Frank Arthur Blackmer

FRANK ARTHUR BLACKMER Funeral services for lifelong Cortez resident, Frank Arthur Blackmer, will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, August 1 at the Ertel Memorial Chapel with Pastor David Ramsey officiating. Interment will follow at Summit Ridge Cemetery with Military Honors being provided by Ute Mountain American Legion Post #75. Visitation has been set for Tuesday evening, July 31 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Ertel Chapel. Frank was born the son of Charles Edgar and Leah Marie (Taylor) on June 9, 1922 in Lower McElmo, Colo. He passed away at his home in Cortez on Saturday, July 28, 2007 at the age of 85. A true cattleman at heart, Frank was a member of the Southwestern Colorado Livestock Association and looked forward to Wednesdays to attend “sale day” at the Cortez Livestock Auction. Moving his cattle in a cattle drive from winter to summer feed was a large part of his life. In his free time Frank enjoyed hunting, reading and watching TV. He proudly served his country during World War II in the U.S. Army. Surviving Frank are his wife of 21 years, Mary E. (Swinehart) Blackmer of Cortez; daughter, Marie Anne Swanner and husband, Dick of Dolores; son, Thomas H. Blackmer and wife, Sherrie of Dolores; grandchildren, Sherri Lynn Gardner, Ronda Swanner, Matthew Blackmer and Jason Blackmer; and great grandchildren, Ryan Swanner, Sara and Megan Gardner, Jake and Ty Blackmer, and Anne Blackmer. Also surviving Frank are his brother, Joe Blackmer of Cortez; his sister, Eileen Bose and husband, Carl of Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.; five step-children; 12 step-grandchildren; and 12 step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; and by his first wife, Helen (Wheeler) Blackmer in 1985. Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Frank Blackmer to either the American Legion Honor Guard or Hospice of Montezuma.