Search Archived Marriage Records
James Harold Leander
December 8, 1921 - February 21, 2006
Long time Moffat County resident James Harold Leander was born Dec. 8, 1921, in Long Beach, Calif. The eldest of two children born to Algot and Florence (Shaver) Leander, he was raised in Fullerton, Calif., and on the Shaver ranch in Axial, Colo., which is located between Craig and Meeker.
Jim spent his summers on the ranch helping his grandparents put up hay and enjoying childhood escapades with his younger brother Norman and his cousins from Rawlins, Wyo. Though mostly educated in California, he lived on the Shaver ranch and attended the one-room Axial School in 1931 and 1932 while his father drilled for oil at Wilson Creek.
Jim was graduated from Fullerton High School with the class of 1940. While in school, he was active in Boy Scouts, competitive swimming, boxing and water polo. An excellent swimmer, he was once honored to swim against Olympic champion Johnny Weissmuller at an exhibition.
Born into a musical family, Jim was an accomplished musician playing the tenor saxophone and the clarinet. He savored the jazz music culture of the Big Band Era and spent many enjoyable days listening to bands performing in the Los Angeles area and particularly on Catalina Island. This passion for traditional jazz continued for the rest of his life.
Following his graduation from high school, Jim attended Fullerton Junior College. However, with the advent of World War II, Jim’s education was deferred for a time. Desiring to be a military pilot, but with imperfect eye sight, Jim enlisted in the United States Navy in the hope of becoming a bombardier or a navigator. Following his enlistment in July of 1942, the Navy gave him an aptitude test and sent him to the Radio Training School at the University of Colorado in Boulder. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the island of Tulagi, one of the Solomon Islands located in the South Pacific. After serving on Tulagi for twenty-two months, he was reassigned to the destroyer USS Chevalier which participated in the shelling and bombing of Wake Island. He then joined the Third Fleet off of Honshu, Japan for the Japanese surrender. In January of 1946, he was honorably discharged from the Navy and returned to the states.
Immediately following his return to civilian life, Jim worked for a variety of California companies including Knotts Berry Farm, Kimberly Clark, and Hawaiian Punch. Wishing to further his education, Jim attended San Jose State University on the GI bill where he majored in Foreign Languages and minored in Geology.
Proficient in French and Spanish, and with some knowledge of Italian and German, his goal was to work for the newly established United Nations as an interpreter. He was provisionally accepted to Stanford University as a transfer student; however, with the death of his mother in 1949, he and his brother returned to the family ranch in Axial Basin.
Arriving at the ranch in December of 1950, Jim spent the next forty-five years building a successful cattle ranching operation. A meticulous irrigator, he enjoyed “watching things grow.” He was an active member of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association and the National Farmers Organization, and he served on the Soil Conservation Board.
On February 15, 1959, in Aspen, Colo., Jim married Joyce Proctor of Meeker. She was well matched to him in every respect, and the combination of their individual talents, interests, and skills made for a dynamically strong partnership which lasted thirty-five years. Joyce brought to their union her two children from a previous marriage, Maxa Lea and Walt Proctor, and the family was completed when daughters Stacy and Marguerite were born. Jim and Joyce enjoyed many happy years together. Both exceptionally hard working, two of their favorite diversions were visiting their adult children and touring the canyon lands of Utah and Arizona.
Following the death of his wife in 1994, Jim turned over much of the responsibility for the ranch to his son Walt. In 1995, he moved to Saratoga, Calif., to be close to his daughters Stacy and Margo and eventually settled in nearby Campbell. In his final years, he was able to devote himself more fully to his varied and life-long interests, which included music, photography, gardening, and writing. He loved to travel and journeyed as far as Paris, France with his daughter Margo. An expert in the history of jazz music, he frequently attended traditional jazz festivals.
Despite ongoing health problems, he never stopped pursuing life with a passion. At the age of 77, he took up piano lessons which he continued until shortly before his death. His teacher was astounded by his excellent ear and the depth of his musical understanding. He was always learning. An award-winning photographer who was adept in the dark room, he never left home without at least one of his several cameras.
