It is with great sadness we have to say that on 03/30/2025, Michael William Phillips passed away. Michael was born in Chicago, Illinois, on 03/09/1929, to loving parents Michael Phillips, and Alice Kleats. He graduated High School in Chicago at St. Ignatius, before joining the US Navy at the age of 18. He served 4 years during the Korean war. After serving, Michael went on to get his bachelor’s degree in engineering from Cal State Fullerton, which is what he did for the rest of his working career. Outside of work, Michael enjoyed Hunting, Golf, Fishing, Computers, and Singing in the Church Choir. On 09/06/1952, Michael married the love of his life, Renee V. Phillips, whom he spent 72 years with. They had 2 children together, Michael J. Phillips, and Cynthia A. Adams, whom he loved very much. All in all, Michael lived a simple, rich life. He was loved by many and loved even more. He will be missed.

December 29, 2005 - January 18, 2025James "Jimmy" Slade Cole, 19, of Grand Junction, Colorado and Pensacola, Florida, passed away on January 18, 2025. It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Jimmy Cole, who was born on December 29, 2005, in Grand Junction, Colorado, to Keasha and Tony Cole. Jimmy's life was filled with the things he loved: his family, his friends, his music, and his passions for working on his truck, riding his 4-wheeler, and playing video games. He was a dedicated worker at Whataburger and had a special bond with his beloved pit-bulls, Freya and Gizmo, as well as his two cats, Smokey and Frankie. Jimmy also loved being a father to his 3 year old son, Desmond. His goal was to get back to Grand Junction to be with him. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Delmer Eugene Cole and his Aunt, Nicole Cole. Jimmy is survived by his son, Desmond Slade Cole; mother, Keasha Cagle; father, Tony Cole; paternal grandmother, Betty Cole; maternal grandparents, Jim and Liz Cagle; many aunts and uncles; numerous cousins. A Celebration of Life centered around his love for music will be held Saturday, April 26th 2025; 11:00 am at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 595, 1674 US-50, Grand Junction, CO 81503. We invite you to wear something that reflects his unique style-whether it's a shirt from a favorite band or something that shows the music that made him smile, cowboy boots and wranglers, or come to come as you are and celebrate Jimmy's life with us.

March 21, 2025Kay Becker, 83, of Battlement Mesa, Colorado, passed away on March 21, 2025.Kay was a paralegal by profession and a champion of the underdog by nature. She loved fashion and design, dance and musical theater, she was a curious and voracious reader. Kay is survived by son Tim; brother KC Loomis; four nieces and nephews; her best friend from early childhood, Marilyn Latham; and numerous other close friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Twylah and Koert Loomis; sister Jan; and partner Bill Hansen.

September 14, 1938 - April 9, 2025Beverley Bodily Bates passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 9th, 2025 at the Intermountain Health St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction, CO. She was 86 years old.Beverley was born on September 14, 1938, in Syracuse, UT to Leland Earl and Virginia (Knight) Bodily. She was the fifth of six children born to these goodly parents, with four older brothers and a younger sister. As a child of the Great Depression, she grew up in meager circumstances and learned the value of provident living. She also had a passion for dancing and spent much of her youth participating in ballet and ballroom dancing events. Mom met our Dad, Delwin Bates at the roller-skating rink at Como Springs in Morgan, UT and after 3 years of courtship they were married in the Salt Lake City Temple on Valentines Day in 1957. They welcomed their first son, Kent Earl Bates, in December of 1957. Their second son, Kevin D. Bates, arrived 13 months later in January of 1959. Their first daughter, Lynne, came along in April of 1962. Their second daughter, Lisa, completed the initial family tree in June of 1966. They built a new home in Morgan, UT but only a few years later moved to Quincy, WA and settled on a small farm & ranch. For the next 11 years they worked to raise their family. Both had full-time jobs and ran a farm and ranching operation. During this time Beverley taught her children the value of hard work by setting a perfect example. For many years she drove harvest trucks in the fall, bottle fed calves in the winter and occasionally worked in a potato processing plant to make ends meet. While she was not enthusiastic about moving to Washington, she made life-long friendships that she cherished to the end and always enjoyed trips back to the northwest to visit. In 1977 they sold their farm and moved to Cedaredge, CO. Partnering with Uncle Alan & Aunt Marilyn, they purchased a small meat packing plant. Once again, Beverley's world was uprooted and moved, much to her dismay. However, like the move to Washington, this relocation brought new friendships, new adventures, and eventually much happiness in the mountains of Colorado. Along with Uncle Alan & Aunt Marilyn, they ran the Cedaredge Locker Plant for almost three decades. They eventually sold the locker plant and retired to their current home in Cedaredge. Her retirement years were filled with puttering in her yard and working in her home. She enjoyed traveling all over the country to see her children and grandchildren to share in weddings, baby blessings, baptisms, and all kinds of special events. In recent years, with the help of her children, they were able to travel to Ireland, Washington D.C., and New England. Beverley will always be remembered for her simple lifestyle and for her devout dedication to her religion, family & loved ones. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, April 18th, at 11:00am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Cedaredge, CO. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, April 26 th , at 11:00am at the South Morgan Cemetery in Morgan, UT.

