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Robert Anson 'Bob' Stairs
World War II, Korean Conflict Vet
Dec. 23, 1926 - Feb. 20, 2001
REDDING, Calif. - Robert Anson "Bob" Stairs, age 74, died from a lengthy illness Tuesday morning, Feb. 20, 2001, in Redding, Calif. Rehabilitation Center.
Robert Anson Stairs, the only child of James Anson Stairs and Mary May (Jackson) Stairs, was born on Dec. 23, 1926, in Madison, Neb. He spent his childhood and received his education in Neligh and Norfolk, Neb. Bob continued to pursue his education going to Culinary Arts School for four years and business training for two years.
He went into the United States Navy/Army with the rank of Petty Officer First Class. Assigned as a Frogman in the U.S. Navy and as a security officer, he proudly served his country in the military two times in both World War II and the Korean Conflict.
During his lifetime, Bob worked various jobs as a commercial pilot, radio DJ, TV newsman, Merchant Marine, photgrapher, chef, and as a reporter in Nicaragua with "Voice of America." Bob was jailed twice for siding with the rebels.
He was married four times, all ending in divorce and one in death. Carol Ann Stolfus was his last wife from 1959 to 1971. They had two daughters, who survive: Kathi Renee' Tullio and Jami Lee Stolfus, of Montrose; with Linda Jacobson, one son, Robert A. Stairs Jr., of Sioux City, Iowa; and two grown estranged daughters from Boston and Michigan.
Bob was the proud grandfather of seven grandchildren and one great-grandson of Colorado.
He lived the past 12 years in the Fort Jones area of Northern California with his girlfriend, Caroline "Frankie" Hoffman. Last year he returned to Mexico to live alone until his illness brought him back to Redding, Calif., where he made his home until the time of his death.
Bob enjoyed getting into his car and traveling all over the United States and Mexico. He would travel for days on end wherever his wide spread wings would carry him. He was a free bird.
Services in loving remembrance of Bob's life will be held at a later date in Montrose.
John V. Shaver
World War II Veteran
July 21, 1918 - Feb. 21, 2001
MONTROSE - John V. Shaver, age 82, a resident of Montrose since 1982, died Wednesday morning, Feb. 21, 2001, in the Valley Manor Care Center at Montrose.
John V. Shaver, one of eight children, was born in Chandler, Okla. on July 21, 1918, the son of David M. Shaver and Anna Rebecca (Palmer) Shaver. He spent his childhood years in Grand Junction, Colo.
During World War II, John proudly served his country as a pilot with the United States Air Force. He performed duties in China, Burma, India, and the South Pacific.
On Sept. 1, 1945, John was joined in marriage, for a lifetime partnership, with Dorothy L. Carlton in Pueblo, Colo. They were the parents of three children and had the privilege of celebrating their 55th wedding anniversary last year in September.
Prior to his retirement, John was employed as a quality control supervisor for the aircraft industry.
Following his retirement, John and Dorothy moved from Grand Junction to Montrose in 1982, where they resided until the time of John's death.
The loves in John's life that brought him happiness included carpentry work, and rebuilding and refurbishing older Bronco vehicles.
Survivors who were blessed to share John's life include his wife, Dorothy Shaver, of Montrose; one daughter, Carolyn Sue and husband T.V. Hall, of Leona Valley, Calif.; two sons: Robert L. Shaver and wife Tuckie, of Boise, Idaho; Mike Shaver and wife Jean, of Montrose; and nine precious grandchildren.
John was preceded in death by both of his parents, four brothers and three sisters.
Private family visitation will be held.
Funeral Services in loving remembrance and to honor John's life will be officiated by Pastor Ben Garate, of the Calvary Chapel, on Monday, Feb. 26, at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Montrose. The service will conclude at the church.
Private family interment will take place in the Grand View Cemetery
west of Montrose.
Arrangements are being handled under the direction of the Crippin Funeral Home of Montrose; (970) 249-2121.
Don Onofer Sanchez
Had A Big Heart
Dec. 4, 1950 - Feb. 19, 2001
GRAND JUNCTION - Former Delta resident, Don Onofer Sanchez, age 50, of Grand Junction, died Monday, Feb. 20, 2001, at his home in Grand Junction.
Don Onofer Sanchez, the son of Onofer and Lucy (Valdez) Sanchez, was born on Dec. 4, 1950, in Read, Colo. He spent his childhood years, attended school in Delta, and lived there until moving to Grand Junction 20 years ago where he remained until his death.
Don was previously employed as a dock loader for a grocery warehouse.
He was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church of Delta.
Don's hobbies and special interests that brought him happiness included collecting coins and Bronco memorabilia. Those who knew and loved Don will cherish their memories of this special man with a big heart who was liked by everyone.
