Tri-County Obituaries
Huerfano County, Pueblo County, Las Animas County
This page contributed by Karen Mitchell
The Tri-County Obituary Project Coordinator is Louise Adams .
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Byars, Eleanor Frances
Eleanor Frances Byars - Pueblo Chieftain - June 06, 2001 - Eleanor Frances Byars of Rye, Colo., passed away on Monday, June 4, 2001, at her home in Rye. She was 73. She was the daughter of Joseph and Lena Bullington, longtime residents of Rye. She was also a school teacher, and in the 1950s she was hired by the U.S. Government to teach in schools on military bases overseas. She taught school in the Philippines, Turkey, Italy, Spain, Morocco and Taiwan, and traveled extensively for 30 years, retiring to Rye in the 1980s. Her only surviving relatives are two nieces, Kathleen Parker of Washington and Omalee Blackwell of Arkansas; and nephew, J.P. Lovett III of New York. She is survived also by her dearest friends, Roy and Brenda Clennin of Rye, and Eunice Dayton of Olathe, Kan. No services are being held at this time. A ceremony for the scattering of her cremated remains will be announced at a later date. Roy and Brenda Clennin may be contacted at their home in Rye.

Byers, Chary Anne
Chary Anne Byers - Pueblo Chieftain - February 14, 1995 - Chary Anne Byers, 27, Denver resident, passed away Feb. 10, 1995. Chary is survived by her husband, John; three children, Robert, Crystal and Victoria; mother Charon Cogley (Walter) Humphrey, all of Denver; an aunt, Rose Cogley; and cousin, Chris, both of Pueblo. Cremation with memorial service to be held at a later date. The family may be contacted at 3444 W. Moncrief, Denver, Colo. 80211.

Byford, Dorothy Louise
Dorothy Louise (Hoppe) Byford - Pueblo Chieftain - August 19, 2003 - Dorothy Louise (Hoppe) Byford died Aug. 17, 2003, in Pueblo, Colo. She was born in Alton, Ill., on Jan. 22, 1911. She resided in Alton, Ill., until moving to Pueblo in 1978. She is predeceased by her parents; husband, E. Ben Byford; and daughter, Cynthia Graham. Surviving are sister-in-law, Lucy Baird of Houston, Texas; grandchildren, Patrick (Jeannette) Graham of Colorado Springs and Maggie (Anthony) DiMatteo of Rye, Colo.; George and Debbie Graham of Pueblo; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and special friend, Kathlyn Vail. Mrs. Byford was a member of College Avenue Presbyterian Church of Alton since 1934. She attended Westminster Presbyterian Church after moving to Pueblo. She was a member of PEO Chapter CG. There will be no viewing. Cremation, Montgomery & Steward Crematorium. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2003, at Westminster Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Patrick O. Hurley officiating. The family respectfully requests the omission of food and flowers. Memorials may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 10 University Circle, Pueblo, CO 81005 or PEO Chapter CG, through the funeral home office.

Byford, E. Ben
E. Ben Byford - Pueblo Chieftain - December 21, 1997 - E. Ben Byford, died Dec. 18, 1997, in Pueblo, Colo. He was born in Brighton, Ill., on Oct. 13, 1908. He resided in Alton, Ill., until moving to Pueblo in 1978. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, whom he married in 1934. He was the father of the late Cynthia Cindy" Graham. Surviving are sister, Lucy Baird of Houston, Texas- grandchildren, G. Patrick (Jeannette) Graham of Phoenix, Ariz., and Margaret L. Maggie" Graham of Pueblo, George and Debbie Graham of Pueblo, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Mr. Byford was a member of College Avenue Presbyterian Church of Alton since 1934. He has attended Westminster Presbyterian Church since moving to Pueblo. He retired from Olin Company of East Alton, Ill., in 1970 and was a member of Franklin Masonic Lodge No. 25 of Alton and the Consistory of Belleview, Ill. A will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, 1997, at Westminster Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Patrick O. Hurley officiating. The family will receive friends in the Church Fellowship Hall following the service. The family respectfully requests the omission of food and flowers. There was cremation. Memorials may be made to Abiding Memorial Fund, College Avenue Presbyterian Church, 1702 Clawson St., Alton, Ill., 62002 or Westminster Presbyterian Church, 10 University Circle, Pueblo, Colo., 81005.

