AUGUST 2006
Dennis A. Beech - August 2, 2006
Judy F. Fisher - August 5, 2006
Elma Ruth Baird - August 7, 2006
Gary Alan Severson - Aug. 8, 2006
Helen Mar Ives Harrison - Aug. 9, 2006
Max A. Hubbell - Aug. 9, 2006
Julia Amelia Oswald - Aug. 9, 2006
Anna Elizabeth Dugger - August 9, 2006
Samuel Grantham Shelby - Aug. 10, 2006
Myron (Walt) Bond - August 10, 2006
Jack VanLake - Aug. 14, 2006
Reinold (Ron) Sump - Aug. 15, 2006
Dorothy Lutz - August 16, 2006
Opal L. Shroyer Buchli - August 18, 2006
Dale R. Good - August 17, 2006
Virgil (Leon) Yates - August 20, 2006
Walter C. Nelson - August 20, 2006
Helen Ruth (Tiny) Herrington - August 25, 2006
C. Leslie Mercer - August 28, 2006
Isaiah Thomas Mendoza - August 29, 2006
Teresa Lynn Hendry - August 30, 2006
Connie Peek - August 31, 2006
Dennis A. Beech - August 2, 2006
Funeral services were held in Lovell Aug. 4 for Dennis A. Beech, 62, Cowley, who died Aug. 2.
Burial was in the Byron Cemetery.
He was born in Lovell April 13, 1944, to Herbert (Bert) Beech and Doris Nicholas Beech. He was raised in Kane and went to school in Lovell until he joined the Navy in February of 1962. While in the Navy, he received his GED and worked as a Communications Technician. He was honorably discharged in April, 1965.
On Dec. 30, 1966, he married ValJean Sherrill, and they made their home in Lovell.
While either driving truck or working on ranches, they lived in many places, but eventually settled in Byron to raise their family. In February, 1981, they purchased the old Rasmussen place west of Cowley. Dennis loved to work with cows and tinker on vehicles. He never thought there was a vehicle that he couldn’t make run.
Survivors include his wife ValJean; children Bert (Kara), Clinton (Bethany) of Byron and Sheril Slater (Tim) of Lovell; two grandchildren, Alyssa and Shalin; his sister Betty (Rex) Hubbell of Lovell, brother Art Beech and many nieces and nephews.
Judy F. Fisher - August 5, 2006
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9 at First United Methodist Church for Judy Faye Fisher, 50, Powell, who died Saturday, Aug. 5 at her home, surrounded by family and friends after a short, but coureageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
The Rev. Susan Adams-Trembath will officiate at services and burial at Crown Hill Cemetery.
Born Aug. 20, 1946, in Powell, she was the daughter of Ralph and Veda (Harrington) Martin. Following graduation from Powell High School in 1964, she married R. Wade Welch and had two children, Shanee Dee and Yancy Beau.
They were later divorced, and she married Richard A. Fisher Aug. 25, 1979. With this union, they brought Richard’s children — Rick Lee, Tiffany Kay and Chad William Fisher — to happily create a rewarding family of seven.
One of Judy’s biggest joys was being a painting contractor for 33 years with her best friend, Sharon Fulton, working as J&S Enterprises.
Her hobbies included her Thursday night bridge clulb, camping and fishing and especially spending time with family and friends.
Survivors include her husband, Richard; sons Rick (Sandi) Fisher, Yancy (Robbi) Welch and Chad (Holly) Fisher; daughters Shanee (Eric) Parham and Tiffany (Russell) McKenzie; six loving grandchildren, Tony, Demi, Allex, Aspen, Colton and Ethan; and brother, Merwin (Connie) Martin.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister Vida Henrichs; brother Roy Martin; and two cousins, Sandra K. Henrichs and Gary Henrichs.
Visitation is set from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8 at Thompson Funeral Home.
A cancer memorial fund has been set up at Shoshone First Bank and a benefit dinner/auction is scheduled Friday, Aug. 18 at 6 p.m at the Powell Eagles Lodge.
Elma Ruth Baird - August 7, 2006
Memorial services are scheduled Friday, Aug. 11 at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Powell for Elma Ruth Baird, 86, who died Monday, Aug. 7 at Beartooth Hospital & Nursing Home in Red Lodge, Mont.
Cremation has taken place. Family inurment will follow in Crown Hill Cemetery.
She was born in Arapahoe, Nebr., on Aug. 8, 1919, to Mabel and Ed Lollman. She was raised with her two sisters, Lorraine and Wilma, on the family farm at Arapahoe.
