United States High School Yearbooks by County
Lewis (Blake) DeMille
Lewis (Blake) DeMille passed away on Aug. 24, in Las
Vegas, Nev., just months before his 80th birthday.
He was born Lewis Blakeney DeMille to Amine Fletcher
DeMille and John Blakeney DeMille on Oct. 26, 1926, in
Riverside, New Brunswick, Canada. He spent most of his
childhood in Saint Lambert, Montreal, and Duparquet in the
province of Quebec.
His family moved to Washington, D.C. in 1942. There he
met Dolores (Dee) R. Mazzullo and they married Dec. 5,
1947. They soon moved to an island on Lake Abitibi where
he worked in a mine in Duparquet, Quebec. The following
year they traded the far north for a more temperate climate
near Moncton, New Brunswick, to ready and work the Elgin
boys’ summer camp where their first born, Deborah, arrived
in 1949. They soon moved back to Washington, D.C., where
DeMille distributed batteries throughout the east coast and
where Cynthia was born in 1951.
After moving his family to Climax in 1953 to work in the
mill and crusher, he also fished many of the high lakes in
and around the Colorado Rockies. Since most of DeMille’s
life involved enjoying the great outdoors and sports –
learning to ski, skate and play hockey at the age of three –
he played hockey and barrel jumped through his many
years in Climax and Leadville while active in the recreation
department. After many years of the couples’ wanting
another child, Christopher arrived in 1958. In 1960 they
went into business in Leadville operating a pool hall/3.2 bar
called Blake’s Place until changing locations to Kristi Lounge
in 1966.
In 1972 the owner of Kristi Lanes gave them the
opportunity to buy the business and a few years later the
bowling center in La Junta also. They made their home in
Golden for many years prior to retiring to Las Vegas for
health reasons.
The family sold Kristi to John and Willie Balough in 2005.
Their 40 years in the Climax/Leadville area gave them
many life-long friendships and wonderful memories.
DeMille loved hunting trips, exchanging fishing stories with
his friends, watching his Broncos and Canadians and then
Avs. In his later years he loved gardening and watching golf
tournaments. Most of all he loved nature: the wind rustling
through the trees, the many birds’ songs, the water lapping
the shore, the animals busy at work and play, the dancing
rain, the quiet snow, building of clouds, day break and the
setting sun.
DeMille was preceded in death by both parents, his sister
Joyce and brother Hudson, grandson Josh Wiese and his
beloved wife of 58 years, Dee.
He leaves behind his children and grandchildren: Deb
DeMille and her sons Cory and Zach Ballentine; Cindy and
Jim Wiese and daughter Cheryl and partner Ruben Medina;
Chris DeMille and partner Charley Gillis and son Dustin
DeMille; great-grandchildren Nathaniel and Ryan Medina
and Heather DeMille; adopted daughter Cindy Semken and
her children Donna and Marc Offutt and son Wylen, Chris
and Martin Cooper and son Trevor.
No services will be held. According to their wishes, Blake
and Dee DeMille’s ashes will be mingled and scattered by
their family on the Flattops of their beloved Colorado.
John W. “Jack” Herron
Jack W. Herron, 77, a resident of Colorado Springs and Leadville
since 1977 and formerly of Springfield, Ill., passed away on
Tuesday, Aug. 29, at a local care center.
He was a retired business owner of the Bronco’s Restaurant in
Colorado Springs and Herrons Tavern in Springfield, Ill.
Herron was born on Jan. 27, 1929, in Peoria, Ill., to John
and Virginia (Carlton) Herron. He attended Springfield High
School and later married Norma A. Wall, the love of his life.
He began serving in the U.S. Army in 1952.
He is survived by his three children: John (Liz) Herron,
James Herron and Asia (Dennis) Chambers; six
grandchildren: Terra (Matt) Loy, Jon (Sarah) Morris, James
and Duston Herron, and Jonathan and Tanner Herron; three
great-grandchildren, Airel Wright, Logan Loy and Damien
Morris; and two brothers, Donald and Robert Herron.
Preceding him in death were his wife; son Paul Herron; and
sister Mary Denardie.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Sept. 5, at 11 a.m. at
Annunciation Catholic Church, 7th and Poplar streets,
Leadville.
