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L.J. "Llew" Springer
Prestigious Delta Civic Leader
Dec. 15, 1915 Feb. 19, 1999
DELTA - L.J. "Llew" Springer, age 83, died on Friday, Feb. 19, 1999, in the Colorow Care Center at Olathe.
Memorial Services will be officiated by The Rev. Bill Forbes on Monday, March 29, at 10 a.m. from the Presbyterian Church in Delta.
Interment of the cremated remains will follow the service in the Delta City Cemetery, with arrangements being handled under the direction of Mesa View Mortuary-Cemetery of Delta.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to: Delta County Hospice Project, In Memory of Llew Springer, P.O. Box 1804, Montrose, Colo. 81402-1804.
L.J. Springer was born in Bayfield, Colo. on Dec. 15, 1915, the son of Mary and Melvin Springer Sr. He moved with his family to Delta in 1920 where he graduated from the Delta High School in 1933. Llew then graduated from the University of Washington in 1938. That same year he joined his father Mel and brother Jim at the Colorado Bank and Trust Company, where he worked until his retirement in 1975.
Llew took a four-year leave from the bank during World War II to join the United States Army, where he rose to the rank of Major and served a tour of duty in Europe.
In addition to banking, he and his brother Jim owned and operated the Stirrup Bar Cattle Ranch at Maher for many years.
Llew is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mildred Springer, of Delta; one daughter, Christine Ashmun, of Highland, Calif.; one son, Alan M. Springer, of Fairbanks, Alaska; three grandsons: Dylan and Connor Ashmun, of Highland, Calif.; Matt Springer; and one granddaughter, Andrea Springer, both of Fairbanks, Alaska.
Other family survivors include one sister, Martha Pollock, of San Diego, Calif.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Melvin Springer Sr.; and his brother, Jim Springer, of Delta.
Llew's first priority was always his family. He spent many fine days on picnics, boating, hunting, fishing, and riding horses. He instilled in his children and grandchildren an enduring appreciation of nature and the outdoors.
Throughout his lifetime, Llew was a leader in the following capacities: as a Drum Major in his high school marching band, as president of the SAE fraternity in college, and as a member and officer of many organizations in Delta. Among these, he was the first president of the Delta Community Concert, a position he held for several years; president and board member for many years of the Delta Chamber of Commerce;
President of the local Rotary Club and a District Governor of Rotary International; secretary-treasurer of the Delta Presbyterian Church for 26 years; treasurer of the Grand Mesa Resort Company; a long-time supporter of Little Britches Rodeo and 4-H; a member of the Delta Memorial Hospital Citizen's Committee; and a Colorado West Ambassador.
Llew was honored as Sportsman of the Year by the Delta Quarterback Club. He initiated the Boy Scout Flag Program in 1960 when he was told of a similar program in another city by an employee at the bank, Worthy Russell, and recognized the obvious benefits that would come to this community if it were begun here. Keeping his priorities straight, however, he declined an invitation to fill a vacancy in the Colorado House of Representatives upon the death of a Western Slope representative for fear that such a job would require too much time away from his family.
Llew was also a teacher, both in his home and in his profession. He was a founding board member of the Western Colorado Conference of the National Association of Bank Auditors and Comptrollers; an instructor for the American Institute of Banking; and for several years was on the faculty of the Colorado School of Banking, an institute on banking practices sponsored by the Colorado Bankers Association and the University of Colorado School of Business and attended by bankers from 15 western states.
Perhaps a sense of Llew's dedication to things he valued his family, community, and nation, a sense of the way he led his day-to-day life can be found in a notice published in the Delta County Independent in 1942, when he was promoted to Captain in the Army:
"Congratulations to Delta's Llew Springer who has just advanced to the rank of Captain and who has also been serving as a Company Commander. Recently we were privileged to read a letter Llew wrote back to Delta and we were impressed with the very deep interest shown in his work and duties as evidencecd by that letter. All of which bears out the hope given by the Legion of men leaving here for service, i.e., 'you will get out of it what you put in.' We remember Llew when, representing the Chamber of Commerce, he pitched in with the city hall boys to give Delta some of the finest Christmas decorations it has ever had. Nice going, Llew, and may your silver bars develop into an eagle."
