Eugene V Stone

Melbourne Eugene Vencil Stone, 91 passed away July 10, 2011 at Wray Community Hospital in Wray, Colorado. He was born March 12, 1920 in Cowgill, Missouri to E.L. and Mary Stone. They moved to Vernon, Colorado in 1931.  The family farmed and owned and operated a local gas station. Gene graduated from Vernon High School in 1938. He was united in marriage to Ruth Elizabeth Engel on July 27, 1940. To this union five children were born, Kay, Sue, Melbourne, Laura and Beverlee.

In 1960, the family moved to their present ranch southwest of Wray. He worked in the Yuma County Assessor’s Office from 1961 to 1976. His life was devoted to family, farming and ranching. He enjoyed hunting and fishing when ever time allowed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, E.L. and Mary Stone, brothers, Louis, Alvin, Elbert and Raymond, sisters, Nona, Mina, and Donna Faye and daughter, Laura Mae Soehner.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth of 70 years, sister, Jeannie Goodman of Akron, his children, Kay and husband, George Ekberg of Vancouver, WA, Sue and husband, John Peterson of Poway, CA, Melbourne and wife, Connie of Longmont, CO, Beverlee and husband, Rick of Otis, CO, 17 grandchildren, 30 Great-grandchildren, 3 Great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held at the Wray United Methodist Church in Wray, Colorado, Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Glen Kline and Rev. Norman Stott officiating. Interment was in the Glendale Cemetery in Vernon, Colorado. Memorials may be made to the Hospice of the Plains, P.O. Box 365, Wray, Colorado 80758. Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.