Obituaries

Jan 1, 2020

Deon Jean Mertz peacefully passed away on January 1, 2020, at the Mercy Hospice House in Durango. She was 92. Funeral Services will be held at The Summit Church (First United Methodist), 2917 Aspen Drive, Durango, Colorado at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 11, 2020. Deon was born to Carl and Leona Eklund on May 4, 1927 in Lyndon, Kansas....

Dec 31, 2019

Dec 30, 2019

The Western World of Mary Harris Wanted: Energetic, interested young person to learn ranching from the ground up. No experience necessary, but must be willing to tackle everything cheerfully. During trial month, fee is . If accepted, room and board will be provided. Apply at the Klondike Ranch in Buffalo, Wyoming. Applicant: Mary Santee. Qualifications: New graduate of Brown University...

Dec 29, 2019

Augustus "Gus" Benjamin Fletcher passed away Sunday, December 29, 2019. He was 25 years old. Gus was born February 4, 1994, to Benjamin and Lori Fletcher in Hood River, Oregon. He grew up and attended school in Hood River and it was there that he met Amy. They were later married on August 18, 2012. Gus enlisted in the U.S....

Dec 29, 2019

Mike A.Garcia, 94, of Durango, Colorado,died 12/29/2019 at home, surrounded by family. Born 12/20/1925. He is survived by his children: Barbara, Charlotte (Tony), David & Carol Garcia; grandchildren: Jason (Maxine), Jessica Garcia & Amelia (Alex) Lopez; great-grandchildren: Mark, Joseph, Nathaniel & Destinee; siblings: Alfred, Isaac, Virginia, Chris, Arthur & Gilbert Garcia, Elizabeth Lucero, Lydia Silva & Cecilia Tucker. He was...

Dec 28, 2019

Dale L. Collett Dale L. Collett was born on July 6, 1950 in Brush, CO and entered heaven to spend eternity with Jesus on December 28, 2019. He married Marilyn Theis in 1970 in Pueblo, CO and they have one daughter, Kendra, of Durango. They would have celebrated their 50th Anniversary in February 2020. Dale graduated from Englewood High School...

Dec 26, 2019

Cordy Valencia passed away Thursday, December 26, 2019, in Apache Junction, Arizona at the home of her son Jimmy Lee and daughter-in-law Diane. She moved to Arizona to be treated for a newly-diagnosed illness and cared for by her family, she was 89 years old. She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Bennie, and her brother...

Dec 23, 2019

Barbara Jo (B-Jo) Hatten, wife of Creighton Lee Hatten, entered heaven on December 23, 2019. She had a very full life of 87 years before passing away peacefully surrounded by her family at the wonderful Mercy Hospice House. Born in Goshen, Indiana, B-Jo and Creighton spent many of their years in sunny Florida before moving to Durango, CO in the...

Dec 22, 2019

Esther R. Buswell, longtime Durango resident, passed away Saturday, December 22, 2018 in Tucson, AZ, where she had been residing for health reasons. Esther was born July 28, 1917 in Beach, N.D., the last of six children of Emory and Mamie (Myers) Percell. The family moved from N.D. to Bayfield, CO when she was 5 years old. She attended grammar...

Dec 22, 2019

DURANGO - William “Bill” James Barkley, III, 78, passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2019 in Durango, CO where he moved in 2016 to be close to family after the passing of his wife, Ellie. Bill was an icon at Sunshine Gardens over the last four years bringing a smile to the face of all who met him, always offering...

Dec 21, 2019

Ernest "Ernie" Dale Shock, born November 26, 1934 in Allison, Colorado, died December 21, 2019 in Durango at the age of 85. He died peacefully in his sleep. Ernie moved to Durango when he was young. Even though Ernie was an only child he grew up having fun with many cousins and made many lifelong friends. He paid for flying...

Dec 20, 2019

Our beloved son, brother, grandson, uncle and nephew, Jesse John Kroon, passed away unexpectedly on December 20, 2019 at the tender young age of 31. Jesse’s love for his family was paramount. He loved to talk with them and tease them. His relationship with his family was important to him. He always knew they’d be there for him and encourage...

Dec 16, 2019

Dixie Lou Naranjo passed away Monday, December 16, 2019, in Durango, surrounded by family. She was 72 years old. Dixie was born December 9, 1947, to Jack and Annetta Frost in Ignacio, Colorado. She grew up in Bayfield and attended Bayfield Schools. Dixie has held the position of the Southern Ute Rodeo Queen, and was an avid softball and basketball...

Dec 15, 2019

Ophelia (Maria Ophelia Olivama) Mestas, life-long resident of the actual Town of Ignacio, passed away surrounded by family. Ophelia was born to Benedita and Crestino Casias in Ignacio in August, but as Mom would say, "My age is for me to know and you to find out!" Her family served the Town in various capacities from an Uncle who was...

Dec 9, 2019

Longtime Durango resident Darrell "Sonny" Trembly died on December 9, 2019 at Mercy Medical Center in Durango. Darrell was born on October 4, 1941 in Grand Junction, CO, to Homer and Helen Trembly. The family moved to Durango when he was 2, where he lived his life. He attended Durango Schools, graduating from DHS in 1959. After attending Adams State...

Dec 1, 2019

Crystal Watts Lucero Hanson left this life surrounded by her family on December 1, 2019 in West Allis, Wisconsin. Crystal was born December 9, 1943 in Ignacio, Colorado. A beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt with a welcoming and warm personality, she will be missed by all who knew her. Crystal was preceded by her mother Ellen House Watts and...

Dec 1, 2019

Dorothy E.Anderson, 81,of Durango, CO,died 12/1/2019 at Mercy Hospice House. Born 9/5/1938. She passed away peacefully in the care of Mercy Hospice. She is survived by her husband, Ronald R. Anderson; 2 sisters, and many nieces and nephews. No service will be held.

Dec 1, 2019

Patricia Ann Wong passed early morning Sunday December 1, 2019 holding the hand of her husband, Willie, in their home in Acton, Massachusetts. Her sons, Jeff and JR were also by her side She was 64 years old. Pat was born in Durango, Colorado to Dominic and Jane Ornella and attended Durango Public Schools where her mother was a music...

Nov 29, 2019

Juanita Jaramillo passed away Friday, November 29, 2019, in Durango. She was 93 years old. Juanita was born August 21, 1926, to Eufemio and Epifania Archuleta in Durango and graduated from Durango High School. She worked as a nurse at Mercy Medical Center and was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, including many social clubs and organizations at...

Nov 29, 2019

Gladys Mae Garnand, 86, of Durango, Colorado, died 11/29/2019 surrounded by family. Born 2/18/1933. Gladys Mae was born on February 18, 1933 in Alhambro, California to Marion W. and Lila M. Wells. She was one of five children. She married James Cornelius Garnand. Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, James, sister, Geraldine, brothers, Myron and Mike,...