She attended the University of Nebraska where she met her future husband, Keith Wagner Baird of Powell. They were married Aug. 10, 1940. After World War II, they returned to Powell where they operated the Polecat Printery until their retirement.
After 60 years of marriage, Keith died in 2000, and Elma Ruth remained in their home until moving to Red Lodge in 2005.
She was an active member of St. John’s Episcopal Church. She was a member of PEO, Friends of the Library, Arbor Society, bridge clubs and numerous civic organizations. She was at her happiest working in her yard and garden or at one of her many craft activities.
Survivors include two sons, Douglas (Janice) Baird of Sublimity, Ore., and James (Glenda) Baird of Red Lodge; eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be sent to St. John’s Episcopal Church or Beartooth Long Term Care. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Thompson Funeral Home.
Gary Alan Severson - Aug. 8, 2006
Gary Alan Severson died Tuesday, Aug. 8 in Cody. He was 39.
He was born on April 10, 1967, in Williston, N.D., to Kenneth and Janette (Jacobson) Severson, where he was baptized in the Lutheran faith. In September 1971, he moved to Cody with his parents and siblings, Janelle, Carol, and Kevin. He graduated in 1986. Gary was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church of Cody.
On Sept. 26, he married DeeAnn Bilharz. To this union, a son, Seth Alan, was born on Feb. 6, 1993. Gary and DeeAnn divorced several years later.
Gary worked in service stations, in the oil fields, fast food eateries (including McDonald's) in hot-stamp packaging at Y-Tex Corporation, as a chef, and for the past three years on a commercial fishing boat based out of Seattle, Wash., and Dutch Harbor, Alas.
He had many talents including basketball, snow and water skiing, bowling, roller skating, riding cycles, table pool, cooking, cards, swimming, hackie sack, and driving fast cars. As a teen and young adult he loved helping his Dad service his 18-wheeler and driving and backing it into the shop. Gary had many Hispanic friends whom he loved like family, namely Sal, Armondo. Michael and Cos.
After his sister Carol's death two years ago, life was not the same for Gary. They had such a unique relationship. They would smile and laugh together. He was lonely for so many people in addition to her. As a young child , his big sister Janelle was like a second mother to him. And his brother Kevin idolized him. Despite Gary's problems and struggles, his father, mother, family and many others always loved him and he knew that.
Gary is survived by his son Seth in Texas; mother Janette Severson Bell (Duane) Ahmann of Minot, ND; a sister Janelle (Bill) Garaas; a brother Kevin; brother-in-law Rich Richter; nephews Chad Garaas and Kenny Richter; nieces Kristi (Scott) Vaughn and Kayla Richter; grandniece Kendal Vaughn; grandnephews Alex, Tyler, and Matthew Vaughn and Christian Garaas, all of Cody.
Cremation arrangements were handled by Ballard Funeral Home, Cody. Private services for family and friends will be announced later.
Helen Mar Ives Harrison - Aug. 9, 2006
Long-time Big Horn County resident, Helen Mar Ives Harrison, 89, died Wednesday, Aug. 9 at the Washakie Medical Center in Worland.
She was a resident of the Wyoming Retirement Center in Basin at the time of her death.
She was born in Cowley July 3, 1917, daughter of Frank Thornton and Cora Belle (Maxwell) Ives. She was the first of five children.
She married Donald Delane Bartlett Oct. 9, 1937. He was killed in an automobile accident in 1942 and she then married Vern Harrison on July 17, 1943, in Billings, Mont. They were sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple on July 18, 1963. Four children blessed their home: Judy Rae Colwell, Verna Kay Garcia, Thorton Dode Harrison and Rita Ann Karlinsey.
She was a homemaker most of her life, working out of the home for short periods of time when times were hard. She loved to sew, cook and decorate cakes. She was a 4-H leader for many years on the Emblem Bench, sharing her cooking and sewing talents. She was known throughout the Big Horn Basin for the wedding cakes she made.
She is survived by her four children, Judy Rae Colwell of Billings, Verna Kay Garcia of Casper, Thornton Dode Harrison of Basin and Rita Ann Karlinsey of Elko, Nev.; one brother, Mike Ives of Billings; 15 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.
A viewing will be held Friday, Aug. 18 from 9 to 10 a.m. in the Relief Society Room of the LDS Church between Greybull and Basin. Funeral services will follow at 10 a.m. Burial will take place at Crown Hill Cemetery in Powell at 12:30 p.m.
A memorial fund has been established at the Security State Bank, P.O. Box 531, Basin, WY 82410, with proceeds to go to the Diabetes Foundation.
Family graveside services Saturday, Aug. 19 in Joliet, Mont., will celebrate the life of Max A. Hubbell, who died Wednesday, Aug. 9.
