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Richard DeForest "Dick" Riley
WHEATLAND - Richard DeForest "Dick" Riley, 91, died Thursday, July 3, 2008, at his home near Wheatland.
Riley was born March 2, 1917, the son of Adolphus DeForest "Dolph or A.D." and Martha B. (Schrader) Riley at the Riley Homestead Ranch northwest of Wheatland, delivered by the area mid-wife, Eve Donaldson. His elementary education was at the Fish Creek Schools. He took first place in the 'half mile' event at the Tri-State Track and Field meet in Lusk in 1935, the year he graduated from Wheatland High School.
He was a member of the "Turtle Rodeo Association," riding in the Saddle Bronc Divison and once trailed horses from the Laramie Plains with the Yarborrough bucking horse string to Cheyenne Frontier Days in the late 1930's. During hard times, he broke saddle horses for area residents; worked as a surveyor for the Civilian Conservation Corps; and, continued to help his folks with the ranch. In the 1940's-1950's, he was a card holding, sworn 'silent deputy' for the Platte County Sheriff's Department under George Wahn and Bill Sutherland.
On June 4, 1950, Riley married
Barbara Frances Lockett in Wheatland and they bought the Riley Ranch and continued in the ranching business. During the 1950's, he purchased a sawmill and sold lumber at Fort Laramie. In 1960, he built a new home. The first home he and his wife had was his Uncle Jake Lewis' homestead, a one-room house that had been 'rolled' in with a team of horses.
By 1968 he completed a course with the Carnation Beef Breeder's Service learning the new technique of 'artificial insemination' and started the exotic Limousin and German Gelbvieh breed of cattle in the area. He also instructed the F.F.A. at Wheatland High School on the AI procedure.
In 1970, he and his wife established the Kamp Dakota Campground and Guest Ranch. He built a rodeo arena and hosted amateur rodeos. In the early 1980's, he was leading three- to five-day horseback pack trips into the Bear and Arapahoe Creek areas of Laramie Peak. He was interviewed and advertised by the 'Western Horseman' magazine, the February 1988 edition.
He was a true historian, an area volunteer firefighter, loved ranching, the outdoors and had a passion for horses.
In 1993, the ranch was sold to the next generation, Randy and Adene Kusma and they, along with Riley, continued on with the cattle ranching business.
Survivors include three children, Richard Charles Riley of Wheatland, Barbara Ilene (Beaha) Loucks of Rock Springs and Adene Marthel Kusma and husband Randy of Wheatland; his last great-friend and rodeo pal, Owen McGill of Wheatland; family friend Mary Kafka Barrett of Wheatland; two sister-in-laws, Iva Keller and Elois Miller of Glenrock; cousin, Tom Phillips and his wife Shirley of Casper; nephew, Rollie 'Butch' Goering of Casper; and three nieces, Birdie, Donna and Carol.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Barbara on Nov. 29, 1992; sister, Aletha Goering and her husband, Rolland 'Tug'; brother, Truman Riley; granddaughter, Shanan Lea Riley; grandson, Sean Riley; his 'best man,' Chuck McAuley; as well as Glen Dunlap, Sid Sturgeon and many other rodeo friends and ranchers.
Serving as pallbearers were Dick McAuley, Edgar McAuley, Jim McAuley, Mark Phillips, Rick Riley and Randy Kusma. Honorary pallbearers were Owen McGill, Glen Hall, Duane Walker and Tom Phillips.
A graveside celebration service and interment was conducted at 3 p.m., Monday, July 7, 2008, in the Wheatland cemetery in Wheatland with the Rev. Gary Robbins officiating.
Michael Charles Steel
SHERIDAN - Michael Charles Steel, 33, of Sheridan, died Wednesday, July 16, 2008, in a boating accident caused by a sudden and intense microburst storm which stuck the Tongue River Reservoir.
He was born Aug. 24, 1974 in Buffalo to William Steel and Molly Steel. He attended school in Sheridan, graduating from Sheridan High School in1993. He then attended Carleton College in Northfield, Minn., where he received dual bachelor of arts degrees in political science and education, with honors, in 1997.
He married
his high school sweetheart, Amy Rochelle Jordan, on July 25, 1998, at the Big Horn Equestrian Center in Big Horn.
