Spellman Schmidt Funeral Home

Rusty Heaton passed away on Saturday, August 28, 2010 at the Wray Community Hospital. There will be a Receiving of Family and Friends on Thursday evening, September 2, 2010 at the Spellman-Schmidt Funeral  Home from 6-8 pm.  Funeral service will be held on Friday, September 3, 2010 – 2:00 pm at the First Christian Church in Wray,CO. Interment will follow in the Grandview Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church-Wray,Colorado.  A complete obituary will follow after the funeral services.

Lester Emmons Adams was bornFebruary 4, 1922 to Francis and Iona AltmanAdams. He passed away on August 19, 2010, he was 88 years old. He was the big brother to Joann, Elose, Elaine and Dallas.

Lester attended the  Haigler Schools and graduated with the class of 1940. He joined the United States Navy in 1942 and was honorably discharged in 1946. He returned to Haigler and worked for his father delivering propane. He was a Standard Oil Agent until he retired in 1977. Lester spent much of his time with his best friend, Ward Wonder.  He enjoyed going to dances, hunting and fishing. Lester had a great love for animals and is known for having many pet skunks. One of his favorite stories was when he and Ward shook a porcupine out of a tree and brought it home in the trunk of Ward’s car.  Whatever trouble one didn”t think of, the other one did.

Lester married Mary DeWitt on December 11, 1964. To that  union Betty brought Terry and Sue. Lisa was born in 1969 .  After Lester’s retirement, he and Betty spent much of their time camping and fishing at Rock Creek. They also loved spending time with their friends.  After  Betty’s death in 1998, Lester spent his time playing cards and pool at Jake’s.  Lester was admired for his pool playing skills. He played in pool league up until his health got bad.  He was one of the best players we had ever seen.

His six grandchildren were his pride and joy. He couldn’t stand to see them cry and spoiled them rotten. Morgan and McKinna went out for lunch with him almost every weekend at Jake’s. Lester is known for his kind heart and gentle nature. There is nothing he wouldn’t do for a friend or even a perfect stranger. He never complained and would go without as long as it  made some one else happy. Lester was extremely healthy and active up until this spring.  His health problems required alengthy hospital stay. His last wish was just”to go home”. With the help of loving family and friends, he got his wish. He passed at his daughter’s home on August 19 with his family by his side. He was such an important part of our lives and the Haigler community. He will be sadly missed by all.

Lester is proceeded in death by his wife Betty Adams, a grandson, Ryann Lee Dunn, his sister, Eloise Adams, his parents, Emmons Iona Adams and best friend Ward Wonder. 

He is survivied by daughter, Terry Anderson and children Jessy and Metteah of Lincoln, NE and great grandson, Connor of Alliance, NE; daugther, Sue Livingston and husband Rick of Columbia, CA,  and their daughter, Tiffany of Hamilton, MT; daughter, Lisa Buck and husband Keith and daughters, Morgan and McKinna of  Haigler, NE;  sisters, Joann Webster and husband Don of Haigler, NE;  Elaine Corkle and husband George of Walden, CO ;   brother Dallas Adams and wife Judy of Camano Island, WA ; brother -in- laws David DeWitt of Eckley,CO  and Keith Dewitt of Tucson, AZ ; sister – in – laws, Ruth and husband Ken Vanderford of Benkelman, NE,  Shirley and husband Kent Erickson of Dodge City, KS ; numerous nieces and nephews and many many friends to numerous to mention.

Funeral services were held on Monday, August 23, 2010 at 10:00 am at the Haigler Zion Lutheran Church in Haigler, NE. Interment  followed in the Haigler Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lester E. Adams Memorial Fund.

Robert “Bob’ Clouse passed away on August 10, 2010.  A Recceiving of Family and Friends will be held on  Tuesday, August 17, 2010  from 6-8 pm at the Spellman-Schmidt fFuneral Home. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at the First Christian Church at 2:00pm. Interment to follow in the Grandview Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bob Clouse Memorial Fund.  Following the interment services everyone is invited to the WRAC for Coffee and Doughnuts.

