Western Slope Obituaries 1-7-13
John Henry Peterman
John Henry Peterman, 93, passed away December 21, 2012.
He was born in Elwell, Mich., to John and Leah (Lewis) Peterman. John served in the Navy during WWII, and attended the Honor Flight in Washington, D.C., later in life.
John and his wife, Doris, were married for 68 years. They moved their family from Michigan to Tucson, Ariz., and settled down in Palisade, Colo., in 1986.
He was a skilled carpenter and a trapper. He was voted Trapper of the Year in 2002 by the Colorado Trappers Association. John was an avid hunter and trapper and passed this legacy onto his grandchildren.
He appeared on the Price is Right and worked in some movies. He also raised and raced Champion Appaloosa horses.
Memorial services were held December 31, 2012 at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary.
Burial and military honors followed at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado, 3090B N. 12th St., Grand Junction, Colo., 81506. ❖
Ernest Marion “Spooks” Cooper
EM “Spooks” Cooper, 81, passed away December 22, 2012 in his sleep.
He was born to Oscar “Jox” Cooper and Genevieve (McKeever) Cooper on August 5, 1931 at Ute, Colo. Spooks was one of six children born to Jox and Jenny and spent most of his life in Nucla, Colo.
Spooks met his beloved wife Norma Jean at a Christmas dance in 1952. They married on October 4, 1953 in Nucla, Colo., at the Union Congregational Church. They had three children, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Spooks was in the United States Air Force from 1950-1951. He returned home and worked in the uranium mines before pursuing and building his lifelong legacy as a rancher. For many years, he worked side by side with his dad and brother, Wib, ranching and living the cowboy life.
Spooks enjoyed picnicking in the mountains, spending time with loved ones, and cheering on the Broncos (Superbowl win for Granddad this year??). Spooks served on the board at Citizens State Bank for several years and most recently, served on their Advisory Committee. He was an officer and a member of West End Livestock Association and the Colorado Cooperative Ditch Co., and was a member of the Nucla Masonic Lodge, the Rimrocker Historical Society and the Nucla Moose Lodge.
He is survived by his children and their spouses, Tim and Kim Cooper of Nucla, Colo., Paul and Cammy Cooper of Nucla, Colo., and Kathy and Mark Chiono of Grand Junction, Colo.; grandchildren, Kristen (Sid) Ward and four children, Tanner, Breck, Conner, and Jace of Richfield, Idaho, Shanna (Rowdy) Buniger and three children, Corben, Jayten, and Ellie of Fruita, Colo., Chelsea (Ty) Cox of Montrose, Colo., Katie Cooper of Nucla, Colo., and Tim Cooper of McFadden, Wyo.; his sister Julia (Gordon) Brock of Mesquite, Nev., and Rose (Richard) Warren of Weslaco, Texas; and many nieces, nephews, and very special friends who will all miss his quiet presence and generous, giving heart.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma Jean, his parents, his brothers Richard Cooper and Wilbert C. (Wib) Cooper, sister Rachel (Cooper) Blair, and one grandson, Brandon Michael Cooper.
Graveside memorial services were held December 28, 2012 at the Nucla Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Nucla Senior Citizen’s Center, PO Box 232, Nucla, Colo., 81424 or the Rimrocker Historical Society, PO Box 913, Nucla, Colo., 81424. ❖
Bernice Stoy
Bernice June (Mueller) Stoy, 83, passed away December 13, 2012 at Heidi’s Chateau in Montrose, Colo.
She was born in Clayton, Mo., on June 1, 1929 to Erich and Meta (Kropp) Mueller. She was the second oldest of six children and was a very special sister to her five brothers. She spent her childhood on the family farm in St. Louis County and was active in 4-H, winning many awards for her sewing. After graduating from Clayton High School in 1947 she worked as a secretary at Brown Shoe Company.
On September 2, 1950, she married Kurt Stoy and they later moved to St. Charles, Mo. She helped her husband start a successful business, was a homemaker and a mother to two daughters and a son. She would often say that raising her children were the happiest years of her life.
Bernice and Kurt enjoyed traveling and after many vacations to Colorado they moved the family to Montrose, Colo., in 1975. They continued traveling in an RV throughout the western U.S. and Canada. They wintered in Puerto Penasco, Mexico and in Why, Ariz.
Bernice was an extremely talented seamstress, knitter and quilter. Her love for her family was shown through her handiwork. She delighted her daughters, granddaughters and great-granddaughters with beautifully made dresses, matching doll dresses, and sweaters with complicated patterns. Bernice is remembered for making heirloom wedding quilts for her children, grandchildren, and her numerous nieces and nephews. She inspired generations of seamstresses. Her kindness extended beyond her family. She donated dozens of hand knit baby caps, blankets and sweaters to the Crisis Pregnancy Center and stitched lap quilts for the residents of area nursing homes.
Bernice was a member of the Colona Helping Hand Club and Zion Lutheran Church.
Family and friends were the focus of Bernice’s life. One of her great joys was corresponding with her brothers and their wives, her many cousins and friends, and going to family reunions.
She is survived by her husband, Kurt Stoy of Montrose, Colo.; brothers, Milton Mueller of Cape Girardeau, Mo., Erich Mueller and wife Delores of Weldon Spring, Mo., Orval Mueller and wife Clara of Florissant, Mo., Gerald Mueller and wife Judy of Millersville, Mo.; daughter, Donna Stepanovic of Albuquerque, N.M.; son, Ken Stoy and wife Faith of Montrose, Colo.; daughter, Karen Backer and husband Eric of Durango, Colo.; three grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Harold Mueller and wife Jean; and sister-in-law, Pat Mueller.
Memorial services were held December 21, 2012 at the Zion Lutheran Church of Montrose, Colo.
Memorial contributions may be made in Bernice’s name to Hope Seeds, 4031 W. 404th Rd., Bertrand, Mo., 63823. ❖
