November 2007
Jack Darrah- November 1, 2007
George Wilson Ellis- November 2, 2007
Walter G. Carlson- November 2, 2007
Phillip Jason Farmer- November 3, 2007
Eunice E. Chenoweth- November 3, 2007
Brenda Lee Davila- November 5, 2007
Steven Daniel Lopez- November 5, 2007
Wesley A. Buller- November 7, 2007
Dan Wymer- November 9, 2007
Bill Hosokawa- November 9, 2007
Howard McLay Smith- November 15, 2007
Robert (Bob) Thornton Coguill- November 17, 2007
Nola Dusenberry Silvernale- November 18, 2007
David Meade Bingham- November 18, 2007
Niles Wilbur Reed- November 22, 2007
Kristie Ann Reachard- November 25, 2007
Lynda K. "T-berry" Thornberry- November 25, 2007
Dolores Marcus- November 26, 2007
Mary Grijalva- November 26, 2007
Curtis Lee Johnson- November 29, 2007
Simon Dominguez- November 29, 2007
Jack Darrah, 70, died Thursday, Nov. 1 in Richland, Ore.
A memorial service and Celebration of Jack’s Life was held Tuesday, Nov. 6 at the Reasoner Retreat where Jack had resided the last year.Jack Irwin Darrah was born Oct. 4, 1937 in Cody to Harrison and Mable Dix Darrah. He was raised and educated in Cody. In 1953, Jack joined the United States Navy and served during the Korean Conflict until 1958.
Jack began working early in his life, driving horse teams and hauling logs when he was 9 years old. He enjoyed working construction most during his life and worked for Peter Kewitt Construction in Wyoming. He also drove truck for quite a while until he was involved in an accident which resulted in numerous injuries, leaving him unable to work.
Jack met Betty Gray in Hermiston, Ore. Although they never married, they were together for 16 years until his death.
He loved to fish and did so whenever he got the chance.
This last December Jack and Betty moved to the Reasoner Retreat Foster Care home in Richland. Jack enjoyed spending his time there. He enjoyed the countryside and beauty that surrounded him in every direction that he looked.
He is survived by his companion of 16 years, Betty Gray of Richland, Ore.; sons, James Darrah of Cheyenne and Don Darrah of Palm Springs, Calif.; daughter, Angela Heiser of Montana, step-daughters Nancy Nelson of Baker City, Ore., and Melanie Chadwick of Cheyenne; mother, Mable Dix of Wyoming; sisters, Sandy Reynolds and Linda Lorenz of Powell; brothers, Bill Hunter of Kennewick, Wash., and Joe Darrah of Powell; several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Those who wish to make a memorial contribution in memory of Jack may do so to Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home to help the family with the funeral expenses P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.
George Wilson Ellis
George Wilson Ellis of Lovell died Thursday, Nov. 2 at the New Horizon’s Care Center in Lovell. He was 90.
He was born April 19, 1917 in Hobart, Okla., to Jacob and Lillie McBride Ellis. He was the oldest of eight children. When he was 13, the family moved to Tishomingo, Okla., where he completed his junior year.
He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps in August, 1935 coming by train with 175 other young men to Deaver. There he met his future wife, Velta Berryman. While in the CCC, he shoveled ditches and cut willows around the Deaver area. After a short time, he went to the kitchen where he offered to keep the fires going for a nickel a day. His job was to start the fires in two kitchen stoves and two heaters in the mess hall.
George moved to Kane in 1937 to work for Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy Railroad. He worked for 20 years for the railroad, helping to build the bridge over the Big Horn River. He went to work for Great Western Sugar in 1943 and worked every sugar beet campaign until 1979, missing only two. In1979, he retired to become a full-time farmer, finally fully retiring in 2003.
He waited five years for his sweetheart to get her education in Denver and then teach for one year in Lovell. They were married 67 years on May 18, 2007. They ran a small store and Sinclair Service Station until Velta became postmistress in Kane.
