Sheridan County's Daily NEWSpaper
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Former Sheridan resident Cloyd C. Garwood, 102, of Fort Collins, Colo., died July 28, 2007, in Fort Collins. He was a 1922 graduate of Sheridan High School and father of Norma Jenrich of Sheridan. Memorial services will be 2:30 p.m. Thursday at Parkwood Estates Retirement Residence in Fort Collins. Burial will be in Grandview Cemetery. Mr. Garwood was born Oct. 20, 1904, in Provo, S.D., to William and Rachel Garwood. He grew up in northern Wyoming. After graduating from high school, he attended Bradley University in Peoria, Ill., where he earned a degree in horology (the science or art of measuring time or making timepieces). He married Dorothy Garretson on Jan. 2, 1926, in Sheridan. He went into the jewelry business, owning stores in Canon City and Estes Park, Colo. He opened Garwood's jewelry store in Fort Collins in 1944 and retired in 1966. An avid golfer, he also enjoyed designing and making wood furniture and stained-glass art. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Elks Lodge 804 and the Masonic Lodge. He was preceded in death by his wife in 1996 and one great-granddaughter. In addition to his daughter, survivors include a son, Gary of Fort Collins; six granddaughters; 11 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice, 1180 Main Street, Suite 9, Windsor, CO. 80505.
Former Sheridan resident Aline A. Kawulok, 83, of Louisville, Colo., died July 27, 2007 at Balfour Retirement Community in Louisville. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Boulder, Colo. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery under direction of Howe Mortuary Inc. of Longmont, Colo. Mrs. Kawulok was born July 5, 1924, in Lida, Poland, to Witold and Rozalia (Glaz) Drozdowski. She served as a World War II freedom fighter and nurse during the Warsaw Uprising. As a holocaust survivor of Bergen-Belsen, she was liberated to England, where she joined Polish forces in support of the Allied efforts. She married Anthony J. Kawulok, an officer with the Polish forces. They immigrated to the United States and lived in Sheridan for several years, where Mrs. Kawulok worked as a nurse. They moved to Colorado in 1963. Mrs. Kawulok earned a degree in sociology from the University of Colorado in 1970. She assisted Polish citizens and immigrants to the United States. She also enjoyed cooking and painting. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1997. Survivors include a daughter, Eva Lieser of Fort Collins; three sons, Stephen of Fort Collins, Conrad of Longmont and Ted of Boulder; 12 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Anthony J. Kawulok Scholarship Fund (for families in the construction industry) in care of B&M Roofing, 3768 Eureka Way, Frederick, CO 80516. Thoughts, memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.howemortuary.com.
Mass of Christian Burial for Cody Jay Duprel, 26, of Sheridan will be 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis, S.D., with the Rev. Michel Mulloy officiating. Visitation will be 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Wednesday in Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis. A prayer service will begin at 7 p.m. Burial will be at a later date. Mr. Duprel died July 28, 2007, in Sheridan of apparent natural causes. He was born Sept. 1, 1980, in Rapid City to Kim (Schmidt) and Alfred Duprel. He attended Sturgis public schools and graduated from Sturgis Brown High School in 1999. He participated in wrestling, FFA, 4-H, football and rodeo. He was in the Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He enjoyed ranching and the cowboy way of life, working with horses, including his own two, Stormy and Mexico, his dog, Mister, and being outdoors. He worked for Advance Fencing Co. in Sheridan and the Duprel Ranch near Sturgis. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Andy Duprel and Kenneth and Mervyn Schmidt. Survivors include his parents of Sturgis; two daughters, Cally Mae and Camy Lynn of Viborg, S.D.; three brothers, Dusty of San Diego and Andrew and Alex, both of Sturgis; a sister, Nicole, of Sturgis; and his grandparents, Marylin and Bob Anderson of Sturgis. A memorial has been established to create an educational fund for his daughters.
Frieda Engelter, 98, of New Salem, N.D., died July 29, 2007, in Elm Crest Manor. She was mother of Lester Engelter of Sheridan. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Peace Church in New Salem. Visitation will be one hour before the services in the chapel of Elm Crest Manor. Burial will be in Peace Cemetery under direction of Spangelo Funeral Home of Glen Ullin, N.D. Survivors include another son, Robert of New Salem; two daughters, Betty Hoesel and Gloria Kitzmann, both of New Salem; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. A full obituary and online guest book are at www.spangelofuneralhome.com.
No obituaries reported.
