From Rio Blanco County, Colorado:
Clarence V. Messenger
June 23, 1923 ~ December 18, 2003
Clarence V. Messenger, 80, of Grand Junction and formerly Rangely resident passed away Dec. 18 at St. Mary’s Hospital.
Born to Charles and Phiana Messenger on June 23, 1923, in Brighton, Iowa, he was the youngest of 11 children. He worked for the U.S. B.O.R. and retired from Flaming Gorge Dam, Utah, as a control room operator in 1984. He was proud to have served in the U.S. Army Air Force during WWII as a mechanic.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Viola and three daughters, Linda Blanchard (Warren) of Dutch John, Utah; Barbara of Grand Junction and Joan of Colorado Springs. Two sisters, Wilma and Osie of Washington, Iowa; 12 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. After retirement, they enjoyed working as camp ground hosts in Colorado, Utah, Arizona and Oregon. They attended Clifton Christian Church.
There was a private viewing Monday, Dec. 22 at 11 a.m. at Martin Mortuary at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to the VFW Clifton Post #4663, 3244 F 1/4 Road, Clifton, Colo. 81520.
Karl R. Cox
October 24, 1929 ~ December 19, 2003
Lifelong Rio Blanco County resident Karl R. Cox, 74, died Dec. 19, 2003, at his ranch home south of Meeker.
Karl was born Oct. 24, 1929, on the family ranch, the son of Luther Orson and Effie Ellen (Gillaspie) Cox. He attended Meeker schools and in 1951 was inducted into the United States Army. Following his discharge he returned to Meeker where he resumed the ranch work he loved and was admired for throughout his life. He will long be remembered for be a man of deep integrity with a true sense of honesty.
Survivors include his wife, Nancy (Rienau) Cox of the family home, three daughters, Ellen (Lester) Jerome and Ruth Ann Cox, both of Meeker, Mary (David) Brown of Rangely; eight grandchildren, Karl R. (Caron) Wakefield and Karolyn Wakefield, both of Meeker; Bo (Cory) Cox of Fruita; Jerry Cox and Krystal Wakefield, both of Meeker; Hollie Brueggeman of Rangely, Kyle Brueggeman of Fruita and Michael Parker of Rangely. He is also survived by five great-grandchildren, Jazzmyne, Ambriel, Pauton, Joelle and Anna, two sister-in-laws, Shirley Cox of Rangely, Doris Valora of Tijeras, N.M., and his nieces and nephews, Wade and Dean Cox of Rangely, Jack Valora of Cheyenne, Wyo., June Valora of Greeley and Donna Valora of Albuquerque, N.M.
Funeral services were held Monday, Dec. 22 from the Meeker Ward Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Interment was made in the Highland Cemetery of Meeker under the direction of Cochran Memorial Chapel.
Mildred LaVerne McCarver
November 19, 1931 ~ December 17, 2003
Mildred LaVerne Mc-Carver, 72, long time resident of Rangely, currently living in Fruita, passed away Dec. 17.
Services were held at the First Baptist Church of Rangely on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2003. Interment followed in the Rangely Cemetery.
Mildred was born to Ida Belle and Edward Nitzschke in Limestone County, Texas, on Nov. 19, 1931. She married Howard Franklin McCarver on Jan. 24, 1954, in Marlin, Texas, at the United Methodist Church. Howard preceded her in death on Dec. 21, 1988. Mildred was graduated from Marlin High School at the age of 16 and then enrolled in a business school, earning a certificate of completion one-year later. After marriage Mildred followed Howard to Colorado, where he resided and worked for Chevron Pipeline Company.
Mildred had various bookkeeping jobs before having children. She returned back to work several years later and was employed at the accounting office in Rangely where she worked from 1968 to 1990. Mildred, also known as Millie, served as the church secretary and treasurer for the First Baptist Church in Rangely, and donated her time and talents to the Rangely Cemetery District. Millie enjoyed time with her family and friends, reading, watching sports, sewing, fishing and gardening.
Mildred is survived by two daughters; Karen Harper (Gregg) of Loma, Colo., Melissa Strickler (Robert) of Katy, Texas, two sisters; Norma Cuviello (Patrick) of Corsicana, Texas, Jo Sommerville (Tom) of Graham, Texas, six grandchildren; Quentin Harper, Amanda Orr, Austin Harper, Taylor Harper, Tessa Strickler and Maxwell Strickler, three great-grandchildren; Cali Harper, Cheyanne Harper, and Carly Orr. Millie also leaves behind her beloved dog, Andy Busch.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Rangely or The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Donations can be sent in care of Cochran Memorial Chapels, P.O. Box 351 Rangely, Colo., 81648.
