Spellman Schmidt Funeral Home

Dorothy D. Blecha, 87 passed away May 13, 2012 at the Regent Park-Skilled Nursing Facility in Holyoke, Colorado.  A Receiving of Family & Friends will be held Thursday, May 17, 2012, from 6 pm to 8 p.m. at the Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home in Wray, Colorado 80758.  Funeral services will be held at the Wray United Methodist Church in Wray, Colorado with Norman Stott officiating on Friday, May 18, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be in the Haigler Cemetery in Haigler, Nebraska. Memorials maybe made to the Wauneta 4-H Club or the Wray High School Library. Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home in Wray, Colorado is in charge of arrangements.

Kenneth E. Rose, 73 passed away May 8, 2012. A Receiving of Family and Friends will be held on Sunday, May 13, 2012 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home in Wray, Colorado. A graveside service and interment will be held on Monday, May 14, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Grandview Cemetery in Wray, Colorado. Memorials to the Kenneth E. Rose Memorial Fund to purchase Medical Equipment for Hillcrest Care Center and Hospice of the Plains. Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangments.

Beryl A. “Boots” Prather, 86 passed away Saturday, May 5, 2012 at Hillcrest Care Center in Wray, Colorado. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 9, 2012 ~ 2:00 p.m. at the Wray United Methodist Church in Wray, Colorado with Rev. Norman Stott officiating. Interment in the Grandview Cemetery in Wray, Colorado. Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Plains, P.O. Box  365, Wray, Colorado 80758 or Hillcrest Care Center, P.O. Box 100, Wray, Colorado 80758. Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangments.

     Thomas Arthur Loyd, son of Edgar and Margaret Loyd, was born on August 20, 1916. He departed this life on March 19, 2012. He lived in Wray all his life, except for the time he served in the Armed Forces. His grandparents, Tom and Eliza Loyd, were early pioneers coming to Yuma County from Marysville, Missouri in 1886. After graduating in 1936 from Yuma County High School, Tom worked for the local oil company. From here, he went on to join the Army Air Corps as a pilot. Tom served in the Armed Forces from 1942 until 1944 at which time he was honorably discharged. Though he never served in battle, he fulfilled a dream of becoming a pilot and served the country by transporting military planes across the United States. He began working for the Yuma county Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service in 1941 as a clerk and continued to work there after he returned from the service in 1944. In 1951, he became the office manager for A.S.C.S. and served in that capacity until 1969 when he became the District Director, serving the eight surrounding counties. Tom knew the counties better than anyone and enjoyed visiting with the farmers. Following his retirement from A.S.C.S., he worked for the First Pioneer National Bank in the Farm Loan Department from 1978 until 1984.

On   October 12, 1947, Tom married Nellie Patterson in Lewellen, Nebraska at the United Methodist Church. During their years together, Tom and Nellie enjoyed many activities including dancing, cards, golfing, and traveling with numerous friends and family. Their first child, Margaret Ann, was born in 1950 and their second child, Robert Gordon, was born in 1956.  They wer happily married until her death in 2009. Tom demonstrated his continuous and depp-enduring love for Nellie by caring for and supporting her in her last years.

Tom was very active in the community by serving in various clubs and activities. He loved his 23 years working for the Wray Volunteer Fire Department from 1938 – 1966 and acted as Fire Chief in 1948. He was also a Past Master of the Masonci Lodge and served on the Wray City Council from 1958 until 1962. From 1952 to 1968, he was a member of the Wray Commercial Club. He also served on the board from the Wray Country Club, was a charter member of the Wray Elks Lodge, adn served on the Yuma County Cemetery Board.

Tom was an active member of the First Presbyterian church. He served many years a a elder over his 82 years of Membership.

Thoughout his life, Tom enjoyed playing golf; a highlight of his favored hobby was winning the Wray Country Club golf championship in 1971. He was also an avid supporter of Wray High School athletics and activities.  He loved nothing more than watching his children and grandchildren perform. For decades, though he was known for cheering on the Eagles even when he had no family members participating. He also enjoyed playing cards, yard work, working cattle, and of course watching the weather. After retirement, he continued to enjoy his 10:00 a.m. coffee group, exercise at the Wray Hospital, and his weekly game of pitch.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Isabel Loyd; sister, Anna Belle Loyd; wife, Nellie; sister-in-law, Mae Orr and husband, Emery; Marjorie Orr and husband, George; Winnie Roberts and husband, Roscoe; Dorothy Fischer and husband, Pete; brother-in-law, Duane Robinson, and nephew, Merlin Orr.

