January 2001
(Note: Obituaries are listed by publication date, not date of death)

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Hood Mortuary for Elroy M. Darr, a longtime resident of the Durango area, who died on his 92nd birthday, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2001, at Four Corners Health Care Center. He was 92.

The Rev. Joe Sparks will officiate.

Mr. Darr was born Jan. 30, 1909, in Norwood, Mo. He later moved to Durango where he lived for 44 years and worked as a farmer and rancher. He was married for 71 years.

He is survived by his wife, Helen, of Durango; a daughter, Evelyn Batson, of Albuquerque; two sons, Dale Darr, of Las Lunas, N.M., and Loren Darr, of Mesa; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Ellen Viola Brollini died Friday, Jan. 26, 2001, at her home in Hesperus. She was 73.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

Mrs. Brollini was born Aug. 12, 1927, in Cleveland, Ohio. She married Terrance Roger Brollini in 1953 in Cleveland, Ohio. She and her family relocated to California shortly after her marriage.

Mrs. Brollini devoted 32 years to care for one of her children who has cerebral palsy. She enjoyed baking, cooking and was a seamstress.

Mrs. Brollini lived in Hesperus since February 2000.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Terrance R. Brollini; and daughters, Angela Brollini and Deena Brollini.

Survivors include her daughters, Connie Champagne-Baird, of Hesperus, Vanatta Brollini, of Palm Bay, Fla., Ellen Brollini and Toni Brollini, both of San Diego, Calif., and Marie Brollini of Mancos; sons, Roy Champagne, of Waconia, Minn., Guy Brollini, of Beatrice, Neb., and Terrance J. Brollini, of San Diego, Calif.; a sister, Edith Forrest, of North Ridgeville, Ohio; 12 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

No services are planned locally.

Memorial donations may be made to Marie Brollini at The Valley Inn Nursing Home, 211 Third Ave., Mancos CO 81328.

A funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church for Vernon Logan Belger, who died Saturday, Jan. 27, 2001, at his home while shoveling snow. He was 74.

The exact cause of death was unknown.

Mr. Belger was born Feb. 25, 1926, in Durango. He graduated from Durango High School in 1944 and immediately joined the Navy. He served on the USS Goshen. Upon his return, he worked Montgomery Ward, working his way up to store manager. In 1958 he began work at Basin Co-op, where he retired from after 30 years of service.

He married Elaine Patcheck on April 26, 1952, in Durango. Mr. Belger was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church where he served as treasurer for 30 years. He and his wife spent winters in Arizona visiting children and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by an infant daughter.

He is survived by his wife, Elaine Belger, of Durango; a daughter, Amy Belger Ott, of Gilbert, Ariz.; a son, Rick Belger, of Idaho Falls, Idaho; three grandchildren, Arynne, Adrianne and Ryan Belger, all of Idaho Falls, Idaho; and a sister, Barbara Jackson, of Durango.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 2611 Junction St., Durango, CO 81301, or the American Heart Association, La Plata County Heart Fund, P.O. Box 1777, Durango, CO 81302

Ronald A. Talbot

A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Greenmount Cemetery for Ronald A. Talbot, who died Friday, Jan. 26, 2001, at Four Corners Health Care Center. He was 85.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

Mr. Talbot was born Jan. 30, 1915, in Manchester, N.H. He moved to Durango in 1989 to be near his daughter. He enjoyed horse racing.

His wife, Lorraine, and daughter Jo Anne Cloutier preceded him in death in 1986.

He is survived by his daughter, Rickie Keleher of Durango, and three grandchildren.

Frank R. Mascarenas

A funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Grand Junction for Frank R. Mascarenas, who died Thursday, Jan. 25, 2001, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction. He was 68.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

A Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Sunday at the church. There was cremation.

Mr. Mascarenas was born Feb. 27, 1932, in Alamosa. He graduated from Montrose High School, and attended Fort Lewis and Adams State colleges where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in education in 1958. He married Carolyn Leech June 21, 1958, in Rangely.

Mr. Mascarenas received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army in March 1961 after serving his country for eight years. He taught school and coached at Cortez from 1958 until 1981. He also taught school and coached at Rangely and Palisade.

