Search Archived Marriage Records
Ralph Edward Robbins
A lifelong Mancos rancher and cattleman, Ralph Edward Robbins died Thursday, Feb. 10, 2005, at his home in Mancos at the age of 67.
Mr. Robbins was born Sept. 6, 1937, in Mancos, the son of Vern Ira and Gertrude M. (Wilkerson) Robbins.
He married Dixie Delora Dillon on April 14, 1956, and together they ran livestock.
Mr. Robbins belonged to the Southwest Cattleman's Association, the Colorado Cattleman's Association, the Mancos Cattleman's Association and was a former member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
For many years, Mr. Robbins ran the stables and provided the horses at the Lake Mancos Dude Ranch.
He also worked on and off as an outfitter and had appeared in several movies when livestock or wranglers were necessary.
Survivors include his wife, Dixie Robbins of Mancos; his daughters, Deana Kaye Yeomans and Robyn Lyn Robbins, both of Mancos; six grandchildren; siblings Clyde Robbins of Arkansas, Verna Towne and Virgie Edwards, both of Mancos, and Eileen Moore of Rio Rancho, N.M.
Preceding him in death were his two sons, Richard Vern Robbins and Wesley Lee Robbins.
Funeral services for Mr. Robbins will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Cortez Elks Lodge No. 1789 with burial following at the Cedar Grove Cemetery. The Rev. Bud Rousset will officiate.
Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Ralph "Eddie" Robbins at the Citizens State Bank or given to a charity of choice.
Vesta 'Jo' Sittner
A sister, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Vesta "Jo" Sittner died at her home on Florida Mesa on Friday, Feb. 4, 2005. She was 78.
Mrs. Sittner was born on Jan. 8, 1927, in Rexford, Kan., and moved with her family to Montrose in 1931.
While in Montrose, she met Edward O. Sittner Sr., and they married on Sept. 28, 1945.
Mrs. Sittner belonged to several civic organizations and helped to raise money for special needs. She also helped purchase one of the mammogram machines at Mercy Medical Center, and she was an avid supporter the Animas Museum.
Each spring, she relished the sight of her alfalfa fields coming up and her Black Angus cattle grazing. Her flower and vegetable gardens brought her joy.
Survivors include her brothers, J.B. Humphrey of Montrose and Dale Humphrey of Olathe; sisters Norma Swingle and Rita Ehr of Montrose; children Ed Sittner Jr. of Las Vegas, and Debbie Rowe, Rani Holt and Duane Sittner of Durango. Also surviving her are seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Her family will hold a celebration of her life at her home on Florida Mesa at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 6, 2005. Lunch will be provided at the gathering.
A graveside service will be held at Cedar Cemetery in Montrose at 1 p.m. Monday, March 7, 2005. Contributions in her memory can be made to the Animas Museum, P.O. 3384, Durango, CO 81302.
Bonnie F. Champie
Bonnie F. Champie of Milbank, S.D., died Saturday, Feb. 5, 2005, in the Milbank Area Hospital. She was 85.
Mrs. Champie was born Dec. 15, 1919, in Gorman, Texas, the daughter of Densley F. and Katheryn M. (Vaught) Cogburn.
She attended elementary school in Littlefield, Texas. In 1938, she graduated from Lubbock High School and from Texas Tech University in 1942 with a degree in teaching.
On Aug. 10, 1946, Mrs. Champie married Channing K. Champie in Lubbock, Texas. They lived on a farm in Yuma, Ariz. until 1951. They moved around Texas, teaching and farming, until 1967, when Mr. and Mrs. Champie settled on the Florida Mesa. They lived there until 1994.
For more than 30 years, Mrs. Champie taught grades kindergarten through fifth grade. In 1980, she retired, having finished her teaching career at Florida Mesa Elementary School in Durango.
Mrs. Champie was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ. She was also a member of the La Plata County Quilter's Guild. She quilted hundreds of quilts, which she mostly gave as gifts. She quilted and mended at the local nursing home.