Timothy Leonard Smith
April 13, 1965 ~ December 15, 2003
Timothy Leonard Smith, 38, of Sidney, Neb., passed away Dec. 15 at Memorial Health Center in Sidney. Timothy was born April 13, 1965 in Rangely to Leonard William and Doris Mae (Koch) Smith.
Timothy loved music, his family, God, going to church and taking communion, his dog Snuggles and playing ball. He was in the BOCES program in Rangely and worked at the Office of Human Development in Sidney.
Timothy touched people’s lives in many different ways, and will be greatly missed by family and friends. He was preceded in death by brothers, Timothy William and Neal William Smith, father Leonard William Smith, grandparents Vernon and Nina Koch, and Harvey and Mary Smith.
He is survived by his mother, Doris Mae Smith of Boulder and sister Natalie Smith of Corona Del Mar, Calif.
Funeral services were held Thursday, Dec. 18 at 10 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Sidney, Neb. with Pastor Bradley Heinecke officiating. Graveside service and burial followed at 2 p.m. in the Haxtun Cemetery, Haxtun Colo. Services were directed by Baucke Funeral Home of Yuma, Colo. Memorial contributions may be made in Timothy’s name and sent to Doris Mae Smith at 4309 Clay Commons Court, Boulder, Colo., 80303.
Elizabeth “Betty” P. Young
February 8, 1929 ~ December 19, 2003
Elizabeth “Betty” P. Young, 74, of Rangely, died Dec. 19, 2003, in the Long Term Care Unit of the Rangely District Hospital.
Young was born Feb. 8, 1929, in Durango, the daughter of Otto and Pearl (McClendon) Garner. On Nov. 5, 1946, she was united in marriage to Willis Young in Aztec, N.M. The couple resided in Durango where Mrs. Young managed the cafeteria at Durango High School.
Young loved to work in her flowerbeds and was known for her prize-winning roses. In 1994 the Young’s moved to Rangely to be near their daughter and her family.
In addition to her husband, Willis, of the family home, she is survived by her daughter Jackie (George) Fortunato of Rangely, one son, Dennis (Karen) Young of Durango, four grandchildren, Lisa, Brian and Paul Fortunato and Deck Schaline and six great-grandchildren, Jacob, Brendan, Madeline, Corra, Mason and Kayla. She is also survived by one sister, Louise Hankins and one brother Larry Garner, both of Ignacio.
Funeral services were held Monday, Dec. 22 from St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Rangely. Interment was made in the Rangely Cemetery.
Cochran Memorial Chapel was entrusted with the funeral arrangements.
Ellen LeVone Boren Robbins
April 15, 1910 ~ December 20, 2003Ellen
Roosevelt at the Basin Care Center on Dec. 20, 2003
She was born April 15, 1910, in Vernal to Leonard and Flossie Richins Boren.
She married Floyd J. Robins April 5, 1928, that union was later sealed in the Salt Lake LDS Temple Sept. 4, 1953. They were married 71 years and received a Commendation from Governor Michael J. Leavitt for their long and faithful marriage and family life.
They had four children Opal Robbins (Jarrell) Massey of Meeker; Veyon Robbins (Vern) Wagner of Hartsel; Floyd Gary (Uldene) Robbins of Delta; Marva Jean Robbins Leatham of Logan, Utah.
Their first home was in Davis Ward. During the depression they moved to Meeker where Floyd worked on the Big Beaver Ranch for W.K. Starbird and later for Dell Owens and Mr. Lockwood. They purchased a ranch up Dry Fork Canyon during WWII, then sold out and moved back to Meeker on the Fred Winslett Ranch. After which they returned to make their home in Vernal until Floyd’s death in 1999.
She lived a good life, and was devoted to her family, husband and her home. She raised a beautiful garden and always had some type of handiwork that she loved to do. She crocheted many afghan’s and embroidered many pillowcase and dresser scarves. She was a good housekeeper and very devoted to her family.
She is survived by 12 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and 36 great great grandchildren.
Funeral Services were held on Dec. 23, 2003, at the Vernal 1st Ward LDS Chapel at 1 p.m. Friends had a viewing on Monday from 6-8 p.m. at Thomson-Blackburn Vernal Mortuary and Tuesday at the church one-hour prior to the services. Burial was in the Vernal Memorial Park under the direction of Thomson-Blackburn Vernal Mortuary.
