Obituaries

Dec 13, 2018

In Memory of Andrew F. Schwarz Andy lived life to the fullest with gusto and humor. He knew the joys of friendship. He was a happy guy, appreciating the simple pleasures of a laugh, a walk on the beach, a well-hit tennis ball, a shared story, a cup of good coffee. Andrew F. Schwarz was born in 1938 in San...

Dec 13, 2018

Marjorie Genevieve 'Marge' Forsythe was born in Kansas City, Kansas on May 23, 1921 to Matthew James Slater and Margaret Tora Paulsen, the youngest of 3 siblings. When she was 5 years old the family moved to a farm near Waverly, KS. She walked to country schools before entering high school and graduated in 1938. Marge worked in restaurants after...

Dec 10, 2018

Ilamae (Olson) Watters died on December 10, 2018 at her home in the Animas Valley in Durango, CO. She was 92 years old. She is survived by her children John Watters (wife Nancy), Mary Jo Watters Gage (deceased husband Randy) and Donna Lee Watters Pettingill (husband Richard). She is also survived by grandchildren Melinda Gage Goodson, Bree Pettingill McDonald (husband...

Dec 9, 2018

Dec 8, 2018

James William LaRocca died December 8, 2018 at San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington, New Mexico. James was born to Vincent and Mildred LaRocco in Oak Park, Illinois. He attended Proviso High School in Maywood, Illinois. In his high school and college years, he was a wrestler. He attended Purdue University, where he participated in ROTC and Chicago Art...

Dec 8, 2018

Mary Kathleen (Connor) Leming, 84, of Durango, died 12/8/2018 Durango, Surrounded by family. Born 7/5/1934. She is survived by grandchildren: Talisa and Christopher Leming; Siblings: George and James P. Connor, and Joan Curtis; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Ed, and a daughter, Marianne. A service...

Nov 30, 2018

Ignacio resident, Steven R. Herrera, Sr., passed on November 30, 2018, at home. The cause of death was not disclosed. Known as "Squanto, Willie, Jefe or Nino" and last but not least "Big Daddy," to his family and friends, he was born to Leona Red and Felix Chanio Herrera, on April 22, 1966. He graduated from Ignacio High School in...

Nov 25, 2018

Willo Jean Baird was born at home in Pedernal, New Mexico on September 8, 1932. Her parents were Foster E. "Bill" and Bertha Dorrell Baird. The family moved to Aztec, NM when she was 16 years old. She graduated from Aztec High School and then attended NMSU where she met the love of her life, Alton K. "Casey" Brown. They...

Nov 21, 2018

It is with great sadness that Debi Marti and Devin Downey announce the passing of their beloved mother Mary Downey in Durango in the early hours before Thanksgiving Day, just a few days shy of her 89th birthday. Born Mary Irene Tillson in Elmira, New York, Mary lived a life full of music, travel, family, and of course, her beloved...

Nov 15, 2018

Mary Lou (Harper) Maehr, 86, passed away peacefully, surrounded by all four of her children on November 15th, 2018, ending a several year struggle with dementia. Born September 2, 1932 in Chicago, IL. Mary Lou was the daughter of Robert M. Harper and Margaret (Sackville) Harper, of East Moline, IL. She lived most of her childhood in the Midwest. She...

Nov 12, 2018

After a full life, Josephine went to the Lord on November 12, 2018. She was 99. Josephine was born in Leadville, Colorado to Mary (nee Fear) and Joseph Plut on February 27, 1919. She was the 12th child and youngest in the family. She had fond memories growing up in the small mining community. Her father died when she was...

Nov 9, 2018

Phyllis Irene Young passed away restfully at the Mercy Hospice House in Durango, Colorado on November 9, 2018 at the age of 91, four months after being diagnosed with cancer. Phyllis was born October 4, 1927 in Munden, Kansas, the second child of George Washington Strnad and Jessie Lorene Hudson. She traveled over Wolf Creek Pass on a gravel road...

Nov 9, 2018

Phyllis I. Young Obituary Phyllis Irene Young passed away restfully at the Mercy Hospice House in Durango, Colorado on November 9, 2018 at the age of 91, four months after being diagnosed with cancer. Phyllis was born October 4, 1927 in Munden, Kansas, the second child of George Washington Strnad and Jessie Lorene Hudson. She traveled over Wolf Creek Pass...

Nov 9, 2018

Emilie Joyce Wilson, 78 years, of Ignacio, Colorado, died 11/9/2018 at her home. Born 4/9/1940. Emilie was born in Silverton, CO. She loved the Lord, her family & the San Juan Mts. She was a cheerful lady who made friends easily. She worked 24 yrs at the Rocky Mt. Chocolate Factory . Survived by her children Jackie, Kimberly & Kevin...

Nov 3, 2018

William Cooter Stewart July 14,1953 – November 3, 2018 Well buckaroos and buckarettes, my time here in this body has bagged its last rodeo, sunrise, sunset, mountain peak, ocean break, spring, summer, fall and has settled in on winter. I have set sail on the great mystery and journey that I have pondered on for quite some time. I was...

Nov 1, 2018

Esther passed away peacefully the morning of Nov. 1, 2018 at the age of 92. She was born to Jack and Clara Wellington on January 27, 1926 in Glenwood Springs, CO. She spent her early years on the family ranch near Edwards, CO. After living in several towns along the Western Slope Esther moved to Durango in the early 1950s....

Oct 29, 2018

Archibald Duncan Gray Jr. passed away on 29 October 2018 at the age of 80 in Durango, Colorado after a period of ill-health during which he showed great courage. He leaves behind his loving family: his wife, Nina Gray, four sons, Duncan III, Matthew Hill, Joseph Sharp and Michael Branch, and two grandchildren, Archie and Arwen. He is also survived...

Oct 29, 2018

Florence Williams passed away Monday, October 29, 2018, at home. She was 76 years old. Florence was born November 1, 1941, to Joseph Spencer Williams and Jane Thompson in Ignacio, CO. She grew up in Ignacio and graduated from St. Euphrasia High School in Denver, CO, at the age of 16. She traveled to California for training and vocational education...

Oct 26, 2018

CONCETTA (Connie) BONAVENTURA TRONTEL Connie Trontel passed away on October 26, 2018 at the age of 98. She was born on May 2, 1920 to Dominick and Maude Bonaventura in Durango, Colorado. She graduated from Durango High School in 1937. After graduation she moved to Silverton, Colorado, where she worked at the family owned Buttercup Bakery. Some of her fondest...

Oct 24, 2018

Jane Alter Steele, 65, of Durango, died Wednesday, Oct. 24, at home. She was born February 1, 1953, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, to Bernard and Hazel Alter. She married Louis Steele on Aug. 18, 1974, in Strawberry Point, Iowa. Jane graduated from Cedar Falls High School in 1971, and she received her B.A. degree in art education from the University...