Mike Golder left this world suddenly on July 4 at his home near Del Norte in the company of his two beloved dogs, Baylee and Hershey. He celebrated his 72nd birthday the previous night by indulging in chocolate cake and an assortment of ice cream.

Randy Verne Glover of Center, Colo., was born on Dec. 26, 1954, to Theron J. Glover and Leona McComb; he was reunited with them in heaven on June 24, 2023. He will always be remembered as a fun-loving brother, super uncle, and friend.

Martha (Marty) Maria Valdez Hagan was called home by her Lord and Savior on June 18, 2023, surrounded by her family. She was born in Del Norte, Colo., on Nov. 23, 1942, the daughter of Abel Valdez and Teresa Pacifica Espinosa and sister to Marcella Gonzales Martinez.

Longtime Monte Vista resident Isabel Marie Pacheco, 89, died June 27, 2023, at the Rio Grande Hospital in Del Norte, Colo. It was with great love and sorrow that her children, all present at her passing, said their goodbyes.

Martha Ann “Marty” (Adams) Steward, 90, was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on June 18, 2023. She lived a full life and touched many hearts on her earthly journey

John C. Tompkins, 69, of Tucson, Ariz., passed away on June 2, 2023. Born Aug. 2, 1953, in Greensboro, N.C. John attended Culver Military Academy, Illiana Christian High School, and Calvin College.

Sally Hubbard Towns, beloved wife, sister, aunt and great-aunt, passed away on May 24 due to complications from a stroke and dementia. She was born on Jan. 17, 1950, to the late Millard Farmer Hubbard and Dorothy Adams Hubbard in Jackson, Miss., the second of three children. She graduated from Murrah High School in 1968 and was named Junior Miss Jackson and first runner-up for Junior Miss Mississippi that year.

Longtime Del Norte resident Lela May Pierce, 88, passed away on May 30, 2023. She was born on a ranch 5 miles west of Del Norte, Colo., on April 4, 1935, to Paul E. and Sarah Frances (Love) Weaver.

Sam Keith, 83, passed away peacefully at his home in Warren, Texas, on May 30, 2023. He was born on Oct. 3, 1939, in Wichita Falls, Texas to Sam Keith and Opal Thompson Keith.

Longtime Creede resident Delma Dorothy Dooley, 94, died peacefully at home June 5, 2023, in Creede.

Longtime Monte Vista resident Ray Warren Berry, 85, died June 4, 2023, at the River Valley Inn Nursing Home in Del Norte, Colo.

MSGT (RET) Alejandro (Alex) Antonio Martinez, of Denver, Colo., passed away Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, at the age of 85 at Veterans Home Fitzsimons in Denver, Colo.

Mary Ann Messick passed away May 21, 2023, in Tucson, Ariz., a month shy of her 92nd birthday. She was born June 20, 1931, in Monte Vista, Colo., to Leto and Lorna LaJune Scott Kehler, the fifth of eight children.

John Edgar McDaniel, Jr., long-time Adams State professor and philanthropist, passed away on May 2, 2023. He was born Oct. 10, 1932, in Decatur, Texas, the son of John Edgar McDaniel and Vivian Randolph McDaniel.

Longtime Center resident Sadie Marie Skeff passed away on April 28, 2023, in Center, Colo. She lived her life devoted to her church, her family and her community.

Arnulfo Bolaños-Mateo (El Paisa), 76, of Center, Colo., was born on Sept. 8, 1946, in Los Angeles, Michoacan, Mexico, and passed away on April 21, 2023, in Colorado Springs surrounded by his family.

Garry Lee Gustafson of Monte Vista, Colo., passed away of natural causes in his home at the Homelake Veterans Center on Saturday, April 22. He was 78 at the time of his death.

John Dale Velasquez passed away at the Washington Oddfellows Nursing Home in Walla Walla, Wash., on Jan. 8, 2023. He was one day shy of his 91st birthday.

Sally Bills Peck, 80, of Del Norte, Colo., passed away on April 5, 2023.

Longtime Bayfield resident, Ruth Blanche (Dye) Pope, died April 13, 2023, at Mercy Hospice House in Durango, Colo. She was 77 years old.