Survivors very grateful to share Don's life include three sons: Kenneth Christopher Sanchez, who is serving in the United States Marines in Japan; Joey Ochoa and Primitivo Ochoa Jr., both of Grand Junction; three daughters: Valerie Hope Pacheco and fiance Rodolfo Tarin; Rosa Munoz and Amy Munoz, all of Grand Junction; and two precious grandchildren.
Other family survivors include Don's parents, Onofer and Lucy Sanchez, of Delta; one sister, Samantha and husband Rick Stokka, of Iowa; best friends, Juanita and Victor Munoz, of Grand Junction; as well as two nephews and three nieces.
Don was preceded in death by one brother, Kenny Sanchez.
Visitation for family and friends is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 25, from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Mesa View Mortuary in Delta.
Rosary will be recited on Sunday, Feb. 25, at 6 p.m. at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Delta.
Funeral Mass in loving remembrance and to celebrate Don's life will be officiated by Rev. Mark Bettinger on Monday, Feb. 26, at 10 a.m. at St. Michael's Catholic Church.
Rite of Committal will follow the Mass in the Mesa View Cemetery, with arrangements being handled under the direction of Mesa View Mortuary-Cemetery of Delta; (970) 874-8633.
Beryl L. Morris
WW II Vet, Fruit Grower
Jan. 1, 1918 - Feb. 21, 2001
CEDAREDGE - Lifetime Cedaredge resident, Beryl L. Morris, age 83, died Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2001, in the Delta County Memorial Hospital at Delta.
Beryl L. Morris, the son of Alvin and Irene (Hawkins) Morris, was born on Jan. 1, 1918 in Cedaredge, Colo., where he grew to manhood and graduated from Cedaredge High School in 1935. After graduation he attended Blair's Business College in Colorado Springs.
In December of 1939, Beryl was joined in marriage with Zelma Cook and they established their home in Cedaredge.
During World War II, Beryl proudly served his country in the United States Army, attaining the rank of Corporal.
He was a fruit grower for many years. He belonged to a number of organizations including the Colorado Apple Administrative Commission, Pest Board, numerous water boards, Conservancy Board, Cedaredge Fire Boards, and Western Colorado Horticultural Society. Beryl's awards included Apple Grower of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award.
Above all things in his life, Beryl especially loved and enjoyed all his family and his grandchildren. All his family and friends who loved and cherished Beryl will deeply miss him.
Survivors very grateful to share Beryl's life include his wife, Zelma Morris; one son, Bob Morris, both of Cedaredge; one daughter, Anna Marie Doig, of Gypsum; five precious grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Other family survivors include one brother, Jim Morris, of Roosevelt Estates, Ariz.; and one sister, Alvene Peterson, of Los Angeles, Calif.
Beryl was preceded in death by both of his parents; two brothers: Carl and Emerson Morris; and one great-granddaughter, Megan.
Visitation for family and friends is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Mesa View Mortuary in Delta.
Funeral Services in loving remembrance and to celebrate Beryl's life will be officiated on Saturday, Feb. 24, at 10 a.m. at the Grand Mesa Southern Baptist Church in Cedaredge.
Interment will follow the service in the Cedaredge Cemetery, with arrangements being handled under the direction of the Mesa View Mortuary-Cemetery of Delta; (970) 874-8633.
William 'Bill' Marlow
Enjoyed Family, Outdoors
Jan. 27, 1918 - Feb. 19, 2001
MONTROSE - William "Bill" Marlow, age 85, of Montrose, died Monday morning, Feb. 19, 2001, in St. Mary's Hospital & Regional Medical Center at Grand
William Marlow, the son of Elasha Marlow and Elizabeth (Jones) Marlow, was born on Jan. 27, 1918, in Delta, Colo. Shortly after his birth, Bill's mother died during the flu epidemic of 1918. He went to live with his grandparents in Ouray where he received some of his education. When he became a teenager, Bill lived with his relatives at various locations in Eastern Colorado and Kansas where they were engaged in the construction of roads. He completed his education at the Emily Griffith Opportunity School in Denver in 1933.
In 1936, Bill married Frances Hooker in Grand Junction, Colo. She preceded him in death in June of 1994. On July 19, 1995, he was married in Ogden, Utah, to Ida Barbour, who shared his life until the time of his death.
After working in construction as a heavy equipment operator throughout the West since 1933, Bill joined the United States Army in February of 1945 where he proudly served his country as a heavy equipment operator and truck driver in the Infantry.
After completing his military service, Bill worked for the Atomic Energy Commission in Grand Junction; Blackfoot, Idaho; Moab, Utah; and various locations throughout the mountain west. He worked in the Moab area during the uranium boom and then later was employed with the United States Geological Survey, delivering equipment to various government installations in Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Colorado, and Wyoming. Bill never had an accident in all of his government travel - well over 1 million miles. In 1980 he retired from the Denver Regional Office of the USGS.