George leaves behind his children, Karen (Wayne) Spragg, Larry Ellis, and Elaine Good (Ron Hermes) all of Lovell; grandchildren, Sam Spragg, Shannon (Christy) Ellis, Spencer (Annette) Ellis, Scoti Kober, and Lisa (Dean) Wilkerson, all of Lovell, and Shana (Ken) Bartle and Chris (Miria) Good, both of Powell; great-grandchildren, J.C. Bartle, Shallan Schultz, Casey and Melissa Ellis, Jacob and Chelsey Ellis, Ann and Cindy Spragg, Taylor Jolley, Jordyn Kober, Ashley, Alexandra, Brooklyn, Ryan, and Megan Good, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Monday, Dec. 3 at the United Methodist Church in Lovell. Burial was in the Lovell Cemetery, with Haskell Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Former Powell resident Walter G. Carlson, 75, died Friday, Nov. 2 in Birmingham, Ala., after a long illness.
He is survived by his wife, Lillian, of Birmingham; sons, Walter , Jr. of the Philippines and Eric (Beth) of Hoover, Ala.; daughters, Marian (George) Lambdin of Cody and Laura (Don) Cude of Foresthill, Calif. He had seven grandchildren and three great- grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers, Burton (Gini) of Bakersfield, Calif., John (Debbie) of Roundup, Mont., Carlton (Judy) of Sheridan, and Francis (Charla) of Gillette.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service is planned at a later date.
Eunice E. Chenoweth, 81 year old Worland resident, died at the Worland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center on Saturday, Nov. 3.
Eunice Eldessa Jackson Chenoweth was born Dec. 2, 1925 in Burlington to William and Christine (Peterson) Jackson. She was raised on the South Fork. She graduated from Cody High School in 1945. On Nov. 29 of the same year, she married Eugene Chenoweth in Worland. They were later divorced.
Eunice loved crocheting, embroidering and growing beautiful flowers. Her grandchildren loved to go asparagus hunting as well as rock hunting with her. She will be greatly missed by her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, three brothers, one son (George), one granddaughter and one great-grandson.
She is survived by her brother Alfred (Gerry) Jackson of Thermopolis; her four children: Merlin (Linda) from Worland, Darrell (Bonnie) from Billings, Mont., Lurean (Randy) White from Phoenix, Ariz., and Steve, also from Worland. She also is survived by seven grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services were held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with Bishop Jack Stott officiating. A graveside service was held at 3 p.m. at Riverside Cemetery in Cody.
Memorial donations may be made in Eunice’s name to the Worland Senior Center in care of Bryant Funeral Home. PO Box 524, Worland, WY, 82401.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, Nov. 7 at 3 p.m. at the Meeteetse School Gymnasium for Phillip Jason Farmer, 30, who was killed in a tragic automobile accident early Saturday morning, Nov. 3 on the Pitchfork Road at the outskirts of Meeteetse.
He was a lifelong resident of Meeteetse and graduate of Meeteetse High School in 1996.
Born in Powell on Aug. 1, 1977, he was the son of Edward Dean and Rita Hamby Farmer of Meeteetse. He attended Meeteetse schools K-12 and was active in the Future Farmers of America, winning numerous awards, and he also played on the Longhorn football team. He attended Northwest College in Powell and received a welding certificate in 1998.
He worked for Crosby Companies from 1998 to the present as a contract welder for Marathon Oil Company. He was a dedicated EMT for West Park Hospital and a member of the Meeteetse Fire Department. Because of this, he became aware of the importance of organ donation, and it was his wish that he would be a donor.
He was a fisherman, hunter and avid golfer. His faithful companion, Sydney (Bubba dog extraordinaire) was with him at the time of his death.
Phil will be truly missed by his family and friends.
Survivors include his parents of Meeteetse; his grandmother, Maryann McLean Farmer of Meeteetse; uncles and aunts, Mike (Vivian) Farmer of Thermopolis, Dewey (Laurie) Farmer of St. George, Utah, Jeanne (Greg) Williams of Pine Haven, Wyo., Robert (Kathy) Hamby of Casper, Karyl (William) Lindberg of Cloquet, Minn., and Bill (Lisa) Hamby of Sheridan; along with many cousins.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Edward Dean Jr.; fraternal grandfather, Wilber Dean Farmer; and maternal grandparents, Melvin and Eliner (Lee) Hamby.
