Sheridan County's Daily NEWSpaper
Sheridan County's Daily NEWSpaper
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Daniel Lewis “Danny” Voogd, 39, of Sheridan died Wednesday, March 14, 2001, after a long illness. Open viewing was set for 7-9 p.m. today at Kane Funeral Home, with the family. Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church with Father David Duprey officiating. Burial will follow in Sheridan Municipal Cemetery. Mr. Voogd was born May 24, 1961, in Sheridan to Clarence Earl and Margaret “Peggy” Voogd. He attended Sheridan High School and worked for Country Construction, Peterson-Severs Construction and the Golden Steer Restaurant before retiring due to illness. Mr. Voogd was a member of the Eagles and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. He was preceded in death by his mother and his grandparents, Homer and Jesse Voogd and David Joe and Anne Harrison. Survivors include his father, of Sheridan; a sister, Terri Ann Voogd of Elizabeth, Ind.; two brothers, Nicky of Sheridan and David of Louisville, Ky.; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and one niece.
Helen L. Powers, 74, of Sheridan died Thursday, March 15, 2001, at Sheridan Manor. Memorial service will be 4 p.m. Saturday at Kane Funeral Home with Pastor William Heine officiating. Mrs. Powers was born Jan. 22, 1927, to Henry and Lydia (Hettinger) Lackman in Mitchell, Neb. She enjoyed playing cards and reading. She was preceded in death by four brothers, Henry, Alex, Edward and Reuben. Survivors include a sister, Elsie Destefano of Sheridan; and several nieces and nephews.
William H. “Chub” Wayts, 76, of Sheridan died Thursday, March 15, 2001, at the Sheridan VA Medical Center. Arrangements are pending with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.
Janet Crist, 75, of Sheridan died Thursday, March 15, 2001, at her home. Arrangements are pending with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.
Stephanie K. Sprague, 41, of Story died Thursday, March 15, 2001, at her home. Services are pending with Kane Funeral Home.
GILLETTE — Former Sheridan resident Luanne L. Martin, 55, of Gillette died Sunday, March 11, 2001, at Wyoming Medical Center in Casper. Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Friday at Wilson Funeral Home Chapel in Gillette with Pastor Gordon E. Harper officiating. Mrs. Martin was born July 2, 1945, in Plymouth, Ind., to Dallas and Alga (Shibley) Nellans. She moved to Wyoming in 1962. She married Wendell Cooley of Sheridan in 1963. They moved to Gillette in 1970. Mr. Cooley died in 1979. She married Wayne P. Martin June 29, 1999, in Gillette. She enjoyed boating, fishing and camping with her family, crafts, collecting angels and Betty Boop memorabilia. She was preceded in death by her first husband; her parents; and a brother, Dallas Nellans. Survivors include her husband; her children Darren Cooley of Lindenhurst, N.Y., Tawny of Decatur, Ill., and Garrett and Damon Cooley and Shelby Martin, all of Gillette; a sister, Raye Torjillo of Sheridan; a stepbrother, Clare “Sonny” Richards of Sheridan; and eight grandchildren. Memorials may be made in care of Wilson Funeral Home, PO Box 734, Gillette, 82717.
Daniel L. Voogd, 39, of Sheridan died Wednesday, March 14, 2001, at Deaconess Medical Center in Billings. Visitation will be 7-9 p.m. Friday at Kane Funeral Home. Service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. Interment will be in the Sheridan Municipal Cemetery.
Helen L. Powers, 74, of Sheridan died today at Sheridan Manor. Services are pending with Kane Funeral Home.
Marissa Brooke Franck, 9, of Sheridan died of natural causes Monday, March 12, 2001, at Memorial Hospital of Sheridan County. Viewing will be 9 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Thursday, at Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Joseph Keys officiating. Interment will be in Sheridan Municipal Cemetery. Miss Franck was born Aug. 30, 1991, in Cheyenne to Michael and Krystal (Beard) Franck. She attended Davis Elementary School and sang in the choir at First United Methodist Church in Cheyenne. The family moved to Sheridan in January 2000. She attended Sagebrush Elementary School where she sang in the choir. She participated in basketball, soccer, sang with a vocal group and in the Christmas program at the YMCA. She enjoyed fishing, swimming, bicycle riding, in-line skating, riding her scooter and hiking in the mountains. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Sheridan. Survivors include her parents, two brothers, Kris Franck and Chaunc Furrow, and a sister, Autumn Franck, all of Sheridan; grandparents, Don and Joyce Beard and Helen and Dave Franck, all of Cheyenne; and great-grandparents Helen and Harley Wyatt of Grand Junction, Colo. Memorials may be designated to benefit the First United Methodist Church.