Living through the Great Depression and World War II, her family said, left Mrs. Champie a practical person. She enjoyed reading her Bible every day and attending church. She also enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening. She shared her bounty with friends and neighbors. She also loved to visit with family.
Survivors include her daughter, Kayra McDaniel of Twin Brooks, S.D.; son Sam Champie of Hermiston, Ore.; brother Arnold Cogburn, of Amarillo, Texas; four grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Her husband and her son John Charles Champie preceded Mrs. Champie in death.
Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday at the American Lutheran Church in Milbank. Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday the Hood Mortuary Chapel, Durango. Burial will follow in the Crestview Cemetery in Durango.
Teresa Candelaria
Teresa Candelaria, 69, died Monday, Feb. 7, 2005, at San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington.
Mrs. Candelaria was born Jan. 6, 1936, in Durango, the daughter of Dave and Isabel Quintana.
She married Pete C. Candelaria on Aug. 22, 1964, in Durango.
Mrs. Candelaria was a nurse at Eventide, Mercy Hospital and Durango School District 9-R.
She enjoyed spending time with her family, being outdoors and reading. She was a member of the Nurses Association.
Survivors include her husband, Pete Candelaria of Durango; son Joseph C. Perez Sr. of Parker Heights, Texas; daughter Diana S. Morison of Sedona, Ariz.; daughters Katherine McKinney of Durango, and Christine Martinez of Farmington; son Chris Joe Candelaria of Las Vegas; brother Tony Quintana of Montrose; 11 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at a later date this summer. Cremation will occur at Hood Mortuary Crematory in Durango.
Laverne A. Pearcey
Laverne A. Pearcey died Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2005, at his home in Aztec. He was 81.
Mr. Pearcey was born March 26, 1923, in Bennett, to Roland and Helen Pearcey.
During World War II and the Korean conflict, he served in the Army and was a recipient of the Bronze Star.
He was a member of the Lions Club in Tucumcari, N.M., the Farmington Elks Club and the Aztec American Legion.
His first wife, Doris Pearcey, preceded him in death.
Survivors include his second wife, Arloa Pearcey; son Gene Pearcey of Durango; two granddaughters; six great-grandchildren; brother, Roy Pearcey of Stotts City, Mont.; three step-children; numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. today at Greenmont Cemetery in Durango, with the Rev. David Skinner officiating.
Nona Lynn Moore
Nona Lynn Moore, a Cortez resident, died on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2005, at Colorado University Hospital in Denver at the age of 57.
Mrs. Moore was born in Scotia, Calif., on Oct. 17, 1947, the daughter of Raymond E. and Meredith Elwyna (Dew) Barkdull.
She received her bachelor of arts degree in English at Humboldt State College.
In August of 1987, she and Earl Aaron Moore married in Alpine, Calif. They lived in Cortez, and were married for 17 years.
A well-known painter in the Four Corners Area, Mrs. Moore belonged to the Ute Mountain Art League and the Plein Aire Painters of the Four Corners.
She shared her love of education with children and taught in middle schools.
Survivors include her husband, Earl Moore of Cortez; her mother Meredith Barkdull of Cortez; three daughters, Teri Lyn Hancock of Twin Falls, Idaho, Kara Lynn Renfro of Boise, Idaho, and Sara Lynn Justice of San Diego; two sons, Christopher Lynn Renfro and Lindsey Raymond Moore, both of Cortez; two stepsons, David Coleman of Fullerton, Calif., and Aaron Earl Moore of San Diego; stepdaughter, Leslie Ann Green of Bartlesville, Okla.; and two granddaughters.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at the Cortez First United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at the Cortez Cemetery. The Rev. Bud Rousset will officiate.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Nona Moore with the Citizens State Bank of Cortez for development of an art program at the Cortez Cultural Center.
Clifford House Eagle
Clifford House Eagle, 79, died Saturday, Feb. 5, 2005, at Four Corners Health Care Center in Durango.