Survivors include his wife, Carolyn; a son, Mark of Grand Junction; two daughters, Stacey Hall of Cortez and Kelli Varney of Highlands Ranch; four brothers; four sisters; seven grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; three aunts and an uncle.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association.

Marie (Huber) Dressor of Deming, N.M., died Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2001, in a Deming hospital. She was 86.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

Mrs. Dressor was born Oct. 19, 1915. She was preceded in death by her husband, Commadore.

The Dressors came to Durango to hunt big game and became friends with many Durangoans and loved the area. They lived in Durango most of the time from 1954 to 1998 when, after Mr. Dressor’s death, Mrs. Dressor moved to Deming N.M.

Mrs. Dressor was an avid fisherwoman. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, and she was a past worthy Matron.

She is survived by one daughter, Regina Young of Greenville, Ill.; a grandson, Garry Young of Durango; and sisters, brothers, nieces
and nephews.

There was cremation.               

Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the First United Methodist Church in Pueblo, Colo., for Charles Dale Rea of Pueblo, who died unexpectedly Monday, Jan. 22, 2001. He was 87.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

Mr. Rea was born Jan. 28, 1913, in Olathe, Kan. He was a longtime resident of Pueblo. He graduated from Centennial High School in 1932. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Colorado A&M, a master’s degree in education from the University of California and a doctor of education degree from the University of Colorado. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, and retired as a Lt. Colonel.

Mr. Rea was the first president of Fort Lewis College after it moved to Durango. He was awarded the Fort Lewis College Distinguished Service Award and Fort Lewis College Athletic Hall of Fame. He was director of the Federal Aviation Administration Academy in Oklahoma City, and retired from the FAA Western Regional Office. He was a member of the B-24 Historical Museum, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and the BPOE.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Mildred Rea; two children, Cleone Slade of Orem, Utah, and Charles Dale Junior Rea of Canon City; six grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Ralph Rea of Clovis, Calif.

Mr. Rea will be honored with the dedication of the Charles Dale Rea Memorial Clock Tower on the Fort Lewis College campus in August 2001.

Memorial donations may be made to the Fort Lewis College Foundation, 1000 Rim Drive, Durango, CO 81301.               

William Carl Fischahs died Monday, Jan. 22, 2001, at his home on the Florida Mesa. He was 89.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

Mr. Fischahs was born Feb. 2, 1911, in Jerome, Ariz. He served in the Navy during World War II. He was a heavy duty mechanic and welder, working for Burnett Construction for 10 years and C.E. Mills and Nielsons. He was a member of the Moose Lodge. Mr. Fischahs lived in Durango for 50 years.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Blanche, in 1975.

Survivors include three daughters, Wilma McCoy of Durango, Peggy Hite of Las Vegas, and Coletta Gaunt of Canon City; one brother, Butch Fischahs of Denver; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and four nieces and nephews.

The family will hold a private graveside service at a later time. There will be cremation.

Memorial donations may be made to American Lung Association, P.O. Box 3154, Grand Junction, CO 81502.               

A memorial Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Columba Catholic Church for Rudolph Anthony Gonzales, who died Monday, Jan. 22, 2001, in Durango. He was 62.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

A Rosary will be at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the church. Visitation will be 4 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Hood Mortuary.

Mr. Gonzales was born June 24, 1938, in McPhee, Colo.

Survivors include his daughter, Gina Gonzales of Aragon, Ga.; his son, Sean Gonzales, of Salt Lake City, Utah; two brothers, Fidel Gonzales and Al Gonzales, both of Durango; three sisters, Louise Hernandez, Della Gonzales and Joann Rocha, all of Durango; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 3801 Main Ave., Durango CO 81301.               

John Ben Lopez Sr., of Loveland, Colo., died Friday, Jan. 12, 2001, at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colo. He was 73.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

Mr. Lopez was born Dec. 30, 1927, in Vermejo Park, N.M. He served as a glider pilot and paratrooper in the 11th Airborne Division in Japan in 1946.

Mr. Lopez was a former resident of Durango. He served in law enforcement in Livermore, Calif., Jefferson County and La Plata County. He was also director of the Office of Human Resources for the state of Colorado during the tenure of Gov. John Vanderhoof.