Memorials may be made to the Meeteetse Bank of the West to benefit the Meeteetse First Responders, the Meeteetse Fire Department and the West Park EMT’s in Phillip’s memory.
Burial will be in the Meeteetse Cemetery.
Brenda Lee Davila
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 9 at St. Barbara’s Catholic Church in Powell for Brenda Lee Davila, 22, who died Monday, Nov. 5 in Lovell.
Father Glen Szczechowski will officiate at the funeral, with burial in Crown Hill Cemetery. Rosary will be said at Thompson Funeral Home in Powell at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8.
She was born in Weslaco, Texas, on June 18, 1985 to Rodolfo and Martha Davila. She grew up in Powell and attended Powell schools. She completed a GED degree and attended Northwest College.
She married Steven D. Lopez in March of 2004. He was in the military, and they lived for a time in North Carolina where he was stationed. She had returned to the Lovell area recently and was making a home for her children.
She enjoyed singing and being around her son and daughter. She was a member of the Catholic Church.
Survivors include her daughter, Alyana Lopez, nearly 3, and her son, Steven Lopez Jr., nearly 2; her parents of Lovell; brothers, Rudy, Cris and Billy, all of Lovell; and sisters, Lisann, Amaya, Annelieze and Annessa, all of Lovell.
Funeral services for Steven Daniel Lopez, 23, were held Nov. 10 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Lovell.
Steven died in Lovell on Monday, Nov. 5, along with his wife Brenda.
He was born Nov. 21, 1983, the youngest child of Daniel and Judy Lopez. He grew up and attended school in Lovell, eventually getting his G.E.D. His best friends (blood brothers) were Miguel and Manual Garcia and were together most of the time.
Steven entered the military shortly after 9-11 and would eventually serve two tours overseas, one in Afghanistan and one in Iraq. He advanced in the army, achieving the rank of sergeant. He was well respected in the army and was looked up to by his peers and those who were under his charge.
Besides his service with the army, Steven loved his family, especially his children, Alyana and Steven Daniel Jr.
He is survived by his children, Alyana Kristina and Steve Daniel Lopez Jr. of Lovell; his parents, Daniel and Judy of Lovell; sisters, Jennifer (Steve) Muller of Lovell and Amy Lee Lopez of Lovell; his grandparents, Jack and Kaye Thatch of Lovell; and numerous aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his brothers, Miguel and Manuel Garcia.
He was preceded in death by his grandmotehr, Aurora Lopez, and grandfather, Manuel Lopez.
Wesley A. Buller, 56, Powell, died on the evening of Wednesday, Nov. 7 in Phoenix, Ariz.
Wes was born Oct. 23, 1951, in Omaha, Nebr., to Art and Elaine Buller. He attended Benson High School where, through a mutual friend, he was set up on a blind date with Regan Hoover. They were married July 1, 1972.
While he was working in Omaha as a carpenter, the couple was blessed with two children, Cody and Logan.
In late 1982, the family moved to the Powell area where Wes began a 25-year run as a do-it-all carpenter for numerous local contractors and those who sought him out for special projects at their homes or businesses. In his minimal spare time, Wes was an avid, and mighty, hunter of the wiley goose. He was also an avid NASCAR fan, who made yearly trips to Talladega, Ala., and Phoenix to take in races with family and friends. If Wes would have had the opportunity, he had dreamed of being a jack-man on a NASCAR pit crew.
Wes could be found most Friday nights, kicking back and hanging out at Kysars with his friends. He was a mentor to numerous area carpenters and was always there to help his friends with anything they needed to build or wanted to learn how to build.
Wes is survived by the true love of his life, Regan Buller of Powell; his son and daughter-in-law, Cody and Andrea Buller of Phoenix; his daughter, Logan Buller of Omaha; his older brother and sister, Russell Buller and Sharon Noah, both of Omaha; and a vast number of friends who Wes considered a part of his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A celebration of his life will be held at The Commons at Pond Park Tuesday, Nov. 20 at 11 a.m. Arrangements are being handled by Thompson Funeral Home.
