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Wesley A. Briscoe
Wesley A. Briscoe, 44, died Saturday, Nov. 1, 2003, in a car accident near Bayfield.
Mr. Briscoe was born June 26, 1958, in Artesia, N.M., the son of Edgar and Pearl Briscoe. Wesley moved to the Durango area six years ago and was a longtime area lineman. He enjoyed the cowboy life and team roping. He was everyone's best friend and a wonderful husband, father and grandfather, his family said.
"He touched many hearts, was changed by few and loved by all," said his family.
He is survived by his wife, Marilee Garrett of Durango; a son, Casey A. Briscoe of Rocky Ford; a daughter, Lori Hollis of Lubbock, Texas; two granddaughters, Ashley Hollis and Brianna Hollis of Lubbock, Texas; his mother, Pearl McCabe of Artesia, N.M.; two brothers, Curtis Briscoe and Phillip Briscoe, both of Artesia, N.M.; four sisters, Willma Privits, Ervel Snider, Lana Powell and Marlene Head, all of Artesia, N.M.
A funeral service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Hood Mortuary. Family and friends will officiate. Burial will occur at Upper Hope Cemetery in Hope, N.M.
Donald Eugene Rhodes
Donald Eugene Rhodes, of Casper, Wyo., died Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2003, in a plane crash. He was 37.
Mr. Rhodes was born Nov. 27, 1965, in Denver. He graduated from Durango High School in 1984. He fulfilled his longtime dream of flying by enrolling at Colorado Northwestern Community College in Rangely in 1985. From then on, he embarked on an 18-year flying career. Mr. Rhodes met Lynn Thayer in Rangely, and they married.
After receiving his associate's degree in aviation technology, Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes traveled the United States, flying for Fed Ex, Rio Grande Aviation and Airborne Express. They lived in many states including Florida, Louisiana, New Mexico, Tennessee, Texas and Georgia. Flying brought them to Casper, Wyo., where they have lived for nearly six years.
Mr. Rhodes was a devout Christian, and he enjoyed many outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, skiing and camping.
He is survived by his wife, Lynn Rhodes, and two daughters, Sara and Laura, of Casper, Wyo.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. today at Bustard's Funeral Home and Crematory, 1961 S. Poplar, Casper, Wyo. The Rev. Jerry Brown of Richardson Biblical Research Center will officiate.
Ruth P. Woodman
Ruth P. Woodman died Saturday, Nov. 1, 2003, of natural causes in Durango. She was 94.
Mrs. Woodman was born June 10, 1909, in Richmond, Vt., to Charles and Louise Martell. She was married to Edwin W. Woodman for 63 years.
Mrs. Woodman was an innkeeper of Idlewild Inn in North Conway, N.H. She lived in New England until 2000 when she moved to Durango.
Mrs. Woodman enjoyed entertaining. She was a member of the Catholic Church.
"I loved her beautiful smile," said granddaughter Sue Luhmann.
Mrs. Woodman is survived by daughter, Elaine Bennett of Durango; sons, Edwin Woodman Jr. of Durango and C. Peter Woodman of Sarasota, Fla.; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husband.
Family graveside services will be at a later date. Cremation will occur at Hood Mortuary in Durango.
Isaac Headman
Isaac Headman, whose daughter Kathleen Taylor lives in Ignacio, died Friday, Oct. 31, 2003, at the Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kan. A lifelong resident of the Ponca City area, he was 78.
Mr. Headman (Wah-zhee-skah), a member of the Thee-xee-donh clan of the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma, was born Oct. 16, 1925, at White Eagle, Okla., to Kenneth Headman and Kathryn (Cries for War) Headman.
Mr. Headman served in the Navy during World War II at Guadalcanal and Leyte. He returned to Ponca City and married Patricia Collins in 1946. He finished high school in 1948 and later graduated from Oklahoma State Tech at Okmulgee, Okla.
In the early 1960s, Mr. Headman began working for Conoco and retired as a lab technician in 1991. After retiring, Mr. Headman was a greeter at Wal-Mart and a groundskeeper at the Standing Bear Memorial.
Mr. Headman was a member of the Ponca Indian Baptist Church where he taught adult Sunday school class. He also was a member of American Legion Post 38 where he served as chaplain. Mr. Headman enjoyed traveling, boxing and other sports.
Surviving Mr. Headman are his children Kathleen Taylor of Ignacio, Kennis Headman of Fairfax, Okla., Marcena Gay Headman of Ponca City, Timothy Allen Headman of Seminole, Okla., Moses Lee Headman, Virginia Sue Headman of Ponca City and Arthur Cerre of Newkirk, Okla. He also is survived by a brother, Louis Headman of Ponca City.