BOUNTIFUL, Utah — Sheridan native Vera Virginia Denny, 68, died Sunday, March 11, 2001. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Bountiful (Utah) Tabernacle. Viewing was to be 7-8:30 p.m. today at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 N. Main in Bountiful and 9:30-10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Bountiful Tabernacle. Interment will be in Bountiful City Memorial Park. Mrs. Denny was born Sept. 24, 1932, in Sheridan to Fletcher (Denver) Williams and Florence Lueretta Hazzard. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She enjoyed gardening and her pets. She was preceded in death by a son, Michael Champlin, and two former husbands, Jerry Champlin and Joe Homan. Survivors include her husband, Edgar M. Denny of Bountiful; children Genie Waugh of Story, John Champlin of Gillette, Jerry Champlin of Casper and Kimberly Champlin Smith of Salt Lake City; stepchildren Kalyn Denny of Salt Lake City, Sandee Draper of South Jordan, Pamela Willey of Bountiful, Mark Denny and Dave Denny, both of Layton, Utah, Janet Howell of Riverton, Vida Clark of Towoac, Colo., Laurel Stouffer of Parkersburg, W. Va., Rand Denny of Venice, Calif., and Valerie Ostler of Ephraim, Utah; nine grandchildren; and 38 step-grandchildren.
Barbara L. Arrison, 83, of Sheridan died Sunday, March 11, 2001, at Memorial Hospital of Sheridan County. Funeral service were today at Kane Funeral Home with Pastor Doug Melius officiating. Mrs. Arrison was born May 17, 1917, to Henry and Mildred Lass in Galesburg, Ill. She graduated from Knox College in 1938 and was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority. She worked in Chicago four years as a crafts demonstrator. She moved to Sheridan in 1943 because of interest sparked by several college field trips to Wyoming. She worked for Ken Cox, CPA. She married Robert L. Arrison Oct. 3, 1945, in Sheridan and worked with him at the Sheridan County Abstract and Title Co. while raising a family. She also owned her own business, the Arrison Co., and later was bookkeeper for Barker and Collins Accountants. She was an avid reader and bridge player and enjoyed gardening. She was preceded in death by her husband; a son, William; and a brother, Philip H. Lass. Survivors include two sons, Ralph H. of Portland, Ore., and Thomas A. of Denver; and several nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Sheridan.
Barbara L. Arrison, 83, of Sheridan died Sunday, March 11, 2001, at Memorial Hospital of Sheridan County. Visitation will be 7-8:30 p.m. today at Kane Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Kane Funeral Home with Pastor Doug Melius officiating. Mrs. Arrison was born May 17, 1917, to Henry and Mildred Lass in Galesburg, Ill. She graduated from Knox College in 1938 and was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority. She worked in Chicago four years as a crafts demonstrator. She moved to Sheridan in 1943 because of interest sparked by several college field trips to Wyoming. She worked for Ken Cox, CPA. She married Robert L. Arrison Oct. 3, 1945, in Sheridan and worked with him at the Sheridan County Abstract and Title Company while raising a family. She also owned her own business, the Arrison Company, and later was bookkeeper for Barker and Collins Accountants. She was an avid reader and bridge player and enjoyed gardening. She was preceded in death by her husband; a son, William; and a brother, Philip H. Lass. Survivors include two sons, Ralph H. of Portland, Ore., and Thomas A. of Denver; and several nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Sheridan.
Marissa B. Franck, 9, of Sheridan died of natural causes Monday, March 12, 2001, in Memorial Hospital of Sheridan County. Viewing will be 9 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Joseph Keys officiating. Interment will be in Sheridan Municipal Cemetery.
BRIGHAM CITY, Utah — Sheridan native Robert
Morse Becker, 75, died Friday, March 9, 2001, at his home in
Brigham City. Services will be 1 p.m. Monday, March 19, at Myers
Mortuary, 205 S. 100 E., Brigham City, Utah. Family will meet
friends following the service. Additional services will be at a
later date in Casper.
