Meeker, Obituaries

Obituary: Judy Wheeler

Judy Wheeler
Judy Wheeler
Judith “Judy” Gaye Herndon Wheeler passed away in Prescott, Ariz., on Jan. 31, 2014. She was born in Denver, Colo., on Sept. 17, 1934, the oldest child of V.P. and Bernadine Herndon.
When she was 7, she was joined by a sister, Linda Ruth. Judy grew up in Englewood, Colo., where she was a member of the Mayflower Congregational Church and was graduated from Englewood High School in 1953.
After graduation, she was employed as a proof operator at a local bank in Englewood.
In 1956 she married Frank Wheeler and began her married life at Fort Carson Army base in Colorado Springs, where Frank was stationed.
She often told the story of how she would do the laundry in a wringer washer hooked to the kitchen sink. When she was finished running the clothes through the wringer, she would have to go out the front door, around the house and in the back door to take them out, so tiny was their little house.
In 1957, they had a daughter, Dorothy (Dottie), and moved back to Englewood. Her son, David, was born there in 1959, and she spent many years as a full time mother.
Judy had a beautiful voice, and, after the family moved to Boulder, she joined the Sweet Adeline’s singing group. She sewed her own costumes and enjoyed performing the barbershop quartet style music.
She volunteered as a leader in Camp Fire Girls and was on the sidelines for Pop Warner football. In 1973, the family moved to Meeker, Colo., where Judy worked in the family-owned retail business and started the first TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Club in that area. She was a Lifetime KOPS (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly) and was very proud of that accomplishment.
She was an avid reader and enjoyed books of all types. She shared her love of reading with the residents of the local nursing home, where she volunteered as an activities coordinator. Her quilts are prized possessions of her children and grandchildren, as were the multitudes of baby bibs she embroidered for her grandchildren and nieces and nephews. She loved antiques and had gathered a large collection of beautiful dishes and glassware over the years.
In 1984, she began spending her winters in Congress, Ariz., and moved there permanently in 1992 to be closer to her children and grandchildren. She worked as a receptionist at a treatment center for eating disorders in Wickenburg, Ariz., and lived the life of a “Desert Rat” until moving to Prescott in 2003. Her final years were spent at the Prescott Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, where she received exceptional loving care from their incredible staff.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents and her sister. She is survived by: her children, Dottie (Jerry) Talkington of Sedona, Ariz., and Dave (Jan) Wheeler of Prescott, Ariz. She is also survived by her greatest treasures, her grandchildren, Sam (Kelly) Wheeler, Ben (Gabby) Wheeler, Tylar Talkington, and Tori Talkington. Judy will be missed by her sister’s family in Colorado as well, brother-in-law Rich Bond, nephew Rick Bond and nieces Sheri Woodke and Kris Rutz and their children and grandchildren.
A celebration of Judy’s life will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014 at 2180 W. Jockey Path Road in Prescott, Ariz. 86305.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to your favorite charity in her memory.

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Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
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3 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
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A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
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Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
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The winning teams and individuals for the 18th annual White River Community Association Buy-Fly Fishing Tournament are as follows. Individual top weight catch was Dave Metrovich and longest fish was Kevin Massey. First place team won by Rio Blanco Abstract: Erik Eckman, Adam Parrett, Dave Metrovich and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Second place team was Drake Consulting: Travis Kaiser, John Douglas, Tony Bartolomucci and Bob Brandeberry. Third place team Mr. Rogers and the Hood (accepted by Doug Rogers) Gary Rogers, Mark Beauchamp, Kyle Schutte and Rick Gunter. The white fish have been frozen and will be served at the annual White River Community Association fish fry fundraiser in June.
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
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View on Instagram |
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