From Rio Blanco County, Colorado:
Elizabeth Odelle Buckles
September 18, 1917 ~ September 15, 2002
Elizabeth Odelle Buckles passed away Sept. 15, 2002, at Porter Hospice in Littleton, Colo.
She was born Sept. 18, 1917, in Knox City, Texas, to Henry and Bettie (Hollis) Thompson Odelle, as she was known to all, grew up in Knox City graduating with the class of 1934. As a child she skipped the first grade, going directly from kindergarten to second grade. Consequently, she was only 16 when she graduated from high school. She was very active in all activities of the school and loved all types of sports. She played ladies baseball for five years, playing the position of pitcher, shortstop and center field. She also served as the team captain.
After graduation from high school she worked for an insurance company in Ft. Worth, Texas, and was in the restaurant business with her father.
Odelle met her future husband Robert Buckles through her brother Travis. Bob and Travis were in the same unit for four years in the Army during World War II.
Bob and Odelle were married Oct. 17, 1945, in Rochester, Texas. Bob and Odelle lived in Fillmore, Calif.; Oregon; Anchorage, Alaska; and Knox City, Texas; prior to their move to Meeker. In 1953, Bob and Odelle purchased their ranch on the upper White River Valley and moved to Meeker in April of 1954.
Odelle made her home on the ranch until her death. Odelle was active in the Democratic Party of Rio Blanco County, serving many years on the election board. She was a charter member of the Rainbow Valley Club serving several years as president. Odelle was an active member of the White River Community Club, and was a member of the Meeker Methodist Church.
Surviving Odelle is her husband Robert of Meeker, daughter and son-in-law Linda and Stuart Morgan of Dalton, Neb., daughter and son-in-law Judy and Theron Strickland of Littleton, Colo., and son and daughter-in-law David and Richelle Buckles of Meeker. Odelle had six grand children and seven great-grand children One sister-in-law Verna Thompson of Duarte, Calif., survives and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, six sisters and two nephews.
A memorial service will be held at Meeker Methodist Church at a later date. Memorials may be made to Meeker Methodist Church or the White River Community Club. Horan and McConaty of Denver is in charge of arrangements.
John I. Morrill, Sr.
Aug. 23, 1933 ~ Sept. 14, 2002
John I. Morrill, Sr., 69 of Rangely, passed away Sept. 14, 2002, surrounded by his family and friends.
John was born Aug. 23, 1933, in Steamboat Springs, the son of John W. Morrill and Irene Edith (Etzler) Morrill Myers. He served his country in the United States Army in the Korean War follow-up. On June 26, 1952, he was united in marriage to Bernadine Hayner in Grand Junction. Mrs. Morrill preceded him in death on Feb. 20, 2001.
John worked as a contract miner in the Uranium mines in Grants, Uravan and Moab and also did gold and silver mining. He also worked in Oregon in the sawmills for 12 years. Returning to Rangely Mr. Morrill worked in the coal mines. He enjoyed his work, football games, gambling and was known for his love of family and his knack as a practical joker.
Survivors include his five children, John Morrill and his wife Madelin of Rangely; Shannon Hartman and her husband John of Rangely; Rohnda Baughman and her husband George of Rangely, Teresa Aman and her husband Patrick of Napa, Idaho, and Christina Stephens and her husband Michael of Rangely; 15 grandchildren, John Thomas Morrill, Jeneth Cabazos and her husband Brandon, Jessrah Morrill, Stacey Shriver and her husband Kris, Scott Middleton, Jonathan and Jaimee Sepeda, Melissa and Michelle Baughman, Erin Roberts and her husband Ryan, Heather, Michael and Andrew Aman, Doug and Dawn Stephens, two great-granddaughters, Kayla and Abigail, his mother, Irene Morrill of Rangely, his mother-in-law, Ramona Adams of Grand Junction, two step-brothers, Kenny Myers of Reno, Nevada, Tom Myers of Riby, Idaho, one brother-in-law, Gordon Aumiller of Roosevelt, Utah, and four sisters-in-law, Peggy Morrill of Vernal, Utah; Edna Meryhew, Winnie Cameron and Lenora Aumiller, all of Grand Junction.
In addition to his wife he is preceded in death by his father, John W. Morrill, his step-father, Thomas Myers as well as two brothers, Dwight and Richard.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday from the Rangely Ward Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Interment will follow in the Rangely Cemetery. Friends may call after 1 p.m. Thursday at the church.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Children's Primary Hospital of Salt Lake City through Rangely Mortuary, P.O. Box 351, Rangely.
John S. Beres
May 10, 1938 ~ Sept. 3, 2002
John S. Beres died on Sept. 3, 2002, from a short battle with cancer. He was born on May 10, 1938, to John and Mary Beres in Walsenburg, Colo. He was graduated from Meeker High School and he worked in the mining industry for many years.
He loved to fish, hunt, watch Denver Bronco games and spend time with his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary (Hudran) Beres.
