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Mary Maureen (Ruckman) Bockius
February 22, 1933 - October 7, 2002
Maureen Bockius, age 69, of Carmichael, Calif., entered into eternal rest Oct. 7, 2002, at Mercy San Juan Hospital, Carmichael, Calif. with her family at her side. Mary Maureen was born Feb. 22, 1933, at the T.L. Ruckman Ranch, Powell Park, Meeker, Colo. She was the second of five children born to Morris Thomas and Alice Marie (Anderson) Ruckman. Maureen spent her formative years in Meeker and Grand Junction, Colorado and was graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1951 and attended Mesa Jr. College. She married Elmer Eugene Bockius Dec. 23, 1951, at her parents’ home in Grand Junction. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Dec. 23, 2001. Maureen spent her married life mainly in the Denver area and Sacramento County, Calif.
She was employed by the state of California in the justice department for 26 years and after her retirement volunteered countless hours at Mercy San Juan Hospital. Maureen’s interests included mainly her family who she was very proud of. She also enjoyed gardening, traveling along the Pacific Coast and cooking for family gatherings. Maureen was a very selfless, honest, caring person and a loving friend to many. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
Maureen is survived by her husband Elmer, sons Steven Eugene Bockius (Jacquie) of Yuba City, Calif. and Michael Wayne Bockius (Lois) of Roseville, Calif., daughter Maureen Yvonne 'Reenie' Morgan of California. She also leaves behind grand-children, Dan and Craig Bockius, Chelsea and Casey Bockius, Heidi Lucas and one great-grandson. She also is survived by four brothers, Robert Thomas 'Tom' Ruckman (Betty) of Prineville, Ore., William Eugene 'Bill' Ruckman (Oleta) of Craig, Albert Charles 'Butch' Ruckman (Sue) of Commerce City, Colo., Gary Lee Ruckman (Nancy) of Arvada, Colo., and many nieces and nephews Maureen was preceded in death by her parents Morris Thomas Ruckman and Alice Marie Ruckman. She was a special angel on loan to us — a very grateful family.
A memorial service was held Oct. 19, 2002, at East Lawn Memorial Chapel in Carmichael, Calif. Donations may be made to: The Mercy San Juan Hospital Guild c/o Mercy San Juan Hospital 6501 Coyle Ave. Carmichael, Calif. 95608.
Leone J. (Stage) Butler
August 31, 1925 - November 20, 2002
Leone Jean Butler, 77, died Nov. 20, 2002, at the E. Dene Moore Nursing Home in Rifle. Jean was born Aug. 31, 1925, in Bentenville, Ark., to the parents of Pearl and Marjorie Stage.
Jean met her future husband, Jim, in Denver upon his military discharge. They were united in marriage in Grand Junction on Jan. 30, 1946.
Jim and Jean lived in various locations throughout Garfield and Rio Blanco counties. Jean’s hobbies included traveling, cooking, shopping at Wal-Mart, reading and hunting Indian artifacts.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father; brother; two sisters; Curtis J. Butler (husband); and daughters Sheila J Butler and Barbara Faye Butler. Jean leaves behind a son; Les Butler of Mt. Vernon, Wash.; a daughter Terry L. Tso of Aztec, N.M.; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
A memorial luncheon was held at the Rifle Senior Citizens Center on Nov. 23. Memorial contributions in Mrs. Butler’s name may be made to the Dene Moore Nursing Home of Rifle.
Owen A. Grant of Grant Mortuary in Craig, Colo., was in charge of arrangements.
Claude Shults
Memorial Notice
A memorial service for Claude Edward Shults will be Friday, Nov. 22 at Meeker Mortuary at 2 p.m. Shults, 91, died Nov. 4, 2002, at Valley Manor Care Center in Montrose, Colo.
Norma Hay Jack
August 26, 1914 - November 6, 2002
Norma Hay Jack, the youngest daughter of Fletcher and Nora Hay, Rio Blanco County pioneers, was born Aug. 26, 1914, in Powell Park near Meeker. She was graduated from Rio Blanco County High School in 1930. After graduation she moved to Long Beach, Calif. She married Marion Jack in Alhambra, Calif., and later moved to Eugene, Ore. They retired in Yachats, Ore., in 1970. She passed away in Albany, Ore., on Nov. 6, 2002.
Preceding her in death was her husband, Marion Jack, her parents, and four sisters and two brothers. She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews including Dean Parr and Marge Rogers of Meeker.
