From Rio Blanco County, Colorado:
Vincent Archie Porter
August 21, 1912 ~ September 7, 2003
Vincent Archie Porter was born Aug. 21, 1912, to Alonzo and Amanda (Johnson) Porter in Meeker. He was raised in Meeker and was graduated from Rio Blanco County High School in May 1931. After high school graduation, Porter attended Barnes Commercial School of Denver and completed study in accounting.
He returned to Meeker and was employed by General Merchandise Store, A. Oldland and Company as the bookkeeper from 1932-1943. He was elected as justice of peace for Rio Blanco County and served for several years. Porter along with 24 other Meeker citizens organized the Meeker Volunteer Fire Department, which continues to serve the Meeker community. He was the last living charter member of the Meeker Volunteer Fire Department.
During the war years 1943-1945, he was employed by the Vanadium Corporation of Amercia as a bookkeeper and purchasing agent. He was stationed in Monticello, Utah, and later in Naturita, Colo. Following the war the family moved to Grand Junction and Porter was employed with the Independent Lumber Company and Biggs Kurtz Company from 1945-1950.
From 1950 to 1961, he was the office manager for Western Slope Auto Company. He was part owner of the Lincoln Mercury Agency from 1957-1961. While at the agency, the famous Edsel automobile was introduced. In 1961, Porter was hired as the chief accountant for the Mesa County Valley School District.
In 1963 Porter held the position of director of finance and secretary to the Board of Education for Poudre School District until his retirement in 1975. After retirement he was appointed by the Larimer County Commissioners to keep records on the Big Thompson Flood.
Porter married Fern Hicks in Meeker on Jan. 13, 1934, and celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary in 2003. From this union three children, Lee, Roger and Diana were born. He was a family loving person who loved outdoors and sports. He was with his sons when they caught their first fish and shot their first game.
Archie was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Meeker Volunteer Fire Department, Meeker Old Timers, Fort Collins Moose Lodge No. 275, Fort Collins Elks Lodge No. 804 and during his career was involved in Lions Club and Kiwanis.
Survivors include his wife Fern, two sons Vincent Lee of Fruita; Roger and wife Liz of Greeley, and one daughter Diana Adams and husband Gary of Canon City; one niece Norine Reigan of Aurora and five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and numerous cousins.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may by made to Poudre Retired School Employees Association Scholarship Fund or Larimer County Hospital in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 West Olive, Fort Collins, Colo., 80524.
A memorial service will be held at Bohlender Funeral Chapel 1:30 p.m. today. The Rev. Charles Schuster will officiate the service with concluding service by the B.P.O. Elks Lodge No. 804.
Helen Greenberg
January 30, 1910 ~ August 22, 2003
Helen Greenberg, 93, was born Jan. 30, 1910, in Meeker to Kerg and Minnie Hendricks. She was graduated from Rio Blanco County High School in 1927 going on to attend Ross Business College in Grand Junction, Colo.
She worked at the First National Bank of Meeker and at a bank in Pasadena, Calif. In 1937, she returned to Colorado and worked as a legal secretary for District Attorney Frank Delaney of Glenwood Springs.
Helen was married to J. Scott Juhan in September 1940. In 1945 they moved to Meeker where she was employed as a bookkeeper for White River Electric. She was united in marriage to Harry W. Greenberg in November 1967 residing in Phoenix, Ariz. She passed away at her home in Midland, Texas, on Aug. 22, 2003.
She is survived by her daughter Diane Roberts and husband Alan of Midland, two grandchildren, Kevin Roberts and wife Pam of Montgomery, Texas; Lisa Laird and husband David of Austin, Texas; four great-grandchildren, Brant and Paige Roberts of Montgomery, Ashley and Lauren Laird, of Austin; a niece, Marge Rogers and husband Allan of Meeker; two great-nephews, Russell Rogers and Ben Rogers and his wife Shelly and son Cole of Meeker.
She was preceded in death by her husband Harry W. Greenberg, her parents Kerg and Minnie Hendricks and one sister, Mary Russell of Meeker.
