Delta County Independent

On Wednesday, November 30th, 2022, the Lord called Sharon Lynn Myers home. She was born on December 17th, 1941, in Delta, Colorado, where she lived most of her life. After her children left home, she moved to the Grand Junction area where she remained until her death. Preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Kathryn Butler, Sharon leaves four sons: Mike, Harold, Steve, and Mark; her life partner Apolinar; and her dog Chico. Although one granddaughter, Rashell, preceded her calling, Sharon leaves seven remaining grandchildren: Micah, Mechel, Jordan, Collin, Morgan, Chandler, and Logan, and six great-grandchildren: Bryson, Cash, Lucas, Sofia, Olive, and Alena. Sharon graduated from Delta...

Samson Kane Rial, 13, of Austin, moved from the thrill of a 4-wheeler ride into God's all-encompassing glory and met his Lord and Savior on Saturday, November 19, 2022. He was born in Delta at Delta Memorial Hospital on September 15, 2009. Samson made his stand for Jesus and was baptized on December 15, 2020, in his home in Austin. The following summer he was baptized in the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues. He had an active role in "His Resting Place", a Ministry his family started. Samson was always helping whenever and wherever he could. Though he was young Samson knew what he believed. Samson stood for truth, justice and Jesus Christ. His big heart, quirky...

Dwight Duane Hanley, 95, Grand Junction, Colorado died June 7, 2022, at HopeWest. Dwight is survived by one sister, Lorraine Hackett of Oakland, Iowa, one sister-in-law Lynette Reynolds of St. Albert, Alberta, Canada, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased in 2019 by his wife of 69 years, Barbara. He worked for 30 years at CAT. There aren't a lot of cowboys left in this world, and now we're down one more.

Eleni passed on Tuesday May 17th, 2022 after a long struggle with dementia. She had in her life been a professional singer, chef, mentor to many, a storyteller par excellence, and a bon vivant. There never was a party where she didn't make a grand entrance and thoroughly enjoy herself. She was proud of her Greek heritage and loved educating all those around her about the small nation. Born in Grand Junction on November 5, 1948 to Gus and Sophia Theos, she grew up a proud descendant of sheep ranchers and priests. The family spent summers at Hubbard Park outside of Paonia, where Gus summered his sheep. After her parents divorced she split her time between Boston and Cape Cod, and the summer...

Betty Mae Raney was born in Delta, CO February 16, 1929, to Ralph and Grace Sidebottom. She rejoined her departed family and friends April 27, 2022. Mom passed away in the home she and Rex purchased 70 years ago. Betty received exceptional 24/7 care from her daughter Chery and son-in-law Willie Gordon for the last 18 months. Betty grew up in Delta, spending most of her life in the community, with brief stints in Chico, CA and Grand Junction, CO. She graduated from Delta High School in 1947 and began college at Western State College that same summer. At the urgent request of her former principal, she reluctantly put her college endeavor on hold and came back to DHS that fall to assume duty...

Our beloved Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother, Alice M Morton, passed away on Sunday April 3rd, 2022 surrounded by family and hospice at Aspen Ridge Alzheimer's Special care center. She was born on March 29th, 1935 to Ward and Hazel Roby in Craig, Co. She was the youngest of 5 children (Margy, Dorothy, Ada, and Chuck) who have all preceded her in death. She grew up on a farm in Cedaredge. Mom spent her school years at Cedaredge and was a baton twirler in High School. Alice married Dale B. Morton on June 3rd, 1951 in Delta. They spent their honeymoon in Ouray. Our parents were married 66 years before our dad passed away in 2017. They had 5 children- George Morton (Donna) of Clifton...

John William Oien, age 78, died peacefully at home with daughters and wife by his side on March 7, 2022. John was a loving example of the importance of faith in Jesus to his family. John 10:27-28 are words he would strongly adhere too: "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand." John was born May 27, 1943, in Long Beach, California to Paul and Kathryn "Hoffman" Oien. He studied Landscape Architecture at California Polytechnic University graduating with a degree in Environmental Design with an option in Landscape Architecture. During his 37-year career with the United States...

