Sheridan County's Daily NEWSpaper
Sheridan County's Daily NEWSpaper
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Sheridan native Ralph Eugene “Gene” Shreve Sr., 83, of Sparks, Nev., died Friday, Feb. 23, 2007, at his residence. An open house/memorial will be 3-8 p.m. Thursday at his residence in Sparks. Mr. Shreve was born July 23, 1923, in Sheridan. He enjoyed playing the fiddle and was a country music recording artist. He served in the U.S. Navy as a Seabee during World War II in the Pacific Theater. He later worked at Harrah's Casino in Reno, Nev. He and his wife, Lucile, owned and operated the Nic Nac Shelf Ceramic Shop in Sparks for more than 30 years. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping, pingpong, and metal sculpting. He was preceded in death by a son, Randy, and a daughter, Sheila. Survivors include his wife, Lucile Blevins Shreve; two sons, Ralph Jr. of Yuma, Ariz., and Gary of Hereford, Ariz.; two daughters, Sande Bryant of Woodstock, Ga., and Sherry of Sparks; a sister, Margaret Dillon of Odessa, Mo.; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Condolences or cards may be sent to Mrs. Shreve at 270 Virgil Drive, Sparks, NV 89441. Condolence calls may be made to (775) 425-3322.
Pete Deliramich, 82, of Sheridan died Monday, Feb. 26, 2007, in Sheridan. Cremation has taken place, and memorial services will be 10 a.m. Friday at Kane Funeral Home with Al Badgett officiating. Burial of cremains with military honors will be in Sheridan Masonic 43 Cemetery. Memorials may be made to American Legion Post 7 Baseball Program, 137 N. Brooks St., Sheridan, WY 82801.
Jacob Ray Wolfe, infant son of Billy and Amanda (Irwin) Wolfe of Sheridan, died Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007, in Children's Hospital in Denver. A memorial gathering is being planned. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home. He was born Jan. 23, 2007, in Billings. Survivors include his parents; three brothers, Brandon Wolfe and James and Malichie Irwin; one sister, Tiphani; his grandparents, Barbara and Steve Shewmake and Linda and Vern Groth; a great-grandmother, Carol Fee; and his great-great-grandparents, Irene and Jim Schaffer. Memorials may be made to the Jacob Ray Wolfe Memorial Fund, established to help with medical costs, in care of Sunlight Federal Credit Union, 303 S. Main St., Sheridan, WY 82801.
Former Sheridan resident Marquoketa C. Renkel, 94, of Lusk died Monday, Feb. 19, 2007, in the Niobrara Health and Life Center in Lusk. A celebration of her life will be 2 p.m. March 10 at the Cicmanec-Pier Funeral Home in Lusk with the Rev. Tom Strock officiating. A reception will follow at the funeral home. Cremation has taken place, and Mrs. Renkel's ashes will be buried next to her husband in Linn Grove Cemetery in Greeley, Colo. Mrs. Renkel was born Nov. 22, 1912, in Griswold, Iowa, to John and Minnie (Felker) Hamlin. The family lived in small communities in Iowa, Nebraska and Colorado. While living with her aunt and uncle, Mrs. Renkel graduated from Greeley High School in May 1930. After graduation, she returned to live with her parents. She helped cook and serve hot meals to schoolchildren in what may have been one of the first hot school lunch programs in Colorado before the government began providing the meals in the 1940s. She married Rex Alexander Renkel on Thanksgiving Day, 1933, in Akron, Colo. The family lived in several communities in Colorado before moving to Sheridan, where it lived from the 1940s until 1971. In Sheridan, Mrs. Renkel worked for several businesses and in the offices of Dr. Will Schunk and Dr. Seymour Thickman. She was a member of Daughters of the Nile, Eastern Star, Beauceant and the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Renkel died Jan. 13, 1997, and Mrs. Renkel moved to Denver. She moved to the Niobrara Health and Life Center in September 2005. She enjoyed being with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, playing the piano, growing plants, working in her garden, sewing and embroidery. Survivors include two daughters, Jane Renkel of Denver and Joan Lenz of Lusk; four granddaughters; and eight great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Niobrara County Library Foundation, P.O. Box 510, Lusk, WY 82225.