In many respects his home resembled not only a photography gallery but also a library. Books of tremendous variety cluttered every surface. An avid reader, Jim’s knowledge of history, art, astronomy, politics, and literature was remarkable. There were few subjects that did not command his interest and on which he was not able to insightfully and articulately converse. A life-long writer, Jim devoted time in his final years to writing short-stories and his memoirs of World War II. His mind remained sharp until the very end, and even during his final hospitalization, he was collecting ideas for stories and dictating snatches of poetry.
Though Jim was always a man of integrity who valued hard work and kept his word, he seldom attended church. In his later years though, perhaps influenced by the grand beauty of the land where he spent so much of his life, his thoughts turned to his Creator. Just three years before his death, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and was baptized at the age of 82.
On Feb. 21, 2006, at the age of 84, Jim died at Stanford Hospital in Stanford, Calif., surrounded by his loving daughters and grandchildren, he passed peacefully from this life.
Funeral services were held on March 2, 2006 at the Fairfield Center in Meeker with Pastor Mervin Johnson officiating. Speakers were Jack Holzberlein and Mike Landgraf. Scripture was Psalm 95:1-7. The pianist was Elaine DuePree, and Karla Watson and Leanne Gibson were the vocalists. “How Great Thou Art,” “Just a Closer Walk with Thee,” and “Amazing Grace” were the selections.
Pallbearers were Ted Wheeler, Jack Holzberlein, George Weisbeck, Frank Hamill, Curtis Durham, and Frank Sampson. Honorary pallbearers were Homer Wilson, Lester Cox, Sherrill Cox, Harlan Ross, Jake Hamill, Jim Poole, and Dewey Camp. Interment was in the family plot at Highland Cemetery
in Meeker. Military honors were conducted by the VFW Post #5843.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Joyce, and his brother Norman. He is survived by his children, daughters Stacy Landgraf and her husband Michael of Saratoga, Calif., Marguerite Spink and her husband Roger of Campbell, Calif., Maxa Lea Light and her husband Lyle of Easton, Pa., and son Walt Proctor and his wife Rita of Meeker, Colo.; seven grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Connor, Gavin, Austin, and Michaela Landgraf of Saratoga Calif., Kathryn Bladen of Falls Church, Va., and George Proctor of Rifle, Colo.; one great-grandchild, Lilian Munn of Falls Church, Va.; and two nephews Evan Leander of Cave Creek, Ariz., and James Leander of Detroit, Mich.
Memorial donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans or to the American Lung Association.
Jim will long be remembered by his family as a devoted father and grandfather and by all as a loyal friend and an individual who lived with great purpose and zest.
Barbara Anne (Hannum) Daneker
December 16, 1929 - March 15, 2006
Barbara Anne (Hannum) Daneker passed away March 15, 2006 at home in Glendale, Ariz.
She was born in Douglas, Ariz. on Dec. 16, 1929 to Mary Catherine and Eugene Fred Hannum.
She was preceded in death by her sister Mary Bernice Murphy, and brothers Eugene, Frederick and Milton Hannum.
She is survived by her husband Joe Daneker, Sr., sister Elizabeth Foley of Glendale; brother Frank Hannum of Fredericksburg, Texas; daughters Anna (Tomas) Pimenta; Michaele Daneker, Nancy (Jim) Harris; Juanita (Jake) Ridgeway; sons Joe (Susan) Daneker, Jr.; and Tom (Liz) Daneker and many grandchildren.
Barbara was a long-time resident of Douglas before moving to Meeker and then Glendale, Ariz. She was a loving wife and mother. She was a woman of extreme faith in our loving God. Barbara was an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church’s Ladies’ Aide in Douglas.
She was a member for years of the Lion’s Club in both Douglas and Meeker. Barbara will be remembered best for her warm and loving heart. She will be deeply missed by family and the many people who truly loved her.
The viewing was held at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Glendale March 21 and the funeral services followed with a reception afterwards.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 7205 N. 51st Ave., Glendale, Ariz., 85301.
Donald L. Campbell
Funeral Notice
Funeral services for Donald L. Campbell, 81, of Meeker will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Meeker United Methodist Church. Interment will follow in the Highland Cemetery.