Howell F. `Burr' Bryant
Howell F. “Burr” Bryant, 83, of Lusk died July 6, 2007. He was brother of Dana Bryant of Sheridan. Memorial services will be 1:30 p.m. Aug. 11 in the Niobrara County Fairgrounds Auditorium with Pastor Tom Strock of the First Baptist Church officiating. Mr. Bryant was born Oct. 30, 1923, in Lusk to Fred A. and Sylvania P. (Howell) Bryant. He attended the Hat Creek School and Niobrara County High School. He was drafted into military service in 1943. He served with the 115th Infantry, 29th division, landing on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1946, where he was wounded. After recovering, he was stationed in France until the end of the war. He was honorably discharged on Oct. 21, 1945, having received two Purple Hearts, two Bronze Stars and the Rifleman's Badge. He married Winifred J. Ward on Jan. 25, 1949. They lived in Encampment for five years while he worked in the timber industry, then moved to Lusk. Mr. Bryant spent most of his life on the family ranch at Hat Creek, having purchased it from his father in 1964. The Bryants retired in 1991, although Mr. Bryant continued to work at small jobs in the town for several years. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, the Farm Bureau, a lifetime member of the Saratoga Odd Fellows Lodge 34, Wieten-Dupes American Legion Post 4, Disabled American Veterans, a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3511, the 29th Division Association Florida West Post 2 and a lifetime member of the 115th Infantry Regiment. He was preceded in death by an infant son, James Howell Bryant; two brothers, George and John; and four sisters, Iris, Evelyn, Tiny and Donna. Other survivors include his wife; a daughter, Sally Bryant-McGrew; and one grandson. Memorials may be sent to the Bryant family at P.O. Box 627, Lusk, WY 82225.
Memorial services for Marcus Lamar Ross III, 59, of Big Horn will be 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Peter's Episcopal Church with the Rev. Kevin Jones officiating. Burial will be at 1 p.m. Aug. 3 in Forest Park East Cemetery Chapel in Webster, Texas. Mr. Ross died July 25, 2007, of a heart attack that resulted in a rollover vehicle accident. He was born Feb. 3, 1948, in Jackson, Miss., to Dr. and Mrs. Marcus Lamar Ross. He grew up in Galveston, Texas, and was a 1966 graduate of Ball High School. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Baylor University and a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He married Laura Shannon Keahey on Jan. 22, 2004, in Waco, Texas. They moved to Sheridan after the wedding to be near Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bledsoe, who are relatives. Mr. Ross enjoyed art, intellectual discussions and studying the Bible and theology. He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife; a son, Dr. Scott Leune of San Antonio; a sister, Jan Purdy of Waco; and a granddaughter. Memorials may be made to The Gideon International, P.O. Box 6183, Sheridan, WY 82801.
Former Sheridan resident Darryl Barker Jr. of Longmont, Colo., died July 24, 2007, in Longmont. Visitation will be 9-11 a.m. Monday at Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Graveside services will be noon in Sheridan Municipal Cemetery under direction of Champion Ferries Funeral Home.
Marcus Ross, 59, of Big Horn died July 25, 2007, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Peter's Episcopal Church with the Rev. Kevin Jones officiating. Burial will be in Texas. Arrangements are with Kane Funeral Home.
Allen R. Bales, 62, of Sheridan died July 23, 2007, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital. Private inurnment of cremains will be later in Vancouver, Wash. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Mr. Bales was born Dec. 1, 1944, in London to Ernest and Edna (Kemp) Bales. He grew up in Vancouver and graduated from Fort Vancouver High School. He married Carol Bettger on May 9, 1964, in Vancouver. She preceded him in death. He was a truck driver for Allied Van Lines for 16 years, then drove for other companies until 2003, when he retired. He moved to Sheridan later. He was a member of Knights of Pythias and enjoyed fishing, woodworking and four-wheeling. Survivors include a son, William of Vancouver; two daughters, Linda Claflin of Vancouver and Joyce Price of Sheridan; his mother of Vancouver; a sister, Edna Johnson of Vancouver; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Elizabeth Fay Stutsman, 100, of Sheridan died July 8, 2007, in Westview Health Care Center. Memorial services will be 9 a.m. Saturday at Champion Ferries Funeral Home with the Rev. Kenneth Doolin officiating.
