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Donald Shorty' Wood
Retired Postmaster
Sept. 14, 1914 Jan. 16, 2000
PAONIA - Donald "Shorty" Wood, age 85, died of natural causes on Sunday, Jan. 16, 2000 at his residence in Paonia.
Donald Wood was born on Sept. 14, 1914 at Sandoval, Ill., the son of Alva Wood and Mary Leona (Yardley) Wood. He spent his childhood in Illinois and Minnesota. In 1928, at the age of 14, Donald came to Paonia. He graduated from Paonia High School in 1932.
Donald was employed at the Paonia Post Office from 1946 to 1979, serving as Postmaster from 1972 to 1979. He also served as mayor of Paonia from 1980 to 1988.
Donald married Margaret E. Rule on Jan. 7, 1938 at Paonia. She preceded him in death on July 8, 1966 at Paonia.
On June 3, 1967, Donald married Marolyn Bull Holt in Paonia. His wife of more than 32 years survives.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church of Paonia.
Donald served his country in the Army, receiving the Purple Heart during his tour.
He was a member and Past Commander of the Wilson-Head American Legion Post since 1946; 40+8 Club; Last Squad; B.P.O.E. No. 1807 in Hotchkiss, serving as Exalted Ruler from 1965 to 1966 and was awarded Citizen of the Year in 1972; Paonia Rotary Club, serving as president from 1975 to 1976; ran the Old-Timers and American Legion baseball program from 1946 to 1966; served as state secretary and treasurer for state football association.
In 1980, Donald was named Citizen of the Year for the town of Paonia.
He enjoyed officiating baseball, basketball and football throughout the Western Slope; spending time with his dog "Boone"; hunting, fishing; and watching and listening to sports on T.V. and radio and officiating at the same time.
Survivors grateful to have shared his life include his wife, Marolyn Wood of the family home in Paonia; sons: James A. Wood and wife Cheryl of Kingwood, Texas; Robert J. Wood and wife Kara of Kearns, Utah; daughters: Linda L. and husband Bob Ewing of Delta; Alyson D. and husband Keith Lumry of Alice, Texas; five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, and three brothers: Harry, Dale and L.D. Wood.
An open house in celebration of Donald's life will be held for family and friends on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2000 at 7 p.m. at the Paonia United Methodist Church.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2000 at 2:30 p.m. from the Paonia United Methodist Church, with Pastor Roberta Botkin officiating.
Graveside Service by the Wilson-Head American Legion Post No. 97 will be held at the Bethlehem Cemetery
in Paonia, with arrangements being handled under the direction of the Taylor Funeral Service of Delta.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Hospice of the Uncompahgre Valley, In Memory of Donald Wood, P.O. Box 24, Delta, CO 81416; or Hotchkiss Elks Lodge No. 1807, In Memory of Donald Wood, P.O. Box ??????, Paonia, CO 81428; or Wilson-Head American Legion Post No. 97, In Memory of Donald Wood, P.O. Box 277, Paonia, CO 81428; or to the charity of the donor's choice, In Memory of Donald Wood.
Jayne Inez Fehlmann
Naturalist, Loved the Outdoors
Aug. 1, 1920 Jan. 16, 2000
MONTROSE - Jayne Inez Fehlmann, age 79, a naturalist, homemaker, and a resident of Montrose since 1979, died of a sudden illness Sunday evening, Jan. 16, 2000, in the Montrose Memorial Hospital.
Jayne Inez Kelso, the daughter of Herbert and Inez (Bentley) Kelso, was born on Aug. 1, 1920, in Boulder, Colo., where she spent her childhood, graduated from Boulder High School, and grew to adulthood. Jayne continued to pursue her education at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
She married Herman Fehlmann on Jan. 21, 1950, at Castle Rock, Colo. Jayne died five days before they would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
After their marriage and Jayne's graduation from C.U.-Boulder with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Arts, the couple continued to make their home in Boulder where Herman continued his education and Jayne worked for Mountain Bell. At the conclusion of the war effort, Herman and Jayne moved to Palo Alto and Menlo Park, Calif., where Herman studied for his Ph.D. and Jayne raised their children and worked as a colorist in a photography studio.
The Fehlmann family moved to the Washington, D.C. area and lived in Camp Springs, Md. where Jayne was employed in the public schools as a full-time substitute teacher for the Prince George's County Schools. In 1973 the family moved to Vero Beach, Fla. where they made their home until their retirement in 1979 and they moved to Montrose to retire.
Jayne was a naturalist, who upon her return to Colorado loved to be outdoors with nature, watching birds and especially squirrels and quail. She loved and enjoyed studying the cultural resources of the Southwest, painting with pastels and oils, and was an avid reader of Western history, novels, and particularly enjoyed Louis L'Amour. While Jayne was a student at the University of Colorado, she was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta Social Sorority, and maintained her many contacts throughout her lifetime with her friends who she enjoyed very much.