Mr. Steel then attended the University of Wyoming College of Law, receiving his juris doctor degree, again with honors, in 2001.
While in law school, he served as an editor of the Law Review. He was also admitted to the Order of the Coif, which is a national honorary society recognizing law students who have attained the very highest degree of scholarship. He was an active member of the Sheridan County Bar Association, Wyoming State Bar Association and Montana State Bar Association. Mr. Steel was a past member of the American Bar Association and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. He was admitted to practice before all state and federal courts in Wyoming and Montana as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit.
At the time of his death, he was a partner in the law firm of Lonabaugh and Riggs in Sheridan.
His interests included spending time with friends and family in the mountains, golfing, traveling, boating and playing sports. After playing college football and baseball at Carlton College, he continued to compete in football, basketball, softball, and racquetball. He also coached children.
Mr. Steel was a member of the board of directors of the Sheridan Stadium Foundation
He is survived by his wife, Amy of Sheridan; four children, Coy Michael Steel, Talia Rochelle Steel, Brock Jordan Steel and Dane Meyers Steel; parents, Molly Steel of Sheridan and William and Nancy Steel of Sheridan; brother, Heath Steel and wife Jennifer Steel and children Bren Leigh and Caden of Sheridan; uncle, Ralph Meyers of Riverton; and in-laws, Jan Jordan, Tucker Jordan and Bill and Dar Jordan.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Chuck and Marian Meyers Brown, Ralph Meyers and William and Marie Steel.
A celebration of his life will be conducted at 4 p.m. Thursday, July 24, 2008, at the Sheridan Country Club with the Rev. Kevin Jones officiating.
Connie Bernard
ROCK SPRINGS - Connie Bernard, 45, of Rock Springs, died Friday, July 25, 2008, at her home after a lengthy illness.
She was born Nov. 14, 1962, in Grinnell, Iowa, the daughter of James and Edith Henning Luckey.
She attended schools in Rock Springs.
She married
Tracy Bernard. They were later divorced.
She had been employed as a dispatcher for Basic Energy for many years.
She was called 'Aunt Nonnie' by her friends' children.
Her interests included camping, boating, spending time with her friends and being involved with events that raised money for the fight against cancer such as the chili cook-off, golf tournaments and the crawfish boil.
Survivors include her father and stepmother, James and Carolyn Luckey of Rock Springs; one sister, Linda Luckey of Rock Springs; six aunts; and two uncles.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Edith Luckey; grandparents, Carl and Eva Henning and Carl and Marge Luckey; and several aunts and uncles.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 30, 2008, at the Fox Funeral Home, 2800 Commercial Way, Rock Springs.
Daniel Hunter
ROCK SPRINGS - Danial Hunter, 23, of 614 Gobel St., Rock Springs, died Monday, July 21, 2008, at his home. He had been a resident of Rock Springs for 11 years and former resident of Bakersfield, Calif.
He was born Feb. 16, 1985, in Bakersfield, California, the son of Julie Ann Spiker and Herbert Danial Hunter Sr. He attended schools in both Bakersfield and Rock Springs.
He had been employed by John Bunning Pipe Yard for three years.
His interests included working, camping, fishing, watching movies and spending time with his family.
Survivors include his companion and the mother of his children, Elaine Hodder of Rock Springs; parents, Julie Ann Hunter of Rock Springs and Herbert Danial Hunter and companion Kim of McCall, Idaho; two sons, Danial James Hunter and Isaiah Chase Hunter, both of Rock Springs; one brother, Joshua Ryan Hunter of Rock Springs; two sisters, Elicia May Hunter of Rock Springs and Mandy Dawn Hunter of Cheyenne; his maternal grandparents, Carol Spiker Beutel and husband Doug Beutel of Rock Springs and Herbert T. and Catherine Hunter of Burley, Idaho; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Tony Spiker; uncle, Mike Spiker; and cousin, Kevin Corazza.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 29, 2008, at the New Hope Baptist Church 513 G St., Rock Springs. Interment will be in the Rest Haven Memorial Gardens, north of Rock Springs.
Friends may call at the church one hour prior to services. Pallbearers include Tony Spiker, Sean Spiker, Aaron Spiker, Danny Hunter, Josh Hunter, Kyle Fisher, Herb Hunter and John Salazar.