Services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26 at St. James' Episcopal Church in Meeker. Pallbearers were Kevin Roberts, Brant Roberts, Ben Rogers, Dean Parr, Bill Jordan and Bren Sullivan.
Interment was in the Highland Cemetery in Meeker.
Memorial contributions may be made through Cochran Memorial Chapels, P.O. Box 1048, Meeker, Colo., 81641 for St. James' Episcopal Church or Meals on Wheels in Midland.
John W. Neiberger
July 28, 1937 ~ August 21, 2003
Well-known Rangely businessman John W. Neiberger, 66, died Aug. 21, 2003, at his Eagle Ridge Ranch west of Rangely.
John was born July 28, 1937, in Meeker, the son of 'Bud' Frederick Melvin Wesley and Dorothy Mae (Kenney) Neiberger. He was raised in Rangely and graduated from Rangely High School. Following his was graduation he entered the United States Navy.
On Nov. 11, 1961, he was united in marriage to RosaLee C. Gurr in Elko, Nev. John worked many years as a building contractor, as a regional district manager for Centrilift in Rangely and later in Midland, Texas and also ranched and raised horses. At the time of his death he was the owner of the Carquest Auto Parts Store in Rangely and NT Applied Coating. John was active in many community affairs, having twice served on the Rangely Town Council, was a former member of the Planning and Zoning Board, the Water User Board, the Rangely District Hospital Board, a former member of the board of the Bank of Rangely and past-president of the Columbine Racing Association.
He had a great drive for learning, taking many courses at Colorado Northwestern Community College earning his pilot's license there. He enjoyed reading, raising horses, horse racing, hunting, fishing and riding four-wheelers. He was a life member of B.P.O.E. 1907 in Rangely.
In addition to his wife, RosaLee, survivors include three sons, Benny and his wife Connie of Rangely, Ty and his wife Kelli of Rangely, John Kirk and his wife Stephanie of Denver, four grandchildren, Johnathan and Shelby of Rangely, Jack of Denver and Steve of Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, two great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Shantel, both of Coeur D'Alene and his sister, Phyllis Maxwell of Midland, Texas.
Funeral services were held Monday, Aug. 25 at the Rangely Wards Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Interment with military honors was made in the Rangely Cemetery.
Cochran Memorial Chapels Rangely Mortuary was entrusted with the funeral arrangements.
Shane Thomas
March 24, 1985 ~ August 19, 2003
On Aug. 19, 2003, Shane Thomas tragically lost his life in a drowning accident while having fun with his friends near Headwaters State Park.
Thomas was born in Layton, Utah, on March 24, 1985.
He lived in Meeker until the summer of 1999 when his family moved to Belgrade.
He was graduated from Belgrade High School this past spring. He was preparing to leave this week for his first year of college in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, where he was looking forward to being a member of the college wrestling team.
Thomas was preceded in death by his father, Ricky Thomas; his uncle, Terry Thomas; and his grandmother, Cheryl Herndon-Judson.
He is survived by his mother, Jalynn Thomas-Herndon; his stepfather, Mark Herndon; his sister Rikilynn Thomas; and his brother, Trevor Thomas. Other family members include grandparents; Janet and Ken Bates, Eddie and Linda Gold, Nyron and Ilene Thomas and Duane Judson.
He also left behind numerous extended family members and friends from Utah, Texas, Colorado and of course his friends beyond measure.
He was a very happy young man who was always smiling or laughing. He was sincere and kindhearted to everyone he met in his life. Shane was an extremely hard worker, who never complained when he was asked to perform a task or chore, no matter how difficult they were.
Thomas had a passion for sports, including football and wrestling. He excelled in wrestling, which is well proven by his great collection of medals and to urnament T-shirts. He was fondly nicknamed 'Furby' by his wrestling teammates during his freshman year and we all smile when we hear that name.
He loved life and people. He enjoyed the simplest pleasures in life, such as eating ice cream and laughing with friends.
