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Dorothy Mae Meador
Visitation for Dorothy Mae Meador will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at Hood Mortuary in Durango.
Mrs. Meador, of Mancos, died Friday, Oct. 24, 2003, of natural causes at Mercy Medical Center in Durango. She was 80.
Mrs. Meador was born April 2, 1923, in Quincy, Ill., to George and Emma Lanham. She was valedictorian of her high school class in Kinderhook, Ill.
In 1943, she married Tony Meador, and they had 14 children. The couple moved to Colorado in the 1940s. Mrs. Meador was a member of the Church of Christ in Mancos.
Family members believe the saying "a friend is like a four-leaf clover, hard to find and lucky to have" would characterize the impression she made on everyone who knew her, daughter Margie Bear, of Monte Vista, said.
Mrs. Meador is survived by sons Bud Meador of Elk City, Kan., Duane Meador and Gary Meador, both of Aztec, N.M., Tony Meador, Jr., Tim Meador and Martin Meador, all of Hesperus, and Terry Meador of Lebanon, Mo; daughters Sandra Valencia and Jackie Smith, both of Hesperus, Emma Denney of Fort Collins, Vicki Aspromonte of Mancos and Margie Bear of Monte Vista.
Thirty-six grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild also survive Mrs. Meador.
Mrs. Meador was preceded in death by her husband in 1978, infant son, Anthony Meador, and daughter Toni Kay.
A funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Mancos Church of Christ, 601 Railroad Ave., with Glen Randol officiating. A graveside service is scheduled at noon the same day at Greenmount Cemetery in Durango.
Memorial contributions may be made to Patrick W. Luter Cancer Center, 3801 Main Ave., Durango 81301.
Dr. Matthew Martin Smiley
Dr. Matthew Martin Smiley 36, died on Monday, Oct. 20, 2003, in Wichita, Kan., where he was completing his residency at Via Christe Hospital.
Dr. Smiley was the only son of Don and Patricia Jene Smiley, of Durango.
He was a recent graduate of the University of Texas Medical School in Galveston. He also attended the University of Texas in Irving and the University of California in La Jolla.
Dr. Smiley was student co-director of Saint Vincent’s House, a free clinic for the needy in Galveston. He has been a member of Theta Kappa Psi medical fraternity since 1999. He was also a member of the American Medical Association, the Texas Medical Association, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American College of Emergency Physicians.
He enjoyed fishing, mountain biking, computer science, and animals.
Dr. Smiley is survived by his parents; his sister, Alicia Smiley of Piedmont, Calif., and his aunt, Linda Rill of Haverhill, Mass.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 910 East Third Ave.
Remembrances may be contributed to St. Vincent’s House, 2817 Post Office St., Galveston, TX. 77550, or to any humane society.
Johnny D. Mason
Johnny D. Mason, 49, died Saturday, Oct. 18, 2003, at Four Corners Health Care Center in Durango. He had been ill with cancer since 1994 and "died seven times" before his eventual death, said his wife, Brenda Ann Mason.
Mr. Mason was born on Dec. 15, 1953, in Pomona, Calif., the son of Thelma and Jay Mason.
He moved to Durango from California in 1976. Mr. Mason was an outfitter and mechanic and he loved the mountains, working with horses, and the outdoors. He was an expert saddle maker and leathersmith.
He loved his dog, Chino, and his horse, China, Mrs. Mason said. She would take Chino to the nursing home and even when Mr. Mason was seriously ill, he would climb onto the back of a truck with his oxygen bottle so he could ride China. His son, "Catfish" Mason would saddle the horse for him.
"He had a rare sense of humor," Mrs. Mason said. "He had a long struggle with his illness, and he died peacefully."
Mrs. Mason wishes to express her gratitude to Ellen Krausser and Wanita Cooper at San Juan Basin Health and everyone at Four Corners Health Care for their care of her husband.
Mr. Mason is survived by his wife, Brenda Ann Mason of Ignacio; his mother, Thelma Janice Askins of Yucca Valley, Calif.; his son, Logan James "Catfish" Mason of Ignacio; his brothers, Joel Mason of Durango and Josh Mason of Redlands, Calif.; his sister, Joanna Kindred of Yucca Valley; and his grandmother, Willie Mae Hood of Ontario, Calif.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the American Legion Trujillo-Sheets Post No. 28. Cremation will take place at Hood Mortuary Crematory.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Mercy, 375 E. Park Ave., Durango CO, 81301.
