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Winifred G. Hofer
Wife, Mother, Grandmother
June 19, 1924 - March 7, 1999
CEDAREDGE - Winifred G. Hofer, age 74, a homemaker and a resident of Cedaredge since 1987, died on Sunday, March 7, 1999, in her home at Cedaredge.
Born on June 19, 1924 in Detroit, Mich., Winifred G. Torrence was the daughter of Gerald W. and Marguerite E. (Wilhelm) Torrence. She spent her childhood, received her education, and grew to adulthood in Indianapolis, Ind.
Winifred married Melvin R. Hofer on Aug. 20, 1948, in Indianapolis, Ind. The couple were blessed with one son and one daughter, and were proud to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary last year in August.
The Hofers moved to Denver in 1955 and in 1987 they moved to Cedaredge where Winifred made her home until the time of her death.
She especially enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and reading.
Winifred is survived by her husband, Mel Hofer, of Cedaredge; one son, David V. Hofer, of Arvada; one daughter, Margaret and husband Duane Suettenry, of Crawford, Neb.; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Winifred was preceded in death by her parents.
No service is planned at this time. Arrangements were handled under the direction of Taylor Funeral Service, Inc.
Jimmie L. Shelley
Loved Quarterhorses
Sept. 24, 1931 - March 5, 1999
MONTROSE - Retired truck driver, Jimmie L. Shelley, age 70, of Montrose, died Saturday afternoon, March 6, 1999, from injuries he received in an accident.
Born on June 27, 1928, in Cordova, Neb., Jimmie L. Shelley was the son of Brice and Opal (Bergin) Shelley. He spent his childhood, received his education, and grew to adulthood in Fairmont and York, Neb.
Jimmie served his country in the United States Navy.
He married Suzanne Gardner on Sept. 28, 1956, in Littleton, Colo. Their union was blessed with a son and a daughter. The Shelleys would have celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary this year in September.
Jimmie was employed as a truck driver and the family lived east of Conifer, Colo., for approximately 42-1/2 years before moving to Montrose in August of 1998 where Jimmy made his home until the time of his death.
He was a member of the American Quarterhorse Association and loved raising and racing Quarterhorses. Jimmie also greatly enjoyed farming and ranching.
Survivors grateful to have shared Jimmie's life include his wife, Suzie Shelley; one son, Jim Shelley and wife Lynda; and one daughter, Nancy and husband Dan Deans, all of Montrose.
Other family survivors include one sister, Donna Witts, of Roxborough Park in Littleton, Colo.; one niece, Sandy Nichols, of Denver; and one nephew, Eddie Lutz, of Brighton.
Jimmie was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Ed Lutz.
Funeral Services in remembrance and to honor Jimmie's life will be officiated by Minister Tim Smith on Thursday, March 9, at 2 p.m. from the Crippin Funeral Home Chapel in Montrose.
Interment will follow the service in the Grand View Cemetery
west of Montrose, with arrangements being handled under the direction of the Crippin Funeral Home of Montrose.
Vern William "Bill" Turk
World War II Veteran
Oct. 30, 1914 - March 9, 1999
MONTROSE - Vern William "Bill" Turk, age 84, a resident of Montrose for approximately six years, died Tuesday morning, March 9, 1999, in the San Juan Living Center at Montrose.
Cremation has taken place, with no service planned at this time.
Arrangements were handled under the direction of the Crippin Funeral Home of Montrose.
Vern William Turk, the son of William and May (Brall) Turk, was born on Oct. 30, 1914, in Midland, Mich., where he spent his childhood, received his education, and grew to adulthood.
On Sept. 17, 1942, Bill enlisted in the United States Army where he served his country during World War II. He was discharged from the Army on April 1, 1946 and received the following medals: The American Theatre Ribbon, EAMET Ribbon with one Bronze Star, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.
On Feb. 14, 1948, Bill was married in Midland, Mich. to his wife, Johanna, who preceded him in death in 1986 in Oklahoma.
Prior to his retirement, Bill was employed as an electrician and welder. Approximately six years ago, he moved from Clinton, Okla. to Montrose where he made his home until the time of his death.
In his younger years, he enjoyed fishing. Bill loved and enjoyed traveling and sightseeing, along with camping and the outdoors.
