Obituaries

Sep 11, 2019

On Wednesday, September 11, 2019, Betty Hill, loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away at the age of 95. Betty was born in Liberal, KS to Samuel and Katie Greene. She had a front row seat to some of the most amazing events and discoveries throughout her lifetime. She survived the Great Depression and Dust Bowl and shared her experiences,...

Sep 10, 2019

Memorial services for Cortez resident Joylene Dolores ‘Joy’ Wilkerson will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 21, 2019 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints M Road Chapel. Inurnment will follow at Summit Ridge Cemetery. Joy was born January 13, 1927 in Mancos, CO the daughter of Lewis Edward and Elise Elizabeth (Baker) Willden. She passed away...

Sep 9, 2019

Dale Allen Kell was born in San Diego, CA on January 23, 1954, to Gerald R. Kell and Stella M. Kell. The family permanently moved to Cortez in 1955 where they farmed in the lower south valley until the early 70’s. Dale grew up with five brothers on the family farm. That time was full of adventure and mischievousness. He...

Sep 9, 2019

Funeral services for Cortez resident Llewellyn Tsosie will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, September 13, 2019 at Ertel Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow at Cortez Cemetery. Llewellyn was born February 6, 1971 in Shiprock, NM the son of Lee C. and Mary Lou (Willie) Tsosie. He passed away on Monday, September 9, 2019 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand...

Sep 9, 2019

Graveside services for Mancos resident James H. Perry will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, September 14, 2019 at Sylvan Cemetery in Pleasant View, CO. Visitation will take place from 5-7 p.m. Friday, September 13, 2019 at Ertel Memorial Chapel. James was born February 4, 1956 in Durango, CO the son of Rex Hart and Jimmie Rose (Lancaster) Perry. He...

Sep 7, 2019

Memorial Mass for Dolores resident Kimberly Ann ‘Kim’ Norte-Herrera will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, September 21, 2019 at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church. Reverend Pat Valdez, C.R.,Father Cesar Cayetano Arrias C.R. and Brother Enrique Alverez Santos C.R. will officiate. A rosary will take place at 7 p.m. on Friday, September 20, 2019 at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church....

Sep 7, 2019

Sep 4, 2019

Our beloved Husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Friend, Clarence C. Williams of Dolores, Colorado was called home to be with Jesus on Wednesday, September 4, 2019 at Cottonwood Inn in Durango, Colorado with his wife, Shirley, by his side. Clarence is survived by his wife of 65 years, Shirley Williams, of Dolores, CO; and their children Jim Williams, Bobby Williams, Linda...

Sep 2, 2019

Virginia Nadine (Turner) Daniels (March 25, 1940 – September 2, 2019) resident of Vista Grande Nursing Home in Cortez passed from this earth on Monday, September 2, 2019. Virginia was born in a cabin at Cedar Point Utah and spent a good part of her life in the Cedar Point, Dove Creek, Monticello, and Cortez areas. She graduated from High...

Sep 1, 2019

Funeral services for Towaoc resident Emma Jean Howe will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 5, 2019 at Ertel Memorial Chapel. Mr. Lorenzo Root will officiate. Visitation will take place at the end of the service. Interment will follow at Towaoc Cemetery. Emma was born July 31, 1943 in Ignacio, CO the daughter of James and May (Marsh)...

Aug 31, 2019

Funeral services for Cortez resident Michael Clarence Billy will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 10, 2019 at the Evangel Assembly of God Church in Cortez, CO. Pastor Jeff McDonell will officiate. Interment will follow at Summit Ridge Cemetery. Visitation will take place from 5 – 7 p.m. Monday, September 9, 2019 at Ertel Memorial Chapel. Michael was born...

Aug 30, 2019

Memorial services for Cortez resident Michael James Velasquez will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 10, 2019 at St. Rita Catholic Church in Mancos, CO. Reverend Pat Valdez, C.R. will officiate. Inurnment will take place at Cedar Grove Cemetery at a later date. Michael was born August 9, 1953 in Cortez, CO the son of Celestino and Cleofas (Valerio)...

Aug 28, 2019

Harold Foster was born in Whitewater, CO June 20, 1932 to JB and Pearl Foster, the youngest of 11 children. He passed away in Cortez August 28, 2019 at the age of 87. Harold lived and worked on numerous ranches in the Unaweep Canyon and in the mining industry in and around Gateway and Uravan. He hauled ore off John...

Aug 27, 2019

Dewey Leigh Winters was born January 26, 1918 in Cortez, CO the son of Minus Tom and Reina Belle (Leigh) Winters. He passed away on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at Vista Grande Inn at the age of 101. Surviving Dewey are his sons, Danny Winters and Leroy Winters both of Farmington, NM, and Dewey Leon Winters of TX; his daughter,...

Aug 23, 2019

Cory Spradlin was born July 24, 1998 in Ely, NV. He passed away at his home on Friday, August 23, 2019 at the age of 21. Surviving Cory are his grandmother, Sydney Donahoo of Dove Creek, CO; his brother, Seth Howes and sister-in-law Taryn Farnworth of Cortez, CO. Services will be held at a later date.

Aug 10, 2019

Gunnery Sergeant Scott Koppenhafer died serving his country in Iraq on August 10, 2019. Scott was born February 13, 1984 to Dr. Gerald and Carla Koppenhafer of Mancos, CO. Scott’s devotion and loyalty to his country, team, and friends was only surpassed by his love for his wife and children. He was a dedicated husband and father who balanced his...

Aug 10, 2019

Dennis James Stefanik was born August 5, 1948 in Niagara Falls, NY the son of Michael and Josephine A. (Hohl) Stefanik. He passed away on Saturday, August 10, 2019 at his residence in Cortez, CO at the age of 71. Dennis is survived by his wife, Carol Jeanette Stefanik of Cortez, CO; his sons, Daniel James Stefanik of Portage, MI,...

Aug 8, 2019

Martin Sanford Bussard passed away on August 8, 2019 peacefully at his family’s home. He was 93 years old. Martin was born on Squaw point in 1925 in a Log Cabin. He was the son of Ray Sanford Bussard and Esther Irene (Jones) Bussard. Martin had 3 siblings Jean Harlow (Bussard), Walter Ray Bussard and Rollins Lee Bussard. Martin had...

Jul 31, 2019

Wyatt Roger Watkins, 41, of Cortez, CO passed away July 31, 2019. He was born November 26, 1977 in Leadville, CO the son of Roger and Vicki Watkins. Wyatt enjoyed Blue Grass music, horseback riding, his dogs, and he was a man of God. Wyatt is survived by his Dad, Roger (Dessie) Watkins; his Mom, Vicki Watkins; his brothers, Jeremy...

Jul 25, 2019

Funeral services for Cortez resident Harry Raymond Rogers will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, August 2, 2019 at the Lewis Arriola Community Center. Mr. Raymond Boyd will officiate. Interment will follow at Arriola Cemetery Harry was born November 20, 1952 in Cortez, CO the son of Wayne and Mona A. (Gardner) Rogers. He passed away on Thursday, July 25,...