MAY 2002

Leola Sironen ~ May 1, 2002
Twila Yvonne (Kelley) Miller ~ May 8, 2002
Rev. Leo K. Sullivan ~ May 14, 2002
Marcia Calvert ~ May 15, 2002
Margaret Lee Prickett Huntley ~ May 19, 2002
Violet (Vi) M. McFarland ~ May 20, 2002
Ruthe L. Peterson ~ May 21, 2002
Mary Evelyn (Moore) McQuillian ~ May 21, 2002
Margaret "Marge" Dawn Wheeler ~ May 23, 2002
Walter James Nelson ~ May 26, 2002
Cecil Rex Moore ~ May 27, 2002
Jesus Urbina Ramirez ~ May 31, 2002
Robert James "Bob" Goforth ~ May 31, 2002
Seth Dotson ~ May 31, 2002

Leola Sironen ~ May 1, 2002

Leola Sironen, 82, a long-time Powell resident, died Wednesday, May 1.
She was born Oct. 23, 1919, in Red Lodge, Mont., daughter of Oscar and Mary Spanger. She grew up in Red Lodge, Butte and other Montana communities. She graduated from Carbon County High School in Red Lodge in 1937.
She then attended Montana State Normal College in Dillon, Mont., before teaching school at Draper school and Fox school near Red Lodge.
She married Archie Sironen on Feb. 7, 1945, in Englewood, Colo. They lived for a short time in the Denver area before moving back to Red Lodge and then to Powell. Her husband began work in the Elk Basin oilfields, and she worked as a legal secretary and later as a clerk for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
In Powell, she was active in the community, serving in leadership roles in the VFW Auxiliary, BPOE Does, the Powell Hospital auxiliary and the community blood drive.
Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Paul and Sue Sironen of Cody and John and Susan Sironen of McMinnville, Ore.; and one granddaughter, Stephanie Sironen of Cody.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Mildred, and her husband, Archie.
In keeping with her wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial gathering will take place in the VFW Hall in Powell on Thursday, May 16 at 3 p.m.
The family would appreciate memorial donations to the Powell Hospital Auxiliary Memorial Fund or a charity of choice.

Twila Yvonne (Kelley) Miller ~ May 8, 2002

Twila Yvonne (Kelley) Miller died Wednesday, May 8 while living at the Powell Nursing Home. She was 64.
Born an only child Jan. 2, 1938, to Lauretta E. Davis and William J. Kelley, she grew up and graduated from high school in Midwest. She married Robert R. Miller of Lusk on March 3, 1957.
The couple made its home on sheep ranches in South Dakota and Nebraska, and later, in the oil fields of Linch and Gillette. She and her husband retired to Guernsey until her heath failed, and she moved to Buffalo, then to Powell.
During her lifetime, she was an Avon lady, a news reporter, a secretary for Stafford Well Service at Linch and R&S Well Service at Thermopolis. She and her husband were camp tenders at the Wyoming State Fair in Douglas for a couple of years. She was also a receptionist for the National Guard Camp in Guernsey. Her job was "to tell officers and soldiers where to go and how to get there."
Survivors include three daughters, Cammy Kretschmar and husband Paul of Lovell, Kathy Weaver and husband Stacey of Guernsey and Joy Pehringer and husband Steve of Buffalo; five grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
She was preceded in death by her husband; daughters Connie Ann and Trudy; her parents; and several cousins who she considered her brothers and sisters.
Her health began to deteriorate in March of 1995 after suffering a stroke and having diabetes. In spite of her failing health, her spirit endured as she shared stories and laughed with families and friends.

Rev. Leo K. Sullivan ~ May 14, 2002

Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 10 a.m. at First Southern Baptist Church for Rev. Leo K. Sullivan, 88, who died Tuesday, May 14 in Powell Valley Hospital.
The Rev. Don Peel and the Rev. Don Thomason will officiate at services and burial in Crown Hill Cemetery.
The Rev. Mr. Sullivan, father of Lloyd Sullivan of Powell, had been a resident of the Powell Nursing Home for the last four years. He had lived in Powell since 1994.
He was born in New Mexico on March 28, 1914, to Don and Tennie Sullivan, the oldest of nine children.
He married Maybelle Gaskins on Nov. 25, 1933. He attended Wayland Baptist University and Baylor University and received his degree from Oklahoma Baptist University. He went on to pastor churches in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Idaho and Montana. He and his wife later provided worship services and Bible schools in rural areas where there were no churches. He was actively involved in the ministry for 52 years.
Survivors include his wife Tennie of 68 years; two sons, Kenneth Sullivan and wife Judy, and Lloyd Sullivan and wife Donna; a brother, Delbert Sullivan and wife Betty; sisters Sylvia (Hoye) Smith, Lucille Miller, Clydia (Clem) Chastain and Myrtle Cook; six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son and daughter-in-law, David and Gloria Sullivan, who were killed in an automobile accident April 15, 1982; and by three brothers, John, Claude and Louis.
Pallbearers at the funeral will be Lloyd Sullivan, Brian Sullivan, Brad Sullivan, Brandon Sullivan, Mike Sullivan and Don Sullivan.
For those who wish, the family would appreciate memorials to First Southern Baptist Church or Powell Nursing Home.
Viewing will be from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight (Thursday) at Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home.