Former Sheridan resident Brandon Riley Mitchell, 27, of Worland, died July 22, 2007, just outside Worland of injuries suffered in a one-vehicle accident. Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at the Worland Elks Lodge with Mike Snyder officiating. Cremation has taken place under direction of Bryant Funeral Home. Mr. Mitchell was born Jan. 14, 1980, in Worland to Richard Palmer Mitchell and Lisa Yvonne Gabbard Mitchell. He was a 1999 graduate of high school there. He married Megan Trombley on Aug. 6, 2005, in Worland. They lived in Sheridan for three years before returning to Worland a month ago. He enjoyed visiting his mother and sister, cruising in the hills, hunting in Alaska and Wyoming, playing guitar, and finding wildlife with his spotting scope. Survivors include his wife and son, Elijah; his mother of Worland; his father, of Apex, N.C.; a brother, Brian of Worland; a sister, Brittany McGarvin of Worland; and grandparents Bill and Lila Gabbard of Worland and Lloyd and Addie Mitchell of Thermopolis. Memorials may be made in his name in care of Bryant Funeral Home, P.O. Box 524, Worland, WY 82401.
No obituaries reported.
Memorial services for former Sheridan resident Floyd W. Tetreault, 81, of Spearfish, S.D., were Thursday at All Angels Episcopal Church in Spearfish. Arrangements were with Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel of Spearfish. Mr. Tetreault died July 11, 2007, at Fort Meade VA Medical Center after a long illness. He was born in 1926 to Bert and Marie (Stanton) Tetreault. After high school he joined the U.S. Navy and served during World War II. He was stationed in the Aleutian Islands for three years. He married Frances Louise Woods in 1951. They graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1954. Mr. Tetreault earned a Bachelor of Science degree in animal study. He was an ag teacher in Riverton for several years before becoming director of the State Fair in Douglas. He later became director of the North American Indian Days Foundation, which sponsored All American Indian Days in Sheridan, then managed his own ranch for five years at Oshoto. He later worked for the American Breeders Association, which involved travel from Canada to South America. He was involved with ranch managing and had partnerships in Wyoming and Oklahoma. In later years, he was devoted to the Tarentaise breed of cattle, and in 1997 he was inducted into the American Tarentaise Hall of Fame. He was reportedly the first person to bring the Tarentaise breed to the United States. In the 1990s at the Calgary Stampede, the Tarentaise was named “International Cattle Breed of the World.” Survivors include his wife; a son, Bill of Maryland; a daughter, Susan of Spearfish; a brother, Bud of Spearfish; and four grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Spearfish Food Pantry or All Angels Episcopal Church of Spearfish. Online condolences may be left at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com.
Funeral services for Lillian Brooke Chapman, infant daughter of Ed and Paula Chapman of Sheridan, will be 2 p.m. Monday at Kane Funeral Home with Pastor Tony Forman officiating. Burial will be in the Baby Section of Sheridan Municipal Cemetery. The infant died July 19, 2007, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital. She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Margaret Rawls. Surviving in addition to her parents are siblings Sarah and Ben; and grandparents John and Charlene Daniel of Hope, Ark. Memorials may be made to Shriner's Children's Hospital in care of Kalif Shrine Temple, P.O. Box K, Sheridan, WY 82801.
Funeral services for Gerald T. “Jerry” Kepler, 68, of Sheridan will be 2 p.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church in Moorcroft with Pastor Charles Gifford of the Mercy and Grace Ministries of Sheridan officiating. Graveside services will be later in Pennsylvania. Local arrangements are with Kane Funeral Home. Mr. Kepler died July 19, 2007, at Sheridan VA Medical Center. He was born Aug. 3, 1938, in Elmira, N.Y., to Jesse Abraham Kepler and Beatrice Mollie (Bassett) Kepler. He served in the Navy from October 1955 to March 1963. He worked for the railroad in Connecticut and in heating and air conditioning for several years before moving to Wyoming, where he worked construction. He also worked with the Wyoming Department of Transportation as a heavy-equipment operator in Moorcroft for 19 years, retiring in August 2000. He enjoyed bowling, the company of his companion and caregiver, Jeannie Mills of Sheridan, and spending time over coffee with friends and his dog, Pookie. He was preceded in death by a brother, Paul W., two sisters, Joyce Martone and Sandra Kay Kepler; and a granddaughter. Survivors include two daughters, Pamela Denoy of Wilkes Barre, Pa., and Mary Hartford of Alba, Pa.; two brothers, Ronald of Montgomery, Pa., and Stanley O. of Trout Run, Pa.; two sisters, Harriet Kiessling of McEwensville, Pa., and Debbie Nicholas of Loganton, Pa.; and seven grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Funeral services for Edward Raymond Bell, 88, of Sheridan will be 2 p.m. Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church with the Rev. Philip Wold officiating. Burial will be in Sheridan Elks Cemetery with military rites by the American Legion and Wyoming National Guard. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Mr. Bell died July 19, 2007, at Sheridan VA Medical Center. He was born July 30, 1918, to Frood and Clarissa (Collette) Bell in Pine County, Minn. He grew up and attended schools in Pine County. He enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard in November 1939 and entered active duty in February 1941. He served during World War II with the Army's 82nd and 101st Airborne divisions as a paratrooper. He was honorably discharged on July 30, 1945. He married Rebecca C. Johnson in Minneota, Minn. He attended Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis and went to work in Denver. In 1957, he became district manager of Libby Foods for South Dakota, Montana and Wyoming and moved his family to Sheridan. He worked in the food business until Panetta Bros. sold its wholesale food business, then went to work for PKS and, later, Decker Coal Co. He retired from Decker Coal in 1983. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and American Legion and a life member of Sheridan Elks Lodge 520 and Disabled American Veterans. He enjoyed traveling with Bots Sots and Good Sams and dancing with the Jeans and Queens Square Dancing Club. He volunteered at Sheridan Senior Citizens Center, where he delivered Meals on Wheels. He also drove the Disabled American Veterans van and worked as an escort at Sheridan VAMC. He enjoyed working in his yard and garden, refinishing furniture, playing cards, hunting, fishing and camping with family and friends. He was preceded in death by five brothers, two sisters and one grandson. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Susan Matthews of Provo, Utah; three sons, Duane of Butte, Mont., Mark of Sheridan and Richard of Clearmont; a sister, Ethel Bergendahl of St. Paul, Minn.; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 135 Crescent Drive; Sheridan Senior Citizens Center, 211 Smith St.; or Elks Lodge 520, P.O. Box 624, all in Sheridan.
Sheridan County native Ray Thorburn, 88, of Buffalo died July 18, 2007, at his residence. Visitation will be 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sunday in Adams Funeral Home Chapel. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Sunday at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Buffalo. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Monday at the church with the Rev. Peter Johnson as celebrant, followed by burial in Willow Grove Cemetery with military graveside services by Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion. Mr. Thorburn was born July 23, 1918, to John and Nora (Kuhl) Thorburn at his grandparents' ranch on SR Creek east of Wyarno. He attended schools in Big Horn and Holy Name School in Sheridan. The family moved to Gillette in 1933, and he attended Campbell County High School for two years. The family then moved to Buffalo, and Mr. Thorburn graduated from Johnson County High School in 1937. He attended Mortuary College in Kansas City and, following an internship, became a licensed mortician. He worked in funeral homes in Scottsbluff, Neb., and Bozeman, Mont. He joined the U.S. Navy in December 1941 after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was sent to Pearl Harbor, then was attached to the U.S. Marine Corps as a medic and served in the battle of Midway. He was on Midway Island for the next two years, then rotated back to Hawaii to work in a hospital. He was later stationed at Letterman Hospital in San Francisco. He returned to Buffalo after an honorable discharge. He married Madelyn Richter on Sept. 4, 1944, in Buffalo. They resided in Rawlins, where Mr. Thorburn worked for McKelvey Funeral Home until 1948, when they returned to Buffalo. Mr. Thorburn owned and operated Ray's Liquor Store in Buffalo until 1983, when he retired. He and Mrs. Thorburn enjoyed riding their horses, Ajax and Frosty, in the Big Horn Mountains and playing with their Siamese cats, Toy, Bijou, Ms Ellie, Coco and Christy. Mrs. Thorburn died in June 1994. Mr. Thorburn for many years ran the VFW's statewide marble tournament and was involved in the Fourth of July fireworks at Lake DeSmet. He also supported the Johnson County Fair by buying dozens of 4-H animals for himself and other businesses and organizing the fair and jubilee parades. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, American Legion, VFW and the Buffalo Chamber of Commerce. He served on the board of the Buffalo Golf Course, was a longtime member and made a hole-in-one on the No. 4 hole. Survivors include two sons, John of Buffalo and Joe of Greeley, Colo.; two daughters, Ann Cole and Cecile Gallegos, both of Casper; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Jim Gatchell Museum or Johnson County Public Health Building Fund in care of Adams Funeral Home, 351 N. Adams, Buffalo, WY 82834.
