From Rio Blanco County, Colorado:
Gladys Campbell Allred
July 14, 1930 ~ April 25, 2003
Gladys Campbell Allred, 72, died on Friday, April 25, 2003 in her home in Vernal, Utah. Gladys was born on July 14, 1930, to Manfred Elisha Campbell and Sarah Ann Richardson. Her maternal grandparents, Archibald Squire Richardson and Sarah Ann Horrocks, helped raise her. Allred spent most of her early years in Vernal, but moved to Rangely soon after her marriage on Sept. 17, 1946 to Earl Allred. Gladys and Earl lived in Rangely for 43 years and returned to Vernal in 1989. She was an excellent homemaker and worked for Rangely School District for 20 years. Most of those years, she drove a school bus for the district. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many positions including Primary President, Relief Society President and temple worker in the Provo and Vernal temples.
She enjoyed crafts, cooking, camping and loved her children and grandchildren. She was nursed and cared for by her kind, loving and patient husband during the last two years of her life. She had a heart problem and was diagnosed with cancer only eight months ago.
She is survived by her husband, Earl Allred, of Vernal; three children including Raymond Allred, of Sandy, Utah (married to Carol Pfeifer); Linda Steele of Vernal (married to Larry Steele); David Allred of Rangely (married to Joanne Hickey); a daughter-in-law, Mary Ann Pickens Allred, of Rangely; 18 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. She also has two living sisters (Carol Cook, Loraine Lee and Elaine Hererra), and one half-brother (Rusty Campbell).
She is preceded in death by her son, James Allred; one grandson, Benjamin James Steele; and two sisters (Betty Jensen and Thella Plazola).
Services were held April 30 at the Davis 4th Ward Chapel. A viewing immediately preceded the funeral.
The family wishes to thank hospice workers, ward members and many friends who helped throughout her illness. Your kindness will not be forgotten.
Carrie Ann Brown
January 18, 1933 ~ April 18, 2003
Carrie Ann Brown, 70, passed away April 18, 2003, at the Memorial Hospital in Craig. Brown was born Jan. 18, 1933, in Cheyenne Wells, Colo., to Harry and Evelyn (Stohl) Higgins, but spent most of her life on the Western Slope. She was raised and attended school in Meeker, graduating from Meeker High School in 1951. She married Charles E. Brown on Aug. 26, 1951. Carrie and Charlie lived in several places across the Western Slope, moving where Charlie's job as a District Wildlife Manager took them, raising five children and making many friends along the way. For the last 30 years, they have lived near Craig, 20 years in Maybell and the last five in their home near Hamilton.
Carrie worked at Western United Realty, in Craig, for the last 25 years, and had recently retired. She served on the board of realtors, one year as president. She was active in her community and belonged to the Eastern Star and the Meeker Old-timers Club. She was a former member of Jacettes and worked many years with the Rainbow Girls. Carrie was chosen Craig's Outstanding Woman of the Year in 1968. She enjoyed her family, her friends and her work.
Brown was survived by her husband, Charles E. Brown; daughters Lecia (Craig) Davis of Seattle, Wash., and Linnea (Dean) Stumpf of Greeley, Colo.; sons Chris (Judy) Brown and Lance Brown of Craig and Kent (Debora) Brown of Aurora, Colo.; grandchildren Bret Davis, Dan and Dylan Brown, Mark and Matt Stumpf, Destiny and Issac and Hannah Brown; great-grandchildren Jacob, Alexander and Jadyn; mother Evelyn Higgins of Grand Junction, Colo.; sisters Fern Chase and Peggy Oldland of Grand Junction and Lois Radcliff of Fallon, Nev.; and one brother Larry Higgins of Farmington, N.M.
Memorial services were held April 22, 2003, at St. James Episcopal Church in Meeker, officiated by Father Stephen Samples. Memorial contributions may be made to the Board of Realtors Scholarship Fund in care of Grant Mortuary, 621 Yampa Ave., Craig, Colo. 81625.
Steven Kregg Thornburg
November 22, 1947 ~ April 1, 2003
Steven Kregg Thornburg, 55, died at his home in Grand Junction, Colo., on April 1, 2003. He was surrounded by loved ones.
Thornburg was born Nov. 22, 1947, in Paonia, Colo., to Vance and Evaline (Rhodes) Thornburg and spent his childhood in Paonia, Arizona, Indiana and California where he was graduated from La Sierra High School in 1966.