Fred D. Suttle
An Outstanding Vocalist
Jan. 18, 1916 - March 21, 1999
OLATHE - Fred D. Suttle, age 83, a retired farmer of Olathe, died on Sunday, March 21, 1999, at his home in Olathe.
Memorial Services in remembrance and to honor Fred's life were officiated by Daniel Casebier on Thursday, March 25, at 2 p.m. from the Olathe Methodist Church.
Marian Harvat served as organist, with vocalist Lyle Waller singing the selected hymns, "How Great Thou Art" and "The Lord's Prayer."
Inurnment followed the service in the Olathe Cemetery, with arrangements handled under the direction of the Crippin Funeral Home of Montrose.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to: The United Methodist Church of Olathe, In Memory of Fred Suttle, P.O. Box 148, Olathe, Colo. 81425.
Fred D. Suttle was born in Olathe, Colo., on Jan. 18, 1916, the son of Arthur and Zola (Hogan) Suttle. He spent his childhood, graduated from the Olathe High School, and grew to adulthood in Olathe. He continued to pursue his education and attended Western State College in Gunnison for one year.
On Oct. 9, 1938, Fred was married in Ridgway, Colo., to Lois Myers, who preceded him in death on Nov. 18, 1998, in the couple's home at Olathe.
Fred was a member of the Olathe Methodist Church and the Masons.
He was a horseman and enjoyed fishing and hunting. Fred was an "outstanding vocalist."
Survivors include two daughters: Sharon and husband Patrick Dwyer, of Greeley; Carol and husband Daniel Casebier, of Austin, Texas; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Other family survivors include one brother, Dean Suttle, of Durango; and one sister, Evelyn Smith, of San Angelo, Texas.
In addition to his parents and wife, Fred was also preceded in death by one brother, Kent Suttle.
Ruth Love Wootton Thomas
School Teacher/ Postmistress
June 1, 1902 - March 22, 1999
GRAND JUNCTION - Ruth Love Wootton Thomas, age 96, formerly of Eckert, died on Monday, March 22, 1999, in the Integrated Health Services Mesa Manor at Grand Junction.
Ruth Love Wootton, the third child of the affluent family of Henry Ashe and Grace Elizabeth (Hubbard) Wootton, was born on June 1, 1902, at San Angelo, Texas. Her father was the first Santa Fe ticket agent and telegraph operator in San Angelo, Texas, in 1900.
Ruth's mother died in 1918 when she was 16 years old, and the family had a struggle staying together, therefore they became very close knit. Ruth had three brothers and five sisters and she outlived all of the Wootton and Hubbard families.
Through the kindnesses of Mrs. Rushing, Ruth attended Baylor Belton All Girl Baptist College at Baylor, Texas and Sul Ross University at Alpine, Texas, where she received a lifetime teaching degree.
Ruth was employed as a teacher at Drasco, Texas, where she taught all grades of school. She met William "Bill" Thomas about 1922. They went together for six years and married on July 15, 1928, at Ballinger, Texas.
In 1935, Ruth became the Postmistress of Corona, N.M., where she was employed for eight years.
In 1943, Ruth and Bill and their daughter, LaVerne, moved to Eckert, Colo. Ruth taught first grade at Cedaredge for two years, then moved to Delta where she taught second grade for three years.
At the forks of the roads one going to Delta and one to Austin, Bill and Ruth developed what he called Orchard City. They had a station, a restaurant and orchards of cherries, plums, and apples. They later changed to a small trailer park and sold the stone house, station, restaurant and orchard.
Bill and Ruth enjoyed traveling, visiting Old Mexico, Florida, and all of the Southern states.
After being married for 47 years, Bill preceded Ruth in death in 1974.
Following her husband's death, Ruth and her sisters continued to travel taking two trips to Hawaii, one to Switzerland, and went on two cruises. Ruth enjoyed wintering in Junction, Texas.
In August of 1994, she broke her hip and had been under care for the last five years of her life.
Ruth is survived by one daughter, LaVerne and husband Lester Doyle, of Grand Junction; two grandchildren: Linda G. and husband Terry Brown, of Delta; Daniel Doyle, of Camas, Wash.; five great-grandchildren: Shannon T. Brown, of Denver; Kimberly A. Brown, of Grand Junction; Misty D. Brown, of Gunnison; Dustin A. Doyle, of Camas, Wash.; Evan T. Brown and wife Angela, of Opelika, Ala.; and two great-great-grandchildren: Chrissy and Jordan Brown, of Opelika, Ala.