Mr. Becker was born June 11, 1925, to Eric and Dorothy Scullen
Becker in Sheridan. He attended Sheridan High School, then served
in the Navy during World War II. After the war, he attended the
University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. He married Helen Garles
while he was still in school. He worked for Frigidaire in Dayton,
Ohio, until 1957 when he started working at Thiokol. He remained
there until he retired in 1986. While at Thiokol, he worked on
various rocket motor programs including the space shuttle booster
motors. He was preceded in death by his wife and by his brother,
Charles Eric Becker. Survivors include his son, Karl Becker of
Preston, Idaho; and a sister, Dorotha J. Becker of Casper.
BUFFALO — Betty L. Warne, died Thursday, March 8, 2001, at Billings Hospital after a long illness. Memorial services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Buffalo Seventh Day Adventist Church. Private graveside services will be at a later date. Arrangements are with the Cremation or Funeral Gallery in Billings. Mrs. Warne was born Nov. 23, 1930, in Buffalo to Weston and Katherine Neuhauser Staggs. She grew up and spent most of her life in Buffalo. She graduated from Johnson County High School in May 1948. She moved to Indiana where she worked for RCA Victor office as a secretary and file clerk. She married Lou Churchill in Indiana, later moving back to Buffalo. She married Robert B. Warne in July 1985, and they lived and worked around the Buffalo and Sheridan area. They retired in 1985. They enjoyed staying in the mountains in their travel trailer and often served as campground hosts for the US Forest Service. Mrs. Warne was active in AARP and Meals on Wheels and worked in ceramics and other activities at the Senior Center. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and was active in the Buffalo Seventh Day Adventist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter, her husband, a brother and a sister. Survivors include three sisters, Cora M. Beydler of Buffalo, Katherine Rector of Anderson, Ind., and Agnes McNabb of Franklin, N.C.; two brothers, Coolidge Staggs of Los Angeles and Werner B. Staggs of San Jose, Calif.; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to the Buffalo Senior Center, Meals on Wheels, Sheridan County Memorial Hospital Dialysis Unit or the Buffalo Seventh Day Adventist Church.
William Robert “Bill” Powell Sr., 79, of Sheridan died Thursday, March 8, 2001, in Memorial Hospital of Sheridan County. Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church with the Rev. David Duprey and the Rev. Ray Clark officiating. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Mr. Powell was born Dec. 28, 1921, in Berlin, Md., to Robert Showell and Monte Ruby (Evers) Powell. The family moved to the Sheridan area, and he attended schools in Big Horn. He enlisted in the army at 16 and served in both World War II and the Korean War. He received awards and commendations including the Purple Heart, two Silver Stars, five Bronze Stars and two Battle Commendations. He married Esther “Rosalie” Green Dec. 15, 1945. He retired from the army in 1961 as a captain and returned to Sheridan where he worked at the VA Medical Center as patient administrator for 20 years. He retired in 1981. After his first wife died Sept. 9, 1990, he married Margaret L. “Peggy” Manor Jan. 1, 1991. He was a Past Master of Masonic Lodge #8 and was active in the Scottish Rite and Kalif Shrine. He was a member of Sheridan’s Elks Lodge #520 and the Sheridan Country Club. In addition to his first wife, he was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Clara West and Rene Demchok. Survivors include his wife, Peggy Powell of Sheridan; two sons, William Jr. of Hamilton, Mont., and Steven of Linden, N.J.; a daughter, Sue Simpson of Sheridan; a stepdaughter, Susan Calkins of Sheridan; four stepsons, Dennis Manor of Washington, Edward Manor of North Carolina, Don Manor of Washington and Tom Manor of Oklahoma; nine grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorials may benefit the Kalif Shrine Crippled Children Travel Fund, Box K, Sheridan, WY 82801.
Former Sheridan County resident Vera Denney, 68, of Bonneville, Utah, died Sunday night, March 11, 2001, in Salt Lake University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Thursday at the Bountiful (Utah) Tabernacle. Viewing will be 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday. Mrs. Denney was born in Montana, but grew up and attended high school in Sheridan and worked at the Sheridan VA Medical Center.
Barbara L. Arrison, 83, of Sheridan died Sunday, March 11, 2001, at Memorial Hospital of Sheridan County. Visitation will be 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Kane Funeral Home. Service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Kane Funeral Home with Pastor Doug Melius officiating.
