Jeronimo Wilmer Obituary

Ignacio resident Jeronimo Eliseo Wilmer died Monday, March 12, 2012, at Mercy Regional Medical Center in Durango. He was 84.

Mr. Wilmer was born Sept. 30, 1927, in Ignacio to John and Victoria (Salvador) Casias. He attended schools in Ignacio and began helping at his family's ranch at a young age. On the ranch he learned many trades and excelled at all of them, his family said.

On Jan. 15, 1949, Mr. Wilmer married Lola Manzanares in Aztec. During the late 1940s and early 1950s, the couple lived in Silverton, where Mr. Wilmer worked at a mine. They eventually returned to the Ignacio area where Mr. Wilmer served on the Ignacio Town Council in the 1980s. He held many jobs including a position at Mesa Paving Co. and various trade jobs in construction, until retiring at 60.

Mr. Wilmer went hunting whenever he could and enjoyed camping and fishing. He also liked gardening and lawn work and watching the Colorado Rockies.

He was a member of St. Ignatius Catholic Church and a wonderful cook, his family said.

"He made the best red chile," they said.

Mr. Wilmer was preceded in death by his wife, Lola Wilmer, in 2005.

He is survived by his sons Jerry Wilmer of Ignacio, Wilfred Wilmer of Littleton, Eddie Wilmer of Littleton, and Mike Wilmer of Denver; sister Mary Gallegos of Ignacio; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and several other family members.

A rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. Sunday, March 25, 2012, at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Ignacio. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, March 26, 2012, at St. Ignatius Catholic Church.

Cremation will occur. Interment of ashes will take place afterward at Ignacio West Cemetery in Ignacio.