Other family survivors include one nephew, Larry Lincecum, of Buhl, Idaho; and two sisters-in-law: Connie Wootten, of De Sota, Texas; and Nadine Scott, of Grand Junction.
Visitation for family and friends is scheduled for Thursday, March 25, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Mesa View Mortuary in Delta.
Funeral Services in remembrance and to honor Ruth's life will be officiated by Pastor Buddy Bishop on Friday, March 26, at 9 a.m. from the Mesa View Mortuary Chapel in Delta.
Interment will follow the service in the Delta City Cemetery, with arrangements being handled under the direction of Mesa View Mortuary-Cemetery of Delta.
N. Joyce Johnson
She Loved Flowers
June 12, 1922 - March 25, 1999
MONTROSE - N. Joyce Johnson, age 76, a resident of Montrose for 49 years, died early Thursday morning, March 25, 1999, in the Valley Manor Care Center at Montrose.
N. Joyce Peterson was born in Cedaredge, Colo., on June 12, 1922, the daughter of Archie and Effie (Meyers) Peterson. She spent her childhood, graduated from the Cedaredge High School, and grew to adulthood in Cedaredge.
Joyce married Leland C. "Lee" Johnson on Aug. 9, 1942, in Reno, Nev. This union was blessed with three sons and one daughter.
Forty-nine years ago the Johnson family moved from Cedaredge to Montrose where Lee preceded Joyce in death on Jan. 5, 1986.
Joyce worked as a bookkeeper for her husband's business, Lee Johnson Plumbing, for over 20 years. She then was employed as a tax preparer with H & R Block and was also self-employed as a tax preparer.
She was a member of the Montrose Church of Christ.
Joyce always enjoyed her work, along with sewing and crocheting. She loved her flowers and growing them.
Survivors include three sons: Troy Johnson; Samuel Johnson and wife Glennith; Karl Johnson and wife Vickie, all of Montrose; 14 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Other family survivors include one brother, Oran Peterson, of Cedaredge; and one sister, Marie Miller, of Delta.
In addition to her parents and husband, Joyce was also preceded in death by two brothers: Archie and Jim Peterson; one daughter-in-law, Lois Johnson; and one granddaughter, Sandra Johnson.
Visitation for family and friends was scheduled for Friday, March 26, from 3 to 7 p.m. in the Crippin Funeral Home Chapel at Montrose.
Funeral Services in remembrance and to honor Joyce's life were officiated by Pastor Tim Smith on Saturday, March 27, at 2:30 p.m. from the Church of Christ on Townsend in Montrose.
Joyce's grandsons served as casketbearers.
Interment followed the service in the Grand View Cemetery
west of Montrose, with arrangements handled under the direction of the Crippin Funeral Home of Montrose.
Paul E. Neuenschwander
Retired Quality Control Manager
Jan. 14, 1926 - March 27, 1999
DELTA - Paul E. Neuenschwander, age 73, a resident of Delta since 1970, died on Saturday, March 27, 1999, at his residence outside of Delta.
No services are planned at this time.
Cremation has taken place, with arrangements handled under the direction of Mesa View Mortuary-Cemetery of Delta.
Memorial gifts may be made to: Hospice of the Uncompahgre Valley, In Memory of Paul E. Neuenschwander, P.O. Box 1804, Montrose, Colo. 81402-1804.
Paul E. Neuenschwander was born in Hamilton, Ohio, on Jan. 14, 1926, the son of Harry and Alma (Burkhart) Neuenschwander. He graduated from high school in Oxford, Ohio.
Paul married Nancy Jane Albrecht and they danced together for 37 years.
He served his country in the United States Navy Air Corp.
Prior to his retirement, Paul was employed as a quality control manager with Beech Aircraft.
He lived all his life in Oxford, Ohio until moving to the Boulder-Longmont area where he and his wife lived for eight years before moving to Delta in 1970, where Paul made his home until the time of his death.
He was a member of the Christian Church and the Appaloosa Horse Club.