He was born April 4, 1915, the third of eight children born to Guy and Carrie Hubbell. Growing up on the family homestead in Cowley his two younger brothers always thought of him as one heck of a horse trader. He graduated in 1933 from Cowley High School where he excelled at football. He declined a football scholarship to the University of Wyoming due to a knee injury.
After graduation, he worked in the local area until he and Gail George rode the rails to Washington State to work. Returning to Wyoming, he met the perfect woman for him, Margaret Mary Daley. They were married January 4, 1939 in Thermopolis. That same year he began his career as a bus driver for Trailways Bus Line. He and his wife lived in Casper and Cheyenne before moving to Joliet, Mont., in 1974.
After 40 years of driving, and having received the 2 million mile safe driving award, Max retired. When not tending his beautiful garden and trees, he and his wife enjoyed retirement out on their boat fishing, camping in the mountains and spending the winters in Arizona with their family. Margaret, the love of his life, died in 1989. He moved to Powell in 1992 to be closer to his brother and two sisters.
Carrying on the Hubbell tradition of storytelling, he brought many hours of laughter to those fortunate enough to spend time with him. His sense of humor was unmatched and his ability to play practical jokes on anyone and everyone at anytime kept family and friends on their toes. Max was also filled with a kindness, compassion and humble generosity that became life lessons for all that knew him.
He is survived by his son Mickey Hubbell (Laurie) of Evergreen, Colo., and their four children; daughter Paddy Havens (Bruce) of Tulsa, Okla., and their three children; numerous great-grandchildren; sisters Helen (Ernest) Rank of Upton, Clorous (Bill) Franks and Doris (Bill) Ross; sister-in-law Audrey Hubbell of Powell; and brother Guy (Lee) Hubbell of Kerrville, Texas.
His wife, parents, brothers Grant and Jack, and sister, Marvell Lookhart, preceded him in death.
Cremation has taken place and interment will be in Joliet next to his wife.
Julia Amelia Oswald - Aug. 9, 2006
Julia Amelia Oswald, 81, died in her home at Lovell of natural causes on Wednesday, Aug. 9.
She was born in Jeannette, Pa., on Jan. 22, 1925, to Armando and Sarafina DeMarchis. She was the first of six children and told many stories about caring for her siblings. She was schooled in Jeannette, graduating with the class of 1942.
She worked at the McKee Glass Company where she met her future husband, George Oswald. They were married June 15, 1946. One daughter, Sally, was born from this union.
The Oswalds moved to Wyoming in 1975 to be closer to their daughter and her family. They lived in Ft. Laramie, Lingle, Basin, and Cody before settling in Lovell in 1977. Just as in the East, their home was a gathering place with the kitchen always open.
Julia operated the Montgomery Wards Catalog Store in Lovell.
Julia was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She will be missed by her family and friends and the many merchants she visited on her daily walks around town.
Survivors include her daughter, Sally (Melvyn) Wambeke of Deaver; grandchildren, Eli (Sarah) Wambeke and Melissa (Mike) White of Powell, and Bill (Jessica ) Wambeke of Ranchester; and great-grandchildren Tyler, Isabella, Abigail, Daniel, Marissa, Clinton, and Olivia; sisters, Mary Amadio and Shirley DeMarchis of Pennsylvania; and brothers John DeMarchis of Pennsylvania and Raymond DeMarchis of Florida.
Julia was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and brother, Joe DeMarchis.
Cremation has taken place and a rosary will be said at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Lovell at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug.17 with Father Eckley Macklin officiating.
Anna Elizabeth Dugger - August 9, 2006
Word has beed received here of the death Aug. 9 in Fernley, Nev., of Anna Elizabeth (Betty) Dugger, 85, who died at her daughter’s home.
She was born June 16, 1921, in Greenfield, Ill., to Claude and Flossie Nash. She married Gil Dugger on Dec. 26, 1941, in Norfolk, Va., during World War II. Betty and Gil owned and operated Dugger Electronics in Powell for 17 years.
They lived their retirement in Colorado Springs, Colo. She moved to Fernley, Nev., when her husband died.
Betty will be remembered for her love of children, the memorable Christmas Eves for the entire family in her home and her love for everyone she dealt with. Her entire married life she spent as a homemaker and helpmate.
Survivors include her daughter, Carolyn Aspinall of Fernley; granddaughter Becki Driskel of Las Vegas, Nev.; grandson, Robert Montgomery and granddaughter, Barbi Montgomery, both of Alaska; and great-grandchildren, Tiffany Montgomery, Benjamin and Cheyenne Wade.