Survivors very grateful to have shared Jayne's life are her husband, Herman Fehlmann, of Montrose; one son, Douglas Fehlmann and wife Merna, of Olathe; one daughter, Lin Diane Fehlmann, of Phoenix, Ariz.; and one sister, Marietta Halver, of Scottsdale, Ariz.
Memorial Services in loving remembrance and to honor and pay respect to Jayne's life will be officiated on Wednesday, Jan. 19, at 2 p.m. in the Montrose Valley Funeral Home Chapel. The service will conclude at the chapel.
Cremation has taken place, with arrangements being handled under the direction of Montrose Valley Funeral Home, (970) 249-4400.
Mary Fedel
Ouray Post Office Retiree
June 26, 1900 Jan. 19, 2000
OURAY - Mary Fedel, a longtime Ouray resident, died Wednesday morning, Jan. 19, 2000, in the San Juan Living Center at Montrose, just a few months before her 100th birthday.
Mary Sarah Rossi, the daughter of Simone and Maria Rosa Rossi, was born on June 26, 1900, in Revo, Austria. Her father died when she was just 2 years old leaving her mother to provide for her and her older brother, John. Mary and her mother came to this country to work for a cousin, Ida Deru, in Ogden, Utah. Her brother stayed in Austria until he was 19 years old before he came to this country. Shortly after arriving in Ogden, Mary was enrolled in public school, but because she could not speak English, she was sent home. Her mother then made arrangements for her to attend a private Catholic school which she attended for four years.
In 1910, Mary's mother married Fred Moscon and the family moved to Ouray, Colo. Mary attended the Ouray Schools from fourth grade through the eighth. In 1916 they moved into the Belvedere Hotel which was a boarding and rooming house for the railroad men. Mary helped her family by working at the Belvedere.
Mary had an interesting social life and she loved to dance. She would go with her friends to dances at the Old Maid Mine, located above the Bachelor Mine on Dexter Creek.
They rode horseback through snow storms and it took them over two hours to reach the boarding house. The orchestra for the dance was made up of four miners and at 2 a.m. the group would mount their horses for the return trip and would arrive home about daylight.
On Jan. 12, 1919, Mary married Frank Fedel. Mary and Frank lovingly welcomed five sons born to their union: Al, Francis, Dick, Norm, and son, Robert, who died of a skull fracture when he was 3-1/2 years old.
During World War II Mary worked with the War Production Board in the rationing department. She had to keep busy as all four of her sons were in the service Al in the United States Army Air Corps, Francis in the United States Air Force, Dick in the United States Marines, and Norm in the United States Navy.
Mary worked in the Ouray Post Office for 21 years prior to her retirement in 1972. She had served under the administration of Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon and under three Postmasters.
Mary was a member of St. Daniel's Catholic Church of Ouray, the Neighbors of Woodcraft, and took part in many civic and social organizations.
She was very proud of her many friends and her loving family. She had a warm welcome for everyone and always had coffee and usually home-made treats. One of the things that bothered Mary in the nursing home was not being able to offer her guests treats. If anyone needed help, Mary was there. She was warm, kind, and concerned about other people and made friends easily.
Survivors so very grateful to have shared Mary's life are three sons: Al Fedel and Norm Fedel, both of Ouray; Dick Fedel, of Denver; four daughters-in-law; 10 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Other family survivors include one sister, Katherine Fedel, of Denver.
Vigil for the deceased will be recited on Friday, Jan. 21, at 7 p.m. at St. Daniel's Catholic Church in Ouray, with viewing to follow the Vigil.
Funeral Mass in loving remembrance and to celebrate Mary's life will be officiated on Saturday, Jan. 22, at 10 a.m. at St. Daniel's Catholic Church.
Rite of Committal will follow the Mass in the Cedar Hill Cemetery
at Ouray, with arrangements being handled under the direction of the Crippin Funeral Home of Montrose, (970) 249-2121.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: St. Daniel's Catholic Church Scholarship Fund, In Memory of Mary Fedel, P.O. Box 565, Ouray, CO 81427.
Joseph Micheal Bruck
Montrose Farmer, Rancher
Oct. 3, 1909 Jan. 14, 2000
GRAND JUNCTION - Retired Montrose farmer and rancher, Joseph Micheal "Joe" Bruck, age 90, of Grand Junction, died on Friday, Jan. 14, 2000, in Grand Junction.
Joseph Micheal Bruck was born in Gorham, Kan. on Oct. 3, 1909, the son of Joseph S. and Julia A. (Klien) Bruck.
