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John T. Long
October 30, 1948 ~ August 16, 2005
John T. Long, 56, died Aug. 16, 2005, at the home of his mother in Dinosaur.
John Thomas Long was born Oct. 30, 1948, in the family home in Craig, the son of John Tharen and Loretta Mae (Wood) Long. As a youngster, the family moved to Florida and later to Longmont where John graduated from high school. A free spirit and lover of the earth, John was an excellent cook and artist. He loved to spend time outdoors hunting, fishing and camping. He also did river rafting guide work for Peter Yarrow of the musical group 'Peter, Paul and Mary.' Throughout the years he did auto body restoration and painting at a Porsche dealership in Boulder and also imported handmade Indian shirts from South America.
John is survived by his mother, Loretta Duncan of Dinosaur, his son, Justin, of Boulder, his longtime companion Linda Smith and her daughters Laura and Pam and their children, whom he considered as his own children and grandchildren, two sisters, Cynthia (Mark) Pearce of Dinosaur and Linda (Larry) Northway of Pratt, Kan., and one brother, George (Diane) Long of North Kingstown, R.I., as well as Justin’s mother, Paula Newcomer. His father and one sister have preceded him in death.
A graveside funeral service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 20 at 3 p.m. in the Dinosaur Cemetery. A visitation for family and friends will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Rangely Mortuary which has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Robert Lee 'Bob' Wise
December 18, 1906 ~ July 15, 2005
Robert Lee 'Bob' Wise of Laporte, Colo., died Friday, July 15, 2005, in Fort Collins.
Bob was born on Dec. 18, 1906, in Meeker, Colo., to Zeb and Hattie (Banner) Wise. He attended a rural school in Meeker, Colo., and junior high and high school in Hotchkiss, Colo. He had been a rancher and worked with the CCCs during the depression. He later owned and operated the Robert L. Wise Construction Company. In 1958 he went into logging and continued with that until his retirement in 1970. He then opened a snowmobile shop in Laporte, Colo.
Bob was first married to Doctor Ann, then to Georgina Rael; mother of Wilfred, John and Boby; Bernice Burner all who preceded him in death. He is survived by Vera Webb his loving wife of 38 years.
He was a member of the Elks Lodge in Meeker, Colo., member of the National Rifle Association and was a founder of the 'Poudre Drift Skippers' snowmobile club and was active with the club until he was 87 years old. He loved snowmobiling, hunting, fishing and ATV four-wheeling.
Survivors include his wife Vera Wise; one son John Wise of Lakewood, Colo., one step-son Wilfred Christopher Rael of Clifton, Colo., one daughter Roberta Wise of Grand Junction, Colo., two step-daughters Deana Lee of Guernsy, Wyo., and Anna Webb of Fort Collins, five grandchildren, eight step-grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother and one sister.
A memorial service was held on Tuesday July 19, 2005, at the Allnutt Funeral Service Drake Road Chapel. The Rev. Bob Geller officiated.
Margaret L. Isaac
July 3, 1909 — July 16, 2005
Margaret Isaac, 96, died Saturday morning, July 16, 2005, at her Denver home.
Margaret was born July 3, 1909, at her Aunt May Ellison’s house on Water Street in Meeker, the only child of John R. and Charity Ann (Brown) Smith.
Margaret’s first three years were spent on her father’s pre-emption, eight miles up river. In 1912, her father homesteaded on Whetstone Hill at the northern foot of LO7 Mountain. In 1914, her parent’s bought the Tomlinson Place on the White River, which remains the family ranch.
Margaret attended the Mesa School for eight years, and continued to Rio Blanco County High School, graduating in 1928. She attended Denver University for three years, returning home in 1931 to teach the Mesa School for a year.
On Aug. 10, 1932, Margaret married Gerhard J. 'Jerry' Isaac at the family ranch home. The couple lived in Washington, D.C., where Margaret completed her BA degree, and in Maryland until they returned to Colorado in 1948.
Margaret was the family historian, authoring John Hardin and His Wives (Willow Bend, 2003) and The Hand Family Scrapbook and The Henry Smith Family (both self-published). Also, she contributed to the This Is What I Remember volumes.
Survivors include Margaret’s son John and wife Terri of Littleton, son David and wife Connie of Burbank, Calif., and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Margaret’s husband Jerry preceded her in death in 1983.
Funeral services will be held at Cochran Memorial Chapel in Meeker at 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 23, with interment to follow at Highland Cemetery.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Museum of White River or to the Pioneer Hospital Memorial Fund through the funeral home office, PO Box 1048; Meeker, Colo., 81641.
