John "Dick" Sivils

John R. “Dick” Sivils, born October 2, 1929, died September 13, 2021. Preceded in death by his wife of 57 years Violet. Survived by children Virginia “Ginger” (John) Dagenais, Karen (Terry) Merkle; grandchildren Desiree Dagenais, David (Jozette) Dagenais, Dr. Devon (Dr. Judy) Merkle, Ariene Merkle, Taylor Merkle; great grandchildren Cajun Duewiger, McLaren Duewiger, Anakin Duewiger, David Dagenais, Kaylee Dagenais, Gabriel Dagenais, Mariah Sierra; and great great granddaughter Joslyn Schuler.

“Dick” as he was known to most of his friends was born in La Junta, CO to John T. Sivils III and Mable V. Sivils. He attended many schools in Southern Colorado as his dad worked on highway construction. During his junior year at Central High School, on the day he turned 16, he started work in the open hearth at C.F. & I, where he continued to work, as well as in his father’s sawmill in Beulah. Two days before his 22nd birthday, he was stricken with paralytic polio. After 6 months in the hospital, and with full-length leg braces and crutches, he was ready to start life over again, which would not be easy on him, his wife Vi, and their 9 month old daughter Ginger. He graduated from Pueblo Junior College in 1955. While there he took civil engineering courses, he was a member of the student council, and a member of Phi Theta Kappa. After graduating, he started work in the engineering department of the City of Pueblo as a junior draftsman. He retired in 1986 as an associate engineer. During these 30 odd years, he and his wife Vi built 3 homes and remodeled 2 others with help from friends and family. He was the last surviving founding member of the Pueblo Arts Council. The other 5 members were Bob Rugg, Bill Wolford, Jesse Myers, Chuck Litchfield, and John Demas. He was a member of the Beer Can Collectors of America, American Brewania Association, and Worldwide Lottery Collectors Society. His hobbies were woodworking, leather carving, lapidary, rock hunting, flint knapping, beer can collecting, collecting lottery tickets, and collecting Elway Football Cards. A special thank you to Sangre De Cristo Hospice for their loving care.

Funeral service will be held at the George McCarthy Historic Chapel at 2pm on Monday, September 20. A reception will be held immediately following at Dick’s home.