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Use the search below to find the obituary of a loved one. We invite you to share memories, offer condolences, and celebrate a life well lived. Each tribute is a place for family and friends to come together in remembrance and support.


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Recent Obituaries

Cortez, Colorado and surrounding areas

Charlie Harold Dennison

Charlie Harold Dennison

Nov 7, 2022

Charlie Harold Dennison was born June 26, 1980 in Colorado, the son of Brian Jay and Terri Sue (Amburn-Kaiser) Dennison. He passed away on Monday, November 7, 2022 at the age of 42.

Surviving Charlie are his mother, Terri Sue Zahorka; his children J.D. Austin Harold Dennison of Dove Creek, CO, Autumn Haleigh Dennison of Mesquite, NV, and Megan Hope Angelina...

Chloris Marie Coppinger

Chloris Marie Coppinger

Nov 6, 2022

Chloris Marie Cox Coppinger passed away November 6th, 2022, at Vista Mesa Assisted Living at the age of 102. She was born in Lincoln, Kansas June 13th, 1920. The family moved to Arriola, Colorado 1938. Her father owned and operated a cleaning shop in Cortez. Chloris attended school in Cortez through the 11th grade. She transferred to Glendale, California her...

Roberto Sistito Randall

Roberto Sistito Randall

Nov 5, 2022

ROBERTO “SISTO” SISTITO RANDALL

Sisto was born December 9, 1954 to Helen and Bel Randall. Sisto had nine brothers and sisters and eight half brothers and sisters.

Sisto grew up in Dolores and graduated from the Dolores Schools in May 1973. In June of 1973, Sisto joined the United States Army along with several friends. Sisto served for three years and was honorably...

Ronald Rieb

Ronald Rieb

Nov 1, 2022

Ronald Rieb was born in Fruitdale, SD to Edward and Katherine Rieb on October 13th, 1935. He passed peacefully at his home in Cortez, Colo. on November 1st 2022 at the age of 87. A memorial service will be held later in the Spring.

Buffy Jo Ward

Buffy Jo Ward

Nov 1, 2022

Memorial services for Buffy Jo Ward will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, November 11, 2022 at Ertel Memorial Chapel.

Buffy was born on September 12,1971 in Oregon, the daughter of Kenneth and Anita Rae (Imel) Ward. She passed away on Tuesday, November 1, 2022 at Southwest Memorial Hospital at the age of 51.

Surviving Buffy are her children, James Miguel...

Ralph "Jr" Orona

Ralph "Jr" Orona

Oct 31, 2022

Born Ralph Orona, he would tell you that JR stood for “Just Right”. He was a devoted son, spouse, brother, father and the proudest grandpa (Bello)! He was a cowboy at heart and quick on the draw with a joke. He could manufacture a solution to any problem like MacGyver. He wanted to be noted in history as “ the dancing fool” ‘cause...

Donna  Lynne Wood

Donna Lynne Wood

Oct 30, 2022

Donna Lynne Wood was born December 12, 1952 in Igloo, South Dakota, the daughter of Wesley and Goldie May (Uecker) Kelly. She passed away on Sunday, October 30, 2022 at Southwest Memorial Hospital at the age of 69.

Surviving Donna are her daughter Kelly Lynne Wood of Cortez; her siblings Wesley Wayne Kelly (Michelle) of Mineral Wells, Texas, Sandy Lee Douglas...

Julia  Shaelyn Damore-Rome

Julia Shaelyn Damore-Rome

Oct 29, 2022

Julia Shaelyn Damore-Rome, born July 26, 1998 in Silver City New Mexico, passed on October 29th in Los Angeles CA. at the age of 24. Julia graduated from the Montezuma Cortez High School in 2016 where she ran track and cross country, participated on the swim team, and wrote for the journalism club. Julia was awarded a full scholarship through...

Carol Sue Newby

Carol Sue Newby

Oct 29, 2022

CAROL SUE NEWBY

Funeral services for Carol Sue Newby will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at Ertel Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow at Cortez Cemetery. Pastor Marvin Graves will officiate.

Carol Sue Stanley Newby was born on September 26, 1937 in Goodman Point, Colo. to Ford and Muriel (McGlothlin) Stanley. She passed away on Saturday, October 29,...

Elizabeth  Mae Klock

Elizabeth Mae Klock

Oct 25, 2022

Elizabeth Mae Klock was born January 21, 1948 in Kernville, CA the daughter of Emmett Melvin and Lyla Gertrude (Curtis) Doyal. She passed away in her residence on Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at the age of 74.