Former Sheridan resident Vee Allyn Bjornstad, 72, of Gillette died Saturday, Feb. 24, at her home of natural causes. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home with the Rev. Russell Bode, pastor of Central Baptist Church, officiating. Visitation will be 3-7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Mrs. Bjornstad was born June 27, 1934, to Harry and Frances (Heinrickson) Turner in Lance Creek. She was raised by her stepmother, Helen (Christianson) Turner. The family later moved to Gillette, where she graduated from high school in 1951. She began a lifelong career in the restaurant industry working at her family's restaurant, The Stockman's Cafe, in Gillette. She married Sonny Bjornstad on Nov. 11, 1967, in Casper. They resided there and she worked at the Reef and Ramada restaurants. The couple later moved to Newcastle, where they managed the Newcastle Country Club, then to Sheridan, where they managed the Elks Club. They later owned and operated the Pony Lounge for five years, until 1987, when they retired and moved to Gillette. Mrs. Bjornstad enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, listening to country music, sewing and crocheting quilts and afghans, and playing cards. She was preceded in death by her husband. Survivors include five children, Billy Percifield of Billings, Donnie Percifield and Kelly McKim, both of Gillette, Toni Kell of Burville, R.I., and Julie Jackson of Casper; a brother, Doug Turner of Gillette; 10 grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Shriner's Crippled Children Fund in Sheridan or Campbell County Health Care Foundation to benefit Campbell County Memorial Hospital Oncology Center in care of Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home, 210 W. Fifth St., Gillette, WY 82716.
Clurus Miller, 88, of Sheridan died Saturday, Feb. 24, 2007, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital. Memorial services will be 2:15 p.m. Wednesday at Sugarland Ridge with the Rev. William Heine officiating. Private committal of cremains will be in Sheridan Municipal Cemetery under direction of Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Mrs. Miller was born Nov. 16, 1918, in Big Timber, Mont., to Harry and Dema (Baum) Schmitt. She grew up on the homestead near Reed Point, Mont., and graduated from high school there. She worked as a maid in Billings, then later moved to Sheridan, where she graduated from nursing school. She married Fred Miller on Dec. 24, 1941, in Hardin, Mont. They lived in Sheridan, and she worked at Sheridan Memorial Hospital. She later worked at Sheridan VA Medical Center until she retired. While raising her children, she was a leader in Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and 4-H. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and enjoyed gardening, travel, knitting, crocheting and other crafts. She was preceded in death by a son, Roland, and a brother, Floyd. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Beverly Medlock of Westminster, Colo.; two brothers, Bernard Schmitt of Great Falls, Mont., and Harold Schmitt of Carmichael, Calif.; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church.
Sheridan native Marshall Knowles “Junior” Herman, 71, died Friday, Feb. 23, 2007, in Amie Holt Care Center in Buffalo. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday in Adams Funeral Home Chapel in Buffalo with the Rev. Joe Jarvis officiating. Private burial will follow. Visitation will be 1-9 p.m. today and 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home chapel. Mr. Herman was born March 18, 1935, in Sheridan to Marshall and Arta Ridley Herman. He started school in Sheridan, then moved with his family to the Middle Fork of Crazy Woman Creek, south of Buffalo, when he was in second grade. The family moved to Muddy Creek Ranch in 1950. Mr. Herman was a 1954 graduate of Johnson County High School. He received an associate degree in agriculture from Casper College in 1957, then joined the U.S. Army, serving in France as a crane operator. He was honorably discharged in 1959. Mr. Herman received a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture from Montana State University-Bozeman in 1962. He returned to Johnson County to work for Gammon Land and Livestock. He married Carol Anne Shambaugh on May 6, 1972, in Buffalo. They resided in Buffalo while he worked on various ranches including, in addition to Gammon, Clarence Pierson, the Kuiper Ranch, Purdy Ranches and Madsen Land and Livestock. He also worked for the Soil Conservation Service and Buffalo Livestock Auction. He worked for the Johnson County Fairgrounds from 2000-2003, when health forced him to retire. He had resided at Amie Holt Care Center since June 2005. He enjoyed ranch work, especially flood-irrigating and working with cattle, hunting, fishing and participating in 4-H livestock events and rodeos with his children. He was a past master of Anchor Lodge 7, AF and AM, past member of Scottish Rite and Kalif Shrine, past patron of Golden Rod Chapter 13 Order of the Eastern Star, past associate guardian of Bethel Chapter 4, International Order of Job's Daughters, past president of the Johnson County 4-H Council, and a former community leader for Billy Creek 4-H Club. He was preceded in death by a grandson. Survivors include his wife of Buffalo; two daughters, Jeri Lynne Martin of Evanston and Arta June Herman of Buffalo; and a sister, Donna Allen of Sundance. Memorials may be made to the Johnson County 4-H Council Livestock Committee in care of Adams Funeral Home, 351 N. Adams, Buffalo, WY 82834.
