James Vincent Carnahan
1924-1999
James Vincent Carnahan of Yampa, Colo., died May 27, 1999, at Routt Memorial Hospital in Steamboat Springs, Colo. He was 78.
On July 24, 1924, in Yampa, Colo., Carnahan was born the son of James F. and Emma (Preece) Carnahan. He attended school and graduated from Yampa High School in 1942. He served in the U. S. Navy during World War II.
On Dec. 10, 1954, in Yampa he married Doris D. Kuchera.
He is survived by his wife, Doris Carnahan; daughter, Terry (Ernie) Arnold of Craig, Colo.; sons, Kirk (Kathy) Carnahan of Broomfield, Colo., and Pollard Carnahan of Yampa; sister, Katherine Holmes of Overton, Nev; and grandchildren, Rusty, Melissa and Glen Carnahan, and Pete and Chris Seewald.
He was preceeded in death by his parents; sister, Vernie Jones; and brothers, Lee, Lon and Fay Carnahan.
Services were held June 1, 1999, at the Yampa Bible Church.
Pallbearers were Doug Redmond, Jerry Schalnus, Pete Seewald, Sonny Kossar, Rusty Carnahan and Chris Seewald.
Honorary pallbearers were John Brannan, Chet Sanders, Duane Acord, Ed Brannan, Cecil Weston and Bobby Robinson Sr.
Interment was at the Yampa cemetery.
Gladys Elaine Burner
1925-1999
Gladys Elaine Burner of Vernal, Utah, formerly of Craig, Colo., died May 30, 1999, at Ashley Valley Center in Vernal. She was 73.
On June 12, 1925, in Sioux Falls, S.D., she was born the daughter of Vincent and Imogene (Wildman) Warriner. She graduated from Loveland High School in Loveland, Colo., and had lived in Vallejo, Calif., for three years and worked in the defense industry on Mare Island Navy yard. She moved to Craig in 1948 and Vernal in 1977.
On June 18, 1949, she married Guy L. Hill, who died in 1962. On Aug. 31, 1962, in Meeker, Colo., she married Roy C. Burner, who died in 1986. She was a member of the Vernal Christian Church.
Burner is survived by daughters, Leslie Hill (Kent) Marshall and Cheryl (Clyde) Kinsman; grandson, Michael (Shawna) Marshall; granddaughter, Shelley Marshall; great-grandchildren, Michael Scott Jr., Jim Kinsman and Wendy Catone; great-great-granddaughter, Kendall Marie Catone; and brother, Vincent (Elaine) Warriner, Jr.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Helen Darnell.
Services were held June 3, 1999, at the Vernal Christian Church. Burial was in the Maeser Fairview Cemetery.
Donations may be made to the Utah Heart Foundation or the Diabetes Association.
John A. Nicoletto
1909-1999
John A. Nicoletto of Grove City, Pa., formerly of Craig, Colo., died May 25, 1999, at United Community Hospital in Pine Township, Pa. He was 89.
On Nov. 5, 1909, in Sopris, Colo., he was born the son of Louis and Antonia (Lira) Nicoletto.
On Dec. 14, 1944, in Pittsburgh, Pa., he married Catherine Valaska. He worked as a coal miner in Burgettstown, Pa., as a dairy farmer in Liberty Township and as a chef in Butler and Pittsburgh, Pa., and in Craig.
He is survived by sons, Anthony "Tony" M. Nicoletto of Grove City, and John W. Nicoletto of Bloomsburg, Pa.; sister, Margaret J. Puklavec of Liberty Township; brother, Severino "Nick" Nicoletto of Rifle, Colo.; and four grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Catherine, who died in 1991; his parents; and sisters, Angelina Sansone and Alice Passami.
Services were held May 27, 1999, at the Smith Funeral Home in Slippery Rock, Pa.
E. R. "Buck" Salter
Former Craig resident E. R. "Buck" Salter passed away Tuesday, June 8, 1999, in Fountain Hills, Ariz. Services are pending.
Jolene Vonda Watson
1939-1999
Jolene Vonda Watson of West Sacramento, Calif., died May 15, 1999. She was 59.
On July 27, 1939, in Craig, Colo., she was born to Joe Edwards of Craig and Vonda McCarter of Carmichael, Calif.
She is survived by son, William Watson; daughter, Vonda Ann Storm of West Sacramento; sisters, Lynda Shy of Sacramento, Calif.; and Debora Edwards of Washington, D.C.; and four grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Wallace Watson.
Services were held May 21, 1999, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Sacramento.
