Monte Vista resident Beverly J. Vitale, 83, died peacefully on May 4, 2022, at the Monte Vista Estates Nursing Home in Monte Vista. 

Beverly was welcomed into the arms of her parents Alvin Riffel and Norma Mueller Riffel on April 28, 1939. She was a lifelong San Luis Valley resident except for three years spent in Hoisington, Kan.  

She married Craig Barnes in 1959.  They spent 35 years together until his death in 1994. She married her second husband Salvatore “Sam” Joseph Vitale on Nov. 14, 2001, and they enjoyed 17 wonderful years together until his death in 2018.   

Beverly taught school in Marsh and Central Schools in Monte Vista for 25 years. She worked mainly in special education, but spent several years as a regular classroom teacher. She was a warm and compassionate person that was always looking out for others. She was much loved by so many people.  

Beverly was a lifetime member of St. Peters Lutheran Church in Monte Vista and was active and devoted to her Bible study group. She was involved in teaching at church and directed several choirs and played the organ. She enjoyed going to the cabin in the mountains of Creede. Beverly loved her dogs and taking them for walks. 

She is survived by her children Paul Barnes of Creede, Colo., Laura Vitale, Martha (John) Ball, and Vincent (Tyler Tousley) Vitale, Donna (Gaylen) Bush, Michael (Janet) Vitale, sister Faith (Barry) Schofield-Hong and her brother Gordon (Judy) Riffel; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family and friends. 

Beverly was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband Craig Barnes, her second husband Salvatore “Sam” Vitale and her daughter Kim Barnes-McCullough. 

Cremation was chosen and a Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, June 3, 2022, at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Monte Vista. A graveside service will take place at 11 a.m. that morning at the Homelake Veterans’ Center Cemetery. Contributions in her memory are suggested to either St. Peters Lutheran Church in Monte Vista or to Doctors Without Borders. 

Rogers Family Mortuary is in care of the arrangements. To leave online remembrances, words of comfort, or tributes for Beverly’s family, please visit www.RogersFunerals.com.