Former Powell resident Dan Wymer died Friday, Nov. 9 at Wyoming Medical Center in Casper. He was 78.
He was born Sept. 12 , 1929, in Billings, Mont., to Daniel Earl Wymer and Thelma Lee (Eddie) Wymer. His family lived in Powell where he helped on the family farm until his father retired.
He served in the U.S. military in Korea. Dan drove truck for LL Smith Trucking and various transportation companies in Riverton, where he lived for the more than 30 years.
At his request, no funeral services will be held.
He was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Virginia Wymer, Shirley McIntosh and Merle Reiber.
Bill Hosokawa, a former Denver Post editor and reporter who orgnanized and served as editor of the internment camp newspaper the Heart Mountain Sentinel, has died. He was 92.
Hosokawa died Friday at the home of his daughter Christie Harveson in Sequim, Wash., the paper reported.
During 38 years at The Post, Hosokawa held several positions, including war correspondent in Korea and Vietnam, columnist, editor of the Sunday magazine and editorial page editor.
Hosokawa was among thousands of Japanese-Americans forced from their homes and into internment camps by the government during World War II. He was profoundly affected by his time at Heart Mountain Camp, his daughter Susan Boatright said Saturday.
"It was a humiliating experience," Boatright said. "He came away from it not as a bitter man but as someone who wanted to educate the world about that experience and make sure it never happened again."
Hosokawa was 26 when he was sent from his home in Seattle to the camp in 1942 with his wife and an infant son.
"In the eyes of the government, I was not a native-born American citizen — I was an enemy alien," he said in an interview years later. "Why? Because my parents were born in Japan, a country with which we were at war."
While at Heart Mountain, Hosokawa organized and became the editor of The Heart Mountain Sentinel, a newspaper distributed to camp residents. He was released from Heart Mountain in 1943.
Hosokawa also worked at The Des Moines Register in Iowa, the Japanese Consulate in Seattle and at The Far Eastern Review, a monthly in Shanghai, China.
After retiring from The Post, he was the reader's representative at the Rocky Mountain News.
Howard McLay Smith died Thursday, Nov. 15 at his home in Powell, with his loving wife by his side. A celebration of his life will be held at 2:30 p.m. today (Tuesday, Nov. 20) at the Presbyterian Church in Powell.
Howard was born on July 2, 1930, in Denver to Howard Nathaniel and Mary McLay Smith. He was raised in Laramie where he graduated from high school. He joined the U.S. Navy and proudly served his country in the Korean War. He graduated from the University of Wyoming with a degree in commerce in 1956.
In September,1955, he married Donna Killebrew and to this union four children were born: Mike, Jimmy, Linda, and Todd. The family lived in Denver and in many towns in Wyoming while Howard worked for Amoco Production Co.. The family returned to Powell for good in 1964. Howard continued to work for Amoco until 1975.
On Jan. 18, 1979, he married Patty Beier Burgener and became a step-father to Steve, Dan, Michelle, and Eric.
Howard had a variety of jobs after he left Amoco, including running a pipe business with Jim Lafollette, oil processing with Gary Hillman, working at Smith Trucking, and finally working at Weatherford until he retired in 2000.
He was a long-time youth baseball coach, a member of the Powell Volunteer Fire Department, a V.F.W. member, and a past Exalted Ruler of the Elks Club.
Howard enjoyed traveling with Patty, especially to Nine Mile Falls and to Denver. He enjoyed working in his yard, and spending time in the outdoors – particularly Sunlight Basin. Recently he and Patty made regular trips to Sunlight to see the progress being made on Jimmy’s cabin. Howard was a sports fanatic, memorizing the newspaper sports page daily. On the day he passed, he was winning the football pool. This summer, he went in person to see his all-time favorite team, the New York Yankees, play his second favorite Colorado Rockies. Above all, Howard was a people person and was most happy laughing with friends and family. His network of friends spans across the country. Howard will be missed by many.
