moved to Trail Canyon where they undertook the reconstruction of an old homestead located in one of the most beautiful settings in western Colorado. From this location he did guiding and outfitting; natural gas pumping, metering and well-head maintenance; access road plowing and maintenance; heavy equipment contract work for ranchers and landowners; and in recent months work for Ace West Tucking.
Dan was an excellent musician, and his father said he was a 'master with a guitar.' He was a poet and an artist, particularly with wood and stone. He had that rare combination of artistic talent and practical abilities. He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, camping and adventures. Several times he and his father entered the 'Maybe Annual Almost Meeker to Rangely Canoe Race.'
The people for whom he worked respected his abilities and dedication to the idea of a good day’s work. He was particularly proud of the work that he and Jayne did in the restoration of the old homestead at Trail Canyon.
A memorial service for family members was held July 9, 2003, in Rangely.
Donald E. Martin
July 5, 2003
Donald E. Martin, 59, of Meeker died July 5, 2003, at Pioneers Hospital in Meeker.
A native of Denver, Martin had served in the Army National Guard and had worked as a gas station attendant throughout life. He enjoyed the time he spent with this wife and attending the Meeker Chuckwagon.
Survivors include his wife Nancy of Meeker.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. today, July 10, at Highland Cemetery. Friends may call Thursday until noon at Cochran Memorial Chapels Meeker Mortuary.
Ethel Winters (Sally Frye)
July 7, 2003
Ethel Winters (Sally Frye) passed away Monday, July 7, 2003, at her home in Denver.
She and her first husband Randy Frye, lived in Meeker in the early 1950s where Randy was an employee of the telephone company and Sally worked at Pioneers Hospital.
She was the mother of a daughter, Teddie Lee Frye and sons Tommy and Terry.
Services are pending.
Marcelle (Steinmetz) Ely
September 23, 1922 - September 6, 2003
Marcelle (Steinmetz) Ely, 80, passed away in Auburn, Calif., on Sept. 6, 2003. She was born to Antone and Lottie Steinmetz in Rio Blanco County. She attended schools in Meeker and graduated with the class of 1940.
She married Ray Ely on Dec. 26, 1939. They made their home at the ranch on Strawberry for a time where Ray was in the ranching business with his parents. They moved to Clifton, Colo., in the late 1940s. Ray had a mechanic shop there for several years. They moved to California in 1952 where they owned several different businesses in northern California.
Ray and Marcelle’s union was blessed with two children, Leon and Alice. Marcelle was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and a friend to all who knew her. She was an excellent cook and seamstress.
She leaves to mourn her passing her husband of nearly 64 years; her daughter Alice of Auburn, Calif.; five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; two sisters and husbands, Melba (Don) LeFevre of Meeker; Maxine (George) Reid of Palisade, Colo.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her son Leon, her parents, one sister and two brothers. Services were held in Auburn, Calif., on Sept. 10, 2003.
Nancy J. LaGrange
January 9, 1974 - September 12, 2003
Nancy J. LaGrange, 29, of Laramie, Wyo. died Friday, Sept. 12, 2003, in Casper, Wyo. She was born Jan. 9, 1974, in Honolulu, Hawaii, the daughter of Robert Hamor and Kathryn (Keiiser) LaGrange. Shortly after she was born, the family returned to Laramie where she attended A.A. Slade Elementary School, graduating from Laramie High School in 1992. On May 12, 2001, she was graduated from the University of Wyoming with a B.A. in psychology and sociology. She had recently worked as a substitute teacher in Laramie.
She was an active member of Harvest Four Square Gospel Church of Laramie and was an active volunteer whenever needed. She was preceded in death by her father, Robert H. LaGrange, Jr.
She is survived by her mother, Kathryn LaGrange, and sister Ann LaGrange, both of Laramie; a grandmother Rosemary LaGrange of Meeker and a niece Robretta Kassahn, also of Laramie.
Private inurnment will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made in her memory to St. Paul’s United Church of Christ Special Gifts for children in need at 602 E., Garfield St., Laramie, Wyo. 82070.
Services were under the direction of Montgomery-Stryker Funeral Home.
John Valton Guthrie, Jr.
