United States High School Yearbooks by County
Mary Florence McConnell
Mary Florence McConnell, 88, died July 21 in Arvada.
She was born Aug. 23, 1911 in Orangeburg, N.Y. to Paul and Josephine Schien Oravetz.
She married William McConnell in Leadville in 1929 and together they had three children. They lived in Leadville about 59 years. William preceded her in death in 1963.
In 1972, she moved to Thornton to be near her family.
When she was younger, she enjoyed embroidery and crocheting. She wasn't much of a sports fan until she moved into the Colorado Lutheran Home and there her roommate influenced her to begin enjoying sports.
Most of all, she loved to be with her family. They will always remember her as someone who, no matter how little she had, was always willing to give to someone else.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband.
She is survived by her children Jean (Marv) DeSelm, Golden; Joseph (Marlene) McConnell, North Glenn; and William (Florence) McConnell, Alameda, Calif.; brother John (Kuni) Oravetz, Santa Rosa, Calif.; six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
The Mass of Christian Burial was July 24 at Annunciation Catholic Church with Father Tom Killeen officiating. Joan Dawson sang accompanied by Jean Elliott.
Pallbearers were Robert Salvato, Sr., Robert Salvato, Jr., Marv DeSelm, Joe McConnell, James Gregory and Gordon Carlson.
Interment was at St. Joseph Cemetery. Her family received friends at a reception in the Parish Hall.
Memorial contributions may be made to Exempla Colorado Lutheran Home, Wheelchair Fund, 7991 W. 71st Ave., Arvada, CO 80004.
Arrangements were handled by Bailey Funeral Home.
Matthew Charles Lynch
Matthew "Matt" Charles Lynch, 18, died Aug. 3 at the Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George, Utah, of complications following a drowning incident.
He was born Sept. 27, 1981 in Grand Junction to James Allen and Sally Ann Himelright Lynch. He lived in Gateway, Colo. until age 3, at which time the family moved to Leadville.
Last spring Matt graduated from Lake County High School with scholastic honors and was also chosen as a member of the National Honor Society. He lettered in track, cross country, wrestling and skiing. He was a Black Belt in karate and a very devoted Christian. He loved the outdoors, especially fishing and deer and elk hunting.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather Charles Nelson Himelright.
He is survived by his parents Jim and Sally Lynch, Leadville; sister Heidi Ann Lynch, Denver; grandparents James LeRoy and Mary Jane Lynch, Commerce City; and Bessie Ella Himelright, Frederick, Md.; great grandmother Irma Persinger, Englewood; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services were held Aug. 9 at Lake County High School.
Arrangements were handled by Bailey Funeral Home in Leadville and Spilsbury & Beard Mortuary, St. George, Utah.
Those wishing may make memorial contributions to The Matthew C. Lynch Memorial Fund, c/o Commercial Bank of Leadville, 400 Harrison Ave., Leadville, CO 80461.
John A. (Jack) Mitchell
John A. (Jack) Mitchell, 82, died June 24 in Denver.
He was born on June 2, 1918 in Leadville.
A veteran of WW II, he worked in Leadville mines for several years. He then moved to Denver to work for Westinghouse, working there until his retirement.
June Ossman
June Ossman, 66, died July 30 in Westminster.
Born in Dalhart, Texas on Feb. 20, 1934, her parents were Leroy and Marie Munsey Ashlock.
The Leadville Lake County Clerk of Records for 38 years, she belonged to the Annunciation Catholic Church where she married Robert E. Ossman on Aug. 12, 1957.
She loved and admired antiques, but more than anything she enjoyed being with her grandchildren.
She left Leadville in 1998 to be near her daughter.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; and sister, Sonia Tooley.
She is survived by her daughter, Donna Marie (Mark) Ballentine, Westminster; grandchildren, Beau, Lance and Larkyn Ballentine; sister, Norma (Tom) Grey, Tule Lake, Calif.; and brother, Earl (Jo) Sands, Prague, Okla.
The Rosary was recited on Aug. 2 and Mass of Christian Burial was on Aug. 3, both at Annunciation Catholic Church.
Father Tom Killeen officiated and Joan Dawson sang accompanied by Jean Elliott.
Pallbearers were Howard Tritz, Ray Byrne, John Byrne, Clint Conter, Jack Brink and Mike Tritz.
Interment was in St. Joseph Cemetery followed by a reception at the Elk's Lodge.
Those wishing may make memorial contributions to St. Judes Children's Hospital, P.O. Box 318, Memphis, TN 38101.
Arrangements were handled by Bailey Funeral Home.
Rick James Byrne
Rick James Byrne, 39, died Aug. 9 at his home in Arvada.
He was born in Leadville on May 7, 1961 to Raymond and Carolyn Pinamonti Byrne. He went to school in Leadville and graduated from high school in Craig, Colo.
He became a bricklayer but eventually a heart condition he had since the age of 9 prevented him from this hard physical labor. He then went to work for the Postal Service.
He would have given the shirt off his back to help someone in need. He loved to fish and hunt, but most of all he enjoyed being with his nieces and nephews. His family will always remember him as a joker and someone who fought for the rights of the handicapped.
He is survived by his companion Antonea Papaeliou, Arvada; his parents Ray and Carolyn Byrne, Leadville; sisters Mary Ann (Joe) Starr, Thornton; and April (Tony) Swango, Leadville; brothers Wayne (Andrea) Byrne and Randy (Betty) Byrne, both in Leadville; and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews.
The Rosary was recited on Aug. 11 and Mass of Christian Burial on Aug. 12, both at Annunciation Catholic Church. Father Tom Killeen officiated and Joan Dawson sang accompanied by Jean Elliott.
Pallbearers were Keith Moffett, Bill and Leigh Osborn, John Kohler, and Andy and Mick Koucherik.
Interment was at St. Joseph Cemetery and his family received friends after the Committal at the Senior Center.
Arrangements were handled by Bailey Funeral Home.
Charlotte Irene McHale
Charlotte Irene McHale, 74, died Aug. 3 in Colorado Springs.
She was born in Leadville on April 1, 1926 to Martin and Elizabeth (Blamey) McHale.
She went to school in Leadville and eventually became a telephone operator there. She was one of the original Telephones of America Pioneers for the Phone Company and retired after 44 years of service.
She enjoyed gardening and making teddy bears for children in the hospital.
She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers; and three sisters.
She is survived by her great nephew, Charles (Maria) Collins, Wichita Falls, Texas, who was raised as a son by Charlotte; her sister Loretta Lucy of East Debuque, Ill.; nieces Judy (Albert) Mckinney, Brownfield, Maine; and Dorothy (Larry) Streno, Denver; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The Rosary was recited on Aug. 7 and Mass of Christian Burial was Aug. 8, both at Annunciation Catholic Church. Father Tom Killeen officiated and Joan Dawson sang accompanied by Jean Elliott.
Pallbearers were Larry, Shaun, and Michael Streno, Linda McKinney and Ron and Alan Bertolas.
Interment was in St. Joseph Cemetery and the family received friends at the Parish Hall following the Committal.
Arrangements were handled by Bailey Funeral Home.