He is survived by his good friend and caregiver, Ruby Jones, of Montrose; one son, Rudy Turk, of Hope, Mich.; one daughter, Julie Plant, of Tulsa, Okla.; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Other family survivors include one brother, Kent Turk, of Texas; and one sister, Hazel Carey, of Hope, Mich.
In addition to his parents and wife, Bill was also preceded in death by two sisters: Donna and Tammy.
Ruth Knick
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Former Montrose resident, Sarah Ruth (Zachary) Knick, age 73, died on Friday, March 5, 1999, in the Pisgah Manor Health Care Center in Asheville.
Sarah Ruth Zachary was a daughter of the late Wade and Kannie (Watson) Zachary.
A native of Brevard, N.C., Ruth lived most of her life in Buncombe County. She was the wife of the late Earl Lyndon Knick and attended the Biltmore Missionary Alliance Church.
Ruth is survived by two sons: Daniel Robert Knick Sr. and Glenn Reid Knick; two daughters: Lynda Lee Rewis, all of Asheville, N.C.; and Cynthia Janice Ashford, of Glennville, Ga.
She was the proud grandmother of nine grandchildren and the great-grandmother of 11 great-grandchildren.
Other survivors include Ruth's longtime friends, Roy and Barbara King, of Asheville, N.C.
Funeral Services in remembrance and to honor Ruth's life were officiated by The Rev. Wade Zachary on Monday, March 8, at 2 p.m. from the Anders-Rice Funeral Home Chapel in Asheville. The service concluded at the chapel.
Visitation for family and friends is scheduled for Thursday, March 11, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Montrose Valley Funeral Home.
Graveside Services will be conducted by a family member on Friday, March 12, at 2 p.m. in the Grand View Cemetery
at Montrose.
Arrangements were handled under the direction of Anders-Rice Funeral Home of Asheville, N.C. and Montrose Valley Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to: Mountain Area Hospice, In Memory of Ruth Knick, P.O. Box 16, Asheville, N.C. 28802.
Jacqueline P. "Jackie" Bentley
MONTROSE - Jacqueline P. "Jackie" Bentley, age 57, a resident of Montrose since 1990, died Wednesday morning, March 10, 1999, in the Montrose Memorial Hospital.
Born on May 25, 1941, in Buffalo, N.Y., Jacqueline P. Ames was the daughter of Howard and Thelma (Dorset) Ames. She spent her childhood in Florida and graduated from high school in Bradenton, Fla. She continued to pursue her education, completing two years of college.
Jackie married Hank Bentley on April 28, 1985, in New Jersey.
She was employed as a marketing consultant for radio.
In 1990, the Bentleys moved from Effort, Pa., to Montrose where Jackie made her home until the time of her death.
Survivors include her husband, Hank Bentley, of Montrose; three daughters: Erica and husband D.J. June; Stacey and husband Jeff Lewis, all of Florida; April and husband Bill Longworth, of California; and two grandchildren: Phillip Adam and Bradley Lewis.
Other family survivors include two brothers: Al Ames, of Montrose; Gene Ames, of Florida; and one sister, Dorothy Conlin, of New York.
Jackie was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Howard Ames.
Funeral Services in remembrance and to honor Jackie's life were conducted by Del Abbott on Friday, March 12, at 10 a.m. from the Crippin Funeral Home Chapel. The service concluded at the chapel.
Cremation followed the service, with arrangements handled under the direction of the Crippin Funeral Home of Montrose.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to: Special Olympics Colorado, In Memory of Jackie Bentley, P.O. Box 13979, Denver, Colo. 80201-3979.
Matie Jane Humphrey Ray
MONTROSE - Lifelong Montrose resident Matie Jane Humphrey Ray, age 91, a one-room school teacher, homemaker and business owner, died Tuesday afternoon, March 9, 1999, in Carla's Retreat at Olathe. She survived the death of two husbands and leaves behind children and grandchildren steeped in the traditions of the Uncompahgre Valley.
Matie Jane Lytle was born on July 3, 1907, in Montrose, Colo., the daughter of Thomas Lytle and Mary (Goodrich) Lytle.
Matie's first husband, Fred A. Humphrey, died in 1956 of a heart attack suffered after his fishing raft capsized in the Gunnison River in the Black Canyon. In 1973 she married a Montrose insurance man John Ray. He preceded Matie in death in 1992.