Minerva Elizabeth Betty' Benton Yeager
Minerva Elizabeth "Betty" Benton Yeager, 89, died on Monday, Oct. 13, 2003, at her home in St. Louis, Mo., with her family.
Mrs. Yeager was born on May 10, 1914, in Rico, one of seven children of Minerva Benzelia (McConnell) Benton and Thomas Franklin.
She graduated from Durango High School in 1933 and attended her 70th class reunion here in June. She married Gerald Yeager in 1933, and they had six children.
Mrs. Yeager was preceded in death by her husband and her daughter.
She is survived by her brother, William Benton; her sons: James Ronald Yeager of Aztec and Rick Yeager of St. Louis, Mo.; her daughters: Loy Nielsen of Lamirada, Calif., Coleen Ribaudo of Four Seasons, Mo., and Linda Bachman of Osceola, Iowa; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Sandra Jean ‘Sandy’ McCallister
Sandra Jean "Sandy" McCallister, 53, died Monday, Oct. 20, 2003, at her home in Durango. She died of cancer, her family said.
Mrs. McCallister was born on July 26, 1950, the daughter of Sylvia (Larson) Hunter and Andrew Hunter in Monroe, Mich. She was the fifth of eight children. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church, then graduated from Austin High School in Austin, Minn., and she became a legal secretary.
Her two daughters, Marci Wait and Bette McCallister, were born during her marriage to Scott McCallister.
"Sandy’s bright, loving and cheerful spirit was an inspiration. She was known for her ability to discern when others needed help and to quietly provide help without being asked," her family said. "We will miss her. So will her friends, church, neighbors, and community," they added.
Mrs. McCallister was active in Christ the King Lutheran Church, where she served for many years. She taught Sunday school, sat on the church council and volunteered for many nonprofits, including Habitat for Humanity, Alternative Horizons and the Salvation Army.
She loved her family, friends, singing, gadgets, making bread, knitting, crocheting, reading, art, sculpture, traveling, gardening, roses, nature, walking, skiing and massages. She made carmel cinnamon rolls, often in batches of 200 or more.
Mrs. McCallister is survived by her daughters, Marci Wait of Durango and Bette McCallister of Costa Mesa, Calif.; a granddaughter, Kaylan Wait of Durango; her sisters, Ruth Menten of Excelsior, Minn., Diane Frost of Mankato, Mich., and Dorothy Erickson of Golden Valley, Minn.; her brothers, James Hunter of Austin, Minn., Paul Hunter of Waseca, Minn., David Hunter of Austin, Minn., and John Hunter of Lakeville, Minn.; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Christ the King Lutheran Church. The Rev. John Knutson will officiate. All are invited to a reception luncheon after the memorial service. Cremation will take place at Hood Mortuary Crematory.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity or Alternative Horizons. Top of Page
Jeffrey Paul Davis
Jeffrey Paul Davis, 31, died Friday, Oct. 17, 2003, at Clear Lake west of Silverton. He and his brother, Richard Alan Davis, drowned in a canoeing accident.
Mr. Davis was born July 19, 1972, in Lincoln Park, Mich., the son of Gary and Trish Davis, of Durango. He grew up in Durango, and graduated from Durango High School.
He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1991 and served in the Gulf War. Mr. Davis worked for Brennan Oil for six years in local Texaco and Exxon stations.
He loved Jeeping, the outdoors, hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed motorcycles and gardening. His family saw him as a wonderful father who valued time with his family.
"Our consolation is that they both died in a beautiful spot that they loved," said Gary Davis, Mr. Davis's father. "They died together as brothers and died doing what they both loved, fishing."
Jeffrey Davis is survived by his son, Harley Davis of Durango; his parents, Gary and Trish Davis of Durango; his companion, Melanie Wakefield, and her children Shayla and Kenny Wakefield, all of Durango; his grandparents, Paul and Glenna Bachman of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Joyce Davis of Okeechobee, Fla.; and three nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, at New Life Chapel, 860 Plymouth Drive, in Durango. The Rev. Gary MacDonald will officiate. Cremation will take place at Hood Mortuary Crematory.
Contributions may be made to San Juan Search and Rescue, P.O. Box 178, Silverton, CO 81433.
Richard Alan Rick' Davis
Richard Alan "Rick" Davis, 33, died Friday, Oct. 17, 2003, at Clear Lake west of Silverton. He and his brother, Jeffrey Paul Davis, drowned in a canoeing accident.
Mr. Davis was born on April 30, 1970, in Lincoln Park, Mich., the son of Gary and Trish Davis. He grew up in Durango and graduated from Durango High School.
