Shirley Irene Elton - February 2, 2007
Herbert Schuette - February 2, 2007
Christopher Bodeen Wambeke - February 2, 2007
Winifred Sawaya Wasden - February 4, 2007
Hipolito (Paul) Martinez - February 5, 2007
Aurora Perez Salinas - February 7, 2007
Angus L. Borders - February 9, 2007
Evelyn S. Croft - February 11, 2007
Ethel M. Rowland - February 12, 2007
Charles (Sonny) Robinson - February 12, 2007
Avis N. Frey - February 17, 2007
Dorcas Lea Hopkin - February 18, 2007
Wilma Marie Barlow - February 21, 2007
Edwin F. (Eddie) McCoy - February 23, 2007
Lucille S. Franckowiak - February 23, 2007
Todd Herrington - February 24, 2007
Carnie Miller - February 25, 2007
Rose Cannon - February 26, 2007
Mildred Hamlin - February 27, 2007
Dexter Dearcorn - February 27, 2007
Marina Cooke - February 28, 2007
Rachel Ann Kysar - February 28, 2007
Shirley Irene Elton - February 2, 2007
Graveside services for Shirley Irene Elton, 71, who died Friday, Feb 2 at the Powell Valley Hospital, will be Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 1 p.m. at Crown Hill Cemetery.
A Frannie resident, she had been living recently at the Powell Valley Care Center.
She was born Dec. 24, 1936, in Lovell, daughter of Samuel Fay Elton and Audrey Blossom (Johnson) Elton. She attended school until the eighth grade in Frannie and Warren, Mont.
A farmer, she enjoyed raising rabbits, chickens and sheep and doing yardwork. She was fond of painting, puzzles and drive truck during corn harvest.
Survivors include brothers Keith Elton (Vi) of Billings, Mont., and Virg Elton of Frannie; sister, Waneth Glasgow (Jim) of Barr Nunn; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Thelma Hazen; a brother, Eugene Elton; and an infant sister.
Visitation will be from noon until 12:45 p.m. Wednesday at Thompson Funeral Home.
Herbert Schuette - February 2, 2007
Herbert E. Schuette of Powell, 81, died Friday, Feb. 2 at the Powell Valley Care Center.
Born July 1, 1925 in Sheboygan, Wisc., Herb was the second of four children born to Herbert J. and Irmgard (Trester) Schuette.
At the age of 16, Herb enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served his country proudly and honorably in the South Pacific in WWII. He was the youngest Staff Sergeant in the USMC and served on Guam and Guadalcanal. After his discharge, Herb returned to Wisconsin where he attended the University of Wisconsin and graduated in June, 1950 with a B.S. in Institutional Economics.
In August of that year, he purchased a one-way ticket to New York to meet for the first time his wartime pen-pal, Irmgard Busch. He proposed a week after he arrived, and they were married the following Jan. 7, 1950. Herb and Irmgard moved to New Jersey where they raised their three children and lived until moving to Cody in 1994. They later moved to Powell in 2003.
Herb earned his Masters in Business Administration from New York University and went to work in the field of investment compliance. He was managing editor for a securities publication, followed by work in administration and security analysis for a mutual fund investment advisory firm. He then went to work as the head of the Division of Supervisory Standards for the New York Stock Exchange. He later worked for a stock brokerage firm as Managing Partner, and then for 15 years for Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company Financial Services Company as Director of Compliance until his retirement in 1986. After retiring, Herb ran his own handyman business for several years.
He was very active in the church and served in many offices of his congregation. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, woodworking, fixing all kinds of things, rescuing his wife from killer mice, and teasing his kids. He also read voraciously and gobbled up any books he could find on archaeology. Herb was a man of great faith, a staunch conservative, a diehard Green Bay Packers and NY Mets fan, a brilliant, articulate and very tough (but gentle) man.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Raymond.
He is survived by his wife, Irmgard; son Douglas (Mary) of Pennsylvania, and daughters Carol (Pete) Peterson and Donna Schuette, both of Powell; a brother Charles (Jinny) and sister Elizabeth of Sheboygan, Wisc.; two grandsons, Robert (Erica) and Sean (Amy) Schuette and one granddaughter Patricia (Chris) Ryan, all of Pennsylvania.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Powell at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 8. For those who wish, the family would appreciate donations to the Immanuel Lutheran Memorial Fund in Herb’s name.
Winifred Wasden - February 4, 2007
Winifred Wasden, long-time faculty member at Northwest College, died Sunday, Feb. 4 at the Powell Valley Hospital. She was 68.
Memorial services are scheduled Friday, Feb. 9 at 11 a.m. at the Nelson Performing Arts Auditorium at NWC. A full obituary will follow.
Christopher Bodeen Wambeke - February 2, 2007
Christopher Bodeen Wambeke, 23 months, of Casper, died Friday, Feb. 2 at Children's Hospital in Denver, Colo.
He was born Feb. 11, 2005 in Casper to Christopher Paul and Julia May (Chatwell) Wambeke.
Even though his time here was short, he was always full of smiles, and he touched the hearts of all who knew him.