Friends can call Friday until 7 p.m. at Cochran Memorial Chapel.
Don died suddenly Monday, March 20 at Pioneers Hospital.
He is survived by his son Danny of Delta and daughter Donna of Denver. His wife Betty (Ridgeway) Campbell preceded him in death in 1997.
A complete obituary will appear in the next edition of the Herald Times.
Janice F. Walden
April 5, 1956 - March 10, 2006
Janice F. Walden, 49, of Dinosaur died suddenly Friday, March 10, 2006, at the Rangely District Hospital.
Janice Faye Coy was born April 5, 1956, in Rangely, the daughter of Burl and Freda (Crawford) Coy.
When she was nine years old, the family moved to Pryor, Okla., where Janice was raised and worked as a nursing assistant at a nursing home.
In 1998, Janice and her mother returned to Dinosaur where Janice loved to work with children, research genealogy on her computer and collect pigs. She was a member of the Dinosaur Baptist Church and enjoyed being called a ‘Colorado-Okie’. At the time of her death she was employed by River Runners of Vernal.
Survivors include one son, James Walden and his wife Debbie of Harrah, Okla., three grandchildren: Jason, Austin and Ashley; her mother and step-father Freda Coy Opsal and Paul Opsal of Dinosaur; her siblings, Wanda Tosh and her husband Joe and Leonard Coy and his wife Donna, of Dinosaur and Pamela Arthurs and her husband Don of Locust Grove, Okla., and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Janice is preceded in death by one son, Jason Walden, who died at two years old in 1979, her father, Burl and her grandmother Sally Crawford.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 16 at the Dinosaur Elementary School located at 401 4th St., Dinosaur. Interment will follow in the Dinosaur Cemetery. Friends can call Wednesday evening from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Rangely Mortuary or Thurs-day from noon until service time.
Coch-ran Memorial Chapel’s Rangely Mortuary has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Frances Marie Aitken
November 21, 1926 - March 4, 2006
Meeker resident Frances Aitken, 79, passed away March 4. She was born Nov. 21, 1926.
She married Jack Aitken Aug. 20, 1944, in Willow Springs, Mo. The couple lived in several cities during the course of their marriage. Following her husband’s death in 1995, Frances moved to Meeker to be close to two of her sons.
Frances was preceded in death by her husband Jack, daughter Lyle Marie and foster daughter Becky Sue.
She is survived by her daughter Patsy of Salt Lake City, Utah; her three sons, Raymond of Torrington, Wyo., and Jack and John of Meeker. Frances has 14 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and more than 150 foster kids.
May she rest in peace.
A memorial service will be held at Colyers Funeral Home in Torrington, Wyo., Friday, March 10 at 2 p.m.
Lela C. Leech
November 11, 1917 - March 3, 2006
Lela Hahn Leech of Palisade died March 3, 2006, at Palisade Living Center. She was born Nov. 11, 1917, in Rangely, Colo., to George and Nora Frizzell Hahn, the youngest of eight children.
In 1936, she moved to Montrose where she met Rodney Leech. They were married Nov. 20, 1937, in Delta, Colo. He preceded her in death Nov. 3, 1987. She was also preceded in death by both parents, her son Scott, son-in-law Frank Mascarenas, four brothers and three sisters.
Survivors include one daughter, Carolyn Mascarenas of Palisade; six grandchildren, Stacey (Gay) Hall of Cortez, Kelli (Kent) Varney of Lone Tree, Mark (Stacey) Mascarenas of Grand Junction, Kirby (Patricia) Leech, Shawna (Chuck) Weaver and Sheree (Josh) Reynolds all of Vernal, Utah. Seventeen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, two sisters-in-law Gladys Mulay and Joann Leech both of Grand Junction, numerous nieces and nephews.
Lela was an excellent seamstress and made dozens of handmade afghans and quilts. She enjoyed any kind of handwork that will live on for generations.
A very special thank you goes to the staff at Palisade Living Center and the hospice nursing staff for the professional, kind, generous, tender care given to our mother/grandmother. The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado, 2754 Compass Dr., Ste. 377, Grand Junction, Colo., 81506. A memorial service was held March 6, 2006, 10 a.m. at Snell-McLean Funeral Home, 729 37.3 Rd., Palisade, Colo.