Cherice Tafoya
June 5, 1960 ~ June 3, 2005
Cherice Tafoya was born June 5, 1960, and died June 3, 2005. Cherice was the daughter of Daniel A. Sanchez and Carol Santoya. Raised mainly in Thorton, Colo., and one of five brothers and sisters.
Cherice was a loving mother of Yvonne Tafoya, Edward Tafoya Jr., and Issac Sanchez. Cherice received her barber’s license from Denver Barber School.
After cutting hair in Denver for eight years, she moved to Meeker at the urging of local friends and opened Danny’s Barber Shop which was named after her father. Cherice loved Meeker and served the community well with the trade she loved and her willingness to do for others. Cherice left her family, friends and Meeker much too soon and she will be missed by all.
Shariann Beatrice (Arnold) Adams
October 2, 1947 ~ July 18, 2005
Shariann Adams died on July 18, 2005. She was born in Meeker on Oct. 2, 1947, and was the daughter of the late Helen Beatrice Sorensen DeWeese Arnold and the late Clifton Albert Arnold of Meeker.
She was graduated from Meeker High School in May of 1966 then served in the U.S. Army for three years. She married Franklin Delano Adams on Dec. 16, 1967. In April 1973 she and her family moved to Lynchburg, Tenn., where she lived until her death. She was graduated from Motlow State Community College on May 9, 1998, and was a member of the First Methodist Church of Lynchburg, Tenn.
She is survived by her husband, Franklin, and four children, Daryl Orville and Kyle Clifton Adams of Tullahoma, Tenn., Shawn Michael and Miranda Beatrice Adams of Lynchburg, Tenn. She is also survived by one sister and three brothers, Marilee I. (Arnold) Guise of New Castle, Colo., Darrell C. Arnold, Clifton W. Arnold of Meeker and Harold E. DeWeese of Roseburg, Ore. One sister, Roma Lee Arnold Wilson Hefti of Denver and a brother, Jimmy D. Arnold of Meeker and three nephews preceded her in death.
Memorial services will be 10 a.m., Saturday, July 23 at the First United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions may be given to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Memphis, Tenn., or Hospice of the Highland Rim, Tullahoma, Tenn. Jennings-Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, Lynchburg, Tenn., is in charge of the arrangements.
Philip Craig Pratt
December 30, 1932 ~ July 5, 2005
Philip Craig Pratt, former resident of Delta, Meeker, and Montrose, Colorado, died on Tuesday, July 5, 2005, in Oklahoma City, Okla.
Philip Craig Pratt was born on Dec. 30, 1932, to Phil S. and Lillian O. Pratt in Delta, Colo. He attended school in Delta, Meeker and Montrose, where he was graduated from Montrose High School with the class of 1951. He and his brother-in-law, Harold Broughton, were on the Montrose High School state championship football team the fall of 1950. He was also on the Colorado all-state football team, 1950; Montrose High School state championship baseball team, 1951; Montrose High School state championship runner-up basketball team, 1951; and the Montrose High School track and field team, setting a record in the 100-yard dash of 10 seconds. He was a member of the National Honor Society, Thespians and band.
Phil was graduated from Colorado A & M (Now Colorado State University) in 1955, with a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering.
He participated on the football team, was a member of the Air Force ROTC, Scabbard & Blade, Math Honor Society, president of the senior class, and was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.
After college, Phil joined the U.S. Air Force and was on active duty for four years, attaining rank of captain.
His marriage to Barbara Jean Busey (Miss Colorado of 1955) in June of 1955, ended in divorce. He has two children from that marriage: Michelle Aree Smith of Denver, Colo., and Michael Philip Pratt of Rogers, AK; and granddaughters: Stephanie Dodds Chachkhiani of Denver, Colo., and Nicole Mariah Pratt of Rogers, AK; and triplet great-granddaughters that are due on Aug. 3, 2005.
Phil married Daisy Joe Satterwhite in September of 1962. They have a daughter, Amy Craig Pratt of Oklahoma City, Okla.; granddaughters: Katie and Annie; along with three stepchildren: Janet, Linda, and Wally and their children.
Phil is further survived by his sister and husband, Carol Ann and Harold Broughton of Delta, Colo.; her three daughters and four granddaughters; and nine cousins all of Colorado.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Philip S. and Lillian O. Pratt.
Phil’s hobbies and interests were fishing on Grand Mesa, participating and watching all sports. He was also an avid bridge player. The most important thing in his life was his family and helping others by being a mentor and counselor.
