United States High School Yearbooks by County
John L. Baldessari
John L. Baldessari of Clifton, Colo., passed away on May 20, 2005, at the VA Medical Center in Grand Junction. He was 85.A memorial service was held on Tuesday, May 24, at Church on the Rock. Interment was at Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado following the memorial service.Baldessari was born January 18, 1920, in Lead-ville to John and Elenora (Bonan) Baldessari. He spent his childhood in Leadville and the majority of his life in Leadville before moving to Grand Junction three years ago. He was a member of Annunciation Catholic Church.Baldessari served in the U. S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division during WW II in the South Pacific Theatre. He married Ramona I. Bertolas on May 1, 1949, in Leadville. She survives.Baldessari was a heavy equipment operator at the Climax Molybdenum Company for 54 years. He and his brother Alec won the 1947 Colorado State double-jacking contest during the National Western Mining Conference. Baldessari was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Leadville.Baldessari loved his family. He lived his life by his motto, "You need to do it right, or don't do it at all."Survivors include his wife Ramona; two daughters, Sandy (John) Hockett of Grand Junction and Shelly (Michael) Michalke. Four grandchildren also survive.Memorial contributions can be made to the VA Medical Center (TCU Unit) 2121 North Ave., Grand Junction, CO, 81501.
Jerry Wayne Kroschel
Jerry Wayne Kroschel, 36, died on Friday, May 20, 2005, at the Montrose Memorial Hospital after a lengthy struggle with a brain tumor.Kroschel was born in the USAF Hospital in Wiesbaden, Germany, on June 2, 1968, the son of Norman Edwin and Wilma Jean (Beardslee) Kroschel. Kroschel spent his childhood in Montrose, where he graduated from Montrose High School.After completing his high school education, Kroschel worked as a maintenance man at the Best Western Motel in Montrose and was a professional welder and fabricator at Industrial Systems in Delta. He moved to Leadville and worked for Vail Manufacturing doing ornamental ironwork. Kroschel then moved back to Montrose where remained until the time of his death.He was a member of Elks Lodge No. 1235 in Delta, Sons of the American Legion Post No. 24 and Two Mile High Off Road Club.He loved the outdoors, four-wheel driving, snowmobiling, fishing, hunting, camping and puzzles. Kroschel loved to work with his hands – woodworking, welding and working on his home. If anyone had a problem, Kroschel was always there to help - he had a remedy for everything. The highlight of his life was being with his family and friends.Surviving family members who were honored to share Kroschel’s life include his parents, Norman and Wilma Kroschel, of Delta, Colo,; three brothers, Steve Kroschel and wife Tari, of South Jordan, Utah; Alan Kroschel and wife Sangwan, of Bangkok, Thailand; Barry Kroschel and wife Carrie, of Leadville; his grandmother, Ruby Beardslee, of Montrose, Colo.; nieces and nephews Justin, Michael, Mathew, Heather, Tiffany, Ashley and Collette, as well as numerous other relatives, cousins and friends.Kroschel was preceded in death by his two grandfathers: Floyd Beardslee and Edwin Kroschel; grandmother, Thelma Lilly, and step-grandmother, Rose Kroschel.Visitation for family and friends was Wednesday, May 25, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Crippin Funeral Home Chapel in Montrose.A funeral service in loving remembrance of his life will be officiated by Pastor Paul Nystrom at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 26, at the Crippin Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow the service in the Grand View Cemetery, west of Montrose.Memorial contributions may be made to: American Brain Tumor Association, In Memory of Jerry Kroschel, 2720 River Road, Plaines, Ill, 60018-4110 or Crippin Funeral Home, 802 E. Main St., Montrose, CO, 81401, to defray funeral expenses. Arrangements are being handled under the
direction and care of the Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory of Montrose.
