Obituaries

Benton Bailey Banchor passed away in Denver on Jan. 10, 2009.

He was born in his grandfather’s mansion in Oberlin, Kan., on Dec. 22, 1918, and frequently shared his fond memories of a wonderful childhood at the Benton mansion. The mansion later became Oberlin’s first hospital. Ben grew up with a brother Gordon (Buddy), a sister Patty, who passed away at age 4, and a foster sister, Nancy. The Banchor family lived at the mansion for a time, but due to hard times and the Depression, they moved to Denver in 1930.

Alan Thomas Sibley, 56

Alan Thomas “Tom” Sibley, a resident of Evergreen, died Jan. 29 as a result of a car accident.

Tom, a devoted father and husband, is survived by his wife of 20 years, Anne Freiberger Sibley; his son, Matt, 18, and daughter Sarah, 13. Tom also leaves behind a loving family of brothers and sister, Larry and sister-in-law Lynne Bost, Kris (sister-in-law) and Michael Bost, Regan and Jim Bost, (sister-in-law) Carol and Don Bost, and sister Ellen and Mike Potter.

Florence Magdeline Cota, 89

Florence Magdeline Cota, 89, peacefully passed away Feb. 24, in Deerfield Beach, Fla.

Flo was born March 26, 1919, in Ambridge, Pa. She was the seventh of 10 children, born to Polish immigrants and raised in a bilingual community where her Catholic church was a central part of her life.

Linda Marie “Bobbie” Rusch, 57, of Fairplay died in her home Saturday, Feb. 14, 2008.

Born and raised in Denver, she moved to Alma 15 years ago, then to Fairplay 10 years ago. Her family owned Alma’s Only Bar until five years ago. She devoted life to raising her two children and her dog Laddie. The outdoors, hiking, camping and hunting were her passions.