Monte Vista resident Donna L. Avara, 84, passed away on March 8, 2023, in Monte Vista, Colo. She was born on June 10, 1938, in Bowen, Colo., to Ronald and Lilly (Anderson) Iske. She married Richard Wesley Avara on Feb. 18, 1984, in Monte Vista.

Creede resident Tracy Shay Trow, 55, passed away with her family by her side March 9, 2023, of liver failure, at San Luis Regional Medical Center, Alamosa, Colo.

Longtime Valley resident Beverly Jean Francis, 76, passed away on March 14, 2023. She was born on July 12, 1946, in Kansas City, Mo., to Ira Mose and Helen Catherine (Llewelyn) Francis. She married Gerald “Jerry” Robinson.

Longtime Manassa resident Sharon Sowards, 84, died March 9, 2023, at the San Luis Valley Health Regional Medical Center in Alamosa.

On Friday, March 10, 2023, Marilyn Joyce (Sawyer) Davey, loving wife, mother, and longtime resident of the San Luis Valley passed away at the age of 73. Marilyn was born to Derrell and Ruth Sawyer in Lamar, Colo.

Ronald (Ron) D. Golden, 81, passed away on March 3, 2023, in Del Norte, Colo.

Ron was born to his parents Charles Alexander and Mildred Pearl Zumwalt on Nov. 28, 1945, in Silver City, N.M. Joining his brother Charles Ervin and sister Betty Bell. Ron grew up in Silver City, graduating from high school there.

Gerald (Tiny) Sears was born on March 14, 1930, to Samuel and Viva (Hiatt) Sears and passed away peacefully at his home in Cleo Springs, Okla., surrounded by his family. He was 92.

Mark William Wetherill, son of Hank and Joy Nichols and Clayton Wetherill, was 50 years old when he left this world to enter the next one on Aug. 11, 2022.

Mary Ann Wright, age 88, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022.

David Carl Schueler, born July 2, 1964, was a husband, a brother, and a friend; a man who exuded compassion and treated each person he met with respect, in his personal life and professionally. Born in Hereford, Texas, and raised in Colorado’s San Luis Valley with a family of seven brothers and sisters, Dave was known for his humor, a smile that could light up a room, and an exceptional sense of kindness. He had the sort of kindly manner that offered comfort and reassurance to those who had the good fortune to cross his path.

Clifford Andrew Pearcy, dearly beloved son, brother, nephew and uncle, died on Jan. 5, 2023, at the age of 54. Clifford was born on Feb. 7, 1968, in Monte Vista, where he was raised, and graduated from Monte Vista High School in 1986.

Randi Kay Scherer passed peacefully in her sleep in the early morning of Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, in her bed at the Scherer’s cabin home in the Big Horn Mountains outside of Buffalo, Wyo., at the age of 70.

Longtime Valley resident Orville (Jay) Roberts, 76, passed away on Jan. 11, 2023. He was born on Aug. 21, 1946, in Nampa, Idaho, to Lauren Phillip and Loretta Marie (Finneran) Roberts.

Monte Vista resident Carolyn Lou Kimball, 93, passed away on Jan. 6, 2023. She was born on July 12, 1929, in Harrisville, W. Va., to Chester William and Alberta Marion (Lambert) McKitrick. She earned her bachelor's degree in nursing from Ohio Valley School of Nursing in Steubenville, Ohio.

ALAMOSA — John David Sanford, 88, passed away from natural causes, Dec. 20, 2022, at Homelake Veterans Center, Monte Vista, Colo., with family members in attendance. He was born in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 25, 1934.

Staff Sgt. Bobby Lee Mahannah, 82, passed away peacefully surrounded by friends and family at the Veterans Community Living Center at Homelake in Monte Vista, Colo., on Dec. 29, 2022. Bobby was a decorated veteran who served in the Vietnam War and retired from the United States Army with 20 years of service.

Kathrine was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend as well as a fierce advocate for animals and had a devoted love for Jesus. Kathy went to her forever home with Jesus on Dec. 14 of 2022; her loving children, Angela and Jason Boylen by her side.

Jean Ann Consaul (Meyer), age 39, of Center, Colo., passed away Friday, Dec. 23, 2022.

Passed away unexpectedly on Nov. 30, 2022. Debi was with her husband of 50 years, Jess.