Helen Naydene Pankey
Friday, February 6, 2004
Longtime Craig resident, Helen Naydene Pankey, died Jan. 9, 2004, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She was 76. Pankey was born Aug. 6, 1927, near Fairland, Okla., the fourth of six children, to Charles and Bessie (Clark) Harvey. Her family moved to Lander, Wyo., when she was 9 years old. She attended school and graduated high school there. After graduating from high school, Pankey moved to Denver, where she met her future husband, Harold Pankey. They were married Nov. 29, 1947. They moved back to the ranch east of Craig after they were married. Pankey worked at The Memorial Hospital for 35 years. She started as an LPN and later earned her degree from Mesa College as a Registered Nurse. Pankey was a people person and a caretaker. Her family was always her primary focus. She loved to have everyone home to eat. Pankey was a lifelong church member. She loved her church family, many of whom became cherished friends. Pankey is survived by her daughter, Cheryl (Terry) Tomberlin, of Idaho Falls, Idaho; sons Keith (Shelley) Pankey, and Don (Cherratina) Pankey, of Craig; granddaughter, Christy (Steve) Marsteller, of Jackson Hole, Wyo.; grandsons Tim Tomberlin, of Houston, Texas, Eric (Jessica) Tomberlin, of Laramie, Wyo., Kevin (Sarah) Pankey, of Ft. Collins, Justin Pankey, Christopher Pankey, and Michael Pankey, of Craig; great-grandson, Isaac (Eric and Jessica) Tomberlin; brothers James Harvey, of Lincoln, and Norman Harvey, of Topeka; and a sister, Reba Christensen, of Petaluma, Calif. Pankey was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Lee Pankey, and two sisters, Pansy Walker, of Hillsboro, and Velma (Ginger) Miller, of Craig. Services were held Jan. 13, 2004, at the Calvary Baptist Church with Pastor Dale Potter officiating. The selection "Beyond The Sunset" was sung by Glenn Gardner and Jodi Pogline, "Face To Face" by Glenn Gardner, and "Until Then" by Glenn Gardner and Steve Marsteller. Pallbearers were Kevin Pankey, Christopher Pankey, Tim Tomberlin, Justin Pankey, Michael Pankey, Eric Tomberlin, and Steve Marsteller. Honorary Pallbearers were Winfield Pankey, Leonard Miller, Eugene Miller, Gary Miller, Delbert Coyner, and Perry VanDorn. Interment was at Craig Cemetery .

Nancy E. Wirtz
Saturday, February 7, 2004
Nancy E. Wirtz of Clifton, Colo., died Jan. 28, 2004, at University Hospital in Denver. She was 65. Wirtz is survived by her husband, Gene; two sons Darwin E. of Fort Collins and Darren E. of Kansas City, Mo.; sister, Edna Irene Carter of Bossier City, La.; and four grandchildren. Services were held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2004, at Palisade Cemetery . Memorial contributions may be made to the Clifton Christian Church, 615 I-70 Business Loop, Clifton, CO 81520.

Lavern Maybury
Friday, February 20, 2004
Lavern Maybury of Craig died Thursday, Feb. 19, 2004, in Rifle, Colo. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, 2004, at the Craig Cemetery .