Christopher is survived by his parents, three brothers, Steven, Sean and Paul; sister, Kourtney; grandparents Paul and Troy Wambeke; Jackie and Sondra Chatwell; two great-grandfathers; three great-grandmothers, and numerous extended family members.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Feb. 8, 10 a.m., at Newcomer Family Funeral Home in Casper. Viewing is one hour prior to services. Pastor Daniel Holthus from Trinity Lutheran Church will officiate with burial at Wyoming Memorial Gardens in Casper.
Memorials may be made to The Children's Hospital, 1056 E. 19th Ave., Denver, Colo. 80218, in Christopher's name.
Newcomer Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Winifred Sawaya Wasden - February 4, 2007
A memorial service will be conducted Friday, Feb. 9, at 11 a.m. at the Nelson Auditorium at Northwest College for Winifred Sawaya Wasden, professor emerita of English at NWC, who died peacefully Sunday, Feb. 4 at Powell Valley Hospital. She was 68.
She was born April 15, 1938, to George and Letta Sawaya in Kemmerer. After growing up in Kemmerer, Winifred attended the University of Wyoming and received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English, setting the stage for a lifetime of teaching and scholarship focused on her love of language.
Winifred was married to John F. Wasden in 1960 and began her teaching career in Worland shortly thereafter. Upon moving to Powell, Winifred joined the Northwest College faculty in 1964, rising from adjunct to full professor in her 37-year career. While rearing two children, she began several programs within the college, expanding the offerings within the Humanities Division to include folklore, the study of the Bible as literature and women’s studies. In her work, and work with her students, she enjoyed the challenge of finding new life in old works and pushing the boundaries of understanding the roles of women in history and culture. To extend her own knowledge, she studied at Indiana University and the University of Utah during sabbaticals from NWC.
Winifred was active in the Powell community, singing with the Sugar and Spice group in the 1970’s, serving as a member of the city Planning and Zoning Commission, representing the community on the Wyoming Council for the Humanities and participating in community discussions on topics as diverse as women’s roles in agriculture to increasing diversity in Wyoming.
Her love of books began as a child and continued to her last days. While she wrote many stories and academic articles, she chose to list herself as editor in her 1998 publication, “Modern Pioneers,” in honor of the women who shared their life stories of settling the Big Horn Basin. She advised local authors, edited several books and served as a reviewer for the Western Historical Quarterly. Perhaps most importantly, she shared her love of books with her friends, her children and grandchildren, who loved nothing more than to curl up on her lap and read stories until they were fast asleep.
While she accomplished much in her career, her most cherished moments were with her family and friends. She counted herself blessed with many long-standing friendships in the community and found delight in meeting new people in any forum. Her membership in the Powell Rotary Club was a testament to her love of her neighbors and her desire to better the Powell community.
Preceded in death by her parents, Winifred is survived by her husband; her children and their families, Frederic and Kay Wasden, Katherine and Benjamin of Houston, Texas, and Carol Wasden and Troy Neeriemer, Henry and James of Westminster, Colo.; her younger brothers, George Sawaya of Colorado Springs, Colo., and John Sawaya of Kemmerer.
Following the memorial service, there will be a reception in the DeWitt Student Center. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in Kemmerer on Saturday, Feb. 17 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Kemmerer.
Memorial donations may be made to the Winifred Sawaya Wasden Fund in care of the NWC Foundation.
Hipolito (Paul) Martinez - February 5, 2007
Funeral Mass was celebrated Saturday, Feb. 10, at St. Barbara’s Catholic Church for Hipolito (Paul) Martinez, who died Feb. 5 at his Powell home at 412 Sunlight Drive. He was 83.
He was born Aug. 13, 1923, in Sinton, Texas, son of Jose Martinez and Juanita (Bustmante) Martinez. He married Dolores Cervantez on Nov. 3, 1947, at Childrens, Texas, where they lived before moving to Wyoming.
He was retired from service as head custodian at the Cabre Gym at Northwest College.
Survivors include his wife Dolores of Powell; two daughters, Jane M. (Rick) Escalante of Riverside, Calif., and Helen M. (Ken) Walsh of Powell; two sisters-in-law, Margirita M. Vasquez and Juanita M. Hernandez, both of Florida; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Manuel; a daughter, Maria; two brothers and three sisters.
Burial was in Crown Hill Cemetery Tuesday, Feb. 13. Thompson Funeral Home handled arrangements.
Aurora Perez Salinas - February 7, 2007
Funeral services for Aurora Perez Salinas, long-time resident of Powell, are scheduled at 10 a.m. today (Thursday, Feb. 15) at St. Barbara’s Catholic Church with Father Pete Johnson officiating. She was 80.
She died peacefully at the home of her daughter, Gloria Salinas, in Commerce City, Colo., on Wednesday, Feb. 7.
Aurora was born Feb. 13, 1926 in Glen Mora, La. She met and married Guadalupe O. Salinas in Karnes City, Texas, on July 4, 1946 upon his return as a WWII prisoner of war. They raised their 10 children at 719 East 4th Street, Powell. She was a retired Powell School District employee. Aurora was a devoted housewife and mother whose hobbies included cooking, working puzzles before bedtime, and gardening.
