Obituaries

Donnie Fortune

Donnie Fortune

Apr 11, 2025

Don was born in Mannheim, Germany, and came to the United States as a young child. Eventually settling in Phoenix, Arizona, he worked as an audio visual technician and eventually as a driver. Don was mechanically gifted, and enjoyed playing his guitar. He left Arizona`s intense heat for the mountains of Colorado, where he spent his last years. Donnie is...

Donald Ray Brockus

Donald Ray Brockus

Apr 7, 2025

Born December 2, 1953, Don passed away in his home, on Historic Third Avenue, Monday, April 7, 2025. Our family would like to thank First Responders – inclusive of friends, colleagues, and the innovative CORE Team – for their diligent attempts to administer life-saving measures, as well as support thereafter. Don lived a life full of purpose and intention; he...

Kristen L. Hartzell

Kristen L. Hartzell

Apr 5, 2025

Kristen was born in Erie, PA; she graduated from Iroquois High School and attended Penn State University. A trip around the country with her family when she was six spurred a strong interest in traveling. She moved to Colorado in 1978; Bayfield has been her home for over 25 years. An avid reader she majored in journalism at Penn State,...

Wallace John "Wally" Patcheck

Wallace John "Wally" Patcheck

Apr 4, 2025

Wallace John Patcheck, known to his friends and family as Wally, passed away peacefully at his ranch on April 4, 2025, at the age of 87.

Wally was born on July 21, 1937, in Hesperus, Colorado, to Herman and Louise Patcheck. He attended Thompson Park School through 8th grade and later transferred to Durango High School, where he graduated at the...

Christopher Earl Charley-Suarez

Christopher Earl Charley-Suarez

Apr 4, 2025

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Christopher Charley-Suarez, who passed away on April 4, 2025, at the age of 34. Chris was a beloved son, brother, and friend. He is survived by his mother, Gloria Charley, father, Candido Suarez, and siblings Randale Charley, Chelsea Charley-Suarez, and Clifton Charley-Suarez. A memorial service will be held on...

Roger Alan Roots

Roger Alan Roots

Mar 31, 2025

Roger Alan Roots departed this life peacefully and entered into eternal rest with his Lord and Savior on March 31st, 2025, at the age of 65 years and 4 months old. Humbly stating that Roger had just retired from the Durango School District 9R, mid 2023, after his devoted 18 years of loyal employment. Roger was loved by many, especially...

William Carl Hobbs

William Carl Hobbs

Mar 31, 2025

Will Hobbs, 77, passed away on March 31, 2025 in Durango CO. Born William Carl Hobbs in Pittsburgh PA on August 22, 1947, he was third of the five children of Gregory James Hobbs and Mary Ann Rhodes Hobbs. The Hobbs were an Air Force family, with Will’s formative years spent in the Canal Zone, Virginia, Alaska Territory, California, and...

Joann B. Nevils

Joann B. Nevils

Mar 24, 2025

Joann B. Nevils passed away Monday, March 24, 2025, in Durango, surrounded by love. She was 78 years old.

Joann was born March 1, 1947, to Francis & Janet Blankenship in San Diego, California. She grew up in the La Jolla area and graduated from La Jolla High School. She loved playing tennis, volleyball, and spending time at the beach.

After leaving...

Evelyn LaVonne Elston (McCoy)

Evelyn LaVonne Elston (McCoy)

Mar 23, 2025

Evelyn LaVonne Elston (McCoy), born August 5, 1937, Durango, Colorado passed peacefully, surrounded by family, at Cottonwood Inn, Durango on March 23, 2025. Services will be held Friday, April 11, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Calvary Presbyterian Church in Bayfield.

LaVonne grew up in Bayfield, Colorado surrounded by both her parents’ extended family, graduating from Bayfield High School in 1955. She...

Adam Nicholas Garcia

Adam Nicholas Garcia

Mar 23, 2025

Adam Nicholas Garcia was born on December 2, 1981 in Cortez Colorado. He was the son of Johnny and Gloria Garcia and the youngest brother to John and Pat Garcia. He graduated Mancos high school in 2000. Adam worked in the construction industry. Adam‘s interest were the outdoors, fishing, and hunting. Funeral services will be held on March 28, 2025...