He is survived by daughter, Peg Jones and husband, Bobby of Wray, and their children, Jennifer (Bennett, CO), Katie (Bennett, CO), and Matt (Crosbyton, TX), son, Dr. Robert Loyd and wife, Karen of Wray, and their children, Brian (Lubbock, TX), Christa (Denver, CO), and Amanda Jordan and her husband, Jason along with their son, Jayce (Austin, TX), sister-in-law, Lily Robinson, brother-in-law, Jim Paterson and wife, Becky, and brother-in-law, Bill Patterson and wife, Alice Lee, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held Friday, March 23, 2012, 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Wray, Colorado with Rev. Norman Stott officiating. Private Family Inurnment was held in the Grandview Cemetery in Wray, Colorado. Memorials may be made to the Wray Volunteer Fire Department. Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangments.

Leonard O. Wells, 64 passed away on Sunday, April 22, 2012. Cremation was requested. No services were requested.

Robert “Bob” N. Twiss, 72 passed away April 26, 2012 in Greeley, Colorado. Funeral services will be held  Monday, April 30, 2012, 3:00 p.m. at the First Christian Church in Wray, Colorado with Reverend Steve Wynkoop officiating. Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Plains, P.O. Box 365, Wray, Colorado or the First Christian Church in Wray, Colorado. Spellman~Schmidt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

CHARLES LESLIE “CHUCK” MURPHY was born the only child of Frank and Audrey (King) Murphy. He started his journey in life the 24th day of November 1931 in a farmhouse 2 miles west of Ragan, Nebraska. He passed away after a lengthy illness the 26th day of april 2012 at the Hillcrest Care Center, Wray, Colorado at the age of 80.

As a small child his family moved to a farm 6 miles southeast of ragan where he went to rural country schools until his graduation from Wilcox, Nebraska. After graduation he attended radio-electronics school in Omaha, Nebraska where he met his life long mate Gwen Holst at a church social.

Chuck and Gwen were united in marriage June 17, 1951 in Harris, Iowa. to this union were born two sons, Steve and Stan and one daughter, Barb. They started their maried life on a farm near his parent’s farm in Nebraska. An opportunity arose for Chuck and Gwen to purchase a grocery store in Gwen’s hometown of Harris, Iowa. They moved their family to Harris and operated the store for a couple years.  Deciding that wasn’t their forte they moved the family back to Ragan, Nebraska where he took a job with the local Coop elevator. Ovetime he became manager of that facility and moved on to McDonald, Kansas and eventually to Wray, Colorado to do the same thing. Another opportunity arose to become the Wray office manager for Ceres Land and Cattle Company. A short time later the Wray City Clerk retired and Chuck was hired for the position. Twenty-three years later he retired to a life of leisure. Six months of retirement was all he could handle so he decided to go back to work.  Wray Supers was blessed with his expertise in the grocery business. He hadn’t spent much time at the grocery store before a board member of the Wray Country Club suggested he run the Pro shop. Eleven years later he finally retired.

chuck was a member of the Wray United Methodist Church. Chuck and Gwen loved to travel, many of their most memorable trips were taken with Gwen’s siblings. He was a charter secretary of the Wray Elk’s Lodge. He loved to work with wood. Building boxes for his beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren were highlights of his life. He also enjoyed building Christmas decorations for all to see.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents. He was also preceded by three great-grandchildren, twins cole and Cooper Schoenthel and Ryan Dale Murphy all born at rest.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, son Steve (Kelly) Murphy, son, Stan (Jo) Murphy of Wellfleet, Nebaska; and daughter Barb (Dick) Dodson of Elwood, Nebraska.  He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Dawn (Luis) Ramos of Killeen, TX, Dana (Frank) Miller of Valentine, Nebraska; Matt Dodson of Elswood, NE, Shelly (Matt) Hardesty, Laura Murphy (Brandon Schoenthel), Shari Murphy(Tommy Bolio) of Benkelman, NE,  Nikki (Malcom) Dornhoff of Heartwell, NE, Sheila (Jeremy) Lutz of Fort Collins, CO; and Justin Dodson of Elwood, NE. Also surviving chuck are eighteen great-grandchildren Alex and Michael Ramos, Nathan, KayLynn, Cody and Casey Miller, Maelyn Pritchard, Alea and Ty Hardesty, Audrey Watkins, Bryant and Alivia Schoenthel, Patrick Murphy,Makenna and Marah Dornhoff, Gracie, Lillie, and Blake Lutz.