Former Sheridan resident Craig Thomas Shivers, 51, of Silver City, N.M., died July 17, 2007, following a heart attack. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church in Sheridan with the Rev. Don Derryberry officiating. Burial will be in Sheridan Municipal Cemetery under direction of Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Mr. Shivers was born Nov. 6, 1955, in Concordia, Kan., to Marvin F. Shivers and Margaret Matthew Shivers. He was a 1973 graduate of Concordia High School. He began a career as an auto body specialist at Gerald's Body Shop and later worked in body shops in Emporia, Kan., Cody and Sheridan. He married Jenifer Hanson in 1981. After moving to Sheridan in 1999, he became engaged to Tamara McKennan. He was a member of First United Methodist Church and a sponsor in Alcoholics Anonymous groups. He made jewelry and sporting knives and had recently become interested in black-powder hunting. He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Cole. Survivors include a son, Lane of Cody; and a sister, Debra Redburn of Bozeman, Mont.
Lillian Brooke Chapman, infant daughter of Ed and Paula Chapman of Sheridan, died July 19, 2007, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital. She was sister of Sarah and Ben Chapman. Services are pending with Kane Funeral Home.
Funeral Mass for Frances LaBreck Simmons, 85, of Sheridan was Monday at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Ekalaka, Mont. Burial was in Beaver Lodge Cemetery in Ekalaka under direction of Stevenson Funeral Home. Mrs. Simmons died July 13, 2007, in Westview Health Care Center. She was born June 21, 1922 in Box Butte County, Neb., to Moritz R. and Louisa Kittelmann. Her mother died when she was very young. Her father and new mother, Susie, moved to Montana in 1929. Mrs. Simmons attended country and Ekalaka schools and graduated from Carter County (Mont.) High School. She married Pat LaBreck on Nov. 9, 1940, in Baker, Mont. They lived in Spanaway, Wash., for a time during World War II, then returned to Ekalaka. Mrs. Simmons worked in the liquor store there for the state of Montana for many years. She also worked in the Carter County clerk of court office. Mr. LaBreck died, and she married Leonard Simmons in 1984 in Lead, S.D. They resided in Nebraska before moving to Sheridan. Mr. Simmons preceded her in death. She was a member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Ekalaka, Holy Name Catholic Church Parish in Sheridan, and American Legion Auxiliary in Ekalaka. An avid stamp and bottle collector, she enjoyed playing the card game "500" and attending dances. In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles Kittelmann and James Bazil; a sister, Clara Farwall; and an infant son, Kelly Pat. Survivors include a son, Tracy LaBreck of Sheridan; a stepdaughter, Vicki Atwell of Omaha, Neb.; a brother, George Kittelmann of Ekalaka; a sister, Alice Carlisle; and two grandchildren.
Wilhelmina Olida Price, 88, of Buffalo died July 17, 2007, at her residence. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday in Adams Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Nancy Brooks officiating. A private family burial will be in Willow Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be 1-9 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Big Horn Chapter of Habitat for Humanity in care of the funeral home at 351 N. Adams in Buffalo.
Judy Elaine Lewis, 63, of Gillette died July 11, 2007, in Campbell County Memorial Hospital of cancer. She was mother of Anna Legerski of Sheridan. Cremation has taken place, and at her request, no services are planned. Arrangements are with Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home of Gillette. Mrs. Lewis was born Nov. 15, 1943, in Lusk to Grant and Alice (Rose) Lund. She grew up and was educated in Sheridan. She married John F. Lewis Jr. on April 15, 1971, in Sheridan. They moved to Gillette in 1982. Mrs. Lewis worked at McDonald's for 10 years, until illness forced her to retire. She enjoyed camping, cooking, watching TV and decorating the house for holidays. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Dawn; two brothers, Robert and Loren; and a sister, Mary Anne Ottgen. In addition to her daughter, survivors include her husband; two sons, Jim Lund of Jackson and John Lewis of Gillette; two brothers, David Lund of Gillette and Dan Lund of Michigan; and eight grandchildren. Memorials and condolences may be made in care of Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home, 210 W. Fifth St., Gillette, WY 82716 or via the Internet at www.stevensonwilson.com.
Graveside committal of cremains of Ila Christenson, 84, of Sheridan will be 10 a.m. Thursday in Mount Hope Cemetery in Big Horn with Pastor R.H. Robinson officiating. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Mrs. Christenson died July 13, 2007, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital. She was born Aug. 26, 1922, in Ault, Colo., to Jess Burt and Anna Pearl (Laney) Rickman. She married Oscar J. Christenson on Nov. 18, 1939, at the Wyoming Girls School in Sheridan. She worked many years for the Girls School before working for the Wallop Ranch. Her last work was caring for elderly and sick individuals in their homes. She enjoyed sewing and reading. She was preceded in death by her husband; two brothers, Lane David Rickman and a stillborn infant; and a sister, Amy Charlene. Survivors include a son, Don Allen; a sister, Georgia E. Ogden of Wichita Falls, Texas; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library, 335 W. Alger Ave., Sheridan, WY 82801.