Byles, Axtell
Axtell Byles - Huerfano World - June 14, 2001 - Axtell Byles passed away at the age of 83 on June 1, 2001 in Walsenburg. My Byles was born in New York City on Jan 1, 1918 to Axtell Julius Byles and Florence Payne Byles. He graduated with the class of 1937 from Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH, where he was captain of the ice hockey team, played tackle on the football team and was vice president of his senior class. In 1938, he joined Tidewater Associated Oil Company (now Getty Oil), initially working as an office boy. After educating himself about geology and the oil business, Tidewater promoted him to the position of oil scout, transferring him to Lafayette, LA, and later to Mt. Vernon, IL. During World War II, he volunteered for the United States Coast Guard, serving as an enlisted man and later receiving training at the Coast guard Academy in New London, CT. He loved the sea and spoke many times of his training on the Coast Guard's square rigged sailing ship. After training, he was assigned to duty as a gunnery officer, Lieutenant, j. g. on a cutter which patrolled the Atlantic coast from south Florida to New York and also escorted troop and supply ships to England and Ireland. After victory in Europe, Mr. Byles was assigned to duty on an ice breaker, which patrolled the western coast from southern California to Alaska. He also served on a troop transport delivering fresh troops to the Pacific Theater and bringing the wounded back to US shores. He was awarded the European Theater of War Ribbon with on bronze star for action with the enemy and was honorably discharged in December, 1945. After the war, Mr. Byles moved his family to Texas where he continued working as an oil scout, eventually becoming an independent oil operator organizing drilling ventures. In 1948, he became active in Texas politics. Texas at that time was dominated by the Democratic Party and the Republicans were poorly organized. He was instrumental in building the Republican Party throughout the state. He supported Dwight Eisenhower in his presidential races of 1952 and 1956 and was a member of the Texas delegation to the national presidential race of 1956. In the late 1950s and 1960s, he was a member of the Republican Executive Committee, and in 1960, he was the Republican candidate for Texas State Land Commissioner, losing to his Democratic opponent. In 1964, he attended the Republican Convention in San Francisco as head of the Texas delegation in support of Barry Goldwater. He was also a member of the National Platform Committee. During his years in New Braunfels, he was an active member of St. John's Episcopal Church, serving as both a lay reader and as a soloist in the choir. He was well known for his rich baritone and sensitive interpretation of religious and secular songs. In 1962, Mr. Byles became a part time resident of Del Norte and began learning the cattle business. He became a fulltime resident in 1967 and operated his cattle ranch there for a number of years. He served as president of the San Luis Valley Cattlemen's Association and was a member of the Foundation Beef-master Association. In 1950, he moved to La Veta, where he resided until his death. During his early years in Texas, Mr. Byles played ice hockey for the Lone Star Brewery. He was an enthusiastic fisherman and hunter and enjoyed golfing and skiing. He was also an avid reader. Throughout his life, Mr. Byles was a strong and effective advocate of individual liberty, both economic and social. He believed Christianity provides a solid foundation for a free society. Mr. Byles was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Julius Byles. He is survived by his beloved wife of 34 years, Frances Vaughn Byles, La Veta; his sons, Calvin Axtell Byles and Stuart Wilson Byles; his daughter, Macy Elisabeth Byles Ayanian, his granddaughter, Erin Rebecca Ayanian and his former wife, Carol Wilson Byles, the mother of his children. Graveside service was held on June 6, 2001 in La Veta, In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Axtell may be made to your favorite charity.

Byrd, Bernadette Michelle
Bernadette Michelle Byrd - Pueblo Chieftain - March 16, 2002 - Age 29, departed this life March 12, 2002. A lifetime Puebloan, Berna, as she was known to family and friends, was born March 14, 1972. Preceded in death by father, Bernardo Montoya Jr.; grandfathers, Juan F. Mondragon Sr., Bernardo Montoya Sr. Survived by husband, Timothy Byrd Sr.; children, Timothy Jr., Melissa, Jerrad and Fabian Byrd; brother, Shawn (Angeline) Montoya; mother and stepfather, Maria Montoya, Willie Bravo; stepsisters, Yolanda, Maylynn and Beatrice Bravo; grandmothers, Maria Mondragon, Molly Montoya; father-in-law, John (Stella) Byrd; mother-in-law, Virginia Montiel; godchildren, Rudy and Justina; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends. Berna enjoyed camping, fishing, cooking and spending time with her children telling them stories. Rosary vigil, 6 p.m. Sunday, Angelus Chapel. Funeral Mass, 10 a.m. Monday, Holy Family Catholic Church. Interment, Chama Cemetery, Gardner, Colo. Family will receive friends at 1724 E. 18th St. and 1209 Berkley Ave. and the Gardner Community Center following the burial rites.