Special interests that added meaning and pleasure to Paul's life were pool, chess, bowling, darts, golf, fly fishing, and show horses.
Survivors include his wife, Nancy J. Neuenschwander, of Delta; three sons: Kris, of West Palm Beach, Fla.; Tim, of Cincinnati, Ohio; Bill, of Siberia, Ind.; seven daughters: Adienne, of Lafayette, Ind.; Shari, of Louisville, Ohio; Tari, of Woodsfield, Ohio; Rebecca, of Somerset; Amy Lisa, of Thornton; Anna, of Olathe; Laura, of Rangely; 30 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents, and an uncle and aunt, John and Beth Burkhart.
Ruth K. Sauer
Montrose Resident Since 1988
May 24, 1915 - March 23, 1999
MONTROSE - Ruth K. Sauer, age 83, a Montrose resident since 1988, died Tuesday afternoon, March 23, 1999, in the Montrose Memorial Hospital.
Funeral Mass in remembrance and to honor Ruth's life was officiated by The Rev. Dan Huber on Saturday, March 27, at 11 a.m. from St. Mary's Catholic Church in Montrose. Prior to the Mass, viewing was held from 10:30 a.m. until service time at the church.
Selected hymns were "On Eagle's Wings," "Amazing Grace," and "How Great Thou Art."
Pallbearers were Bob DeJulio, John Duncan, John Peloquin, Porfy Tafoya, John Welch, and Ed Chenevert.
Graveside Services will be officiated on Thursday, April 1, at 1 p.m. in the Melville Cemetery
at Long Island, N.Y., with local arrangements handled under the direction of the Crippin Funeral Home of Montrose.
Born on May 24, 1915, in Patterson, N.J., Ruth K. Kennedy was the daughter of Patrick R. and Lena (Jaeggi) Kennedy.
Prior to her retirement, Ruth was employed as an admitting clerk for the Brunswick Hospital in Long Island, N.Y.
She married Henry Sauer on Feb. 14, 1983, in Florida. The couple moved from Spring Hill, Fla., to Montrose in 1988 where Ruth made her home until the time of her death.
She was a member of the Catholic church.
Ruth loved ballroom dancing and her animals. She is survived by her dog "Sparky" and her cat "Maxie."
Survivors grateful to have shared Ruth's life include her husband, Henry Sauer; and one sister, Jean Boylan, both of Montrose.
Other family survivors include her nieces and nephews: Tommy Boylan Jr. and Ann Purdy, both of Colorado; Jeanne Boylan, of Arizona; Catherine Boylan, of California; Danny Boylan and Teresa Asher, both of Colorado; and Patti Cipollini, of Connecticut.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother.
Lucile G. Nivens
Devoted Wife and Mother
May 20, 1909 - March 29, 1999
DELTA - Lucile G. Nivens, age 89, a homemaker and resident of Delta for 13 years, died on Monday, March 29, 1999, in her daughter's home at Delta.
Graveside Services in remembrance and to honor Lucile's life will be officiated by The Rev. Tim Parish on Wednesday, March 31, at 3 p.m. in the Delta City Cemetery.
Arrangements are being handled under the direction of Mesa View Mortuary-Cemetery of Delta.
Memorial gifts may be made to: Alzheimers Assn., In Memory of Lucile G. Nivens, 743 Horizon Court, Suite 100-A, Grand Junction, Colo. 81506, or American Cancer Society, In Memory of Lucile G. Nivens, c/o Frederica Morris, 1451 Highway 65, Eckert, Colo. 81418.
Lucile G. Bush, the daughter of Winburn and Fannie (Cheatham) Bush, was born on May 20, 1909, in Greenville, Ala.
Lucile married Freeman F. Nivens on Jan. 31, 1931, in Montgomery, Ala. The couple lived in Arvada before moving to Delta 13 years ago where Lucile was preceded in death by her husband on May 16, 1998.
Following her husband's death, she continued to make her home in Delta until the time of her own death.
Lucile was a member of Immanuel Bible Church of Delta. She greatly enjoyed church, "doing for others," and was a devoted wife and mother.
Survivors include one daughter, Frances Louise Laurita, of Delta; one brother, Junior Bush; and two sisters: Frances Smith and Louise Summersgill, all of Montgomery, Ala.