Former Sheridan resident Wilma Lois Skog, 88, of Buffalo died July 13, 2007. A celebration of her life will be 1:30 p.m. Friday in Amie Holt Care Center in Buffalo, where she was living at the time of her death. Arrangements are with Adams Funeral Home in Buffalo. Mrs. Skog was born May 7, 1919, in Philip, S.D., to Albert and Mary Elizabeth Anderson. She was a 1938 graduate of Philip High School. She married Orvall E. Skog on Sept. 11, 1938, in Rapid City. They made their home in Rapid City and later in Newcastle and Sheridan before moving to Buffalo. Mr. Skog died in May 2006. Mrs. Skog was a member of Order of the Eastern Star, Elks Club Does, Lutheran Church Women's Circle and the Garden Club. She enjoyed reading, gardening, needlepoint and being with her grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by one brother and one sister. Survivors include two daughters, Lana Dalziel of University Place, Wash., and Sybil Petro of Buffalo; two grandsons; one granddaughter; and six great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Amie Holt Care Center.
Ralph Phoenix, 89, of Sheridan died July 3, 2007, in Westview Health Care Center, according to his family. Cremation has taken place, and at his request, no services are planned. Mr. Phoenix was born Jan. 31, 1918, to Ray and Daisy Phoenix. He worked at Mullinax Concrete Service until he retired. He was a member of Grace Baptist Church. Survivors include two sons, Brad Bunton and Paul Vinzant; two daughters, Cindy McPherson and Linda Walker; a sister, Irma Williams of Tacoma, Wash.; and one granddaughter.
A celebration of the life of Harold L. Field, 89, of Riverton will be 2 p.m. July 28 in the VFW Post 3628 Club Room, 1409 W. Main St. in Riverton. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home of Sheridan. Mr. Field was father of Ed Field, Betty Field and Marci Borzenski, all of Sheridan. He died July 11, 2007, in Sheridan VA Medical Center. He was born Oct. 23, 1917, in Coalmont, Ind., to Henry and Velora (Cushman) Field. He was a graduate of Coalmont High School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1942-46, when he was honorably discharged. He returned to Indiana and graduated from Purdue University. He worked for the Bureau of Reclamation as an agricultural engineer from 1958 until 1984, when he retired. He married Vivian Kisinger in May 1959 in Cody. She died in 1985. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Professional Board of Engineers and Fraternal Order of Eagles. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, playing cards, camping and the outdoors. Survivors include another son, Hal of Oakes, N.D.; another daughter, Judy Donahue of Riverton; three brothers, John and Roy, both of Jasonville, Ind., and Jim of Connorsville, Ind.; a sister, Mary Chamberlain of Clay City, Ind.; seven grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
Chris Blackburn, 37, of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., died July 8, 2007, near Kingman, Ariz. He was grandson of Marabel Gates of Sheridan. A memorial service will be 6 p.m. Thursday in the commons area of Gillette High School South.
Funeral services for M.A. “Babe” Laughrey, 89, of Sheridan will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Champion Ferries Funeral Home with the Rev. Ronald Stolcis officiating. Burial will be in Sheridan Municipal Cemetery. Mrs. Laughrey died July 13, 2007, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital. She was born Feb. 21, 1918, in Sheridan to Charles and Lucille (Gordon) Miller. She grew up and graduated from high school in Sheridan. She married James “Pete” Laughrey on Oct. 21, 1936, in Hardin, Mont. They lived in Sheridan. Mrs. Laughrey worked for Montgomery Ward, Sheridan Commercial, Vickery Lumber and Mills Printing. She retired in 1982. Mrs. Laughrey volunteered at Sheridan VA Medical Center, was an avid bowler, and also enjoyed hunting, fishing, crocheting and needlework. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1978 and by a brother, Virgil, and sister, Maxine Long. Survivors include a son, James of Sheridan; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Sheridan Senior Citizens Center, 211 Smith St., Sheridan, WY 82801.