Edna Carrie Crossland passed away August 2. 2010 at the Beehive Assisted Living Center in Sterling Colorado.
Edna was born August 28, 1924 in Kit Carson, Colorado, the daughter of Fred and Mary (Piazza) Johnson. She grew up in the Haxtun area and attended schools in the Haxtun community, graduating from the Haxtun High School in 1942. Edna married Robert Wayne Crossland March 4, 1943 in Sidney Nebraska.
After Robert and Edna were married they moved to Berkley. California where Robert worked in the shipyards during the early part of WWII. In 1944 they moved back to Haxtun, Her three children Mary Ann, Robert Fred and Kenton Wayne were born during their time in Haxtun. in 1954 they moved to a farm south west of Fleming and in 1955 moved to a farm northwest of Wray, Colorado and then in 1969 to a farm they purchased southeast of Eckley.
Edna, in addition to being a farm wife, worked at various stores in town as a clerk and sold Avon. In May of 1985, Edna retired from her position as manager for the Children’s Shop in Wray where she had been employed since December of 1975. Growing tired of farm life, she moved to Sterling. Colorado in November of 1988 where she sold Watkins and Avon products out of her home. In 2007. due to Alzheimer’s and her inability to live alone, she entered the Beehive Assisted Living Center in Sterling.
Edna was baptized on August 9. 1925 and confirmed on April 14, 1946 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Haxtun. She later transferred to Calvary Lutheran Church in Wray and is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sterling.
Edna had a gift for relationships. She made friends wherever she went and found great joy in sharing a cup of coffee and a good story with someone. Here grandchildren were her pride and joy and she never missed an opportunity to spend time with them. She also enjoyed taking short travel excursions to see family and friends or to shop and see the sights.
Edna is preceded in death by her parents. Fred and Mary Johnson, husband, Robert, and brothers, Eldon and Earl. Surviving members of her family include her daughter Mary Ann Dominguez of Denver, CO and grandsons Robert and Kevin of New York; son Robert and wife Sandy of Wray, grandchildren Amanda Crossland, of Plattsmouth, NE, Tara and Casey Garton of Idalia, CO. and great grandchildren Jake and Anna Garton: son Kenton and wife Leslie, of Wheatland, WY, grandchildren Katy, Tristany and Kyler and great grandson, Kaden. She is also survived
by numerous extended family members and friends
Funeral services were held on Saturday, August 7th. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sterling, CO with the Rev. Gary Rahe officiating. Burial was at Haxtun Cemetery.

Velma Viola Cornish was born January 7, 1920 near Armel. She was fifth living child of Wm. Floyd and Daisy Annette (Ward) Gilstrap. She passed away June 23 at Hospice in Colorado Springs.  She grew up in the Armel area and attended school at the old Liberty School before moving to Wray.

Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, Robert C. Cornish, son, DelRay, son-in-law, David Kimsey, four sisters and their spouses, Mabel and Hugh Allen, Fern Faulkner, Faye and Charlie Aughe and Audrey and Don Sims and five brothers and their spouses, Ed and Bonnell, Dee and Beulah, Jake and Ethel, Bill and Mary Jane and Lou Gilstrap.

Surviving her are her children, Nancy Kimsey, Herman and Bonnie Cornish, Loren Cornish and Sharon and Wayne Voigt, tend grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, sisters-in-law, Beryl (Boots) Prather and Shirley Cornish and brother-in-law, Gene and Maralyn Cornish. Also surviving her were numerous nieces and nephews including, June Odell, Wes and Barbara Gilstrap, Lois and Sonny Ritchey, and Peg and Andy Weaver.

Velma requested no services. Memorials can be made to the charity of your choice.

James Darrell Pope, 81, of Wray, was born February 6, 1929 in Sterling, Colorado to Corvin A. “Dutch” and Dora (Atkins) Pope. He passed from this life on July 4th at the Regent Park Nursing Home in Holyoke.
As a child the family lived in the Merino area. In 1935 the family moved to Proctor, later to Crook and in 1945 returned to the Merino area.
Jim graduated from Merino High School in 1947. While in high school he
played football and in 1947 was a member of the basketball team coached by
Howard Propst that won the District Tournament and went on to the State
Tourney for the first time in Merino’s history of basketball fame.
On June 15, 1952, he married Leah Rae Worrell at the United Methodist Church in Merino. That marriage of 58 years resulted in four children, nine grandchildren, and eight grandchildren.
Following their marriage, Jim and Leah lived several years in Merino where
Jim was the town marshal for the town of Merino, was active in the IOOF
Lodge and the Methodist Church.
He had four passions in life: his family, rodeoing, working with cattle and the AA program. His interest in rodeo began while he was in high school. He was a lifetime member of the PRCA and was proud of his Gold membership card and the first-place buckles won. He competed in Madison Square Gardens and throughout the United States. He kept abreast of the current rodeo scene through Rodeo Sports News, (name of professional newsletter) and by watching rodeo competition on TV. His passion for cattle was evidenced in his work on several ranches in northeastern Colorado; the Atkinson Ranch at Fleming, the Condon Ranch at Crook, the Ceres Ranches in Wray. Prior to retirement he had the dealership for LOOMIX and supplied cattle supplements to ranchers and feeders in the Wray area. He and Leah won several awards for their work in sales and service with LOOMIX.
He and Leah were long-time members of AA and worked tirelessly through the years to promote, to participate in and to maintain the program. They touched many lives in their work with the program.
Love of family was evidenced by numerous family gatherings outstanding being the 501h anniversary of his marriage to Leah and the celebration of his 80th birthday. Holidays and birthdays saw family members gathering good food and fellowship. These times will be missed but leave many wonderful memories.
Jim had numerous interests and hobbies among which were reading, gardening, traveling, auctions, woodworking, watching rodeo tapes.
Surviving are his wife, Leah, daughters, Linda (Gary) Erickson of Otis, and Tracy (William) Guertz of Sedona, Arizona; sons, James Pope, Jr. of Wray; and Steve (Pam) of Rapid City, South Dakota; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, and sister, Wilda Burkhart of Greeley.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Laurel Jean Pope Halcomb and brother, Robert W. Pope.
In gratitude for the wonderful care given Jim, the family asks those who wish to do so to make memorial contributions to Regent Park Nursing Home in Holyoke, Colorado.
Cremation was requested and a Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Spellrnan-Schmidt Funeral Home in Wray, Colorado.