Joe moved to Spring Creek Mesa near Montrose to farm and ranch, and married Helen Dale Price in May of 1941. He farmed and ranched on Spring Creek Mesa until 1966 when he retired and relocated to Arizona. Joe then went into full-time ministry and was ordained on June 28, 1981 in Apache Junction, Ariz.
While Joe and his family lived in Montrose, he was active in the Lions, Elks and Masons organizations. He served on the Oak Grove School Board for many years and was instrumental in building the new gym. His children and grandchildren attended school there.
Joe served in several farm organizations including Farm Home Administration and Soil Conservation boards during the years he was engaged in farming, livestock production, and feedlot operations in Montrose. Joe also served as a chaplain at two nursing homes in Montrose.
Survivors left to cherish Joe's memory are his wife, Helen Dale (Price) Bruck, of Grand Junction; and four children: Harold A. Knabe and wife JoAnn (Schmidt), of Pueblo; James W. "Jim" Bruck and wife Shirley (Free), of Cimarron; Julie A. and husband Frank E. Hilfer, of Reno, Nev.; and Jerald M. Bruck and wife Beth (Charles), of Grand Junction.
Joe was the proud and loving grandfather of 11 grandchildren: Steve Knabe, of Pueblo; Dawn and Dave King, of Moscow, Idaho; Joseph S. and Andrea Stone, of Colorado Springs; Jeff B. and Karrie Stone; Jill D. and Donnie Eriksen, all of Cody, Wyo.; Tracey L. Bruck, of Mesa, Ariz.; Elizabeth A. and Glenn Miller, of E. Meadow, N.Y.; Robert J. Hilfer, of Reno, Nev.; Cory and Eddie Ward; Paul Bruck; and Aaron Bruck, all of Grand Junction; and the great-grandfather of eight great-grandchildren.
Other family survivors include one sister, Helen L. and husband Delbert Farra; one niece, Annie and husband Larry Ruggles, of Montrose; and one nephew, Mr. and Mrs. Karl Farra.
In addition to his parents, Joe was also preceded in death by one son, Harold; one grandchild; and one sister, Helen.
Memorial Services in loving remembrance and to honor Joe's life were officiated on Tuesday, Jan. 18, in the Community Christian Church at Apache Junction, Ariz. The service concluded at the church.
Inurnment will be held in Cedar Cemetery
at Montrose.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Hospice of the Grand Valley, In Memory of Joe Bruck, Grand Junction, CO or Community Christian Church, In Memory of Joe Bruck, in Apache Junction, AZ.
Oren Williams
Federal Civilian Employee
April 25, 1913 Jan. 20, 2000
DELTA - Oren Williams, age 86, of Delta, died on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2000, in the Intergrated Health Services at Delta.
Born on April 25, 1913 in Dallas County, Mo., Oren Williams was the son of William and Alice (Scott) Williams.
Prior to his retirement, Oren was a federal civilian employee at a government military installation.
Survivors left to cherish Oren's memory are his spouse, Ida Hayes, of Delta; and three nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Carroll Williams; and one sister, Shirley Powell.
Graveside Services in loving remembrance and to honor Oren's life will be officiated on Monday, Jan. 24, at 10 a.m. in the Delta City Cemetery.
Arrangements are being handled under the direction of Taylor Funeral Service, Inc. of Delta, (970) 874-9988.
Nellie Macfarlane
Beloved Mother, Grandmother
Feb. 19, 1914 Jan. 20, 2000
CEDAREDGE - Nellie Macfarlane, age 85, a homemaker and resident of Cedaredge since 1946, died on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2000, in her home at Cedaredge.
Nellie Rose, the daughter of Andrew C. and Mary Victoria (Patten) Rose, was born on Feb. 19, 1914 in Kerwin, Kan. She spent her childhood in Kerwin and St. Francis, Kan., receiving her education at Kerwin.
Nellie married Edmond A. "Ted" Macfarlane on Dec. 24, 1946 in Fort Collins, Colo. Ted preceded Nellie in death.
She greatly enjoyed crocheting, bird watching, and fishing. Nellie loved the outdoors and animals.
Survivors left to cherish her memory are one daughter, Debbie and husband Les Eurich, of Fort Morgan; and three grandchildren.
In addition to her parents and husband, Nellie was also preceded in death by four brothers and three sisters.
Visitation for family and friends is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 24, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Taylor Funeral Service Chapel in Cedaredge.
Funeral Services in loving remembrance and to honor Nellie's life will be officiated by The Rev. Lee Ponder on Tuesday, Jan. 25, at 10 a.m. in the Cedaredge Taylor Funeral Service Chapel.
Interment will follow the service in the Cedaredge Cemetery, with arrangements being handled under the direction of Taylor Funeral Service, Inc. of Cedaredge, (970) 874-9988.