Former Sheridan-area resident Allen Gene Wagoner, 86, of Buffalo died July 13, 2007, in Amie Holt Care Center in Buffalo. Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday in Willow Grove Cemetery with Bob Zimmerscheid officiating. Military graveside rites will be by Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion. A reception with the family will follow the services at Shell Creek-Piney Homemaker's Club. Visitation will be 1-9 p.m. today in Adams Funeral Home Chapel in Buffalo. Mr. Wagoner was born May 31, 1921, on the family ranch near Bertha to Ed and Lillie Wagoner. He grew up in Campbell and Johnson counties and attended Johnson County High School. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, then returned to Wyoming, where he worked on various ranches in the Buffalo area. He married Rosa Bell Key on March 18, 1947, in Hardin, Mont. They resided on Johnson County ranches, where Mr. Wagoner was a foreman, until 1957, when they bought a ranch on Tongue River in Sheridan County. They retired and moved to Buffalo in 1982. Mr. Wagoner enjoyed spending time in the mountains and training horses. He posed for D. Michael Thomas' sculpture, “The Coats of Winter,” which is in the permanent collection of the Jim Gatchell Museum. He was preceded in death by a brother, Pascal, and three sisters, Mabel Keiser, May Wagoner and Montana Berger. Survivors include his wife of Buffalo; two sons, Ron of Oak Harbor, Wash., and Rick of Arlington, Texas; three daughters, Phyllis Mayo of Boulder, Ann Brecht of Fort Collins, Colo., and Linda Carter of Oak Harbor; one brother, Ed “Junior” ofGlenrock; one sister, June Suchta of Worland; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Friends of the Library or the Jim Gatchell Museum in care of Adams Funeral Home, 351 N. Adams, Buffalo, WY 82834.
Mabelle A. Laughrey, 89, of Sheridan died July 13, 2007, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital. Arrangements are pending with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.
Ila Christenson, 84, of Sheridan died July 13, 2007, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital. Arrangements are pending with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.
Frances Simmons, 85, of Sheridan died this morning, July 13, 2007, in Westview Health Care Center. Arrangements are pending with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.
Sheridan County native Pauline Virginia “Polly” (Selig) Werre, 91, of Sundance died July 10, 2007, in Crook County Long Term Care Center in Sundance. Mass of Christian Burial will be 1 p.m. Friday at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sundance with the Rev. Peter James as celebrant. Committal services will be in Green Mountain Cemetery in Sundance. Arrangements are with Fidler-Roberts & Isburg Funeral Chapel of Sundance. Mrs. Werre was born June 3, 1916, in Monarch to George and Nellie (Patz) Selig. She attended grade school at Monarch. The family moved to New Mexico, where she attended high school in Aztec. After the death of her father in 1933, the family returned to Monarch. Mrs. Werre cooked for several ranches in the area. She married Calvin G. Werre on Oct. 16, 1937, in St. Thomas Catholic Church in Monarch. They lived in Kirby, Mont., until 1942, when they began farming and ranching at Lodge Grass, Mont. They later farmed and ranched in Ranchester and the Big Goose Creek community. In 1955 they acquired the Ray Wood ranch west of Sundance and moved their family there. They sold the ranch and semiretired in 1976. They moved to Sundance in 1990 and into the nursing home there in 1999. Mrs. Werre enjoyed being with family and friends, playing cards and attending community dances. She was a member of the Ladies Altar Society and Rosary Society. She was preceded in death by her husband; a son; two sisters, Mary Arzy and Louise Manzek; and four brothers, Michael, Frank, Andrew and Stanley. Survivors include two daughters, Marselle Saul of Lingle and Carole Kellem of Belle Fourche, S.D.; two grandsons; two great-granddaughters; and two step-great-granddaughters. Memorials may be made to Crook County Long Term Care Center in Sundance. Condolences may be written online at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com.
Bonnie Mae Barker, 80, of Sheridan died July 11, 2007, in Sheridan Manor. Arrangements are pending with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.
Mildred I. “Millie” Whitaker, 75, of Sheridan died this morning, July 12, 2007, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital. Arrangements are pending with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.
BUFFALO — Marilyn A. Neill, 61, of Buffalo, died July 9, 2007, in Johnson County Health Care Center. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday in Adams Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Alan Schaberg officiating. Viewing will be 1-9 p.m. today and 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Thursday in the chapel. Burial will be in Willow Grove Cemetery with graveside services. Memorials may be made to St. Francis Animal Shelter or the American Cancer Society in care of Adams Funeral Home.
Clarence Korthuis, 84, of Longmont, Colo., a longtime patient at Sheridan VA Medical Center, died July 10, 2007, at Sheridan VAMC. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.
Harold L. Field, 89, of Sheridan died this morning, July 11, 2007, in Sheridan VA Medical Center. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.
