Obituaries

Aug 13, 2023

Jim Watt passed away at the age of 83 at 11:00 PM, Sunday, August 13th, 2023 after spending several months at Mercy Hospice House. Jim, a native of Grants Pass, Oregon, had a generous heart, an indomitable will, a complex and brilliant mind -- and an irrepressible laugh. After a tour of duty in the US Marines, stationed in Japan,...

Aug 10, 2023

Michael Matthew Thornton, born January 25,1955, in Minneapolis MN, died peacefully at home in Durango Colorado, August 10, 2023. Michael, also known as Mike, Thorny, Padge, is survived by his wife Diane (Phillips), brother Jay, sons Sean and Patrick, and beloved dog, Whiskey. Maybe he was born a century (or two) too late, but he was always ready to help...

Aug 10, 2023

Richard Winn, 78, of Durango, Colorado, died 8/10/2023 at Mercy Regional Hospital. Born 12/8/1944. After losing his battle with cancer, he is survived by his wife of 45 years, Cindy Winn; his daughter, Ricinda (Harley) Smith; grandsons, Lincoln and Lawrence and brothers Garry and Larry Winn. Services will be held at a later date.

Aug 10, 2023

Joyce Danford was born in St. Louis, MO. She grew up in Ignacio, Colorado; Durango, Colorado; and the Panama Canal Zone. She moved back to the States at age 18. She married Joseph Franklin Danford, Jr., on May 12, 1951. They had four children. They lived in multiple states during the growing up years of the children. Joseph and Joyce...

Aug 9, 2023

Marilyn Holtus, 81, of Arboles, Colorado, died 8/9/2023 at Mercy Regional Medical Center. Born 5/22/1942. She is survived by her sons, John (Samantha) Williams, Duane (Teri) Williams, Jimmy Williams; Grandchildren, Dillon, Emily, TJ, Trevor, Garrett, Timmy, Josh; Great-granddaughter, Belle; Sister, Zelma (Dan) Piccone. Service will be held at a later date.

Aug 5, 2023

Sharon Alice Tate passed away in Hospice at Mercy Hospital on August 5th, 2023.  Sharon was 69 years of age.  Sharon was born in the Evanston Hospital in Evanston Illinois on October 16th, 1953. Her parents were George Spencer Tate and Jeannine Agnes Reichelt. Shortly after her birth, George and Jeannine moved with Sharon to Denver Colorado, where Sharon grew...

Aug 4, 2023

Jane passed away at Junction Creek Nursing Home on Friday August 4, 2023. Jane and her husband Bob have lived in Arboles CO. for over 20 years after retiring. She enjoyed traveling around the world and loved working with the children in all places she visited. Jane loved to paint and work on her hobbies. She is preceded in death...

Jul 29, 2023

Marilyn Schmidt, 90, of Durango, Colorado, died on July 29, 2023, surrounded by family. She was born on July 27, 1933 in Ohio.

She is survived by her children: Katharine & Kurt Schmidt; nieces and nephews: Dick, Dot, Bob, William & Carolyn; and extended family & wonderful friends. Marilyn was a member & past deacon of the First Presbyterian Church...

Jul 28, 2023

Jul 25, 2023

Janet Sue Armstrong was born January 2nd, 1941, at the Santa Fe railroad hospital in La Junta Colorado to Joe and Elda Armstrong. Her father was an engineer and worked for the Santa Fe railroad and her Mother was a homemaker and baker extraordinaire. Janet was raised in La Junta and she passed along many wonderful memories of her life...

Jul 24, 2023

Diane Louise Skinner, 79, of Durango, Colorado, died 7/24/2023, at home, Born 12/23/1943. A service will be held at 3:00pm July 31, 2023 at Hood Mortuary Chapel 1261 E. 3rd Ave. Durango CO. 81301. Diane was a long time resident of Durango, she was a Medical Technician at Mercy Medical Center. Diane has been a member of Summit Church of...

Jul 22, 2023

Retired La Plata County District Court Judge and State of Colorado Senior Judge, James (“Jim”) Dobson Childress, died peacefully on 22 July 2023, in the same Childress family home on 5 th Avenue in Durango where he was born, with his loving wife, Nadine Marks, at his side. He was 92.

Jim was born 7 September 1930 to Dr. Thomas...

Jul 21, 2023

John Austin Decker was born on August 6, 1949 to Austin and Vera (Nagle) Decker in Durango, Colorado.  He passed away on July 21, 2023 at his home in Cope, Colorado at the age of 73.  

  John graduated from Durango High School and later attended Colorado State University and Fort Lewis College.  

  John married Terry (Middleton) Decker on...

Jul 20, 2023

Robert Charles Sexton, age 96, passed away on July 20, 2023 at his home in Durango with his loving wife, Karen, by his side. Robert (Bob) was born in 1927 in Nickerson, NE to Ernest and Effie Sexton, deceased.

Bob loved his Country and was a true patriot. He joined the US Navy at the age of 17 and served...

Jul 18, 2023

Raymond Lewis Wells, a longtime La Plata County resident passed away on July 18, 2023.

Mr. Wells was born to Orby Lewis and Essie Grey Wells on November 18, 1935 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His family moved to Bayfield, Colorado in 1937 where Raymond’s father managed a gas station.

Mr. Wells attended Bayfield schools up though high school, graduating in 1953....

Jul 13, 2023

Joanne Misener of Durango, Colorado passed away on July 13th, 2023 at the age of 88 years young. Joanne lived a full life and will always be remembered for her infectious laugh and stunning creativity. 

Joanne was born to Art and Myrna Bender in Seattle, Washington on October 11th, 1934. As a child she enjoyed playing football, roller skating and...