Obituaries

Mar 15, 2021

Juanita Clara Gallegos was welcomed into Heaven on March 15, 2021 with all her family by her side. Juanita was born August 7, 1925 to Elias and Cirilia Romero in Altura, Colorado. She always had many stories to share about her childhood and her siblings. She was quite the worker, having many jobs throughout her lifetime, from dishwasher at Jan’s...

Mar 15, 2021

Gordon Alva Rowe was born to William Winfield Rowe and Edna Belle Botkin on May 23, 1937, in Palisade, CO. As the youngest of two brothers, Gordon’s childhood was full of adventures in and around their neighborhood while running around with their “gang” of pals. He was an athlete from a young age and participated in many sports. As he...

Mar 10, 2021

Elizabeth "Betty" Jean Heiden, 98, of Durango, died 3/10/2021, in Durango, Colorado, Born 12/4/1922. A service will be held at 12:59 p.m. Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at Hood Mortuary in Durango, Colorado. She is survived by daughters: Karen Binger and Ann (David) Pilcher; many grandchildren, great and great-great-grandchildren, and many extended family and wonderful friends. She was preceded in death...

Mar 8, 2021

Mar 5, 2021

Joe Isidor Talamante, 94, of Hesperus, Colorado, died 3/5/2021, at home, surrounded by family, Born 3/18/1926. A service will be held at 9:00 am Rosary, 10:00 am Mass, Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Durango. He is survived by his children: Erma Sena, Ruby Withers, Robert Talamante, and Michelle Hayes; six siblings; grandchildren: Crystal, Hazel, Joaquin, Dennis,...

Mar 4, 2021

Cynthia Hale passed away on March 4, 2021 in Bayfield, Colorado after a courageous fight against cancer. She was 67 years old. Cindy was born on August 27, 1953 in Tennessee. Her father, James Sizemore, was in the United States Navy. Her mother, Lillian Sizemore, was a housewife. Cindy graduated from high school in Rifle, Colorado, where she met her...

Mar 3, 2021

H. Brook Jobes, 70,of Vallecito, Colorado, died on March 3, 2021 at his home. He is survived by his son, Adam (Carley) Jobes; sister: Connie Jo Jackson; former spouse: Robyn Jobes: daughter-in-law: Becky Jobes; grandchildren: Riley, Rhett, Maisey, Ingrid and Henry, and partner: Kristine Mainville. He was preceded in death by a son: Ryan; and his parents: Herbert M. and...

Mar 1, 2021

Virginia D. Romero passed away peacefully at her home in Durango surrounded by family on March 1, 2021. She is survived by her husband Rufe Romero Jr, sons Robert, Michael and Frank Romero, her daughters Jennifer Maynes and Loretta Engman, her brothers Mickey and Donald Candelaria, her sisters Carrie Wiggins and Nora Peña, her 15 grandchildren and her 13 great...

Mar 1, 2021

Beverly Jane (Blackley) Walthall passed away on March 1, 2021 at the Mercy Hospital ER, suffering from the heartbreak of losing her husband, Wayne of over 70 years, less than 3 months ago. Beverly was born in Anson, Texas on Sept. 26, 1932 to Vernon and Maurine (Littlefield) Blackley. Her family moved to Morton, Texas in 1943 for her dad...

Feb 26, 2021

Dora Ellanette Vigil-Mehring was born on August 24, 1936. She and her twin sister Dorothy Martinez were born in the Edward T. Hospital to Jose Alcario and Juanita (Jennie) Vigil in Ignacio, Colorado. She attended the Southern Ute Boarding School for her Kindergarten and first grade years before the Vigil family moved to Fruita, Colorado in the late 1940’s. She...

Feb 24, 2021

Diana Dean Piccoli-Caviggia, a lifelong resident of Durango, CO passed away in Oklahoma City, OK, Wednesday, February 24, 2021. Diana was born in Denver, CO on January 30, 1948 and graduated from Durango High School in 1966, she moved to Gallup, NM as a newlywed where she lived until returning to the Durango area in 1984. Diana was preceded in...

Feb 21, 2021

Feb 17, 2021

On Wednesday, February 17th, 2021 Ira Mack Willie, a devoted, loving, husband, father, and grandfather passed away at the age of 78. He was preceded in death by his wife Diana Willie, son Ari (Nick) Willie, and his Aunt Pauline Armenta who raised him from childhood. He is survived by two daughters, Maria Briggs, Matilda Bruner, his sister Vera O'John...

Feb 14, 2021

On Feb 14, 2021, Lulu Mae (Sue) Hess passed away peacefully during her sleep. Sue represented that pioneer spirit and the survival instincts common among so many of her generation who chose a Colorado ranching life. When she was a small child, she survived two terrible home fires (one started by a Christmas candle and the other by lightning). A...

Feb 12, 2021

Herman Curtis Barnes, better known as “Jack” passed away on February 12, 2021, he was 70 years old. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, February 21, 2021 at 3pm at the La Plata County Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall. Due to current conditions, we ask that all COVID-19 guidelines be followed. Masks will be available at the door. Jack was...

Feb 10, 2021

Bonnie Sue (Landrum) Warlick passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 10, 2021. She was 90 years old. Bonnie was born on July 23, 1930 in Drumright, Oklahoma, to Robert Horace and Clara Etta (Spellman) Landrum. She grew up attending school and graduating from high school in Drumright, Oklahoma. On August 21, 1951, she married her high school sweetheart, Donald L....

Feb 9, 2021

Arizona Reynolds Wall was born January 25, 1939, in Gainesville, Georgia, to Quentin Roosevelt Reynolds and Maggie Viola Smith Reynolds, along with a twin sister. Quickly given the names of Arizona and Utah and not being expected to live, her 16 ounce twin died after living one day and 14 ounce Arizona valiantly lived for over 82 years, passing away...

Feb 9, 2021

Joseph Martin Bradberry Jr., died in Ignacio, Colorado on February 9, 2021. He was born March 27, 1945 in Fort Rylie, Kansas to Joseph Martin Bradberry Sr. and Madeline Irene Smith. Joe was raised in Ackerman, MS on the Bradberry family farm as a young boy. He attended and graduated high school in Denver, CO. Joe was a Vietnam Combat...

Feb 8, 2021

The Rev. Robert L. Newby, age 86, went home peacefully to the Lord early in the morning of February 8, 2021, surrounded by his family in Durango, Colorado. He was born in Topeka, Kansas and was raised in Hutchinson, Kansas. He was a graduate of Sterling College and was stationed in the Army at Bisbee, Arizona. In 1962 he and...

Feb 6, 2021

Michael Porter Mullen was born on February 6, 2021 at 3:27am in Durango, CO. He was born at 34 weeks and 5 days. Michael weighed in at 3 lbs 15 ounces and 16 inches. He was welcomed by his 2 older brothers and his loving parents. Michael was a strong and calm boy. His soft brown eyes and round nose...