Survivors include his wife, Patty Smith of Powell; sons, Jimmy of Plano, Texas, and Todd of Cheyenne; daughter, Linda (Vince) Hopkin of Cody; stepsons, Steve and Dan (Lori) Burgener, of Nine Mile Falls, Wash., and Eric (Julie) Burgener of Firestone, Colo.; stepdaughter, Michelle (Charlie) Marker of Larkspur, Colo.; grandsons, Cory Smith of Denver, Eric Smith, of Tempe, Ariz., Chad Hopkin of San Diego, Calif., Dane Hopkin of Laramie, Clay Burgener, Nine Mile Falls, Wash., Gus and Hudsen Marker of Larkspur, Colo.; granddaughters, Tess Hopkin of Cody, Jessica Burgener of Aurora, Colo., Jenna and Alex Burgener of Nine Mile Falls, Wash., Samantha Marker of Larkspur, Colo., Roni and Olivia Burgener of Firestone, Colo.; great-granddaughter, Tayleigh Hopkin, Cody, and great-grandson Brayden Burgener of Aurora, Colo.
Howard was preceded in death by his parents; younger brother, James Smith; and son, Mike Smith.
Cremation has taken place. The family would appreciate memorial donations to a cause dear to Howard’s heard, the Korean memorial, PO Box 2494, Cody, WY 82414.
Immediately following the service, there will be a reception at the Presbyterian Church hall in honor of Howard’s sweet tooth, followed by a gathering at the Elks Lodge.
Arrangements are being handled by Thompson Funeral Home.
Robert (Bob) Thornton Coguill, 70, of Greybull, died peacefully Saturday, Nov. 17 at Powell Valley Hospital from complications associated with diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
Memorial services will be Friday, Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. at the Atwood Family Chapel in Greybull. The Rev. Phil Grovenstein will officiate.
Bob was born in Greybull Oct. 26, 1937, to Thornton and Catherine (Bennett) Coguill. He was schooled in Worland, Frannie and Greybull. He struck out on his own at age 14, doing odd jobs around Greybull, then convinced the BLM he was old enough to work for them when he was 17 and spent several years building stock ponds in the hills.
He pumped crude oil from under the Greybull refinery before joining the Army at Uncle Sam’s request in 1960.
Prior to leaving for military service, he married Sue Carole Wamhoff of Emblem on May 1, 1960. He served in Korea until 1962, returning to Emblem to his wife and 13-month-old son. After his discharge, he entered the carpenty trade and worked for the next 30 years, building homes and businesses in Greybull, Shell, Cody and surrounding communities. Toward the end of his career, he worked for MI Dresser and the REA until rheumatoid arthritis forced an early retirement.
Bob was an avid team roper, and he even did a little alfalfa farming on the side to support his hobby. He was becoming an enthusiastic golfer before the arthritis intervened, but it did not deter his interest in the game. Bob enjoyed the company of friends at ropings, golf matches, horse racing and poker tournaments.
His greatest pleasure came from his children, grandchildren and, of course, his faithful companion, Gunner. Bob and Sue had one daughter, two sons and six grandchildren. He was attentive to his kids all his life, and even with his disability, he never missed an opportunity to see one of his grandkids perform at a rodeo, horse show or athletic event. He liked nothing better than to get the entire clan together for a weekend of camping in the Big Horns.
Survivors include his wife of 47 1/2 years, Sue of Emblem; his sons, Scott (Ronda) and children Jill and Olivia of Butte, Mont., and Roger (Sina) and children Ashley and Lyle of Powell; his daughter, Amy Love (David) and children Sara and Trent of Gillette; his sister and her husband, Bonnie and Dale Sims of Cody; a special cousin, Pat Shepard; his new found Scotland relatives; and many more cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Ray.
Immediately following Friday services, a reception for family and friends will be held at the Elks Lodge in Greybull. The family would appreciate memorials to be received at Big Horn Federal Savings Bank, P.O. Box 471, Greybull, WY 82426.
Atwood Family Funeral Directors, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
Nola Dusenberry Silvernale, 85, died in Powell Sunday, Nov. 18 after a gallant battle with ovarian cancer.