Her husband preceded her in death on Jan. 28, 1999. She was also preceded in death by a son, Domingo; her parents, Theresa (Davila) and Melquiades Perez; her brother, Arnulfo of Kennedy, Texas; and a sister, Abelia Saldivar of Duncan, Ariz.
Aurora is survived by her children, Celestino (Olga) of Barstow, Calif., Theresa (Victor) Rodriquez of Powell, Gloria Salinas of Commerce City, Colo., Johnny (Maria) of Corpus Christi, Texas, Mike (Maria) of Woodridge, Ill., Lupe (Susan) of Minooka, Ill., Jerry (Tamara) of Mansfield, Texas, Albert (Carrie) of Dickinson, N.D., and Felicita Montanez (companion Antonio Perea) of Severance, Colo; a brother, Jesus Perez of Levelland, Texas, and a sister, Eva Rivera of San Antonio, Texas.
She is also survived by several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Aurora was a member of the Catholic church. Funeral arrangements are directed by Thompson Funeral Home in Powell. She will be buried at Crown Hill Cemetery, Powell.
Pallbearers are grandsons, Roy Salinas, Mark Salinas, Cole Salinas, Jason Streeter, Peter Montanez and Tomas Montanez.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Barbara’s Church in Powell.
Angus L. Borders - February 9, 2007
Funeral services were held Feb. 14 in Lovell for a native of Powell, Angus Lyle Borders. He was 76.
He died Feb. 9 at the North Big Horn Hospital.
He was born March 3, 1930, in Powell, the fifth of six children of Angus M. Borders and Gladys Catherine (Pryde) Borders. He grew up in Powell and attended local schools, graduating from Powell High School were he took part in football, basketball, track and boxing.
He joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 18 and served in Asian Pacific aboard the USS Valley Forge during the Korean War. After his military service, he worked in Vallejo, Calif., for Electrodata Corp., helping to make the first computers and calculators.
He married Linda Karlinsey on June 24, 1960, at the Salt Lake City Temple.
After returning to the Big Horn Basin, he worked at a variety of jobs until settling in at the Big Horn Coop in Lovell, where he was employed until 1985. He retired in 1995 from Georgia Pacific.
Angus served as president of the Lovell Chamber of Commerce and president of the Wyoming Grain and Feed Dealers Association. He also served as a trustee on the Lovell School Board and was an agricultural advisor to Gov. Ed Herschler.
He battled Parkinson’s Disease for more than 26 years. Through his ordeal, he maintained dignity and a sense of humor.
Survivors include his wife, Linda of Lovell; his children, Joel (April) Borders of Yankton, S.D., Gayla Green (David) of Snohomish, Wash., Kurt (Linda) Borders of Basin, Kari Sue Whicker (Tom) of Kailua, Haw., and Kim Clark (Brett) of Spokane, Wash.; 13 grandchildren; and his sister, Patricia Henry of Powell.
Services were at the Lovell LDS Church, and burial was in the Lovell Cemetery.
Evelyn S. Croft - February 11, 2007
Funeral services for Evelyn Sessions Croft of Powell will be held Saturday, Feb. 17 at 10 a.m. at the Seventh Street LDS Church.
She died Sunday, Feb. 11 at her Powell home at the age of 85.
She was born Aug. 23, 1921, at Byron, daughter of Alvin Aytch Sessions and Gladdys (Cowley) Sessions. She completed a high school education and married Robert C. Croft in Lovell on Nov. 2, 1941. They lived and farmed at Deaver and Powell.
Evelyn was a member of Star Community Club and Powell Valley Riding Club, as well as the LDS Church. She devoted herself to her family and enjoyed gardening and working outdoors with her husband, Bob.
Survivors include her husband, Robert C. Croft of Powell; two sons, Bob Croft (Rena) of Lovell and Bill Croft (Kathy) of Riverton; three daughters, Marlene (Lynn) Sorensen of Garland, Utah, Betty Ilg of Mountain View and Gaye (Frank) Barrett of Powell; four sisters, Jennie Nash of Byron, Lavon Castro and Leona Foulk, both of Greybull and Wilma (Mike) Haratyk of Boise, Idaho; a sister-in-law Velma Sessions of Clarkston, Wash.; 28 grandchildren and 60 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Howard; and a grandson.
Bishop Dennis Schiermeister will officiate at Saturday services. Burial will be in the Byron Cemetery, with arrangements by Thompson Funeral Home. Viewing will be at 9 a.m. ahead of services.
Ethel M. Rowland - February 12, 2007
Funeral services for Ethel M. Rowland of Riverton will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19 at the Davis Funeral Home of Riverton. The Rev. Don Schlichting of the United Methodist Church of Riverton will officiate. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery.
There will be a viewing from 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, at the funeral home.
Mrs. Rowland died Monday, Feb. 12, 2007, at the Wyoming Medical Center in Casper at the age of 77.
She was born on Oct. 11, 1929, in Cody, the daughter of Marvin Ewalt and Clara Jensina (Neilson) Ewalt. She grew up in Cody and attended the Cody school.
On Aug. 30, 1946, she married John Rowland in Cody while still a senior in high school.