Arrangements were handled by Bailey Funeral Home.
Andy Champeau
Andrew Champeau, 98, of Denver, formerly of Leadville,
died Saturday, Sept. 9.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Rose. He is survived
by his children Don (Rose Marie) and Mary Lou Dwyer. He is
also survived by five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren,
as well as a brother Ervin.
Rosary will be Friday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m. and Mass of
Christian Burial will be Saturday, 11 a.m., both at
Archdiocese of Denver Mortuary. Entombment will be at
Mount Olivet Cemetery.
A full obituary will appear in next week’s paper.
Gene Gonzales
Gene Gonzales, 62, of Leadville, died in Denver on Aug. 26.
He was employed by the Leadville Sanitation District for 34
years before retiring last year due to health issues.
Gonzales loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting and
fishing.
He also enjoyed gambling and visited Black Hawk
frequently.
Gonzales is survived by his wife, Vicky; two sons, Andy and
Duane; two daughters, Julie and Tammy (David); one
granddaughter, Brooke; and one grandson, Phillip.
He is also survived by one aunt, Otilia Maestas (Ruben);
two “brothers,” Tony and Joe Romero; numerous cousins
and a multitude of friends. He was preceded in death by
one brother, Jose Loreto.
A rosary was recited at Annunciation Church on Thursday,
Aug. 31.
A memorial service was held on Friday, Sept. 1, at the
Praying Angels campground in Twin Lakes.
Jay R. Jesse
Jay R. Jesse, 49, of Dixon, N.M., passed away Sept. 6 at the Espanola Hospital in New Mexico following a heart attack.He was born Dec. 16, 1955, to Elmer Jesse and Diane Schalinski Jesse, in Waupun, Wis. Jesse enjoyed making silver jewelry and collecting unusual items.Jesse was preceded in death by his father, Elmer Jesse, and his grandparents, Lester and Ann Jesse, and Arthur Schalinski. He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Diane and Harvey Watkins of Georgetown, Texas; brothers, Gary (Sandra) Jesse, Mayville, Wis., and Ross (Deborah) Jesse, Naples, Fla.; sister, Noreen Dewhirst, Leadville; his grandmother, Helen Schalinski, Mayville, Wis.; aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Jesse was physically challenged for several years, but his cheerful and sunny nature prevailed. Memorial services are planned for his friends in New Mexico, his family and friends in Wisconsin and his family in Texas.
Ina L. Helm
Ina L. Helm, 80, died Sept. 4 at St. Vincent Hospital in Leadville.Helm was born in Grand Junction on April 24, 1924, to Frank and Ruby (Nichols) Brewer.She grew up in Glenwood Springs, graduating from Glenwood Springs High School, before moving to Denver and then eventually to Pueblo, where she cared for her mother. Helm moved to Leadville in 1965, where she worked for Colorado Mountain College, Commercial Bank, Joe Fattor and the Herald Democrat.As a very young girl, Helm became a fixture at Ski Cooper and Aspen Mountain, where she was an expert skier. She also enjoyed hiking, climbing mountains, four-wheeling, waterskiing and anything that involved the outdoors. She was a true adventurer. Helm collected old bottles and was an accomplished photographer, especially taking pictures of her grandchildren, poodle and her beloved Lake Powell.Helm was preceded in death by her parents; sister Beverly Hendrickson; two half-sisters; and three half-brothers. She is survived by her children Karol (Troy) Adamson, Denver; Greg Teter, Leadville; Doug Teter, Northglenn; and Mike (Sherri) Teter, Leadville; grandchildren Brenda and Tony Adamson, and Renee, Jeromy and Elaina Teter; great grandchildren Kristine and Wayne Adamson, with a third on the way. Helm is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, including Helen Gillette, in Westminster, Calif.According to her wishes, Helm will be cremated and her ashes will be scattered at Lake Powell. Her family takes comfort in knowing that Helm was able to visit Lake Powell the first of June and enjoyed every minute of the trip.Memorial services will be Sept. 11 at 11 a.m. at the First United Presbyterian Church in Leadville. Pastor Helen
Hutchison will officiate.Those wishing may make memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, Colorado Division, 2255 South Oneida, Denver, CO 80224.Arrangements are being handled by Bailey Funeral Home.