She was born Nola Eileen Blincow at her parent’s home on March 24, 1922 in Oxford, Neb, daughter of Roy Malvin Blincow and Gracie Mae (Huffman) Blincow. She attended Oxford public schools and lived in Oxford until 1953.
Her nickname when she was a young was “Blink,” a takeoff on her last name. One of her childhood memories was having a front tooth butted out by a calf. Living through the depression as a child left her with many profound memories of the poverty and desperation of that era. She enjoyed playing the piano and organ, and music was a special interest all her life. As a youngster, she cleaned the piano teacher’s house each week in exchange for receiving the valued piano lesson that she could not get in any other way. She went on to teach piano lessons in Oxford from the age of 15 until her son Donald was born in 1944. She also sang in various choirs and played piano for various groups before she was married.
Nola married Earl Leslie Dusenberry on March 17, 1939 in Norton, Kans. From the mid-1940’s until 1953 she worked at the C. A. Swanson poultry plant in Oxford. Her first jobs were on the poultry processing lines. Later she advanced and moved into the plant office, doing typing, running a comptometer (early adding machine), and secretarial work.
In 1953, she moved with her family to Meeteetse. In 1954, the family moved again to Powell, where she lived the rest of her life. She lived on Douglas Street, then the Homer Mann farm on the Willwood, and then at 744 N. Gilbert Street in Powell since the 1960’s.
After raising her family, she was determined to complete her high school diploma. Along with her daughter, Sharon, she received her high school GED diploma in 1963 at Powell High School. She then went on to attend Northwest College in Powell where she received her AA degree and was proud of the fact that she received an academic scholarship to continue her education at the University of Wyoming, although she was not able to go on to Laramie and complete a bachelors degree as she would have liked to do. In the ensuing years, Nola worked as a secretary and bookkeeper for OK (Brodrick) Chevrolet, Anderson Accounting, Puregro, and J&R Well Service in Powell. Her first husband, Earl Dusenberry, died in 1971.
Nola was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Powell. She had a special interest in “elephant” collectibles and had an extensive collection. She was active in the Rebekahs (Odd Fellows Auxiliary) in Oxford. In Wyoming, she was active in the Powell Does (Elks) and Powell Eagles Auxiliary and served in various officer capacities, including pianist, in both organizations.
Nola married Stewart Frederick Silvernale in Powell on Jan. 10, 1981. She retired on Dec. 31, 1987, the same date that Fred retired from the Park County Sheriff’s Office. They enjoyed many special trips to the Oregon Coast, playing golf, exploring the small Oregon coastal towns, and enjoying the ocean during their years of marriage.
Survivors include her husband of 26 years, Fred Silvernale of Powell; daughter Sharon and husband Joe Fech of Meeteetse; sons, Bill Dusenberry and wife Sharon of Fort Collins, Colo., and Michael Dusenberry and wife Cindy of Powell. She is also survived by brother Bill Blincow and wife Alda and brother Mark Blincow and wife Janice, both of Oxford, Neb.; and nine grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, five great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. From her marriage to Fred Silvernale, she is survived by stepsons, Bruce Silvernale of Pine Plains, N.Y., Gary Silvernale of St. Augustine, Fla., Mark Silvernale and wife Michelle of Mequon, Wisc., and five step-grandchildren.
Nola was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Alvin Blincow; a sister, Juanita Boe; a son, Donald James Dusenberry in 1959; her first husband, Earl Dusenberry in 1971; a grandson, Billy Gene Huhnke in 2004; and a granddaughter, Mari Lynne Huhnke Lekarczyk in 2004.
A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Powell on Saturday, Nov. 24 at 10 a.m. Cremation has taken place. Donations may be made in Nola’s memory to a charity of choice. Thompson Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.
David Meade Bingham, 32, died Sunday, Nov. 18, the result of injuries received in a motor vehicle accident near Clark.
Memorial services will be Friday, Nov. 23 at 10 a.m. at the First Assembly of God Church in Rock Springs.
He was employed by R&S Well Service. A complete obituary will follow in the next edition. Ballard Funeral Home assisted the family.
