From Garfield County, Colorado:
Jesse Michael Skyock
July 8, 1983-June 5, 2000
Jesse Michael Skyock, age 16, died Monday, June 5, 2000 from a drowning accident.
Jesse was born July 8, 1983 in Glenwood Springs to Michael and Sharlene Skyock. Jesse resided at 27653 Highway 6 & 24 in Rifle.
Jesse is survived by his parents, Michael and Sharlene Skyock of Rifle; brother Kyle Skyock of Rifle; grandparents, several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Services were held Saturday, June 10 at the Elk's Lodge in Rifle. Pastor Mark Opstein officiated the service.
Jesse was thriving at the Garden School in New Castle. He was admired for his work at the Elks Lodge and Buckaroos Restaurant in Rifle. An easy-going extraordinary young man whose many qualities were admired by all who knew him. He possessed genuine heart, always let his strong opinion known, and an unconditional love for his best friend and brother, Kyle, animals, Kung-Fu, and playing his guitar. He was a defender of his beliefs and his family. His sunburst eyes and boyish grin will always be in our hearts. Jesse will always be our hero.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Jesse Skyock Memorial Fund at Mesa National Bank.
Mildred Francis (Fran) McInturff Anthony
April 23, 1937 - April 27, 2000
Fran was born April 23, 1937 in Guthrie, Okla. to Edgar and Clara McInturff. She entered into eternal rest April 27, 2000 at Las Vegas' Nellis Air Force Base hospital, after a long hard battle with emphysema. She was 63 years old.
Fran lived many places in Colorado during her life, starting from her pre-school years. She met her first husband, Jimmie Shroyer Sr., while in high school at Rifle.
They were married in 1955 and had two sons, Jimmie F. Jr. and Michael P. She met Tony in Colorado Springs, where she was living and raised her son Jim. She married Samuel (Tony) in 1969 and gave birth to David Allen Anthony. After the birth of her youngest son, David, the family did a tour in Germany. (Her husband was in the Army as a helicopter mechanic.)
Upon returning to the States, the family moved back to the Rifle and Glenwood Springs area. During her years in the area, Fran owned and operated a restaurant in the old Midland Hotel and ran the Chuck Wagon Traveler, a mobile lunch wagon that serviced the Harvey Gap and Rifle Gap areas for three summers. Fran had open-heart surgery in 1978 and moved back to Colorado Springs where her husband was again working for the military. She began working for a large school in the Springs as a lunchroom cook. Failing health and her husbands' retirement prompted a move to Las Vegas, where she spent her last years with Tony and great friends.
She is survived by Samuel Anthony, her husband; two brothers, Harold McInturff and Charles Phebus; her three sons, Jimmie Shroyer Jr., Micheal Park Shroyer, and David Allen Anthony; her grandchildren, Jason T. Shroyer, Terrance D. Shroyer and Carissa Anthony; and many nephews and nieces.
Her memorial services will be held at Rifle First Christian Church on June 25 at 4:00 p.m. There will be a luncheon served in the church basement following the service. A private family interment will be held on a later date.
Scott LaVerne Bellhouse
Scott LaVerne Bellhouse died instantly in a motorcycle accident on Independence Pass on May 29 at the age of 42. Born in Canada, he was educated in Leadville and Ingersoll, Ontario, and attended Colorado Mountain College and Ithaca College. Scott owned a sports card business and was a professional driver.
Scott married Tanje Horne in 1990. Thirteen days after the wedding, he sustained a serious head injury that put him into a 30-day coma.
Miraculously recovering, Scott became the father of a beautiful little girl in 1995, Taylor Teawnee, who was the light of his life.
A stellar athlete, Scott loved the outdoors. He played baseball from the time he learned to stand and was considered pro material in his youth. Scott was an avid skier, swimmer, hiker, bicyclist and motorcycle enthusiast. He always had a ready smile and clap on the back for everyone.
He is survived by his daughter, Taylor Bellhouse, age five of Basalt; his ex-wife, Tanje Bellhouse of Basalt; his parents, Irma (Norman) Harris of R. R. 3, Dundas, Ontario and Gerald Bellhouse of Winter Haven, Florida; two sisters, Carol Bellhouse of Leadville and Ilene (Derrek) Wagoner of Sun Valley, Arizona; one brother, Russell Bellhouse of Leadville; and ten nephews and nieces. A brother, Jamie Chandler, preceded him in death in 1979.
A casual Outdoor Memorial Service was held Saturday, June I0, at Difficult Campground, three miles east of Aspen, up Independence Pass.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Scott Bellhouse Memorial Fund, C/O Alpine Bank, Box 349, 137 Midland Ave., Basalt, 81621 for his daughter Taylor Bellhouse.
Vera Vay Gabbart Johnson
April 20, 1910-June 6, 2000
Ms. Johnson died June 6, 2000 in Colorado Springs. She was born in Canadian, Texas, April 20, 1910 to John and Effie Gabbart, who are deceased. Vera was an elementary school teacher in Burnet, Texas. She taught elementary grades for 44 years in Colorado and Texas.
She is survived by two sons, Bryron B. Shipp, Jr. of Colorado Springs, Colorado and John W. Shipp of Pleasant Hill, California. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Becky Strong of Utah, Peggy McCune and Tina Deere, both of Rifle, Fasha Goss and Timbre Goss of California, and five great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Effie Gabbart; two daughters, Byra Vay Strong and Janie Haskins; and one brother, Madison Gabbart.
Graveside services were held at Bluffton Cemetery, Llano County Texas, Saturday, June 10, 2000. Officiating Clergy Reverend David Griffin.
Utahana Woolery
June 26, 1940-June 8, 2000
Utahana Woolery died at her residence June 8, 2000 at the age of 59. Utahana was born June 26, 1940 in Comanche, Okla. She worked as a waitress.
Survivors: husband, mother, six children, 17 grandchildren, seven great grandchildren.
Graveside services were held June 13, 2000 at 12:00 noon at Como Cemetery, Como, Colo.
Ruthe McLain Black
Former New Castle Resident
The gone fishin' sign is out; Ruthe McLain Black found the path to peace and rest after a long battle with cancer.
Her wish was that her ashes be interred in her long-time hometown of New Castle.
Her family invites all her old friends to join a celebration of her life at the Congregational Church on Saturday, June 24 at 10 a.m. In accordance with Ruthe's lifestyle, casual dress is appropriate for her memorial service.
She is survived by her husband, Joe Black of Hot Springs, Ark; sisters, Minnie Harcourt of Lincoln, Calif., Dixie Jerome of Parachute and Jessie Hatch of Rifle; and numerous nieces and nephews.