LaVina Summers
Thursday, March 4, 2004
LaVina Summers of Grand Junction, Colo., died Feb. 10, 2004, following a sudden illness. She was 90. Summers was the mother of the late Polly Siminoe of Craig. Summers was born March 13, 1913 on a farm near Leoti, Kan., to James Franklin and Elizabeth (Thompson) Elder. Summers was the sixth child in a family of 12 children. (There were also eight children from her father's first marriage.) She attended country school until her family moved to town when Summers was in the eighth grade. She graduated from high school in Leoti on May 12, 1930. She attended teacher training school in Hays, Kan., and then taught school for three and one-half years. Summers met Sheldon Bates (Doc) Summers and they were married April 27, 1934 (the same day as his parents' 50th wedding anniversary) in Sublette, Kan. To this union were born two children, a daughter, Polly Lee, and a son, Lloyd. They farmed near Leoti until the Dust Bowl forced them to move to Colorado. After a few months they returned to Kansas, then after one and a half years, they came back to Colorado to stay. They followed construction for a time then settled in Grand Junction in 1943, when Sheldon began working for the D&RGW Railroad. In 1944, Summers became actively involved in the Girl Scouts. She served as a troop leader and was head of the Western Slope Council for a time. She was affectionately known as "Mike" in the scouting ranks and she stayed involved for nearly 25 years. Summers began cooking school lunches in 1948 starting at the Columbus School and eventually Grand Junction High, where she was head cook. She retired in 1971. With her husband retired from the railroad, they spent time fishing and boating until he passed away in July of 1978. She sold the home they had built on Orchard Mesa in 1982, and moved to a condo at Westwood on Horizon Drive, where she resided until her passing. In 1980, she joined Seventh Day Adventist Church in Grand Junction, and soon after took over as director of the Adventist Community Service Center. She served as director until her "second retirement" in 1996. Summers was active in the church including a mission trip in her 80s to Panama. Summers enjoyed time with her family, playing cards, fishing, walking, crocheting, and quilting. (She was working on her ninetieth quilt.) She was an avid Broncos and Rockies fan. She had traveled many places in the U.S. and the world, including Alaska, Hawaii, Spain, Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, and the Holy Land. Summers was an active and loving lady and she will be greatly missed. Summers is survived by her son, Lloyd (Doris) Summers of Lake Oswego, Ore.; son-in-law Forrest Siminoe of Craig; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; a sister, Billie Huff of Claflin, Kan.; brother, Junior (Nin) Elder of Oklahoma; brother, Tom (Alice Rose) Elder of Grand Junction; and sisters-in-law Alma Elder of Denver and Alice Summers of Leoti. Summers was preceded in death by her husband, daughter, two infant grandchildren, five sisters, three brothers, and eight half-siblings. At Summers' request, she was cremated and her ashes were interred above her husband at his grave site at Orchard Mesa Cemetery . On Feb. 15, 2004, prior to interment , a family-only graveside service was conducted by Lloyd Summers, followed by a Memorial Service at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Grand Junction. Opening and closing prayers were by Pastor Ben Barcenas. Music selections were sung by Richard Luke, accompanied by Lannie Luke. Paster John Goley talked about Summers' dedication to the Service Center. A memorial slide show was narrated by Lloyd Summers.

Leonard R. Henderson
Thursday, March 11, 2004
Leonard R. Henderson died Thursday, March 4, 2004 at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction. He was 80. Leonard was born Dec. 29, 1923 in Neosho Falls, Kan., to Dorsey and Florence (Weiland) Henderson. He was raised and attended school in Neosho Falls. Leonard served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was awarded the Bronze Star. He married Cleta R. Laymon Aug. 31, 1946 in Yates Center, Kan. The couple moved to Craig in 1948 and Leonard worked for a grain elevator and then went to work for Yampa Valley Electric as a lineman and later a meter repair and replacement man. He retired after 15 years service. Leonard was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a member of the Yampa Valley Golf Association. He enjoyed doing things with his family, golfing, fishing, hunting, bowling and was named Colorado State Bowler of the Year in 1962. Leonard was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Cleta Henderson of Craig, Colo.; sons Larry (Jane) Henderson of Craig, Colo., Len (Yvonne) Henderson of Baggs, Wyo.; grandson Troy Len Henderson of Craig and four step grandchildren. Services were held Thursday, March 9, 2004 at Craig Cemetery . Bill Lyon and officers of VFW Post 4265 officiated. Pallbearers were Deems Utzinger, Fran Rutherford, John Ages, Chuck Cobb, Bob Cloer and Ray Beck. Honorary pallbearers were all of Leonard's many friends. Interment followed at Craig Cemetery . Memorial contributions may be made to Northwest Colorado Visting Nurse Association and Hospice in care of Grant Mortuary.

