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Ruth McClung Hicks (2/15/2006)
Mancos resident Ruth McClung Hicks, 83, died at The Valley Inn in Mancos on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2006. She had been in failing health for some time. She was born to Rex and Mattie (Turrentine) McClung in Elmo, Texas, on Dec. 4, 1922.
Mrs. Hicks worked in a munitions factory in Texas making 500-pound bombs during World War II. Her older twin brothers were in the U.S. Navy. She and her sister worked their way to California from Texas to be with their brothers and because there were more opportunities there.
One of her brothers was a chief petty officer on an aircraft carrier and introduced her to one of his men. She married that man, Kenneth Hicks, on June 6, 1945, in Indio, Calif.
The Hicks family lived in Escondido, Calif., Kentucky, and then moved back to Redlands and Riverside, Calif. Mrs. Hicks worked as a secretary in several elementary schools, spending much of that time at the Louisa May Alcott Elementary School in Riverside.
After her husband's death 3½ years ago, Mrs. Hicks moved to Mancos. She enjoyed going for drives and seeing the outdoors. Mrs. Hicks was a member of the Baptist Church in California. She also enjoyed camping, sewing, making quilts and reading. She was an excellent bridge and domino player.
Mrs. Hicks was also preceded in death by her daughter Deborah Hicks. She is survived by her son Donn Hicks of Durango; daughter Dorothy Hicks of Riverside, Calif.; sisters Martha Mason of Murieta, Calif., and Dorothy St. Onge of Redlands, Calif.; brother Hayden McClung of Riverside, Calif.; and four grandchildren.
Cremation has occurred. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
Monica Lea Graham (2/15/2006)
Longtime Durango resident Monica Lea Graham, 57, died in Denver on Friday, Feb. 10, 2006. The cause of death was complications from leukemia.
She was born to Fredrick and Maryann Deiber in Albuquerque on Feb. 2, 1949. She married Daniel G. "Gary" Graham in November 1968. The couple moved to Durango in 1978.
Mrs. Graham had various jobs in the Durango area and at one time owned Paints by Monica, a store where she hand-painted T-shirts.
She enjoyed crafts, particularly making scrapbooks, and traveling. Her husband said that more than anything, she wanted to make other people a little happier. Her license plate read • HAPY. Mrs. Graham had a loving relationship with her stepdaughter, Daniella Allen, who called her Mother Too.
Mrs. Graham is survived by her husband, Daniel Graham, of Durango; brother, Spencer Deiber, of Evanston, Wyo.; and stepdaughter, Daniella Allen, of Pueblo. Cremation has occurred. No services are planned. Memorial contributions may be made to the La Plata County Humane Society, 1111 S. Camino del Rio, Durango, CO 81301; or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202.
Janet Caryl Brown McCabe (2/14/2006)
A woman who lived in Southwest Colorado all of her life, Janet Caryl Brown McCabe, 73, died on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2006, at Southwest Memorial Hospital in Cortez.
She was born to Byron Douglas and Mary Teresa (Belmear) Brown in Dolores on Feb. 28, 1932. On Jan. 1, 1951, she married Howard H. McCabe in Mancos.
Mrs. McCabe returned to college after her children had reached school age and earned her bachelor's degree in education. She went on to teach at Montezuma-Cortez High School for the next 20 years, sharing her love of learning.
Her family said Mrs. McCabe held a deep love of family, friends, books and ideas. They said whenever someone came to her for advice, she knew where there was a passage in one of her books that would offer a perfect thought.
Mrs. McCabe generously shared her time with her grandchildren, her family said, giving them the gift of music and books.
She often said, "a house with music is more powerful than a house with money."
Her family said that Mrs. McCabe found ways to broaden herself through her grandchildren's interests, never guiding what interest they would share, but learning new things through the children's eyes.
Mrs. McCabe volunteered her time to Hospice of Montezuma and the Cortez Cultural Center. She was also a member of P.E.O. and the Cortez First United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Howard McCabe and her son Kevin McCabe.
Mrs. McCabe is survived by her children Kelly R. McCabe and Kimberly K. Franchini, both of Cortez; brother Morrison Brown of Cortez; eight grandchildren; and a great-grandson.
A funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006, at the Cortez First United Methodist Church. The Rev. Lynn Evans will officiate. Burial will follow at the Cortez Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in her name to Citizens State Bank to benefit the American Diabetes Association, Hospice of Montezuma and the Cortez Cultural Center.
Alton Julius Covey (2/13/2006)
Longtime Ignacio resident Alton J. Covey, a Western cowboy, died Saturday, Feb. 11, 2006. He was 84.
