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Michael A. 'Lucky' Maddux (1/27/2006)
Durango resident Michael A. "Lucky" Maddux, 42, died at his home on Monday, Jan. 23, 2006. The cause of death is undetermined.
Mr. Maddux was born to Dwayne and Peggy Maddux on Jan. 10, 1964, in Westminster, Calif. He married Tina Roberts in Durango on Sept. 8, 1989.
Mr. Maddux worked as a painter for some time until medical disabilities would no longer allow him to do so.
His wife said Mr. Maddux had a zest for life.
"He would always ask how you were doing with a smile on his face, even though he was in pain."
He enjoyed playing pool and camping.
Mr. Maddux is survived by his wife, Tina Maddux, of Durango; stepfather Phil DeAugustino of Hemet, Calif.; and brother Frank Maddux of Nebraska.
Mrs. Maddux asks those who knew her husband to help her celebrate his life at a gathering from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, 2006, at Orios Roadhouse. Friends are asked to bring a dish to share and memories of Mr. Maddux.
Holly Hieronymus (1/26/2006)
A talented musician, Holly Hieronymus died from injuries suffered in a car accident near Durango Mountain Resort on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006. She was 26.
She was born to L. Glenn and Marlene Hieronymus in Wilmington, N.C., on May 26, 1979.
Her family owned a fishing boat there but left after being hit by seven hurricanes on the North Carolina coast. They had lived in Durango for about four years.
Miss Hieronymus was a songwriter, piano player and vocalist. She shared her talents at her church and performed at many local pageants and talent contests. She had recorded a CD of songs she had written.
Her family said her love for the Lord was evident all her life, and she will be missed by her family and the community.
Miss Hieronyumus is survived by her parents, L. Glenn and Marlene Hieronymus of Durango; and siblings Daniel Hieronymus of Wilmington, N.C., and Tande Hieronymus and Tracy Hieronymus, both of Palm Springs, Calif.
A celebration of her life will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, 2006, at the First United Methodist Church.
The Rev. Jeff Huber will officiate. Private burial will take place at Greenmount Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Holly Hieronymus Memorial Fund, First United Methodist Church, 2917 Aspen Drive, Durango, CO 81301.
Lucille Henry Drake (1/26/2006)
A descendant of one of the oldest families in Archuleta County, Lucille Henry Drake, 88, died in Atlanta Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006.
She was born to Robert Henry and Rebecca (Confar) Henry in Pagosa Springs on Aug. 24, 1917.
Her grandparents, the Confars, arrived in Archuleta County in the 1880s via wagon train from Missouri. Confar Hill near Chromo is named in their honor.
Mrs. Drake was raised on a horse ranch in Chromo. During her early years, she attended a one-room school in Chromo. An excellent horsewoman, she worked as a teenager in Pagosa Springs.
Horsemen would have matched races on the track by the hot springs, and Mrs. Drake would be asked to jockey for them.
She would leave her job, ride the race, and then return to work. She won many races.
After graduating from Pagosa Springs High School, she moved to Monte Vista and married Olen Drake. Her family said she was a devoted mother and homemaker, plus an avid fisherwoman.
She inherited her mother's talent in capturing her favorite subjects in oil paintings. Mrs. Drake became nationally known for her bronze sculptures and western bronzes.
She took special requests for busts of notable people, including legendary football coach Glenn "Pop" Warner and Judge Michael Musmanno, who presided at the Nuremberg trials. She recently completed a bust of Cesare Beccaria, an 18th century Italian who is considered the father of jurisprudence. It was installed in the Hall of Justice in Washington, D.C., in December.
Her brother "Buzzy" Henry worked closely with John Wayne and was instrumental in getting the movie "The Cowboys" filmed in Pagosa Springs.
In the early 1990s, Mrs. Drake moved to Georgia and lived at Chateau É lan Estates until the time of her death.
Mrs. Drake is survived by her husband, Olen Drake of Monte Vista; children Larry K. Reed of Hamilton, Ga., and Dr. Lynn Drake of Boston; two grandchildren; three great-granddaughters; and numerous relatives.
Services were held Jan. 18 at the Rogers Family Mortuary in Monte Vista.
Burial took place at Monte Vista Cemetery.