Robert Bruce Blevins
Friday, March 5, 2004
Delta resident Robert Bruce Blevins died Feb. 25, 2004, at Willow Tree Care Center in Delta. He was 84. Blevins was born April 7, 1919, to Thomas George and Mary Ethel (Gadd) Blevins in Lay, Colo. Blevins spent his childhood in Lay, Maybell, and Craig. He attended schools in Craig and also Provo, Utah. Blevins joined the United States Navy and served his country during World War II as a Signalman 1st Class. He married Barbara Pierce on June 16, 1946 in Craig. They moved to Rangely, where they lived for nine years. Other residences were Kimball, Neb., for seven years, Cody, Wyo., for nine years, Riverton, Wyo., for four years, and then to Delta in 1980, where he and his wife resided until his death. Blevins was a supervisor for an oil company. He attended the United Methodist Church in Delta. He was a charter member of the Rangely Elks Lodge, a lifetime member of the Cody Elks Lodge, and a member of the Good Sam's Club. He enjoyed the outdoors, and loved to hunt, fish, and go camping. Blevins is survived by his wife of 57 years, Barbara; two sons, Rick (Ginger) Blevins of Great Falls, Mont., and Dave (Pilar) Blevins of Moscow, Russia; two daughters, Cathie (Tom) Monahan of Aurora, and Karen (Bill) Bapst of Grand Junction; a brother, Roy (Juanita) Blevins of Delta; 10 grandchildren, Mac Blevins, Sarah Bittner, Kaitlin Blevins, Jennifer Blevins, Nic Blevins, Ryan Monahan, Mikaylee Monahan, Shelly Hurt, Shandee Talley, and Taya Bapst; three great-grandsons, Wyatt and Spencer Hurt, and Brody Bittner; and numerous nieces and nephews. Blevins was preceded in death by his parents, five sisters, and four brothers. Services were held March 3, 2004 at the Delta United Methodist Church with Pastor Vernon Docker officiating. Services were concluded at the church. Private burial was held at the Veterans Memorial cemeteryof Western Colorado in Grand Junction. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Delta United Methodist Church building fund, P.O. Box 427, Delta, CO 81416. Arrangements were under the care and direction of Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory.

John E. Miles
Wednesday, March 10, 2004
John E. Miles died March 6, 2004 in Louisville, Colo. after a battle with cancer. He worked at Moffat Insurance Agency. John was born in Denver May 30, 1948. He was educated in the Denver Public Schools until he graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1967. John graduated from Midland Lutheran College in Fremont, Neb. in 1971 with a bachelor of arts degree. While at Midland, he was a member of the varsity golf team and the varsity wrestling team. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Lambda fraternity. During college summers, he worked in the brickyards to earn money for his tuition. After graduation, John furthered his education when he worked in various aspects of the insurance business for the rest of his life. He worked in Michigan for several years as part of the Hartford Insurance managerial program. John was an avid hunter of upland birds and of waterfowl. He loved to fish and was a faithful booster of Nebraska's Big Red football team. He became a gourmet cook. John is survived by his daughter Megan; father John Glenn Miles; brother Mark; uncles Steve and Joel; aunt Emogene and many cousins. He was recently preceded in death by his dearly loved paternal grandmother. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. March 10 in Denver at the Olinger Moore Howard Funeral Home located at 46th and Tennyson. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Yampa Valley Medical Center, Attn: Jan Fritz -- Cancer Treatment, 1040 Central Park Drive, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487.

Frank Salazar
Thursday, March 11, 2004
Funeral services for Frank Salazar of Oak Creek will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 13 at St. Martin's Catholic Church in Oak Creek.