Thomas E. “John” Shell, 82, of Sheridan died Thursday, Feb. 22, 2007, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital. Cremation has taken place, and burial of cremains will be in the summer. The family is planning a “Shell Shindig” in the summer to celebrate the lives of Mr. Shell and his wife, Maxine, who preceded him in death. Arrangements are with Kane Funeral Home. Mr. Shell was born July 22, 1924, in Sheridan to Lawrence and Elizabeth (Rourke) Shell. He graduated from Arvada High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served in the South Pacific and Philippine Islands Campaign during World War II. He married Maxine Ann Dalzell in June 1947 in Buffalo. They were married 52 years. Mr. Shell enjoyed the outdoors, farming and caring for livestock. The couple spent their last years together at the T Bar T Ranch. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a son, John Robert. Survivors include two sons, Ken of Casper and Bill of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and four grandchildren. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
Memorial services are pending for Maxine Olson Powers, 88, of Sheridan. She died Dec. 18, 2006, at her residence. Cremation has taken place. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home. She was born in Sheridan on Dec. 3, 1918, to Hanney G. and Lucille (Kegerris) Olson. She grew up on Meade Creek, attended Whitney Elementary School and was a 1936 graduate of Sheridan High School. She married Arthur A. Powers on May 28, 1938, in St. Peter's Episcopal Church. She worked as a cashier at the United Store in Sheridan until Mr. Powers was stationed at Treasure Island in April 1943. She made her home in San Francisco and worked for a gas and oil company and, later, a bank, during World War II. After the war, the couple moved to Los Angeles while Mr. Powers attended chiropractor's college. They returned to Sheridan in 1947, and he opened a practice here. Mrs. Powers was a member of PEO, the Altar Guild at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, and Daughters of the Nile. She enjoyed playing bridge and panguingue. Mr. Powers died in 1979, and Mrs. Powers became active with the Sheridan Senior Citizens Center. She moved to Gulf Breeze, Fla., in 1991, and later to Destin, Fla. She divided her time between daughters in Florida and California and enjoyed being with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and watching sports. She returned to Sheridan after a daughter moved back here. She was preceded in death by a brother, Waynard Olson of Sheridan. Survivors include two daughters, Nancy Arbogast of Big Horn and Eleanor Mooney of El Dorado Hills, Calif.; three sisters, Martha “Billie” Baker of Tucson, Ariz., Nelda Carroll of Sheridan and Duretta Vestal of Salinas, Calif.; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Memorials may benefit Saint Peter's Episcopal Church or Shrine's Crippled Children's Hospital.
Funeral services for Melvin Clemens Sr., 81, of Banner will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Champion Ferries Funeral Home with the Rev. Doug Melius officiating. Burial will be in Minnesota. Mr. Clemens died Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital. He was born Jan. 11, 1926, in Averill, Minn., to Ernest and Stella (Osborn) Clemens. He married Ethel Kurtz on Aug. 18, 1947, in Moorhead, Minn. They moved to North Dakota, and Mr. Clemens worked for Midland Continental Railroad in the Jamestown, N.D., area. They moved to Sheridan in 1970. Mr. Clemens worked for Burlington Northern Railroad until 1977, when he retired. He enjoyed being with his family, hunting and fishing. He was preceded in death by his wife and infant siblings. Survivors include four sons, Melvin Jr., Carl and Allen, all of Sheridan, and Donald of West Fargo, N.D.; a daughter, Dona Jean Clemens of Banner; a sister, Adeline Clemens of Minnesota; 10 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.
Thomas E. Shell, 82, of Sheridan died Thursday, Feb. 22, 2007, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital. Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be later. Arrangements are with Kane Funeral Home.
Memorial services for Pegge A. Cooksley, 86, of Clearmont will be 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Champion Ferries Funeral Home with the Rev. Stuart Crawshaw officiating. Mrs. Cooksley died Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007, in Westview Health Care Center. She was born Sept. 11, 1920, in Tulsa, Okla., to William and Edna (Foster) Middleton. She grew up and attended schools in the Tulsa area and graduated from high school there. After Pearl Harbor was bombed, she went to work for the Department of War. After the war, she attended college in Denver. She married Jack Cooksley on May 4, 1952, in Sheridan. They ranched on Piney Creek in the Ucross area. She was Sheridan County's 1983 “Outstanding Citizen,” cited for having devoted “close to 30 years of her busy life to serving the people of this county, our state and nation.” She was chairwoman of Sheridan County's 75th anniversary historical pageant and was asked by the governor to direct Wyoming's 75th anniversary historical pageant at the state fairgrounds in Douglas. She later contributed many photos and information on county history to The Sheridan Press and permitted several photos in her collection to be reproduced and placed on permanent display during the Sheridan Inn restoration. She won four Freedom Foundation George Washington Medals of Honor and later received the “outstanding” award for youth safety programs presented by the National Safety Council in Seattle. Several biweekly columns written for The Sheridan Press were published in the Congressional Record. She received a trophy from the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation for press and radio work. She was selected to write the section on Sheridan County for the two-volume “Encyclopedia of Wyoming.” She served on the board of trustees of Sheridan College for six years; during that time, the board prevented closure of the college under threat of bankruptcy. She is credited with bringing about the college's dental hygiene program and getting fine arts and vocational technology placed on the college's priority list for academic development. She served six years with the U.S. Farm-Home Administration, the last year as chairwoman, and several terms as chairwoman of the Northeast Wyoming Farm Bureau Women. She also was a member of the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation board and secretary of the state committee. She served on state and national committees on resolutions, legislation, public information, youth activities and women's activities. She was a 4-H leader in the 1950s, an officer of her political party for many years, and was involved for several years in researching and recording the history of Sheridan and Johnson counties. She enjoyed painting, which she began in 1982, and was a member of the Daughters of the Nile, Friendship Chapter 51, and Order of the Eastern Star. She was preceded in death by a brother. Survivors include her husband, of Piney Creek. Memorials may be made to Shrine Children's Travel Fund, P.O. Box K, Sheridan, WY 82801.