Matie received a two-year teaching certificate from Western State Teachers College in Gunnison. Her first teaching job was on Log Hill Mesa in a one-room school house. The school operated in the summer months because of the weather and access.
She then became one of two teachers at the first kindergarten in Montrose at Morgan Elementary School.
Matie was a proprietor of the Yarn Seller, a knitting shop in Montrose.
She was among the founding members of the Montrose Historical Society and was a longtime member of the Jane Jefferson Democratic Club, where she served as president from 1961 to 1963. She was a member of the Montrose Emblem Club and Montrose Women's Club. Matie once ran for Justice of the Peace because no one challenged the Republican candidate on the ballot.
She loved the outdoors and she and John hiked the railroad track between Silverton and Durango. In her 60s, she took John Ray on Uncompahgre Platau to learn how to cross-country ski. He had lost his eyesight by then. John was a member of the Tenth Mountain Division.
Matie liked to play bridge but her hobby was politics.
She is survived by one daughter, Bonnie Lou Heidy, of Columbia, Mo.; two sons: James Thomas Humphrey, of Olathe; and Dean A. Humphrey, of Grand Junction.
Matie was the proud grandmother of eight grandchildren: E. Stan Wood, D. Eric Wood, Marijene W. Holtkamp, Jim Humphrey, Laurie Felix, Chad Humphrey, Melissa Jane Humphrey, and Alicia Ann Humphrey.
In addition to her parents and both of her husbands, she was also preceded in death by three brothers: Bill, Art and Jack Lytle; and one sister, Dixie Stratton.
Graveside Services to honor Matie's life will be conducted on Saturday, March 13, at 2 p.m. in the Cedar Cemetery
at Montrose.
Arrangements are being handled under the direction of the Crippin Funeral Home of Montrose.
Memorial gifts may be made to: Montrose Historical Society, In Memory of Matie Ray, P.O. Box 1882, Montrose, Colo. 81402.
Valerie H. Vollmer
MONTROSE - Valerie H. Vollmer, age 57, of Montrose, a courageous woman who survived being stranded six day on the Uncompahgre Plateau in December, 1998 died late Wednesday evening, March 10, 1999, in the San Juan Living Center at Montrose. She was a woman who lived every day to the fullest.
Valerie H. Tidmas was born in Kent, England on Feb. 17, 1942, the daughter of J.P. and Betty (Hill) Tidmas. She spent her childhood, received her education, and grew to adulthood in England.
Valerie, an artist, moved from Ventura, Calif., to Montrose in 1998 where she made her home until the time of her death.
Her special interest in life was her artwork which has been appreciated by people from around the world. Valerie also had a deep appreciation for the wonder of Mother Nature.
She is survived by two daughters: Gail Vollmer, of Montrose; Caroline Vollmer, of Ventura, Calif.; and her stepmother, Morva Tidmas, from England.
Other family survivors include one sister, Shirley Campey, from England.
Memorial Services to celebrate Valerie's life will be officiated on Sunday, March 14, at 3 p.m. from the Hillcrest Congregational Church in Montrose. Those in attendance are asked to bring: an object or written affirmation of life a candle to light Valerie's way into her new life; and a donation for Hospice, whose staff and volunteers helped make Valerie's final months enjoyable ones. The service will conclude at the church.
Cremation has taken place, with arrangements being handled under the direction of the Crippin Funeral Home of Montrose.
Sabin Junior Bailey
MONTROSE - Sabin Junior Bailey, age 86, a resident of Montrose for 15 years, died Tuesday morning, March 2, 1999, at his home in Montrose.
Memorial Services in remembrance and to honor Sabin's life will be conducted by Frank Tucker on Saturday, March 27, at 2 p.m. from the Montrose Valley Funeral Home Chapel. The service will conclude at the chapel.
Visitation with the family will follow the service until 5 p.m. at 1009 Phillips Court, Unit A, in Montrose.
Cremation has taken place, with arrangements being handled under the direction of Montrose Valley Funeral Home.
Memorial gifts may be made in Sabin's name to a favorite charity of the donor's choice.
Sabin Junior Bailey, the son of Sabin Levi and Cora Elizabeth (Long) Bailey, was born in his parents' log cabin on Ash Mesa on Aug. 12, 1912. He spent his childhood on Log Mesa, graduated from the Olathe High School with the class of 1930, and then attended college for a year and a half in Altus, Okla.