Dennis Larry Wallace
GREEN RIVER - Dennis Larry Wallace, 67, of Green River, died Monday, Aug. 4, 2008. He was a resident of Green River for the past 18 years.
He was born June 9, 1941, in Eugene, Ore., the son of Tommy D. and Alta May Gill Wallace. He attended schools in Crow, Ore., and graduated from Crow High School with the class of 1959. He also earned an associate's degree at the Oregon Technical Institute.
He married
Trena Faye Armitage on May 12, 1961, in Lorane, Ore.
Mr. Wallace worked for Williams Companies until his retirement on May 15, 1997.
He was a member of the Masonic Lodge.
His interests included hunting, fishing, yard work, gardening and coin collecting.
Survivors include his wife, Trena Faye Wallace of Green River; one son, Michael Dean Wallace of Green River; one daughter, Joan Annette Wallace of Green River; and five grandchildren, Nicole, Tommy, Brian, Justin and Alex.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Jack Wallace.
Graveside services and interment will be conducted at 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008, at the Riverview cemetery in Green River. Deacon David Shryock will conduct the services. The dress code will be casual.
Donald George Rockwell Sr.
GREEN RIVER - Donald George Rockwell Sr., 88, of 670 Adams St., Green River, died Saturday, July 26, 2008, at the Sage View Care Center.
A resident of Green River for the past 35 years and former resident of New Hampshire and New York, Mr. Rockwell had been in ill health for several years.
He was born July 18, 1920, in Gilsum, N.H., the son of George and Helen Chapin Rockwell. He attended school in New Hampshire.
He was employed as a carpenter and a member or the Carpenter's Union for 30 years.
His interests included fishing, camping, working on cars, building things and working with his hands.
Survivors include two sons, Donald Rockwell and wife Lori of Green River and Terry Rockwell of San Rafael, Calif.; six daughters, Barbara Zimblis of New York, Donna York and husband Wayne of California, Eileen Birosh of New York, Patricia Lesser of Colorado, Janice Child of Rock Springs and Karla Christensen and husband Randy of Fort Bridger; one brother, Kenny Rockwell of New York; sister, Arlene Matice of New York; 24 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Clayton; two sisters.
Following cremation, a celebration of his life will be conducted at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, 2008, at the Clearview Bowling Center, 1410 Uinta Drive, Green River.
Fern M. Toth
PINEDALE - Fern M. Toth, 88, of Pinedale, died Tuesday, June 24, 2008, at the Sublette Center after a lengthy illness.
She was born May 9, 1920 in Rock Springs, the daughter of Hiram and Lena Moss. She attended schools in Rock Springs and graduated from Rock Springs High School in 1938.
She married
Albert J. Toth on Dec. 19, 1939, at the SS. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Rock Springs.
Several years later, the couple started an electrical contracting business, Curley's Electric. Mrs. Toth was the bookkeeper for 48 years. She helped her husband and, later, their sons, Jim and Greg at C.T.S., or Curley Toth and Sons, Inc.
She was a member of the Rock Springs Woman's Club and was honored as Clubwoman of the Year in 1967. While she was chair of the Garden Division of the club, more than 1,000 trees were planted by members in support of the civic beautification project. Mrs. Toth served as a charter member of the Western Wyoming Community College board. She served on the Public Health Nursing Board and helped with the first polio clinic in Rock Springs. She was also a PTA officer for 16 years while her children were in school.
After the children were grown, she became a certified nursing assistant and worked at Sweetwater County Memorial Hospital for many years. Mrs. Toth was the charter president of the Rock Springs Humane Society and worked to raise funds for that organization. She was active in the animal welfare cause on the local and national level. She was recognized for her lifetime of work by the Wyoming Humane Society in 1993.
Mrs. Toth and her husband retired and built a home in Pinedale in 1974.
Her interests included gardening and caring for her parrots and other pets as long as her health allowed.
She was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Pinedale.
She is survived by three children, Marilyn and husband Sam Dorrence of Centennial, Jim Toth of South Ogden, Utah, and Greg and wife Donni Toth of Pinedale; two foster children, Sonny Francis of Rock Springs and Ruth Renwick of Mason, Ohio; 12 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brothers and sister; and a daughter-in-law, Ellen Toth.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008.