A family gathering will be held later with burial of cremains at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Colorado Springs.
Sam Shelby died peacefully Thursday, Aug. 10 in Bozeman, Mont., from a long illness. He was 82.
Sam was born in Joplin, Mo., Dec. 27, 1923, to Oscar J. Shelby and Betty G. Shelby, the fifth of five children. He attended Eastern Kentucky State University and was in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII. As a young man, Sam moved to Powell, where he met his wife of 59 years, Joyce Churchill.
They established the first offset newspaper in Wyoming at Powell called the Powell Press. He became pressroom superintendent of the Cody Enterprise, introducing the first 4-color process printing in a Wyoming newspaper, resulting in the Enterprise receiving a National Newspaper Association first place award in pictorial work for Weekly Newspapers. Pursuing his career in the printing industry, he became the first “Million Dollar Salesman” for the Heinsohn Printing Machinery Co. (later Heidelberg West Printing Presses) out of Salt Lake City, traveling from the Arizona border to the Canadian border. He retired in 1978 from printing sales and became the Wyoming State Director for the Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company, residing in Casper.
An accomplished musician, Sam often delighted family and friends with music played on his Hammond organ. He and Joyce enjoyed the outdoors, whether it was fishing in mountain streams or hunting arrowheads and fossils. They frequently traveled to remote areas in Wyoming, Utah and Arizona to find “good spots.” Sam’s family always appreciated his scouting of new places to explore.
In later years, Sam became adept at using the computer to pursue his hobby of genealogy. In addition to compiling a comparehensive history of his family, Sam became acquainted with shirttail relatives from around the country.
Preceding him in death were his parents; sister Vinita Boyd; brothers George, Frank and OJ; and son Frank.
Sam is survived by his wife Joyce; daughters Jean Hales (Arne) and Dr. Jane Shelby; sons John (Brenda) and Sam (Ni); grandchildren Shelby Stewart (Cory), Brett Hales (Phuong), Kassia Martin, Sara Martin, Justin Shelby (Rita), Jamie Urruty (Terry), Jodie Kasteler (Jeff), Kristin Shelby, Katie Shelby, Ryan Shelby, Jason Shelby, Meaghan Hazell (David), Alex Shelby and seven great-grandchildren.
His family will scatter Sam’s ashes in one of his favorite ìspotsî in the Wyoming mountains. For those who wish, the family suggests a contribution to the National Jewish and Medical Research Center at www.nationaljewish.org.
Myron (Walt) Bond - August 10, 2006
Graveside memorial services with military rites will be held Friday, Aug. 25 at 11 a.m. at the Hillside Cemetery in Greybull for Myron (Walt) Bond, who died at his Powell home on Aug. 10. He was 89.
Cremation has taken place. Burial of the cremains will follow the service.
He was born on a ranch on Beaver Creek near Shell on May 23, 1917, son of Charles Wesley and Myrtle Rose (Teague) Bond. He was educated in a country school and enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1942 during World War II. He spent some time overseas and was honorably discharged in 1946.
He married Dora Agnes Arrowsmith June 3, 1950, in Basin.
When Walt returned from the war, he ranched for a time, then worked for Wyo-Ben near Greybull for eight years. He then moved to Jeffrey City to work for 21 years in ore control for Western Nuclear-Phelps Dodge.
Upon retirement, he moved to Truth or Consequences, N.M., where he enjoyed the Indian dwellings and touring the ghost towns of New Mexico. He later moved back to Wyoming to be closer to family.
He was an avid rockhound and had a lapidary shop where he made jewelry. He loved to travel, enjoyed the mountains and enjoyed reading Westerns.
When his health failed, Walt moved to Powell be close to his doctor and hospital.
Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Dora Bond of Powell; one daughter, Mary (Bruce) Dempster of Spring Creek, Nev.; two sons, Edward Bond of Aztec, N.M., and Robert (Helen) Bond of Coulee Dam, Wash.; one brother, Russell Bond of Greybull; one sister, Cora Grant, a resident of the Wyoming Retirement Center in Basin; 14 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Roy Bond; his granddaughter, Laura Bond; his half-sister, Ruby Gentz; two half-brothers, Clifford and Clair Stearns; and three brothers, Raymond, Merton and William.
Atwood Family Funeral Directors, Inc., is in charge of arrangements.
Family and friends were saddened by the sudden death at Powell Valley Healthcare Monday, Aug. 14 of Jack Cyril VanLake of Frannie. He was 79.
He was born in Garland July 14, 1927, the only son of Alma and Cyril VanLake. He went to school in Powell and graduated from Powell High School in 1945 where he played football and was active in Future Farmers of America.