The family initially made their home in Cody, moved to Casper, where they lived from1964-68, then moved to Bull Lake where they owned and operated the lodge for four years. After selling the Bull Lake Lodge they moved to the Pavillion area and Mrs. Rowland worked as a library aide for the Wind River Schools for 17 years. They moved into the Riverton area in 1987.
Mrs. Rowland operated a daycare in Cody for several years, and had worked several years at Hilltop Drug in Casper before coming to Fremont County for business operations and then her 17 years with the school district.
Her family said Mrs. Rowland enjoyed playing bridge and pinochle, and she liked helping others.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church, the Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a volunteer for the Heart Fund, a volunteer for the Senior Center, helped with the Health Fairs, and participated in the activities of the Circle K Extension Club.
Mrs. Rowland is survived by her husband, John of Riverton; sons, John Edward Rowland and his wife Vicky of Snyder, Tex., and Michael L. Rowland and wife June of Farmington, N.M.; daughter, Patricia Marie Thompson and her husband Don of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; five grandchildren and two great grandchildren; a sister, Evelyn Berghorst and her husband Marvin of Riverton.
She was preceded in death by her parents and four brothers.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, in care of the Davis Funeral Home, 2203 West Main, Riverton WY 82501.
Services are under the direction of the Davis Funeral Home of Riverton.
Charles (Sonny) Robinson - February 12, 2007
Memorial services are scheduled Friday, Feb. 16, at 2 p.m. at the Cody Presbyterian Church for Charles C. “Sonny” Robinson, 84, who died Monday, Feb. 12, at West Park Hospital.
He was born July 6, 1922, in Lusk to Charles H. and Nora M. Robinson. He married Imogene Berg on Dec. 4, 1943. They homesteaded on Heart Mountain from 1946-1951 and then moved to the South Fork and raised their two sons there.
He was an outfitter and fencing contractor for more than 20 years, then worked for Hunt Oil on the Sleeper Ranch for another 25-plus years. He served as a volunteer fireman and was on the board of the South Fork Fire Department.
Sonny was a World War II veteran and served in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He enjoyed going to the senior center and visiting with all of the many friends he made there.
Survivors include his son, Clinton (Pat) Robinson of Rock Springs; grandchildren, Stephanie (Kurt) Moller of Cody, Robin Damron of Cody, Jeffrey (Roxanne) Robinson of Jackson, Dawn Marie (Jeremy) Layer of Denver, John Nielsen of Cheyenne and Zachary Robinson of Rock Springs; and 17 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife; his sons, Norman and Ronnie Robinson; and his grandsons, Mike Nielsen and Charles Matthew Thomson.
For those who wish, memorials to the Senior Citizens Center would be appreciated by the family. Ballard Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Avis N. Frey - February 17, 2007
Avis N. Frey, 92, died Saturday, Feb. 17 in Billings, Mont.
Funeral services will take place at 10 a.m. today (Thursday) at West Side Baptist Church, 323 South 32nd St. West, in Billings, with Pastor E. Lynn Howe officiating. Burial will be in Powell.
She was born March 9, 1914, in Grand Island, Neb., the daughter of Henry and Edna Bremers. After her education in Grand Island, she moved to Denver to go to business college.
Avis married John Frey on March 13, 1941 in Brighton, Colo. They moved to Powell in 1955 where John and Avis bought the Mobil bulk distributorship. They had one daughter, Mary Ann.
After John’s death in 1974, Avis spent many volunteer hours working with the historical society and on the Wyoming Centennial. She spent a lot of time traveling the world with friends. In the 1990's she moved to Billings, to be close to family.
Survivors include a sister, Bethyl Johnson, and grandchildren Kurt Weber, Becky Spadt, Joyce Weber and Mark Weber. She had eight great-grandchildren.
Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary and Crematory of Billings is in charge of arrangements.
Dorcas Lea Hopkin - February 18, 2007
Funeral services will be at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 23 at the LDS Stake Center in Lovell for Dorcas Lea (Waltman) Hopkin, 83, who died early Sunday, Feb. 18 at North Big Horn Hospital in Lovell.
She was born Sept. 4, 1923, on the Indian Reservation at Hominy, Okla. She was the youngest of 10 children of Carl Wesley Waltman and Lillie Mae (Balkey) Waltman. There were 22 years between Dorcas and her oldest sibling, Troy.
When she was 16, she moved with family members to Wyoming. She attended Powell High School for a short time until she met Fredrick Wilson Hopkin.
Dorcas and Fred Hopkin were married Sept. 28, 1940, in Billings, Mont. Fred baptized Dorcas a member of the LDS Cuhrch on June 1, 1941. Their union was later solemnized in the Salt Lake City Temple April 5, 1944.
To this union were born four daughters, Nancy, Janet, Kathi and Debbi, and one son, Carl. Fred and Dorcas raised their children on a dairy farm at Penrose.
The loves of her life were our Heavenly Father, her religion, her family, her music, her sewing and her cooking. When she was 12, she sang on the stage of the Grand Ole’ Opry. She served in many positions in the LDS Church, among them Ward Chorister and Stake Missionary.
Fred and Dorcas left Wyoming in 1974 and moved to Modesto, Calif. There, she took great pride in being the head seamstress at Gotchoc’s, an exclusive clothing store. They later moved to Casper, Ryegate, Mont., Lovell, Byron, back to Penrose, then to Gillette, and finally settling in the New Horizon Care Center in Lovell in 1998.