Joseph J. Bergenheier
February 28, 1947 - March 2, 2006
Joseph J. Bergenheier, 59, of Meeker died March 2, 2006, at Pioneers Medical Center in Meeker. Joseph James Bergenheier was born Feb. 28, 1947, in Lemmon, S.D., the youngest of eight children born to George and Sophie (Haydu) Bergenheier. He attended schools in Lemmon, where he was graduated from high school in 1964. In May of 1966 he entered the United States Army, serving his country as a helicopter mechanic for two years.
On July 27, 1966, he was united in marriage to Helen Nelson in Lemmon. The couple moved throughout the United States as Joe did surveying work for the government, including a great deal of surveying of the Piceance Creek Basin. Joe and Helen wanted to raise their two sons in a small town and settled in Meeker in 1972. Joe went to work as a mechanic for Jack’s Automotive and in 1978 he began working for M & P Roustabouts. In 1980, he worked in the gas fields for Mobil. In 1988, Joe went to work at the Colowyo Coal Mine as a haul truck driver, retiring after 14 years of service in 2002.
An advanced and excellent archer, Joe worked part-time for Rocky Mountain Bowstrings. He was an avid outdoorsman; Joe especially liked hunting and fishing. He loved to spend time tinkering and brainstorming new inventions as well as playing cards and board games. He especially loved the special times he spent with his grandchildren and at the time of his death was anxiously awaiting the birth of a grandson, his fourth grandchild.
Joe was a baseball enthusiast and will be remembered by many Meeker young adults as the director of the Babe Ruth Baseball program for many years. He served on district and state committees for Babe Ruth and twice was responsible for bringing state tournaments to Meeker.
Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Helen of the family home, two sons and their families, Michael and his wife Denise and daughter Megan of Bethlehem, Penn.; Sheldon and his wife Jennifer and sons Brooks and Erick of Winnemucca, Nev.
He is also survived by his siblings, Harry Bergenheier and his wife Jackie of Wichita Falls, Texas; Pauline Svihovec and her husband Eugene of Lemmon, Eleanor Tomac and her husband Joe of Keldron, S.D.; Lorraine Tomac and her husband Lloyd of Spearfish, S.D.; Vernon Birgenheier and his wife Marie of Lancaster, Calif.; Donald Bergenheier and his wife Linda of Finley, N.D., and Josephine Burdick and her husband David of Ridgecrest, Calif. His mother preceded him in death in 2000 and his father in 1990.
Mass of the Christian Burial was celebrated at Holy Family Catholic Church on Wednesday, March 8 with Father James Fox, Father Jose Saenz and Deacon Bill Ertmer officiating. A vigil service with recitation of the rosary was held Tuesday evening at the church. A second memorial mass and interment will be held in Lemmon at a future date. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Recreation District baseball program or to the White River Museum through Cochran Memorial Chapel which was entrusted with the arrangements.
David William Turner
July 19, 1922 - February 24, 2006
David was the first child born to the union of David Weston Turner and Nanoni Turner. He was born and raised in Pueblo, Colo. After graduation from Central High School, he attended Pueblo Junior College before taking the call to serve his country in 1942. David served in the Coast Guard and then returned home to work at the Colorado Fuel and Iron Corporation, where he worked until he retired in 1978. David married Carolyn Wilson Ewing on March 14, 1955. They resided in Pueblo until his retirement, after which they moved to Meeker. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and shared his enthusiasm with his family.
His hobbies were many and David was a perfectionist at anything he got involved in. From tying flies (he tied special flies for President Eisenhower); gun smithing, to becoming a master gardener. Many people enjoyed the produce from his huge garden. He became an enthusiastic bird watcher and enjoyed watching the variety of birds that visited the feeders and bird houses he built.
David belonged to the Pueblo Lodge No. 17, A.F. & A.M.; El Jebel Shriners of Denver, Colo. and Knights Templar, in Pueblo for more than 50 years. He joined the Rio Blanco Masonic Lodge No. 80 and enjoyed supporting their activities until his death. He recently received the award of “Mason of the Year,” for which he was very touched and felt very honored.