He spent many summers in Meeker and participated in the fourth of July pageant.
Thornburg received a bachelor of arts from the University of California in Santa Barbara in 1970. He taught in Mesa County Valley School District No. 51 and became a special education program spe#####t.
Thornburg touched the lives of so many people. His main emphasis in life, besides his family was children; especially those with special needs whom he often called, 'my kids.'Among other awards he was recognized by the Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health and received the 'National Making A Difference Award' in Washington, D.C.
His hobbies were music, camping, skiing, backpacking and fishing, boating on Lake Powell and speaking about 'his' special children. His passion was his family and the special joy of his grandchildren: he enjoyed teaching them about geology, astronomy and the outdoors and making Web sites.
He will be remembered by many in this community, especially those children he helped or mentored others to help. He was a teacher and best friend to all, but he will be remembered mostly as a loving husband, father and grandfather. He will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his mother Evaline, wife, Judy; sons, Preston and wife Louise, Jeff and wife Pam; three grandchildren, Kyle, Jake, Abrey; and two step-grandchildren, Jeffrey and Cassidy, all of Grand Junction; two brothers, Treve (Mikie) and Hal (Kathleen); and one sister, Danise (Don); Thornburg is also survived by his wife's family: Jim and Shirley Jeffryes and their children Jannie, Jim (Bernadette) and Bill and many nieces and nephews.
His father, Vance Thornburg, preceded him in death.
A celebration of his life was in Grand Junction April 5, 2003.
Gail M. Waller
September 21, 1948 ~ March 22, 2003
Memorial services for Gail M. Waller, 54, of Riverton, Wyo., were held March 29, at the Davis Funeral Home of Riverton.
A memorial will be held at Little Warm Springs in Dubois in late June. Waller died March 22, 2003.
Gail Marie Laver was born Sept. 21, 1948, in Berwyn, Ill. She grew up in Lakeland, Fla. She had lived in Riverton for approximately three years, employed most of that time at Riverton Safeway.
Prior to coming to Riverton, she lived in Cheyenne, Meeker and Dubois.
Her family said she enjoyed playing golf, reading, crossword puzzles and cooking.
They said she had a great sense of humor. Survivors include a son, Clay Douglas Waller and wife, Angie, of Littleton, Colo.; her mother, Alice Maxine Laver and brother, Craig Douglas Laver and family of Lakeland, Fla.; a sister, Ann Avery of Riverton; five nieces and nephews living in Lakeland, Tempe, Ariz., and Seattle, Wash.
She was preceded in death by her father, Frank C. Laver, Jr. Arrangement were by the Davis Funeral Home of Riverton.
Clarence Lloyd McCracken
October 6, 1941 ~ March 28, 2003
Clarence Lloyd McCracken, 61, passed away on March 28 at his home in Saguache. McCracken was born Oct. 6, 1941, in Chillicothe, Mo., to Clyde Franklin and Luetta Livina (Roney) McCracken.
McCracken was the fourth child and third son in a line of seven children. He had four brothers and two sisters.
McCracken served in the US Army from 1959 to 1963. He was skilled in many areas, cowboy, farmer, hard rock mines, managed a gold mine, truck driver, oil fields and as a carpenter.
He owned a produce company, salvage company, trucking company and a laundry mat.
He built birdhouses, wishing wells and many things out of wood. He loved to work with his hands.
McCracken loved nothing better than to go fishing, hunting, camping, hiking or just roaming about looking at all the beautiful things God had made.
His best days were being with his children and grandchildren. He loved them very much and will be greatly missed.
He had many friends and he cherished each friendship more then gold. He would say, 'If you have a heart full of love, family and friends, then you are very fortunate indeed, and rich beyond measure.' He always had a kind word and smile for everyone.
McCracken is survived by his children, Tammie (Jim) Breeden and children of Chillicothe, Mo., Lloyd (Angie) McCracken and children of Saguache, Scotty McCracken and children of Saguache and Crystal (Eddie) Caughran and children of Chillicothe, Mo.; siblings, Clyde McCracken of Chillicothe, Mo., Joyce (Ralph) McMinn of Aztec, N.M., Paul (Waltraud) McCracken of Rangely, William (Lorna) McCracken of Thorton, and one brother-in-law, Albert Mott of Vernal, Utah, many nieces and nephews and numerous special friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Luetta, one brother, one sister and one grandchild.
Viewing was held April 2, 2003, at the Pitkin Avenue Baptist Church, in Saguache.