Julian J. Joyce
World War II Veteran
Aug. 21, 1911 Jan. 21, 2000
PAONIA - Julian J. Joyce, age 88, of Paonia, died following an extended illness on Friday, Jan. 21, 2000, in the Veterans Administration Medical Center at Grand Junction.
Born on Aug. 21, 1911 in Fredonia, Kan., Julian J. Joyce was the son of Wilbur and Josie (Wells) Joyce. He grew up in Kansas, Washington state, and Denver.
During World War II, Julian served his country in the United States Coast Guard, and later worked in Washington, D.C. and Albuquerque, N.M. for the Atomic Energy Commission.
Julian retired and moved to Stucker Mesa, just outside Paonia in 1965, where he wrote many books of a metaphysical nature.
He greatly enjoyed restoring and working on cars, particularly Jaguars and Corvettes.
Survivors very grateful to have shared Julian's life are two daughters: Judith Galloway, of Longview, Texas; Mary Martha Joyce, of Santa Clara, Calif.; and two grandchildren.
Other family survivors include one sister, Charlotte Carter, of McMinnville, Ore.
Services in loving remembrance and to honor Julian's life will be officiated on Monday, Jan. 24, at 3:30 p.m. in the Taylor Funeral Service Chapel at Paonia.
Arrangements are being handled under the direction of Taylor Funeral Service, Inc., (970) 874-9988.
Eugene Elroy Huston
NUCLA - Eugene Elroy Huston, age 77, an electrician and resident of Nucla, died on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2000, in the Basin Clinic at Naturita.
Survivors include his wife, Julia Huston, of Nucla; one son, Ronald Huston; three daughters: Mary Ann Cooper, Faythe Huston, Karen Huston, all of Denver; and four grandchildren.
Other family survivors include two brothers: Ernest Huston, of Pasadena, Calif.; Virgil Huston, of Sheridan, Wyo.; and one sister, Norma Bush, of Seattle, Wash.
Services in loving remembrance and to honor Eugene's life were officiated on Thursday, Jan. 13, at the Nucla Assembly of God Church.
Arrangements were handled under the direction of the Martin Mortuary of Grand Junction.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Nucla-Naturita Fire Department Ambulance, In Memory of Eugene Huston, P.O. Box 453, Naturita, CO 81424.
Gerald E. Fortner
Loved the Lord Jesus Christ
March 13, 1914 Jan. 22, 2000
DELTA - Gerald Ernest Fortner, age 85, a carpenter and rancher, died Saturday evening, Jan. 22, 2000, at the home of his son, Kenneth Fortner, in Delta, following a long illness.
Gerald E. Fortner was born on March 13, 1914, in Olathe, Colo., the son of Ora Belle Fortner and Laurella (Butterfield) Fortner. His great-grandmother was a niece of pioneer Ezra Meeker. He attended school and graduated from the eighth grade in Olathe.
Gerald worked on several ranches near Lake City. He loved farming, and planned on spending his life as a farmer. He also worked in Ouray for one summer on a berry farm and on the Taylor Dam.
In December of 1936, Gerald enlisted in the United States Army with the 76th Field Artillery in Cheyenne. After two years, he gave his life to the Lord and met his first wife, Ellen Carlson. The couple were married in 1939.
Gerald was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army and joined the Union Pacific Railroad as a bridge carpenter. When World War II broke out, he left the railroad and went to Denver and helped build the Rocky Mountain Arsenal.
Gerald hired out again on the Union Pacific Railroad and lived in Laramie, Wyo., before moving to California where he worked for 35 year as a journeyman carpenter and retired in 1979.
His wife, Ellen, died in 1986. Two children were born to this marriage: Kenneth L. and Faye G. Fortner.
In 1988, Gerald left California and lived in Montrose until near the time of his death.
In 1989, he married Ethel Foertsch.
Survivors grateful to have shared Gerald's life are his wife, Ethel Fortner, of the family home in Montrose; one son, Kenneth L. Fortner and wife Joan; and one daughter Faye G. and husband David Brice, all of Delta.
He was the proud grandfather of four grandchildren, the great-grandfather of six great-grandchildren; and the great-great-grandfather of one great-great-grandson.
In addition to his parents and first wife, Ellen, Gerald was also preceded in death by one brother, Ralph Fortner; one sister, Louise Warren; and one grandson, Donald Westerberg Jr.
Visitation for family and friends is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 24, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Crippin Funeral Home Chapel in Montrose.
Funeral Services to honor Gerald's life will be conducted by Pastor Keith Howard on Tuesday, Jan. 25, at 11 a.m. at the Crippin Funeral Home Chapel.
Music will be furnished by vocalist and organist Carma Grimes.
Interment will follow the service in the Olathe Cemetery, with arrangements being handled under the direction of the Crippin Funeral Home of Montrose, (970) 249-2121.