In 1948, he met and later married the love of his life, Shirley Shannon, a teacher in the Powell schools. They were married in Martin, S.D., on June 9, 1949.
He farmed in the Garland area and later moved to Frannie where he became a contract pumper for various companies. He served on the Big Horn County School District No. 1 board for 16 years. He was also a member of the Farmers Loan Board and the Eagles.
Survivors include his wife Shirley and their five children, Connie (Jim) Gill of Worland, Gary (Bev) VanLake of Denver, Bill (Lori) VanLake of Frannie, Jacque (Terry) Bly of Kaycee and Terry (Jenny) VanLake of Frannie. His 16 grandchildren were precious to him — April, Kim, Lyndsey and Katie VanLake; Chris Gill and Carey Roberts; Amanda Degel, Jenny and Josh Bly; Nicole Schmidt, Kandace, Colter, Samantha and Kelsey VanLake; and Wendi and Brittany VanLake. He had 10 great-grandchildren, and his favorite aunt was Hazel Goodau. He is also survived by a brother-in-law, Dewey Shannon in Nebraska, and a sister-in-law, Donna Berry in Texas.
Viewing will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18 at Thompson Funeral Home in Powell.
Memorial service will be Saturday, Aug. 19 at 10 a.m. at the Deaver Methodist Church, with interment following at Crown Hill Cemetery in Powell.
For those who wish, the family would appreciate memorials to the Humane Society because of Jack’s great love for animals or to the North Big Horn County Dialysis Rides at the Senior Citizens Center in Lovell.
Reinold (Ron) Sump - Aug. 15, 2006
Reinold (Ron) Sump, 76, died Tuesday, Aug. 15 at his Byron home after a brief fight with cancer.
He was born Sept. 17, 1929, in Leigh, Nebr., to Eric and Dora Sump. He married Jeanette Heimer in Powell on June 11, 1961.
He served in the U.S. Navy from 1948-1953 during the Korean War and was stationed for a time at Trinidad.
He enjoyed having family around him, especially his grandchildren. He loved being on a tractor and farming, and he enjoyed camping.
Survivors include his wife Jeanette Sump of Byron; sons Jay Sump (Shannon) of Byron and Steve Sump (Lynn) of Waynesboro, Va.; daughters Linda (Jerry) Spomer of Powell and Leslie (Steve) Suko of Great Falls, Mont.; brothers Bob (Loretta) Sump and Harold Sump, both of Billings, Mont.; sister-in-law, Charlotte Berryman (Bill) of Powell; brother-in-law Dan Heimer of Powell; sister-in-law, Jo Ann Heimer of Powell; and seven grandchildren, Ted, Brandie, Eric, Michael, Kacey, Amanda and Logan.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and an infant brother, Richard.
Funeral services are pending.
The family would appreciate memorial gifts to a charity of choice.
Dorothy Lutz - August 16, 2006
Memorial services will be conducted Saturday, Aug. 26 at the First United Methodist Church at 1 p.m. for Dorothy Lee Lutz, 72, who died at Powell Valley Care Center Wednesday, Aug. 16 of complications from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
The youngest of three daughters, she was born in Powell Jan. 28, 1934, to Guiles Covell Lutz and Lora Francis (Scudder) Lutz. Her parents were homesteaders on the Willwood Division of the Shoshone Reclamation Project. The girls were their father’s laborers on the farm and learned how to work hard and do a good job.
Their mother always made sure the girls were dressed in her many sewing creations. Dorothy loved her parents very much and took care of them until their death.
She attended Powell schools, graduating from high school in 1952. In 1954, she went to work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Washington, D.C., as a clerk-typist for six months. She returned to Powell to attend Northwest Community College for a year and a half and then transferred to Greeley, Colo., where she earned her A.A. Degree.
She returned to Powell again and began working at NWC in the Business Office. At that time, she worked in the original college building which was next door to the present Powell High School Gym. She borrowed her father’s pickup to help with the move to the present Administration Building on campus where all offices and classes were held at the time. She was a very dedicated college employee and was employed at the college until her retirement in 1989.
She enjoyed her career, her family and taking care of her yard. Having never married nor had children of her own, she was always known as the “fun” aunt and spent ample time with her nieces and nephews.
Dorothy was a 62-year member of the First United Methodist Church of Powell.