Mr. Headman also is survived by grandchildren Johnson Kenneth Taylor, Patricia E. Taylor, Johnita E. Taylor, Virginia Kathleen Wilson, Isaac Glenn Headman, Kennis Lee Headman, Patrick Glenn Roland, Jessica Diane Colburn, Tyrus D. Roland, Tyrone D. Roland, Louella Morton, Garrick Morton, Macey Lyn Headman, Desire Cook, Dustin Cook, John Cook, Josh Cook, Judy Wilson and Anita Lindell. Also surviving are eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife in March 1984, daughters Helen Kathryn Headman and Tina Joy Headman and infant son Joey Headman.
A prayer service is at 7 p.m. today at the Ponca Indian Baptist Church. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the same church with the Rev. Cliff Fite officiating. Interment will be at the Ponca Indian Tribal Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.
Jean Russell Nahan
Jean Russell Nahan, retired owner of the Brass and Copper Shop in the Main Mall, died on Monday, Oct. 27, 2003, in New Orleans, at the age of 78. The cause of death was not disclosed.
Mrs. Nahan was born Sept. 13, 1925, in Carluke Lanarkshire, Scotland, to Alexander and Elizabeth (Smellie) Angus. She met and married Kenneth Nahan during WWII when he was stationed in Scotland with the Air Force. They returned to the United States together, eventually settling in New Orleans.
Mrs. Nahan moved to Durango in the mid-1980s before returning to New Orleans where she lived for the last seven years.
She is survived by sisters Isobel Kudra of Durango, and Betty McCann of Scotland; a son, Kenneth Nahan Jr. of Ridgefield, Conn.; two daughters, Betty Ann Elliott of New Orleans, and Nancy Landry of Durango; four grandchildren, David Elliott of Lafayette, La.; Rebecca Elliott of New Orleans; Andrew Landry, a senior at Colorado School of Mines; and Michael Nahan of Ridgefield, Conn.
A private funeral service will be held for the family in Durango.
Eleanore F. Blundell
Eleanore F. Blundell, longtime resident of the Bayfield and Ignacio area, died at home in Chimney Rock on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2003. She was 83.
Mrs. Blundell was born Feb. 2, 1920, to James Carpenter and Betsy Bell Williams Carpenter. She married Charles Blundell. She moved from Los Angeles in 1949 to make her home in Chimney Rock. She was an entrepreneur, enjoyed gemology and was a rock hound and artist. She also enjoyed spending time with her family.
Mrs. Blundell is preceded in death by her husband and two brothers.
She is survived by her daughter, Terri Blundell; a granddaughter, Cassi Blundell; and her nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, at the Pine Valley Four Square Church, in Bayfield. Interment will take place at a later date in the Mancos Cemetery. Cremation was performed by Pagosa Springs Funeral Options.
Shawn Christie Ellegood
Shawn Christie Ellegood, 21, died Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2003, in a car crash on Florida Road at Edgemont Ranch.
Ms. Ellegood was born Dec. 1, 1981, in Boulder, the daughter of Marie and James Ellegood. She grew up in Breckenridge and Santa Fe. She attended El Dorado Elementary School in Santa Fe, and graduated from the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, N.M.
She was in her junior year at Ft. Lewis College where she majored in English and elementary education. Ms. Ellegood had shared her love of music as an instrumentalist since she was in the sixth grade. Most recently, she played the tuba in the Fort Lewis College Orchestra and Band. She had expressed her interest in joining the Peace Corps.
Ms. Ellegood enjoyed rock climbing, skiing, scuba diving, reading and writing. And she loved to dance. She leaves behind many close friends.
"She was a loving and caring person who had a real love of life," said her parents.
She is survived by her parents, both of Santa Fe; her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. William Ellegood of Port Charlotte, Fla., and Robert DeAdder of Shrewsbury, N.J.; and many aunts and uncles.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Hood Mortuary with Chaplain Stephanie Spear and the Rev. Myron Darmour officiating. Cremation will take place at Hood Mortuary Crematory.
Memorial contributions may be made in Ms. Ellegood's name to the La Plata County Humane Society, P. O. Box 2164, Durango CO 81302.
Heidi Ann Carroll
Heidi Ann Carroll, 40, who lived in Durango for 12 years, died on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2003, in Milwaukee, Wis. She died on the operating table undergoing a liver transplant, said her friend, Phoebe Balchunas.
She was born on Feb. 16, 1963, in New Berlin, Wis., the daughter of Mary Ann and Robert Nielson.