Elizabeth Fay “Betty” Stutsman, 100, of Sheridan died July 8, 2007, in Westview Health Care Center. Cremation has taken place, and a memorial service will be later. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Mrs. Stutsman was born April 15, 1907, in Aberdeen, S.D., to Katherine and Frank Bisbee. She married William Surface of Sheridan. They were divorced. She married Howard Stutsman. He died in 1966. In addition to her second husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Linda Stutsman, in 1970. She was a nurse in various hospitals in Montana, Illinois and Washington, where she retired in 1977 after 15 years at Sacred Heart Hospital Home for Retired Nuns in Spokane. After retiring, she returned to Sheridan. She wrote poetry, and many of her poems were published in magazines. She enjoyed playing the piano and entertaining dinner guests. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Sheridan since 1934. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Sheridan or a charity of the donor's choice.
No obituaries reported.
Neil Sherman Bucknam, 86, of Messalonskee Lake, Maine, died July 5, 2007, at his residence. He was father of Sandra Couture of Sheridan. Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday in the chapel at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Augusta under direction of Veilleux Funeral Home of Waterville, Maine. Mr. Bucknam was born Jan. 13, 1921, in Fairfield, Maine, to Donald and Mabel (Clukey) Bucknam. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, where he was trained as a mechanic as well as a pilot. He married Patricia Fitch on Aug. 31, 1946. He was a press mechanic for the Sentinel and a bush pilot for Folsom's in Greenville, Maine. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, bird-watching and spending time with family, friends and neighbors. He also enjoyed attending air shows, especially the Blue Angels. He was preceded in death by his wife. Survivors include two sons, Skip and Scott; two other daughters, Sindee Bucknam and Shari Coplan; several brothers and sisters; 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to HealthReach Hospice, PO Box 828, Waterville, ME 04901.
BUFFALO — Funeral services for Buffalo native Bessie G. Jones, 63, of Riverton will be 1 p.m. Friday at Union Congregational Church in Buffalo with the Rev. Nancy Brooks officiating. Burial will be in Willow Grove Cemetery with graveside services. Arrangements are with Adams Funeral Home. Ms. Jones died Feb. 10, 2007, at her home. Memorials may be made to Community Entry Service in Riverton in care of the funeral home, 351 N. Adams, Buffalo.
No obituaries reported.
Alex Bateman, 37, of Sheridan died July 1, 2007, at her residence of undetermined causes. Viewing will be 10 a.m. Friday in the Latter-day Saints Church. Services will be 11 a.m. Friday in the church. Burial will be in Sheridan Municipal Cemetery under direction of Champion Ferries Funeral Home.
BUFFALO — Lois Katherine Crowley, 88, of Buffalo died July 3, 2007, in Amie Holt Care Center in Buffalo. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday in Adams Funeral Home Chapel in Buffalo with the Rev. Jim Coonis officiating. Viewing will be 1-9 p.m. Friday and 8-9:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Willow Grove Cemetery with graveside rites. Memorials may be made to Amie Holt Care Center in care of the funeral home.
Funeral services for Eugene C. Barker, 81, of Sheridan will be 10 a.m. Saturday at the Wesleyan Church. Burial will be in Sheridan Elks Cemetery under direction of Kane Funeral Home. Mr. Barker died June 29, 2007, at Sheridan VA Medical Center. He was born March 13, 1926, in Parkman to George and Ernestine Barker. He was a 1945 graduate of Sheridan High School and entered the U.S. Navy on Dec. 2, 1944, as a machinist mate third class. He served until July 10, 1946, when he was honorably discharged. He served aboard the USS Bottineau. He married Teresa Katsos on Dec. 9, 1949, in Price, Utah. During the late 1940s, he and his brothers went into business as Barker Brothers Construction. He worked for Garber Agri-Business from 1988 until 2006, when he retired. He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family and the “Wal-Mart McDonald's Coffee Gang.” He also enjoyed garage sales, according to his family. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Joe, Gabe and Phil. Survivors include his wife; four children, Geni Barker, Mary Masters, Dave Barker and Barbara Taylor; two brothers, Bob and George; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Holiday - no Sheridan Press published.
No services are planned for Tony R. Montegna, 90, of Sheridan, who died June 28, 2007, in Westview Health Care Center. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Mr. Montegna was born Dec. 31, 1916, in Sheridan. He grew up and attended Sheridan schools. He was an attendant at the Alamo Service Station in Sheridan. He was preceded in death by three brothers. Survivors include a sister, Josephine Garreston of Worland.
Tony R. Montegna, 90, of Sheridan died June 28, 2007, in Westview Health Care Center. Arrangements are pending with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.