A local memorial fund location has been changed for Kirk Koepsel, 47, who died Feb. 15 in Sheridan. Memorials may be made to a college fund established for Mr. Koepsel's daughter, Katya, in care of Amber Powers at Sheridan State Bank, 29 N. Gould St., Sheridan, WY 82801. Mr. Koepsel's obituary appeared in Tuesday's Sheridan Press.
Memorial services for Judy Warren, 48, of Sheridan will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Kane Funeral Home with Pastor Tony Forman and the Rev. Tom Ogg officiating. Burial of cremains will be later in Pine Grove Cemetery in Pembroke, Mass. Mrs. Warren died Friday, Feb. 16, 2007, with family and friends at her side after a long battle with cancer. She was born Oct. 14, 1958, in Boston to Pasquale and Gloria (Nazzaro) Picariello. She was a graduate of Silver Lake Regional High School and received a nursing degree from Cape Cod (Mass.) Community College. She earned a master's degree from the University of La Verne (Calif.). She married Bill Warren on July 3, 1991, on the ship Queen Mary in Long Beach, Calif. She was past member of the board of the Wyoming Nurses Association, past president of the Sheridan Nurses Association, and a team member on the national and local Relay for Life. She participated in the recent Relay for Life Walk Around the Mall in Washington, D.C. Survivors include her husband and three children, Stephan, Casey and Nicolas, all of Sheridan; her mother of Banner; her father of Pembroke; and two brothers, Stephen Picariello of Pembroke and Douglas Picariello of Harmony, Maine. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society/Relay for Life, 907 N. Poplar Ave., Suite 185, Casper, WY 82601.
A celebration of the life of E.L. “Roy” Wertman, 83, of Sheridan will be at noon Saturday at Eatons' Ranch following a private family service. Arrangements are with Kane Funeral Home. Mr. Wertman died Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007, at his residence. He was born Oct. 10, 1923, in Carney. His family moved to New Mexico briefly, then returned to Wyoming to live in Kleenburn and Dietz. His mother died in 1939, and he moved with his father and brother to Musselshell, Mont. He graduated from high school in Musselshell and worked in the coal mine and area ranches before moving to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. He went to work for Eatons' Ranch in the hayfields in 1944. He spent several years working for Eatons' during the summer and at Camelback Inn in Arizona during the winter. He married Nan Baker Eaton on April 15, 1951. They resided on Eatons' Ranch until 1998, when Mr. Wertman retired and they moved to the Flying W Ranch in Wolf. While at Eatons', Mr. Wertman worked at several jobs, from taking pack trips to the mountains and cooking for barbecues to maintaining plumbing and electrical systems and building cabin furniture. A member of the Elks Lodge and a Boy Scout leader, he enjoyed watching and participating in rodeos, hunting, fishing and building furniture in his home shop. He was preceded in death by a brother, Bill, and a sister, Nadine. Survivors include his wife; a son, Frank Eaton; two daughters, Jaci Fritz and Wendy Martin; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
Judy Warren, 48, of Sheridan died Friday, Feb. 16, 2007, at her home after a long battle with cancer. Memorial services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Kane Funeral Home with the Rev. Tom Ogg officiating. Burial of cremains will be later in Pine Grove Cemetery in Pembroke, Mass. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society/Relay for Life, 907 N. Poplar Ave., Suite 185, Casper, WY 82601.