Opal Louise Lyles, 69, of Sheridan died Thursday,
March 8, 2001, at her home. In keeping with her wishes, she has
been cremated. A memorial service will be 2 p.m. today at her
residence. Arrangements are with Kane Funeral Home. Mrs. Lyles
was born Nov. 28, 1931, in Pennsylvania to Howard and Viola
(Secrese) Gilmore. She married Bill Burke in Pennsylvania in
1950. They were married 12 years. She was briefly married to Jim
Cosco, then she married Wesley D. Lyles in Sheridan. He died in
1993. She loved working crafts, reading, baking, fishing,
gardening and daily reading of the Bible. In addition to Mr.
Lyles, she was preceded in death by Mr. Burke and by her father.
Survivors include six daughters, Donna J. Vine and Sally Vine,
both of Sheridan, Kathryn Hedkte of Williams, Minn., Sandra Roy
of Kincheloe, Mich., Althea Chapman of Lewistown, Mont., and
Paula Murnion of Shawmut, Mont.; a son, Joe Burke of Heron,
Mont.; two sisters, Mabel Cook of Plains, Mont., and Virginia
Dannels of Sheridan; her mother, of Sheridan; and numerous
grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
William R. Powell, 79, of Sheridan died Thursday,
March 8, 2001, at Memorial Hospital of Sheridan County. Memorial
service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Peter’s Episcopal
Church with the Rev. David Duprey officiating. Arrangements are
with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.
BUFFALO — Rudolph Crowley, 83, of Buffalo died Thursday, March 8, 2001, at the Sheridan VA Medical Center. Viewing will be 1-10 p.m. Sunday at the Adams Funeral Home Chapel in Buffalo. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Monday at the Adams Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Danny Francis officiating. Burial will follow in Willow Grove Cemetery. Mr. Crowley was born July 26, 1917, in Poole, Ky., to Morrison and Nettie Crowley. He graduated from Poole High School in 1936, then entered the U.S. Army. He married Lois Katherine Melton Oct. 6, 1945, in Henderson, Ky. They lived in Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, North Dakota and Wyoming while he worked as a salesman for Republic Supply Co. then a buyer for Amax Coal Co. in Gillette. They retired in Gillette and moved to Buffalo in 1999. He was a deacon at Westside Baptist Church and Antelope Valley Baptist Church in Gillette and a member of the Kentucky Colonels. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and four sisters. Survivors include his wife, of Buffalo; a daughter, Kathy Francis of Buffalo; a sister, Frances Cleveland of Cairo, Ky.; two grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.
William Powell, 79, of Sheridan died Thursday, March 8, 2001, at Memorial Hospital of Sheridan County. Arrangements are pending with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.
Opal Lyles, 69, of Sheridan died Thursday, March 8, 2001, at her home. Arrangements are pending with Kane Funeral Home.
Donald Edwin McLellan, 76, of Sheridan died Tuesday, March 6, 2001, at the Sheridan VA Medical Center. Kane Funeral Home is handling arrangements in Sheridan, and Bustard’s Funeral Directors and Crematory of Casper is handling arrangements there.
G. Jim Kelsey, 70, of Sheridan died Saturday, March 3, 2001, in the Sheridan VA Medical Center. Funeral service was 10 a.m. today at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Joseph Keys officiating. Interment was in Sheridan Elks Cemetery with military honors by the American Legion and Wyoming National Guard. Arrangements were with Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Mr. Kelsey was born May 6, 1930, in Sheridan to Harry and Beulah (Graham) Kelsey. The Kelseys are a sixth generation family in Sheridan. He grew up and attended schools here, then enlisted in the Marines in January 1947. He was stationed in Tsingtao, China, in 1948 and at Witck Camp, Guam, until 1950 when he returned to Sheridan. He married Ruby Alice Wilson Jan. 28, 1950. He worked livestock and rode horses for ranches in Wyoming and Montana and hauled crude oil for Barlow Trucking until he became a patrolman for the Sheridan Police Department Nov. 6, 1956. He attended the Law Enforcement Academy at the University of Wyoming in June 1964, training in criminal investigation and fingerprinting. He was promoted to detective sergeant Aug. 1, 1971. He was promoted to lieutenant Aug. 1, 1972, and to captain-assistant chief May 14, 1974. He retired from the force March 6, 1978. Mr. Kelsey went to work for Metz Beverage as a long-haul driver, driving more than 2 million miles before he retired for health reasons in spring 1993. He continued his lifelong pleasures of riding, roping, hunting, fishing, dancing and working livestock until December 2000 when he took his last ride on his