A memorial graveside service was held Nov. 19 at Highland Cemetery
in Meeker. Memorial contributions may be made to St. James Episcopal Church or the Meeker Museum.
Claude Edward Shults
February 18, 1911 - November 4, 2002
Claude Edward Shults, 91, died Nov. 4, 2002, at Valley Manor Care Center in Montrose, Colo.
Claude was born Feb. 18, 1911, at Goodrich Kan. to Walter Olen and Lola M. Eddy Shults. He spent his childhood in Grand Valley, Colo. and was graduated from high school in Rifle. He then went to work for the Joy Motor Company in Meeker. Claude worked as a heavy equipment operator and rancher for most of his life.
On Dec. 21, 1936, he married Dorothy A. Grove in Denver. She died Jan. 10, 1988.
Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Larry M. and Sherrard Shults of Tucson, Ariz. and Otto C. and Barbara Shults of Montrose, Colo., two brothers, Ivo Shults of Meeker and Donald Shults of Loma, Colo., a sister, Bernice Anderson of Meeker, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
His parents, wife, three brothers and two sisters preceded him in death.
Claude lived in Buford and Meeker for the majority of his life. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, horseback riding and the joy of his life was his mule, Chamois. Claude was mayor of Meeker from 1976 to 1982.
A memorial service was held at First Presbyterian Church in Montrose on Nov. 9 with Dr. Paul Parsons officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the 4-H Livestock Judging Team of Rio Blanco County.
George Edward Ross
February 22, 1929 - November 7, 2002
George Ross, 73, a resident of Naturita, Colo., for 25 years, passed away from natural causes on Nov. 7, 2002. A celebration of his life and potluck dinner was held Nov. 11 in the Naturita Community Center. Ross was born to Jesse Corbett and Christeen (Randall) Ross on Feb. 22, 1929 in Loyal, Okla. He attended schools in Meeker. Ross was a veteran of WWII, serving in the US Army during the occupation of Germany. He was honorably discharged at Camp Carson, Colo. Ross married Barbara Helen Fickle on July 22, 1953, in Los Animas, N.M. They later divorced and he married Lolita 'Lolly' Farris McGuffee on Aug. 30, 1986, in Naturita. Prior to living in Naturita, Ross resided in Meeker and Ouray, Colo. Ross was formerly employed as a ranch hand, uranium miner and a truck driver. He enjoyed being with his large 'close-knit' family, hunting, fishing, pitching horse shoes, horses, western music, old western movies, watching the Broncos, the Rockies, NASCAR races and his little buddy Tuffy.
Ross is survived by his wife of 16 years: Lolly of Naturita; sons: George (Sherri) Ross, and James Ross both of Naturita; Larry (Marilyn) McGuffee of Midvale, Utah, Ron McGuffee of Murry, Utah, Jerry (Dolores) McGuffee of Lemoore, Calif., and Ken (Lisa) McGuffee of Coudersport, Penn.; daughters: Janice Sparks of Naturita, Mary (Wayne) Harrison of Delta, Colo., and Karen Stewart of Montrose, Colo.; a brother: Lawrence Ross of Denver and a sister; Bertha (Bill) Zimmerman of Craig; 16 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by is parents, brothers; Arthur Baker, Harold Baker, Frank Ross, Jesse Ross, Ervin Ross; a sister Ruth McGruder and a grandchild, Kennth Harrison. Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, hale and Jerkin Funeral Directors are serving the family.
Gerald V. 'Jerry' Harlow
October 28, 2002
Gerald V. 'Jerry' Harlow, 79, Grand Junction, died Oct. 28, 2002, with family at his side.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 1 p.m. at Mt. Garfield Retirement Home, 3291 Lombardy Lane in Clifton, Colo.
Mr. Harlow was a World War II veteran and a charter member of the Elks Lodge. He is survived by four children, Michael Harlow of San Jose, Calif.; Dene Harlow of Arvada; Linda Harlow Overbeck of Edwardsville, Ill.; and Mary Harlow Gilley of Grand Junction; as well as five grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado, P.O. Box 60307, Grand Junction 81506.
Sarah Jane Amick
March 25, 1926 - Oct. 30, 2002
Sarah Jane Amick, 76, of Orange, Calif., died Oct. 30, 2002, in Orange.
