County, Stories

New owners for RBC funeral homes

Mitch and Ty Ann Blackburn, pictured with their sons Dakota, McClain, Braxten and daughter Shanae, recently purchased the Rio Blanco County Funeral Homes in Meeker and Rangely, keeping the names and phone numbers the same.

The funeral homes in Rio Blanco County have new owners. Mitchell (Mitch) and Ty Ann Blackburn have purchased Rio Blanco County Funeral Homes from Joseph and Teresa Swiger.

“We wanted to make sure Meeker and Rangely have a funeral home,” new owner Mitch Blackburn said following a funeral in Meeker earlier this week. “We’ve already had two funerals (one in Meeker and one in Rangely), with no problems. We want people to know they can trust and rely on us to help them through this difficult time.”
The Swigers purchased Cochran Memorial Chapels in Meeker and Rangely in March 2010, from Ran Cochran. Cochran died Feb. 28, 2011. The Blackburns purchased the business from Swigers but not the buildings. They are currently looking for a place to rent. The Blackburns also own Vernal Mortuary in Vernal, Utah.
“We are still answering the phones 24 hours a day and the numbers have remained the same (970-878-5722 and 970-675-5777),” said Blackburn. He has been a licensed mortician for 21 years and owner of Vernal Mortuary for the past 11.
Blackburn said they will staff someone in Meeker and are currently working with Nancy Richardson for body removal.
The Blackburns have three boys, Dakota, McClain and Braxten, and one daughter, Shanae. The children range in age from 12- to 16-years-old, with Shanae being the youngest and Dakota the oldest. “Our boys are into hunting and the outdoors and they are already excited to come over here and hunt,” Blackburn said.
Blackburn said the name Rio Blanco Funeral Homes would remain the same, with each town having a funeral home; Meeker Funeral Home and Rangely Funeral Home.

By Bobby [email protected] I The funeral homes in Rio Blanco County have new owners. Mitchell (Mitch) and Ty Ann Blackburn have purchased Rio Blanco County Funeral Homes from Joseph and Teresa Swiger.“We wanted to make sure Meeker and Rangely have a funeral home,” new owner Mitch Blackburn said following a funeral in Meeker earlier this week. “We’ve already had two funerals (one in Meeker and one in Rangely), with no problems. We want people to know they can trust and rely on us to help them through this difficult time.”The Swigers purchased Cochran Memorial Chapels in Meeker and Rangely in March 2010, from Ran Cochran. Cochran died Feb. 28, 2011. The Blackburns purchased the business from Swigers but not the buildings. They are currently looking for a place to rent. The Blackburns also own Vernal Mortuary in Vernal, Utah.“We are still answering the phones 24 hours a day and the numbers have remained the same (970-878-5722 and 970-675-5777),” said Blackburn. He has been a licensed mortician for 21 years and owner of Vernal Mortuary for the past 11.Blackburn said they will staff someone in Meeker and are currently working with Nancy Richardson for body removal.The Blackburns have three boys, Dakota, McClain and Braxten, and one daughter, Shanae. The children range in age from 12- to 16-years-old, with Shanae being the youngest and Dakota the oldest. “Our boys are into hunting and the outdoors and they are already excited to come over here and hunt,” Blackburn said.Blackburn said the name Rio Blanco Funeral Homes would remain the same, with each town having a funeral home; Meeker Funeral Home and Rangely Funeral Home.

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  • The Barone Middle School track team competed and placed well in the meet in West Grand last weekend. The eighth grade boys won the overall meet. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
  • The Meeker Preschool Roundup will be held this Friday, April 26th from 8am to 4pm!
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  • The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Rio Blanco Fire Protection District (RBFPD) will begin work on a firebreak northwest of the Town of Meeker this month. Read about it online at ht1885.com.
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The Barone Middle School track team competed and placed well in the meet in West Grand last weekend. The eighth grade boys won the overall meet. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
The Barone Middle School track team competed and placed well in the meet in West Grand last weekend. The eighth grade boys won the overall meet. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
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The Meeker Preschool Roundup will be held this Friday, April 26th from 8am to 4pm!
The Meeker Preschool Roundup will be held this Friday, April 26th from 8am to 4pm!
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View on Instagram |
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Gear up for an unforgettable adventure with the 2024 Ride The Rockies Route, set to unfold from June 9th to 15th! Read all about this new and exciting adventure visiting Meeker this year in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Gear up for an unforgettable adventure with the 2024 Ride The Rockies Route, set to unfold from June 9th to 15th! Read all about this new and exciting adventure visiting Meeker this year in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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Rangely Panther Kobey Chism (#22) has been selected to play in the 2024 8-man football all-state game. He’s sponsored by the Bleed Green Lancaster #17 Foundation. Story at ht1885.com.
Rangely Panther Kobey Chism (#22) has been selected to play in the 2024 8-man football all-state game. He’s sponsored by the Bleed Green Lancaster #17 Foundation. Story at ht1885.com.
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The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Rio Blanco Fire Protection District (RBFPD) will begin work on a firebreak northwest of the Town of Meeker this month. Read about it online at ht1885.com.
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You can always find a reason to laugh... start with yourself. Hear from our Editor in her column this week online at ht1885.com.
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