Keith Lee Eaton, 57, of Sheridan died Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007, at his residence of natural causes. Arrangements are pending with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Kirk Koepsel, 47, of Sheridan will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at St. Peter's Episcopal Church with the Rev. David Duprey officiating. Burial will be in Sheridan Municipal Cemetery under direction of Kane Funeral Home. Visitation is 5-7 p.m. today at the funeral home. Mr. Koepsel died Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital of natural causes. He was born April 23, 1959, in Milwaukee to Erwin and Nancy Diamond Koepsel. He graduated from high school in Evergreen, Colo. He graduated from the University of Colorado-Boulder with a bachelor's degree in biology and from North Dakota State University in Fargo with a master's degree in range management. He had been the Sierra Club's senior regional representative in environmental conservation in Sheridan for the past 17 years. He married Karen Walmsley on Nov. 12, 1994, in Sheridan. He enjoyed spending time with his daughter, teaching about nature and natural habitat preservation, and leading family-oriented backpacking trips for the Sierra Club. He also enjoyed playing ice hockey, hunting, skiing, camping, backpacking, politics, gardening, walking his dog, scuba diving and international travel. He was a member of Lions Club, Sierra Club, Phi Beta Kappa and Big Brothers Big Sisters and had served in the Peace Corps in Costa Rica. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Katya of Sheridan; his parents; a sister, Krysti Klueber; and two brothers, Marc and James. Memorials may be made to a college fund established for his daughter in care of Sheridan Employees Federal Credit Union, 141 S. Gould St., Sheridan, WY 82801 or to the Sierra Club, 85 Second St., second floor, San Francisco, CA 94105-3441.
E.L. “Roy” Wertman, 83, of Sheridan died Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007, at his residence. A private family service will be followed by a celebration of Mr. Wertman's life at noon Saturday at Eatons' Ranch. Arrangements are with Kane Funeral Home. Memorials may benefit a charity of the donor's choice.
Funeral services for former Sheridan resident Michael Eugene Matteson, 51, of Gillette will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Walker Funeral Home in Gillette. Visitation will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Mount Pisgah Cemetery in Gillette. Mr. Matteson died Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2007, at his home of cardiac failure. He was born June 5, 1955, in Buffalo to Leslie C. and A. Nadine (Allen) Matteson. He enjoyed skiing, fishing and camping in the Big Horn Mountains, music, and jamming with friends. He played football in high school. He later worked in road, electrical and concrete construction in Sheridan, Buffalo and Gillette until he was hired by US West Communication, where he worked for 25 years in Sheridan and Gillette. He retired last year due to health. He was preceded in death by an infant sister, Verline J. Survivors include a son, Brendon M. of Gillette; three daughters, Erin N. and Krista B., both of Gillette, and Brittany A. of Minnesota; his parents of Buffalo; a brother, Everett L., and sister, Terrill E., both of Sheridan; and three grandchildren. Memorial and condolences may be made in care of Walker Funeral Home, 410 Medical Arts Court, Gillette, WY 82716.
Sharon Ann Loughan, 60, of Buffalo died Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007, in Johnson County Health Care Center. She was mother of April Bocek of Sheridan. Funeral services were this morning in Adams Funeral Home Chapel in Buffalo with the Rev. Jon Orwig officiating. Burial was in Willow Grove Cemetery in Buffalo with graveside services. Mrs. Loughan was born May 16, 1946, in Oakland, Calif., to Betty Lee Wenz. She grew up in California with her grandparents, Louis and Leona Wenz, and was a 1963 graduate of Fremont High School in Oakland. She married Harvey Loughan on April 24, 1964. They resided in Oakland until 1968, when they moved to Buffalo. Mrs. Loughan was a waitress at the Busy Bee. In 1980, she went to work as a nurse's aide at Johnson County Memorial Hospital. She graduated with honors from the Sheridan College School of Nursing in 1987. She worked at Johnson County Health Care Center until February 2003, when she retired due to health. She enjoyed being with family, especially her grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother, Michael Higgins. Survivors include a second daughter, Penny of Buffalo; a son, Robert of Casper; two sisters, Laura Higgins of Kalispell, Mont., and Carlene Daugherty of Moore, Mont.; a brother, Lonnie Higgins of Billings; and eight grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Johnson County Health Care Center in care of Adams Funeral Home, 351 N. Adams, Buffalo, WY 82834.
Kirk Koepsel, 47, of Sheridan died Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital of natural causes. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at Kane Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at St. Peter's Episcopal Church with the Rev. David Duprey officiating.
No obituaries reported.