She was known for her quick wit. She loved her caregivers at the care center.
Survivors include her daughters, Nancy Smith of Powell, Janet (John) Kobielusz and Kathi (Dennis) Pittman, both Gillette, and Debbi (Dave) Keele of Lovell; her son, Carl Hopkin of Littleton, Colo.;14 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and numerous step-great and great-great grandchildren. Also surviving are Burchell and Ruby Hopkin, Zona Roper and Alice Hopkin, as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her twin granddaughters, Hope and Faith Kobielusz; and all her siblings, Herb, Troy andWayne and sisters, Bertha Montgomery, Doris Reiter, infant twins Violet Faye and ViolaGaye, Audrey Dunaway and Wanda Wilder. Also preceding her in death were in-laws, Mary Simian, Fay and Jim Smith, Sam Roper and Harold (Whitey) Hopkin.
Viewing will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Haskell’s Funeral Home and Friday from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. in the Relief Society Room at the Stake Center.
For those who wish, memorials may be sent to New Horizons Care Center in Lovell.
Wilma Marie Barlow - February 21, 2007
Wilma Marie Barlow, 81, died Wednesday, Feb. 21 at the home of her daughter in Powell.
She was born Nov. 24, 1925, in Kirk, Colo., to Elmer E. and Luella V. (Neitzel) Kness. She married Edison S. Barlow on Jan. 15, 1946, in Boise, Idaho. Her husband died in 1972.
Wilma had a deep love for the Lord. She was giving and compassionate and will be greatly missed for the complete joy she created in her family. She was a member of the Harvest Community Church of the Nazarene.
Survivors include two daughters, Cheryl Willson of Powell and Kitty Nettie of Avondale, Ariz.; two sons-in-law; five grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; a sister, Inetha Dillard of Medford, Ore.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Edison; her parents; two brothers, J.D. Kness and Warren (Buck) Kness; and two sisters, Juanda Campbell and Betty Hamilton.
Memorial services will be held and interment of cremains will be in Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery in Medford, Ore. Ballard Funeral Home is handling local arrangements.
Edwin F. (Eddie) McCoy - February 23, 2007
Funeral services for long-time Powell resident, Edwin F. (Eddie) McCoy, 94, will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28 at First Baptist Church. He died in his sleep Friday, Feb. 23 at the Powell home of Jeff and Tina McCoy.
He was born April 2, 1912, in Billings, Mont., the oldest son of Ernest and Tressa McCoy. He graduated from Lovell High School before assuming a sales position in Basin. He met and married Bette Wiley in Manderson July 2, 1933.
After the birth of their first son, they moved to Powell where Eddie work in the Golden Rule store before opening Eddie’s Shoe Store. In 1965, they sold the shoe store and volunteered for ministry to Taiwan for two years as house parents in a boarding school. A year after returning home, they went to Japan as house parents for one year.
Eddie and Bette were active in First Baptist Church, teaching classes, singing in the church choir and community events, sponsoring youth programs and providing church leadership.
Bette died Sept. 21, 1994. Eddie and Edith “Dee” Dover were married in Cheyenne May 18, 2000.
It is an understatement to say Eddie was an avid fisherman. He was a fishing and spiritual mentor to family and friends of all ages throughout his life. This characteristic was a natural blend of an early commitment to folllow the spiritual leadership of Jesus Christ, enjoyment of people and a love of the outdoors.
A mischievous smile and twinkling eyes were an introduction to his sense of humor, creativity and boundless imagination and joy of life. He will be missed, but never forgotten.
He is survived by his wife, Dee; three sons and their wives, Keith and Donna McCoy of Tyler, Texas, Bart and Elaine McCoy of Longview, Texas, and Jeff and Tina McCoy of Powell; 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren; and a sister, Carolyn Marcanio of McMurray, Pa.
Guests and family from Texas, New York, Colorado, Oregon and Tennessee will share in the celebration of his memory Wednesday. Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery.
Viewing will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. tonight (Tuesday) at Thompson Funeral Home.
For those who wish, the family would appreciate memorials to the American Heart Association.
Lucille S. Franckowiak - February 23, 2007
Funeral Mass will be celebrated today (Tuesday) at 10 a.m. at St. Barbara’s Catholic Church for Lucille S. Franckowiak, 93, Powell, who died Friday, Feb. 23 at Powell Valley Hospital.
She was born March 12, 1913, in Fullerton, N.D., daughter of Anton Bogus and Mary (Stopak) Bogus. She married Felix S. Franckowiak in Ainsly, Nebr.
She was a master of quilting and crocheting, as well as ceramics. She loved gardening and taking care of her flowers.
Her family will remember her for making the best homemade bread and cinnamon rolls in the world.
Survivors include her sons, Michael (Wilma) Franckowiak of Cody, Thomas (Cartha) Franckowiak of North Carolina, Peter (Barb) Franckowiak of Littleton, Colo., John (Christy) Franckowiak of Arvada, Calif., and Stephen (Kari) Franckowiak of Richland, Wash.; her daughters, Fran Wolfe (Bob) of Richland, Wash., Virginia Martinez of Powell and Mary Zimdars (Emery) of Reno, Nev.; 29 grandchildren and 32 great-great grandchidlren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Felix; her parents; infant daughter, Irene; infant son, Steven John; and daughter, Patricia.