Carl E. Burch
1933-1999
Carl E. Burch of Littleton, Colo., formerly of Craig, Colo., died June 3, 1999. He was 65.
He was born Nov. 17, 1933, in Sapulpa, Okla.
On April 21, 1951, in Decatur, Texas, he married Peggy Joyce Watson. He was a manager and dispatcher in a trucking company.
He is survived by his wife; daughters, Phyllis Goodwin of Craig, Sharon Batchelor of Craig and Carla Marcely of Carmichael, Calif.; son, Edward D. Burch of Denver; sister, Kathy Chambers of Portland, Texas; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Services were held June 7, 1999, at Drinkwine Family Chapel in Littleton.
Melvin W. Pomeroy
Melvin W. Pomeroy of Craig died Thursday, June 10, 1999, at The Memorial Hospital. Services are pending.
James Brinks
James Brinks of Craig died Thursday, June 10, 1999, at his home. Services are pending.
Gladys Elaine Warriner Hill Burner
Former Craig resident Gladys Elaine Warriner Hill Burner died Sunday May 30, 1999. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 3, 1999, at the Vernal Christian Church. Friends may call from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Thomson's Vernal Mortuary.
Interment will be in the Maeser Fairview Cemetery.
Frances Carlson
Craig resident Frances Carlson died June 3, 1999, in Little Rock, Ark.
Services are pending.
Jolene Edwards Watson
Jolene Edwards Watson, former Craig resident and daughter of Joe Edwards, died Sunday, May 16, 1999, in Sacramento, Calif. Services are pending.
Monty Dean Velasquez
1960-1999
Monty Dean Velasquez of Hayden, Colo., died May 6, 1999, in Routt Memorial Hospital. He was 39.
On April 27, 1960, in Hayden, Velasquez was born the son of Wilbur and Margurite (Hayes) Velasquez. He served in the U.S. Army and lived in Hayden since he was 17 years old.
On May 17, 1997, in Hayden, he married Katina Lynn Kline. He was employed as a groundskeeper for Wolf Mountain Ranch.
He is survived by his wife; mother who lives in Steamboat Springs, Colo.; son, Monty D. Velasquez II of Greeley, Colo.; sisters, Barbara Steele of Laughlin, Nev., Donna Gregory of Port Orchard, Wash., and Terry Lynn Walker of Hayden; brothers, Gary Velasquez of Longmont, Colo., Robert Hayes of Hayden, Vernon Velasquez of Grand Junction, Colo., and Tom Velasquez of Rangely, Colo.; father-in-law, James (Pat) Kline of Hayden; and mother-in-law, Phyllis (Gerry) Booth of Hayden.
He was preceded in death by his father; brother, Howard; and sister, Shiela.
Services were held May 10, 1999, at Hayden Congregational Church. Pallbearers were Eric Warrick, Cody Hayes, Steve Penfold, Hayden Dunn, Bob Hayes Jr. and Jeff Johnson.
Honorary pallbearers were Brian Mazze, Shane Warrick, Ryan Holmlund, Jim Hayes, Tim Flood, Lyle Webb and Ralph Webb.
Burial was at Hayden Cemetery with services by the Hayden American Legion Post.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hayden Town Hall for a memorial tree in memory of Velasquez.
Helen Fitzpatrick
1904-1999
Helen Fitzpatrick, former resident of Craig, Colo., died May 13, 1999, in Fort Collins, Colo. She was 94.
On Dec. 4, 1904, in Tecumseh, Neb., she was born the daughter of Albert B. and Ella May (Beach) Austin.
On June 27, 1932, in Denver she married Vern P. Fitzpatrick. She moved to Craig in 1932. In 1989 she moved to Fort Collins.
Fitzpatrick is survived by her daughter Helen Georgina Hagerman of Fort Collins and grandson, James (Amy) Hagerman, of Colorado Springs, Colo.
She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.
Services were held May 15, 1999, at Grant Mortuary.
Honorary pallbearers were Ronnie McElroy, Gene Murphy, Lucky Sampson, Jerry Downing, Dan Davidson and Gale Norman.
Interment was at Craig Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Kidney Foundation in care of Grant Morturay, 621 Yampa Ave. Craig, CO 81625.
Itha S. Ahlstrom
1913-1999
Itha S. Ahlstrom of Craig, Colo., died May 12, 1999, at her home. She was 86.
On Feb. 13, 1913, in Beaver, Utah, she was born the daughter of M. M. Steele Jr. and Charlotte (Lefevre) Steele. She was born one of 12 children.
