Obituaries

Jun 1, 2020

Leni Sue Whetten was born July 12, 1949 in Downey, CA the daughter of James Nixon and Billimae (Miller) Loggins. She passed away on Monday, June 1, 2020 at her residence in Durango, CO at the age of 70. Surviving Leni are her spouse, Elbert Thomas ‘Al’ Whetten of Durango, CO; and her brother, James Nixon Loggins Jr. of San...

May 31, 2020

Berna Dean Beasley left us peacefully May 31, 2020, joining her family: parents James Albert Johnson and Dot Florence Cook, sisters, Maxine, Delphine, and her brother, Junior (J.P.) just as she did when she was born on November 11, 1930. Her childhood was spent in Cahone, less a few years when Berna Dean was about 4 and the family moved...

May 30, 2020

Funeral services for Cortez resident Landis Kay Porter will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2020 at the Church of Christ in Cortez, CO. Shelby Smith and Stephen Porter will officiate. Interment will follow at Battle Rock Cemetery. Visitation will take place from 5 – 7 p.m. Friday, June 5, 2020 at Ertel Memorial Chapel. Landis was...

May 27, 2020

Eulalia Ardeth Skinner (known to many friends as simply “Skinner”) was born in Sterling, CO, on November 28, 1930, to parents Ronald and Gertrude (Hoaglund) Skinner. She passed away on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at Vista Mesa Assisted Living in Cortez, CO at the age of 89. The family moved to Grand Junction, CO, and Eulalia grew up and attended...

May 26, 2020

John Ross, beloved husband, dad, grandpa, and friend, died suddenly and unexpectedly from a heart attack at home on May 26, 2020. He was an honest, loyal, and generous man who would do anything for anyone and often did just that. He lived life to the fullest and left this world a better place. John was born in Columbus, Ohio,...

May 23, 2020

A memorial service and inurnment will be held for Cortez resident Orlan Darce ‘Bud’ Wilson at 10 a.m. Friday June 19, 2020 at Cortez Cemetery. Military Honors will be performed by the Veterans of Montezuma County. Bud was born January 18, 1925 in Park City, UT the son of Williamson Darce and Wilda Elayne (Pierson) Wilson. He passed away on...

May 22, 2020

A private family service will be held for Towaoc resident Ray Paul Laner due to the current health situation and the mandatory restrictions on public gatherings associated with it. Ray Paul Laner was born February 17, 1967 in Cortez, Colo. the son of Raymus Paul Laner and Sarah (Scott) Laner. He passed away on Friday, May 22, 2020 in Grand...

May 21, 2020

Services will be held at a later date for Dove Creek resident Norman Edward Hensley. Norman was born March 12, 1937 in Cortez, CO the son of Edward and Fern (Branson) Hensley. He passed away on May 21, 2020 at the Four Corners Health Care Center in Durango, CO at the age of 83. Surviving Norman are his spouse, Mary...

May 18, 2020

Claire Hyde Jeppson, our dear mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend went to be with her husband and family in Heaven on May 18, 2020 at the age of 89. Claire was born October 9, 1930 in Monticello, Utah to Carlos Leo and Julia Allred Hyde. She was the second of six girls. She grew up in Monticello...

May 18, 2020

Patricia “Pat” Ann Helmbolt was born on September 8, 1938 in Norfolk, NE. She was the oldest child of Irene (Stelling) and Donald Drager. Pat was raised in Lincoln, NE where she attended Lincoln High School and eventually met her husband. Pat married Wilbert “Arlen” Thompson and to this union six children were born: Darlene, Ward, Denise, Diana, Rex and...

May 11, 2020

Gale W. Greenlee, a life-long resident, died on Monday, May 11, 2020 on his ranch south of Cortez. Gale was born November 15, 1941 in a log cabin on that ranch. His parents were George and Lois Greenlee, his grandparents were Frank and Molly Greenlee, Cortez residents since 1915, and W.L. and Mary Butler, Dolores residents since 1918. Gale graduated...

May 8, 2020

Private services will be held at a later date for Cortez resident Andrew Arnold ‘Andy’ Hill. Andy was born February 28, 1963 in Glenwood Springs, CO the son of Donald F. and Linda Jo (Marks) Hill. He passed away on Friday, May 8, 2020 at Southwest Memorial Hospital in Cortez, CO at the age of 57. Surviving Andy are his...

May 7, 2020

Dallas Lee Draper was born May 22, 1987 in Shiprock, NM the son of Eddie Al Draper and Charmaine Tsosie. He passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2020 at his residence at the age of 32. Surviving Dallas are his mother, Charmaine Tsosie of Cortez, CO; his father, Eddie Draper of Gallup, N.M.; his siblings, Darren Draper of Cortez, CO,...

May 6, 2020

Jeffery Thomas Gnas was born on June 6, 1977 in Durango, CO the son of Gary and Sue Zan Gnas. Jeff passed away May 6, 2020 of natural causes. Jeff accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior as a child at San Juan Bible Camp and was baptized at Arriola Bible Church. We know Jeff is at peace with Jesus...

May 4, 2020

Artilena Mooney was born June 17, 1941 to Artie Walker and Ruby Inman Walker in Sentinel, OK. She passed away peacefully in her sleep May 4, 2020 at the age of 78. Artilena grew up in the small town of Retrop, OK on the family farm. She became a school teacher and taught in Rocky, OK where she was also...

May 3, 2020

John William “Doc” Baker died on May 3, 2020 in his home in Durango, CO at the age of 89. Born on February 14, 1931 in Harrisburg, IL, he grew up in Carpinteria, CA. A standout three sport athlete in football, basketball, and track; John was enshrined in the Carpinteria High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He attended college at...

May 2, 2020

Becky Lynn Keith was born September 18, 1959 at Travis Air Force Base in California, the daughter of Jim and Betty (Munfreda) Keith. She passed away on Saturday, May 2, 2020 at her residence in Cortez, CO at the age of 60. Surviving Becky are her parents; and her son, Joseph Layer of Bayfield, CO.

May 2, 2020

Reece Val Malles, 81, of Gordon, NE passed away Friday, May 1, 2020 at Centennial Park Care Facility in North Platte, NE. Leslie Ann Malles, 76, of Gordon, NE followed Reece over the great divide to their eternal resting place Saturday, May 2, 2020 at Centennial Park also. Reece was born July 12, 1939 to John Reece Malles Jr &...

May 1, 2020

Reece Val Malles, 81, of Gordon, NE passed away Friday, May 1, 2020 at Centennial Park Care Facility in North Platte, NE. Leslie Ann Malles, 76, of Gordon, NE followed Reece over the great divide to their eternal resting place Saturday, May 2, 2020 at Centennial Park also. Reece was born July 12, 1939 to John Reece Malles Jr &...

Apr 26, 2020