Niles Wilbur Reed, 85, a lifelong resident of Powell and World War II veteran, died unexpectedly Thursday, Nov. 22, of natural causes.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 28, at St. Barbara's Catholic Church.
Wilbur was born Oct. 25, 1922, in Powell to Niles Adrian and Anna Reed. He was raised on the farm that his father homesteaded in 1915. In high school, Wilbur was an FFA member, was elected state FFA vice president in 1940 and was selected as the American Farmer from Wyoming in 1941. At the 1939 Wyoming State Fair, the Angus calf he
raised was awarded overall grand champion. In his senior yearbook, he wrote that his life's ambition was to be a successful farmer.
In 1944, Wilbur received his selective service induction notice. He served in the Navy as Motor Machinist's Mate Third Class. In 1945, while attending training at the Great
Lakes Naval Station, he met Marianne Francis Kosmider at a USO function. They courted by mail until Wilbur was discharged from the Navy in the spring of 1946. They were married July 20, 1946 in Milwaukee, Wis.
Wilbur attended Colorado State University for two years before returning to Powell in 1948 to farm in partnership with his father. In 1966, he purchased the farm.
Wilbur achieved his goal of becoming a successful farmer. He was in the top ten Powell Valley sugar beet growers for several years and developed a herd of Limousin cattle through artificial insemination. Descendants of those cattle are scattered throughout the Powell Valley today.
Wilbur was an avid farmer. Raising cattle and caring for his family were his life's passion. Wilbur farmed west of Powell on his father's homestead for 35 years. A well-known member of the community, he was involved in church and was on the hospital’s board of directors for many years.
Upon his retirement in 1983, he and his wife Marianne spent their winters in Verde West, Ariz. They had 14 wonderful winters in Verde West before Marianne's failing health
prevented them from traveling. A devoted and loving husband, Wilbur cared for Marianne during her declining years.
He had kept active, enjoying fishing in Yellowstone with his children and participating in various activities offered at the Rocky Mountain Manor, where he lived.
Wilbur was preceded in death by his parents and his dearly beloved wife, Marianne, who died in April 2004.
Wilbur is survived by five children, Ted (Jan) Reed of Los Alamos, N.M.; Linda (Rick) Brabec of Libby, Mont.; Kathleen (Ray) Brakke of Denver, Colo.; Anthony (Jeanette) Reed of Seattle, Wash.; and Jocelyn Reed of Denver, Colo.; ten grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; sister, Deloris Good of Powell; and brother, Clarence (Betty) Reed of Powell.
A memorial service will be held at the Rocky Mountain Manor at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov 27. Viewing will be at the Thompson Funeral Home at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 27, followed by a Vigil and Rosary at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at
10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 28, at St. Barbara's Catholic Church, followed by burial at Crown Hill Cemetery.
Memorial services for Kristie Ann Reachard, 50, will be held at Heart Mountain Health Care in Cody at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23. She died Nov. 25 at the Billings Clinic.
Kristie was a resident at Big Horn Enterprises in Powell from September, 2003 to May, 2006,
Pastor Mary Barbee will officiate at the service.
Lynda K. "T-berry" Thornberry, 46, of Cheyenne, died Sunday, Nov. 25 in Cheyenne.
She was born Dec. 13, 1960 in Casper and had lived in Cheyenne eight years.
She was a teacher at Carey Junior High School for the last eight years.
Lynda received her Associate of Arts from Northwest Community College, her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wyoming, and her Masters Degree from Lesley University.
She was a Casper Trooper for seven years, the debate coach at East High School for several years, a spelling bee coach at Carey Junior High School, a volunteer at Cheyenne Frontier Days and was a member of the Cheyenne Teachers Association, the Wyoming Education Association and the National Education Association.
She is survived by her parents, Gerald and LaVaughn (Carr) Thornberry of Apache Junction, Ariz.; and a sister, Loni Muisener of Albuquerque, N.M.
Services were Dec. 1 at the Carey Junior High School Auditorium with Rev. Max Janzen officiating. Cremation followed.
Dolores Marcus, 71, died Monday, Nov. 26, in Yuma, Ariz., after a long battle with cancer.
