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Alice Francis Lucero
Many Ignacio residents will remember the excellent pies Alice Francis Lucero baked during the 17 years she worked at Pino Nuche Restaurant. She died Wednesday, July 14, 2004, at Southwest Memorial Hospital in Cortez. The cause of death was complications from surgery. She was 70.
She was born on Dec. 26, 1933, in Gallina, N.M., to Eduardo and Arsenia Valdez. Her family moved around during much of her childhood, eventually settling in Española, N.M. Mrs. Lucero received a sixth-grade education.
She moved to Ignacio in 1960, where she was a member of St. Ignatius Catholic Church. She moved to Cortez in 1997, where she became a member of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church.
Her son Joseph Lucero said, "Mom was unselfish and very giving. She had a big heart. She always put others before herself, and material possessions weren't important compared to her family, her faith and her friends."
She was preceded in death by her son Joseph Martinez.
She is survived by sons Eustaquio Lucero of Mountain Home, Idaho, Joseph Lucero of Nipomo, Calif., Max Martinez of Moriarty, N.M., and Chris Winterhawk of Ignacio; daughters Paulia Burdick of Aurora and Susin Hamilton of Cortez; sisters Audelia Herrera of Santa Fe, N.M., Marie Martinez and Lorraine Serna of Española, N.M., Gloria Alberico of Mesilla, N.M., and Romie Lobato of Winchester, Calif.; half-sisters Delma Valdez, Mary Valdez, Lollie Valdez, Frances Valdez, all of Winchester, Calif.; half-brother Eddie Valdez of Winchester, Calif.; and eight granchildren, including Pearl Winterhawk and Kristopher Winterhawk, both of Ignacio and Eva Hamilton of Cortez.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Hood Mortuary. A memorial mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Tuesday at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, with the Rev. Derrek Scott officiating.
Memorial contributions can be made to St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Ignacio or St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Cortez.
Alice I. Christensen
Alice Irene Christensen, a frequent visitor to Durango, died on Sunday, July 11, 2004, at Delta County Memorial Hospital. She was 80.
She was born on Aug. 9, 1923, to Henry and Iva (Howard) Oosterhous in Delta. During her elementary school years, she attended the Seventh-day Adventist School, and went on to graduate from Campion Academy in Loveland in 1943.
Mrs. Christensen married Virgil Christensen on Oct. 23, 1943, in Glendale, Calif. The marriage was later dissolved.
Mrs. Christensen's first job was working as a "Rosie the Riveter" for the war effort, and later she did pressing and alterations for a dry cleaning establishment. In 1965, she returned to Delta, where she earned her licensed practical nurse degree. She worked in several Delta-area health-care facilities, as well as one in Hilo, Hawaii, until her retirement in 1994.
She was preceded in death by her former husband; a brother, Orrin Oosterhous of Delta; and a sister, Zella Seabourn of Durango.
Mrs. Christensen is survived by her daughter, Patrice Hieb of McDonald, Tenn.; a son, Jon Christensen of Portland, Ore.; a brother, John Oosterhous of Delta; four grandchildren, Karen Bandel, Paul Hieb, Lisa Christensen and Marla Christensen; and three great-grandchildren, Grayson, Vance and Gavin Hieb.
A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Taylor Funeral Service Chapel in Delta. The funeral will take place at 11 a.m. Friday at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Delta, with the Rev. Lonnie Liebelt and the Rev. Steve Snow officiating. Burial of the ashes will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at Delta City Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alice Christensen Scholarship Fund, c/o Delta Seventh-day Adventist Church, P.O. Box 91, Delta, CO 81416.
Edith 'Gypsy' Callaway
The family and friends of Edith "Gypsy" Callaway, who died May 27, 2004, in a car accident, will hold an informal memorial gathering at 3 p.m. Saturday at the home of Dena Favor.
Favor's address is 240 Colley Lane in the Animas Valley, and directions may be obtained by calling 247-9532. Beverages will be served, and family and friends are encouraged to share their favorite "Gypsy" stories.
Nick D. Bellino Jr.
Nick D. Bellino Jr. died Friday, July 9, 2004, at his home in Durango. He was 46.
Mr. Bellino was born May 3, 1958, to Nick E. Bellino and Florinda (Villarreal) Bellino in Monta Vista. He lived in Pagosa Springs until his family moved to Durango when he was in the third grade. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves and attended San Juan Vo-Tech Trade College to become a certified heating and air conditioning specialist.
Recently Mr. Bellino was involved in construction with Reigles Mechanical on the surgical center on Sawmill Road.
Mr. Bellino, who played guitar and taught many people their first chords, dreamed of playing professionally. The dream went with him, but his memory will remain with many people. He expressed his love as a father, son, partner, brother and friend.
"Nick was a people person," said his sister, Molly Bellino. "His smile would win your heart."