Mr. Eagle was born Nov. 16, 1925, in La Boca, the son of Amos and Daisy Eagle.
He worked for the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. He also worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs for more than 30 years, performing many tasks that included maintaining roads on the reservation. Upon retirement, he received a 30-year pin for his work.
Survivors include his wife, Annabelle Eagle; two daughters, Linda E. Eagle and Ramona Y. Eagle; an adopted son, D. Sage Remington; six grandchildren; six great-grandsons; and numerous relatives and friends on the Southern Ute Reservation, the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation and in the Northern Ute Indian Tribe.
Mr. Eagle is preceded in death by two sons, two daughters and one granddaughter.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at Hood Mortuary in Durango. A Mass will be said at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, and the Rev. James Koenigsfeld will officiate.
Burial will occur at Ouray Memorial Cemetery in Ignacio.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to St. Columba Catholic School, 1800 East Second Ave., Durango, CO 81301.
Elmer Eugene 'Gene' Wood
Elmer Eugene Wood, 58, died Saturday, Dec. 18, 2004, from a heart attack in Melton, Fla.
Mr. Wood was born in Telluride on Sept. 9, 1946, the son of Marie and J.C. Wood.
He lived in Durango throughout his childhood and attended local schools.
After graduating from Durango High School, Mr. Wood entered the U.S. Army, where he spent three of his six years of service in Vietnam. He was a crew chief on helicopter missions and suffered injuries for which he received a purple heart.
After being discharged from the Army, Mr. Wood enlisted with the Navy. He spent his remaining 14 years of service in Florida and California.
After his military retirement, Mr. Wood spent considerable time with Beechcraft Helicopters and was sent to Saudi Arabia to help teach helicopter skills.
In 1975, Mr. Wood married Betty Sue Marshall of Flagstaff, Ariz., and they were married for 29 years.
Survivors include his wife, Betty Wood of Melton; sons Jason Wood, Michael Wood, James Wood and Mathew Wood, all of Melton; mother Marie and father J.C. Wood of Durango; two aunts; and one uncle.
Burial occurred Dec. 21, 2004, in Pensacola, Fla., with military honors.
Glenn Lenord Baker
Glenn Lenord Baker, a former Durangoan who was a rancher, farmer, family man and truck driver, died in Galveston, Texas, on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2005. Mr. Baker had suffered a major brain injury. He was 73.
Mr. Baker was born in Ringo County, Iowa, on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, 1931. He was raised on his family's farm in Missouri. In 1947, Mr. Baker moved with his family to Loveland, where he took up work in mines and underground tunnels. While in Loveland, he met Bonnie Jean Grundvig, whom he would eventually marry.
Mr. Baker, along with his wife and family, came to Durango in 1960, where they took up farming and cattle ranching. Mr. Baker also worked for San Juan Lumber.
After moving to Durango, Mr. Baker's tunnel-building experience took him and his family across the globe to Zambia, Africa, where he worked for a short while. Mr. Baker's travels continued after he returned to Durango. He took up work as a trucker and traversed the nation in his work.
In his home life, Mr. Baker is remembered as a family man who encouraged family values through camping, fishing and traveling with his family.
Mr. Baker is survived by his wife, Bonnie; his sisters, Fay Huffman of St. Joseph, Mo., and Virginia Rothe of Loveland; his children, Donald Baker and Robert Baker, both of Durango, and Alvin Baker of Albuquerque; his grandchildren, Isaiah Baker, Dustin Baker, Ryan Baker and Casey Baker, all of Durango, and Frankie Ann Baker of Phoenix; and five great-grandchildren.
A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Pine River Valley Baptist Church in Ignacio. There will be a meal served for family and friends. Services will be performed by pastors Joe Sparks and David McCaw. The graveside service will be given by Pastor Bob Ross at Crestview Cemetery, at the intersection of U.S. Highway 160 and Colorado Highway 172.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Missions Fund at Pine River Valley Baptist Church, 11942 Colorado Highway 172, Ignacio, CO 81137.
