Funeral services for Mancos resident Elsie Jeanette "Elyse" Hinton were held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 21 at Ertel Memorial Chapel. Interment followed at Cortez Cemetery.

Elsie Jeanette "Elyse" Hinton, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013 in Mancos surrounded by family who loved her dearly. She was born in Denbigh, Va. to Jeanette and Christian Brunk. Elsie came with her family to Arizona at an early age due to her father's health issues. On June 14, 1947 she was married to G.W. Hinton.

Through the years. Elsie worked at Diamonds (Dillards), was a homemaker, and was active in Madison Baptist Church teaching Sunday school and singing in the choir. Elsie's passion was always painting and in 1978 she and G.W. moved to Mancos and opened the Heritage Art Gallery. She taught drawing and painting classes, and conducted workshops in still life, portrait and on location. Her work has been shown at the Heritage House in Sun City, Reflections Gallery in Vail, and La Hacienda Gallery in Phoenix. Elsie has been the recipient of many awards, including Best of Show in 1980 and 1981 at the La Plata County Fair in Durango. She was a member of the Valley Artist League, Lions Club, First Baptist Church in Mancos, and the Ute Mountain Art Club of Cortez.

Elsie was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, G.W. "George" Hinton; by her brothers, Howard, Jim, and Frank Brunk. She is survived by her son, Dan Hinton; her daughters, Debbie (Alan) Kirkeeide and Karen (Robert) Benser; her brother, Bobby (Sandy) Brunk; her grandchildren, Jennifer Berryman, Kelly Schroeder, Matthew Kirkeeide, Wendy Hinton, and Ryan Benser; and by seven great-grandchildren.

Services are under the direction of Ertel Funeral Home. For further information or to send condolences, log on to www.ertelfuneralhome.com and click on the obituary section.