Survivors include his wife, Janis Davis Lopez, of Loveland, Colo.; his former wife, Rose Aleman Lopez, of Cortez; four sons, J.B. Lopez, of Montrose, Colo., Robert Lopez, of San Jose, Calif., James Lopez, of Westminster, Colo., and Jeff Lopez, of Bloomfield, N.M.; two stepchildren, Bill Davis, of Burbank, Calif., and Sharon MacArthur, of Windsor, Colo.; eight grandchildren; two brothers; and six sisters.

There was cremation. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to Maxine Klein Retired Police Horse Fund, c/o US Bank, 2845 Linden Court, Loveland, CO 80538 or Genealogical Society of Hispanic America, P.O. Box 9606, Denver, CO 80209-0606.              

Services will be at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church for the Rev. Walter B. Lunsford, who died Monday, Jan. 22, 2001, at his home on the Florida Mesa, where he lived since his retirement in 1995. He was 66.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

The Rev. Rick Calhoun will officiate. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. today at Hood Mortuary.

Mr. Lunsford was born Feb. 24, 1934, in Pueblo, Colo. He married Alta M. Neil July 14, 1951, at the Neil home near Ignacio.

Mr. Lunsford moved to Durango as a child. He attended Durango schools, graduated from the Denver University and Iliff School of Theology, and served as pastor at six congregations in the Northern Illinois conference of the United Methodist Church during his career.

Mr. Lunsford was a member of the Masonic Lodge for 33 years and a leader with the Boy Scouts.

Survivors include his wife, Alta M. Lunsford of Durango; one daughter, Dorothy Beebe of Baltimore, Md.; three sons, Walter D. Lunsford of North Pole, Alaska, John P. Lunsford of Vancouver, Wash., and Mark N. Lunsford of Atlanta, Ga.; three sisters, Cora Wolfe of Alamosa, Colo., Lela Sankey of Grand Junction, Colo., and Betty Percell of Rockford, Ill.; and five grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Foundation, Colorado Affiliate, 2450 S. Downing St., Denver, CO 80210.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Cope Memorial Chapel in Farmington for Connie Colleen Daniell, who died Sunday, Jan. 21, 2001, at San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington. She was 72.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

Mr. Jack Wheat will officiate. Visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m. today at Cope Memorial Chapel in Farmington. Burial will be at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at Greenmount Cemetery in Durango.

Mrs. Daniell was born Dec. 19, 1928, in Aspermont, Texas. She was a resident of Bloomfield, N.M.

Mrs. Daniell enjoyed reading, crocheting and quilting.

Survivors include two sons, Harry A. Daniell Jr. of Bloomfield, N.M., and Thomas G. Daniell of Bloomfield, N.M.; one daughter, Reba C. Maxey of Durango; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Charles Reeder died Friday, Jan. 12, 2001, in Midland, Texas. He was 82.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

Mr. Reeder was born Aug. 6, 1918, in Loraine, Texas. He graduated from Loraine High School in 1936 and enlisted in the Army in 1941. After serving in the infantry medic corps in Italy and Africa, he was discharged in 1945. On March 18, 1946, he married Marian Newton in Midland, Texas.

Mr. Reeder managed Higginbotham-Bartlett Lumber Co. in Midland from 1945-57. He owned The Fabric Shop in Midland from 1950-77.

Mr. Reeder was a seasonal resident of the Bayfield-Durango area for more than 50 years.

Survivors include his wife, Marian Newton Reeder of Midland; two daughters, Lu’Ann Reeder of Denver, Colo., and Gail Reeder Spivey of Lubbock, Texas; three grandchildren; two brothers; and one sister.

Memorial services were held Jan. 15 in Midland.

Memorial donations may be made to the Vallecito Baptist Church.

A funeral will be at 1 p.m. today at Calvary Presbyterian Church for Joshua W. Lewis Gohlke, a snowboarder and outdoorsman, who died Friday, Jan. 19, 2001, in Bayfield, in a car crash. He was 20.

The Rev. Dan Straw will officiate at services. Burial will occur at Pine River Cemetery in Bayfield.

Mr. Gohlke was born Nov. 19, 1980, in Albuquerque, N.M. to Karen and William Gohlke. He lived in Bayfield since 1993 and attended elementary, junior high and high school in Bayfield. He was a member of the ski team in Angelfire, N.M., the Bayfield football and basketball teams, and also enjoyed any sport, especially dirt biking, skateboarding, judo and wrestling. His goal was to finish his senior year and obtain his diploma from Bayfield High School. He planned to attend Fort Lewis College next fall.

