Montrose Daily Press Memorials and Obituaries

All Memorials and Obituaries (41)

Logan, Utah Myrlyn (Lyn) Lucretia McElfresh 1942 — 2024 Myrlyn L McElfresh, 81, of Logan, Utah, died suddenly on January 5, 2024. She was born in Bishop, California in 1942 to Myrl and Beatrix Coffey, and grew up on a farm in Maple Grove, Colorado where she lived an idyllic childhood. Lyn had many friends at the Logan Senior Center and will miss all the activities she participated in and friends she made there. Lyn was preceded in death by her son, Stephen McElfresh, husband, James McElfresh, brothers, Ronald Coffey, Clyde Coffey, and Jerry Coffey, parents Beatrix Coffey (Dalryple) and Myrl W Coffey. She is survived by her sister, Jeanne Wenger (Steve), two sons, Christopher McElfresh (Kristina) and Phillip McElfresh (Tracey) and a daughter...

Ridgeway, Colorado Wanda Gail Watkins 1940 — 2023 Wanda Gail Watkins Dec 29,1940-Dec 20,2023 of Ridgway passed away at her home she was 82. Wanda was born to Leonard and Edythe Cook in Ouray Colorado. Wanda was raised in Ridgway. She attended K-12 at Ridgway public school. She was a life long member of Ridgway Community Church where she volunteered at potluck lunches, senior meals, church in the park and shoe boxes at Christmas time. Wanda was a very caring and loving person always had a smile and heart of gold. Wanda married Richard Watkins Dec 10,1961 together they raised 2 sons in Ridgway. She is survived by her 2 sons Rick of Grand Junction, Randy (Kayal) of Fruita. Grand children: Jessica (lane) Varner, Amanda (Todd)...

Ridgway, Colorado Sybil Sue Marion Hallmark 1937 — 2023 Sybil Sue Marion Hallmark was Born: October 13, 1937 to parents Jefferson Beauregard Marion and Leola Haggard Marion of Lubbock Texas. Sybil played guitar and sang on local radio station as a young girl. She had a beautiful voice which was trained by professionals and continued her love of singing through OL Slaton Junior High school and Lubbock Senior High. Sybil graduated from Lubbock High School, a proud Westerner who cheered on her future husband, William A. Hallmark, "Billy", during high school football seasons and 4A state championship in 1952. They had 29 consecutive wins which at the time was a record for West Texas high school football She was a member of Tri Delta Theta Society...

Ouray, Colorado Rubye oleta Smith 1929 — 2023 On November 28, 2023 Rubye Oleta Smith a loving companion, mother and sister passed away peacefully at 93 at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado. Oleta was survived by John Noell of 21 years, her son Mike Whitfield and his wife Juli, along with daughter Patty Lewis and sister Nelda Coffman. Oleta was known as "The General". A take charge individual who could hold her own with anyone. She began her journey some 40 years ago in the wholesale gift and jewelry industry where she ran one of the largest Manufacturer Rep Agencies in the Rocky Mountain Region. However, after her second husband passed away Oleta picked up and moved to Ouray where she and Patty ran what was undoubtedly...

Fruita Shane Curtis Armendariz 1986 — 2023 With heavy hearts, the Armendariz family announces that they have lost their hero. On Wednesday, July 5, 2023, Shane Curtis Armendariz of Fruita, Colorado was called up to the big leagues of Heaven. Throughout his 36 years of life, Shane inspired those around him with his kindness, positivity, and sense of humor. His charming personality lit up every room, and his smile was contagious. Shane's final selfless act was in giving renewed life to many families through organ donation. Shane was born to Gale and Jerry Armendariz on August 27, 1986 in Delta, Colorado. He grew up surrounded by family in the small town of Olathe and graduated from Olathe High School in 2005. He went on to attend...

Grand Junction, Colorado Bob C Meineke 1931 — 2023 Born on April 3, 1931 to Urbin and Juanita Meineke in Craig Colorado. He grew up in the North Western part of Colorado. He served in the army. He lived in California and Oregon for awhile but, ended up back in Colorado. He met and married the love of his life Bettie Hough. They lived in the Montrose/Olathe area and called it home. They had three children Kim Meineke, Scott(Tammy) Meineke and Brandy(Mike) Machacek. He had four Grandchildren, two Great Grandchildren and one on the way. Preceded in death by his parents, wife, two sisters and three out of the four brothers. Bob did many things such as mechanics, working in dairy's and on ranches. Equipment operator for Montrose county and...