Cremation and services have taken place in Oklahoma City, Okla.
Memorial contributions may be made in Phil’s memory to the American Diabetes Association, 2480 W. 26th Ave., Suite 120 B, Denver, CO 80211, or to American Diabetes Association, Juvenile Diabetes Division, 120 Wall St., 19th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10005-400l.
LaVaughn Staley
September 5, 1931 ~ June 28, 2005
Well-known Rangely resident LaVaughn Staley, 73, died June 28, 2005, at the Rangely District Hospital.
LaVaughn Murray was born Sept. 5, 1931, in Jensen, Utah, the daughter of Joseph Hyrum and Mable (Woodard) Murray. She attended schools and was graduated with the 1949 Uintah High School graduating class.
On Sept. 17, 1950, she was united in marriage to Robert E. Staley. Mr. Staley preceded her in death on Jan. 12, 2001.
A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mrs. Staley worked as a clerk at Bestway in Rangely and also managed the cafeteria at Colorado Northwestern Community College. She was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother and friend.
Survivors include her three sons, Gary Eugene Staley and his wife Kathy, Robert E. Staley, Jr. and his wife Teresa and Tommy J. Staley and his wife Wanda, all of Rangely, seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and two sisters, Hazel Smith of Jensen, Utah, and Lilly Mae Batty of Salt Lake City, Utah.
In addition to her husband she is preceded in death by two brothers, Hyrum Charles and Ray.
Funeral services were held Friday, July 1 from the Rangely Wards Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Interment was made in the Rangely Cemetery
under the direction of Cochran’s Rangely Mortuary.
Earl Eliasen
March 28, 1942 ~ July 9, 2005
Lifelong Meeker resident and cowboy Earl E. Eliasen, 63, died July 9, 2005, at Pioneers Hospital.
Earl Edward Eliasen was born on the Elk Creek Ranch near Sleepy Cat on March 28, 1942, one of 15 children born to Antone B. 'Whitey' and Mary (Findlay) Eliasen. He attended schools in Meeker, and was graduated with the class of 1961. Following his graduation he furthered his education in Garden City, Kan., with plans of someday teaching school.
Earl returned to Meeker where he worked in the oilfields and did wrangler work and horseshoeing on various ranches. At the time of his death he self-employed as a fencing contractor.
Earl loved to be outdoors, hunting, fishing, team roping and music.
He is survived by his wife, Cathy Caldwell, of Meeker, three sons, David Adams of Salt Lake City, Utah, Travis Adams of Meeker, Justin Eliasen of Clark, one step-son, Tod Gould of Meeker, two grandchildren, Cheyenne and Brittany and a step-grandson, Drake Thomas.
He is also survived by his brothers and sisters, Ed (Jan) Eliasen of Greeley, Elaine Webber of Craig, Elizabeth Devore of Meeker, Enid (Dave) Steffen of Meeker, Ellis Eliasen of Meeker, Elton Eliasen of Meeker, Eldrid 'Sis' (Don) Anding of Albion, Neb.; Jenny (Ken) Megahey of Mesa, Ariz.; Jerry (Catherine) Eliasen of Meeker, John Eliasen of Meeker, Sue (Roger) Peters of Fairbanks, Alaska, Zina Eliasen of Meeker, Ron Eliasen of DuBois, Wyo.; Sara (Mac) Richardson of Green River, Wyo., one half-sister, Patty Jane (Don) Barber of Auburn, Wash., as well numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday from the Highland Cemetery. Following the services, friends are invited to a picnic to celebrate Earl’s memory at the City Park.
In lieu of flowers, friends may make memorial contributions to the Earl Eliasen Memorial Fund at Mountain Valley Bank.
The proceeds from the fund will be used to purchase a new roping chute at the rodeo arena and for other improvements to the fairgrounds.
Cochran Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Vic Douglass
April 5, 1929 ~ July 4, 2005
On July 4, 2005, God called home one of his earthly angels Efferd 'Vic' Douglass who died from a tragic accident.
Vic was born April 5, 1929, to Joseph and Edith Douglass in Nutty-Combe Township, Kan. He grew up on the family farm where love of God, family, hard work and integrity were the order of the day. There was never a lack of love or support as he was one of the youngest of 12 children.
He was driving truck for a living when he met Ardith Robison, fell in love and they married in 1954. Together they embarked upon almost 51 years of life and love. To this union, God blessed them with two daughters, Rhonda and Diana.
He worked for the Ford Motor Company in Yuma, Colo., until he and Ardith moved the family to Meeker. He discovered his new home because of his love of hunting. There was always deer and elk in the freezer for the winter.