Dolores was born Feb. 25, 1936, to John and Polly Vialpando in Riverton, Wyo., and lived in Manderson, Basin, Powell, McFadden and Meeteetse. She was a loving wife, mother and friend and lived life to its fullest.
She is survived by her husband, Marvin; children, Rick (Willie) of Powell, Robert of La Mesa, Calif., Gloria (Brian) Lohre of Milburn, S.D., Marva of Everett, Wash.; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; a brother, Ruben (Margie) Vialpando of Thermopolis, and a sister, Anita Bellini of Longmont, Colo.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Don and sister Suzie. Cremation has taken place and no services are planned. A memorial service may be held later. For those who wish to do so, please make a donation to a cancer charity of your choice. Yuma Mortuary assisted the family with arrangements.
Powell resident Mary Grijalva, 93, died Monday, Nov. 26. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, at St. Barbara’s Catholic Church in Powell.
Mary was born to Jose Valles and Maria Salazar in Aquascalients, Mexico on June 6, 1914.
On Nov. 18, 1932, she married Jim Grijalva in Billings, Mont. Mary became an American citizen in May 1944.
She served as an American Legion member for 50 years, and was also involved in St. Barbara’s Church.
Mary enjoyed gardening, shopping, canning, crocheting and sewing. She will be remembered for her great love for her family and friends. She loved to visit.
She is survived by her daughter Christine Forsman of Butte, Mont.; brothers Joseph Valles of Paramount, Calif., Frank Valles of Long Beach, Calif., and Jessie Aguirre of Idaho Falls, Idaho; sisters Rosie Bustos of Powell, and Elsie Nappa of Idaho Falls, Idaho; three grandchildren, Judy (Tim) Glueckert, Al Forsman and Vince (Vicky) Forsman; eight great-grandchildren; and five great-great grandchildren.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Jim; brothers Mark and Fred Valles; sisters Nicky, Dolores and Sophia; and son-in-law, Frank Forsman.
A Rosary was said Wednesday, Nov. 28 at Thompson’s Funeral Home in Powell. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. at St. Barbara’s, with Father Glen Szezechowski officiating. Al Forsman, Vince Forsman, Tim Glueckert, John Bustos, Philip Bustos and Charley Bustos will serve as pallbearers.
Burial will follow at Crown Hill Cemetary.
Memorials can be sent to Powell Valley Loaves and Fishes or the American Legion.
Former Powell resident Curtis Lee Johnson died suddenly of a heart attack in Baltimore, Md., on Thursday, Nov. 29. He was 54.
He had lived in Baltimore for many years.
Curtis was born in 1953 in Wolf Point, Mont., to Gerald and Wilma Johnson. He spent much of his school age years in Powell, graduating from Powell High School with the Class of 1971. He attended the University of Chicago and the University of Wyoming.
Survivors include his parents, Gerald and Wilma Johnson of Powell; two sisters, Katherine Powell of Waco, Texas, and Jeanette (Martin) Bohlmeyer of Kersey, Colo.
Cremation has taken place, and a memorial service will be conducted in Baltimore. He will be greatly missed by his family and his friends in Baltimore.
Simon Dominguez, 34, of Cody and Harlingen, Texas, died Nov. 29, 2007, in Billings.
He is survived by his parents, Pedro and Leonor Dominguez of Harlingen; a son, Ismael S. Dominguez of Powell; a brother, Abel (Diana) Dominguez of Harlingen; sisters Mary (Cresencio Jr.) Galvan of San Benito, Texas, and Josie (Tommy) Cervantes of Harlingen; a grandmother, Socorro Perez of Harlingen; a niece, Linda Ann Galvan of Brownsville, Texas; nephews, Joe Manzano of Harlingen, Marco A. Galvan of San Benito, Benjamin, Christian and Daniel Dominguez of Rio Hondo, Texas, and numerous cousins.
He is preceded in death by a brother, Ismael Dominguez; a sister, Margarita Dominguez; his paternal grandparents and a maternal grandfather.
A funeral and burial took place on Dec. 5.
A memorial service is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Cody with the Rev. Clark officiating.