David was preceded in death by both parents, his wife Carolyn, his sister Nona Long and his stepson Hubert R. Ewing.
He is survived by his sister Isabell Groshell, Calif., his stepson James R. Ewing, Pueblo, Colo., and stepdaughter Judeth (Pete) Shelton, Meeker, Colo. Grandchildren, Randy Ewing, Kathy Ewing, David R. Ewing, Ronald Ewing, Paul Shelton and Robert Shelton, 10 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Shriners Hospital to support their work with children.
Marian Elizabeth Balleck
May 28, 1924 - February 24, 2006
Marian Elizabeth Jordan was born May 28, 1924, in Alamosa, Colo., to Owen Pinkstaff and Ruth (Taylor) Jordan. The family moved to Morapos Creek, in Northwest Colorado while Marian was still very young. She attended school on Morapos Creek where she rode a horse daily to get to school and was graduated from high school in Craig. Marian then attended Mesa State College where she studied business.
On April 10, 1948, Marian married Joseph Daniel Balleck in Craig and to this union four children were born. They made their home at the family ranch on Elkhead and lived there for many years until failing health forced them to move into town to live with their daughter.
Marian worked as a secretary for the ASCS years ago, but her primary interest was being with and caring for her family. She was a member of the Fortification Extension Homemakers Club and St. Michael Catholic Church. She served as a 4-H leader as her children were growing up and for years was on the Moffat County Election Board serving as an election judge. Her children recalled that in all their years growing up the only days that they can remember their mother not being home when they left in the morning and returned in the afternoon was on election day.
Marian enjoyed crocheting, gardening, canning and going fishing.
Marian died on Feb. 24, 2006, at the Sandrock Ridge Care and Rehab Center. She is survived by her daughters Barbara Jones of Hayden, Betty (Dan) McIntyre of Craig; sons David (Carol) Balleck and Dennis (Shirley) Balleck, both of Craig; grandchildren Carmen (Tony) Edmonds, Justin McIntyre, Patrick Conniff, Levi (Neisha) Balleck, Keith Balleck, Kyle (Autumn) Balleck, Brandon Balleck, Kaylene (Randy) Merrick, Kayla (Hank) Elfgrin, Mary Dean (Dana) Mayhugh and step-grandchildren Travis (Ryan) Jones, Traci (Chad) Day and Karen (Will) Cory; great-grandchildren Danielle and Lanie Edmonds, Shane Balleck, Kuyler Mayhugh, Devin Balleck, Kaylena Elfgrin and step-great-grandchildren Isabelle and Hannah Jones, Gracie and Faith Day and Jessica and Jayden Cory.
Her parents, sisters Dorothy Tiemann and Lucy Snodgrass, brothers Varnel, Harry, Bob and Ray Jordan and her husband Joseph Balleck preceded her in death.
Memorial services were held on Feb. 28 at St. Michael Catholic Church in Craig with Fr. James Fox officiating.
Memorial donations may be made to the Northwest Colorado VNA and Hospice in care of Grant Mortuary.
Bernerd Casimir “Junior” Hazlewood
November 27, 1933 - February 14, 2006
Junior Hazlewood, a well known longtime Rangely resident, died Feb. 14, 2006, at the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo, Utah, after a courageous battle with cancer and leukemia.
Bernerd Casimir Hazlewood, Jr. was born at the home of his grandmother in DeBeque on Nov. 27, 1933, the son of Bernerd and Leona (Moore) Hazlewood.
After birth, his mother brought him home to Rangely where Junior was raised and attended school, graduating with the Rangely High School class of 1952.
Following his graduation, he worked in the oilfields and on Aug. 4, 1957, was united in marriage to Evelyn Smith in Rifle.
Junior was well-known in Rio Blanco County as a hard-working, honest and generous man. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and brother and following the death of his brother, Almer and brother-in-law, Ernie, became a mentor to his many nieces and nephews. When his father passed away, Junior became the patriarch of the Hazlewood family, often sharing his advice and views, sometimes requested, sometimes not, with his family.
