December Meeker chamber members announced

MEEKER I The Meeker Chamber of Commerce would like to recognize its December members of the month. This month we are highlighting First National Bank of the Rockies, Schindler Plumbing, the Meeker Lions Club and the Meeker Cemetery District.
First National Bank of the Rockies traces its roots back to its 1904 charter as the First National Bank of Meeker. In the early 1990’s, the First National Bank of Meeker and First Federal Savings and Loan in Craig, were acquired by a group of local investors. The name was changed to First National Bank of the Rockies to reflect the bank’s growing regional presence.  
Today, First National Bank of the Rockies serves the banking and financial needs of customers in seven western Colorado communities, combining traditional personal service with leading edge technologies. These include a state-of-the-art check imaging system, 24-hour telephone banking, electronic statements, convenient Internet banking and banking by mobile phone.  Blending strong local ownership, solid Western values, genuine personal service and leading edge technology, First National Bank of the Rockies is well into its second century of service with an unwavering commitment to being “Your Bank.” For more information, visit their Meeker branch at 504 Main St., call 970-878-5073 or visit www.fnbrockies.com.
Schindler Plumbing is a business Meeker residents have come to associate with high-quality plumbing and outstanding service. Randy Schindler, the founder and owner of Schindler Plumbing, has been in plumbing for 27 years and in business for 15 years. He is particularly experienced in residential, commercial and custom home plumbing and heating, hot water heat, boiler systems and routine service work. His company logo features a ship’s compass, symbolizing his willingness to travel far and wide to meet any demand for plumbing-related projects. The small business includes Schindler, his wife Julie and one part-time laborer.
The Schindlers love Meeker and are supportive of local development and community projects. He and his wife are native Coloradans from Brighton who moved to Meeker because of the superb school system and friendly people. They have been married 31 wonderful years and raised three children ages 21, 28 and 30. Schindler Plumbing welcomes any service and can be reached via office phone at 970-878-5153 or cell at 970-274-8050.
Meeker Lions Club was chartered in 1924. Having served the needs of this community for 87 years, the primary goal of Lions Club is to aid and assist the needs of the community, specifically vision-related needs. Over the years the club has provided eyeglasses for a great number of individual and assisted several in need of eye surgery. In addition to vision needs, the Lions have raised funds through a wide variety of events to provide several college scholarships to deserving graduating high school seniors each year.
The Meeker Lions Club was responsible for building the playground behind the Meeker School Administration building, the picnic tables at City Park, as well as many smaller projects over the years. The club is always looking for new members and welcome all who are community-minded with a willingness to serve. The Meeker Lions Club meets every Tuesday year-round starting at 6:30 p.m. During the winter months they meet at the RBC Fairgrounds Extension building and in the summer months meetings are held at City  Park.
Overlooking the beautiful White River Valley, nestled in the midst of tall evergreens, you will find the Meeker Highland Cemetery. This month, the Meeker Highland Cemetery will be celebrating 120 years from the time the cemetery association was formed and the land was purchased and laid into lots. During the late 1880s and early 1890s the citizens of Meeker pushed to set aside a place to lay their loved ones to rest and the Meeker Highland Cemetery was established. Some of the first burials in the cemetery were the famous bank robbers from 1896, and those they killed. Burial sites prior to the establishment of the Highland Cemetery were moved, including those persons left on the old Valentine and Fordham ranch in Powell Park after the Meeker Massacre. The Highland Cemetery now holds more than 4,000 Meeker residents, including the grandson of the famous Jesse James (d. 1882), of the James and Younger Gang.
Today, the Highland Cemetery is operated by a seasonal three person staff during the months of May through October. This staff works to keep the cemetery beautiful and in good repair. During the winter months, Art Cox is the primary caretaker and Lila Cox manages the office. This will be their 10th year running the cemetery full-time. The Meeker Cemetery District was made a special taxing district in the 1980s. The cemetery district recently invested in a new building, which includes an office, board room and area to house equipment. There are approximately 300 regular burial sites available in the cemetery. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment. To contact the Meeker Cemetery District, call 970-878-5013 or email [email protected].