Donna Jean Bacus (1/25/2006)
Hesperus resident Donna Jean Bacus, 62, died at her home on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2006. The cause of death was cancer.
Mrs. Bacus was born to Alice and Riley Byars on Oct. 13, 1943, at the Naval Station in Waukegan, Ill. In 1952, the Byars family moved to Durango. Mrs. Bacus attended St. Columba, Needham Elementary and Smiley junior high schools, graduating from Durango High School.
Her parents owned the Siesta Motel, and her father was one of the builders of the neon chief from the Chief Diner, which now stands in front of Toh-Atin Gallery.
Mrs. Bacus was the Spanish Trails Fiesta queen in 1962 - the last year it was called the Spanish Trails Fiesta. The next year, it was changed to the Navajo Trails Fiesta. During Fiesta Days in 2005, the queen's coronation was dedicated to Mrs. Bacus.
On Aug. 18, 1962, she married Richard Eugene "Gene" Bacus at St. Columba Catholic Church.
Her family said she will be remembered for her love of animals, her work ethic, a tender heart and a tremendous pride in her family.
Mrs. Bacus is survived by her husband, Richard Eugene Bacus, of Hesperus; daughters Rena Cole of Durango and Ronda Conrad of Pleasant View; brothers Richard Byars and Steve Byars, both of Pekin, Ill.; four grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and two aunts and one uncle.
Visitation will be held from noon to 5 p.m. today, Jan. 25, 2006, at Hood Mortuary. The rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. today, also at Hood Mortuary. The Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, 2006, at St. Columba Catholic Church. The Rev. James Koenigsfeld will be the celebrant. Burial will take place at Greenmount Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the Hospice of Mercy or the Patrick Luter Cancer Center, both located at 3801 N. Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301.
Maria Eloise Trujillo (1/23/2006)
Maria Eloise Trujillo died Saturday, Jan. 21, 2006, at her home in Ignacio. She was 76.
Mrs. Trujillo was born April 15, 1929, in Los Pinos, N.M., to Elijio and Avalina Valdez Martinez.
She enjoyed reading, traveling, shopping and camping. "She will be most missed for her fine cooking of the dinners at the holidays," her family said.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Victoriano, sons Joe Valdez and Marcos Trujillo, and daughter Connie Albo.
Mrs. Trujillo is survived by five daughters, Andrea Casias and Lucy Stewart, both of Bayfield, Elena Trujillo and Maria Eliza Trujillo, both of Ignacio, and Ava Trujillo of Tiffany; and four sons, Robert Trujillo of Farmington, Victoriano Trujillo of Durango, Fernando Trujillo of Golden and Margarito Trujillo of Tiffany. She also is survived by 14 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. today, Jan. 23, 2006, at Hood Mortuary in Durango. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006, at La Boca Cemetery.
Marian Jane Blackwell (1/22/2006)
Ignacio resident Marian Jane Blackwell, 84, died at her home on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2006.
She was born to Antonio and Bessie Ance on Feb. 3, 1921, on the Potawatomi Reservation in Harris, Mich. Mrs. Blackwell attended the Indian School until the age of 13.
Mrs. Blackwell worked in the logging camps and then married Charles Franklin Eggleston in the early 1940s in Wilson, Mich. They had four children and shortly thereafter moved to Chimney Rock, where Mr. Eggleston was employed as a miner. During their time together, the Egglestons also lived in Bayfield, Telluride and Montrose, before moving to Ignacio in 1978.
Through the years, Mrs. Blackwell was employed as a waitress, cook and housekeeper.
"She always had an opinion and was not afraid to speak it," her granddaughter Sheryl McManus said. "She cared, loved and worried about everyone else first."
Mrs. Blackwell also loved animals.
She was preceded in death by husband Charles Eggleston; sons Robert Eggleston and Carl Eggleston; and grandsons Larry Eggleston and Carl Eric Eggleston.
Mrs. Blackwell is survived by daughters Patsy Alford of Arboles and Betty Jane Hoover of Ignacio; brother Adam Malinowski of Escanaba, Mich.; five grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and two nieces and two nephews.
The family will hold a private celebration of Mrs. Blackwell's life in February.
Bessie Ella Pennell (1/22/2006)
Bessie Ella Pennell died of natural causes Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2006, at Pine Ridge Extended Care Center in Pagosa Springs. She was 90.