Survivors include a sister, Jeanette Ryles of Billings, Mont.; brother-in-law, Wilbur Higgins of Powell; nieces, Lora Nordland of Powell, Brenda Adams (Denny) of Livingston, Mont., and Joy Cummings (Larry) of Green River; nephews, Terry Ryles (Kathy) of Belgrade, Mont., Jerry Higgins (Phyllis) of Powell and Mike Ryles (Vicky) of Livingston, Mont.; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews. They were all very dear to her.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Mary E. Higgins of Powell; and brother-in-law, Thomas L. Ryles, Jr. of Billings.
Burial of cremains will be at Crown Hill Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers are Thomas L. Ryles, Jr., Wilbur Higgins, Jerry Higgins, Terry Ryles, Mike Ryles and Dan Nordland.
For those who wish, memorials to Powell Valley Hospice or Northwest College would be appreciated by the family.
Thompson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Opal L. Shroyer Buchli - August 18, 2006
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23 at Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church for Opal L. Shroyer Buchli, 456 N. Cheyenne, Powell, who died Friday, Aug. 18 at Powell Valley Health Care. She was 74.
Pastor Don McPherson will officiate at services. Burial will be in Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Casper.
She was born Sept. 7, 1931, in Midwest, daughter of Jeff R. Vots and Vera (Rowan) Vots. She graduated from Midwest High School and married Willis Shroyer on May 1, 1952. After his death, she married Walt Buchli July 29, 1994.
A mother and housewife, she lived in Powell since 1974. She was a member of Assembly of God Church and enjoyed as hobbies card making, ceramics and cake decorating.
Survivors include her husband, Walt Buchli of Powell; sons and daughters-in-law, Jay and Jill Ekwall, Kent and Holly Shroyer and Mike and Lori Shroyer; daughter and son-in-law, Jacquie and Merle Martell; 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her first husband; son, Timothy Shroyer; her parents; and a brother, Darwin Vots.
For those who wish, the family would appreciate memorial contributions to the American Diabetes Association.
Dale R. Good - August 17, 2006
Dale R. Good died Thursday, Aug. 17 at West Park Long Term Care Center in Cody. He was 79.
A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. today (Tuesday, Aug. 22) at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cody, with Pastor Larry Vinson officiating. Interment of cremains will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Cody, with military honors by the Cody V.F.W. Honor Guard and Kenny Good of Powell, Dale’s nephew.
Dale was born Dec. 23, 1926 in Powell to O.E. (Emery) Good and Queen Bell Rains. He grew up on a farm and graduated from Powell High School in 1944. Later that year, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in Okinawa as a Navy Seabee until the end of World War II.
In 1947, he acquired a Heart Mountain homestead in the first drawing. He lived there in a sheep wagon until building his home using salvaged barracks from the Heart Mountain Relocation Camp. He later expanded the property, growing alfalfa, barley and beans, and raising cattle for more than 50 years. The family farm is currently run by his sons, Mike Good and Jerry Good.
He married his sweetheart, Jeanie Blakesley, in Basin on June 30, 1948. The couple raised four children, Jerry, Nancy, Ron and Mike.
In addition to his work as a farmer and rancher, Dale established Sheep Mesa Outfitters. For 35 years, he owned and operated the business, which is now run by his son, Ron. Dale was a charter and lifetime member of the Cody Country Outfitters and Guide Association. He was an honorary lifetime member of the Wyoming Outfitters Association, a member of the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep and an Honorary Chapter Farmer of Buffalo Bill FFA.
Additional affiliations include membership in the Cody Eagles #818, lifetime membership in B.P.O. Elks Lodge #1611 and lifetime membership in V.F.W. Post #2673.
He enjoyed the outdoors, traveling with his wife and spending time with family and friends.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Jeanie Good; sons Jerry (Kathy) Good, Ron Good and Mike (Julie) Good; daughter Nancy (Jerry) Evagelatos; sisters-in-law Sarah Good and Deloris Good; grandchildren Sean (Rae) Good and their four children, Jared Whitney, Heather (Joshua) Robertson, Jesse (Lacy) Good and their two children, Kimberly (Gavin) Beck, Aryn Good and Nichole Good; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Irvin Good and Ernie Good; sister Beula Fay Cozzens; and brother-in-law Francis Cozzens.
Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601-7633, or the charity of the donor’s choice. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Thompson Funeral Home.
Virgil (Leon) Yates - August 20, 2006
Funeral services are scheduled Thursday, Aug. 24 at 10 a.m. at the Byron LDS Chapel for Virgil (Leon) Yates, 86, who died Sunday, Aug. 20 at New Horizons Care Center in Lovell.
He called the care center home for the last several years.
He was born April 5, 1920, the first child of Hubert (Shorty) and Dillie Mae Yates. Dillie Mae died when he was 13, and his dad was remarried about a year later to Osie Elouise Williams.