On May 29, 1934, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple in Manti, Utah, she married Reno Ahlstrom. She lived in McGill, Nev., for 45 years and worked as a custodian for Kennecott Energy Coal Company for 15 years. She lived in Craig for two years.
Ahlstrom is survived by daughters, Annette (Sydney) Young of Gunnison, Utah, and Phyllis (Torie) Barainca of Craig, Colo.; son, Vaughn (Roberta) Ahlstrom of Craig; sister, Irene Twitchel of Delta, Utah; 15 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband; son, LaVar S. Ahlstrom; and parents.
Steve Kawcak
Former Craig resident Steve Kawcak of Gardnerville, Nev., and Mesa, Ariz., died Thursday, June 24, 1999, in Mesa. Services are pending.
Florence Luvena Blackburn
1909-1999
Florence Luvena Blackburn of Craig, Colo., died June 22, 1999, at Valley View Manor in Craig. She was 89.
On Nov. 5, 1909, in Wewoka, Okla., she was born the daughter of Thomas and Fanny (Ellis) Smith.
On Dec. 25, 1928, she married Ralph H. Blackburn. Six children were born to them and they adopted Helton L., son of their son, Lorenza, who died in 1956.
They moved to Craig in 1937 where they lived for 30 years except for two years when they lived in Walden, Colo. In 1966 they moved to Loveland. In 1998, following her husband's death, Blackburn moved back to Craig.
She is survived by sons, Ira Blackburn of Craig, Phillip Blackburn of Camino, Calif., and Helton Blackburn of Waco, Texas; two brothers; three sisters; 13 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers, one sister, two daughters, two sons and one granddaughter.
Services were June 23, 1999, at Craig Cemetery.
Al Martin
Funeral services for Al Martin will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 2, 1999, at Grant Mortuary. Memorial donations may be made to help defray funeral expenses.
Steve P. Kawchack
1917-1999
Steve P. Kawchack, formerly of Craig, Colo., died June 24, 1999, in Mesa, Ariz. He was 82.
On March 31, 1917, in Craig, he was born the eldest son of 16 children to Paul and Julia Kawcak.
He was inducted into the U.S. Army April 9, 1942, and was assigned duty in the Third Field Hospital in New Guinea, South Philippines. Kawchack received the American Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Philippines Liberation Ribbon, Bronze Service Star, World War II Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged Dec. 2, 1945.
In 1947 in Glenwood Springs, Colo., he married Edythe Eddy. He was a farmer north of Craig for 18 years. In 1967 he started his own well drilling business in Carson Valley, Nev.
Kawchack is survived by his wife; sons, Eddy, Tony and Brad; daughters, Susan and Julie; sisters, Anna Kawchack of LaHabra, Calif., Helen Hannah of San Jose, Calif., Julia Zulian of Grand Junction, Colo., Eva Robertson of Grand Junction, Colo., Alice VanTassel of Greeley, Colo., and Janet Chapman of Craig; brothers, Joseph Kawcak of Cheyenne, Wyo., Michael Kawcak of Craig, Paul Kawcak of Craig, Nickolay Kawcak of Reno, Nev., Daniel Kawcak of Craig, Ivan Kawcak of Craig and Peter (Bob) Kawcak of Minden, Nev.; and 10 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Mary Eva Crogon of Sterling, Colo.; brother, Thomas Andrew Kawcak of Gardnerville, Nev., and grandson, Brandon Kawchack of Minden.
Mass will be celebrated at 8 a.m. Sunday, July 4, 1999, at St. Michaels Church in Craig. A memorial service will be held July 10 at Carson Valley Community Church, 3616 N. Sunridge in Minden. Interment and graveside services will be held at Eastside Memorial Park in Minden.
Donald Nelson
1931-1999
Donald Nelson of Baggs, Wyo., died June 17, 1999, at The Memorial Hospital in Craig, Colo. He was 68.
On May 17, 1931, in Eli, Nev., he was born the son of Harry and Gladys (Johnson) Nelson. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
On April 23, 1964, in Rawlins, Wyo., he married Wanda Stanton. He was a resident of Baggs for 30 years.
Nelson is survived by his wife; daughter, Pam (Doug) Pierce of Rawlins; sons, Don (Leanna) Nelson Jr. of Baggs and Edward (Teri) Woodward of Baggs; brothers, Alvie Nelson of Lawton, Okla. and Bob Nelson of Phoenix, Ariz.; sister, Dorothy Cookhouse of Nebraska; and grandchildren, Christy and Theresa Arey and Jessica Brazell. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Jan Nelson of Las Vegas, Nev.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Services were held June 22, 1999, at the Baggs Cemetery.