He was a member of the Grand Junction Elks Lodge and since his retirement in 1980 Bill spent most of his winters in Yuma, Ariz.
During his lifetime, Bill found enjoyment and happiness in making items out of wood, being outdoors fishing and hunting, and especially spending time with his family.
Bill was well versed on his family history. The Marlow family was one of the most prominent families of several that moved to various locations throughout the Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado frontiers during the period after the Civil War when the Southwest was being settled by ranchers, farmers, and miners.
The generation of Bill's grandfather, George Marlow, who he lived with after the death of his mother, and the Marlow brothers were the foundation of the story told by the John Wayne movie, "Sons of Katie Elder." Katie Elder portrayed Martha Keaton Marlow who was born in 1823 and died in 1907. Martha is buried at Billy Creek in Western Colorado. The brothers survived a harrowing experience with Oklahoma justice and mob rule.
The five Marlow brothers were arrested and eventually taken to Graham, Texas, a town on the frontier in 1888, by a one-armed deputy U.S. Marshal. Later court transcripts showed they were accused of horse theft upon the mere fabrication of the deputy. They were the subject of mob action and a daring escape. They were later cleared and Bill's grandfather George Marlow and his brothers came to Ouray where they became successful businessman and George was also a successful political figure and later served as Ouray County Sheriff.
Bill was one of the last surviving members of the Marlow family who trace their ancestry back to Dr. Wilburn W. Marlow who was born in1800.
Survivors who were blessed to share Bill's life include his wife, Ida Marlow, of Montrose; two daughters: Ann and husband Vic Rosa, of Montrose; Patti and husband Dick Stilton, of Moab, Utah; and one stepson, Jerry Walby, of Tucson, Ariz.
Bill was the proud and loving grandfather of 12 precious grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren.
Other family survivors include one sister, Gayle Martinez, of Ogden, Utah.
Along with both of his parents and his first wife, Frances, Bill was also preceded in death by two sisters; and one daughter, Judy, who died in an automobile accident in 1966.
Funeral Services in loving remembrance and to honor and celebrate Bill's life were conducted by Frank Tucker on Friday, Feb. 23, at 2 p.m. at the Montrose Valley Funeral Home Chapel. The service concluded at the chapel.
Cremation followed the service, with inurnment to be held in the Valley Lawns Cemetery
south of Montrose.
Arrangements were handled under the direction of Montrose Valley Funeral Home; (970) 249-4400.
Anita May (Goldsworthy) Heckman
Plummer Apple Townsend
Former Montrose Resident
Nov. 8, 1929 - Feb. 18, 2001
PASADENA, Texas - Former Montrose resident, Anita May (Goldsworthy) Townsend, age 71, of Pasadena, Texas, passed from this life in the early morning hours of Sunday, Feb. 18, 2001, surrounded by many of her children and grandchildren.
Anita May Goldsworthy, the daughter of Elmer and May Goldsworthy, was born on Nov. 8, 1929, in Telluride, Colo. She spent her childhood in Montrose.
Anita had been a resident of southeast Houston and Pasadena, Texas, for the past 55 years.
Throughout her life, Anita was a contributor to various charities including American Lung Association, American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, Public Broadcasting Service, and Boys Ranch.
Survivors who were blessed to share Anita's life include her five children: James Heckman and Shirley Wheeler, both of Pasadena, Texas; John Heckman, of Galveston, Texas; Sharon Dorman, of Shoreacres, Texas; Jeffrey Heckman, of Pennington, Texas.
Other family survivors include three sisters: Mary Alice Baldrey, of Gypsum; Elma Ross, of Montrose; and Ruth Smith, of Hotchkiss.
Anita is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, all of whom loved her very much and will miss her beyond words.
She is additionally survived by the children of her husbands: Lola Cole, of Pasadena, Texas; John Plummer, of Houston, Texas; Muriel Gardner, of LaPorte, Texas; and Gordon Apple.
Anita was preceded in death by one son, Joseph Garnet Heckman; one sister, Lorraine Winters; one brother, David Goldsworthy; her mother and father, Elmer and May Goldsworthy; one grandson, John Heckman II; her husband and the father of her children, James G. Heckman; and her husbands: Bill Plummer, Gordon Apple, and John Townsend.
Memorial Services in loving remembrance of Anita's life will be officiated by Rev. Jim Heckman on Saturday, Feb. 24, at 2 p.m. at the Trinity Presbyterian Church, 2705 Sunnyside, in Montrose. The service will conclude at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Anita Townsend Memorial Fund, c/o Pasadena Brethren Church, 1810 Scarborough Lane, Pasadena, TX 77502.