August 8, 1928- October 29, 2024 Susan Smith Orloff, 96, originally from Cleveland, Ohio, passed away peacefully on October 29, 2024, in Grand Junction with family by her side. Born on August 8, 1928, in Erie, Pennsylvania to Dave and Henriette Smith, Susan moved to Cleveland at the age of three where she spent her formative years. After graduating high school, Susan attended Grove City College in Pennsylvania for three years. Her education laid the foundation for what would become a remarkable life dedicated to service and community. Susan married Walter Orloff in Phoenix, Arizona in August of 1962, and the family then moved to Grand Junction in 1966, drawn by the beauty of the mountains and the valley and their love of nature. Susan's devotion to the Episcopal Church was unwavering. She taught Sunday School for 25 years, served on the Vestry, and was a board member for the Church Camp at Ilium for 30 years. Her contributions extended to serving as a church camp cook and she was involved in various ladies’ guilds over the years. Beyond her church commitments, Susan generously volunteered with Meals on Wheels, the local library, and she served on boards for The League of Women Voters, Goodwill, and Hilltop House, as well as accumulated over 7,000 hours as a hospital volunteer, in addition to her 16 years of employment there. When not engaged in community service, Susan pursued her many passions. She was an avid gardener who often had to be called inside as evening fell. She delighted in various crafts, particularly tole painting and photography, where she loved to photograph flowers and landscapes. Susan loved feeding and caring for the many birds in her backyard. She also found joy in cooking and baking for friends and family. Susan and her husband traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada and participated in numerous Elder Hostel courses. She was also an active bridge player for more than 60 years. Susan is survived by her loving husband, Walt, and daughters Bobbie Bullen (Chuck Harbaugh) and Becky (Steve) Kumm. She was preceded in death by her daughter Susan in 1996. Her legacy continues through her seven grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. A celebration of life service will be held at St. Matthews Episcopal Church on April 25th at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Susan's name to St. Matthews Episcopal Church. Susan's life was a testament to the impact one person can have through dedication, service, and love. She will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

February 16, 1936 - April 9, 2025Betty 'Joan' Lambson of Grand Junction, CO, passed away on April 9, 2025, at HopeWest Hospice Care Center at the age of 89. Joan was born on February 16, 1936 in Garden City, Kansas to Clovius (Bus) Hale and Hazel Violet (Hall) Hale. Joan spent her early years in Grand Junction and attended school at Grand Junction High. She moved to Coos Bay, Oregon, in 1971, and returned to Grand Junction in 1999, where she enjoyed volunteering at Heirlooms for Hospice, dancing and volunteering at the Moose Lodge, and playing cards with her friends and family. Joan is predeceased by her parents; husbands, Emmett Collins, Bill Miller, Bill Lambson; sister, Kay Lynch; and son, David Collins. Joan is survived by her children, Cheryl Collins Cuddy, Nancy Collins Mayer, Todd Collins; sisters, Donna L. Barnes, Cynthia Seery; 6 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Donations can be made to HopeWest Hospice in memory of Joan.