Funeral services were held Monday, April 30, 2012, 11:00 a.m. at the Wray United Methodist Church in Wray, Colorado with Rev. Norman Stott officiating. Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Plains, P.O. Box 365, Wray, Colorado 80758. Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Funeral services for Cecil Wayne McCasland 69, who died Tuesday, April 17, 2012 was held Saturday afternoon, April 21, at Anton First Baptist Church in Anton, Texas.

Interment was in the Anton Cemetery, Anton, Texas with arrangements made by Hillcrest Funeral Home in Littlefield, Texas.

Cecil was born to Lorrain and Dorothy McCasland in Yuma, Colorado November 21, 1942. He was the first grandson of Earl Dike and Opal McCasland.

Cecil attended grade school in Longmont, Colorado. He graduated from Westminster High School in 1961. He attended college in Durango, Colorado where he met his wife Ellen Norris. They were married in Durango, Colorado on August 5, 1962. Shortly after they were married they moved to Beulah Heights, Kentucky where they served as dorm parents at the Bible Missionary Church Children’s Home.

Later, Cecil was a general contractor in Colorado until he became a maintenance man, Wood Brothers Homes and Deline Box Factory.

Cecil said his greatest accomplishment were his three children and grandchildren: all of which appreciate all he has done to raise them in the ways of Christianity and work ethic.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy McCasland.

He is survived by his wife Ellen, son Richard (Carri) McCasland, daughter Ramona (Douglas) Shields, and son Roger (Christine) McCasland. Grandchildren: Lynnette (Ray) Perry, Linda (Andrew) Harner; Renee and Melissa McCasland; Douglas II, Charla, Amanda Shields and one great grandson, Samuel Ray Alan Perry.

His father, Lorrain McCasland; brothers Wilbur (Wanda), Calvin (Martha), Dale (Kathy), and sister Wilma (Robert) Hallbauer. Also many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the Wray United Methodist Church in Wray, Colorado with Rev. Norman Stott officiating. Interment was held in the Eckley Cemetery in Eckley, Colorado. Memorials may be made to Hillcrest Care Center or the Wray United Methodist Church. Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Max G. Schafer, of Eckley, Colorado died Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at The Towers assisted living  in Wray at the age of 85. He was born to Clyde V. and Mae Allen Schafer at their farm home near Wray March 3, 1927 as the third of five children. He attended Radnor and Laird schools and graduated from Vernon High School in 1945. He worked with his family and other farmers when horses were still being used and tractors were just beginning to gain acceptance.

Max married Beverly B. Fix October 10, 1948 at the Presbyterian Church in Wray and they made their first home in Idalia where Max worked as a mechanic for a short time. When they had the opportunity to farm they moved north of Eckley and eventually settled on their own place where they raised wheat, corn and small grains and ran a small herd of cows.

Max and Beverly raised two sons, Randy bor in 1949 and Hal born in 1956. Max was a devoted family man who embodied the best of being a husband, father, grandpa and great-grandpa as well as a neighbor in the Pleasant Valley community.”Making do” was not just a necessity for him but a delight as he designed what he needed fro what was on hand whether he was constructing a homemade farm implement, a lawn mower or a go-cart. Max lived his life close to the earth and loved nature. He had a flair for drawing that was birthed when his first grade teacher cut pieces of paper for him to copy a collection of bird cards since he could not afford the ten cents to buy them. The teacher, impressed by his determined and talented effort later gave him his own collection.

Max was affliated with Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church north of Eckley and affirmed his hope in the resurrection of Jesus Christ through a weekly Bible Study at The Towers.

He was preceded in death by wife, Beverly Schafer to who he was married for 61 years, his parents, Clyde and Mae Schafer, parents-in-law, George and Julia Fix, sister, Ethel Wingfield, and brother, Jack Schafer.

He is survived by sons, Randy Schafer and wife, Joy, of Haxtun and Hal Schafer and wife, Vicki of Rollinsville, grandchildren, Cameron Schafer of Wheat Ridge, Naomi Schafer of Holyoke, Kali Knight and husband, Jason of Littleton and Joshua Schafer and fiancee, Brechen Currier of Aurora, great-grandchildren, Jaspar and Taylor Schafer of Wheat Ridge, Sister, Earlene Edwards, brother, Kent Schafer of Pagosa Springs, brother-in-law, George A. Fix and wife, Cleora and nieces, nephews cousins and friends.

A Receiving of Family and Friends was held Sunday, April 8, 2012 from 6 -8 p.m. Funeral services were held on Monday, April 9, 2012, 10:30 a.m. at the Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church at County Road 53 and P in Rural Yuma Co., Colorado. with Rev. Sharon Strauss officiating. Interment was made in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery. Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.