Ms. Carroll sold ads for many years for Directory Plus, a sister company ofThe Durango Herald.She moved to Excel Computer Supplies where she continued her sales career for three years. Then she worked at Basin Propane during her last four years in Durango.
Ms. Carroll had many friends in Durango, and this is where she met her partner, Clint Chambers, and her stepsons, Brandon and Caleb Chambers.
"Heidi was not only beautiful, she was a fun-loving person who never seemed to meet a stranger," said her friend, Kay Moon. "She had a sharp wit and a beautiful laugh. Her love of life extended to her family and friends. Heidi was someone in whom you could confide with confidence."
One of Ms. Carroll's passions was NFL football. She was a Green Bay Packers fan. On Sundays she went to Orio's Roadhouse with her drink cooler shaped like a wedge of cheese. Her knowledge of football was impressive, Moon said.
Ms. Carroll left Durango for Wisconsin last February to seek treatment for her liver disease and to be near her family. Mr. Chambers went with her to care for her during the last months of her life.
She is survived by her stepsons, of Durango; her partner, of Detroit, Mich.; her brother, Kip Neilsen, along with her niece, Robyn Neilsen, and her nephew, Bryan Neilsen, all of New Berlin, Wis.
The funeral took place in New Berlin on Sept. 6, 2003.
Her friends, Kay Moon, Phoebe Balchunas, Amy Knowles and Amanda Hutto have arranged a memorial pool tournament and party at 2 p.m. Sunday at Orio's Roadhouse in the 600 block of Main Ave.
The hosts invite everyone to join them to help raise money for a memorial bench to be placed in the city.
Leland R. 'Lee' Ansley
Leland R. "Lee" Ansley, 69, died on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2003, at his home in Farmington. He died of cancer, said his wife, Linda Ansley.
Mr. Ansley was born on Sept. 16, 1934, in Monument, Kan.
"Lee was my best friend, mentor, supporter and the light of my life," Linda Ansley said.
He is survived by his wife, two brothers, a sister, three of his four children and all of their families.
At Mr. Ansley's request, there will be no service. Cremation was provided by the Alternative Society in Farmington.
Linda Lee Fox
Linda Lee Fox, who lived in Ignacio and, before that, in Cortez, died on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2003, in Cortez. She was 63. The cause of death was not disclosed.
Ms. Fox was born on Feb. 24, 1940, in Evanston, Ill., the daughter of Martha Elizabeth (Kirby) Fox and Everett Blair.
She lived in Cortez for 10 years before moving to Bayfield and Ignacio. She was a rancher most of her life. Earlier she worked as a bookkeeper and comptroller. Ms. Fox was a member of the Durango InkSlingers, a writers’ group, and was the newsletter editor. She was also active in the Young Farmers Association and in Unity Church. She enjoyed her cattle, horses and her family. She is survived by her children, Victor Lee Brown of Camarillo, Calif., Debra Tran of Granoble, France, and Iona Lee Berkholder of Red Lodge, Mont.; her brother, Donald Blair Fox of Cortez; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Cremation has taken place, and no public services are planned.
Jack L. Hutto
Jack L. Hutto, who had moved to Ignacio from Grand Junction only three weeks ago, died of a heart attack in Grand Junction at the age of 54, said Callahan-Edfast Mortuary.
Mr. Hutto was born on Sept. 12, 1949, in Liberal, Kan., the son of Juanita and Delbert Hutto. He attended Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Okla., where he majored in Christian music. Singing and arranging Christian music remained a lifelong pleasure.
He married Cheryle A. Hutto in Grand Junction in 1989 and began his career as a self-employed interior designer. His business, Drapery Creations, is based in Grand Junction and was moving to the Durango area.
"He’d already got to work with many people in Ignacio and the Durango area for the past two years," said Cheryle A. Hutto, Mr. Hutto’s wife.
For 20 years, Mr. Hutto was a member of Eagle Heights Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, then moved to Vineyard Church in Grand Junction.
"Every time I’ve talked to someone, they’ve said how mild-mannered, sweet, gentle and family-oriented he was," said Cheryle Hutto.
He was preceded in death by his son, Michael Hutto.
Mr. Hutto is survived by his wife, of Grand Junction; his children, Gina Burk Barns, of Honolulu, Hawaii, Jana Hutto of Tacoma, Wash., Steven Freeberg, of Houston, Texas, and Ian Freeberg of Colorado Springs; his sister, Rosemary McKinney of Oklahoma City; and eight grandchildren.
Visiting hours will be from 3 to 8 p.m. today at the Callahan-Edfast Mortuary in Grand Junction. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, again at Callahan-Edfast.
Donations to help with funeral expenses may be sent to 2133 Village Circle Court, Grand Junction, CO 81503.