September 13, 1968 - August 28, 2003
John Valton Guthrie, Jr., 34, of Aztec, Colo., passed away Thursday, Aug. 28, 2003, in Meeker, because of an auto accident. Valton, as he was known to his friends and family, was born Sept. 13, 1968, to Patty Williams and John V. Guthrie Sr.
Guthrie enjoyed camping, rock hunting, fishing and anything that he and his family could do together.
He was a Boy Scout leader, worked with his girls in Girls Scouts and coached YAFL football.
Guthrie was a jack-of-all-trades working as a plumber’s helper with his father, roughnecking with his stepfather and eventually starting his own handyman business. He also worked as compressor hand for Cooper Energy.
He is survived by his daughters; Daysha Gonzales and Danica Guthrie; son, Jerico Guthrie; former wife, Tracy Jones Guthrie; mother Patti Shockley Williams and stepdad Don Williams; father, John Valton Guthrie Sr. and stepmom, Renee; brothers, Robert, Jeremy and Trenton Guthrie; sisters, Anita, Melissa and Amanda Williams; stepsisters, Chana, Stacey and Heather; paternal grandparents, V.H. Bill and Johnny Guthrie and James and Chris Choquette (memaw and pa); along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends
Services were held Sept. 2, 2003, at the Bethel Baptist Church in Aztec followed by burial at the Aztec Community Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Chris Horton, Andy Choquette, Richard Rerrick, Trenton and Jeremy Guthrie and Harold Gaudorn, Jr.
Honorary pallbearers were Robert Guthrie, Will Jones, Bones Jones, Mike Ballard, Curtis Pennington, Trey Switzer, Pat Garcia, Gary Gomez, Albert Shelby, Aaron Leeb, Yaya Hernedizes and Mike Hiel.
Stella N. Kistas
December 26, 1950 - September 18, 2003
Stella N. Kritsas, 86, of Meeker died Sept. 18, 2003, at her home in Meeker.
A native of Lamia, Greece, Kritsas immigrated to the United States following her Dec. 26, 1950, marriage to Nick George Kritsas in Lamia. After coming to Meeker, she settled into being a ranchwife on the family ranch at the base of Nine Mile Hill. She loved to garden and attend St. John’s Greek Orthodox Church.
Survivors include her four children, George, Nick and Tom Kritsas and Jane Holland, all of Meeker, two granddaughters, Naomi Holland, a college student in Prescott, Ariz., and Antoinette Holland-Gonzalez of Meeker and two great-grandsons, Mark Anthony Holland-Gonzalez and Jesus Manuel Gonzalez. She is also survived by a large extended family in Greece.
Her husband preceded her in death on March 28, 1969.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday from St. John’s Greek Orthodox Church in Craig. Interment will follow in the Highland Cemetery
in Meeker. Cochran Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Bertha Ott Lutkiewicz
March 22, 1903 - September 21, 2003
Bertha Ott Lutkiewicz, 100, passed away on Sept. 21, 2003, at Family Health West.
Bertha was born on March 22, 1903, on a farm near McCune, Kan. to Albert and Marcia Ann McCalister. She married J.W. (Billy) Ott on Oct. 14, 1922, and six children were born to this marriage.
Bertha and Bill lived in Kansas until 1948 when they moved to Rangely. While living in Rangely, they helped establish and build the First Baptist Church. The were known to everyone in Rangely as 'Mom and Dad' Ott.
Ott worked in the school cafeteria in Rangely and later for the California Oil Company.
They moved to Grand Junction in 1962, when Bill retired. They lived there until he passed away in 1966.
Bertha married Bob Lutkiewicz in 1970. He passed away in 1989.
Bertha was also preceded in death by her parents, four sisters, four brothers, two daughters a grandson and daughter-in-law.
She is survived by two sons, William Ott of Grand Junction and Bob (Ouita) Ott of Veneta, Ore., also two daughters, Delores (Wayne) Ross of Central Point, Ore., and Donna (Jim) Barnhart of Grand Junction, 12 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by four step-children and their families.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church Memorial Fund, 720 Grand Ave., Grand Junction, Colo., 81501.
Arrangements are under the direction of Martin Mortuary.
Donald Carroll
July 16, 1939 - January 31, 2004
Longtime Meeker resident and businessman Don Carroll, 64, died Jan. 31, 2004, in Grand Junction.
