In Loving Memory of John Ronald “Ronnie” Monteleone, AKA “John Mountain Lion”

Our beloved John Ronald “Ronnie” Monteleone, AKA “John Mountain Lion” of Jansen/Trinidad,
Colorado crossed over to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus, and his angel family and friends on
March 23, 2025. Though his generous works of love on earth are completed, we know he’ll
continue sending infinite gifts of love to us from heaven as our devoted angel.
Ron was born March 1, 194,9 to John “Lion” and Clara “Sadie” (Hoskins) Monteleone, just west of
Trinidad is in the area known as Jansen. He attended Pacheco Grade School there and Holy
Trinity Grade School in Trinidad. He graduated from Trinidad Catholic High School, where he
lettered in football, baseball, and basketball as a Trinidad Tiger. Ron also studied in Trinidad
State Jr. College and the Technical Computer Institute for computer programming in Kansas
City, MO. John also took many advanced classes in the U.S. Military Schools.
Ron proudly served in the United States Army, the New Mexico and Colorado Army National
Guard. He entered the Army basic and then Advanced Training at Fort Bliss, Texas, in 1967. He
Served in the 200 Air Defense Artillery and Automatic Weapons Battalion. He had 14 years of
service and was honorably discharged in 1980. His dedication to his brothers did not end
there. For 2 years, while living in Prescott, AZ, he volunteered at the Prescott VA and for an
additional year in a Wisconsin VA, where he took wounded soldiers of Afghanistan to therapy
and provided emotional support. Ron loved his lifelong friends/brothers of the Army, the Army
National Guard, the Allen and Maxwell Coal Mines.
Ron gives thanks to Paula (Dionisio) Monteleone, his first wife, for his precious children, Mario,
Gina and Anthony. Ron said of his children, “They are one of the greatest life blessings I ever
received, and they are the most important part of my journey on earth”.
In 2001, Ron said he received another blessing when he wed his soulmate, Dr. Jeanette
Loomans (Stablein). Together they shared many adventures, much laughter, and love. “I thank
my precious wife for a wonderful, loving marriage and for taking exceptional care of me through the
tough times. My heart to your heart, to infinity and beyond. You are stellar, and I’d take you
beside me into battle in a heartbeat!”
From an early age, Ron was a hard worker helping his Grandpa Alex squash grapes with his
feet for wine to sacking potatoes, loading watermelons, and traveling with uncles delivering
produce across Colorado and New Mexico for the family business, The Monteleone Brothers
Produce. He learned mechanics, welding, business skills, and more from his father, John, and
uncles, Alex, August, and Joe Monteleone. He worked with his parents and sister, Sandy, later
on at the Monteleone Produce and Deli.
Ron worked as an underground coal miner as a roof bolter in the Allen Mine and the Maxwell Mine.
He was a member of the United Mine Workers of America. His life, as well as the lives of his
father, grandfather, and uncles, are commemorated on the Coal Miner’s Memorial in downtown
Trinidad. Ron worked for a terrazzo cement company whose works can be seen in the floors of
the Air Force Academy and Penrose Hospital, among other locations in Colorado Springs.
He was a carman, mechanic, and welder for the Burlington Northern Railroad prior to becoming a
coal miner.
Many of Ron’s vast skills and talents, like building hornos, homes, and ranching/farming horse
grade alfalfa, came from self-teaching. He built his own home at age 27 and raised Arabian
horses. Ron built several horno ovens and was even commissioned by Mayor Louis Montano of
Sante Fe, N.M., to build 2 ovens for their Boys Club.
Ron had several successful entrepreneurial ventures but one of his favorites was selling snow
cones and cotton candy in Mesa, AZ with his dear friends, James “Skeez” and Cherry Pompeo
and their family.
At the Trinidad Open Door Soup Kitchen, he was a cook for many years, where he made a dear
friend in Fred Gonzales.
One of Ron’s most rewarding times on his journey was when he volunteered for over 6 years
Native American Sioux Reservations in South Dakota: Pine Ridge, Wounded Knee, Twin Buttes
area and Crow Creek, and on the Navajo Reservations in Arizona and New Mexico. Ron was known
as John Mountain Lion to his Native friends, and volunteered for the Boys and Girls Club, and
Running Strong for American Youth where, among other things, he cooked for the children and
Taught stained glass classes to adults.
Ron had deeply profound experiences each time he was graciously welcomed into the sacred
space of the sweat lodge. Chief Joe American Horse Jr., on the Pine Ridge Reservation,
bestowed the honor of Fireman of the sweat lodge to Ronnie during the time Ron was able to
participate. Ron enjoyed the friendship of Teddy Draper Sr, a Navajo Code Talker, whom he met
while living in Prescott, AZ. Ron and his wife Jeanette made several independent trips to
reservations delivering clothing and necessities. Ron’s deep love for all his Native friends, young
and old, never faded. Ron’s great-grandmother was full blooded Cherokee.
Ron greatly cherished his Italian Family, his Mother’s Hoskins Family, and all his ancestors. He
carried their traditions and stories all through his life.
He enjoyed close relationships with his aunts, Margie, Ann, and Jane Monteleone, and cousins:
Joe and Rose Veltri with their children, Anthony, Gloria, and Dan. Also close cousins: Genevieve
and Dean Gurule in Raton, N.M., Elaine and Charlie Garlutzo and Family. He had special
relationships with cousins Sam and Snooks Cimino, their children Nick “Junior” (Trish Prillan),
Rhonda and Robbie Blagg and their children, Zoe, Ollie, Dominic, and Samantha. He was
grateful for his Uncle Larry and the many other cousins, too many to mention.