He is survived by his wife, Linda and by sister Betty (Lee) Conrardy, brother Harry (Shirley) Beres, four children; Jeanetta (Gene) Ray, John Beres, Jr., Gary B. (Lindsey) Beres, Terre Niesham, eight grandchildren; Misty (Randal) Herman, David Martinez, Cindy Beres, D'andra Beres, Keisha Beres, Shanelle Beres, Kattie Sue Ramirez, RJ Ramirez, four great-grandchildren; Dustin Martinez, Josh Martinez, Teona Martinez and Devon Beres. He will also be missed by his first wife Nelda Beres and his niece, Cheryl (Hank) Schroder, nephews Mel (Teresa) Conrardy, Kurt (Renae) Conrardy, Jim (Jodi) Beres and seven great nieces and nephews, Gregory Conrardy, Breanna Conrardy, Matthew Conrardy, Justin Huck, Jimmie Beres, Jordon Beres and Courtney Schroder.
There was a celebration of John's life at his home at 3115 D 1/2 Road in Grand Junction on Sunday, Sept. 8 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the John Beres Memorial Fund at the Bank of Grand Junction, 326 Main St. Grand Junction, Colo. 81501.
Arrangements are under the direction of Martin Mortuary.
Andrew Bryce (Andy) Booker
July 1, 1962 ~ Sept. 8, 2002
Andrew Bryce (Andy) Booker went to be with his Lord Sept. 8, 2002 after a lengthy and courageous battle with kidney disease.
Andy was born on July 1, 1962 in Denver to Arnold Bryce and Ruth McElroy Booker. His early years were spent in Rangely and he was graduated from high school in Synder, Texas in 1980. He later attended Texas State Technical Institute in Waco, Texas. He spent his following years as a Safety Supervisor in the oil fields of West Texas and Southeastern New Mexico. Andy and Kelly Harmon were united in marriage Aug. 5, 2001 in Midland. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Midland.
Survivors include his wife, Kelly of the home; a son, Adam Booker of Cibolo, Texas; his parents, Ruth and Bryce Booker of Midland; a brother, Greg Booker and wife Cindy of Rangely; a sister, Christi Harris of Midland; nieces, Erin Booker and Andria Booker both of Rangely and his best friend Brad Floyd of Chicago. Also surviving are numerous other friends and relatives.
Services were held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11 at Ellis Funeral Home Chapel. Arrangements are under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home.
The family suggests memorials be directed to the National Kidney Foundation, 306 West Wall, Suite 122, Midland, Tex. 79701.
Burial notice Donald L. Getz
Military honor guard rites for Donald L. Getz, 70, of Meeker will be held Friday, Sept. 20 at 2 p.m. from the Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado, 2830 "D" Road in Grand Junction. A reception will follow in the visitors center on the cemetery grounds.
Don and his wife Pat were the former owners of the Anchor Bar and Cafe in Rangely and had lived on County Road Eight, east of Meeker for a number of years. He died at his home on June 14, 2002, after an extended illness.
Meeker Mortuary has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Bonnie L. Graham
March 16, 1939 ~ August 20, 2002
Well-known Meeker resident Bonnie L. Graham, 63, died Aug. 20, 2002, after a courageous nine month battle with cancer.
Bonnie Lou Johnson was born March 16, 1939, in Sutherland, Utah, the daughter of Amon and Arvilla (Erickson) Johnson. On July 13, 1957, she was united in marriage to Clayton Graham in Sutherland. Mr. Graham survives in the family's Powell Park home.
Bonnie was a loving and devoted homemaker, spending a great deal of time tending her garden and flowerbeds.
While her children were young she was a Cub Scout and 4-H Leader. She drove a school bus on Piceance Creek, transporting area children to meet the bus at Rio Blanco. At one point she worked as a secretary for the Rio Blanco Soil Conservation District.
An active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bonnie served in many church callings. She was the Ward organist, playing for many funerals, weddings and church functions. Bonnie was active in the Relief Society, having served as Relief Society president.
Bonnie loved bowling and her bowling buddies. She played the piano for the Meeker Community Choir Christmas Cantata and taught piano in Meeker for many years. She enjoyed knitting and crocheting and especially loved playing games and spending time with her grandchildren.
In addition to Clayton, her husband of 45 years, Bonnie is survived by one son, Kirk Graham of Las Vegas, Nevada; one daughter, Lora Henscheid and her husband Maurice of Grand Junction; eight grandchildren, Clay and Erica Graham, Brittany, Brianna, Derick and Shayla Henscheid, Brian Diaz and Corrie Rippy, three great-grandchildren, one sister, LaVon Thalman of Ogden, Utah, three brothers, Theron Johnson and his wife Jane of Colby, Kan., Floyd Johnson and his wife Pearl of Sandy, Utah and Don Johnson and his wife Tenna of Delta, Utah. At the time of her death, Bonnie was eagerly awaiting the birth of her ninth grandchild and fourth great-grandchild. Her parents, one sister, Janeanne and one great-grandson, Miles have preceded her in death.
Funeral services were held Friday, Aug. 23 at the Meeker Ward Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Interment was made in the Rose Hill Cemetery of Rifle. Meeker Mortuary was entrusted with the arrangements.