Donald Charles Carroll was born in Oxford, Neb. on July 16, 1939. He was the son of Jerome Joseph and Elsie Beth Carroll. After moving to Colorado, Don attended Miller Creek School until they moved to town. He then attended Meeker schools until he was graduated in 1957. He played sports, including basketball, football and track.
In 1961, Don received an honorable discharge after three years of service to his county in the United States Army. He then went to college but due to his father’s illness, he returned to Meeker to run the family propane business.
Don was united in marriage to Janet Louise Like on July 5, 1964. Jan brought into this union two daughters; Sharon Leann and Barbara Jean.
This family moved to Fort Collins where Don was employed by Woodward Governor as a machinist for four years. Three more children were born into this union; Christopher Charles, Catherine Francis, Shalene Renae. In 1971, the family returned to Meeker, where he worked as a plumber for Ruckman Plumbing and Heating. In 1983 he purchased this business, changing the name to Carroll Plumbing and Heating. In 1999 he sold the business to his son, Chris.
Don was a fireman for the Meeker Volunteer Fire Department for 19 years. He also helped organize the Fireman’s Ball banquet for many years.
Don enjoyed the outdoors. Among his interests were hunting, fishing, camping, four-wheeling and horseshoes and above all else being with his large family and many friends. After retiring, Don and Jan sold their home and bought a fifth-wheel trailer, which they traveled in until his death.
Don was preceded in death by his brother Edward Joseph, father, Jerome J., mother Elsie Beth, and grandson Daniel Ryan Dade. He is survived by his wife Janet of Meeker, his children, Sherri (John) Purkey, Barbie (Jay) Purkey, Chris (Lynn) Carroll, Cathy (Ricky) Dade, Shay (Richard) Bain, all of Meeker; 19 grandchildren, Shannon Marie and Robin Thomas Purkey, Cameron Carl and Travis Reid Stout, Jason Paul and Ashley Kay Purkey, Toni Lynn, Justin Charles, Brett Aaron and Natalie Wrae Carroll, Gabriel Wade (Stephanie) Dade, Brandyn Lee (Adam) Dawner, Rachel Ivy, Daskin Samuel, Darion Jacob and Shovonah Rae Dade, Amanda Renae, Jenifer Nicole and Christina Louise Bain. He is also survived by three sisters, Leanna Carroll of Denver, Patricia (Ed) Schuch of Marlow, Oklahoma, Margaret Ann (Phil) Jackson of Westminster and a sister-in-law, Mary Carroll of Fort Collins as well as many other family members.
Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 6 from Holy Family Catholic Church with The Reverend Father Roger Lascelle, officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow in the Highland Cemetery
of Meeker. Visitation will be at Cochran Memorial Chapel until 8 p.m. Thursday.
Friends who wish may make memorial contributions to the Don Carroll Memorial Fund through Cochran Memorial Chapel which has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.
Joseph J. McPhail
May 27, 1924 - March 30, 2004
Longtime Rangely carpenter and businessman Joseph J. McPhail, 79, died March 30, 2004, at his rural Rangely home.
Joseph James McPhail was born May 27, 1924, in Sublette, Kan., the son of Charles Augusta and Katie (Base) McPhail. At age 19, Joe met and married Pauline Skinner on July 24, 1943, in Pratt, Kan. Joe began his home building career in Ashland, Kansas and in October of 1956 they moved to Rangely where Mr. McPhail worked as a building contractor. Throughout the years he built more than 50 homes in Rangely and was extremely proud of having built the Rangely Christian Church of which he was a member.
A devoted family man, Mr. McPhail enjoyed spending time outside, fishing, hunting and riding his snowmobile.
Survivors include his wife of nearly 61 years, Pauline, of the family home, four children, Jody (Mike) Maxson of Craig; Jim 'Mose' (Joyce) McPhail of Meeker; Tony (Vicki) McPhail of Rangely; Traci (Dale) Files of Gypsum; nine grandchildren, Joe, Aaron, C.J., John, Amberlee, Jason, Dustin, Crystal and Ryan; 10 great-grandchildren; one brother, Marvin (Ellen) McPhail of Ashland, Kan., as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
His parents, two sisters and two brothers have preceded him in death.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday from the Rangely Christian Church. Grandsons C.J. McPhail and John McPhail will officiate at the services.