Sheridan native William Ira "Bill" Houck, 52, of Dacono, Colo., died Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2007, at his residence after a short struggle with cancer. Memorial services will be 10 a.m. Saturday in Howe Mortuary in Longmont, Colo., with David Bradshaw officiating. Cremation will take place. Mr. Houck was born March 28, 1954, in Sheridan to Ace William Houck and Eleanor K. (King) Barnes. He grew up and attended grade school in Sheridan. He attended Lyons High School in Lyons, Colo. He served in the Army from 1973 to 1975, when he was honorably discharged. He and his wife, Susanne, were married April 1, 1995, in Casper. He was a truck driver for 32 years and worked for various local truss companies. He enjoyed target-shooting, restoring a 1973 Duster, collecting die-cast trucks, four-wheeling, spending time in the mountains and caring for his dogs. He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife; a sister, Rosalie Luedtke of Clarkridge, Ark.; a stepson, Rob Jongsma of Casper; a stepdaughter, Anna Brus of Centennial, Colo.; and four grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Howe Mortuary or to the Longmont Humane Society, 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont, CO 80501.
Memorial services for Matthew Elliott, 27, of Sheridan will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Kane Funeral Home. Mr. Elliott died Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2007, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital of natural causes. Cremation has taken place. He was born June 15, 1979, in Torrington to Ron and Roxy Ann (Martin) Elliott. He was a high school graduate and in the Easter Seals HHH Residential Program. He was a Special Olympics athlete and was Special Olympics 2003 "Most Inspirational Athlete." He enjoyed participating in the CHAPS program, living in Sheridan and watching college basketball. Survivors include his stepfather and mother, Robb and Roxy Conrad of Sheridan; his father, Ron Elliott; a brother, Kyle of Kansas City, Mo.; three step-siblings, Kelli, Chad and Jeff; and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Herald Martin of St. Joseph, Mo. Memorials may be made to the CHAPS program in care of Amber Powers, Sheridan State Bank, P.O. Box 6268, Sheridan, WY 82801.
Funeral services for former Sheridan resident Valerie Symons Pohlhammer, 60, of San Antonio were Tuesday at Funeral Caring USA Funeral Home of San Antonio. Mrs. Pohlhammer died Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007, in San Antonio after a long battle with multiple sclerosis. Local arrangements were with Kane Funeral Home. She was born June 16, 1946, to Floyd and Fay (Jackson) Elmgren. Her father died in 1952. Mrs. Pohlhammer attended schools in Laramie and Sheridan and was a 1964 graduate of Sheridan High School. She also attended Hastings (Neb.) College. She married Jim Pohlhammer on Oct. 19, 1965. She graduated from Emporia (Kan.) State University in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in education. She played the piano and organ. She was preceded in death by her husband in 2005. Survivors include three daughters, Wendy Moreland and Kirsten Hale, both of San Antonio, and Deedee Schirmer of Laurel, Ind.; her parents, Fay and Edgar Symons of Sheridan; three brothers, Carl of Washington, Curt of Sheridan and Robert of Cheyenne; a sister, Gail of Milwaukee; and eight grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Former Sheridan resident Charles P. Wagner, 47, of Soap Creek, Mont., died Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007, of injuries sustained in a one-truck rollover on Soap Creek Road. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday in the Lodge Grass (Mont.) First Crown Indian Baptist Church. Burial will be in Wolf Family Cemetery on Soap Creek under direction of Bullis Mortuary of Hardin, Mont. Mr. Wagner was born Sept. 3, 1959, in Crow Agency, Mont., to Keith and Beatrice Wolf Wagner. According to the funeral home, he was a descendant of John Howland, a passenger on the Mayflower. He attended schools in the St. Xavier and Fort Smith, Mont., areas before completing his education in Hardin. He married Leslie Vogl. They divorced. He married Danette Hopes, and they divorced. He lived in Sheridan in the mid-1980s. He lived most of his life on Soap Creek south of Hardin. He was a commercial driver for the Payer and S & T truck companies and traveled throughout the United States and Canada. He enjoyed roping, helping neighbors with brandings, cooking, entertaining friends, and fishing on Soap Creek. He was preceded in death by his father in 1984. Survivors include a daughter, Nicole McNew of Billings; his mother and stepfather Phil Rasmussen of Lodge Grass; a sister, Kristel Blair of Wyoming; a brother, Robbin of Lewistown, Mont.; and two granddaughters.
Matthew Elliott, 27, of Sheridan died Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2007, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital of natural causes. Cremation has taken place, and memorial services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Kane Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to CHAPS in care of Amber Powers, Sheridan State Bank, P.O. Box 6268, Sheridan, WY 82801.