Marcia Calvert ~ May 15, 2002

Marcia Calvert, formerly of Powell, died on May 15 at United Medical Center-West in Cheyenne. She was 66.
She was born Nov. 1, 1935 in Grand Island, Neb. She moved from Powell to Cheyenne in 1987, where she was employed as a legal secretary for 15 years.
She is survived by seven children, Debbie Spiker of Garland, William Calvert of Norfolk, Neb., John Calvert of Byron, Bruce Calvert of Cheyenne, Mark Calvert of Colorado Springs, Colo., Cathy Olson of West Point, Utah, and Christie Holzer of Lovell; two brothers, Adair Alexander, Jr., of Freeport, N.J., and Alan Alexander of Phoenix, Ariz.; two sisters, Joan Roediger of Buffalo and Lois O-Donnell of Cheyenne, 19 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Adair and Edna Alexander.
Memorial services were held May 18 at Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel of the Chimes. Interment has taken place at Lakeview Cemetery in Cheyenne.

Margaret Lee Prickett Huntley ~ May 19, 2002

Memorial services will be conducted today (Thursday) at 11 a.m. at Union Presbyterian Church for long-time Powell resident, Margaret Lee Prickett Huntley, 94, who died Sunday, May 19 at the Powell Nursing Home after a lengthy illness.
She was born Oct. 19, 1907, to Darius and Rosalie Dickenson Prickett in Hutchinson, Kans. She was the youngest of eight children, six of whom were living at the time of her birth. She received her elementary schooling in Kansas and several schools in Montana, graduating from high school in Miles City in 1924.
She attended Montana State Normal School in Dillon and began her teaching career in Edgar, Mont., in 1927. In the fall of 1929, she began teaching in Billings where she met her future husband, Bruce B. Huntley. They were married in June of 1933 and celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary in 1999.
Two daughters were born to this union: Roberta Lee and Margaret Ann. She temporarily retired from teaching to devote her time to raising her family.
In the fall of 1946, the family moved to Powell when Mr. Huntley purchased the Ford dealership. She began substitute teaching, and when offered a permanent job, she began her second interval as a teacher. She continued her education during the summers and was graduated with a B.A. degree from the University of Wyoming in the summer of 1961. She taught second grade in the Eastside Grade School building and was one of the original teachers when the new Southside School was built. She taught there until her retirement in 1972.
She was a member of the Union Presbyterian Church, the P.E.O. Sisterhood, Order of Eastern Star, the Job's Daughters Council, and attended the Powell Retired Teachers Organization until failing health prohibited her participation.
After retirement, she devoted her time to being a mother and a grandmother and visited and shopped for residents of the Powell Nursing Home.
Survivors include her daughters, Roberta (Bobbie) Huntley Stutzman and husband John Max of Powell and Margaret (Peggy) Huntley Ostlund of Billings; six grandchildren, Kim Engwall of East Lyme, Conn., Tod Stutzman of Powell, Sydney Rademacher of Washington, Brett Stutzman of Powell, Scott Ostlund of Billings and Amy Wachholz of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; and 11 grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were her parents, husband Bruce, her three sisters and two brothers.
She will be remembered as a devoted mother and grandmother and an exemplary school teacher. She loved her students and did not consider teaching a job, but rather a source of joy.
Cremation has taken place.
For those who wish, the family would appreciate memorials to the Northern Rockies Cancer Center, 1041 N. 29th, Billings, MT 59101; to the Presbyterian Church; or to a charity of choice.