John Lloyd Kuntz, 1924-2004
Thursday, March 25, 2004
John Lloyd Kuntz of Oak Creek, Colo., died March 13, 2004 at Doak Walker Care Center. He was 79. Kuntz was born April 24, 1924 in Oak Creek, Colo., to Michael and Nona (Whitecotton) Kuntz. Kuntz was raised and attended school in Oak Creek. He married Wilma Lane in Oak Creek on Oct. 3, 1953. He was a Veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He worked as a dragline operator in the coal mines. He enjoyed fishing, pitching horseshoes and watching his grandkids play sports. He played the piano at area dances and was a lifetime member of the Oak Creek Veterans of Foreign Wars Post and was a member of the Oak Creek Volunteer Fire Dept and the United Mine Workers of America. Kuntz was survived by his wife, Wilma Kuntz of Oak Creek; daughters Darla Trujillo of Yampa, Sharon Steele of Hayden, Debbie Kuntz of Eaton, and Liana VanDenHeuvel of Grand Junction; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a sister, Shirley Montieth of Oak Creek; a brother, William Kuntz of Oak Creek; and many nieces and nephews. Kuntz was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Glen, a sister, Mary, and an infant son. Services were March 17, 2004 at Soroco High School Gymnasium in Oak Creek, with Tom Harves officiating. Selections were "Somebody's Praying" and "Amazing Grace" by Lindsay Kuntz, "Daddy's Hands" by Lynde Sales, and "In the Garden" by Shai Engle. Honorary pallbearers were Jonathon, Bobby, Butchie, Eric, Eddy, Briana, Alicia, and Lynde. Services were concluded at the school. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society in care of Grant Mortuary.

Luther L. Wilson
Tuesday, April 6, 2004
Yampa, Colo., resident Luther Leon Wilson, died March 29, 2004. He was 80. Wilson was born April 28, 1923 in Mountain View, Ark., to Joseph and Edith (Pinkston) Wilson. He was the second of nine children. Wilson joined the U.S. Navy during World War II and served as a gunner on the battleship USS Pennsylvania in the South Pacific. After his discharge from the Navy, he returned to Arkansas but later moved to Colorado. He married Reba Tomlinson on Oct. 19, 1948 in Steamboat Springs. They have three children. During his life, Wilson worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps in Oregon and Arkansas and the timber industry in Colorado. Afterward, he worked for the Rio Grande Railroad and retired after 35 years. Wilson was a member of the Egeria Masonic Lodge and the American Legion in Yampa. Wilson is survived by his wife, Reba, of 55 years; son, Gary (Molly) Wilson of Custer, S.D.; daughters Colleen (Bill) Burin of Phippsburg, and Teresa (Mike) Rhodes of Craig; five grandchildren Beth Burin, Michelle, Mandi, Lori, and Bryan Rhodes; three brothers, Delmar (Patricia) Wilson of Marshall, Ark., Estes (Mattie Jo) Wilson of Bentonville, and Charles (Mary) Wilson of Paris, Ark.; sister, Melba (Orgel) Shannon of Mountain View; and numerous other relatives and many friends. Wilson was preceded in death by his parents and four sisters, Venita Treat, Loreen Mask, Blanche Treat and Thelma Jo Pyland. Services were held April 2, 2004 at First Baptist Church in Yampa, with Jay Troutman officiating. The pianist was Linda Clark and the soloist was Jay Troutman. Selections were "Amazing Grace," and "How Great Thou Art." Pallbearers were Mike Rhodes, Bill Burin, Ricky Wilson, Allen Eicher, David Treat, and Dennis Eicher. Honorary pallbearers were "All Luther's Many Friends" Interment was at Yampa Cemetery . Graveside services were by the Yampa American Legion Post 189. Memorial donations can be made in Wilson's name to the Yampa Ambulance in care of Grant Mortuary, 621 Yampa Ave., Craig, CO 81625.