Stephen Paul Millermon went to be with the Lord on February 20, 2022, due to many COVID-related complications. Steve was born in western Colorado in 1967 as the third of six children. From a young age, Steve's relationship with Christ Jesus was always paramount. He grew up in a pastor's family, faithfully attending church, participating in AWANA, and going to Bible camp. It was at Bible camp at the age of 7 that Steve accepted Christ as his personal Savior. After spending his early years through high school in Colorado, he graduated from Calvary Bible College with a degree in secondary education. Steve married his college sweetheart, Melissa, after graduation. He participated in sports,...

Judith A. Finochio May 13, 1945 - Dec 20,2021 Grand Junction resident and former Cedaredge resident, Judith A. Finochio, passed away Monday, Dec. 20, 2021 in Grand Jct., CO. She was 76 years old. Judith Ann Finochio was born May 13, 1945 in Reno, Nevada. She spent her childhood and attended schools across the United States and England. On Dec. 30, 1965 Judith married the love of her life, Daniel Noel Finochio in Naples, California. To this union two daughters were born. Together the pair moved from Grand Jct., to Cedaredge in 2002, where they retired. Judith enjoyed sewing, cooking, canning, reading, loved interior design and spending time with her family. She was loved by so many...

Richard Noah Smith, age 81, went to be with Jesus Dec. 20, 2021. He was a long-time resident of Delta, CO and recently moved to Grand Junction, CO. He is survived by his wife Veronica Amrine Smith, two sons: Michael (Karin) Smith and Mark (Lori) Smith, 11 grandchildren. and 4 great-grandchildren Richard graduated from Olathe High School in 1958 and received a bachelor's degree from the University of Northern Colorado in 1969. He served his country in the US Army from 1960-1963, and he was a specialist E5 and company clerk. He became a Certified Public Accountant and owned his own business for 58 years. Richard also enjoyed the time he served as the treasurer of the Delta County Fire Dept....

Gary Blecha, 74, (days away from 75) passed away peacefully on December 13, 2021, at Hope-West Care Center in Grand Junction, Colorado. He was born in Southwest City, Missouri, on December 30, 1946, to parents, Glenn and Katy Blecha. Glenn moved the family several times and purchased and built a home in Delta, Colorado. Gary graduated in the class of 1965 at Delta High School. Growing up in Delta, Gary was President of the 4-H Club where he raised hogs and cattle. He also danced in the State 4-H square dance competition in Ft. Collins, CO, where the team took a blue ribbon. He ran track and played football, and Gary's senior year, the Delta Panthers were 2A state football champions. He...

Dennis Duane Fancher, 77, went to be with the Lord on November 14, 2021, at his home in Grand Junction, Colorado with his family at his side. Dennis was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. Dennis, son of the late Lyle and Eulalia (Budney) Fancher, was born November 27, 1943, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After graduating from Granville High School in 1961, he lived a life of service to others by enlisting in the United States Armed Forces where he served with the 32d Infantry Division in the Army National Guard of Wisconsin in which he received an Honorable Discharge in August 1964. Dennis mastered his craft as a furniture maker in Santa Rosa,...

Margaret Gwen Jewell, 89, of Grand Junction, passed away on October 28, 2021 at her home, surrounded by her loved ones. Margaret is survived by her love, Lee "Woody" Woodhams of Lazear, Colorado; Nancy (Scott) Orite of Parachute; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, November 14th at 3 p.m. at Clifton Christian Church 3241 F 1/4 Road Clifton, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Margaret's name to Clifton Christian Church at cliftonchristianchurch.com or to St. Mary's Medical Center at www.sclhealth.org.

Glen Sterling Roberts, of Cedaredge, went Home to his Lord on October 5, 2021 in Grand Junction. He was 83. Glen was born on December 25, 1937, in Blandinsville, Illinois, to John S. and D. Maxine (Pestle) Roberts. He spent his childhood in Prescott, Arizona and Boulder, Colorado; and graduated from Boulder High School in 1955. After graduation, Glen enlisted in the US Navy, and served for the next two years stationed in Guam, where he worked with missiles and photo intelligence. Glen was previously married to Connie Perrill, and from this union his three children were born. He worked in the Climax Mine in Leadville, but was most proud of his time as a hunting guide and outfitter in Buena...