horse, “Friday.” He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Elks Lodge #520, the VFW, and Police Protective Association and was recently inducted into the Military Order of the Cootie Cloud Peak Pup Tent and Auxiliary of the VFW. He was preceded in death by his wife, in November 1993; a daughter, Peggy Joe Kelsey; and a brother, Frank Kelsey. Survivors include two daughters, Gloria “Chick” Pilcher of Story and Betty Biesterfeld of Andrews, Texas; two brothers, Bill Kelsey of Sheridan and Dennis Thayer of Riverton; three sisters, Elsie Mae Hammett and Ardis Bowman, both of Sheridan, and Donna Yarrington of Lakewood, Colo.; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Former Sheridan resident Quentin R. Bell, 99, died Saturday, March 3, 2001, at the Wyoming Retirement Center in Basin. Rosary service will be 7 p.m. Thursday at Kane Funeral Home. The Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Friday at Holy Name Catholic Church with the Rev. Ron Stolcis officiating. Interment will be in the Elks Cemetery. Mrs. Bell was born Sept. 24, 1901, in Seward County, Neb., to John Fletcher Gowey and Loila Permelia Long. The family homesteaded in Campbell County in 1914. She married Edwin Lockett “Tex” Bell in Sheridan March 22, 1922, and they made their home in Sheridan most of their married life. She was known by many nicknames throughout her life, including Babe, Bell, “Z” and Grandma. She was a member of Holy Name Catholic Church and St. Joseph’s Group CCW. She was preceded in death by her husband, in 1977; her parents; a brother, Addison Gowey; two sisters, Susa Christensen and Olive Gowey; and a son, John Edwin Bell, in 1923. Survivors include one daughter, Blanche Ekwall of Sheridan; a granddaughter; five great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and a niece. Donations may be made in her name to the Wyoming Retirement Center in care of Delphine Toner, First Interstate Bank, P.O. Box 2007, Sheridan, WY 82801.
Former Sheridan resident Quentin R. Bell, 99, died Saturday, March 3, 2001, at the Wyoming Retirement Home in Basin. Rosary service will be 7 p.m. Thursday at Kane Funeral Home. The Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Friday at Holy Name Catholic Church with the Rev. Ron Stolcis officiating. Interment will be in the Elks Cemetery
G. Jim Kelsey, 70, of Sheridan died Saturday, March 3, 2001, in the Sheridan VA Medical Center. Viewing was to be 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. today at Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Joseph Keys officiating. Interment will be in Sheridan Elks Cemetery with military honors by the American Legion and Wyoming National Guard. Mr. Kelsey was born May 6, 1930, in Sheridan to Harry and Beulah (Graham) Kelsey. He grew up and attended schools here. He was a U.S. Marine veteran and a former Sheridan police officer. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Peggy Jo Kelsey, and a brother, Frank. Survivors include two daughters, Gloria "Chick" Pilcher of Story and Betty Biesterfeld of Andrews, Texas; two brothers, Bill Kelsey of Sheridan and Dennis Thayer of Riverton; three sisters, Elsie Mae Hammett and Ardis Bowman, both of Sheridan, and Donna Yarrington of Lakewood, Colo.; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
MARCH 5
Aquilla Dawn Matlack Morel, 65, of Sheridan died Thursday, March 1, 2001, at Memorial Hospital of Sheridan County. Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Doug Melius officiating. Interment will be in Sheridan Municipal Cemetery. Kane Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Morel was born Feb. 16, 1936, in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, to Ralph E. and Hazel (Pierce) Matlack. She attended elementary school in Recluse and high school in Gillette. She married Robert V. Morel Oct. 24, 1953, in Rapid City. They ranched in Campbell and Niobrara counties from 1953 until 1987 when they moved to Sheridan. Mrs. Morel worked at Memorial Hospital of Sheridan County as a cook for 13 years until she retired in February 2000. She enjoyed knitting sweaters, handiwork, fishing, gardening, cake decorating and cooking. She was preceded in death by her father. Survivors include her husband, of Sheridan; two sons, Robert of Arizona and Shane of Idaho; two daughters, Debra Merchen of Gillette and Carolyn Kaiser of Florida; her mother, of Gillette; three brothers, Edward Matlack of Casper, Herbert Matlack of Dubois and Richard Matlack of Gillette; four sisters, Constance Travis of Arkansas and Mary Bundy, Glenda Matlack and Gloria Dunn, all of Gillette; ten grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Whedon Cancer Foundation in care of Kay Roush, First Federal Savings Bank, P.O. Box 6007, Sheridan, WY 82801.