He is survived by his mother, Karen Swank, of Bayfield; his father, Leonard Swank, of Bayfield; a sister, Dawn "DJ" Lewis Gohlke, of Durango; a brother, Glen Leonard Swank, of Bayfield; a grandmother, Pamela Reed, of Edgewood, N.M.; several aunts and uncles; and numerous cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, 361 S. Camino del Rio, Suite 178, Durango, CO 81301.

Wilbur Lee ‘Bill’ Birket

A funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Hood Mortuary for Wilbur Lee "Bill" Birket, a building contractor, who died Thursday, Jan. 18, 2001, in Mesa, Ariz. He was 76.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

The Rev. Don Holliday will officiate at services. Burial will be at Ignacio Cemetery.

Mr. Birket was born April 6, 1924, in Guymon, Okla. He and his family moved from Oklahoma to Kansas when he was 9 months old. He loved farm life and his dog, Rover.

Mr. Birket was a building contractor in Durango, and he built Hillside Manor resubdivision. He also built the Four Winds Motel, which he and his wife operated for 26 years.

He is survived by his wife, Florene Birket of Mesa, Ariz.; three daughters, Karen Buchanan of Kerville, Texas, Sharilyn "Tudy" Townsend of Durango, and Patricia Ann Bainter of Farmington, N.M.; one son, Bobby Lee Birket of Mesa, Ariz.; 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Jeanette R. Baker

A funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Ignacio Community Church for Jeanette R. Baker, a hospital worker, who died Saturday, Jan. 20, 2001, at Mercy Medical Center. She was 78.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

Samuel Winder will officiate at services. Burial will be at Ouray Memorial Cemetery in Ignacio. A wake will be held Monday evening at the home of Randy Baker, 588 County Road 322.

Mrs. Baker was born July 24, 1922, in Mancos Creek. She lived most of her life in the La Boca area. She was engaged in farming and ranching and loved gardening, sewing, bead work and playing the piano. She attended school at Towoac, Phoenix Indian School and Fort Lewis College. Mrs. Baker worked at the Indian Hospital in Towoac, Taylor Hospital in Ignacio and the BIA Educational Department until her retirement. She enjoyed working with the Native American youth and touched the lives of many young adults.

She is survived by a son, Randy Baker of Ignacio; three sisters, Eva Hunt and Mary George of Shiprock, N.M., and Marie Jones of Reno, Nev.; two brothers, Ned and Steven Begay of Shiprock; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Baker; a daughter, Selma J. Winder; and two grandchildren, Randy J. Baker Jr., and Ricky J. Baker.
                 

Elnora S. Ellis

Elnora S. Ellis died Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2001, at Four Corners Health Care Center. She was 92.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

Mrs. Ellis was born March 22, 1908, in Effingham, Kan. She lived in Bayfield since 1992.

Mrs. Ellis was a member of the Rotary Anns, Order of Eastern Star and the South Gate First Baptist Church in South Gate, Calif.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James M. Ellis Jr. in 1977.

Survivors include her son, James M. Ellis III of Bayfield; four grandsons, Tim Ellis, Scott Ellis and Brett Ellis, all of Durango, and Jim Ellis of Bayfield; and seven great-grandchildren.

A private family service will be held today at Hood Mortuary Chapel. The Rev. Robert Kujath will officiate. Mrs. Ellis will be sent to Rose Hills Mortuary in Whittier, Calif., for graveside services with burial at Rose Hills Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Shriners Hospital and Burn Center, 810 Texas Ave., Galveston, TX 77550-2788.         

Leslie P. Morales, a U.S. Navy veteran, died of natural causes in Baker, La., Monday, Jan. 1, 2001. He was 74.

Mr. Morales was a retired postal worker. He lived in the area from the early 1960s to 1980. He was a U.S. Navy veteran.

Mr. Morales was a member of the U.S. postal workers union, and was a member of the Bayfield Lions Club.

Survivors include two daughters, Kathleen J. Welch of Denver, and Christina G. Morales of Oroville, Wash.; a son, Michael Morales of Durango; a brother, Ferrell Morales and two sisters, Vivian Brocato and Verlin Kleinpeter, all of Louisiana; two stepdaughters, Melody Smith and Georgia Lanius, both of Oroville, Wash., and Andrea Powell of Zarchary, La.