Leon married Barbara Hinkel in Oklahoma City, Okla., Sept. 15, 1945. Their union was blessed with three children. Barbara died April 25, 1988.
Leon was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints June 23, 1960.
Survivors include two sons, Randy Yates (Vi) of Powell and Larry Yates of Rock Springs; one daughter, Pat (George) Sullivan of Rock Springs; five grandchildren, Tyna (Ed) Thorburn, Tonja Gilmore (Morgan), Trudi (Sean) Wagner Jennifer (Ross) Hildebrandt and Jennie Yates; seven great-grandchildren, Conner and Zane Wagner, Travis Gilmore, Tracy and Vernon Thorburn and Thade and Eli Hildebrandt. He is also survived by two sisters, Marie Smith of Ohio and Joy Cottrell of Rising Star, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, stepmother, two brothers, two sisters and a granddaughter.
Thompson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Walter C. Nelson - August 20, 2006
Walter C. Nelson, 97, died Sunday, Aug. 20, at the Powell Nursing Home.
Walter was born July 23, 1909 in Climax, Minn., the oldest son of Marcus and Ida Nelson. He grew up on a farm in the Red River Valley, and attended high school in Climax. During high school Walter played sports and excelled in baseball as a catcher. He enjoyed music and played the baritone. After high school he helped his father with the family farm and then went to work for the United States Postal Service.
Following this he worked for Standard Oil Co., and in 1941 he was called to active duty for the United States Army. He served three years in North African and European campaigns of World War II, serving under General Patton. He participated in the Normandy invasion.
Upon returning from the military service he married Betty Richards on June 29, 1948. They had three children, Richard, Don, and Barbara.
Following his career with Standard Oil Co., he moved to Billings, Mont., in the late 50’s and started working for the Sweetheart Bread Company where he delivered bread and pastries to northern Wyoming and central Montana. In 1980 he retired and moved to Powell, where he lived in the Rocky Mountain Manor retirement home, and eventually moved to the nursing home.
He is survived by his children, Richard, Don and Barbara; and four grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Helen Hunter, Lorna Hansen, Adeline Erickson and Mildred Boucher; and his brother, Bobby Nelson.
Walt will be missed by his family and all his nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be in Powell at the Thompson Funeral Home Friday, Aug. 25, from 10 a.m. to noon. The family graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Billings.
Helen Ruth (Tiny) Herrington - August 25, 2006
Funeral services will be conducted Friday, Sept. 1 at 10 a.m. at Thompson Funeral Home for Helen Ruth (Tiny) Herrington, 91, who died Friday, Aug. 25 at the Powell Hospital.
She was born in Powell at the home of her parents, Robert Graham and Della Holtz Williams, on April 6, 1915. Her parents and grandparents, Percy and Cynthia Williams, had moved to Powell in 1912.
She attended Powell schools, graduating from high school in 1934. She worked as a waitress at Mrs. Sherman’s café in 1935, then for Guy Dunleavy at the Powell newspaper as a typist in 1936-1937. She had been a member of Powell DOES organization.
Tiny and Woodrow Stanton “Todd” Herrington were married in Cody on July 18, 1937. Three daughters were born to this union, Dorothy Marion, who died at birth, JoAn and Nancy Ellen.
Preceding her in death were her parents Bob (1965) and Della (1969), sister Dorothy (1993), brother Robert (1984), grandson Scott Stanton Smith (1988), son-in-law, A. Joe Hall (1990) and sister-in-law Florence Williams (2006).
Survivors include her husband, Todd, of Powell; daughters, JoAn Alvarez (Al) of Yuma, Ariz., and Nancy Hall of Powell;, grandchildren, Steve Smith, Todd (Susan), Anthony and Juliana Alvarez; great-grandchildren, Krystal, Kelsie, Kyler, Kody, Isabella and Luke; sister, Ada Mae Bruner of Winter Haven, Fla.; nieces, Pat Grinnel, Mary Helen Fischer, Dorothy Mae Taylor,
and nephews, H. E. Leakey, Al and Bob Bruner.
The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to Mary Murry and Kathleen Barrett for their loving care of Tiny this past month.
Viewing will be held Thursday evening, Aug. 31 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour prior to services Friday.
Burial will be in the Crown Hill Cemetery.
C. Leslie Mercer - August 28, 2006
Charles Leslie Mercer, Powell resident and former Big Horn County resident, died Monday evening, Aug. 28 at the Powell Valley Care Center where he had been a resident. He was 94.