Richard Earl Tucker, 74, of Sheridan died Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007, in Sheridan Manor. A private viewing by the family has taken place. Arrangements are with Kane Funeral Home. Survivors include his wife, Darlene; two sons, Mark of Saudi Arabia and Todd of Wright; three daughters, Sherri Ramos of Mesa, Ariz., Judy Fisher of Vacaville, Calif., and Jill Hutton of Sheridan; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Martha E. Bagnell, 78, of Sheridan died Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007, in Sheridan Manor. No services are planned. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Miss Bagnell was born March 11, 1928, in Sheridan to John and Janie (McClintock) Bagnell. She attended elementary schools in Sheridan and graduated from high school in the East. She worked as a housekeeper in New York. After retiring, she returned to Sheridan in 1993. She enjoyed cooking, animals, old movies and word puzzles. Survivors include several cousins. Memorials may benefit Sheridan Senior Citizens Center, 211 Smith St., Sheridan, WY 82801.
Richard Earl Tucker, 74, of Sheridan died Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007, in Sheridan Manor. Cremation has taken place, and no services are planned. Arrangements are with Kane Funeral Home.
Martha E. Bagnell, 78, of Sheridan died Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007, in Sheridan Manor. Arrangements are pending with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.
Valerie Symons Pohlhammer, 60, of San Antonio died Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007, in San Antonio. She was daughter of Edgar and Fay Symons of Sheridan. Services are pending in San Antonio. Local arrangements are with Kane Funeral Home.
No obituaries reported.
Robert Geissler, 46, of Sheridan died Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2007, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital. Cremation has taken place. Arrangements are with Kane Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Harry Jacobs, 93, of Sheridan will be 2 p.m. Friday at Champion Ferries Funeral Home with the Rev. Ken Burket officiating. Burial will be in Sheridan Municipal Cemetery. Mr. Jacobs died Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2007, in Westview Health Care Center. He was born Feb. 17, 1913, to John and Elsie (Van Rees) Jacobs on the family's farm near Oskaloosa, Iowa. He grew up and attended schools in Iowa. He married Bertha Bitner on June 16, 1935, in Oskaloosa. He drove trucks for Burlington Truck Lines and spent several years farming before moving to Sheridan in 1955. He worked for Consolidated Freightways Tank Division for 23 years in Sheridan, Glendive, Mont., and Billings before retiring in 1978. The Jacobses returned to Sheridan in 1980. Mr. Jacobs enjoyed working on the family's home, yard work, gardening and puzzles. He was a member of First Assembly of God Church in Sheridan. He was preceded in death by his wife in 1997 and by four brothers, two sisters and one grandson. Survivors include a son, Larry of Yoder, Colo.; two daughters, Karen Githens of Sheridan and Connie Lucas of Bethel, Pa.; a brother in Iowa; 10 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.
Graveside committal for the cremains of Esther Lucey, 89, of Sheridan will be later this summer under direction of Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Mrs. Lucey died Sunday, Feb. 4, 2007, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital. She was born April 17, 1917, in Monarch to Frank and Giovanna (Di Cisto) Durante. She grew up and attended schools in Monarch and Sheridan. She attended beauty school and later received nurse's aide training in Buffalo. She married Joseph Rainier in Hardin, Mont. They moved to Nevada and later divorced. She married Joseph McClure in Nevada in 1956. They moved to Sheridan. Mr. McClure died in a job accident in Rock Springs. Mrs. Lucey moved to Carlin, Nev., and worked as a nurse's aide in the hospital in Elko, Nev. She married Archie Lucey in 1959 in Carlin. They were divorced. Mrs. Lucey moved to Elko. She retired from the hospital in 1980 and returned to Sheridan. She enjoyed braiding rugs. Survivors include two daughters, Janice Lee Lopez of Reno, Nev., and Toni McClure of Sheridan; a sister, Marie Simmon of San Jose, Calif.; three grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life for Roberta “Bobbie” Burgess, 53, of Sheridan will be 2 p.m. today at Eagles Lodge 4169 in Sheridan Commercial Park. Arrangements are with Kane Funeral Home. Mrs. Burgess died Friday, Feb. 2, 2007, in Sheridan Manor. Cremation has taken place. She was born Feb. 25, 1953, in Chicago to James and Helen (Green) Galve. She married Kenneth Burgess on Feb. 11, 1978, in San Diego. She was a Navy wife, and the family lived mostly in California. She was a member of the Women's Auxiliaries of Eagles Aeries 186 and 4169 in Sheridan and was past madame president of Lodge 4169. She enjoyed reading, bingo and bowling. She was preceded in death by her husband and her parents. Survivors include three sons, James Haskell of Sheridan, Joey Haskell of Virginia Beach, Va., and Kenny Burgess Jr. of Auburn, Ala.; two sisters, Kathi Zenk and Mary Galve, both of California; and two granddaughters. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 907 N. Poplar Ave., Suite 185, Casper, WY 82601.