Through the travels and hard work of his sister, Donna, and brother-in-law, Gary Rombeck, RonHe
was able to stay connected with relatives in Italy, for which he was so grateful.
Ron adored flying. Early on in life, he learned how to fly fixed-wing aircraft, then, later on,
ultra-light airplanes, and really enjoyed flying helicopters. After an injury in the coal mine, he
could no longer fly or ski. He cherished nature, his many animals, farming, cooking, skiing,
boating, and working with his hands. His inspired, extraordinary museum museum-quality 3-dimensional
Stained glass artwork will exude his love and energy for ages to come.
Ron’s other talents included making necklaces for his family and friends, drawing comics,
storytelling, and he enjoyed music very much. He loved adventures of all kinds (the harder the
better), boating, exploring, and going on cruises. He especially loved Alaska, Devil’s Tower
(Bear Lodge) in Wyoming, the Gates of Lodore in the Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado,
and Door County, Wisconsin. He cherished hunting and fishing years ago with his best
friends/brothers, Martin and Roger Mestas.
Ronnie’s mission in life was to make people laugh and to lighten their spirits with stories, a
prayer, or some act of kindness. He defended the vulnerable. Jesus was first and foremost in
Ron’s life, then, is spending time with his wife, children, and family. “I wish all of my family and
friends a healthy and loving life journey.”
Ron was preceded in death by his father, John; his mother, Clara; sister, Sandy Gagliardi.
Donna Rombeck; Sam Cimino, Charles Garlutzo, Elaine (Garlutzo) Alfonso, and 2 of his dearest
people, cousin Anthony Veltri and friend, Dominic Stellitano.
He is survived by his wife, Jeanette; his children, Mario (Jelena) Monteleone, Gina (Dave)
Mangino and Anthony (Bonnie); grandchildren Bree and Lucy; sister, Frances Monteleone;
brothers-in-law, James Gagliardi and Gary Rombeck; nieces, Kimberlee Monteleone, Sydnee
Waller, Angelena (Craig) Ungethiem; nephews, Jesse and Josh Waller, John (Natasha)
Rombeck, Gino (Jen) Gagliardi and Franco (Amanda) Gagliardi, and many dear grand nieces
and nephews. Ron was a Godfather to Paul David Monteleone, Kimberlee Monteleone, and
Melissa Mestas.
Ron wanted to acknowledge the following friends, not limited to:
Lifelong friends: Joseph and Rudy Sanchez and family.
John Madrid and his sweetheart, Carole, who inspired him every day. “Soul friends,” Carole
Bourdo and Luton Dawes.
Bob Lamden and Dan Nuschy as very dear friends.
Ron and Jeanette give special love and thanks to their loving friend, Connie Pachelli, as well as
dear Sisto “Mungie” Mazza, Jr.
He considered his sisters, Fran, Donna, and Sandy, as lifelong friends whom he loved and
cherished.
In Ron’s own words:
“I want to thank my precious daughter, Gina, for all she has done for me all my life. My heart to
yours, Gina. Daddy loves forever. I thank my precious sons, Mario and Tony, for their love
and support. I love you forever. My precious son-in-law, Dave Mangino, whom I consider my son,
I love you forever.”
Ron said that the love of his wife, children, family, and friends got him through the tough times
which allowed him to be able to enjoy the good times, and he gives thanks to each one of them.
Ron gives a big thank you to dear friends Ida Spahr (second-hand store), Fred Gonzales, and Frank
Ortiz, Isabel Gutierrez from Saint Vincent De Paul, and all the people from Trinidad who donated
clothing, shoes, and household goods to the Native American Reservations. Additionally, he
Thanks to his wife, sisters, daughter, and husband for their contribution,s which helped with
transportation of clothing, bikes, storage units, and U-Haul trailers to the reservations in South
Dakota, New Mexico, and Arizona.”
“A big thank you to all the Trinidad postal workers for a lifetime of excellent service to me and
the citizens of Trinidad, especially David, Robert, Sandy, and Renae. You were very special to
me.”
Ron and Jeanette give heartfelt thanks to everyone near and far for their never-ceasing
prayers, support, and love, which, through God, sustained them for so very long and continues
on today. “I always felt, and continue to feel, my birth family’s love and support deep in my heart
and soul”, shares Jeanette.
Additional thanks to:
Safeway Deli staff, Arthur and Roxanna, whose attention to detail and special considerations
kept Ron fed. Safeway pharmacists, Huong and James, whose expertise, sincerity, and
kindness lifted us on hard days.
Dr. Kevin McClintock and Christi Worely, R.N.
Sangre de Cristo Hospice Staff: especially Tammy Cooper, R.N.
Trinidad Fire, EMT, and Ambulance transport personnel.
Mt. San Rafael Hospital Drs.. and angel staff who gave excellent care and amazing support for
Ron and Jeanette.
Family and close friends who kept us going with food or their presence: Frank and Doreen
Massarotti, Alfred and Lorie Santistevan, Ron Arant, Bill Massarotti and Andrea Jimenez,
Marilyn Casey, Kim Monteleone, and Sydnee Waller.
Thank you, Dave Mangino and Mario Monteleone, for your essential assistance and kindness in the
most critical of times.
Kitsi “Beast” Winter,s Comi and family for extraordinary work, care, friendship, support, and love.
Please forgive any unintentional exclusions.
Ron considers all of his family and friends honorary pallbearers.
At his request, cremation with private services.