Mr. Bellino is survived by his mother, Florinda Riss, of Bloomfield; a son, Rodney D. Bellino, of Durango; and three brothers, Dennis Eloy Bellino of Phoenix, Tony Bellino of Farmington, and Jeff Bellino of Crowley. He also is survived by his partner, Candyce Figliozzi, of Durango; six sisters, Loretta Kratz and Linda Coy, both of Littleton, Dorothy Ulibarri of Farmington, Molly Bellino of Aztec, Angie Alcon of Oklahoma City, and Lucy Miller of Bloomfield; and numerous other relatives.
Mr. Bellino was preceded in death by his father and two nephews, Justin Trujillo and Anthony Bellino.
Visitation is scheduled from noon to 7 p.m. Monday at Hood Mortuary, and a rosary is scheduled at 7 p.m. Tuesday, also at the mortuary. A Mass is set at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Manna Soup Kitchen, P.O. Box 1196, Durango CO 81302.
A neighbor has been arrested on suspicion of homicide in the death of Mr. Bellino, Durango police said.
Emmett Leroy 'Roy' Vest
Redmesa native Emmett Leroy "Roy" Vest, 77, died on June 26, 2004, at the Hi-Desert Continuing Care Center in Joshua Tree, Calif., after complications from a long illness that included emphysema.
He was born to Raymond Vest and Mary Ida Gilbreath on Sept. 7, 1926. He grew up with five brothers.
"He loved stock car racing. … As a matter of fact, we all did. We raced whenever we could make it into a car," said his brother John Vest.
Upon completion of the 11th grade at the Marvel School, he enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II. After fighting in the Philippines, he was stationed for a time with the occupation forces in Japan and later in Korea. Mr. Vest received numerous medals and awards for his military service.
He was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local No. 9 for 47 years. During his career, he helped build airports, highways and other structures in Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico and Utah.
He married Linda "Lynne" Maxine Mercer on June 17, 1967, in Hotchkiss.
After his retirement, Mr. Vest volunteered in many ways in Yucca Valley, Calif., donating nearly 4,500 hours of community service. For nine years, he belonged to the Yucca Valley Citizens on Patrol No. 425, serving as the unit's commander and vice commander.
He also was a member of several fraternal lodges in Yucca Valley, including the Hi-Desert International Order of Odd Fellows Lodge No. 341, Desert Gold Rebekah Lodge No. 425 and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks No. 2314.
Mr. Vest is survived by his wife; his daughter, Karen Norrod of Austin, Texas; his son, Kevin Vest of Beaumont, Calif.; two brothers, Jess Vest of Bayfield and John Vest of Durango; his sister, Shirley Hart of Trafalgar, Ind.; four granddaughters; and two grandsons.
Graveside services were held at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, Calif., on June 30, 2004.
Ruth H. Kirby
Durango native Ruth H. Kirby, 68, died Sunday, July 4, 2004, at the Henry County Health Center in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. The cause of death was not disclosed.
Mrs. Kirby was born April 5, 1936, to Cyril and Grace Davis Cummins in Durango. She graduated from Durango High School in 1954. In 1960, she married Elvin E. Kirby in Elko, Nev.
A cosmetologist who owned and operated her own salon in Bloomfield, N.M., from 1979 to 1993, Mrs. Kirby was an avid Chicago Cubs fan. She was a devout Catholic who also enjoyed visiting with friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband in August 1998.
Mrs. Kirby is survived by her sons, Ben Kirby of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Dan Kirby of Des Moines, Iowa, and Jim Kirby of Bloomfield; her daughter, Colleen Loucks of Manzanita, Ore.; her sister, Joyca North of Brush Prairie, Wash.; her brother, Donald Cummins of Bloomfield; and six grandchildren.
Cremation has taken place. The family is welcoming friends to sign a register from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel in Mount Pleasant.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be given to the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Department of the Henry County Health Center. Memorials may be mailed to Ben Kirby, c/o Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel, P.O. Box 656, Mount Pleasant, IA 52641.
Frank 'Frankie' Roland Schoser
Frank "Frankie" Roland Schoser, 63, a Durango native and longtime meat cutter in town, died Sunday, July 4, 2004, at Mercy Medical Center of a lung infection after battling emphysema for several years.
Mr. Schoser was born July 12, 1940, in Durango to Howeta and Frank Schoser.
He worked as a meat cutter at Basin Packing Co. from 1952 until he joined the U.S. Navy on Nov. 10, 1958. Shortly after boot camp, he was in a car accident and was in a coma for 35 days. After several months of rehabilitation, Mr. Shoser was assigned to the USS Shangri-La, which was stationed off shore from Cuba during the Bay of Pigs invasion. He received his honorable discharge on July 7, 1961.
After his military service, he resumed working at Basin Packing Co. until the business was sold. He went on to work alongside his father in construction for several years before returning to meat cutting. By his retirement in 2000 because of a disability, he had worked at County Market (later Pac-N-Save), Albertsons and Wal-Mart.
He enjoyed the woods, especially cutting firewood with his father and nephew Jeff O'Donnal. More recently, he spent his winters in Mesa, Ariz., because of health problems.
His sister Sharon Hamer said, "You couldn't go downtown with him without stopping four or five times while he talked to people he knew."
Mr. Schoser's father, Frank J. Schoser, and a sister, Sandi Waddell, both died in 2004. His mother, Howeta Schoser, died in 1957.