Sarah Jane Avery was born March 25, 1926, in Phoenix, Ariz., to Charles Ephriam and Mary Gladys (Hodges) Avery. She was raised in Bakersfield, Calif., where she attended school. She was quite musically inclined, singing and playing the violin. She served in the Cadet Nurse Corp during World War II and on Sept. 5, 1945, married Vern Arthur Amick in Bakersfield.
While her husband was in college Mrs. Amick worked as a title insurance clerk.
The remainder of her life she spent as a homemaker, being a very devoted and loving wife and mother.
A sharp and quick mind, Sarah Jane loved politics and was an active member of the Orange County Republican Women’s Club. She was a charter member of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial Program.
In addition to her husband of 57 years, she is survived by one daughter, Sheryl Denise Amick of Orange; one sister, Betty Jo Benton and one brother Charles Hodges Avery. Her parents have preceded her in death.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, Nov. 6 at the Meeker Mortuary with Pastor Chris Carr officiating. Interment was made in the Highland Cemetery. Friends may make memorial gifts to the National Osteoporosis Foundation through Meeker Mortuary.
Robert Lee (Bob) Howey
March 17, 1926 - November 4, 2002
Robert Lee Howey, born March 17, 1926, was the son of George and Anna Howey and raised on the Howey Ranch in Powell Park. He attended the Powell Park School and Rio Blanco County High School before joining the Navy. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, primarily as an aviation ordnanceman on the escort carrier U.S.S. Salamaua. His leg injuries began when a Japanese suicide plane plunged into their ship. After the war he returned to Meeker to work on ranches and oil rigs.
On July 3, 1949, he married Lucy Jane Smith and they began their married life in Denver where he had taken a job in the Montgomery Ward appliance department. After two years of city life they returned to Meeker where he bought into the Credit Bureau with Clark and John Wix. Later they bought the ranch that Ethel Owens now owns and the local Cleaning Shop which kept him very busy trying to keep both places going. His last business was the Valley Motel in Meeker, which he sold in 1978 and retired. Bob enjoyed hunting, turkey shoots, camping and old cars. He took great pride in his 1929 Model A Roadster that George has today. He was a hard worker, a doer not a watcher. As Roy Sizemore once said, 'Just start to tighten the nut on a bolt or something like that and Bob soon would take wrench and finish the job.' Bob is survived by his wife of 53 years, Lucy Jane; his son George and wife Claire of Meeker; a daughter-in-law, Patrice of Grand Junction and four grandchildren Tonya Howey of Denver, Ivy Howey of Fort Collins, Kyle and Tyler Howey of Meeker. His son Alan preceded him in death. Bob was 76 years old and died on Nov. 4, 2002. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Highland Cemetery. The members of Rio Blanco Lodge #80, AF&AM will officiate with assistance from the Rev. Stephen Samples of St. James Church. Friends may make memorial contributions to Rio Blanco Lodge #80, AF&AM through Meeker Mortuary, P.O. Box 1048, Meeker, which is in care of the arrangements.
Claude E. Shults
November 4, 2002
Long-time Meeker resident Claude E. Shults, 91, passed away Monday, Nov. 4 in Montrose.
Services will be Saturday, Nov. 9 at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Montrose, 1840 E. Niagara Rd., Montrose.
Jack W. Russell
May 12, 1926 - October 29, 2002
Lifelong Meeker resident Jack W. Russell, 76, died Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2002, at Pioneers Hospital in Meeker. Jack was born May 12, 1926 on the mesa above Meeker to Glenn R. and Pearl E. (Banner) Russell. He attended schools and was graduated from Rio Blanco County High School. Jack served his country in the United States Military, working in base PXs. On June 26, 1952, he was united in marriage to Shirley Jean Lammers. Jean preceded him in death on Oct. 26, 1980. On June 1, 1981 he was united in marriage to Carol Woodard Kilduff. Mrs. Russell survives in the family home. A fixture in Meeker, Jack loved his work on the ranch and loved to rodeo, especially roping. He enjoyed restoring old cars and working with motors, having restored 40 'Hit and Miss' motors, many of which were featured in the Fourth of July parade. He was an avid snowmobiler and enjoyed collecting old clocks, guns, tractors and cars. Jack was a member of St. James& Ep Episcopal Church, a 50-year member of Rio Blanco Lodge #80, AF&AM as well as VFW Post #5843 in Meeker. In addition to his wife, Carol, he is survived by three daughters, Jane Larson and her husband Don of Kirby, Wyoming; Samme Elder and her husband Paul and Trish Russell all of Meeker; three stepchildren, Howard Kilduff and his wife Peggy of Meeker; Jamie Owen and her husband Bill of Eckert and Jody Squire and her husband Jeff of Meeker. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and two sisters, Norma Kelly of Brighton, his twin sister, Carolyn Sullivan and her husband Fran of Meeker and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at St. James& Ep Episcopal Church. Inter-ment with military and Masonic rites will follow in Highland Cemetery. Friends may make memorial contributions to either the American Cancer Society or the American Lung Association through Meeker Mortuary which has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Alameda 'Bobbie' Merle Page
March 20, 1916 - October 26, 2002
Alameda was born March 20, 1916, in Grand Junction to John Emery Foltz and Lelah Helen Myner. She grew up in the Fruita, Loma and Appleton areas of Mesa County and attended schools through the 10th grade in Grand Junction.
