OBITUARIES

Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Jul 27, 2003

BETTY JANE SPRINGFIELD

She was born in Moline, IL, on July 16, 1919. She is survived by her husband Glenn E. Springfield of 36 years, and her two children, Leslie Mooney of Fort Collins, CO, and James Shelby Irby of Seattle, WA. There are four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She also has three step-children; Glenn A. Springfield of Colorado Springs, CO, Greg Springfield of Cannon City, CO, and Gary Springfield of Sedona, AZ. There are three step-grandchildren and two step great-grandchildren. She was a member of Ruhama Temple #71 - Daughter of the Nile. She was a retired psychiatric nurse and also spent many hours as a volunteer for the District Attorney Special Victims Unit.

Private services have been held. Donations can be made to the charity of choice.

JOHN RAPJACK

John Rapjack, 77, a lifetime resident of Colorado Springs, passed away at home Thursday, July 24, 2003. He was born March 8, 1926.

John was very proud to have served in the Navy during World War II in the South Pacific. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Knights of Columbus, and Amateur Trapshooting Association.

He was an avid fisherman and loved the Colorado Streams. He had enjoyed hunting and recently, painting.

His wife of 51 years, Betty, his son Shawn, his brother Joseph and his sister Alma Koster survive him. A niece, two nephews, aunts and many cousins survive him.

Rosary at 9:30 a.m., Monday July 28, 2003 followed at 10:00 a.m., by funeral mass at Corpus Christi Catholic Church.

He was dearly loved.

JOE GDOVIN

Joe Gdovin was laid to rest on July 23, 2003. He was 92 years old. Joe was born to Mike and Elizabeth (Kosch) Gdovin on July 11, 1911.

On October 17, 1937, Joe married Agnes Mikita at St. Mary's Orthodox Church. To this union, four children were born, Betty, Sharan, Joey and Debbie. Joe lived his life in Calhan as a Farmer/ Rancher. He retired from El Paso County after 22 years of service. He was a life long member of St. Mary's Orthodox Church.

He is survived by his son Joey; his daughters, Betty Meyer, Sharan (Frank) Hooper and Debbie (Richard) Molner; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a sister, Anna Kucerik.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Agnes; mother, Elizabeth; father Mike; and five sisters, Helen, Vernice, Mary, Jean, Elsie; and one brother John.

Joe will be missed, but forever held close to his loved ones within their hearts and memories.

Services will be held at St. Mary's Orthodox Church, north of Calhan. The paraspas will be held Sunday, July 27, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be Monday, July 28, 2003 at 10:00 a.m.

VELMA TELLER

Velma (Manka) Teller, age 93, passed away on Saturday, July 19, 2003, at the Pikes Peak Care Center in Colorado Springs, CO. She was born on October 29, 1909 in a farmhouse near Eldorado, KS, to George and Viola Mae (Doornbos) Manka.

Velma's family moved to Colorado in 1915 when they Homesteaded a government claim on unimproved prairie land about 26 miles east of Lamar, CO. They initially lived in a half-dugout plywood single room building covered with tarpaper. While there, she attended a small rural school and rode a horse over two miles each way. When Velma was in sixth grade, the family moved to the small nearby town of Hartman, CO, and purchased a farm. She later graduated from the Hartman, H.S. in 1927 and started teaching in a one room schoolhouse in nearby Kiowa County. Her only sibling, Vernon, was born in 1928. She then drove herself each year to attend summer sessions and finally received her B.A. degree in 1939 from the teacher's college in Greeley.

Velma's former school superintendent for the Hartman area had transferred to take a new position as head of the district in Johnstown, north of Denver. He had contacted Velma when a position teaching opened in Windsor, CO. After two years, she met Donald Teller, who had been born and raised in Windsor. They were married there in 1942. After Donald received a job as a State Health Inspector, the state reassigned him here in El Paso County. Velma took a local teaching position in Colorado Springs and retired in 1975 after 24 years teaching in various District 11 grade schools. Two sons were born: Stephen Lee Teller in 1944 and Michael John Teller in 1947.

She is survived by a son, Michael, two grandchildren, and three great grandchildren; all living in Colorado Springs. Also her only sibling, Vernon Manka, of Goldendale, WA.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald and her son Stephen.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., on Friday, July 25, 2003 at Swan Law Funeral Home. Following the visitation, there will be a private burial at Evergreen cemetery. No flowers or donations please.

MURRAY LEE PIRTLE

Murray Lee Pirtle, 96, a long time resident of Colorado Springs passed away on July 20, 2003 in Mesa, AZ. Murray was born in Temple, TX, on Nov. 18, 1906 to John W. and Eunice Mulholland Pirtle. He was the oldest of six children. He moved to Colorado during WWII to serve in the Air Force at Ent AFB. He remained in Colorado until 1997 when he moved to Mesa.