Steven Miller

Steven Miller

Mar 21, 2025

Steve Miller (1949 - 2025), was beloved by his family and those who knew him. You can't think of Steve and not hear his resounding laugh and smile to yourself. He was always up in the morning to snow blow the neighbors' sidewalks, go to work, pack up the family for a trip to the lake, go skiing, or head...

Joan Dunlevy Southcotte

Joan Dunlevy Southcotte

Mar 18, 2025

In Loving Memory of Joan Dunlevy Southcotte

Joan was born to David and Adele Dunlevy on the Jersey Shore. She loved the beach, roller skating and playing the clarinet in the Pleasantville High School Marching Band. She was also an accomplished pianist. Her life took an adventurous turn when she met and married Chuck Southcotte, a Colorado cowboy and Navy air...

Leonard O. Rice

Leonard O. Rice

Mar 18, 2025

Leonard O. Rice, 92, a retired Minot, ND businessman, died peacefully at his home in Pagosa Springs, CO, the evening of March 18th, 2025, a short five months after his wife, Marian had passed.

Leonard Olia Rice was born March 4th, 1933, on the family farm east of Mohall, ND, to (Peder) Milton and Bertina (Ostlund) Rice. Leonard grew up working...

Bruce B. Stuart

Bruce B. Stuart

Mar 17, 2025

Bruce B. Stuart, 83, of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, passed away peacefully at home on March 17 after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Born on February 21, 1942, in Glendale, California, to John and Margaret Stuart, Bruce embraced life with a sharp mind, a generous spirit, and an adventurous heart. He is survived by his beloved wife of 34 years,...

Frank J. Campana

Frank J. Campana

Mar 9, 2025

Frank J. Campana passed away peacefully Sunday March 9, 2025 at his home in Durango, CO at the age of 90. Frank was born to Joseph and Helen Campana on June 23, 1934 in Garfield Heights Ohio. The family moved to Louisville Colorado in 1935 where Frank met and married his high school sweetheart Katherine Smith.

Frank and Katherine were married...

Samuel Rae Gettman

Samuel Rae Gettman

Mar 8, 2025

Samuel Rae Gettman, 82, passed away March 8, 2025, at home in Pagosa Springs, CO, under the care of Hospice of Mercy. No services are planned at this time.

He was born and raised August 4, 1942 to Robert and Elizabeth Gettman in Greeley, Colorado. He was married November 27, 1971, to Beverly Richison. Samuel spent many years driving commercial trucks...

Carol Ruth Hansen

Carol Ruth Hansen

Mar 8, 2025

 Carol was born and raised in Endicott, NY. She graduated from Union-Endicott High School in the class of 1955. In 1957, she married Thomas W. Hansen. Tom worked for IBM, and in 1965, they had the opportunity to relocate from Poughkeepsie, New York, to Boulder, Colorado. They moved their family there and raised their two daughters in Boulder, spending much...

Donald A. Greve

Donald A. Greve

Mar 7, 2025

Donald Albert Greve passed away March 7, 2025 at Sunshine Gardens Memory Care in Durango. His wife, Sharon and his daughters, Gretchen and Idelle were by his side. 

Don was born to Walter and Ethel Greve October 4, 1934 in Pueblo Co. He graduated from Centennial High school then attended the University of Colorado in Boulder. He graduated with a degree...

Barbara "Bobbe" Jeanette Kraayenbrink

Barbara "Bobbe" Jeanette Kraayenbrink

Mar 2, 2025

Born at home in Pico, CA on 2/13/1930 to Cyrus and Fern Eshelman, she was the youngest of 4 children. With 3 older brothers: Grayston, William and Reed, she grew up strong and fearless! Her parents owned and operated a small restaurant called “The Naughty Noodle”, where Bobbe worked after school once she was old enough. She loved music and...

Ronald Yellowbird

Ronald Yellowbird

Mar 2, 2025

Ronald “Wee Nuche” Yellowbird was born on March 15, 1954 to the late John S. Williams and the Late Wanda M. Accuttroop American Horse. Ronald passed away peacefully at his residence that he shared with his wife Lynda and son Badger. 

Ronald grew up on the Ute reservation in Fort Duchesne Utah. Surrounded by his Ute grandmothers, grandfathers, uncles and aunts,...