Montrose, Colorado Clarice ann Johnson 1929 — 2023 Was born September 4, 1929 to Henry and Mayme Anderson at Canova, South Dakota. She was the oldest of 2 other sisters, Marvella and Gweneth. Clarice grew up on a farm northeast of Salem, South Dakota. She spent all 8 of her elementary years at Center Elementary School and then attended Plainview Academy, in Redfield, South Dakota for secondary school. Clarice graduated from Union College, Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1952 with a B.S. in Secretarial Science. She worked as a professional secretary in various Seventh-day Adventist conference offices in South Dakota, Washington, D. C. , Glendale, California, and Denver, Colorado. Clarice was a lifelong member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. ...

Clifton, Colorado Samuel John Bailey 1936 — 2023 Born in Denver, Colorado, Sam Bailey was the second son of Harley G. and Leora L. Bailey. He grew up during the tumultuous WWII years in various places from Denver to Ignacio to Toponas, Colorado. The early 1950's found his family in southern California. In September 1953, shortly after Sam turned 17, he joined the US Army. After completing Bootcamp and initial training at Fort Ord, California, the Army sent him to Camp Irwin outside of Barstow, California. Being a young Soldier, every time he could get a pass from the base, he was off to the Los Angeles area where he found Geraldine Ann McBride on the beaches. At the end of July 1955 Gerry Ann married Sam. She joined him at the desert Army...

Montrose, Colorado Karyn L. (Granger) Almendarez 1952 — 2023 Karyn L. (Granger) Almendarez, of Montrose, Colorado, passed away on March 2, 2023, surrounded by her family. Karyn was born on October 9, 1952, to Walter and Peggy Lewis in Fort Worth, Texas. Growing up in Fort Worth, after graduating from Southwest High School in 1970, she earned an education degree from Texas Wesleyan University and began a 35+ year teaching career. Karyn was a steadfast follower of Jesus Christ. Her unwavering faith served as a strong foundation when she lost her son, Bart, in a tragic automobile accident in 1997 and throughout her long journey with cancer. These encounters inspired her to become an author, publishing three books as well as writing numerous blogs. ...

Fruita, Colorado Rex A. Reed 1949 — 2023 Rex A. Reed peacefully left this life January 16th, 2023, at his home in Fruita, Colorado, as a consequence of IPF (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis). Born August 19, 1949, in Montrose, Colorado, to Victor and Enid Reed, Rex attended Montrose area schools. He was active in high school theater and worked for Montrose TV station KREX in its first decade on air. After graduating from Montrose High School in 1967, Rex attended Colorado Western College as one of its founding students and became student body president. He served in the Navy from 1968 to 1972 and married Becky Thieking in 1971. Two sons were born in San Diego, California, where Rex continued his education. The family relocated to...

Grand Junction, Colorado Gerald Max Rose 1930 — 2022 Gerald Max Rose of Grand Junction, Colorado passed away on Friday, November 25th, 2022. He was 92 years old. Gerald was born June 4th, 1930 to Walter C. Rose and Edna Marshall Rose in Carlsbad, New Mexico. He graduated from Carlsbad High School at 16 years of age. In 1941 he joined the Navy. He married Verna Fay Brunt on July 23rd, 1944. After retiring from the Navy with 20 years of service, he moved to Montrose, Colorado. Chief Rose taught ROTC at Montrose High School where he took students on trips to experience life in the Navy, and to rifle competitions. While in Montrose, he helped his wife, Verna, to establish Charmaine's. He was a member of the Montrose Elks for 55 years. He...

Montrose, Colorado Misty Faye Walker 1981 — 2022 Misty was someone who was fiercely unapologetic, confident, strong willed and had a commanding presence. It was rare to be in the same room with her and not know she was there. Her outgoing personality made it easy for her to talk to anyone and hard for them not to be drawn to her. She was always up for anything and generally in the driver's seat ready to lead the way, good or bad! If you were fortunate enough to be family or someone she considered family then you got a look underneath her tough exterior at the loyal, protective, caring person that was at her core. The best parts of her were always in there whether you knew it or not. No matter how it was that you knew Misty, things...