Cochran Memorial Chapel of Rangely has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.
Francis G. Washburn
December 15, 1919 - March 26, 2004
Francis G. Washburn, (Ted), 84, of 50 South St., Williamsburg, Mass., died March 26, 2004, in the presence of his loving family at Calvin Coolidge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Northampton, Mass.
Born Dec. 15, 1919, in Racine, Wis., he was the son of the late David Curtis Washburn and Mary Magdeline (Schlosser) Washburn.
He grew up in Racine, Wis., where he attended Washington Park High School He attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison but entered military service in 1943 by joining the Army Air Cops as a pilot. He married Marion E. Peterson also of Racine on Dec. 26, 1942. He received a bachelor of arts degree from Washington University, St. Louis, Mo., in 1954 and a Divinity Degree from Seabury-Western Seminary, Evenston, Ill., in 1956. He was ordained an Episcopal minister in 1956, and began serving as the minister of St. James Episcopal Church, Macon, Mo., in 1956. He served at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and Church of The Ascension in St. Louis, Mo., from 1959 to 1965.
In addition, he was the chairman of the Department of Christian Education from 1960-1962, served in the Department of Missions from 1963-1965, the Strategy and Planning Commission from 1963-1965, and the Standing Committee in 1965, all within the Diocese of Missouri in St. Louis.
From 1965 to 1968, he was the co-coordinator for a pilot diocesan program in Houston, Texas, and from 1968 to 1979 he served in the executive office of the Diocese in Cleveland, Ohio. From 1979 to 1982, he served the Church of the Redeemer in Sayre, Penn.. He retired in 1982, and moved to Albuquerque, N.M. In 1992, he and Marion moved to Williamsburg, Mass.
He was predeceased by is brothers Charles H. Washburn and Curtis Washburn and his sisters Ella Poulsen and Louis Poulsen. He is survived by his wife, Marion E. Washburn of Williamsburg, Mass. two sons, Timothy F. Washburn and his wife, Julia of Leeds, Mass., Michael P. Washburn and his wife, Mary of Meeker and daughter Elizabeth A. Mandelkow and her husband, Roger of Buhl, Idaho, and six grandchildren: Adam Washburn of Northampton, Abigail Washburn of Hapden, Conn., Anna Washburn of Killington, Vt., Christopher Washburn of Castlerock, Colo., John Washburn of Grand Junction, Colo. and Sarah Washburn of Meeker. Also, three step-grandchildren Janna and Julie Mandelkow of Boise, Idaho, and Mike Mandelkow of Sacramento, Calif.
A memorial service was held April 3 at John’s Episcopal Church in Northampton, Mass. His ashes were interred in St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Racine, Wis. There were no calling hours.
Memorial contributions can be made to St. John’s Episcopal. The Czelusniak Funeral Home of Northampton is handling arrangements.
William Henry Jacobs
July 27, 1909 - May 20, 2004
Henry Jacobs, 94, died on May 20, 2004, in Chico, Calif. Henry was born to John and Mary Jacobs July 27, 1909, in Denver, Colo. Henry’s father had homesteaded at White River City in 1905 and would go to Denver in the winter and work as a carpenter. When Henry was three months old the family moved to the White River for good.
Henry was known as an extremely hard worker. At the age of 17 Henry assumed responsibility of the crops while his father cared for the sheep on the summer range. Due to his father’s health Henry assumed all responsibilities at age 21.
Henry married Alice Barnes on May 20, 1938, and they had two children, Elbert and Kathryn. Both are deceased. Alice died in 2000.
Henry loved to make the ground produce. When Piceance Creek did not provide enough irrigation water he put a pump in the White River and pumped water up on the mesa. He leveled land and put in tile drains to increase production. He crossed fenced his rangeland to better control grazing. He was always looking for ways to make his land produce more. If a problem arose he did not spend any time worrying about it. He just got busy after fixing whatever was wrong.
In 1964 Mike and Mary Grady entered into the ranch operation with the Jacobs.
Henry and Alice lived at White River City until that ranch was sold in 1971 and then the operation was moved to Strawberry Creek. They bought a home in Grand Junction in 1978 but Henry continued to return to the ranch every summer to help with the sheep and the haying. In 1998 when Alice’s health begin to fail they moved to Chico, Calif., to be near their daughter.