RAY J. JOHNSON of Wray passed away JULY 23, 2010 at the age of 76. Receiving of Family and Friends at the Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home, 427 Adams Street, Wray, Colorado 80758 on Wednesday, July 28, 2010 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Memorial services will be held at the Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home in Wray, Colorado with Father Jonathan Dellinger officiating on Thursday, July 29, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. Cremation was requested. Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Ida Jean Ellis was born on July 13, 1931 in the Wray Community Hospital to Vaughnley James (Jim) and Elsie irene (New) Probasco, She was the first born twin to the couple and told the story of being placed in a chair after birth and her Daddy almost sitting on her as he did not know of her arrival The twins Jean and Joan joined an older brother Keith and were soon followed by 3 more sisters, Joyce, Nadine, and Janis. They grew up on a farm north of Eckley and attended Barnes Country School, a one room schoolhouse about a mile down the road. Jean recalled a time when a teacher demanded homework to be turned in and she refused even though she did have it completed. The teacher sent her home in anger and afraid she would be in BIG trouble with the folks, Jean did all her chores plus a few extra to try and smooth things out, Turned out she wasn’t in big trouble with her parents and Jean laughed when she remembered that teacher flunking the entire school that year, (except her own kids). Jean’s favorite childhood pastimes included swimming and riding horses. She talked often about Sunday picnics with the family at ‘Old Baldey” a sand blow out nearby.
Jean finished up school and graduated from Eckley High School. She moved to Denver for a short time and worked for Mountain Bell. She quickly realized the big city was not for her and moved back to Wray, continuing to work for Mountain Bell as an operator until the company went dial. In Wray, she met Neil Ellis, a guy she described as very good looking. They dated for eight years before she finally proposed to him. They were married in Raton, New Mexico in 1959. Seven years later a daughter Janeil Rae was born and two years after her birth, a son Michael James Joined the family. Jean stayed home to raise the kids and only worked out of the home once the kids had left home. She considered herself lucky to live near her family and spent much time with her sisters, brother and their families.
Jean’s hobbies included crocheting and watching the Denver Broncos play football. She made many blankets and other items to give to family and friends. One of her favorite projects was crocheting a Bronco blanket, as she was an avid fan having faith in them whether they won or lost. It was so fun to watch the games with her as she would yell, cuss and get so excited throughout the games. She collected Bronco memorabilia and also had a weak spot for purses. If you lost her in a store it was a good bet you’d find her in the purse section.
Later in life she became a grandmother and loved spending time with the grandchildren, She also enjoyed spending time in her yard and took pride in keeping it nice. Jean was an easy going person and welcomed everyone into her home. Her strength and Support will be missed by many.
Jean is preceded in death by husband Neil Ellis, parents Jim and Elsie Probasco, sister Joan and husband Earl Morgan, brother-in-law Max Brown, sister Nadine Brophy nd sister Janis and husband Earle Ekberg.
She is survived by brother Keith and wife Dolores Probasco of Vuma Co, Joyce Brown of Eckley, CO., brother-in-law David Brophy of Wray, daughter Janeil White, husband Jon of Uttleton Co., son Mike Ellis, wife Cindy of Greeley Co., grandchildren Jacen and Jackson White, Taylor, Mason, Cade Barnes, Michaela and Rae Ellis and many nieces and nephews.