Violet (Vi) M. McFarland ~ May 20, 2002

Funeral services will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Meeteetse for Violet (Vi) M. McFarland, who died Monday, May 20 from complications of a stroke. She was 73.
She was born to Ed and Katie Larson on Sept. 23, 1928, at the family homestead on Rawhide Creek near Meeteetse. She graduated from Meeteetse High School in 1947 and worked for the telephone company in Meeteetse where she met Joe McFarland.
After their marriage Sept. 24, 1948, they moved to Dillon, Mont., where her husband cooked for his brother-in-law, Skeets Murray. They later lived in Butte and Livingston in Montana before moving to Powell.
They returned to Meeteetse in 1957 where she worked at the ranch and was camp cook for her father's outfitting business. For several years, she also worked at the Meeteetse school district as a cafeteria cook and bus driver.
After her father's death, she cared for her mother and managed the family ranch. She loved gardening, grew tomatoes from seed and was a test gardener for Jackson Perkins roses. She designed and baked cakes for weddings and birthdays throughout the region. She was an avid fan of professional bull riding and loved ranch work and her horses. She had a passion for birds and enjoyed identifying birds feeding at her several bird feeders.
Survivors include her husband of 54 years, Joe, of Meeteetse; mother, Katie Larson of Meeteetse; two daughters, Brenda (Keith) Eden of Powell and Cindy (Ray) Gullion of Worland; one son, Mick McFarland of Meeteetse; seven grandchildren, Fred and Joyce Eden, Darin (Stacy) McFarland and Mikki Jo McFarland, and Jerry, James and Heidi Gullion; one great-grandchild, Kenneth Eden; and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father; siser, Pauline McCarty; and nephew Eddie McCarty.
Visitation at Ballard Funeral Home in Cody will be Friday, May 24 from 4 to 7 p.m. Burial following Saturday services will be in the Meeteetse Cemetery.

Ruthe L. Peterson ~ May 21, 2002

Ruthe L. Peterson of Carmichael, Calif., died May 21 at the age of 75. She was the loving mother of Sheryl Wilson and Ray Crawford and loving mother-in-law and grandmother of their families.
Born Ruthe Louise Murchison on Sept. 12, 1926 in Chicago, she was the daughter of Maude and Edward Murchison (both deceased). She had one brother, Robert, who was killed in World War II. She attended the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana.
She married Robert Crawford in 1946; their son and daughter were born in Powell. They farmed and lived in Wyoming until 1958, when they moved to Sacramento, Calif., where they lived together until 1978.
In 1981 Ruthe married William G. Peterson, who preceded her in death in April 1999. She was the loving stepmother of Lynn Repucci and Myrna Talent and their families.
She served as the American River College Counseling Center secretary from 1966 until her retirement in 1983. She operated Ruthe's Secretarial Service and served as a mobile Notary Public from 1982-1998.
Memorial Services in celebration of her life will be held May 19 at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Carmichael.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the American River College Foundation or the Sacramento Shriners Hospital.

Mary Evelyn (Moore) McQuillian ~ May 21, 2002

Byron resident Mary Evelyn (Moore) McQuillian, 76, died Tuesday, May 21 in the Cody Long Term Care Center.
She was born March 24, 1926.
A member of the Rebekah Lodge since 1980, she was a Past Noble Grand in California and Worland. Her collection of over 2,000 turtles will be maintained in the family.
Survivors include two sons, Jay McQuillian, Byron, and Eddie McQuillian, Vista, Calif.; a daughter, Ellen McQuillian, Aurora, Colo.; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, father, brother and sister.
Memorial services will be announced at a later date.

Margaret "Marge' Dawn Wheeler ~ May 23, 2002

Margaret "Marge" Dawn Wheeler, 77, died at the Powell Nursing Home on May 23.
She was born May 28, 1924 in Pearl, Ill. to William F. and Hyla Josephine (Johnson) Keller. On March 5, 1942, she and Forrest "Bud" Wheeler were married in Bowling Green, Mo. They moved to Powell in 1947. She loved being a wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Her hobbies included baking, fishing, camping, doing puzzles, shopping and spending time with her family.
She is survived by her husband Bud of the family home; sons Dan Wheeler and wife Sherry of Thermopolis and Steve Wheeler of Cody; daughters Peggy Schneider and husband Phil of Thermopolis; Brenda Wassink and husband Wayne of Powell and Carolyn Wheeler of Worland; two sisters, Janice Fritz of Powell and Pat McPherson of Casper; 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Her parents, son Elmer Wheeler, brothers Bob, Kenny and Jerry Keller, and sister Shirley Kysar preceded her in death.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. June 3 at Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on June 4 at the First Southern Baptist Church in Powell.
Burial will follow in Crown Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Steve Wheeler, Rich Schneider, Kevin Schneider, Bart Becker, Ryan Muecke and Eddie Wutzke. Honorary pallbearers are Ryan Gallagher and Dusty Wassink.
Should friends desire, memorials might be made to the Powell Valley Hospice or the charity of donor's choice.
Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Walter James Nelson ~ May 26, 2002

Walter James Nelson, 90, died at his home May 26, surrounded by family and friends.
Born March 17, 1912, in Sandy, Utah to Lars B. and Janette Caroline Johannesen Nelson, he married Rhea Bringhurst on May 6, 1936 in Bennion, Utah. It was later solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.
Walt lived and worked most of his life in Murray, Utah, and retired from the Murray City School District. He was an active member of the LDS Church and held numerous positions.
He is survived by his wife, Rhea; four children, Janice Muller (Alan) of Powell, W. Lynn Nelson (Jeanette), Richard F. Nelson (Judy), Roger P. Nelson (JoAnne); 26 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren; and sister, Nora Walton.
Funeral services will be held May 30 at 11 a.m. at the Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary in Murray. Interment will follow at the Murray City Cemetery.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Huntsman Cancer Institute, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112.