He is survived by two sisters, Sharon Hamer of Durango and Carol O'Donnal of Mesa, Ariz.; one brother, Tom Schoser of Durango; numerous stepbrothers and stepsisters; a niece, Traci DeBoer of Highland Ranch; and nephews Butch Hamer, Scott Hamer, Sean Waddell, Chance Schoser and Chase Schoser, all of Durango, and Jeff O'Donnal of Mesa, Ariz.
Memorial contributions may be made to the La Plata County Humane Society, P.O. Box 2164, Durango, CO 81302. Memorial services are pending.
Helen Gallegos- Tabor
Helen Gallegos-Tabor, who lived most of her life in Archuleta County, died at home Wednesday, June 30, 2004. She was 87.
Mrs. Gallegos-Tabor was born Nov. 21, 1916, in Frances to Teofilo and Magdalena Martinez. She graduated from high school in Santa Cruz, N.M. On Aug. 22, 1936, she married Juan F. Gallegos. They lived in Archuleta County until his death on May 6, 1965. She married Roy S. Tabor in Verde, Nev. on Dec. 26, 1974. He died Aug. 19, 1992.
Mrs. Gallegos-Tabor worked as a rancher, businesswoman and homemaker. She was active in the Carmelitas at St. Peter-St. Rose Church in Arboles. She enjoyed oil painting, canning, quilting, gardening and making ceramics.
A daughter, Betsy Stevens, preceded her in death.
Mrs. Gallegos-Tabor is survived by sons John A. Gallegos, Jr., and Gerard Gallegos, both of Arboles, Jerry Gallegos of Arvada, and Larry Gallegos of Fontana, Calif. She also is survived by 14 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
A rosary will be said at 6:30 p.m. today and a Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, both will be at St. Peter-St. Rose Catholic Church in Arboles. Burial will follow in La Rosa Cemetery in Arboles. The Rev. John Bowe will officiate.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Frances Catholic Church in Frances.
Emily Bisio
Emily Bisio, a working mother who still found time to garden and cook, died Wednesday, June 30, 2004, at her home in Englewood. She was 88. The cause of death was failing health caused by Alzheimer's disease.
Mrs. Bisio was born on May 31, 1916, in Chicago to Jerry and Rose Hrdy. Her father was a master baker and the family lived above the bakery. Her parents died within four weeks of each other when she was just 22. Her first job was working for Illinois Bell Telephone from 1935 to 1945.
She married John Bisio in 1940, and after many separations caused by World War II, and stints living in New Jersey and Ohio, the family was sent to Manila, Republic of the Philippines for two years, where Mr. Bisio worked for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. In 1950, the family moved to Durango.
Mrs. Bisio worked as a legal secretary for various attorneys, including Irvin Mason, Bob Duthie, Tommy Hatfield and Bill Horther. She also spent almost 20 years as the administrative secretary to the director of the John Reed Library at Fort Lewis College.
Her daughter Christine Bisio remembers her mother as an excellent cook, who was making risotto before anyone else knew what it was. She was also known for her apple strudel.
Mrs. Bisio was an active member of the BR Chapter of P.E.O. for 50 years, and was recognized for that longevity at the recent state convention of the organization.
She is survived by her daughters Christine Bisio of Sedalia, Elisabeth Hulsebus of Fairport, N.Y., and Margaret McDougall of Columbus, Ohio; and granddaughters Julie and Mary Catherine Hulsebus of Fairport, N.Y., and Meredith Nelsen of Sedalia.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Hood Mortuary Chapel with the Rev. Jeff Huber of the First United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will occur at Greenmount Cemetery.
Sheryl Ann "Sherry" Kennington
Sheryl Ann "Sherry" Kennington, a 35-year resident of Durango, died Friday, July 2, 2004, at The Valley Inn in Mancos after a lengthy illness. She was 52.
Mrs. Kennington was born Dec. 15, 1951, in San Antonio to Chester M. and Maxine Tipton Shubert. She was reared in the hill country of Texas before moving to Durango in 1969.
She married Ralph Kennington on June 2, 1995, in Durango.
Mrs. Kennington enjoyed sewing, crocheting, working on arts and crafts and dancing. Despite of her illness, family members recall, she was exceptionally upbeat, making everyone around her feel better with her infectious humor and laughter.
"She could take lemons and make lemonade out of any situation," was the family assessment. Family members attributed her spirit to her strong faith and deep love for Christ.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Crystal Dawn Schmidt.
Mrs. Kennington is survived by her husband; and her father and stepmother, Chester and Leslie Shubert. She also is survived by sons Steven Michael Schmidt and Jeremy Allen Schmidt, both of Durango, sisters Janet G. Reynolds, of Las Vegas, and Cindy K. McCormick, of Pagosa Springs; and brothers Dennis C. Shubert and Ken W. Shubert, both of Durango, and nine grandchildren.
A memorial service is scheduled at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Durango, with Bishop James Cooper officiating. Private burial will be at Crestview Cemetery in Durango.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sherry Kennington Memorial Fund, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2 Hilltop Circle, Durango 81301.