He was an active member of the Rangely Christian Church and spent time working with the C.S.U. Plant Center, the Soil Conservation District as well as the Sheriff’s Posse. He loved to spend time on the ranch as well as hunting, painting and four-wheeling.
In August of 2004, Junior and Evelyn sold the river-front ranch and moved to Santaquin, Utah, to be nearer family and medical care. Junior became an active member of the Hope Baptist Church in Payson, Utah, and had made an altar and offering table for the church.
He also became an Internet Cribbage fan, having made friends throughout the United States and Canada. An avid marksman, Junior enjoyed teaching his grandchildren to shoot and about gun safety.
Survivors include his wife, Evelyn, of the family home in Santaquin, five children, Debra Bateman and her husband Mark of South Jordan, Utah; Lisa Piering and her husband George of Rangely, Lori Dann and her husband Jesse of Dunkirk, Md.; Leona May Rice and her husband Stephen of Santaquin; Fred Hazlewood and his wife Brooke of Draper, Utah; 15 grandchildren, Mistalynn Ward and her husband Robert, Nicholas, Tim, Markus, Jeffrey, Tricia, Amanda, Meagan, Jesse Jr., Andrea, Tanner, Charlsie, Makena, Cassie and Mason and his two sisters, Nona Wilczek and her husband Butch and Lois Wilczek, both of Rangely and numerous nieces, nephews and friends both near and far. His parents and one brother, Almer, have preceded him in death.
A funeral service was held Saturday, Feb. 18 at the Rangely Christian Church with Pastor Kent Boykin of the Hope Baptist Church in Payson, Utah, officiating. Junior was taken to the Rangely Cemetery
via horse and buckboard for interment.
Friends may make memorial contributions to the Rangely Fire Department through Cochran Memorial Chapel, P.O. Box 351, Rangely, which has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Mary Lenore Ball
May 5, 1931 - February 8, 2006
Mary (Mickey) Lenore Arnold Ball, 74, of Alamo, Texas, passed away Feb. 8, 2006, at Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen. Funeral services were held Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Craig. Interment was at the Hayden Cemetery.
She was born the oldest of three children to James Arnold and Hazel Cummings Arnold in San Francisco, Calif., on May 5, 1931.
She attended Cathedral High School in Denver and Colorado State University in Fort Collins.
She married William S. Ball in January 1950 and has six children.
Bill and Mary lived in Cortez, Meeker and Burlington, Colo.; Fargo, N.D., and Alamo, Texas. Mary received her teaching degree from Moorhead State University and taught for P.S.J.A. School District in Pharr, Texas, for 11 years.
She enjoyed games and social events and participated in her weekly bridge sessions for as long as possible.
She is survived by William of their home in Alamo; son, David Craig Ball of Farmington, N.M.; daughters, Terry Scheierman (Rod) of Burlington, Vicki Kosch of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Charri McArthur (Larry) of Burlington, Kimberley Castro (Joe) of Italy, Linda Taylor of Lewisville, Texas; 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by brother, James Arnold (Melba) of Apopka, Fla.; sister, Hazel Sear of Denver; brothers-in-law David Ball (Darlene) of Carson, Wash., John Ball of Craig; and sister-in-law Sonya Dunning (Warren) of White City, Ore.; cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends.
Carl “Spud” L. Proctor
June 30, 1941 - February 20, 2006
Carl “Spud” L. Proctor, 64, of Anderson, Calif., died Monday, Feb. 20, 2006, at Mercy Medical Center in Redding, Calif. He was born June 30, 1941, in Meeker, Colo.
As a young man, Spud served in the Army. After his discharge, his passion for horses drew him to the horse racetrack. Spud rode a short time as a jockey and eventually he moved to California. In 1968, Spud became an outrider, working at all the major racetracks in Southern California. After 30 years of outriding, he retired in 1999 and moved to Anderson.
He was preceded in death by a son, Lute and a brother, Clinton.