Mrs. Pennell was born on May 31, 1915, in Allison to James and Martha Briggs. She graduated from Durango High School.
Mrs. Pennell married Lee Pennell on Dec. 1, 1933, and they made their home in Ignacio.
She was preceded in death by her husband.
She is survived by sons Robert Dean Pennell of Greeley, Thomas Pennell of Pagosa Springs, Charles Pennell of Loveland; and a daughter, Ann McAfee, who lives near McAlester, Okla. She also is survived by nine grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
A service was held Saturday, Jan. 21, 2006, at Ignacio Community Church. The Rev. Curt Alderton officiated. Private internment was held at an Ignacio cemetery.
Verne J. Tarne (1/22/2006)
Former Durango resident Verne J. Tarne, 87, died Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2006, at Wellspring Alzheimer's Center in Denver.
Mr. and Mrs. Tarne lived in Durango from the early 1990s to 2001. They were active at St. Columba Catholic Church and with the local duplicate-bridge group.
Mr. Tarne was born in Cicero, Ill., on Feb. 23, 1918. He worked for many years for Tasker Industries as the vice president of industrial relations.
Mr. Tarne is survived by his wife, Dorothy Tarne, of Denver; daughter Didi Gardner of Denver; and brother Don R. Tarne of Lenexa, Kan.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 17, 2006, at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 4400 West Kenyon Ave., Denver.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation, 701 Camino del Rio, Suite 319, Durango, CO 81301; or Colorado Alzheimer's Association, 455 Sherman St., Suite 500, Denver, CO 80203.
Eleanor J. Long (1/21/2006)
A woman who lived a fascinating life, Eleanor J. Long died at Mercy Medical Center on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2006. She was 96.
Mrs. Long and her husband, J. Kenneth Long, moved to Durango in 1969 to enjoy the mountains and hunting. They were devout members of Christ the King Lutheran Church involved in many church activities. In recent years, her cousin Agnes Dale and sister-in-law Marie Jordet had helped to care for her.
She was born to George and Magda Jordet on Oct. 10, 1909, on the family homestead in northwestern North Dakota. After her mother died in childbirth when Mrs. Long was 12, she lived with her grandparents in Parshall, N.D., and attended school there. She started a year late after recovering from typhoid fever and graduated from high school in 1928 in a class of eight students. The next year, Mrs. Long went to Minot, S.D., to attend nursing school at Trinity Hospital, receiving her degree in 1932.
After a few years of nursing in Minot, she applied to an employment agency in Denver and was placed at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque in 1936. A short time later, she decided to apply to the medical department of the U.S. government under the Indian Service. In 1939, Mrs. Long was sent to work as a field nurse on the Jicarilla Apache Reservation in Dulce, N.M.
In October of that year, she married J. Kenneth Long, also a government employee. After she completed one year at the small reservation clinic, the couple moved to a remote part of the reservation, where they had no electricity, no running water and no gas for heat. They took their baths in a laundry tub. They lived a pioneer lifestyle in the 20th century.
The Longs lived on the reservation for the next 30 years (except for a brief period in the early 1950s at the Sioux Reservation in South Dakota). Because of the isolation, the couple was involved in local activities ranging from square dancing to weekly bridge games. They also attended many Apache ceremonies and celebrations.
In the 1950s, they moved back to Dulce, and she worked at the Jicarilla Apache clinic again. Because there were often no doctors available, nurses were authorized to write basic prescriptions. She also worked as a midwife and recalled delivering two generations of babies.
In 1969, the tribe gave Mr. and Mrs. Long a retirement dinner and recognized their impact on the reservation. Mr. Long was made an honorary tribal member and the Longs were given lifetime hunting and fishing rights on the reservation.
The people at Four Corners Health Care Center who cared for Mrs. Long recently called her "a feisty little lady." Her family said she was a great gardener and cook.
"She could get anything to grow," Dale said. "She could plant a stick in the ground and grow a tree."
Mrs. Long was preceded in death by her husband, J. Kenneth Long.
She is survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.
The funeral will take place at 12:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23, 2006, at Christ the King Lutheran Church. The Rev. John Knutson will officiate. Burial will occur at Greenmount Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Christ the King Lutheran Church, 495 Florida Road, Durango, CO 81301.