Patricia R. (Sutton) Otis
1954-1999
Patricia R. (Sutton) Otis of Craig, Colo., died June 19, 1999, at Valley View Manor Nursing Home in Craig. She was 44.
On Dec. 27, 1954, in Denver she was born the daughter of John R. and Marjorie J. (Walters) Sutton. She was graduated from Moffat County High School in 1972.
She is survived by her sons, Aaron (Donna) DeBaca of Pennsylvania, John Otis of Shady Grove, Pa; and Eric Otis of Craig; sister, CeCe Decker of Craig; and grandson, Dominic DeBaca.
At Otis' request, no services were held.
Memorial donations may be made to: CeCe Decker, 2732 County Road 174, Craig, CO 81625 to help with the building of a permanent memorial garden in Patricia Otis' name in the wilderness ranch area.
Orin Arthur Leabo
1916-1999
Orin Arthur Leabo of Brighton, Colo., and formerly of Craig, Colo., died June 25, 1999, at his home. He was 83.
On March 21, 1916, in Turon, Kan., he was born the son of William Harrison and Eva Edna (Compton) Leabo. On Oct. 19, 1952, in Denver, he married Helen E. Hensley. They moved to Brighton, Colo., in 1957. He retired from the Union Pacific Railroad in 1976 after 30 years. Leabo was with the Brighton Volunteer Ambulance Service for seven years and the Craig Volunteer Ambulance Service for three. He also worked in security for the Colowyo Coal Company for five years.
He is survived by his wife; son, Gerald (Tammi) Leabo of St. Johns, Ariz.; daughter, Regina (Ivan) Kawcak of Craig; and sister, Billie Jean (Paul) Plush of Olathe, Colo. He also is survived by three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Garnett Dickey, and a brother, Leo Leabo.
Services were held June 30, 1999, at the First Presbyterian Church in Brighton. Burial was at the Elmwood Cemetery in Brighton.
George J. H. Zelle
1919-1999
George J. H. Zelle of Clovis, N.M., died June 26, 1999, at his home. He was 79.
On Oct. 25, 1919, in Hayward, Okla., he was born the son of Leonard and Bertha Zelle. He served in the U.S. Air Force for 30 years. In 1941 he was a glider pilot instructor at Fort Sumner, N.M.
On May 13, 1947, in Enid, Okla., he married Helen Harkins. She died Feb. 5, 1971. On Sept. 18, 1971, he married Dorothy Pierce.
Zelle is survived by his wife; stepsons, Dewey Gale (Alice) Pierce of Texico, N.M., and Terry Pierce of Craig, Colo.; and stepdaughter, Dona Kay Guy of Durango, Colo.
Services were held June 29, 1999, at Steed-Todd Chapel. Burial was at St. Rose Catholic Cemetery in Perry, Okla.
Betty A. Douglas
1928-1999
Betty A. Douglas of Englewood, Colo., formerly of Craig, Colo., died July 6, 1999, at her home. She was 71.
On May 23, 1928, Douglas was born in Craig.
On Feb. 28, 1946, in Craig, she married Dick Douglas.
Douglas is survived by sons, Dugan G. Douglas of Midland, Texas, and Ronald D. Douglas of Pinellas Park, Fla.; daughters Vicki L. Douglas of Englewood, and Connie L. Carberry of St. Petersburg, Fla.; six grandchildren and one step grandchild; and six great-grandchildren and eight step great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband.
Memorial services will be held at a later date in Craig.
Allie Martin Eilts
1912-1999
Allie Martin Eilts of Craig, Colo., died July 5, 1999, at Valley View Manor in Craig. She was 87.
On May 7, 1912, in Milledgeville, Ga., she was born the daughter of Louie P. Martin. Eilts went into the U.S. Army following nurses training and served for 20 years, retiring as a major. She received the American Defense Medal, AP Ribbon, World War II Victory Medal, AOM Berline Airlift Device, National Defense Service Medal, the American Campaign Medal and the EAME Medal.
On July 23, 1955, in Newport News, Va., she married John A. Eilts. They moved to a ranch east of Hayden in Routt County in 1963 and moved to Craig in 1990.
She is survived by her husband. She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother; and sisters, Ruth, Eva Lee and Ima.
Services were held July 8, 1999, at Calvary Baptist Church.
Pallbearers were Hank Eilts, Jack Taylor, Lou Wyman, Steve Claypoole, Frank Camilletti, Mike Lassota, Ed Camilletti, Bob Loveland and George Kostiuk. Interment was at the Hayden Cemetery.