Mr. Morales was buried at Port Hudson National Cemetery in Port Hudson, La.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, c/o M. Morales, P.O. Box 2832, Durango CO 81302.   

Shirley Rice Fitzgerald

Shirley Rice Fitzgerald died Friday, Jan. 5, 2001, in Tucson, Ariz., of complications from cancer. She was 79.

Mrs. Fitzgerald was born in Los Angeles, and grew up in Morenci and Bisbee, Ariz. She attended the University of Arizona where she was a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority. Upon graduation in 1942, she worked as a lab technician in San Francisco where she met her future husband, Patrick, an Army lieutenant. They were married in 1944.

After his service in Italy, they lived in Casper, Wyo., and then in Colorado Springs. Mrs. Fitzgerald was active in Girl Scouts and helped found the Colorado Springs Girls Club.

Upon retirement from the automobile business, Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald moved to a small ranch near Bayfield and then several years later to Durango. In 1987, they moved to Tucson, Ariz.

Survivors include her husband, Patrick; two daughters, Ann Larrabee of Tucson, Ariz., and Jenelle Van Brunt of Tempe, Ariz.; one son, Rick of Longmont; 10 grandchildren; and one sister, Eleanor Feeney of Tucson, Ariz.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to TMC Hospice, 5301 East Grant, Tucson, AZ 85712, or to the charity of your choice.         

Achsa Bernina Myers

Achsa Bernitta Myers died Sunday, Jan. 14, 2001, in Hemet, Calif. She was 91.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

Mrs. Myers was born Oct. 20, 1909. She was a former resident of Durango.

Mrs. Myers was a graduate of Paulding High School in Paulding, Ohio; International Business College in Fort Wayne, Ind.; and Bowling Green State College in Bowling Green, Ohio. She was employed as a teacher, secretary, bank employee and income tax preparer.

Mrs. Myers was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Durango and Crystal Chapter No. 57, Order of the Eastern Stars.

She was preceded in death by two children, Jolynn R. Myers Condiotti and Douglas R. Myers.

Survivors include her husband, Charles W. Myers and daughter, Bernita J. Barbre, both of Hemet, Calif.; a son, Gordon C. Myers of New Strawn, Kan.; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.          

Leo E. Griner of Colorado Springs, Colo., died Saturday, Jan. 13, 2001. He was 89.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

Mr. Griner was born Nov. 5, 1911, in Hicksville, Ohio. He was a resident of Silverton for 50 years.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Audrey Elaine and granddaughter Michelle.

Survivors include his wife, Jane Griner, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; a son, Paul Griner, of Pueblo, Colo.; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.          

Howard L. Parmenter

Howard L. Parmenter died Saturday, Jan. 13, 2001, in Durango. He was 82.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

Mr. Parmenter was born Oct. 29, 1918, in rural Archuleta County. He lived in Archuleta, La Plata and San Juan counties.

Mr. Parmenter served in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war, he was employed by Durango Frozen Foods, the Strater Hotel, the Silver Spur Motel and then moved to Silverton in 1963 to work with the Grand Imperial Hotel. He then worked for 20 years with Standard Metals Mining, retiring to Arboles in 1984.

Mr. Parmenter was a lifetime member of Durango Elks Lodge No. 507 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4031.

Survivors include his wife, Vivienne Parmenter of Arboles; four step-sons, Leonard Hofmann, Larry Estep, Johnny Hofmann and Lelynn Guerin; a sister, Muriel Miller of Florence, Ariz.; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

There will be cremation. No services are planned at this time.          

Virginia West Karmgard

A private, family memorial service will be held at Hood Mortuary for Virginia West Karmgard, who died Friday, Jan. 12, 2001, in Durango after complications from Alzheimer’s disease. She was 87.

Mrs. Karmgard was born July 1, 1913, in Chicago, Ill. In 1937, she married Arvid Karmgard. They had three children, and moved to Tampa, Fla., in 1952 to raise their family.

Mrs. Karmgard worked in accounting and in retail sales. She owned and operated a French Quarter hotel in New Orleans, La., for several years. She loved working with people and kept working until she was 74 years old.

Mrs. Karmgard recently moved to Durango from Clearwater, Fla., where she had been an active member of Sylvan Abbey Methodist Church.