Surviving Elizabeth is the love of her life, Ed Klock of Dove Creek, CO; her children, Stephen D. Staggs of Cortez, CO, Denise Young...

Debra Lynn Chovan

Debra Lynn Chovan

Oct 23, 2022

Arrangements are being made through Ertel Funeral Home. To send condolences or to view the full obituary, log on to www.ertelfuneralhome.com and click on the obituary section.

Santana Nicole Smith

Santana Nicole Smith

Oct 23, 2022

Memorial services for Santana Nicole Smith will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, November 4, 2022 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Empire Chapel.

Santana was born on June 24, 1985 in Bluefield, WV. The daughter of Chantho Dang and Tammy Jean Johnson. Santana passed away on Sunday, October 23, 2022 at the age of 37.

Surviving...

Fred  Kelly Van Buren

Fred Kelly Van Buren

Oct 21, 2022

  Fred Kelly Van Buren passed away on October 21, 2022, at the age of 83 peacefully in his home in Cortez, CO surrounded by loved ones.

  Kelly was born in Orangeville, Utah on March 21, 1939, to Fred Harold and Uwin (Berg) Van Buren.

He graduated from Orangeville High School in 1957, was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army,...

Diane Jeannette Castillo

Diane Jeannette Castillo

Oct 18, 2022

  Diane Jeannette Castillo was born July 5, 1960 in San Fernando Valley, California, the daughter of Joyce Jeannette Martin. She passed away on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at her home in Cahone, Colorado, at the age of 62.

  Surviving Diane are her children Danielle J. Martin of Salem, Oregon, and Desiree J. Martin-Balch of Ranier, Oregon; her sister Susan...

Mark Adonis Fredrick

Mark Adonis Fredrick

Oct 17, 2022

Mark Adonis Fredrick was born July 23, 1955 in Cortez, CO the son of Donald Everett and Lula Maude (McNew) Fredrick. He passed away on Monday, October 17, 2022 in his residence at the age of 67. Services will be held at a later date.

Surviving Mark are his siblings, Dale Fredrick of Mancos, CO and Donna Noyes (Chris Coleman) of...

Philip  Charles "Phil" Kenyon

Philip Charles "Phil" Kenyon

Oct 16, 2022

PHILIP “PHIL” CHARLES KENYON

Philip “Phil” Charles Kenyon CLU, 96, of Cortez, passed away at his home on October 16, 2022.

Philip was born to Lucile and William Kenyon on February 22, 1926, in Durango, Colorado. He graduated from Cortez High School in 1944. Philip worked for his dad at Kenyon Motor Company, and had a key to the garage so he...

Millard A.  Higgins

Millard A. Higgins

Oct 14, 2022

MILLARD ALLEN HIGGINS

Memorial services for Millard Allen Higgins, a longtime resident of Lebanon, will be held on Friday, October 21st, at the Lewis Arriola Community Center beginning at 2:00 p.m. He passed away peacefully at his home with his beloved wife Eva Joylene, and family by his side on October 14, 2022 at the age of 93. Private interment services...

Leora Chisholm Wall Knight

Leora Chisholm Wall Knight

Oct 10, 2022

LEORA CHISHOLM WALL KNIGHT

Funeral services for Towaoc resident Leora Chisholm Wall Knight will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 15, 2022 at Ertel Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow at Cortez Cemetery. Visitation has been scheduled for Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Leora was born January 1, 1933 in Towaoc, Colo. the daughter of Harry Wall and Susan...

Connie Lee Walter

Connie Lee Walter

Oct 8, 2022

  Connie Lee Walter was born January 23, 1948, in McCook, Nebraska to Doran and Delphine Remington. She passed away Saturday, October 8, 2022 at Centura Mercy Hospital in Durango, CO, at the age of 74.

  Connie graduated from McCook High School in 1966. She went on to study Medical Technology at McCook Junior College.   Connie married Gary Tobiasson in...

Clinton Thomas Smith

Clinton Thomas Smith

Oct 3, 2022

Clinton “Bubba” Thomas Smith was born April 17, 1968 in Durango, CO the son of Carla Jo (Weaver) Gustafson and H.T. Smith. He passed away on Monday, October 3, 2022 at the age of 54 in his residence.

Surviving Clinton are his mother and step-father, Carla Jo and Charles Gustafson of Cortez, CO; his siblings, Kevin Gustafson (Trinia) of WA and...

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