Father Peter Johnson officiated at services and burial in Crown Hill Cemetery.
Pallbearers at the funeral include Michael, Peter, John and Stephen Franckowiak, Zac Franckowiak and Branden Martinez. Honorary pallbearers are Thomas Franckowiak and Jared Baker.
Todd Herrington - February 24, 2007
Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 1 at 11 a.m. at Thompson Funeral Home for Woodrow Stanton (Todd) Herrington, who died Saturday, Feb. 24 at Powell Valley Care Center.
Todd was born at the family homestead near Ralston on July 30, 1912. His parents, Frank and Oresta Cubbage Herrington, were pioneers to the area, having moved from Iowa in 1909 to develop and farm land on the newly-established Shoshone Reclamation Project. He attended Powell schools, graduating from high school in 1930, then attended Billings Polytechnic Institute for one year.
He returned to Powell and worked in Yellowstone Park for two summers, repairing roads from Sylvan Pass to Fishing Bridge. He worked for the Park County Department of Roads until 1942.
On Oct. 3, 1943 he began a 31-year career with Stanolind Oil of Indiana, now known as BP Amoco. He retired at 8 a.m. on Jan. 5, 1974, having never missed a day of work. He had been a member of Powell Lions Club, the Eagles organization and was a lifetime member of Cody Elks Lodge 1611.
Todd and Helen R. “Tiny” Williams 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 him in death were his wife, Tiny (2006), parents Frank (1938) and Oresta (1982), brother Howard (1914), grandson Scott Stanton Smith (1988), son-in-law A. Joe Hall (1990) and sister Marion Dell (1999).
Survivors include his daughters, JoAn Alvarez (Al) of Yuma, Ariz., and Nancy Hall of Powell; grandchildren, Steve Smith, Todd (Susan), Anthony (Liz), and Juliana Alvarez; great grandchildren, Krystal, Kelsie, Kyler, Kody Smith, Isabella, Luke, Olivia Alvarez; great-great grandson, Noah Joseph Gregory; nephew, David Carpenter; cousin, Royce Ladd.
Viewing will be held at Thompson Funeral Home on Wednesday, Feb. 28 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Burial will be in the Crown Hill Cemetery.
Memorial remembrances may be made to Powell Valley Hospice or First Baptist Church in Powell.
Carnie Miller - February 25, 2007
Memorial services will be held today (Thursday) at 10:30 a.m. at the Park County Fairgrounds for Carnie Dale Miller, 69, who died Sunday, Feb. 25 at his home outside Powell. He suffered for many years with COPD.
He was born April 7, 1937, in Cowley, the son of Fred and Ruth (Spomer) Miller, and graduated from Cowley High School in 1955.
Following graduation, he farmed for a year and then entered the oilfield, working for Moab Drilling Company and Maddox Well Service. He joined BJ Hughes in 1958 and worked for them for 27 years.
In 1986, Carnie and Greg Lynch established Northstate Corporation, an oilfield construction services company in Powell. He loved the oilfield and his work and spent many hours of dedication to his oilfield family. His last days were spent working on his latest project in Clark.
His family was proud he did not drink for the last 23 year of his life, and he helped many others in their struggle.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, Alvin and Don.
He is survived by seven children: Suzanne (Dave) Patterson; Pokey (Scott) Heny; Diana (Troy) Fulton; and Timothy (Julie) Miller, all of Powell; Jeanne (Russ) Page of Syracuse, Utah; Mike Miller of Clinton, Utah; Steve (Erin) Miller of Prineville, Ore.; grandchildren Melissa Gernhart, Amanda Page, Jaci Heny, Matt Miller, Danielle Heny, Katie Patterson, MichaeLeigh Miller, April Patterson, Nathan Fulton, Tyler Patterson, MiKenzi Miller, Cory Heny, Noah Fulton, Savanna Page, Jonathan Page, Nicolas Fulton, Augustus Miller, and Samantha Miller; sister Myrna Jones of Caper, and brothers, Bill Miller and Dean Miller, of Cowley.
Memorial remembrances may be made to the American Lung Association, 61 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 1006, or donations sent to McGlathery's or Four Seasons Floral in Powell for trees to be planted in his memory.
Thompson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Carnie Miller - February 25, 2007
Carnie Dale Miller, 69, died Sunday, Feb. 25 at his home outside Powell.
Memorial services will be Thursday March 1 at the Park County fairgrounds in Powell at 10:30 a.m.
Arrangements are being handled by Thompson Funeral Home.
Rose Cannon - February 26, 2007
Funeral services are scheduled at 2:30 p.m. today (Thursday, March 1) at First United Methodist Church for Rose Marie (Eaton) Cannon, who died Monday, Feb. 26 in her home after battling cancer. She was 64.
She was born June 27, 1942, in Jerome, Ariz., to William (Bill) Eaton and Mae (Herboldsheimer) Eaton, one of seven children. She attended school in Powell and worked as a waitress and bookkeeper at various places in Powell.
