Obituaries

Lawanda Rose Wing

Lawanda Rose Wing

Mar 24, 2025

A funeral service for Towaoc residence Lawanda Rose Wing will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 28 Ertel Memorial Chapel, interment will follow at Towaoc Cemetery.

Lawanda was born July 1, 1975, in Durango, CO, Daughter of Edward Wing and Lora Watts. She passed away on Monday, March 24, 2025, at her home with loved ones by her side at...

Annabell Lucille Oster

Annabell Lucille Oster

Mar 20, 2025

Annabell Lucille Oster was born August 27, 1927 in Goodland, KS; she passed away March 20, 2025 at Vista Grande Inn at the age of 97. She was the daughter of Clyde Harley and Emma Lucille (Carlson) Belvill.

Annabell married Eugene William Oster, on July 7, 1951 in Longmont, CO. Annabell was the 1950 Rodeo Queen for the Boulder County Fair...

Ronald Curtis Hamilton

Ronald Curtis Hamilton

Mar 8, 2025

Ronald Curtis Hamilton was born on January 18, 1945, in Kirbyville, Texas. After recently reaching a milestone 80th birthday, he rejoined the heavens on March 8, 2025. Ron was blessed to live his last days surrounded and cared for by his wife and loved ones in the comfort of his own home in Cortez, CO.

Ron grew up in Texas, served...

Frankie LeRoy Gonzales

Frankie LeRoy Gonzales

Mar 8, 2025

Celebration of life for Cortez resident Frankie Leroy Gonzales will be held at 10:00am on Thursday, March 20th at Saint Margaret Mary’s Catholic Church in Cortez, CO. A memorial reception will be held following interment, at 12:00 p.m. at the Dolores Fire Station.  

Frankie was born July 14th, 1952 in Pueblo, CO, the son of Frank and Ruby Gonzales (Vigil). He...

David Orlando Lucero

David Orlando Lucero

Mar 7, 2025

Orly Lucero was born June 11, 1958 and passed March 7, 2025.

Orly was a vibrant, quick witted, friendly soul that always had a helping hand ready for friends and family. Orly loved the work he did with Empire Electric for over 30 years as a Staking Engineer. The effort Orly put into decorating every square inch of his house and...

Dusty Ray Shane Beals

Dusty Ray Shane Beals

Mar 1, 2025

Dusty Ray-Shane Beals passed away at the age of 51 on March 1st, 2025, in a motorcycle accident in Durango, CO. He was doing what he loved with someone he loved. He was a lifelong resident of the Four Corners Area. Dusty was born February 8th, 1974, in Monticello, UT, to Melvin Beals and Sorena Carol (Uptain) Beals-Wilson. Dusty was...

Cynthia Lynn Beckey

Cynthia Lynn Beckey

Feb 27, 2025

Cynthia Lynn Beckey, born August 2, 1964, and passed away February 26, 2025, at her home.

Cindy was a dedicated mother, wife, gardener, and cook. She loved her Lord, and her favorite thing was to help & care for others.

She will be deeply missed by her husband Kevin Beckey of Cortez, CO, son Joshua Beckey of Cortez, CO, and sister Susan...

Ernest Nelson Pullin, Jr.

Ernest Nelson Pullin, Jr.

Feb 24, 2025

Ernest Nelson “Ernie, Bones” Pullin, Jr., age 74 passed away at his residence on Monday, February 24, 2025. He was born September 12, 1950 in Canton, Ohio to the late Ernest Nelson Pullin, Sr. and Rose Ann (Hill) Pullin.

He was raised in Canton, Ohio where he graduated from Timken Vocational High School; and went on to work in the Canton...

Burson Leon Koppenhafer

Burson Leon Koppenhafer

Feb 21, 2025

 Burson L. Koppenhafer of Cortez, Colorado, passed away February 21, 2025, at the age of 80. Burson was born in Cortez, The tenth out of thirteen children of Ellen (Wofford) and George Koppenhafer. He attended school at Blue Door Elementary and graduated from Cortez High School in 1964. He got his bachelor’s in business at Western State College in Gunnison,...

Edward William Goodall

Edward William Goodall

Feb 20, 2025

"May the work I have done speak for me."

Edward (Eddie) William Goodall was born October 3, 1934, in a rock house in Lebanon, Colorado to Willis Edward and Lola Mae Goodall. He passed away on February 20, 2025, in Cortez, Colorado, surrounded by his loving family. Eddie was 90 years old.