Survivors include two daughters, Holly Jobson of Durango and Carol Wheat of Seminole, Fla.; and two grandsons, Stephen West Jobson of Durango and Christopher West Wheat of Stanford, Calif.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Unit of Four Corners Health Care Center, 2911 Junction St., Durango, CO 81301.          

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at First United Methodist Church for Robert Warren Willard, a pilot, who died Friday, Jan. 12, 2001, in Durango, after complications from Alzheimer’s disease. He was 71.

The Rev. Rick Calhoun and the Rev. Steve Easterday-McPadden will officiate at services.

Mr. Willard was born Dec. 7, 1929, in Denver. He attended school at New Mexico Military Institute and the University of Colorado. He then served with the U.S. Air Force as a pilot. Mr. Willard was a stockbroker for 37 years with Boettcher & Co.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, and was active in the Rotary Club and Fort Lewis Foundation. His interests included fly-fishing, watercolor and oil painting, flying his AT-6, WWII memorabilia, big-band music and University of Colorado football.

He is survived by his wife, Ann, of Durango; a daughter, Lori Willard of Denver; three sons, Steve Willard of Broomfield, Bruce Willard of Greeley, and Randy Willard of Fort Collins; two sisters, Jean Tarbel of Denver, and Ann Copenhaver of Lake Forest, Ill.; and seven grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Wing at Four Corners Health Care Center, 2911 Junction St., Durango, Hospice of Mercy, 375 E. Park Ave., or to Fort Lewis Foundation, 1000 Rim Drive, Durango, CO 81301.          

A memorial service will be held early in March in Chadron, Neb., for Speed Roland Rathbun, who died Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2000, at Four Corners Health Care Center. He was 75.

Mr. Rathbun and his wife, Gail, lived in Durango from approximately 1990 to 1993. She preceded him in death in 1995.

Mr. Rathbun was born in 1925 in Chadron, where he attended Chadron Preparatory and Chadron State College. He attended the University of Nebraska Medical School in Omaha.

Mr. Rathbun practiced in Crawford, Chadron and Sidney, Neb., from 1958 to 1966, then became a specialist in physiatry (physical medicine/rehabilitation) at the University of Colorado Medical School in Denver. He worked for the Veterans Administration in Livermore, Calif.; Hot Springs, S.D.; and Grand Island, Neb.

Mr. Rathbun suffered from Alzheimer’s, and lost memory of all names and contacts from his life. His family would appreciate contact by anyone who knew Mr. and Mrs. Rathbun: e-mail nativedrama@usa.net, or write P.O. Box 9101, Durango CO 81301.

Survivors include his children, Paul of Durango, DeAnn, Lori DePaulis, LaShelle, Speed Jr., Billy Ray, Joanne and Gerilyn; and nine grandchildren.

Graveside funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday at the Ouray Memorial Cemetery for Darrell D. Newton, who died Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2001, in Durango. He was 71.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

The Rev. Kelly Winlock will officiate at services. Visitation will be held at Hood Mortuary from noon to 8:30 p.m. Thursday.

Mr. Newton was born December 26, 1929, in La Boca, Colo.

He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict and has lived in the Durango area his entire life.

He is survived two sisters, Louisa King and Mary Ann Weaver both of Ignacio; two brothers, Roger Newton of Orem, Utah, and Jim R. Newton of Ignacio; several nieces and nephews; one great-niece and one great-nephew.          

A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. today at Greenmount Cemetery for Prudie J. Wallace, who died Sunday, Jan. 7, 2001, at Four Corners Health Care Center. She was 91.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

Chaplain Karen Nelson will officiate.

Mrs. Wallace was born Aug. 26, 1909, in Duncan, Okla. She moved to Dove Creek, Colo., in a covered wagon sometime in the early 1900s. She moved to the Durango area in 1936.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Wallace, and her sons Kyle and Wesley Gollaway.

Survivors include her daughter, LaDeane Aten of Farmington, N.M.; and four grandchildren, Kevin Aten of Rifle, Colo., Kyla Dennison of Farmington, N.M., and Jarett and Josh Gollaway, both of Broomfield, Colo.          