Vic went to work for Reg Nichols Sales and Service and stayed for many years. It was there he became familiar with another of his passions, snowmobiling. He became an avid rider and joined the White River Snowmobile Club where he served in many positions. He was always there when the call went out for someone in need. He spent many hours grooming trails and working on the equipment.
He was also an active member of the Meeker Christian Church, serving in many capacities. He could always be counted on to do what needed to be done and he passed that love of God on to everyone he met just by the example he set.
Vic later went to work for Berthoud Motors where he retired to enjoy the rest of his life with family and friends. This enabled him to enjoy his other hobby, restoring antique John Deere tractors. He won numerous awards in parades on the western slope because of the diligence and hard work he put in on them.
He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Joseph and Edith Douglass, seven brothers, Albert, Lawrence, Ted, Lloyd, Benny, Marion and Dickie and one sister, Dorothy.
Survivors include his loving and devoted wife of 50 years, Ardith, daughter Rhonda Puseman and her husband Ray of Bellevue, Nebraska, daughter Diana Douglass of Vernal, Utah, grandsons Adam and Cody Puseman, Joseph Ridings and his wife Peggy and one great granddaughter, Ada Lyn Ridings, brothers Robert and Glen and sister Muriel.
Funeral services will be held Friday, July 8 at 10:30 a.m. at the Meeker Christian Church with Rev. Larry Heath presiding. Interment will follow in the Highland Cemetery. Friends may call this evening from 4-8 p.m. at Cochran Memorial Chapel in Meeker.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Meeker Christian Church or the charity of the donor’s choice. Cochran Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Cherise Tafoya
June 5, 1960 ~ June 3, 2005
Cherice Tafoya was born June 5, 1960, and died June 3, 2005. Cherice was the daughter of Daniel A. Lanchez and Carol Santoya.
Raised mainly in Thorton, Colo., and one of five brothers and sisters, Cherice was a loving mother of Yvonne Tafoya, Edward Tafoya Jr. and Issac Lanchez.
Cherice received her barber’s license from Denver Barber School. After cutting hair in Denver for eight years, she moved to Meeker at the urging of local friends and opened Danny’s Barber Shop which was named after her father.
Cherice loved Meeker and served the community well with the trade she loved and her willingness to do for others. Cherice left her family, friends and Meeker much too soon and she will be missed by all.
Iona M. Adamson
September 17, 1931 ~ July 4, 2005
Iona M. Adamson, 73, of Meeker died July 4, 2005, at Pioneers Medical Center.
Iona Mae Peterson was born Sept. 17, 1931, in Idaho Springs, Idaho, the daughter of Clarence and Mabel (Thompson) Peterson. As a toddler the family moved to Meeker where she attended school.
On April 22, 1962 she was united in marriage to George E. Adamson in Las Vegas. The family lived in Las Vegas where Iona was a homemaker. In the early 1990s she returned to Meeker where George preceded her in death on Sept. 22, 1996.
Iona was a loving and devoted wife and mother and friend. She loved her animals and had a great artistic ability and enjoyed crocheting.
Survivors include her three daughters, Mary Belcher and her husband Richard, Elaine Fogle and Rusty Todd and her husband Ray, all of Meeker, her brothers-in-law, Steve Bringard and Leland 'Mac' McClain, both of Meeker, seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, she is preceded in death by one grandson, Vernon Todd, one granddaughter, Marion Roberts, two sisters, Velma Bringard and Lenora 'Rusty' McClain, one brother, Clarence L. 'Pete' Peterson and her parents.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. today, Thursday, July 7 from Cochran Memorial Chapel with Ran Cochran officiating. Inurnment will follow in the Highland Cemetery.
LaVaughn Staley
September 5, 1931 ~ June 28, 2005
Well-known Rangely resident LaVaughn Staley, 73, died June 28, 2005, at the Rangely District Hospital.
LaVaughn Murray was born Sept. 5, 1931, in Jensen, Utah, the daughter of Joseph Hyrum and Mable (Woodard) Staley. She attended schools and was graduated with the 1949 Uintah High School graduating class.
On Sept. 17, 1950, she was united in marriage to Robert E. Staley. Mr. Staley preceded her in death on Jan. 12, 2001.
A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mrs. Staley worked as a clerk at Bestway in Rangely and also managed the cafeteria at Colorado Northwestern Community College. She was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother and friend.