Joe Medina
Joe Medina died Saturday, June 11, at his home in Leadville. He was 87 years old. He was born in Rodarte, N.M., on May 3, 1918, to the late Ciraco and Socorrito Martinez Medina.Medina grew up in Rodarte and went to school there. He married the former Piedad “Peggy” Fresquez. The couple had been married 64 years at the time of his death.In 1943, the Medinas moved to Red Cliff where he went to work for New Jersey Zinc at the Gilman Mine. He worked there for 37 years until his retirement. In 1993 they moved to Leadville, making West Park their home.Medina attended Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Red Cliff and Annunciation Catholic Church in Leadville. He loved traveling with his wife and spending time with his family. There was never a better day than one spent with their large family. Many Red Cliff and Leadville friends will remember the pleasant visits they have had with Medina.An avid wrestling fan, Medina enjoyed watching the sport on TV and the local wrestling organization. He liked working in his yard and on his house.Medina is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers and sisters, Ufracio and Juan Manuel Medina, Pasquela, Nicacia and Petrolina Sanchez. He is survived by his wife Piedad Medina, in Leadville; his children Gilbert (Bertha) Medina, Joe (Julia) Medina, Herson (Emily) Medina, Robert Medina, Nancy Medina, Stella (Paul) Salas and Josie Marquez; sisters, Belinda Medina and Loyola (Jose) Gallegos; and sisters-in-law Dorothy and Adelina Medina. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews he loved.The Rosary was recited on Tuesday, June 14, at 7 p.m. and Mass of Christian Burial was Wednesday, June 15, at 10:30 a.m., both at Annunciation Catholic Church in Leadville. Father R. William Rhinehart officiated and Fred Casaus and
Bob Trezise provided the music. Medina was laid to rest in St. Joseph Cemetery. Pallbearers were Steve and Brian Barela, Walter Valdez, Evan Salas, and Lee and Rick Medina.Arrangements were handled by Bailey Funeral Home.
James Joseph O’Dowd, III
James Joseph O’Dowd III was born Sept. 4, 1980, to Patricia A. O’Dowd, and James Joseph O’Dowd, Jr. He died on Saturday, June 11, 2005, in Richmond, Calif. O’Dowd was a former resident of Twin Lakes, Leadville and Denver, Colo. He will be deeply missed by his family members: mother, Patricia A. O’Dowd, Twin Lakes; brothers, Gabriel Lujan, Rapid City, S.D., Antonio Lujan, Leadville; sister, Sandra O’Dowd, Littleton, Colo.; grandmother, Fara Wright, Twin Lakes; grandfather, James Joseph O’Dowd, Sr., Pueblo; along with numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.Services will be held at Mother Cabrini Shrine’s Church, 20189 Cabrini Blvd., Golden, Colo., 80401, on Saturday, June 18, at 9:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Mother Cabrini Shrine in memory of James J. O’Dowd, III.
Theodore Steven “Ted” Quintana
Theodore Steven “Ted” Quintana died Thursday, June 9, at St. Vincent Hospital in Leadville. He was 78 years old. He was born in La Garita, Colo., on July 8, 1926. His parents were the late Tiodoro and Celestina Archuleta Quintana.As a young boy, Quintana went to school in Center, Colo., and then, at the age of 17, moved to Leadville where he went to work for the smelter. In 1960, Quintana decided to go into construction and also worked for the school.He and his family lived in Stringtown for many years before moving to Leadville, where he has lived for the past 30 years.Quintana was a member of Annunciation Catholic Church in Leadville.He loved to play bingo, pool and slot machines.Quintana was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Tony and Edward Quintana, and two sisters, Susie and Olivia Quintana. He is survived by his daughter, Beverly (Raul) Lemus, of Montrose; two sisters, Mary Quintana, of Leadville, and Molly Vigil, of Montrose; nieces and nephews, Lee and Carmen Quintana, Lesley and Bobby Moralas, Randy Quintana, Jane and Reynaldo Tafoya, Louanna, Benny, Larry, Jake, Dean and Christine Vigil, Elain Martinez, Loretta and John Wyman, and Julie and Bob Shayne; his great nephew, Benny (Yvette) Vigil, Jr.; godsons, Larry Vigil and Edward Tafoya; goddaughters, Margie Marez and Lesley Moralas; and two aunts, Rose Lucero and Gregorita Quintana.The Rosary was recited by Emma Pacheco on Monday, June 13, at 7 p.m., and Mass of Christian Burial was on Tuesday, June 14, at 10:30 a.m., both at Annunciation Catholic Church. Father R. William Rhinehart officiated and Joan Dawson sang, accompanied by Jean Elliott.Interment was in St. Joseph Cemetery. Pallbearers were Raul Lemus, Benny Vigil, Sr., Jack Vigil, Reynaldo Tafoya, Benny Vigil, Jr., and Paul Marez.Arrangements were handled by Bailey Funeral Home.