Quentin R. Bell, 99, formerly of Sheridan died Saturday, March 3, 2001, at the Wyoming Retirement Home in Basin. Services are pending with Kane Funeral Home.
G. Jim Kelsey, 70, of Sheridan died Saturday, March 3, 2001, at the Sheridan VA Medical Center. Viewing will be 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Tuesday at Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Joseph Keys officiating. Interment will be in Sheridan Elks Cemetery.
James F. Vine, 67, of Sheridan died Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2001, at the Sheridan VA Medical Center. Memorial service will be 2 p.m. Monday, March 5, at Kane Funeral Home with Pastor Kent Bahruth officiating. Mr. Vine was born March 7, 1933, in Monarch to John and Lillian (Eslick) Vine. He married Donna (Burke) Allen Dec. 30, 1974, in Sheridan. They lived most of their lives in Sheridan. He was a nurse’s aid at the Sheridan VAMC and later became manager of the Skelly Truck Stop. He loved music and played the guitar for many years. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and spending time with his family. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Peter, Arthur, Charles, George and Edward; and sisters Anna Catherine and Ethel Vine. Survivors include his wife, of Sheridan; six sons, Jim Vine of Illinois, Joe Otto Vine of Minnesota and Edward Vine, Donald Vine, Jerry Vine and Clint Allen, all of Sheridan; a daughter, Rebecca Vine of Minnesota; a sister, Rose “Rosie” Parsons of Sheridan; two brothers, Henry “Harry” Vine and Robert “Moose” Vine, both of Sheridan; 20 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to the Wyoming Game and Fish Hunter Safety Education Fund in care of Delphine Toner, First Interstate Bank, P.O. 2007, Sheridan, WY 82801.
ARLINGTON, Neb. — Sheridan native John R. Dierks, 51, died Feb. 8, 2001, at Fremont (Neb.) Area Medical Center. Funeral services were Feb. 12 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Fremont, and a scripture service was at Reckmeyer-Moser Funeral Home in Arlington, Neb. Private burial was planned for a later date following cremation. Mr. Dierks was born Aug. 15, 1949, in Sheridan to Jerry and Joyce Dierks. He graduated from Basin High School in 1967, Eastern Wyoming College in Torrington in 1969 and Chadron (Neb.) State College in 1971. He served in the U.S. Marines and was athletic director at St. Joseph’s Children’s Home in the early 1970s. He taught at Platte College of Business in Topeka, Kansas, and Metropolitan Technical Community College in Omaha, Neb., until last November. Survivors include his wife, Karen, of Arlington; a son, Tracy of Omaha; a daughter, Keri Jo Dierks of Arlington; his parents, of Thermopolis; two brothers, Jay of Denver and Jeff of Thermopolis; and a sister, Jenny Kaser of Buffalo. Memorials have been established to the American Cancer Society and the American Diabetes Association.
Nina J. Ballek, 74, of Sheridan died Monday, Feb. 26, 2001, in Memorial Hospital of Sheridan County. Viewing was to be 9 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. today at Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday at Holy Name Catholic Church with Deacon Joe Kristufek officiating. Interment will be in Sheridan Elks Cemetery. Mrs. Ballek was born June 23, 1926, in Acme to Paul and Eva (Cheslar) Washut. She grew up in Kleenburn, attended school in Monarch and graduated from Sheridan High School. She worked at the Von Ragsdale Clothing Store. She married Frank Ballek July 30, 1949, in Sheridan, and together they operated Ballek Refrigeration. She was a member of the Polka Club and attended polka festivals in many western states. She enjoyed cooking, baking, shopping, dancing and babysitting her grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert and Lewis Washut. Survivors include her husband, Frank of Sheridan; two sons, Ken of Sheridan and Kevin of Denver; four daughters, Kristina Smiley of Sheridan, Karen Morse of Colorado Springs, Colo., Kathy Ackerly of Nederland, Colo., and Korinne Bodine of Fort Collins, Colo.; three brothers, Arthur Washut of Sheridan, Henry Washut of Casper and Richard Washut of Manon, Wash.; three sisters, Bertha Simmons and Ida Cichonski, both of Sheridan, and Emma Aksamit of Ranchester; and nine grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Holy Name School in care of Delphine Toner, First Interstate Bank, P.O. Box 2007, Sheridan, WY 82801.