She married Delbert Leslie Cannon Nov. 17, 1960, in Billings, Mont. To this union were born four children.
Rose was an entrepreneur. She managed the office for Cannon Bros. Inc. for 20 years, and she owned and operated The Hair Hut salon, and The Sure Bet restaurant. She also worked at Pamida in Powell for many years.
Rose loved to play cards, bingo and visit with her friends and family. She was a member of the Elks Club and the Eagles Auxiliary, of which she was a past president. She is survived by her husband Delbert; her children: Julie Marie Cannon, Jeffrey Lynn (Leslie) Cannon, Jeanine Leslie Burnett, and James Elbert (Stacey) Cannon; her sisters, Virginia Cheney and Patricia Cothren; her brothers, Bill Eaton and Dan Eaton. She has 11 grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father; brothers, William Ellis Eaton and Thomas Eaton; and grandsons, Olen T. Braa and Casey James Cannon. She was loved by all and everyone will miss her beautiful smile.
Visitation will be from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the church. Burial will be in the Crown Hill Cemetery. Thompson Funeral Home of Powell is in charge.
If so desired, memorials may be directed to Powell Valley Hospice, 777 Ave H, Powell, or The Elks Lodge, 581 N Clark, Powell.
Mildred Hamlin - February 27, 2007
Mildred A. Hamlin, 93, died Tuesday, Feb. 27, at Powell Valley Care Center.
She was born March 16, 1913 in Chicago, Ill., to Joel and Amelia (Harper) Ahlstedt, joining sister Eleanor in the family. She graduated from Calumet High School in Chicago in 1930.
After her parents died in 1932, Mildred and sister Eleanor joined the work force. She married Gordon J. Hamlin on Oct. 8, 1938, after a five-year courtship. Gordon's father, a minister, performed the ceremony. To this union a son and two daughters were born.
Gordon went to work for Pure Oil Co., and was transferred to Norfolk, Va., where they lived for two years. The couple then transferred to Pure's propane division in Worland. Mildred often remarked that her first look at Wyoming as the plane landed in Worland was that they had moved to the middle of nowhere.
Mildred adjusted to life in Worland and became active in First Baptist Church as well as her bridge clubs. She later went to work as a secretary at the Socony-Mobil plant in Manderson, and then at the Selective Service office. Mildred and her husband both retired in 1978, and since Mildred had followed Gordon all over the country during their working years, it was her choice where they would live in retirement. Mildred decided upon the move to Mesa, Ariz., where they could be near daughter Susan.
She and Gordon both became active retirees in Mesa where they joined Trinity Baptist Church and traveled extensively, including several cruises and a trip to Sweden. They enjoyed their card groups and visiting with friends. They then purchased a summer home in Show Low in the White Mountains, where many of their Mesa friends also summered. After Gordon's death in 1981, Mildred remained in Mesa until failing health forced her to move to Powell in 2001 to be near daughter, Diane.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gordon, sister, Eleanor; son, David; daughter, Susan, and granddaughter, Kimberly. She is survived by daughter Diane Hefenieder of Powell; daughter-in-law, Nancy Hamlin of Winter Park, Fla.; son-in-law, Mike Nichols of Mesa; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held at Mesa City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
Thompson Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
Dexter Dearcorn - February 27, 2007
Memorial services were conducted Saturday at First United Methodist Church for long-time Powell resident, Dexter Lynn Dearcorn, 71, who died Tuesday, Feb. 27, while working at his mountain cabin in Crandall.
He was born Aug. 6, 1935, in Torrington, son of Frank and Elinor Dearcorn. He grew up in Powell and attended Powell schools, graduating from Powell High School in 1953.
He and Barbara Winkelman were married Aug. 4, 1954, in Powell.
He was a member of the U.S. Army National Guard for eight years and was stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash., on active duty for one year.
He began working as a teenager with his father at Dearcorn Service & Supply and later took over the business and owned and operated it from 1969 to 1986.
Dexter was active in community life. He was a respected chief of the Powell Volunteer Department and served as a Powell fireman for 16 years. In 2006, he was elected a trustee of Fire Protection District No. 1.
He was a charter member of the Powell Jaycees and a member of the chamber of commerce and the Powell Elks Lodge. He contributed many hours of volunteer service during four years as a member of the Powell Municipal Golf Course Committee.
He was a volunteer driver of a van for the Disabled American Veterans and had logged nearly 40,000 miles transporting veterans for medical service.
At the time of his death, Dexter served as a member of the board of the Moyer Foundation.
He was at home in the outdoors — hunting, fishing, horseback riding and camp cooking. He loved golf, travel, woodworking and flying.
The most important things in his life were his family and his many friends.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara, of Powell; three daughters, Cheryl Groskop (Dan) of Powell, Diana Schamerhorn (Jim) of Cheyenne and Karen Dearcorn of Casper; his grandchildren and families, Chelse and Pat Musselman of Loveland, Colo., Laura and Levi Hahn of Anchorage, Alas., Stacee and Jason Kersley of Loveland, Colo., Gayle and Kenny Costello of Casper, Derek McAdam of Casper, Ashley and Jeremy Duran of Casper; six great-grandchildren; and his sister, Myrna Edmonds of Crandall.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law, Dwight Edmonds.