Grand Junction, Colorado Rosalie Arruabarrena 1928 — 2022 Rosalie Arruabarrena went to be with the Lord on September 14, 2022. She was 94. Rosalie was born on February 25, 1928 to Miguel and Manuela (Oyarbide) Echeverria in Baliarrain, Guipuzcoa, Spain. Educated in private schools, she graduated with honors and a degree in business. In 1951 she met the love of her life, Martin Arruabarrena, whom she married at the Basilica of Our Lady of Aranzazu in Onate, Guipuzcoa, Spain. Shortly after, she joined Martin leaving Europe for the USA and settling in Montrose, Colorado where they purchased and operated the Mesa Hotel for 39 years. She always enjoyed helping and meeting new people and quickly made friends with everyone she met, maintaining...

Montrose, Colorado, Colorado Bernice F. Sparks 1930 — 2022 Bernice F. Sparks passed away peacefully on April 3, 2022 at her home. She was born September 22, 1930 in Ludell County, KS to Louie and Faye (Doty) Makings. She joined an older brother, Kenneth. When Bernie was less than 2 years old, the family moved to South Park, CO to Homestead. When she was 9, they moved closer to Hartsel, CO. She attended local country schools and graduated from Fairplay High School. After High School she worked as a server at a local cafe. In 1950 she moved with her family to Colorado Springs where she worked at Mode- O-Day clothing and later at 15th Street Grocery. In Oct. of 1950 she and Jack Sparks were married in CO Springs. They celebrated 71...

Grand Junction, Colorado Donald W. Ferguson 1935 — 2022 Donald W. Ferguson of Grand Junction, Colorado, passed away February 5, 2022, he was 86. Don was born on May 17, 1935 in Grand Junction, CO from the union of Donald C. and Kathryn Ferguson. He spent his childhood in Grand Junction and graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1953. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp from July 1953 to July 1956, serving in Korea. On October 9, 1955, he married Marian Thomson in Grand Junction, Colorado, she survives. After completing his service to our country, he attended Valparaiso Technical Institute in Valparaiso, Indiana, received an Associate's Degree in Electrical Engineering and later began a career with the Aerospace...

Grand Junction Margaret Gwen Jewell 1932 — 2021 Margaret Gwen Jewell, 89, of Grand Junction, passed away on October 28, 2021 at her home, surrounded by her loved ones. Margaret is survived by her love, Lee "Woody" Woodhams of Lazear, Colorado; Nancy (Scott) Orite of Parachute; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, November 14th at 3 p.m. at Clifton Christian Church 3241 F 1/4 Road Clifton, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Margaret's name to Clifton Christian Church at cliftonchristianchurch.com or to St. Mary's Medical Center at www.sclhealth.org.

MOntrose, Colorado A. Jackson Sparks 1924 — 2021 Jack was born in Princeton, MO on June 27, 1924 to L. Harrison and Flossie (Morin) Sparks. He passed away at home on October 20, 2021. He was the youngest of 3 with an older brother and sister. He grew up on a farm near Tarkio, MO. At 16 he went to work on a nearby farm for an older couple. At 18 he joined the Navy where he served as a radio operator copying code in the Pacific. He then worked as a cowboy in S. Dakota and near Faiplay, CO. He met his future wife, Bernice Makings at a dance in Guffey, CO. Jack and Bernice were married in CO Springs in 1950. They were blessed with one daughter. They made their home there for 36 yrs., then lived in Canon City for 19 years before moving to...

Loveland, Colorado Jack William Bramlett 1948 — 2021 Jack passed away at his sisters home in Loveland, Colorado. He is survived by his daughter Evie Bramlett, his sister Jan Wallace, and his twin sister Judy Parks. One of Jack's favorite sayings, "Even an Ox dies".

Grand Junction, CO Robert G. Kretschman 1935 — 2021 Robert G. Kretschman, 86, of Grand Junction passed away the evening of Sept. 11, 2021, at the HopeWest Care Center. Before cancer took him, Bob enjoyed a rich life of friends, family, and good times. He liked good stories and welcomed opportunities to share his dry, unique sense of humor. Bob was born in Montrose, Colo., on Jan. 25, 1935, to Edward and Elizabeth Kretschman. He attended Oak Grove School and graduated from Montrose High School in 1953. He loved cars and worked as an auto mechanic at a service station in Montrose. He met a pretty girl from Ouray, Betty Connors, and was smitten. During their courtship, Bob would drive to Ouray, park at "the gap" above town, and shine his...

Crawford, Colorado Billy Eugene Scales 1955 — 2021 Billy Eugene Scales He was born May 15, 1955 and passed away September 3, 2021 in Grand Junction, Colorado. There will be a Celebration of Life at a later date.

Montrose Daily Press Memorials and Obituaries | We Remember (2024)

All Memorials and Obituaries (41)

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