Hugh Seely
(1912-2004)
Saturday, May 1, 2004
On April 14, 2004, at the age of 92, Hugh Seely made the final leg of his earthly journey. One of five children, Hugh was born on April 12, 1912 in Castledale, Utah, to David Randolph and Elva Singleton Seely. Born into the life of a ranching family in southern Utah, he learned life's lessons well. As life was primitive, Seely came to understand early in his life that one had to have great strength and heart to survive in the rugged Old West. As a boy, he had many experiences with his brothers and father in the desert of southern Utah. Thus began his journey to developing an uncommon wisdom, respect for others, and a great love of life. He attended school in Castledale, Utah, graduating from high school in 1930. Seely obtained a degree in forestry in 1938 from Utah State Agricultural College. After working for the U.S. Forest Service for a short time, he joined his father in the family livestock business. The knowledge his father shared was simple: pick a good horse, work a full day, and respect the land. On November 25, 1937, Seely married the love of his life, Margaret Cox. They were blessed with three children: Bruce, Kathleen and Patricia. Their marriage was solemnized for eternity in the Manti Temple on July 22, 1952. In 1948, the Seely family moved from Vernal, Utah to the beloved ranch on the south fork of the Williams Fork. Seely purchased the ranch from his father 10 years later. Seely was a successful rancher and had a great passion for and knowledge of horses. He was known for his ability to pick a keen horse from a herd in seconds and knew by the look in the horse's eye whether it had any buck. Seely was past president of the Routt-Moffat Wool Growers and Colorado Wool Growers. In 1986, he was named Wool Grower of the Year by the state association. For many years, he was a member of the board of directors of the Rifle Production Credit Association. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many callings within the church. Seely's big heart, love for life, and most of all integrity, touched the lives of all who knew him. He showed us that some of life's best meals were cheese and bologna cut with a pocketknife and served on the tailgate of a truck covered with sheep paint. That horses rein just as well with two pieces of quarter-inch rope as with expensive leather. That you can snowmobile just as well in Carhartt coveralls as with color coordinated suits with company logos. That lambs with broken legs heal much better with sticks and twine for a splint than space-age casting material. That not all real cowboys wear fancy boots -- some wear lace-up work shoes. And that all great storytellers need not write books. Hugh Seely lived 92 wonderful years and the hole his passing will leave in all our lives is immense; yet a part of him will live on forever in our hearts and memories. He embodied all that has made this country great. All of us are better today because of men like him. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Margaret, a daughter Patricia, a sister, Sarah, and a brother, Preston. Seely is survived by a son, Bruce (Ann) Seely; a daughter, Kathleen (Loyle) Brennise; grandchildren, Melinda Baessler, Mike (Nancy) Seely, Crayton (Wendy) Seely, Anita (Craig) Duke, Keith Brennise, Scott (Sheila) Brennise, Stacie (Doug) Towler; a brother, Lowry (Gwen) Seely; and a sister Marjorie Reeve. Seely's great-grandchildren are Brennan and Derek Baessler; Ryder, Pryce, Walker, and Jace Seely; Spencer, Erynn and Jared Duke; Jordan, Logan, Kasen and Kinlie Brennise; and Jalin and Tiaree Towler. Services were held at the LDS Church on April 17, 2004. Bruce Seely gave the family prayer and Keith Brennise said the opening prayer. Myrna Ence played the organ while Lori Romney sang two selections, "Beyond the Sunset" and "Wind Beneath My Wings." Dr. Tom Told gave the eulogy. The speakers were Dale Haskins and Tracy Jeffs. Scott Brennise read a poem and Craig Duke gave the closing prayer. Interment was held at the Craig cemeterywith dedication of the grave given by Mike Seely. Pallbearers were Keith and Scott Brennise, Mike and Crayton Seely, Doug Towler and Craig Duke. Honorary pallbearers were all of Seely's many friends.