Survivors include wife and best friend Theresa; daughters Carla Westernman of Colorado; Annie Fenster of Texas; stepson Jimmie Moffatt and stepdaughter Patti Hughes both of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.; mother Ruby Hart of Colorado; sisters Jewel Thayn of Utah, Ester Vanderpool, Dixie Raley and Katie Proctor of Colorado; brothers Kenneth Proctor of South Dakota; Deloss Proctor of Colorado and Doug Proctor of Arizona; eight grandchildren; one special dog Missy and one special horse Pee Wee.
No services will be held.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Shoemaker Foundation, P.O. Box 17026, Inglewood, Calif., 90308.
Charles Chapoose
June 13, 1979 - November 25, 2005
Charles “Cheez” Reed Chapoose, 26, returned home to his Heavenly Father on Nov. 25, 2005. Charley had been missing for 10 weeks before being found on Feb. 10, 2006.
Charley was born on June 13, 1979, in Roosevelt. His parents are Bobby and Vodne Chapoose. He was a member of the Ute Tribe and resided in Fort Duchesne.
Charley was graduated from Union High School and attended the University of Utah and Colorado Northwestern Community College. Through high school, Cheez ran track and cross-country and played basketball for the Cougars. He was the recipient of the Rex Curry award, which recognized outstanding Native Americans, for his graduating class of 1998. While running cross-country for CNCC, he competed in the National Junior College Cross-Country Championships in El Paso, Texas, alongside his brothers Leland and Jason. Charley was a fun-loving individual who always had a smile on his face.
He was friendly and always laughing and shared this with every one he came in contact with. Cheez’s parents introduced the outdoors to him when he was very young. Hillcreek was a special place to him. He was an avid hunter and he spent a lot of time in the outdoors with his family. He shared this passion for the outdoors through guiding clients for the Ute Indian Tribe Guide and Outfitting program. Charley was a very hard worker. When he was not attending school, he was gainfully employed. He worked in various capacities and was well liked by his employers and co-workers. Cheez was a natural athlete; any sport he played he excelled at, especially basketball. He was well respected as a player and played in many leagues and tournaments around “Indian Country.” Many times Charley came home with an all-star, MVP or championship jacket. He did the same with softball. Charley took up golf late in his young life and excelled at that as well. He placed first in the B Division in the U.S. Indian Open this past summer alongside his mother, Vodne.
Charley is survived by his parents, Bobby and Vodne Chapoose, Fort Duchesne; sisters, Bo Chapoose and Ciana Chapoose both of Fort Duchesne; Robin Rousseau of Eagle Butte, S.D.; brothers, Curtis (Jamie) Chapoose, Roosevelt; Leland Chapoose and Jason Chapoose both of Fort Duchesne; nephews, Seeley Chapoose and Bradley Jay Birdhorse; little buddy Jaden Murdock; grandpas, Bob Chapoose Sr., Fort Duchesne, Mike Mescale of Crownpoint, N.M.; grandma, Cecilia Mescale, Crownpoint, N.M; aunts, Leslie Chapoose, Fort Duchesne; Lorena (Ken) Writingbird, Rocky Boy, Mont.; Francilla (Ken) Whiteskunk, Albuquerque N.M.; Willa Whiteskunk, Towaoc, Colo.; Tina (George) Begay, Grand Junction, Colo.; Donna Whiteskunk, Okla.; uncles, Vernie Chapoose Sr., Vernal; David (Karen) Chapoose, Myton; Lowell (Melissa) Whiteskunk Cortez, Colo.; Frayne (Tracy) Whiteskunk, Towaoc, Colo.; Frank Whiteskunk Jr., Ronald (Fiona) Whiteskunk, Rupert Whiteskunk, Selwyn White-skunk, Jeffery Whiteskunk, Orville (Gene) Whiteskunk, all of Towaoc, Colo.; and many, many other relatives.
Charley was preceded in death by his grandmas, Connie Chapoose and Louise Ham-mond; Namesake Charles “Bush” Thompson Reed and Grandpa Frank Whiteskunk Sr.
Cheez was very loved by all and will be missed greatly.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Feb. 16 at 11 a.m. at the Ballard LDS Chapel.
Burial in the Ft. Duchesne Cemetery
under direction of the Hullinger Mortuary.