Page moved to Delta where she met her husband Otis E. Page. The Justice of the Peace in Montrose married them Aug. 25, 1938. On her marriage certificate she went by the name of Merle Foltz. When asked why, she said 'I liked the name. I used Merle in school.'
She lived in Naturita, Colo., in a tent after her marriage. They later moved to Ogden, Utah in 1941 where she worked in the shipping department at Hill Field until December 1945. After her husband’s discharge from the Army, they moved to Delta in 1946. She lived in Rangely for 14 years while her husband worked in the oil fields. The story was told that she and her husband drove from Rangely to Colorado Springs in mid-January in a blizzard to pick up their baby boy. They adopted Ronald Otis Page born Dec. 14, 1950.
In 1959, she moved to Baytown, Texas and nine months later moved to Wamsutter, Wyo. They then were transferred to Woods Cross, Utah. In 1978 they moved to Evanston, Wyo., and lived there until her husband’s retirement in 1981 when they moved back to Delta.
She was a member of the Delta Christian Church. She enjoyed hunting, fishing, arrowhead hunting, collecting bottles and insulators. She also like to sew, attend auctions, garage sales and she also loved to travel. She loved her family and liked plants and flowers.
She is survived by her husband Otis E. Page, a son Ronald O and wife Linda A. Page of Delta; three grandsons, Thomas E. Page of Casper, Wyo., Johnathan J. Page of Delta, and Donald G. Page of Cheyenne, Wyo. Five great-grandchildren, Samantha Almond, Otis James Page, Julianna M. Page, Jacob R. Page and Suzann A. Page as well as several nieces and nephews also survive.
Funeral services will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. in the Mesa View Mortuary Chapel with Rev. Don Bavor and Rev. Howard Cowan officiating. Burial will follow at Delta City Cemetery. Visitations were held on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Mesa View Mortuary.
Condolences may be sent to the online memorial at www.mesaview.net.
Arrangements were held by Mesa View Mortuary-Cemetery in Delta.
Ora Mae Clinard
May 1, 1908 - October 18, 2002
Ora Mae Clinard, 94, of Meeker died Oct. 18, 2002, at the Walbridge Memorial Wing in Meeker.
Ora Mae Rich was born May 1, 1908, in Princeton, Ky., the daughter of John Henry and Dora (Crisp) Rich. She was raised in rural Kentucky and on Christmas Eve of 1933 was united in marriage to Charles Clinard who has preceded her in death. Shortly after their marriage the couple moved to Chicago, Ill., and semi-retired to Denver where Mrs. Clinard worked in the yard goods, trimmings and patterns department at May D&F.
An accomplished seamstress, Mrs. Clinard took great pride in her handworks and taught all of her granddaughters to sew. In her eighties, Ora Mae began oil painting.
She was a member of the Baptist faith and was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother.
Survivors include two daughters, Janice Selepchak of Hemet, Calif.; Sharon Ward of Texas; five grandchildren including Amy May and her husband David of Meeker; 10 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Mary Belle Dyer of Princeton, Ky., and two brothers John 'Bud' Rich and Ted Rich both of Corsicana, Texas.
Funeral services were held Monday, Oct. 21 at the Meeker Mortuary Chapel with Pastor Troy Notz officiating. Interment was made in the Highland Cemetery.
Meeker Mortuary has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.