Phyllis M. Rauworth died Sunday, Jan. 7, 2001, at Four Corners Health Care Center. She was 80.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

Mrs. Rauworth was born Aug. 6, 1920, in Elwood, Ill., and was a lifelong resident of the Joliet, Ill., area. She graduated from Joliet Central High School in 1938.

Mrs. Rauworth was a customer service manager for Sears & Roebuck for many years.

Mrs. Rauworth was a lover of sports, playing golf and tennis, and she was an avid Cubs fan. She was a member of the Jesse Walker Methodist Church in Joliet, Ill.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles, in 1998.

Survivors include her son, Stephen A. Rauworth of Durango; two sisters, Shirley Zupancic of Shorewood, Ill., and Claire Foreman of Tucson, Ariz.; a brother, Robert Steffes of Joliet, Ill.; two grandchildren, Bree Rauworth of Boulder, Colo., and Sy Rauworth of Durango; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial services are tentatively planned in Joliet, Ill., at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Mercy, 3801 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301.        

A funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Cabot Funeral Home Chapel, 700 North Second St., in Cabot, Ark., for William John Shahan, who died Jan. 4, 2001. He was 30.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

Viewing will be from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at Cabot Funeral Home. Family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m.

Mr. Shahan was a father and husband, and member of the Lion’s Club and Jaycees.

He is survived by his wife, Dianne Shahan, of Cabot; two children, Sarah and Steven; parents, B. Vi Shahan, of Ogden, Utah, and Philip Shahan, of Durango; a sister, Nicola Shahan, of Elko, Nev.; and grandmothers, Lupe Alexander, of Ignacio, and Olive Shahan, of Durango.

A funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Durango Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for Jeffery A. Akins, a lifelong resident of the Four Corners, who died Friday, Jan. 5, 2001, in Durango. He was 45.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

Bishop Jim Cooper will officiate at services. Burial will occur at Greenmount Cemetery in Durango and visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Hood Mortuary.

Mr. Akins was born June 29, 1955, in the old Community Hospital in Durango. He married Nina L. Henion on March 14, 1992, in Durango, and their marriage was sealed in the Manti, Utah, temple on July 16, 1996.

Mr. Akins was a graduate of Durango High School, where he participated in marching and jazz band playing the trumpet. He was a photographer at Through the Lens in Durango and drove a dump truck for Durango Construction. He was active in the Durango LDS Church, serving as assistant clerk. He enjoyed spending time with his children, especially going to Farmington to watch his daughter, Stephanie, play fast pitch softball. Mr. Akins enjoyed photography, hunting and working on his ’66 Chevy pickup.

He is survived by his wife, Nina Akins of Durango; his mother, Ruth Akins of Durango; four daughters, Theresa and Stephanie Akins of Farmington, and MaKenna and Alayna Akins of Durango; and a brother, Mike Akins of Garner, N.C.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the LDS Humanitarian Fund, C/O Bishop Jim Cooper, 2603 N. College Drive, Durango CO 81301.         

Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the First Baptist Church for Helen Frances Llewellyn Johnson, who died Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2001, at Aurora Medical Center. She was 82.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

Burial will be at Greenmount Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday at Hood Mortuary.

Mrs. Johnson was born Oct. 19, 1918, near Bennett, Colo. She graduated as valedictorian from Strasburg High School in Colorado in 1936, and attended Barnes Business College in Denver. She then worked at Joslins where she became assistant credit manager. Later she became assistant to the editor of a statewide publication.

She married Earl Johnson Dec. 31, 1938. They moved to Durango in 1949 where she was co-owner of Johnson Jewelry. She was the second woman in Colorado to become a registered jeweler.

Mrs. Johnson was a member of the First Baptist Church for 51 years, where she was a Sunday school teacher and a deaconess.

After she retired in 1987, she volunteered for church activities, a food bank and nursing home visitation.

Survivors include her husband, Earl, of Durango; two sons, Walter Johnson of Lakewood, Colo., and Dr. Roger Johnson of Pueblo; and four grandchildren, Gretchen, Roger, Aniela and Miguel.

Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 3307, Durango, CO 81302.         

Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Hood Mortuary Chapel for Frank D. Chapman, who died Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2001, in Durango from natural causes. He was 77.

The Rev. Manny Parks will officiate. Burial will be at Greenmount Cemetery.