Survivors include her three sons, Gary Eugene Staley and his wife Kathy, Robert E. Staley, Jr. and his wife Teresa and Tommy J. Staley and his wife Wanda, all of Rangely, seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and two sisters, Hazel Smith and Lilly Mae Batty both of Jensen, Utah.
In addition to her husband she is preceded in death by two brothers, Hyrum Charles and Ray.
Funeral services were held Friday, July 1 from the Rangely Wards Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Interment was made in the Rangely Cemetery
under the direction of Cochran’s Rangely Mortuary.
Cliff Mann
June 8, 1919 ~ June 25, 2005
On June 25, 2005, Cliff Mann finished his greatest story, to be continued in the company of The Master Story Teller in the next life.
The first chapter told of his birth to Alice and Richard Mann in Stratford, Okla., on June 8, 1919. Many stories abound between his birth and when he joined the United States Navy in 1942. He fought for his country as a Navy Seabee in World War II, stationed in the South Pacific. Aside from the fact that he was a soldier, his main contribution was acquiring and showing movies for his comrades in arms. He carried this gift for entertainment over to civilian life where he began managing movie theatres.
His life took a romantic turn when he met and married Allene Latham on June 5, 1946. Three months after marrying, a fire broke out during a Saturday matinee in the theatre Cliff and Allene were managing. The theatre was full of children, but Cliff didn’t leave the building until he had checked every seat and until he was certain no other children remained. This quiet heroism was typical of Cliff’s behavior. He never sought recognition and when it was offered, he was humbled and embarrassed by it.
Two daughters graced Cliff and Allene’s lives. Jodi lives with her husband Michael Calhoun and son Copper in Friday Harbor, Wash. Kim lives with her husband Garry Poulton, son Denton and daughter Shelby in Bountiful, Utah.
Cliff is survived in this life by Allene, Jodi and Kim. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Joe and Pete and an infant sister.
The last chapter has been written and closed. But, the stories will live on, to be re-told by all of those who heard them and those lucky few who actually shared in the telling.
A funeral service to honor the life of Cliff Mann was held Wednesday, June 29 at St. Timothy Episcopal Church in Rangely. Military burial rites were conducted by V.F.W. Post #5261 in the Rangely Cemetery
under the direction of Cochran’s Rangely Mortuary.
Evelyn Faye Duzik
February 23, 1920 ~ June 17, 2005
Evelyn F. Duzik, 85, was born Feb. 23, 1920, in Tulsa, Okla., the third child of Jess and Margarette Holiway Crabtree. She passed away on June 17, 2005.
Evelyn’s parents and siblings moved to Craig in the 1930s, where she graduated from Craig High School, class of 1939.
Evelyn married George A. Duzik on Aug. 6, 1941, in Georgetown, Colo. To this union four children were born. Evelyn, known as Nan, was a life partner in the ranching operation east of Craig.
She will be remembered by the gallons of milk and dozens of eggs she marketed to the families, restaurants and the local hospital.
Evelyn was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church, Farmers and Homemakers and The Craig Square Dance Club. She provided a loving and grandmotherly daycare for many families.
She was an incredible cook, magic with pastries and cakes. Her gardens were enormous, providing everything from celery to potatoes for family and friends. Nan prepared lavish meals for the harvesting and branding crews.
Evelyn is survived by her husband George; sons George A. 'Duke' (Jacque), Michael Jess (Margaret), and Robert Edwin; and daughter Roberta Faye Duzik Hume (Jim). She is further survived by 16 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Margaret Marshall of California, Jewell Callahan of Craig and Josephine Fagg also of Craig; and brother-in-law Andy Duzik (Joan) of Craig.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents; infant brother Jackie; two sisters, Bonnie Bowden and Iva Peters; and two brothers Roy and Jess (Tuff) Crabtree.
The Rosary was recited by Father Jose Saenz on Monday, June 20, 2005, at 7 p.m., at Grant Mortuary. Funeral mass was held Tuesday, June 21, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church with Father Jose Saenz.
Music was provided by pianist Dr. Pamela Kinder and soloist Ashley Daigle. Special selections 'One More Time,' 'God on The Mountain' and 'What a Way to Spend Forever' were sung by Loretta Earle.
Interment followed in the family plot at The Craig Cemetery. Pallbearers for Nan were her grandsons Frank, Glenn, Shayne, Tim, Justin Duzik and Sheb Hume. Honorary pallbearers were grandsons Coalin, Jacob, Jared, Jon Hume and Geoffrey (Bud) Duzik, as well as granddaughters Charlotte Duzik Bullard, Mardi Hume Anson, Toni Hume Tuttle and Andi Duzik Kerchal.
