Steamboat Pilot & Today

Longtime Oak Creek resident George W. Koler died July 26, 2005, at the Doak Walker Care Center in Steamboat Springs. He was 76.

George was born on June 28, 1929, in Oak Creek to George and Virginia (Spears) Koler. He was raised and attended school in Oak Creek.

George married Evelyn "Billie" Lane on Oct. 23, 1954, in Glenwood Springs. They made their home in Oak Creek where they raised their three children and George worked at various coal mines in the area as an equipment operator. He retired from the P & M Edna Mine in 1994.

Although George enjoyed fishing and snowmobiling, his family was very important to him and he cherished the times he could be with them.

He was a member of the United Mine Workers of America.

George is preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn.

He is survived by daughter, Darlene Babcock, and her husband, Don, of Hayden; sons William Koler and his wife, Debbie, of Phippsburg, and Donald Koler and his wife, Susan, of Yampa; grandchildren Jody Babcock and his wife, Erin; Daleena and Lynae Babcock; Ashley Babcock and her husband, Eric; Leslie Koler, Nicole Baxter and Clinton and Dillon Koler; great-granddaughter Kacie Babcock; sister, Bertie Levens and her husband, Clarence, of Denver; and brothers Robert Koler of Oak Creek and Jerry Koler and his wife, Betty, of Albuquerque, N.M.

Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. July 29, 2005, at Soroco High School in Oak Creek with Pastor Janet Babish officiating. Interment was at 1 p.m. July 30, 2005, at the Mesa View Cemetery in Delta with Jay Troutman officiating.