Eddie brought joy to his family, friends, and co-workers. 

To say...

Franklin Harold Ford

Franklin Harold Ford

Feb 18, 2025

Franklin Harold Ford was born January 8, 1943, in Cortez, Colorado, the second son of Thomas Franklin and Margaret Ethel (Leonard) Ford. He passed away Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at his residence, with his wife at his side at the age of 82. 

Harold graduated from MCHS in 1961. He Married his high school sweetheart, Janice Cox, June 23, 1962. He...

Daisy Tennessee Mahaffey

Daisy Tennessee Mahaffey

Feb 18, 2025

Daisy Tennessee Mahaffey was born September 3rd, 1933 in Arriola, Colorado, the daughter of John and Viola Johns. She passed away on Tuesday, February 18th, 2025 at her home in Cortez, CO, surrounded by her children. She passed away at the age of 91.

She married Charles L. Mahaffey on November 23rd, 1956 in Aztec, NM, and they spent 50 years...

Helen Alexandria Ayers

Helen Alexandria Ayers

Feb 15, 2025

 With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Helen Alexandra Ayers, who peacefully departed this life on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at the age of 88. Born in Cahone, Colorado, on March 18, 1936, Helen was the beloved daughter of Emery and Stella Sabo.

Helen lived a life full of purpose and passion. She was a blue-ribbon winner, a Licensed Practical...

Anna Belle Erickson

Anna Belle Erickson

Feb 13, 2025

 Celebration of life well lived for Ann Erickson a 50-year resident of Cortez and a native Coloradoan will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 21, at Ertel Funeral Home. 

Ann was born August 21, 1925, in Ridgway, CO. She was the 4th daughter to Juttie and Daisey (Beach) Price.

She passed away Peacefully Thursday, February 13, 2025, at her daughter’s...

Michael James Linnens

Michael James Linnens

Feb 7, 2025

Graveside services for Michael James Linnens will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 15, 2025 at Summit Ridge Cemetery with Chaplain Marvin Graves officiating.  

Visitation will be held Friday, February 14, 2025 at Ertel Funeral Home from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.  

We would like to invite family and friends to join us at Dolores Community Center immediately following...

Alys May Drummond

Alys May Drummond

Feb 3, 2025

Alys May (Alderton) Drummond was Born August 15, 1930, in Hale, Michigan to Robert and Elma (Putnam) Alderton. She passed away February 3, 2025, at Vista Grande Rehabilitation and Health Center in Cortez, Colorado.

Growing up on a farm, Alys preferred (by her own admission) to be outside helping her dad on the farm or riding horses. 

Alys favorite subjects in school...

Rex Allen Thompson

Rex Allen Thompson

Feb 2, 2025

Rex Allen Thompson of Pleasant View, CO. passed away February 2, 2025, at the age of 62. Rex was born on June 7,1962 to Wilbert Arlen and Patricia Ann (Drager) Thompson in Chamberlain, SD. 

Rex traveled a great deal during his life and experienced many cultures to include places like South Dakota, Nebraska, Alabama and even Germany for several years but,...

Cassandra Philynne Laner

Cassandra Philynne Laner

Feb 2, 2025

Cassandra Philynne Laner was born September 20, 1975 to Phillip (Sr.) and Sandra (Watts) Laner in Cortez, Colorado. She joined her ancestors on February 2, 2025 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, surrounded by her loved ones. 

A Celebration of her Life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 7, 2025. A viewing will be held Thursday, February 6, 2025 from...

Vivienne Duncan Kenyon (Vencil)

Vivienne Duncan Kenyon (Vencil)

Feb 1, 2025

Vivienne Duncan Vencil Kenyon passed away on Saturday, February 1, 2025. Vivienne was born on March 24, 1927 to William and Lair Vencil. She was delivered by her grandmother, Ola Mae Duncan, in her grandmother’s home on the Duncan farm in McElmo Canyon. That farm eventually became William Vencil’s produce farm. Vivienne and her three siblings Lairola, Stephanie, and Noel...

Vergie Marie Edwards

Vergie Marie Edwards

Feb 1, 2025

Vergie Edwards, born 6/26/1931 in Mancos, Colorado the daughter of Vern Robbins and Gertrude Wilkerson, passed away on February 1, 2025 at the age of 93. She married Richard Edwards of Durango, Colorado in 1949. Together they moved to Durango where they raised 4 children. She was Beta Sigma Phi President of the year and very active in the community...

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