Funeral services were held April 3 also at the Pitkin Avenue Baptist Church, with internment on April 4 at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado in Grand Junction.
Arrangements were made under the direction Stohmayer's Funeral Home.
Albert E. Hanvey
November 29, 1927 ~ April 9, 2003
Albert E. Hanvey, 75, of Dinosaur died April 9, 2003, in the Extended Care Center of the Rangely District Hospital.
Mr. Hanvey was born Nov. 29, 1927, in Griggs, Okla. to William and Bessie (Fancher) Hanvey. On Jan. 20, 1951, he was united in marriage to Emma Jean Antene who preceded him in death on April 2, 1999.
Hanvey served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict and later moved to Rangely where he worked for over 25 years for Colorado Well Service. Following his retirement he and his wife traveled and lived in various cities before returning to Dinosaur 15 years ago.
He enjoyed the outdoors, arrowhead hunting, fishing and hunting.
Survivors include two children, Dana Hanvey and his wife Debbie of Glade Park and Diana Payne and her husband Alvin of Rangely; three grandchildren, Michael Hanvey; Nathan Hanvey and his wife April and Kayla Hanvey; two step-granddaughters, Jessica and Jackie; four great-grandchildren, Hannah; Colton; Avery and Hunter as well as three sisters, Gertrude Williams of Keyes, Okla.; Hazel Spradlin and Helen Martin of Mesa, Ariz.; three brothers, Arthur Hanvey of Beaver, Okla.; Robert Hanvey of Keyes; and Don Hanvey of Marietta, Okla.
Graveside services were held April 12 in the Rangely Cemetery with Randall Cochran officiating.
Rangely Mortuary has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Edna Mae Brannan
February 20, 1927 ~ April 6, 2003
Edna Mae Brannan, 76, of Maybell died April 6, 2003, at Valley View Manor in Craig, Colo.
Brannan was born Feb. 20, 1927, just west of Craig to John and Goldie (Eckternkamp) Gerber. She was raised and attended school in Craig where she was graduated. She married Dale Brannan on July 11, 1948, in Craig. Following their marriage they lived on upper Greasewood and in 1956 moved to Maybell where Edna and Dale lived for the remainder of their lives. Edna enjoyed sewing, was excellent at embroidery and enjoyed being with her family.
Survivors include on daughter, Louise Irvine of Lander, Wyo.; sons Pat and Glenda Brannan of Hayden, Colo., and Wayne and Fred Brannan both of Maybell; grandchildren Laura Oatman, Jessica and Thomas Brannan and Aaron and Dale Irvine; sisters Mary Black of Montrose, Colo., Norma Herman of Colorado and Arizona, Goldie Arroyo of Craig and Judy Ruth of Riverton, Wyo.; brothers Eldon, Erv, Jim and Steve Gerber all of Craig.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Maxine and Ruby and brothers Leonard, Carl and John, her husband Dale and an infant son and daughter.
Memorial services were held April 11 at Maybell Community Church. Memorial contributions can be made to the Maybell Community Fund in care of Grant Mortuary, 621 Yampa Ave., Craig, Colo. 81625.
Kathryn Buffham
June 24, 1916 ~ April 2, 2003
Kathryn Buffham, 86, of Maybell died April 2, 2003, at the Walbridge Memorial Wing in Meeker.
Anita Kathryn Ramsey was born June 24, 1916, in Iliff, Colo., the daughter of Guy and Floy (Blackburn) Ramsey. In the mid-1950s, she was united in marriage to L.C. 'Jim' Buffham who has preceded her in death as have two children, Carol and Sue, one sister, Helen and one brother Sonny.
For many years, Mrs. Buffham worked as the librarian in Maybell. She enjoyed crocheting, sewing, painting and was quite a musician.
Survivors include one son, Jim Buffham and his wife Pam of Maybell; 11 grandchildren, Valorie (Tye) Farrell of Grand Junction; James Leesen of Farmington, N.M.; Monte Sheridan of Texas; Wanda Hefley of Rangely; Tina Peoples of Colorado Springs; Stan and Tuffy and Rowell Sheridan, all of Rangely; Nigel Stanton of Rangely; Ramsey (Melanie) Buffham of Caldwell, Idaho; Connie (Tim) Bailey of Eureka, Nev., as well as 20 great grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at a later date in the Maybell Park.
Meeker Mortuary was entrusted with the funeral arrangements.
