From Garfield County, Colorado:
William C. "Billy" Bowen
February 24, 1926 - June 14, 2000
William C. "Billy" Bowen of Grand Junction, died on June 14, 2000 at St. Mary's Hospital & Medical Center. He was 74 years of age.
Billy was born February 24, 1926 at Glenwood Springs, CO to Frederick Bryant and Verva Bowen. He spent his childhood and attended schools in the Glenwood Springs and Rifle areas. He enjoyed his friends and loved the many years of ranching on Rifle Creek. From 1942 to 1952, he raised sheep in Colorado and Kansas and later on spent many years raising cattle. The Bowen family provided property for a Youth Church Camp for more than 20 years. Billy enjoyed the thank yous he received from youngsters who spent time at his ranch and were able to enjoy the high mountain country while studying the Bible.
His survivors include one niece, Susan Bowen Brown of Denver, CO and a nephew, Frederick Bowen of Rifle.
A graveside service was held on Monday, June 19, 2000 at Rosebud Cemetery in Glenwood Springs, CO. Mr. Bob Hirons officiated. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Neil Russell Hammond, Mesa State College Scholarship Fund, c/o Callahan-Edfast Mortuary at 2515 Patterson Road, Grand Junction, CO 81505.
Gary Billington
August 27, 1937-June 18, 2000
Gary Billington passed away on June 18, 2000 at this home, after an extended illness. He was born on August 27, 1937 in Golconda, Illinois to Levi and Stella Billington.
He spent his childhood in Rosiclare, Illinios and graduated from the Rosiclare High School in 1953. He joined the U.S. Navy for four years. He also spent time in the Korean War and in Japan. He was an excellent sailor. While still serving his country, he married Betty J. McGhee of Harrisburg, Illinois in December of 1955. He attended Southern Illinois University and took night classes to finish college. He received an associates degree. Gary has numerous achievements. He was Past Master of Masonic Lodge, number 129-Rifle and a member of the Scottish and York Rites Consistry of Grand Junction. He also served the El Jebel Temple, the Denver and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Book Cliff number 45, Lodge Rifle and the Rebecka Lodge number 46 of Rifle in the Elk Lodge number of the Rocky Mountain Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife, Betty Billington of Rifle, Colorado. He is the father of three sons, Gary, Kevin, and Greg, who passed away March 2nd 2000 of cancer. He was also the grandfather of six grandchildren. He enjoyed life and loved his family and friends.
Funeral services will be on Thursday, June 22 at 1:00 at the Rifle Funeral Home Chapel, 1400 Access Road with the burial to follow at Rosehill Cemetery. A visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, June 21 from 6pm to 9pm at the Rifle Funeral Home.
Judith Ann Heinsma
Judith Ann Heinsma, of Silt, passed away Thursday, June 15, 2000. She was 52. Mrs. Heinsma moved to the Rifle area in 1981 from Bellflower, California. She liked to sew, read, and cross stitch. Mrs. Heinsma also enjoyed bowling, camping, golfing, and doing crafts. She was a member of the Methodist Church in Rifle, spending a great deal of time helping others.
Mrs. Heinsma is survived by her husband, Richard Heinsma of Silt, CO; parents Harold and Julia Van Essen of California; daughter Tamara (Ron) Wristen of Westminster, Colo; sons Scott (Bonnie) Heinsma of Grand Junction, Colo. Tom (Amy) Heinsma of Windsor, Colo, and Chad Heinsma of Aurora, Colo; brothers Gene Van Essen, Harold Wayne Van Essen; sister Cindy Haagsma all of California; grandmother Elaine Dan Hof of Bellflower, California.
A funeral service was helded Tuesday, June 20 at the United Methodist Church in Rifle with a burial at the Rosehill Cemetery in Rifle.
Beverly Brewer Hendrickson
Feb. 24, 1926 - June 16, 2000
Mrs. Hendrickson was born Feb. 24, 1926 in Grand Junction. She lived in the Roaring Fork Valley all of her life. Mrs. Hendrickson died June 16.
She graduated from Garfield County High School in 1944. Her interests included a lifelong investigation of the area history. She taught "Love And Legends" of the Roaring Fork Valley for Colorado Mountain College. She also wrote beautiful poetry, some of which has been locally published.
Mrs. Hendrickson was survived by seven children: Judy (Wendell) Coates of Globe, Ariz.; Artur (Mavis) Jarboe of Garland Texas; Roy Jarboe of Mancos, Colo.; Roger (Mary) Jarboe of Rifle; Tamar (Peter) Mattorano of Carbondale; Don Henry (Linda) Hendrickson of New Castle; and Shannon Tonozzi of New Castle.
She was also survived by two sisters and one brother: (Nellie) Allan Brewer of Vernal, Utah; Frances (John) Stiener of Sandy, Ore.; and Ina Helm of Leadville; three cousins: Helen and Barbar of Calif. and Beauchamp of N.J.; 20 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
Services took place at the Farnum Holt Chapel on Sat. June 24 at 2:00 p.m.
Niceta Stanley
Oct. 21, 1911 - June 23, 2000
Niceta Stanley passed away Friday, June 23 at the E. Dene Moore Nursing Home. She was 89 years of age.
Niceta was born, raised and spent most of her life in Cleveland, Ohio. Niceta relocated to Rifle to live with her daughter Marian, and son-in-law Joe Clugston when her health began to deteriorate. Eventually she moved to E. Dene Moore Nursing Home where she spent almost seven years before her death.
She is survived by her daughter, Marian Clugston from Rifle, and sons Ralph Stanley from Maine and Frank Stanley from Ohio, as well as 14 grand children and 10 great grandchildren. Niceta was one of ten children and is also survived by two sisters, Ester and Agnes, and one life long friend, Sophie.
A simple memorial service will be held at E. Dene Moore on Sunday July 2 at 3:00 p.m. by Reverend Del Whittington.
Harry Charles Simms
Dec. 9, 1927 - June 25, 2000
Former resident of Rifle. Graduated with the class of 1946. Son of Ezra and Madie Simms, he passed away June 25.
Nicholas O. Long
Nicholas O. Long of Parachute passed away Thursday, June 22 at Mountain View Hospital in Payson, Utah. He was 15 years of age.
Survivors include his parents, Ken and Cindy Long of Parachute; a brother, Danny Wilkens of Phoenix, Ariz.; a sister, Kealey Long of Phoenix; grandparents, Dave and Linda Wells of Showlow, Ariz.; Art and Alma Akers of Phoenix; Ernie and Jolene Long of Cornville, Ariz.; sister-in-law, Kim Anzalone; one niece and two nephews.
A funeral service was held Tuesday, June 27 at 2:00 P.M. at the First Apostolic Church, 127 4th Street in Parachute. Burial followed in Battlement Mesa Cemetery.