Aretta M. Findlay
January 18, 1912 - October 21, 2002
Long-time Meeker resident Aretta M. Findlay, 90, died Oct. 21, 2002, at Pioneers Hospital in Meeker.
Aretta Mynell Eighmy was born Jan. 18, 1912, in De Beque, Colo., the daughter of George H. and Dolly Matilda (Smith) Eighmy. When she was 16 years old, the family moved to Meeker where Aretta attended Rio Blanco County High School. In 1929 she was united in marriage to Gus Kracht and to that union four children were born. She and Gus later divorced and in 1941 she was united in marriage to Charles R. Findlay.
She and Charlie had two sons, one of who died as an infant. The couple resided in Meeker where Aretta worked as a waitress and a shop clerk.
She taught herself bookkeeping so she could work alongside Charles with Findlay Electric. Charlie preceded her in death on Dec. 27, 1975.
A devoted Christian, Mrs. Findlay was a member of the Meeker Christian Church. She enjoyed oil painting, various handcrafts and was an avid rockhound. She loved to sing and knew the history of most of the small towns on the western slope.
The matriarch of her family, Aretta was proud of her large family and is survived by her four children, Dorothy Archer of Indian Hills, Colo.; Mary Sifers and her husband James of Montrose, Betty Cott and her husband Bob of Rangely and Fred Findlay and his wife JoAnn of Meeker. She is also survived by 19 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren, one brother, Robert 'Bob' Eighmy and his wife Florence of Denver.
In addition to her husband, Charlie, two sons, Henry and Bobby Joe, her parents, three brothers, George, Ralph and Albert and three sisters, Mary, Elizabeth and Lucille have preceded her in death.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday from the Meeker Mortuary Chapel with Victor Alich, Minister of the Meeker Christian Church officiating. Interment will follow in the Highland Cemetery. Friends may call Friday until 8 p.m. or Saturday from 8 a.m. until service time at the mortuary.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the White River Museum through Meeker Mortuary, which has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Charles M. Nystrom
October 15, 2002
Charles M. Nystrom, 79, of Fruita died Oct. 15, 2002, at his home. Services were held Oct. 19 at 1325 I 1/2 Road, Fruita.
Nystrom was a self-employed builder. He and his father came to Rangely in the 1950s and built the original elementary, junior and high school buildings.
Survivors include his wife Mary Zimmerer, two sons, Charlie of Mesa, and Dick of New York City, N.Y., one sister, Alice Kautz of Sun City, Ariz.; and numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado, P.O. Box 60307, Grand Junction, Colo., 81506 or American Cancer Society Mesa County Unit, P.O. Box 3115, Grand Junction, Colo. 81502.
Steven Ralph Pearce
September 20, 1955 - October 1, 2002
Steven Ralph Pearce was born in Rangely, Colo., Sept. 20, 1955. He grew up in Ft. Collins, Meeker and Delta, Colo. He moved to Netarts, Ore. in 1982. He had a chimney sweeping business in Tillamook County for several years, until poor health forced him to quit.
Steven’ favorite pastime was para-sailing over the Pacific Ocean with his friends.
Survivors include his parents, Robert and Elaine Pearce of Meeker, his brother Pete and wife Layne, sons Derick and Dillan and daughter Reagan, of Meeker, his sister, Elizabeth and her two sons, Ben and Josh of Steamboat Springs, his brother James and wife, Jayne and their son Quintin, of Kinnear, Wyo.
At his request, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at Holy Family Church on Oct. 19, 2002 at 11 a.m. with Rosary the night before at 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Meeker Mortuary for the Lincoln County Dialysis Center in Oregon.
Fonnie Raymond 'Ray' Keeble
January 11, 1922 - October 4, 2002
Ray Keeble died Oct. 4, 2002, in Carson City. He was born Jan. 11, 1922, in Denver, Colo., to Ray and Eunice Amick Keeble.
He attended high school in Colorado. He married Dorothy Marston.
Before moving to Carson City, he lived in Meeker, Colo., for many years
where he worked for several ranches.
Keeble was a former caretaker of Harrah’s Ranch in Reno and later retired from the Carson City Street Department in 1987. He was a member of the Methodist Church.
He served in the U.S. Marines during World War II.
Among his survivors are his wife of 53 years Dorothy; daughter Lois Keeble of Carson City; brothers Kenneth and Frances Keeble of Kingman, Ariz. and one cousin.
Walton’s Carson Gardens Cemetery
was responsible for the arrangements.