Mr. Chapman was born Jan. 13, 1923, in Higley, Ariz. He married Maxine Grace Chapman Sept. 20, 1944, at Aztec, N.M. He performed distinguished service in the Army during World War II.

Mr. Chapman was a pioneer in the oil field industry in the Four Corners and retired from J.A. Drake Well Service.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine G. Bixler in 1994 and a son, Gary Chapman.

Survivors include two sons, Ron Chapman of Page, Ariz., and Todd Chapman of Kingman, Ariz.; two daughters, Gail Reimers of Aztec, and Sherri Moffett of Puyallup, Wash.; a brother, Happy Chapman of Cornville, Ariz.; three sisters, Thelma Holmes of Globe, Ariz., June Schneider of Farmington, N.M., and Vera Thomas of Bloomfield, N.M.; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to Desert Planters Club for Rose Garden Memorial, c/o Flora Duke, 316 S. Church, Aztec, NM 87410.         

Agnes Wetherington Nichols died Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2001, in Denver. She was 84.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

Mrs. Nichols was born Feb. 2, 1916, in Wolf, Okla. She was a former resident of the Durango area.

Mrs. Nichols was a retired hairdresser. She lived in Aurora, Colo.

Survivors include her son, Richard Nichols of Placerville, Calif.; a daughter, Rhonda Nichols of Aurora, Colo.; four sisters, Vinice Apperson of Raymond, Wash., Artie Peterson of Alexandria, Va., Barbara Puryear of Bayfield and LaQuita Wagner of Bloomfield, N.M.; a brother, Robert Wetherington of Hatfield, Ark.; eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Memorial services were held Jan. 4 at Aurora Village in Aurora, and memorial services will be held Sunday, Jan. 14 at the Nichols residence in Placerville, Calif.

Memorial contributions may be made to Rhonda Nichols, 17803 East Bails Place, Aurora, CO 80017.         

A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. today at Pine River Cemetery for Doris "Marchie" McKesson-Dolph, who died Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2001, at Four Corners Health Care Center. She was 84.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

Mrs. McKesson-Dolph was born March 1, 1916, in Kersey, Colo. She married Lewis McKesson in 1945. Following his death, she married Glenn Dolph, who also preceded her in death.

Mrs. McKesson-Dolph moved to Durango 4½ years ago to be near her daughters. She enjoyed playing golf, watercolor painting and music.

Survivors include her children, Mike McKesson of Apple Valley, Calif., Barbara Longfellow and Patty Griffith, both of Bayfield, and Scott McKesson of Oceanside, Calif.; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a sister, Grace Schaefer of Petaluma, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews.         

A memorial service will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church of Durango for Robert C. (Bob) Flagg of Durango, who died Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2000, following a stroke. He was 74.

Mr. Flagg retired from the Bendix-Honeywell Corporation, Kansas City, Mo., in 1988 after 30 years as a tool and die maker.

Upon retirement, Mr. Flagg and his wife, Barbara, moved to Durango where he was active in the Durango Masonic Lodge No. 46, Kansas City Scottish Rite and Al-Kaly Shrine. He was also active in the First United Methodist Church, the Emmaus Community and the Amateur Radio Club.

Mr. Flagg was a real estate broker and worked for Preferred Properties in Bayfield.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara; two sons, James R. of Aurora, Charles E. of Ignacio; a daughter Carolyn Meurer of St. Charles, Mo., a sister, Doris Roepke of Bend, Ore.; and five grandchildren.

Mr. Flagg was buried in Kansas City, Mo., on Dec. 29. Donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church.          

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church for Joe Alcario Enriquez, who died Monday, Jan. 1, 2001, in Center, Colo. He was 82.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

A Rosary service will be at 7 p.m. Friday at the church.

Mr. Enriquez was born Oct. 3, 1918, in Tiffany, Colo. He was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Army.

Mr. Enriquez retired from the logging industry where he drove logging trucks.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Ida Enriquez; three daughters, Ruby Carrillo and Alyce Erwin, both of Durango, and Sally Granados of Center, Colo.; three sisters, Vivian Doyle of Denver, Mary Rocha of Brighton, Colo., and Della Chapin of Bayfield; four brothers, Phillip Enriquez of Ignacio, Ned Enriquez of Farmington, N.M., Joe P. Enriquez of Denver and Frank Enriquez of Las Vegas; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins.