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Carlin Alice Cloninger Dalton passed into eternity on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Billings, Montana. Carlin was born on Sept. 17, 1933, to Everett Leslie Cloninger, Sr. and Lillian Marie Seiler Cloninger in Helena, Montana. She was joined by brother Everett Leslie Cloninger, Jr. 13 months later. The family lived in Helena, Billings and Bridger, Montana, before settling in Powell, Wyoming, when she was about 12. Carlin graduated from Powell High School in 1951. She was a member of St. Barbara’s Catholic Church.
Carlin married Edward (Ted) Benson Dalton on July 7, 1951, at St. Barbara’s Catholic Church. Together they raised their family of seven children. Carlin’s primary occupation was as a mom. She opened a day care in their home, extending her motherly love by caring for many teachers’ children. She served on the Powell school board for many years, as well as taking on the role of president. She spent most of her life in Powell, except for 14 years in Las Vegas, where she became the apartment manager for the property where they lived. Carlin returned to Powell in 2000, after Ted’s death in 1999.
Carlin was a member of Sugar and Spice singing group for many years. She was an avid bridge player, being able to rejoin her original bridge club when she returned from Las Vegas. She was also an accomplished seamstress, making many of her children’s clothing when they were young. Carlin volunteered at Powell Valley Hospital for several years.
Carlin was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ted, son Brian Dalton, grandsons Aaron Dalton, Stephen Walton and Matthew Walton, as well as many brothers and sisters-in law. She is survived by her children: Mike Dalton, Laurie (Ron) Sweet, Pat (Sharon) Dalton, Dan (Linda) Dalton, Eileen (Mike) Campbell, Anne-Marie Walton, daughter-in-law Syrina (Brian) Dalton, and brother Les Cloninger. She was so happy to have all her children back in Wyoming. She was also blessed and cherished by her surviving grandchildren: Randi Cook, Jamie Suazo, Chris, Heather and Kevin Sweet, Alison McIntosh, Donnie Steele, Molly Kohoutek, Melisa Lynn, Marc, Marissa and Rhianna Walton, Evric and Alec Dalton, and Jenna Wascom, 28 great-grandchildren, and one great-great granddaughter.
The rosary will be said for Carlin on Wednesday, April 22, at 6:30 p.m., at St. Barbara’s, and her funeral Mass will be held at St. Barbara’s Catholic Church on Thursday, April 23 at 11 a.m. with interment to follow at Crown Hill Cemetery. Father James Schumacher will be officiating. Sandy Ratcliff and Anne-Marie Walton will be the organist and vocalist. A light luncheon and celebration will be held at the Elks Lodge, 581 N. Clark St., in Powell. All are invited.
Carlin wouldn’t want anyone to fuss over her, but if you would like to make a donation, she loved St. Barbara’s, the Powell Senior Center, St. Jude’s and Tunnel for Towers.
