Deaths

• Ellie Rouhier
• Melvin Bigthumb Sr.
• Veronica Begay

Ellie Rouhier

MONTROSE, Colo. — Memorial services for Ellie Rouhier, 68, will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan.5, at Crippin Funeral Home Chapel, Colo.
Rouhier died Dec. 25, 2007. She was born April 24, 1939 in Albuquerque.

Rouhier spend her childhood in Farmington and attended school in Bloomfield. Throughout her life she lived in Albuquerque; Southern California; Oregon; Washington and Colorado. Rouhier was a cosmetologist and taught in a beauty college in Montrose, Colo. and in Rio Rancho. She also had a beauty shop in Montrose, and was the director of the cosmetology program at the UNM Gallup for nine years before retiring. Her hobbies included fishing, traveling, camping and gambling. She was also a member of the Woman’s Bowling Association and served as an officer for several years.

Survivors include her husband, Jim Rouhier of Montrose; sons, John Rouhier of Central Point, Oregon, David Anderson of Montrose, Tim Rouhier of Medford, Oregon; daughters, Connie Anderson of Olathe, Colo., Adriana Montoya of Taos, Terri Holman of Montrose, Shelly (Vetkos) Darling of Delta, Colo.; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren.

Rouhier was preceded in death by her parents, Chesley and Ruth Huddleston.

Memorial contributions may be made in Memory of Ellie Rouhier to Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado; PO Box 1804, Montrose, Colorado, 81402.

Melvin Bigthumb Sr.

COYOTE CANYON — Funeral services for Melvin N. Bigthumb, 58, will be 10 a.m. Jan. 3 at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Tohatchi. Father Cormac Antram, OFM, will officiate. Viewing will be 9-10 a.m. before services. Burial will be in Coyote Canyon. A rosary will be recited at St. Michaels Church.

Bigthumb died Dec. 28, 2007 in Window Rock. He was born Oct. 27, 1949 in Crownpoint into the Mexican People Clan for the Sleeping Rock People Clan.

Bigthumb graduated from Wingate High School. He was a student of Navajo Community College, Tsaile. He worked as a Navajo Weights and Measures inspector for 28 years. Bigthumb was a horse trainer, horse owner of quarter and thoroughbred horses.

Survivors include his wife, Maye R. Bigthumb; son, Melvin Arviso Bigthumb Jr.; daughter, Melvina Bigthumb; eight brothers; six sisters; two grandchildren.

Bigthumb was preceded in death by his mother, Emma Arviso; father, Ned Bigthumb.

Pallbearers will be Beau Jess Bennett, Peterson Begay, Lynch Bates Sandoval, William Begaye Jr., Winston Bates Bigthumb, Everett Bigthumb, Eli Bigthumb.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Veronica Begay

STEAMBOAT — Services for Veronica B. Begay, 87, will be 10 a.m. Jan. 3 at the Presbyterian Church, Ganado. Walt Jones will officiate. Burial will be in the family plot, Steamboat. Visitation will be one hour prior to service.

Begay died Dec. 29, 2007 in Chinle. She was born Dec. 19, 1920 in Steamboat into the Mexican People Clan for the Coyote Pass People Clan.

Begay attended Ganado Mission for three years and St. Michaels Indian School for five years. She worked for Steamboat Chapter House, Toyei Industries and was a sugar crop field worker. Her hobbies included rug weaving, interpreting, cooking, seamstress and bead work.

Survivors include her sons, Amos Begay, Fredrick Begay, both of Steamboat; daughters, Leona Kootsvema of Steamboat, Veranna Chee of Greasewood; sisters, Rose Brown of Steamboat, Lucy Manning of Kinlichee; 35 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild.

Begay was preceded in death by her husband, Ben Begay Sr.; sons, Benny, Anderson, Benjamin, Julius, Jones; grandson, Benjamin Begay Jr.; brothers, Francis Begay, Dennis Nelson, Jessie Nelson, Lee Nelson, Edward Nelson, William Nelson, Augustine Nelson, Peter Nelson and Thomas Nelson.

Pallbearers will be family members.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.