Harry Jacobs, 93, of Sheridan died Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2007, in Westview Health Care Center. Arrangements are pending with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Ronald Gene Etchemendy, 46, of Sheridan will be 2 p.m. Thursday at the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church at 27 state Highway 335. Viewing begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Kane Funeral Home. Mr. Etchemendy died Friday, Feb. 2, 2007, in Montana of natural causes. He was born March 6, 1960, in Sheridan to Glen and Elizabeth (Cann) Etchemendy. He was a 1978 graduate of Sheridan High School. He married Kim Lindberg on Jan. 17, 1982, in Vancouver, Wash. He was a driver for FedEx. He enjoyed classic cars, fly-fishing and motorcycles. He was preceded in death by his father and a sister, D'Lynn Etchemendy. Survivors, all of Sheridan, include his wife; two children, Garon Etchemendy and Shay Rosenlund; his mother; a brother, Steve; and four grandchildren. Memorials may be made to a fund for the Charlson family of Story (which lost its home to a fire) in care of Sheridan State Bank, P.O. Box 6268, Sheridan, WY 82801.
Memorial services for Jay W. Rinehart, 52, of Sheridan will be 10 a.m. Tuesday with Pastor Tony Forman officiating. Burial will be in Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, S.D., with military honors at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Arrangements are with Kane Funeral Home. Mr. Rinehart died Thursday, Feb. 1, 2007, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital. Cremation has taken place. Mr. Rinehart was born Oct. 19, 1954, in Mobridge, S.D., to J. Dean and Shirley Rinehart. He grew up in Mobridge and graduated from high school there in 1973. He played football and played the trumpet in the high school band. He joined the U.S. Army in August 1974. He was stationed in Germany for most of his service. He was honorably discharged in August 1976. He moved to Sheridan in 1977 and married Cindy Harrington in June 1980. Mr. Rinehart worked in the engineering department of the Wyoming Department of Transportation in Sheridan for 24 years. He obtained several certifications in his field. His main duties were overseeing road-construction projects and bridge inspection. His projects included the Sheridan Main Street reconstruction. He was an avid bowler, participating in several leagues a week and attending national bowling tournaments in Reno, Nev., and Baton Rouge, La. He enjoyed fishing, shooting pool, playing darts and working at Clear Creek Hunting in Clearmont, where he assisted with sporting clays, guided hunts and preparing birds for the hunts. He was preceded in death by his father. Survivors include a daughter, Lura of Casper; a son, Thomas of Oceanside, Calif.; his mother of Mobridge; three brothers, Jeff of Black Hawk, S.D., Bruce of Mobridge and Todd of San Diego; a sister, Barbara of Reno; and two granddaughters. Memorials may be made to Clear Creek Hunting, Attn: Doug Kaufman, 32 Apache Road, Clearmont, WY 82835.
Thomas J. Houghton, 67, of Sheridan died Sunday, Feb. 4, 2007, in Sheridan VA Medical Center. Cremation has taken place, and memorial services will be later. Arrangements are with Kane Funeral Home.
Ronald Etchemendy, 46, of Sheridan died Saturday, Feb. 3, 2007, in Montana of natural causes. Visitation will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Kane Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church.
Viewing for Lena Schmierer, 81, of Sheridan will be 2-4 p.m. Sunday at Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home with the Rev. Alan Boyles officiating. Burial will be in Sheridan Municipal Cemetery. Mrs. Schmierer died Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital. She was born Sept. 4, 1925, in Napoleon, N.D., to John and Mathilda (Pfeifle) Lachenmaier. The family moved to Montana when she was a child, and she grew up near Hardin, Mont. She married Edwin Schmierer on April 9, 1947, in Hardin. They moved to Sheridan, and she worked for Tudor Cleaners. She later worked for Sheridan Memorial Hospital until 1991, when she retired. She received her GED in 1974. She was a member of First Assembly of God Church and enjoyed puzzles, band concerts and being with friends and family. She was preceded in death by her husband in 2003, and two brothers, Ray and Ervin. Survivors include a son, Rick, of Sheridan; a brother, Aaron Lachenmaier of Miles City, Mont.; and three sisters, Irene Deines of Billings, Martha Caton of Yakima, Wash., and Betty Fraser of Salem, Ore. Memorials may be made to First Assembly of God Church, 1045 Lewis St., Sheridan, WY 82801.
Jay W. Rinehart, 52, of Sheridan died Thursday, Feb. 1, 2007, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital. Cremation has taken place, and memorial services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at Kane Funeral Home.
Lena Schmierer, 81, of Sheridan died Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital. Viewing will be 2-4 p.m. Sunday at Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home with the Rev. Alan Boyles officiating. Burial will be in Sheridan Municipal Cemetery. Memorials may be made to First Assembly of God Church, 1045 Lewis St., Sheridan, WY 82801.
No obituaries reported.