BANNER — A. E. “Earl” Nelson, 73, of Banner died Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2001, in Memorial Hospital of Sheridan County. Viewing is 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. today at Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Champion Ferries Funeral Home with the Rev. Wilbur Holz officiating. Mr. Nelson was born July 18, 1927, to Arthur and Bertha (Mooney) Nelson on the ranch on Murphy Gulch east of Sheridan. He grew up on Murphy Gulch and graduated high school in Sheridan. He served in the Army during World War II then returned to Murphy Gulch to ranch with his father. He went to work as a mechanic for Cook Ford in 1966, retiring in 1989. He continued to ranch on Murphy Gulch all his life. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, especially hunting large trophy white tail deer. He was preceded in death by his sister, Lorna Boode. Survivors include a brother, Clarence of Dunmore, Mont.; a sister, Fern Focht of Sheridan; and several nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to Future Farmers of America in care of Delphine Toner, First Interstate Bank, P.O. Box 2007, Sheridan, WY 82801.
Karen I. Portwood, 56, of Sheridan died Sunday, Feb. 25, 2001, in Memorial Hospital of Sheridan County. Viewing was to be 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. today and 9 a.m. until time of service Friday at Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Friday with Pastor Tony Forman officiating. Interment will be in Sheridan Municipal Cemetery. Mrs. Portwood was born Sept. 9, 1944, in Leavenworth, Kansas, to John and Florene (Dotson) Short. The family later moved to Casper where she graduated from Natrona County High School. She moved to Denver and worked several years in a needle factory. She began working on ranches in Wyoming, Montana and Nebraska around 1970, later moving to Hardin, Mont., to work as a dispatcher for the sheriff’s office. She settled in Sheridan in 1985 and raised two of her grandchildren. She enjoyed cooking, sewing and crafts and loved children. She was a member of the Cornerstone Church. She was preceded in death by a brother, Bobby Poage, and two nephews. Survivors include a son, Steve Aragon of Sheridan; three daughters, Anjenette Stiff of Lindale, Texas, and Kena Blissard and Tara Crackenberger, both of Sheridan; her mother and stepfather, Florene and Marshall Sausedo of Sheridan; two brothers, Hubert Short of Evanston and John Short Jr. of Casper; three sisters, Glenda Edwards of Sheridan, Gerry Smith of Casper and Cheryl Short of Billings; and 11 grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Karen Portwood Memorial Fund in care of Delphine Toner, First Interstate Bank, P.O. Box 2007, Sheridan, WY 82801.
Nina J. Ballek, 74, of Sheridan died Monday, Feb. 26, 2001, in Memorial Hospital of Sheridan County. Viewing was to be 9 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. today at Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday at Holy Name Catholic Church with Deacon Joe Kristufek officiating. Interment will be in Sheridan Elks Cemetery. Mrs. Ballek was born June 23, 1926, in Acme to Paul and Eva (Cheslar) Washut. She grew up in Kleenburn, attended school in Monarch and graduated from Sheridan High School. She worked at the Von Ragsdale Clothing Store. She married Frank Ballek July 30, 1949, in Sheridan, and together they operated Ballek Refrigeration. She was a member of the Polka Club and attended polka festivals in many western states. She enjoyed cooking, baking, shopping, dancing and babysitting her grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert and Louis Washut. Survivors include two sons, Ken of Sheridan and Kevin of Denver; four daughters, Kristina Smiley of Sheridan, Karen Morse of Colorado Springs, Colo., Kathy Ackerly of Nederland, Colo., and Korinne Bodine of Fort Collins, Colo.; three brothers, Arthur Washut of Sheridan, Henry Washut of Casper and Richard Washut of Manon, Wash.; three sisters, Bertha Simmons and Ida Cichonski, both of Sheridan, and Emma Aksamit of Ranchester; and nine grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Holy Name School in care of Delphine Toner, First Interstate Bank, P.O. Box 2007, Sheridan, WY 82801.
Aquilla “Dawn” Morel, 65, of Sheridan died Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2001, at Memorial Hospital of Sheridan County. Arrangements are pending with Kane Funeral Home.
James F. Vine, 67, of Sheridan died Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2001, at the Sheridan VA Medical Center. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Kane Funeral Home with Pastor Kent Bahruth officiating.