Delta County resident Laura Marie Turner passed away Thursday Sept 9th 2021 at her home in Hotchkiss Colorado. She was 86 years old. Laura Marie Wood was born July 12, 1935 to Paul Weaver Wood and Bessie Marie (Williams) Wood in Hotchkiss Co. She spent her childhood in Hotchkiss and graduated from Hotchkiss High School in 1953. Laura furthered her education at Mesa State College. On March 6 1955, Laura married Dennis Ray Turner. Dennis Joined the Army, and while he was serving in Okinawa Japan Laura lived in Grand Junction with her cousins Pete and Jean Thornberry and worked at the First National Bank of Grand Junction. When Dennis was discharged From the Army, they bought a...

Janet Ellen (Gay) Hinchman of Austin, Colorado passed from this life Monday, September 1, 2021. She was 86 years of age. Services held at 10:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Cedaredge, Colorado followed by burial at Cory Cemetery in Cory, Colorado. Janet was born on January 24, 1935, to Claude Edward Gay and Gladys Ellen (Berry) Gay in Delta, Colorado. She was the third born child of five children with two brothers and two sisters. She spent her early childhood in Gunnison then the family moved back to Delta where she attended elementary through high school. She married Charles Emory "Bud" Hinchman on August 30, 1953, in Delta, CO. They had six...

Robert "Bob" passed away on September 1, 2021 at Horizon's Care Center, due to complications of COPD. Bob was born in Del Norte, Colorado to Mildred Specker and Victor Anderson. He graduated from Center High School in 1959, was a member of FFA, and also drove a school bus. Bob married Katherine JoAnn Woolley in 1963. He worked for the Chevy dealership in Alamosa and bought his corvette and drag raced for several years before adopting children. They adopted their son Jeff in 1966 and their daughter Pam in 1968. Bob was an avid fisherman and hunter. He competed in Archery tournaments around western Colorado. The family moved to Delta in 1978 and never left. Bob...

Edward A. Lightfoot died August 12, 2021 following a sudden illness at Horizons Care Center, Eckert, CO. He was born in Columbia, MO May 27, 1948 and was the son of the late William and Alice Lightfoot. He was known in his life for being a long distance cyclist, enjoying 50 to 100 mile rides just for fun. His best talent was bicycle repair and he was a good artist. He lived in Columbia MO most of his adult life, took care of his parents for many years and moved to Delta, CO in 2006 to be closer to family. Although he was a quiet and private person, everyone who knew him genuinely liked him as he was a kind and gentle person with a dry wit. He is survived by his brother, Robert...

Robert E. Leigh passed away at home, under Hospice Care in Delta, Colorado after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born to Millie (Stratbucker) and Edward E. Leigh in Omaha, NE. Bob attended Miller Park School and North High. A scholarship helped him go on to Northwestern University in Chicago, IL where he earned a Master's Degree in Civil Engineering. In 1955, he married Elaine Nicholson and joined the Navy. He was stationed at NAS Cubi Point, Subic Bay, Luzon, Philippines (Civil Engineering Corps). Their first son, Tom, was born during this time. In later years, Bob, Tom and 2 granddaughters made a sentimental return visit to Subic Bay. Following his...

Ross A. Worley, 73, of Durango, CO died June 21, 2021 in his home. Born October 5, 1947. He worked at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO., for almost 32 years and Habitat for Humanity's ReStore for seven years. Mr. Worley is survived by his 2 children: Noah & Tammy; 3 siblings; 4 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson. A memorial service will be held in the tent outside the Durango Friends (Quaker) Meeting Hall at 10 am July 17, 2021. An informal remembrance also is planned for 2pm on Saturday, Sep. 25, 2021, at the Cedaredge Park Pavilion, Cedaredge, CO., to coincide with a family reunion. Please view full obituary at www.hoodmortuary.com.

Steve Ruder, Jr., 79, of Hotchkiss, passed away on June 16, 2021 in Hotchkiss. He was an excavator in the construction industry. Steve is survived by his brothers, Bob Ruder of Vail, and Doug Ruder of Arkansas. He is preceded in death by his parents, Leonard, Sr. and Josephine Ruder; wife, Jan; and sister, Jeannie. No services are planned at this time.