Harold Glenn DeWalt
Harold Glenn DeWalt, 91, died at his home in Buena Vista on June 19, 2005. He was born on Jan. 11, 1914, in Harmon, Okla., to Frank and Mary Potter DeWalt.He graduated from Sharon High School, Sharon, Okla., in 1933. Shortly thereafter he joined the Civilian Conservation Corp. While serving in the CCC, he met his wife of 67 years, Mildred L. Graham of Geary, Okla. They were married on Sept. 25, 1937, in Geary. In 1938, he was discharged from the CCC.In 1953 he moved his family to Buena Vista where he began working at the Climax Mine. He retired from the mine after 27 years. Before moving to Buena Vista, he was a farmer in Oklahoma.DeWalt was an avid fisherman and hunter. For many years he raised a large garden as well as flowers. He loved to entertain his grandchildren with stories of his childhood and the many experiences he had lived through.He is survived by his wife Mildred, of the home, daughter Clara Louise Foreman of Buena Vista, sons Harold Lee (Sue) DeWalt of Nathrop and Kenneth Wayne (Kristen) DeWalt of Buena Vista, 12 grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, a sister, Louise Willenborg of Buena Vista, and brother Frank DeWalt of Anderson, Ind., sister-in-law Florence DeWalt of Texas and many nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents, bothers Oliver and Hugh DeWalt and sister Lavina Redding.A memorial service was held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 22 at First Baptist Church of Buena Vista and interment followed at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Pastor Joel Morgan officiated. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to either the Angel of Shavano Hospice or the Arkansas Valley Humane Society.Arrangements were made by Runyan Mortuary.
Charles Marvin Osborn
Charles Marvin Osborn was born on July 21, 1927, in Beaver City, Neb., to Charles L. and Pearl (Stump) Osborn, and died on Friday, June 10, at Haven Home in Kenesaw, Nebr., at the age of 77 years.He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church in 1955 and attended school in Beaver City, Atlanta and Mascot. He joined the U.S. Army and served three years in Japan during WWII as a sharpshooter, receiving the WWII Victory Medal. He was discharged from the service as a corporal. After his service duty, he worked as a heavy machine construction operator. In 1957, he moved to Leadville and was employed by the Climax Molybdenum Mine for 32 years. He retired and moved to Atlanta, Neb., in 1989 and to Haven Home in Kenesaw one month ago because of his health.On July 25, 1950, he was united in marriage with Emma Carol Ludeke, and to this union six children were born.He enjoyed fishing, hunting and rock collecting. He enjoyed his family very much and was very proud of them.He leaves to mourn his passing three daughters, Cheri (Jim) Pitkin of Montrose, Colo.; Anjula (Chris) Cottle of Cheyenne, Wyo.; and Michelle (David) Stewart of Portland, Ore.; three sons, Ward, Trent and Marvin Paul (Kim), all of Leadville; one brother, Merlin (Scotty) Osborn of Kearney, Neb.; 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Clara Osborn (infant), Betty Melroy and Darlene Leach; and a son-in-law, Jeff Gilbert.