Mr. Covey was born to William R. and Susie Amanda Covey on Aug. 8, 1921, in Blancord, Okla.
While in Arizona, he met Margaret Mae "Jackie" Leslie. The couple married July 31, 1943, in Williams, Ariz.
After a short stint in the Army, Mr. Covey received a medical discharge. He began a career as a cowboy on several large ranches in Northern Arizona. He worked for the Babbit brothers on the Spider Wed Ranch and the C-O Bar Ranch, both near Flagstaff.
He also received steady employment on the Three V's, the O-R-O, and the A-I-C Ranches near Seligman, Ariz.
Mr. Covey served as an extra in many old Westerns filmed in Arizona's desert country.
After stints on ranches, he built the Cornelius Auction Ring and Feed Lots in Phoenix. In his later years, he owned and drove a dump truck that hauled dirt for the Oroville Dam project in Northern California.
In 1970, Mr. Covey moved to a ranch in Ignacio.
An avid hunter and fisherman, he loved hunting on Devil Mountain with his family. He once brought down a trophy bull elk that was his pride and joy.
Mr. Covey was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Mae "Jackie;" daughters Glinda Jean and Joyce Lou Taylor; grandsons Charlie Stockton and Lee W. Poulton; and brother Allen "Son" Marshall Covey.
He is survived by son Jimmy Covey of Ignacio; daughters Judy Lee Poulton and Jolene Hopper, both of Ignacio, and Linda June Covey of Butte Falls, Ore.; brother Donald R. Covey of Prescott, Ariz.; sisters Wilsie Richards of Sedona, Ariz., and Louise Bombarderi of Dewey, Ariz.; 17 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
A private graveside service will be held Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2006, at the Covey Ranch and Cemetery.
John David Eberly (2/12/2006)
John David Eberly died Thursday, Feb. 9, 2006, in Durango. He was 92.
Mr. Eberly was born on Dec. 9, 1913, in Navarre, Ohio. He married Gladys Geneva Eberly on Oct. 20, 1934, in Wellsburg, W. Va.
Mr. Eberly moved to the San Fernando Valley in California in 1946 and made his family's home there until 1987, when he moved to Durango.
Throughout his life he owned and operated his own business and was involved with ham radios. Mr. Eberly enjoyed fishing and traveling, especially in his motor home.
"Father loved to laugh, always had a kind word and loved and trusted God in all things," his daughters recalled. "He was beloved by all who knew him.
Mr. Eberly was a Mason for 66 years. In the Los Angeles area, he was a Commander of Knights Templar in Commandry and a Watchman of Shepherds of the White Shrine of Jerusalem. He was in the Mason Lodge Royal Arch Masons and a member of Al Malaikah Temple and Shrine Club.
While living in Durango, Mr. Eberly was a member of Masonic Lodge A.F. and A.M. No. 46 and the First United Methodist Church.
He is survived by daughters Janalee Eberly of Durango, Glenda Eberly Potter of Northridge, Calif., and Susan Eberly Walls of Mount Crawford, Va.; eight grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and two sisters.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys Geneva Eberly, in 2001.
A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006, at Hood Mortuary Chapel. Durango Masonic Lodge A.F. and A.M. No. 46 will officiate. Burial will follow at Greenmount Cemetery.
William 'Chris' Santistevan (2/12/2006)
A lifelong resident of the Durango and Ignacio area, William "Chris" Santistevan, died Thursday, Feb. 9, 2006, at Mercy Medical Center. He was 44.
Mr. Santistevan was born March 3, 1961, in Durango to Antonia and Mary (William) Santistevan. He graduated from Ignacio High School in 1979.
He was a police officer for the town of Ignacio, a surveyor and wildlife officer for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and a firefighter. He retired at the age of 33.
Mr. Santistevan enjoyed fishing, hunting, hiking, motorcycle riding, the outdoors and the Denver Broncos. He was a member of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.
He is survived by daughter Crystal Martinez of Durango; son Brett Martinez of Ignacio; brothers Robert Santistevan of Durango and Arnold Santistevan of Ignacio; sister Calla Moser of Chandler, Ariz.; parents Tony and Mary Santistevan of Ignacio; ex-wife Elaine Santistevan of Ignacio; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.
A recitation of the rosary will be said at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2006, at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Ignacio.
A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m., also at St. Ignatius. Burial will occur at Ouray Memorial Cemetery in Ignacio. The Rev. Jim Koenigsfeld of St. Columba Catholic Church will officiate.
