RIO BLANCO COLORADO - OBIT: WALSH, Mrs. Lyda Kilduff (d. 1967) *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. *********************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Greg Berthelson flinx@cmn.net June 20, 1999 *********************************************************************** For sloanes@asis.com From The Meeker HERALD, 15 Jun 1967: Services Last Thursday For Former Meekerite Mrs. Lyda Kilduff Walsh, a pioneer resident of this valley, was laid to rest in Highland Cemetery last Thursday morning after funeral services from Holy Family Catholic Church with Father John Le Penske officiating. Rosary services were held at Briggs Mortuary the evening before. Pallbearers were B. V. Stephenson, Reeves Gentry, T. J. Holland, Thomas Murray, Ruben Oldland, and Howard Joy. Honorary pallbearers included Clarence Wilson, Ellis Wilson, Dennis Murray, John Joy, John Oldland, S. C. Sanderson, George Thomas, and F. H. Sheridan. Briggs Mortuary was in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Lyda Kilduff Walsh passed away Saturday, June 3d at Park View Convalescent Hospital in Anaheim, California. She had undergone surgery on one of her eyes only ten days before and seemed to be recovering when she took a turn for the worse and passed away. Her two sons, James and Howard, had visited her only a few days before her death. Lyda B. Sykes was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, 86 years ago. When just a small girl her folks moved west to Colorado and located in Canon City, where her father became a guard at the state penitentiary. A few years later they decided to move to the western slope and located in the White River Valley at Meeker. Her father was one of the pioneers of this valley. The deceased grew to womanhood in this community and attended the Meeker schools. She was united in marriage to James E. Kilduff on November 17, 1904. The wedding of this young couple took place at the K-T Ranch, six miles east of Meeker. Mr. Kilduff had come to this valley from Alma, Colorado to work for his uncle, Thomas Kilduff, part owner and manager of the K-T Ranch. After the wedding, Mr. & Mrs. Kilduff continued to live at the K-T Ranch which was their home until 1913. That year Mr. & Mrs. Kilduff decided to go into ranching and cattle business for themselves, and they bought the Milo Coats ranch on the Mesa just west of the Pierce POT Ranch. Here they raised cattle and built up a fine ranch which they operated for 23 years. It was here that their three sons were raised. Mr. & Mrs. Kilduff sold the ranch in 1936 and moved to town to make their home. In 1937 Mr. Kilduff was seriously injured in a car accident on Little Beaver and he was in poor health from then until he passed away two years later on January 23, 1939. Mrs. Kilduff continued to live in Meeker for a time, then moved to California where two of her sons were located. About ten years ago Mrs. Kilduff was united in marriage to Ed Walsh of Anaheim, and the couple continued to make their home in that part of California. Mr. Walsh passed away about two years ago; and since her health began to fail, Mrs. Kilduff Walsh has been living in the convalescent home in Anaheim. The deceased was a real pioneer of the White River Valley. She was a real helpmate to her husband in operating the ranch and a fine mother to her three sons; and loved and respected by the friends they had in this valley. She leaves to mourn her passing, two of her three sons, James R. Kilduff of Gardnerville, Nevada, and Howard Kilduff of Coleville, California; two brothers: Ray Sykes of Grand Junction and John Sykes of Yuccaville, Calif.; 9 grand children and 7 great-grandchildren, and a host of friends both here in Meeker and in California. One son, Thomas Kilduff, preceded her in death in 1964. [endit] Although this obit mentions Ed Walsh death "about two years ago" his obituary appears in the Meeker HERALD 15 Octobr 1959.