Mr. Davis married Toni Lynn Powers on Nov. 16, 1991, in Aurora. He attended Denver Automotive and Diesel College and worked at Great American Tire and Auto in the Aurora area for nine years as a master technician. He loved hunting, fishing and all outdoor activities, riding his Harley-Davidson, and all children but especially his own.
"Our consolation is that they both died in a beautiful spot that they loved," said Gary Davis, Mr. Davis's father. "They died together as brothers and died doing what they both loved, fishing."
Mr. Davis is survived by his wife, Toni Davis of Aurora; his sons, Gary, Jacob and Richard Davis Jr., all of Aurora; his parents, Gary and Trish Davis of Durango; his grandparents, Paul and Glenna Bachman of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Joyce Davis of Okeechobee, Fla.; and one nephew.
Services will take place in Denver later this week and burial will be at Fairmount Cemetery in Denver.
Contributions may be made to San Juan Search and Rescue, P.O. Box 178, Silverton, CO 81433.
Abel P. Romero Sr.
Abel P. Romero Sr., of Durango, died Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2003, in Bosque Farms, N.M. He was 87.
Mr. Romero was born on Sept. 21, 1916, to Cornelio and Angelica Sandoval Romero in Ignacio. He graduated from Ignacio High School in 1937. He served in the Philippines and Hawaii during World War II, and upon his return he married Margaret Martinez in Durango on Jan. 3, 1946.
Mr. Romero was a member of Sacred Heart parish in Durango and a former member of the Holy Name Society. He worked many years at the Wiedeman sawmill, and retired from the old City Market bakery in 1979. After retirement he drove the Opportunity Bus in Durango. He is remembered by his family and friends as a kind and special person who will be missed dearly.
He is preceded in death by his wife Margaret, grandson Solomon Romero and his 10 brothers and sisters, among whom he was the youngest.
Mr. Romero is survived by two daughters, Loretta LeDoux of Bosque Farms, N.M., and Deborah Romero of Albuquerque; five sons, Abel Romero of Durango, Nicholas Romero of Pueblo, Fred Romero of Durango, R. Lonnie Romero of San Bernardino, Calif., and Tom Romero of Durango; nine grandchildren, Paul and Mark LeDoux, Brandi and Daniel Romero, Thomas and Ryan Romero, Camielle and Angela Romero and Jessica De Valle; four great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, family and friends. His niece Delpha Jaramillo spent her childhood with Mr. Romero and his family.
A rosary will be said at Sacred Heart Parish today at 6 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at Sacred Heart Parish. The Rev. Joseph Gallegos will officiate. Interment will follow at Greenmount Cemetery.
Esther Alice Oetter
Esther Alice Oetter, former resident of Evergreen Park, Ill., died Oct. 14, 2003, at the Valley Inn in Mancos. She was 89.
Mrs. Oetter was born April 19, 1914, in Milbank, S.D. She was a twin and one of five children.
She moved to Chicago in the early 1930s and worked as a nanny before attending and graduating from beauty college. She met her future husband, Harold C. Oetter, while attending church activities at St. John the Divine Lutheran Church in south Chicago. They married in 1946.
Mrs. Oetter was an accomplished seamstress and avid rose gardener. She was a Sunday school teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher and a member of the Altar Guild at St. John the Divine.
She moved to the Valley Inn in Mancos in June 2003 to be closer to her daughter, who teaches at Riverview Elementary School in Durango, and for the continued care of her Alzheimer's disease.
She is preceded in death by all of her siblings and her husband of 52 years.
Mrs. Oetter is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth "Liz" Oetter, of Durango.
A memorial service will be held at Christ the King Lutheran Church at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2003.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Durango.
Carla Rene Duff
Carla Rene Duff, of Cortez, died Friday, Oct. 10, 2003, at Southwest Memorial Hospital. She was 43.
Ms. Duff was born on Jan. 18, 1960, in Plainview, Texas, to Robert W. and Mary J. (Southcott) Duff.
She is survived by her mother, of New York; a daughter, Yolanda R. Lopez of Ignacio; three sisters, Dixie Peck of Cortez, Donna Baker and Connie Duff of Washington; five brothers, Cecil Duff and Robert Duff of Texas, Curtis Duff of Salt Lake City, Walter Duff of New York, and Brent Duff of Wyoming.
A graveside memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Crestview Cemetery in Durango. The Rev. Larry Gallegos, with Sacred Heart Catholic Church will officiate.