Philip Charles Olbert (2/10/2006)
Longtime Ignacio resident Philip Charles Olbert, 63, died at the Valley Inn Nursing Home in Mancos on Monday, Feb. 6, 2006. The cause of death was not disclosed.
He was born to Alfred Elmer and Geneva (Freeman) Olbert in Durango on Nov. 28, 1942. Mr. Olbert attended school in Ignacio. He operated a Briggs & Stratton machine shop and also worked at a Texaco station there.
His interests included fishing, building model airplanes, and watching Western movies.
Mr. Olbert is survived by his brother Robert Olbert of Bloomfield, N.M.; sister Barbara Baumgardner of El Cajon, Calif.; three nieces and one nephew.
Cremation has occurred. No services will be held.
Catherine Mary Willbanks Hill (2/9/2006)
Durango native and longtime Cortez resident Catherine Mary Willbanks Hill died at the Vista Grande Nursing Home in Cortez on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2006. She was 90.
Mrs. Hill was born in Durango to Frank and Louise (Jurglic) Tushar on July 31, 1915. She grew up in the Animas Valley and graduated from Durango High School in 1934.
On Dec. 20, 1934, she married Ray Sanford Willbanks in the Dolores Baptist Parsonage.
Known as Katie, she was a member of the Arriola Bible Church, was active in the area senior citizens center and was involved with American Cancer Society fund drives. Her family said Mrs. Hill loved all aspects of farm life and some of her greatest pleasures came from gardening and raising flowers. She was known for her McPhee sweet corn and was a wonderful cook.
On Feb. 28, 1969, she married L.V. Hill in Aztec.
Mrs. Hill was preceded in death by her husbands, son Stanley Willbanks, and stepson Bruce Hill.
She is survived by her children Shirley McIntosh and Gloria Barker, both of Tulsa, Okla., Ginger Cowan and Donna Butt, both of Cortez, Danny Willbanks of Wilsonville, Ore., Glen Willbanks of Yellow Jacket, and Dale Willbanks of Chimney Rock, stepchildren Clinton Hill of Russellville, Ark., Arlon Filmore of Pensacola, Fla., Beverly McClay of Green Valley, Ariz., Carolyn Squires of Green River, Wyo., Molly Warren of Cortez, Jill Smith of Bloomfield, N.M., and Steve Hill of Dolores; 25 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation will take place from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, 2006, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel in Cortez.
A funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, 2006, at the Arriola Bible Church. The Rev. Kent Slyter will officiate. Burial will follow at the Summit Ridge Cemetery in Dolores. A dinner will be held at the Arriola Community Center following the burial services. Friends and family are invited to attend.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Arriola Bible Church, 15998 County Road 22, Dolores, CO 81323.
Jeffrey Duhs (2/9/2006)
Marvel resident Jeffrey Duhs, 54, died in Grand Junction on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2006. The cause of death was a head injury.
The Duhs family moved to La Plata County in 1981. He and his wife used their skills in stained-glass artistry, carpentry and craftsmanship to build their own home in the country.
Mr. Duhs worked in Durango, Santa Fe, Grand Junction and Farmington as an insurance adjuster, building contractor, bicycle-shop owner and carpenter. He coached wrestling in Parker and his son's soccer and basketball teams in Durango.
Mr. Duhs was born to Bill and Gloria (Tippett) Duhs on June 2, 1951 in Peoria, Ill. He spent his childhood in Peoria, Ill., and Littleton, where he graduated from Arapahoe High School in 1969. He earned a bachelor's degree in history, industrial arts and education from Western State College in Gunnison. After graduation, Mr. Duhs taught school in Tohatchi, N.M., and Parker before the family's move to Durango.
In December 1972, Mr. Duhs married Sylvia Ann Keating in Littleton. He was an avid reader, fine craftsman, master woodworker and stained-glass artist. He enjoyed music, particularly when performed live, traveling and being by the ocean. Mr. Duhs pursued several outdoor activities and was an enthusiastic sports fan.
Mr. Duhs is survived by his wife, Sylvia Duhs, of Marvel; son, Adam Jeffrey Duhs, of Durango; daughter, Jessie Marie Duhs, of Marvel; father, Bill Duhs, of Marvel; mother, Gloria Duhs, of Littleton; brother, Tom Duhs, of Colorado Springs; sisters Laurie Wasserburger of Lusk, Wyo., and Barbara Trompeau of Centennial; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, 2006, at the Hesperus Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Jeff Duhs Memorial Fund at Wells Fargo Bank.
