Levi Jiron

LEVI JIRON Memorial services for Cortez resident Levi Jiron will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, December 16 at the Cortez First Assembly of God Church. Levi was born on November 9, 1923 in Manassa, Colo. the son of Maurice and Julia Jiron. He departed this life on Friday, December 12, 2008 at his home at the age of 85 years, one month, and five days. Levi grew up and attended school in Manassa and then went on to join the U.S. Army as soon as high school was finished. He served in the Field Artillery Division, mainly in France and Germany. After returning home from the service, he was employed by Starr Cattle Ranches near Montrose. Levi then moved to Layton, Utah where he worked at Hill Air Force Base until the time of his retirement. Retirement was not for Levi. He moved to Albuquerque, N.M. and became chaplain of the New Mexico State Prison in Santa Fe for the next 10 years. After retiring from there, Levi was active in jail ministries in Montrose and Cortez until the time of his illness. In November of 1986, Levi married Marguerite Weaver in Honolulu, Hawaii. She was his faithful companion for 22 years, giving him the best care until the very end of his long illness. Surviving Levi are his wife, Marguerite Jiron of Cortez; his children, J.D. Jiron of Layton, Utah, Patti DeAndrea of Seattle, Wash., and Jessica Jiron of Seattle, Wash.; three grandchildren; one great-grandson; his siblings, Genny Archuleta of Grand Junction, Colo., Flora Edwards of San Antonio, Tex., Berta Lovato of Delta, Colo., Mary Alvarado of Bellingham, Wash., Raymond Jiron of Olathe, Colo. and Morris Jiron of Pueblo, Colo.; and a host of nieces and nephews. Levi was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Mary; and two brothers, Armando and Daniel Jiron. Memorial contributions may be made in Levi's name to Hospice of Montezuma, P.O. Box 740, Cortez, Colo. 81321. Services are under the direction of Ertel Funeral Home. For further information or to send condolences, log on to www.ertelfuneralhome.com and click on the obituary section.