Mary P. (Noff) Lazzari
Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother
Sept. 23, 1911 - Feb. 12, 2001
CEDAREDGE - Mary P. Lazzari, age 89, of Quartzsite, Ariz. and Cedaredge, died Monday, Feb. 12, 2001, in Tempe, Ariz.
Mary P. Noff was born on Sept. 23, 1911, in Telluride, Colo.
She was employed with the Arizona Republic in classified advertising until her retirement in 1976.
Survivors who were blessed to share Mary's life include her husband, Carl R. Lazzari, of Cedarredge; one daughter, Billy Overholser, of Oregon; one son, Duane Lazzari, of Tempe, Ariz.; and two stepdaughters: Kathleen Lazzari, of Clifton; and Janice Phillips, of Cedaredge.
Mary was the proud grandmother of seven precious grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Memorial Services in loving remembrance and to honor Mary's life will be held in Cedaredge later this summer. An announcement will be made at that time.
Daisy M. Sturgis
Loved Traveling
Aug. 6, 1919 - Feb. 21, 2001
MONTROSE - Daisy M. Sturgis, age 81, a resident of Montrose since 1992, died early Wednesday morning, Feb. 21, 2001 at her home in Montrose.
Daisy M. Brown was born in Norris Town, Pa. on Aug. 6, 1919, the daughter of John Brown and Esmay (McMullan) Brown. She spent her childhood years in Harmonville, Pa., and graduated from high school in Conshohocken, Pa.
On Sept. 2, 1949, Daisy was joined in marriage, for a lifetime partnershp, with John H. Sturgis in San Francisco, Calif. Their lives together were blessed when they became the parents of two sons. Daisy and John had the joy of sharing 51 wonderful years together last year in September.
Daisy was a homemaker, mother, and also worked as a medical secretary.
Daisy and John relocated from California to Montrose in 1992 where they made their home until the time of Daisy's death.
She was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church of Montrose.
The love of Daisy's life was traveling in their RV trailer with her husband.
Survivors very grateful to share her life include her husband, John H. Sturgis, of Montrose; two sons: Bill Sturgis and wife Cindy, of Denver; and Robert Sturgis, of Sonoma, Calif.
Other family survivors include one brother, Sam Brown, of Pennsylvania.
Daisy was preceded in death by both of her parents and one brother.
Memorial Services to honor and celebrate Daisy's life will be officiated by Pastor John Mocko on Monday, Feb. 26, at 11 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Montrose. The service will conclude at the church.
Private family inurnment will be held in the Grand View Cemetery
west of Montrose.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Hospice of the Uncompahgre Valley, In Memory of Daisy Sturgis, P.O. Box 1804, Montrose, CO 81402-1804 or Cancer Society, In Memory of Daisy Sturgis, c/o Lucille Masden, 715 N. 4th St., Montrose, CO 81401.
Arrangements are being handled under the direction of the Crippin Funeral Home of Montrose; (970) 249-2121.
Viola Susie (Rice) Graybeal
Longtime Montrose Co. Rancher
Jan. 17, 1918 - Feb. 19, 2001
NUCLA - Viola Susie Graybeal, age 83, a longtime well-known Montrose County rancher, died Monday afternoon, Feb. 19, 2001, at her ranch near Nucla, following a lengthy illness. She had lived at the current ranch since February of 1944.
Viola Susie Rice, the second of four daughters, was born on Jan. 17, 1918, at Second Park, the daughter of Frank George and Dessie Adele (Sage) Rice. She spent her childhood years and attended school on Second Park and in Nucla, graduating from the Nucla High School in 1936.
On July 31, 1937, Viola married Stanley Robe Graybeal in Nucla, Colo., and their union was blessed with six children. Stanley preceded Viola in death on June 10, 1952.
Viola remained active until her death, taking great pleasure in her cattle, crocheting, latch-hooking, and her grandchildren.
Survivors who were blessed to share Viola's life include her five children: Susie Carver, of Naturita; June and husband Joe McCoy, of Grand Junction; Frank Graybeal and fiancee Francis, of Nucla; Wayne Graybeal and wife Laurie, of La Veta; and Mary Anna and husband Don Cortner, of Naturita.
Viola was the proud and loving grandmother of 12 precious grandchildren, numerous step-grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren.
Other family survivors include three sisters: Nellie Bennett, June Littlejohn, Evelyn and husband Tom Garvey, all of Nucla; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Along with both of her parents and her husband, Stanley, Viola was also preceded in death by one daughter, Phyllis.
Graveside Services in loving remembrance and to honor and celebrate Viola's life will be officiated by Pastor Clint Perry on Saturday, Feb. 24, at 10 a.m. in the Nucla Cemetery.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Nucla-Naturita Ambulance Service, In Memory of Viola S. Graybeal, c/o Judy Elder, Nucla, CO 81424.
Arrangements are being handled under the direction of Montrose Valley Funeral Home; (970) 249-4400.