Graveside services and Interment will be in the Grandview Cemetery in Wray, Colorado, Friday, July 23, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. Memorials may be made to the Hospice of the Plains, P.O. Box 365, Wray, Colorado 80758. Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Dean Russell Ramseier was born in Denver on May 10, 1927 to Ed and Ella Ramseier. He was welcomed home in Idalia, Colorado by his older brother, Wayne and his sister, Betty.
Dean grew up in Idalia doing what most boys his age were doing.. he watched what his father was doing. Ed ran the Mid-Way Garage and Dean….very early on discovered that he could also…fix just about anything. Dean watched the mechanics and his father working on the cars that came in the garage. Soon Dean was also working on the vehicles in the garage. This early work ethic would become such a part of Dean that people who knew him would comment on “what a worker” he was.
Dean grew tip during the “Dirty 30”s” and often told stories of the dust storms, of the grasshopper invasions, and the year that the jack rabbits just about “ate the country bare.”
Dean attended school in Idalia until he developed rheumatic fever and was bed ridden for almost the entire year. Dean flew for the first time in November of 1945. He took his solo flight in January of 1946 and would continue to fly all of his life.  At the same time that Dean discovered his love of flying he met, dated and married the other love of his life, Dorothy June Anderson. Dean and Dorothy built their home at 835 East 1st Street in Wray with the help of neighbor and friend, Lee Davis. Dean dug the basement by himself with just a shovel and a 5 gallon bucket. Lee taught Dean to lay the cinderblock and together they built the home that Dean lived in until just this last past year. When Dean built something it was always very strong and percise. To their marriage were born four children – Patricia Jean, Barbara Jane, Dean Mark, and JoAnn. Dean was the owner operator of Dean’s Auto Service in Wray when Pat and Barb were young. He was known to do a good job at a fair price in a timely manner. When Mark and Jo4nn were young Dean had closed the Wray garage and began farming at the Idalia farm. Dean raised wheat, corn, pinto beans and sunflowers throughout the years. Dean and Mark began a trucking business called DeMar Company in 1978. Dean stayed active in the trucking and farming until his retirement, Retirement for Dean just meant working at different jobs each day not really taking it easy. But it did allow him to visit in the coffee shop and have many lively conversations over a cup of coffee and piece of pie
Dean was a man of strong words and even stronger opinions. He was loved by his family and will be dearly missed.
Dean was preceded in death by his parents-Ed & Ella, his brother Wayne, his sister Betty Moellenberg, son-in-law “Marty” Martin, a nephew-David fVloellenberg, and twin great great grand daughters, Abigale and Elizabeth Brueggeman.
Dean is survived by his daughter – Pat Willig and husband Phil, daughter – Barbara Martin, Son – Mark Ramseier and wife Sherri, and daughter — JoAnn Scotten and husband, CD..
He leaves behind 14 grandchildren:
Nadilyn Purdy
Angela Wright
Justin Selby
Dennis Davis
David Roubideaux
Shenel Wells
Countessa Roubideaux
Laura (Raxnseier) Raymond
Tyson Ramseier
Gabriel (Gabe) Ramseier
Logan Ramseier
Treis (Trey) Scotten
Chase Scotten
Clint Scotten
He leaves behind 10 Great-Grand children:
Elizabeth Gallo
Jenna Breuggeman
Patrick Breuggeman
Dakota Roubideaux
Bailey Wells
McKenzie Wells
Andrew Selby
Jacob Selby
Gabrielle Selby
Hudson Raymond
One cousin-Lloyd Ramseier and many lifelong friends,
Dean went home to heaven to be with his loved ones and savior on July 17, 2010.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 21, 2010, 10:00 a.m. at the Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home in Wray, Colorado with Rev. Chuck Wright officiating. Interment was in the Grandview Cemetery in Wray, Colorado. Memorials may be made to the Idalia Vision Foundation. Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

John “Dean” McArthur was born at Bellaire, Kansas January 22, 1923 to Guy Franklin and Myrtle Cleora (May) McArthur. He was the eleventh of 12 children. He passed away May 22, 2010 at the Wray Community District Hospital.

He married Velma Merle Smelker October 9, 1943 in Goodland, Kansas. Three sons born to them were: John Dean, Jr. Terry Lee, and Lonny Dale. Three daughters born to them were: Leila Joy, Meryl Marie, and Linda Lou. The family lived in the Bethune and Burlington areas for several years before moving to the Laird area in May 1956.

Dean served in the U.S. Army from March 26, 1945 to October 29, 1946. After basic training at Camp Walters – Mineral Wells, Texas, he was stationed in the Philippines and New Guinea.

Dean spent the last 3 1/2 years at the Hillcrest Care Center. He was preceded in death by her parents, four sisters and husbands, six brothers and three sisters-in-law, one grandson, and two great-granddaughters.

He is survived by wife of 66 1/2 years, three daughters, Leila Joy, Meryl Marie and Linda Lou. three sons, John Dean, Jr. and wife, Paula, Terry Lee & wife, Ella, and Lonny Dale & wife, Joyce. Twenty-six grandchilren, several step-grandchildren, forty-six Great-granchildren, several step-grandchildren, one sister, June Martin. Six Sisters-in-law: Mabel, Jeanne, Luella, Verla, Lola, and Myrna, and many nieces and nephews.

Private Family Graveside Services were held at Lakeview Cemetery, Laird, Colorado, Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Plains. Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.