Cecil Rex Moore ~ May 27, 2002

Cecil Rex Moore, 85, died at the Powell Nursing Home on the evening of May 27.
He was born on Jan. 5, 1917 in Julian, Neb., to Walter Herbert and Maude Louise (Cummings) Moore. The family moved to Powell in 1930.
"Rex" graduated from Powell High School.
On March 16, 1935, he and Ruth Elizabeth Vaxter were married in Red Lodge, Mont.
He joined the Navy and served aboard a jeep carrier in the Pacific during World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1945.
He was employed with AT&T and Western Union as a maintenance employee. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, dancing and loved music. He was a member of the VFW, American Legion and the Elks Club. He is survived by his wife Ruth of the family home; son Ken and wife Diana of Anchorage, Alaska; brother Jack Moore and wife Victoria of Richland, Wash.; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. His parents and a brother, Herbert Dean Moore, preceded him in death
Per his wishes, cremation has taken place and memorial services will be held at a later date.
Should friends desire, memorials might be made to the Rocky Mountain Cancer Center in Billings or the Powell Nursing Home.
Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Jesus Urbina Ramirez ~ May 30, 2002

Jesus Urbina Ramirez, 77, died May 30 at the Powell Nursing Home.
He was born on Feb. 5, 1925 in Needles, Calif., to Asencion Trujilo and Consepsion Urbina Ramirez, the first of several children. Early in his life he came to be called Jesse.
His first years were spent in the Long Beach area as his father traveled in southern California building railroads for the Santa Fe Line. The family returned to their home in Juarez, Mexico in 1929.
He attended school in Juarez, focusing on the correct use of the Spanish language, an interest that would follow him the rest of his life. During his school years he worked as a dental assistant and though he had hopes of an advanced education instead accepted the responsibility of helping care for his brothers and sisters.
He married Guadalupe Rocha Augilar in April 1944 in Juarez.
In 1945, they moved to Powell to be close to his grandmother and aunt. He began as a farm worker and later worked for 37 years on the Central Burlington Railroad, which at the time used coal burning engines. They had four children, Maria, Armando, Ramon and Evangelina.
One day he was approached by a Jehovah's Witness asking him to teach him Spanish. Thus began his association with the local congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses in the company of his wife.
He is survived by his wife Guadalupe of Powell; sons Armando of Texas and Ramon of Cody; daughter Evangelina Rodreguiz of Billings, Mont.; 14 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter, Maria Segura.

Robert James "Bob" Goforth ~ May 31, 2002

Robert James "Bob" Goforth, 34, died Friday, May 31.
He was born July 19, 1967 in Fremont, Calif., to Kenneth Dale and Linda Louise (Perniz) Goforth.
He graduated from high school and attended two years of college in California.
On Oct. 22, 1994, he and LaNae Biladeau were married at First Baptist Church in Powell. They made their home in Powell. He was employed by CarQuest.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing pool, camping and spending time with his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife LaNae Goforth of the family home; parents Kenneth and Linda Goforth of Manteca, Calif.; brother Dale Goforth and wife Lynette and their sons Ethan and Cole of Manteca; parents-in-law Larry and Mimi Biladeau of Bozeman, Mont.; brother-in-law Ken Biladeau and wife Kim of Bozeman; and many friends.
His grandparents preceded him in death.
Memorial services were held Wednesday, June 5 at First Baptist Church in Powell.
Should friends desire, memorials might be made to the charity of donor's choice.
Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Seth Dotson ~ May 31, 2002

Seth Dotson died Friday, May 31 in Tucson, Ariz. from injuries suffered in an automobile accident.
He had just turned 22.
The Powell High School graduate earned an art degree from Northwest College in 2000. He completed a bachelor's degree, also in art, at the University of Idaho this spring. He had plans to work and attend graduate school in Tucson. Seth is survived by his parents, Claude and Janice Dotson, and a sister, Rachel, all of Hood River, Ore.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Northwest College Foundation, which will initiate an art scholarship in Seth's memory.