Western Slope Obits 8-12-13
Edward C. Anderson
Edward C. Anderson, 67, of Eckert, Colo., passed away August 2, 2013, at his residence.
Edward Carroll Anderson was born on January 1, 1946, to Carroll Jesse (Wells) Anderson in Grand Junction, Colo.
He grew up in Austin, Colo., and attended Fairview School in Austin through the 8th grade then he went to Delta High School where he graduated in 1964. After graduation, he attended Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, Colo.
On October 16, 1981, Edward married Leeta J. Henderson in Hotchkiss, Colo. They have resided in Eckert, Colo., since 1984 moving from Austin, Colo. He was a member of St. Philip’s Catholic Church in Cedaredge, Colo.
Edward, a retired coal miner, enjoyed woodburning, scrolling, farming and horses. He also enjoyed spending time outdoors, going on hunting, fishing and camping trips. But most of all, Edward enjoyed being with his children and family.
Edward is survived by his wife, Leeta Anderson of Eckert, Colo.; four sons: Wallie Fender and wife Johnna of Delta, Colo.; Greg Fender and wife Tammy of Madison, S.D.; Chad Anderson and wife, Tanya of Cedaredge, Colo., and Gerren Anderson and wife Mary Ellen of Paonia, Colo.; two daughters: Tanya LaBossiere of Cedaredge, Colo., and Vicki Johnson of Phoenix, Ariz.; a brother, Kaye Anderson and wife Vicki of Dove Creek, Colo.; 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Edward was preceded in death by his mother, two brothers and a grandson, Junior Labossiere.
Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, August 12, 2013 at St. Philip’s Catholic Church in Cedaredge, Colo.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to be made in Edward’s memory to Cancer Care of America or to Donate Life in memory of Junior LaBossiere.
View the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at TaylorFuneralService.com. ❖
Zachary T. “Zack” Meyer, Sr.
Zachary T. “Zack” Meyer, Sr., 77, of Hotchkiss, Colo., passed away on July 24, 2013, at his residence.
Zachary Thomas Meyer was born on September 20, 1935 to Kurt Robert and Elizabeth (Gebauer) Meyer in Austin, Texas.
He spent his childhood and attended schools in Austin, Texas. He then joined the United States Navy to serve his country.
In the summer of 1971, Zack moved his family from Austin, Texas to Hotchkiss, Colo. He was a rancher and owner of Zack’s Bar-B-Q in Hotchkiss.
Zack was a lifetime member of the Elk’s Lodge and the Hotchkiss Chamber of Commerce. He was a large supporter of the Hotchkiss community and was always willing to help anyone in need. Zack enjoyed drag racing and restoring old cars. He also loved hunting.
Zack is survived by his children: son Zachary Meyer, Jr. and spouse, Misty of Buda, Texas; daughter, Cheryl Price and spouse, David of Hotchkiss, Colo.; and son, Lee Headrick and spouse, Susie of Taylor, Texas; a sister, Martha Hocker of Russellville, Ark.; a great-aunt, Alvina “Winnie” Smith of Georgetown, Texas; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Zack was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Joe Meyer.
Services were held July 29, 2013, at the Zack’s Bar-B-Q Pavilion in Hotchkiss, Colo.
The family suggests memorial contributions to be made in Zack’s memory to First Baptist Church P. O. Box 26, Hotchkiss, CO 81419. ❖
James A. Willis, Sr.
James A. Willis, Sr., 85, of Cedaredge, Colo., passed away August 6, 2013.
Jim was born on December 12, 1927 in Elbridge, Obion County, Tenn., to Mola Loudell (Wolfe) and Reece Porter Willis. He was the youngest of seven, with four older sisters and two older brothers. He lost his parents and two sisters at an early age and his other sisters and brothers died in the last 20 years.
Jim served a short time in the army at the end of World War II and then met his wife of 46 years, Margery Trewet Willis, who passed away in 1993. He worked on her family’s farm in Fort Morgan, Colo., for a number of years and then went out to explore other business opportunities.
His natural business ability served him well while he worked at Hill Oil Company in Fort Morgan and then ran Boulware Oil Company in Sheridan Lake, Colo. In 1964, he moved to Alamosa and opened Willis Oil Company. In his later years, he owned additional businesses, including the auto parts store in Cedaredge and sold real estate.
Jim and his wife of 18 years, Lila Willis, spent their winters in Casa Grande, Ariz.
Jim was active in the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks and the Shriners International. He enjoyed riding three wheelers with his Shriners’ brothers to raise money for the Shriners Children’s Hospitals. Jim also enjoyed riding snowmobiles with his four sons. He was instrumental in raising funds to build the DeerCreek Village Golf Course in Cedaredge, Colo. Jim spent his senior years playing golf, cards, biking and running. He was well known for his love of hunting golf balls.
Jim is survived by his five children, Kathryn Wohnoutka and her husband, George of Katy, Texas; James Willis, Jr., of Alamosa, Colo.; Robert Willis and his wife, Karen of Del Norte, Colo.; John Willis and his wife, Lora of Grass Valley, Calif.; and Steve Willis and his wife Kimberly of Friendswood, Texas; and his three step sons, Dean Peters and his wife, Sandy of Minneapolis, Minn., Jeffrey Peters, and Richard Peters, both of Mankato, Minn. He has 10 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren, and was the beloved uncle to numerous nieces and nephews.
Services were held August 9, 2013, at the Cedaredge Community United Methodist Church. Interment followed at the Cedaredge Cemetery.
Memorials in his name may be made to Cedaredge Community United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 396, Cedaredge, Colo., 81413, Pioneer Town, P.O. Box 906, Cedaredge, Colo., 81413, or Shriners Hospitals for Children, Office of Development 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, Fla., 33607.
View the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at TaylorFuneralService.com. ❖
Mildred “Sunny” Mae Miller
Mildred “Sunny” Mae Miller, 94, of Crawford, Colo., passed away July 27, 2013 at Willow Tree Care Center of Delta, Colo.
Mildred was born October 11, 1918 in Roxie Cow Camp in Corona, N.M., to Fred and Annie (Berry) Durfee. They moved to Crawford, Colo., when she was 9-years-old.
She married Bert Miller on February 27, 1936 in Delta, Colo. They lived on a ranch in Crawford that had been homesteaded by Bert’s grandfather in 1900. They were married 56 years.
Mildred was a charter member of the local Cowbells, later renamed to Colorado Cattlewomen, Inc., and also the Emblem Club. She enjoyed ranch life, gardening, and most of all her family, grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is survived by a daughter, Gennevieve de Aragon and husband, Bob, of Hotchkiss, Colo.; Homer Lee Miller and wife, Doris of Loma, Colo.; Richard J. Miller and wife, Artis of Cedaredge, Colo.; one sister, Ione Jenkins; two sisters-in-law Virginia (Woodman) Durfee and Ermine (Reed) Durfee, Nine grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Bert H. Miller, one daughter, Beth Miller, four brothers, John, Guy, Fred, and Robert Durfee and four sisters, Ann (Durfee) Zanni, Alice (Durfee) Kurpis, Velma (Durfee) Cooper, and Ina Lee (Durfee) Owens.
Services were held August 2, 2013 at the Taylor Funeral Service Chapel in Hotchkiss, Colo.
Memorial contributions may be made to Friends of Crawford Town Hall, P.O. Box 56, Crawford, Colo., 81419.
View the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at TaylorFuneralService.com. ❖