For those who wish, memorial contributions to the Heart Mountain DAV Chapter 11 would be appreciated by the family.
Cremation has taken place. Honorary pallbearers at the services were all his friends.
Marina Cooke - February 28, 2007
Former Powell resident Marina Cooke died Wednesday, Feb. 28, at the Golden Living Center (Sandhills Manor) in Broken Bow, Nebr. She was 85.
She was born Columbia Lavinia Zampedri on March 6, 1921, on the Atlantic Ocean near Gibraltar on the British flagship, Columbia, in transit to the United States. She entered at Ellis Island, N.Y., on March 12, with her parents, Angelo and Amelia (Fachini) Zampedri, from Viarago, Italy.
After the death of her parents, she was adopted by John and Mary Poletta, and was called "Marina" by her family. She was raised in Denver with her step-brother, Felix Poletto, and graduated from North High School in Denver on June 9, 1939.
She married Anthony L. Carlin in Denver in 1939. She became a naturalized citizen on July 9, 1943, and officially changed her name to Marina. She married George E. Cooke of Laramie on June 6, 1946, in Scottsbluff, Nebr. They lived in various Wyoming communities, then moved to Broken Bow in 1958, where George was employed by the Nebraska State Bank. The couple returned to Wyoming in 1961, where they spent most of their lives until returning to Broken Bow in 1977 from Jackson. In Powell, George Cooke was president of American National Bank.
Marina was extremely proud of her U.S. citizenship, and interested in people, her community and her country. She was an avid reader, knowledgeable in civic affairs and she loved to "talk politics" with anyone. She was a dedicated community volunteer and participant in local, state and national politics. She was an original organizer of the Head Start program in Powell and served as chair of the Park County Republican Women. She was vice president of the Wyoming State Republican Women and appointed a delegate to the 1972 Republican National Convention.
Marina delivered mail to AIDS/HIV hospital patients in Palm Desert, Calif., and while in Jackson, volunteered as a tutor/mentor in the elementary schools, a grief counselor for the hospital, and served as a financial officer, deacon, and elder in her community churches.
Above all, Marina adored her family of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. She attended their activities whenever possible and took great pride in their individual accomplishments and family life. She was an exquisite cook renowned for her Italian cuisine, and her holiday dinners remain legendary among family members. The later years of her life were devoted to the care of her husband of 55 years, George, until his death.
Marina was preceded in death by her parents; husband George; her brother and sister-in-law, Felix and Grace Poletto; and a young sister, Olga Poletto.
She is survived by two children, Judy (Lonnie) Lindner of Ansley, Nebr., and Brec Cooke (Jeannine Winch) of Washington, D.C.; three grandchildren, Paula (Russ) Smith of Broken Bow, Nebr.; Oliver Cooke (Jessica Pena) of Philadelphia, Penn.; Anthony Cooke (Tamlin Engle) of Tempe, Ariz.; two great-grandchildren, two nieces, and a nephew.
Memorial services will take place Saturday, March 10, 2 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church in Broken Bow. Memorials may be sent to the Golden Living Center Activity Fund of Broken Bow.
Iverson Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Rachel Ann Kysar - February 28, 2007
Rachel Ann "Billie" Kysar, died Wednesday, Feb. 28 at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings. She was 90.
She was born May 23, 1916 to James T. and Effie Jane (Parsons) Carpenter, in Gering, Neb., the third child of four. The family moved to Wyoming in the 1920s when her family purchased a homestead in the Deaver area. Later, Rachel's father also contracted the plumbing work for the Irma Hotel, and he often played in card games with Buffalo Bill Cody.
She met her husband, John R. Kysar in Powell, when he rode by on horseback to see the pretty new blonde in town. They were married Aug. 25, 1937, in her parents backyard. To this union were born four children.
John and Rachel started farming in Powell, and later moves took them to Cody, Bercail, Mont., and then to Ryegate, Mont., In Ryegate, Rachel belonged to Eastern Star and the Methodist Church Ladies. She helped with 4-H clubs, was active in her card clubs, and especially enjoyed teaching the Charleston and tap dance to schoolchildren.
Rachel and John later moved to Billings where they owned an apartment house, and then to Lockwood. After her husband's death, Rachel moved into Casa Village. She resided there until 1997, when her three daughters began to care for her.
She was a resident at Highgate Senior Cottage in Billings for only a short time, but she especially enjoyed the music and entertainment. She spent Tuesday evening with the residents and daughter, Rosie, and danced the two-step. Rachel loved to dance and sing and taught herself dance by watching silent movies.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 49 years, John; son Dick; a son-in-law; a grandson; her brother, Jim; and her sister, Marie.
She is survived by daughters Rosemarie Birgenheier, and Judy (Ken) Belcher, both of Billings; Bonnie (Dennis) Schumacher of Riverton; sister Leona Rand of Billings; 11 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews in Powell and Cody.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial services were held at Smith West Chapel in Billings on Saturday, March 3, with burial in Mountview Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to Highgate Senior Cottage or the charity of choice.
Smith Chapels was in charge of arrangements.