Ernest L. "Ernie" Stevens

ERNEST L. "ERNIE" STEVENS Funeral services for lifelong area resident Ernest L. "Ernie" Stevens will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 21 at the Ute Mountain American Legion Hall. Interment will follow at Cortez Cemetery. Chaplain Rick Gregory will officiate. Military honors will be provided by the Ute Mountain American Legion Post #75. Ernie was born on September 23, 1919 in Mancos the son of Orie Everett and Ruth Myra (Beadz) Stevens. He passed away on Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at his home. He was 90 years old. At the age of 16, Ernie�s father passed away leaving Ernie as the head of the family until his entry into the military. During World War II Ernie served in the U.S. Army. While stationed in Europe Ernie served as a driver to General Patton. He was decorated with the Purple Heart for injuries received in World War II. After his discharge Ernie became a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and the Ute Mountain American Legion. He served on the Honor Guard for the Legion. Ernie was a lover of baseball and enjoyed coaching local Little League Baseball and softball teams. Prior to his entry in the Army Ernie was a competitive boxer. He made his living as a carpenter and in his free time he enjoyed hunting and fishing. Surviving Ernie are his children, Leonard �Butch� Rogers and wife, Rada of Billings, Mont., Linda Russell and husband, John of Bloomfield, N.M., Ernest Wayne Stevens and wife, Susan of Pinedale, Wyo., Claudia Minor of Cortez, and Marty Stevens and wife, Karen of Cortez; and his grandchildren, Toby Minor, Brice Rogers, Rocky Rogers, Revis Rogers, Buster Russell, Justin Russell, Jay Dee Russell, Brian Ablen, Dustin Stevens, Brandon Vallejos, Cassidy Plaincheck, Stephanie Pierce, Robin McVay, Larae Britton, and Petra Vallejos. Ernie also leaves behind his great-grandchildren, Aiden Minor, Addison Pierce, Crystal McVay, Cory McVay, Casy McVay, Daniel Russell, Josie Russell, Clancy Comiskey, Haley Vallejos, Caterina Vallejos, and one on the way; his great-great-grandchild, Kagan McVay; and one on the way; his siblings, Carol Stiasny of Dove Creek, Verna Densmore of Durango, and Everett Stevens and wife, Joyce of California; and 33 nieces and nephews. Ernie was preceded in death by his parents; by his wife, Delphie Stevens; by his daughter, Ardeth Ann Rogers; and by his sisters, Cali Wright, Arlene Berry, and Shirley Davis. Memorial contributions may be made in Ernest Stevens� name to the Ute Mountain American Legion Post #75.