Sabin was married in Altus, Okla., on Dec. 31, 1939, to Oda E. Loftin, who preceded him in death in February, 1984 at Nogales, Ariz.
During World War II, Sabin served his country as a Staff Sargent (S/Sgt. AA) in the United States Army Air Force.
Sabin lived at Cimarron, Wilson Mesa, and Oklahoma before he and his wife moved to Delta 15 years ago where Sabin made his home until the time of his death.
Prior to his retirement, Sabin was a farmer and rancher and also worked as a crop inspector.
He was a member of the Delta Co-Op, Delta Elks Lodge, and ran for Delta County Commissioner.
During his lifetime, Sabin found pleasure in bird hunting, fishing, and rock hounding.
Few may know or remember that in the mid-30s Sabin was the first to discover the long thought to be extinct Yannis! This creature had a hump on its back where it stored a rope-like (up to 20 feet) tail that caught its food. Sabin shared his "sightings" of this interesting creature with many a folk from across the country, from New York to Oklahoma and even California. Some believed that through his telling of this creature many a tourist came to the Rocky Mountains.
Survivors include one son-in-law, Fritz Brennecke, of Montrose; four grandchildren: Vikki Gold, of Denver; Heinie Brennecke, of Montrose; Kim Brennecke, of Delta; Fritz A. Brennecke, of Montrose; nine grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchldren.
Other family survivors include one niece, Bonnie Giles, of Evergreen; and one nephew, Bill Heard, of New Jersey.
In addition to his parents and wife, Sabin was also preceded in death by one daughter, Bobbie Brennecke.
Charles Kermit Claytor
SOMERSET - Charles Kermit Claytor, age 93, a retired train dispatcher and a resident of Somerset since 1972, died Wednesday evening, March 10, 1999, in the Paonia Care and Rehabilitation Center at Paonia.
Charles Kermit Claytor was born in Alma, Ill., on Aug. 2, 1905, the son of Joseph Claytor and Emma (Ross) Claytor. He spent his childhood in Alma, Ill. and received his high school education at Kinmundy High School in Kinmundy, Ill.
Charles married Ramona Harmon on Feb. 27, 1947, in Lordsburg, N.M. Two sons and three daughters were born to this union. Charles and Ramona just celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary a few days before Charles' death.
The Claytors lived in Tucson, Ariz., from 1945 until 1972 when they established their home in Somerset.
Prior to his retirement, Charles was employed as a train dispatcher for the Southern Pacific Railroad.
He had been a member of the Paonia First Christian Church for 20 years. He belonged to the Grange Association, was active in the Tucson, Ariz., First Southern Baptist Church; and was a founding member of the North Fork Baptist Church in Paonia.
Special interests which added meaning and pleasure to Charles' life were his family, church work, and gardening. Writing poems was also very important to him and he had written at least 100.
Survivors grateful to have shared Charles' life include his wife, Ramona Claytor, of Somerset; two sons: Mel Claytor and wife Katherine, of Highlands Ranch; Marshall Claytor and wife Donna, of Santa Ynez, Calif.; and three daughters: Barbara and husband Donald Hickey, of Tucson, Ariz.; Emma Lou Jones, of Howe, Idaho; and Milly Westin, of San Bernadino, Calif.
He was the proud and loving grandfather of 19 grandchildren; the great-grandfather of 33 great-grandchildren; and the great-great-grandfather of one great-great-grandchild.
Other family survivors include two brothers: Max Claytor, of Springfield, Ill.; and Dick Claytor, of Calhoun, Ga.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, and five sisters.
Funeral Services in remembrance and to honor Charles' life will be officiated by The Revs. James Gall and Wayne Thompson on Saturday, March 13, at 1:30 p.m. from the First Christian Church in Paonia. The service will conclude at the church.
Graveside Services will be conducted on Monday, March 15, at 11 am. in the South Lawn Cemetery
in Tucson, Ariz., with arrangements being handled under the direction of the Crippin Funeral Home of Montrose.
Memorial gifts may be made to: Cal Farley Boys Ranch, In Memory of Charles K. Claytor, Box 1890, Amarillo, Texas 79174-9989.