He was born at Hyattville May 13, 1912, son of Asa S. Mercer Jr. and Stella (Gardner) Mercer. He grew to manhood in Hyattville, attending school at the Mercer School and at Basin.
He married Clara Allen at Hyattville Oct. 22, 1937. They had one son, Allen Stephen Mercer.
They made their home at Hyattville until moving to Basin in April of 1949. He worked 12 years at the Red Horse Service Station, and then he and his son bought the Cory Drive In. For the next 20 years, he managed the theaters in Basin as a family project, retiring in 1980.
Les was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Basin. He was past president of the Basin Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias, where he served as Grand Chancellor of the Grand Domain of Wyoming and also served as Supreme Representative at Baltimore, Oklahoma City and Phoenix.
In retirement, he loved traveling, fishing, hunting, visiting family and attending the Yellowstone Conference of the Methodist Church. He loved to sing and dance the waltz.
Survivors include his loving wife of 69 years, Clara Mercer of Powell; his son, Allen Mercer and wife Ena of Powell; his brother, Chester Mercer (Martha) of Hyattville; three granddaughters, Connie (Curt) Stebner of Powell, Tammy (Nick) Siddle of Sheridan and Wendy (Chuck) Carver of Thermopolis; seven great-grandchildren, Troy Siddle, Kelly Siddle, Cory Stebner, Chancey Stebner, Lorraine Carver, Sondra Carver and Erica Ford.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Stephen Mercer; his sister, Pauline Sievers; three sisters-in-law, Grace Schroeber, Ethel Alexander and Margaret Dufresne; and brother-in-law, Henry Allen.
Funeral services will be Saturday, Sept. 2 at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Basin, with Rev. Jack Preston officiating. Burial will follow in Mount View Cemetery in Basin.
A viewing will be held Friday, Sept. 1 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Atwood Family Chapel in Basin.
Isaiah Thomas Mendoza - August 29, 2006
Isaiah Thomas Mendoza, infant son of Mariah and Angel Mendoza, died Tuesday, Aug. 29 at Powell Valley Hospital.
Funeral services will be Thursday, Aug. 31 at 10 a.m. at Thompson Funeral Home in Powell.
Burial will be in the Lovell Cemetery.
Teresa Lynn Hendry - August 30, 2006
Graveside memorial services were Wednesday, Aug. 30 at Hillside Cemetery in Greybull for Teresa (Teri) Lynn Hendry, 46, Greybull, who died early Monday, Aug. 28 at West Park Hospital in Cody.
She was born Feb. 12, 1960, in Douglas, daughter of Leonard Lafayette and Patricia Sue (Hummel) Hendry. She received her schooling in Greybull. She loved her animals and her cabin.
Survivors include her husband, David Erickson of Powell; her son, Austin Pickens of Aurora, Colo.; her sister, Susan Bentley of Greybull; a niece and three nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Cremation has taken place. Memorials can be sent to B C Federal Credit Union, 400 North Sixth St., Greybull, WY 82426, with proceeds to the Humane Society of Park County. Atwood Family Funeral Directors, Inc. was in charge of arrangements.
Graveside funeral services were conducted Saturday, Sept. 2 at the Penrose Cemetery for Connie Peek, 57, who died Thursday, Aug. 31 at Powell Valley Hospice.
She was born Oct. 9, 1948, in Santa Paula, Calif., daughter of Conrad Logsdon and Marcella (Currier) Logsdon. She lived in Santa Paula until 1988 when she moved to Powell.
She was employed at Big Horn Enterprises from 1990 until her retirement in 1999. Her biggest joys in life were her children, her family, her friends and her granddaughter.
She had strong Christian faith. Toward the end, she sought guidance and support from Pastor Don MacPherson of The Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church.
Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Stacie Armstrong of Powell; her daughter, Jami Ledford of Powell; her mom, Dorothy Logsdon of Ventura, Calif.; her sisters, Laura (Chuck) Birky of Powell and Chrissy (Joel) Crawley of Somis, Calif.; her granddaughter, Haley Doyle Armstrong; and nieces and nephews, Johnnie Birky of Santa Paula, Calif., Sean Birky and family of Powell, Chris Birky and family of Powell, Josh and Tori Crawley of Somis, Calif.
She was preceded in death by her father, Conrad; and her mother, Marcella.
Pallbearers were Joe Armstrong, Jami Ledford, Chuck Birky, Clarence Anderson, Sean Birky, Chris Birky and Eric Stauffer. Honorary pallbearers were Johnnie Birky, Joel Crawley and Josh Crawley.
For those who wish, the family would appreciate memorial contributions to Powell Valley Hospice or the Big Horn Basin Radiation Oncology Center.