A funeral service was held Aug. 23, 2003, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Belgrade, Mont. A graveside service will be held 11 a.m. in West Warren Cemetery on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2003. Donations may be made in Thomas' memory to 1855 MacTavish Lane, Belgrade, Mont., 59714.
Lois V. Hatch
October 22, 1920 ~ August 16, 2003
Longtime Rangely resident Lois V. Hatch, 82, died Aug. 16, 2003, at the Rangely District Hospital.
Lois Verness Massey was born Oct. 22, 1920, on Dry Fork to Louis 'Van' Massey, D.V.M. and Mable Verness Massey. She was raised with her large family in the Vernal area and on Feb. 23, 1942, was united in marriage to 'Jerry' Jeramiah Moroni Hatch. Their marriage was sealed for all time and eternity on March 11, 2000, in the Vernal Temple. Mr. Hatch preceded her in death on May 24, 1997.
A loving and devoted wife and mother, Hatch was a voracious reader. She loved the out of doors, spending a great deal of time hiking the hills and fishing. She also enjoyed embroidery, history and writing poetry.
Survivors include her four children, Iris Nolan and her husband Jim of Oklahoma City; Gaila Bell and her husband Bob, Sharon Stewart and her husband Eddie and Larry Hatch, all of Rangely, 10 grandchildren, Eddie Miller, Clint Miller, Corie Holman, Dianna Holman, Shane Key, Clayton Key, Teresa (Key) Nelson, Sheila (Stewart) Guchess, Eric Stewart and Kyle Stewart, 15 great-grandchildren, two sisters, Mable Neiberger of Provo, Utah; Wanda Reynolds of Roosevelt, Utah; four brothers, Zelph Massey of Farmington, N.M.; Norman Massey, Edwin Massey and Don Massey, all of Vernal as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, Lois is preceded in death by two grandsons, Jerramie Bell and Jerry Holman and seven siblings, Roy Massey, Sewell Massey, Pearl Stubbs, J.D. Massey, Odis Massey, LaPreal Southam and Mona Brady.
Graveside services were held 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20 at the Rangely Cemetery. A visitation with family prayer was held prior to services at the Rangely Mortuary.
Cochran Memorial Chapels Rangely Mortuary was entrusted with the arrangements.
William L. Robinson
April 28, 1930 ~ August 9, 2003
Meeker resident 'Bill' William L. Robinson, 73, died Aug. 9, 2003, at Pioneers Hospital in Meeker.
William Lynn Robinson was born April 28, 1930, in Hotchkiss, Colo., the son of Lynn D. and Minerva Luoma Robinson. When Bill was 12 years old the family moved to Grand Junction where he was graduated from Grand Junction High School with the class of 1948. Following his graduation he entered the United States Navy where he was a radio and communication technician.
On Feb. 20, 1952, he was united in marriage to Patricia L. Roe in Grand Junction. The couple resided in Hawaii, San Diego and later returned to Grand Junction where Robinson worked as an electronics technician for the F.A.A. and later operated Bill's Snow Taxi on the Grand Mesa. He had an entrepreneurial spirit and loved to try new business ventures.
In 1967 the family moved to Meeker where he continued to work in the communications industry. He was a member and past-president of the Meeker Lion's Club and enjoyed wood working, inventing and snowmobiling.
In addition to his wife of 51 years, Pat, of Meeker, Robinson is survived by two daughters, Kathy Zemke and her husband Don of Manchester, Tenn.; Barbie Hallmark and her husband Rob of Sonora, Calif.; two sons, Curt Robinson and Brent Robinson and his wife Cheryl, both of Grand Junction; three grandchildren, Shannon Robinson of Grand Junction; Karrie Cox and her husband Randy of Cody, Wyo., and Kristin Calhoun of Loveland. He is also survived by two brothers, Ron Robinson and his wife Kay of Boise, Idaho, and Al Robinson and his wife Cherry of Grand Junction.
Memorial services were held Thursday, Aug. 14 from Cochran Memorial Chapel in Meeker. Friends who wish may make memorial contributions to the Lion's Club Eye Bank through the mortuary office.