Henry is survived by his son-in-law Paul Anderson of Chico; granddaughters Karen Benyhill of St. Joseph, Mich.; Kristin Caywood of Rio Linda, Calif., and Robin Young of Chico; great-grandson Ethan Berryhill and great-granddaughter Harley Young.
Henry and Alice were also grandparents to the four Grady children.
Henry said one time that he thought man was put on the earth to work so he figured he just as well try to do a good job of it and he sure did.
George A. 'Bud' Rienau
January 1, 1920 - August 4, 2004
Lifelong Meeker resident George A. 'Bud' Rienau, 84, died Aug. 4, 2004, at his home.
George Austin Rienau, Jr. was born Jan. 1, 1920, in Meeker, the son of George Austin and Bertha Eleanor (Elton) Rienau.
He attended school in Meeker, graduating with the Rio Blanco County High School in 1940. In 1940, he also eloped with his high school sweetheart Nihla Rose Martin.
Following his graduation he entered the United States Army where he served in Battery B, 42nd Field Artillery Unit of the Fourth Division, fighting on Utah Beach on D-Day and also participated in the campaigns of Normandy, North France, Ardennes, Rhineland and in Central Europe, having been honorably discharged at the end of World War II.
After returning to Meeker, George farmed and ranched on the family ranch, and did custom farming.
In the late 1940s, he worked for Reg Nichols and also for the Devereaux Brothers. During the 50s, he drove a truck, hauling road oil throughout Colorado.
In 1958, he returned to ranching on the homestead ranch, also working for Rio Blanco County and Troy Pearce.
From 1969-1977 he worked for the State of Colorado Department of Transportation and from 1977 until his retirement in 1990 from Colowyo.
George had a great thirst for learning.
He was well-read on many subjects and loved to regale his family, friends and strangers with stories and tales.
He held a pilot’s license and taught ground school classes.
Survivors include one son, George A. Rienau, III of Meeker; five grandchildren, Laura (Davey) Smith and Austin Rienau, both of Meeker; Ross Rienau of Denver, Melinda Rienau of Yerington, Nevada, Emily Rienau of Meeker, two great-granddaughters, Brittany and Meghan Smith and four cousins, Alice Frost, Don Boyd, Nancy Cox and Doris Rienau.
Funeral services were held Saturday, August 7 at Cochran Memorial Chapel with Rayburn Cox, officiating.
Interment with military honors was made in the Highland Cemetery.
Cochran Memorial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.
Staff Sergeant Grant R. Unrien
October 7, 1973 - August 5, 2004
Staff Sergeant Grant R. Unrien, 30, died Aug. 5, 2004, at the Veteran Affair’s Medical Center in Grand Junction following a valiant battle with cancer.
Grant Ross Unrein was born Oct. 7, 1973, in Boulder the son of Denis and Linda Kay (Switzer) Unrein.
As a young boy the family moved to Meeker where Grant attended schools, graduating with the class of 1992.
While in school Grant participated in track, wrestling and football. He graduated on Saturday and on Wednesday began a 12-year career with the United States Army.
Grant was a fine and outstanding soldier as can be witnessed by his numerous medals and citations.
Shortly before his death he was honored by the United States of America by receiving the Meritorious Service Medal.
He was a life member of V.F.W. Post #5843, enjoyed being outdoors hunting and fishing and was an excellent pool player.
As a youngster, Grant’s mother, Linda, passed away. It was Grant who 'helped' his father propose to Linda’s best friend, Anne, who became his second mom.
He is survived by his parents, Denis and Anne Unrein of Meeker, one brother, Denis Unrein, II of Las Animas, one step-sister, Leslie Croley of Mt. Vernon, Wash., three nieces, Jesika Unrien, Cheri Filloon and Lindsay Croley, one nephew, Trenton Croley and a great-niece, Neveah Filloon. He is also survived by his grandmother Opal Switzer of Medford, Ore.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 14 from Cochran Memorial Chapel. Full military rites will precede the interment in Highland Cemetery. Friends may call Friday until 8 p.m. or Saturday prior to services at the funeral home.
