MARTIN, George

George Martin Clune died Saturday, March 3, at St. Vincent Hospital in Leadville. He was 79 years old. He was born in Leadville on Oct. 21, 1927, to Joseph and Johanna (Michlich) Clune. Clune attended St. Mary's School, and his first job was with Resurrection Mining Company. In later years he was employed by the Climax Molybdenum Company. For a time he was a self-employed carpenter and then went on to employment with Lake County government as recreational director, retiring from that job in 1992. On Feb. 7, 1948, he married the former Louise D. Popovich and to this union was born a daughter, Georgieann. Clune was a lifelong member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. His organizational affiliations were the K.S.K.J., and Elks and Eagles lodges of Leadville. Clune was a proficient carpenter, and it was evident in the beautiful aspen clocks he made as well as mini mine cars and buckets, gallows frames and other works of art. Hunting, fishing and playing the lottery were his other hobbies. Clune is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, both named Joseph Clune and a brother, Louis Clune. His survivors include his wife, Louise and daughter, Georgieann (Jan), sister Josephine Clune and brother Frank (Evelyn) Clune, all of Leadville; sisters Eva (Charles) Halkett and Angela (Emmett) Wilson, both of Denver, and Helen (Elson) Flora of Penngrove, Calif.; numerous first cousins, nieces and nephews; and a "furry grandchild," a Westie terrier named Locherbie. Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, March 6, at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church. The Reverend Jay Jung, C.M., officiated, and Laurence Brady sang accompanied by organist, Jean Elliott. Clune was laid to rest in St. Joseph Cemetery with committal services by officers of the B.P.O.E. Lodge #236. Pallbearers were Michie Halkett, Duane Halkett, David Clune, Kenneth Clune, Fred Slifka and Andrew Borrego. Honorary pallbearers were Harry Schaefer, Frank Gallob, Don Shroyer, William Skala and Ray Dawson. Following the interment the family received friends at a reception hosted by the Leadville Elks Lodge. Arrangements were handled by Bailey Funeral Home. Herald Democrat - 2007