Byrd, Earnie E.
Earnie E. Byrd - Pueblo Chieftain - February 17, 1998 - Earnie E. Byrd, 88, passed away Feb. 15, 1998, in Canon City. Survived by his wife, Louis Byrd, of the family home - children, Rick (Wanda) Byrd of Canon City, Butch (Johnna) Byrd of Canon City, Inez (Bob) Miller of Colorado Springs, JoAnn Shipman of California and Donna Rae Marsh of Phoenix, Ariz. - sister, Harriet Barnett-Klingensmith of Canon City - 17 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by his parents, Mattie L. (nee Green) and Frank Byrd - son, John V. Byrd on Jan. 16, 1978 - and four brothers. Born Sept. 30, 1909, in Newport, Ark. Earnie and Louise were married Dec. 30, 1951, in Raton, N.M. Together they owned and operated Roto Rooter in Pueblo from 1952 until their retirement in 1981. Earnie was an avid fisherman and hunter. He especially enjoyed fishing and hunting with his sons. The family will receive friends from 4 until 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, 1998, at the Montgomery & Steward Chapel with Pastor Ronald Draper officiating. Interment will follow at Imperial Memorial Gardens. Those who desire may make memorials to Sangre de Cristo Hospice through the funeral home.

Byrne, Bessie Jordan
Bessie Jordan Byrne - Pueblo Chieftain - April 30, 2003 - Bessie Jordan Byrne, 103, was a dearly loved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to all who knew her. Family and friends affectionately knew her as Betty or Bessie. She died peacefully at 8:14 p.m. on April 28, 2003, at home in Pueblo, Colo. Born Feb. 22, 1900, Betty was the fifth of 10 children born to James and Mary Jordan in Dublin, Ontario, Canada, a village of 500 people. In 1921, she moved to Detroit, Mich., where she lived with three siblings. She married William Louis Byrne, also from Dublin, Ontario, on Sept. 6, 1926, and lived in the Detroit area for over 60 years. Betty moved to Colorado in 1996 to live with her daughter. She enjoyed an exceptional quality of life and greeted everyone with a rhyme, a smile and a blessing. Predeceased by her husband, William; eight siblings; and sons-in-law, Gerald D. Reilly, M.D., and James Legault. Survived by her five children, James (Peggy) Byrne, Donald (Ann) Byrne, of Detroit, Mich., Elizabeth Byrne Legault of Indianapolis, Ind., William Byrne of Las Vegas, Nev., and Rosemary Byrne Reilly of Pueblo, Colo.; and a sister, Sister Agatha Jordan of Chatham, Ontario. She is also survived by 22 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; six step-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, other loved relatives and friends. Betty's deep faith, tireless energy and ability to make a joke enabled her to live through the Great Depression, WWI, WWII, global development, the technological advances of the last century and the many trials and tribulations of her life itself. Her oatmeal cookies, her shuffling slippers and her jokes will be deeply missed, but she leaves a legacy of family whom she adored and who will always love and remember her. Vigil service, 7 p.m. Wednesday, and funeral Mass, noon Thursday, both services at St. Pius X Church. Concluding services will be held in Allen Park, Mich. Please omit flowers; memorials may be made to Ursuline Sisters in care of the funeral home office.

Byrnes, Roberta Dennison
Roberta Dennison Byrnes - Pueblo Chieftain - November 29, 2004 - Roberta Dennison Byrnes, 89, of Pueblo passed away Nov. 26, 2004. Born Jan. 20, 1915, in Tabasco, Colo. Preceded in death by husband, Larry Lyle Byrnes; parents Robert and Lena Maude Dennison; brother-in-law and sister, Alfred F. and Mary O. Kurtin. Survived by daughter, Arlene (Ruben) Manzanares; sister, Gertrude Dennison; grandchildren, Raylene (Tony) Speechley, Robert D. (Velvet) Serena of Pueblo; great-grandchildren Kathleen Matic, Rebecca and David Speechley, Robert, Cameron and Alisha Serena and Allen White. Also survived by brother-in-law, Patrick Byrnes. Roberta taught 36 years, 29 years at Bradford school. She loved teaching and seeing student's progress. Roberta was a charter and life member of Delta Chapter Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority. Roberta was a member for 50 years of Westminster Presbyterian Church. She served as Deacon and other offices in the church. She also enjoyed the Pueblo County Historical Society. Roberta loved her family and enjoyed taking care of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed being with her many friends. Funeral service, 10 a.m. Thursday, at George McCarthy Historic Chapel with the Rev. Sidney Skirvin officiating. Following the service, interment will take place at 2 p.m. at Masonic Cemetery in Trinidad, Colo. Thank you to Dr. Chris Smith, Dr. Sumant Rawat, and the staff at St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center for their care and concern. A very special thanks for the caring staff at Fuenete de Vida and Dr. Marlow Sloan. Also thanks to Dr. A. Patel, Dr. C.S. Howe, Dr. C. Bedard and Frank Knight at Parkview Balance Center for making this year more comfortable for Roberta. In lieu of flowers and food donations may be made to the Sangre De Cristo Hospice or Westminster Presbyterian Church. Donations in her memory may be made through the funeral home office.

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