Interment will be in the Pinedale cemetery with a luncheon to follow at Our Lady of Peace hosted by the Ladies of the Pinedale Council of Catholic Women. Cremation has taken place.
Gary Russell Keithley
ROCK SPRINGS - Gary Russell Keithley, 64, of Rock Springs, died Sunday, July 13, 2008, in Salt Lake City. A resident of Rock Springs for the past three years and former resident of Kemmerer and Kansas, Mr. Keithley died following a brief illness.
He was born on March 28, 1944, in Cedar Valley, Kan., the son of William R. and Grace Stafford Keithley. He attended schools in Cedar Valley and Kemmerer.
He worked as a concrete finisher for many years.
His interests included woodworking, landscaping, tinkering on cars and being a jack of all trades.
Survivors include three brothers, Clifford Keithley and wife Nancy from Dickinson, N.D., Donald D. Keithley and wife Mary of Aberdeen, S.D., and Kenneth S. Keithley and wife Sharon of Albany, Ore.; two sisters, Sarah E. Moore of Winfield, Kan., and Lela Diane Hahn of Rock Springs; and 15 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers-in-law, James D. Hahn and Kenneth L. Moore; and one nephew, Russell Steven Fritzel. Following cremation, memorial services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, July 25, 2008, at the Vase Funeral Chapel, 154 Elk St., Rock Springs. Military graveside services and inurnment will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Diamondville cemetery in Diamondville.
Randy Ellis Sabin
GREEN RIVER - Randy Ellis Sabin, 52, of 600 Wilson St., Green River, died Thursday, July 24, 2008, at his home. A resident of Green River and former resident of LaBarge and North Dakota, Mr. Sabin had been in ill health since February.
He was born Feb. 5, 1956 in Elgin, N.D., the son of Ellis and Amanda Lorenz Sabin. He attended school in Elgin and was a 1975 graduate of Elgin High School. He worked at Exxon-Mobil for 21 years. His interests included motorcycling, restoring automobiles and being an avid hunter, bow hunter and fisherman.
Survivors include his parents, Ellis and Amanda Sabin of Scio, Ore.; four brothers, Ronnie Sabin and wife Kris of Kennewick, Wash., Terry Sabin and wife Rhonda of Scio, Charles Sabin and wife Debra of Roy, Utah, and Ritchie Sabin and wife Donna of Oregon City, Ore.; one sister, Bonnie Reiger and Clyde of Scio; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Charles and Beryl Sabin; maternal grandparents John and Margaret Lorenz; and several aunts and uncles.
Funeral Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 26, 2008, at the Green River Bible Baptist Church, 800 Homestead Drive, Green River. Pastor Ted York will conduct the services. Friends may call at the church one hour prior to services. Funeral services will also be conducted at the Bethesda Lutheran Church 17 miles south of Leith, N.D. Interment will take place at the Bethesda Lutheran cemetery 17 miles south of Leith.
Charles Henry Anderson
FARSON - Charles Henry Anderson, 86, died Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008, at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction, Colo. of pneumonia.
He was born Nov. 28, 1921.
Survivors include three sisters, Charlotte Anderson Ingle, Martha Anderson Wolf and Margaret Anderson; several nieces and nephews; and several great nieces and great nephews.
Graveside services and interment will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008, at the Farson-Eden cemetery in Farson. Immediately following the services, there will be a memorial service at the Eden-Farson Community Hall.
Mary Ellen Veys
GREEN RIVER - Mary Ellen Veys, 65, of 2640 Hawaii Court, Green River, died Wednesday, July 30, 2008, at the St. Mark's Hospital in Salt Lake City. She was a longtime resident of Green River
She was born March 30, 1943, in La Junta, Colo., the daughter of Carl A. Nelson and Anna W. Smith.
She grew up in Las Animas, Colo., and graduated from Bent County High.
She then graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colo. with a bachelor's degree in business.
She was a member and past president of Pi Omega Pi Sorority. Following college, she taught business classes at Palmer High School in Colorado Springs, Colo.
She married
Rodger J. Veys on June 23, 1968, in Las Animas. They moved to Wyoming in 1977 and Green River in 1978. She worked for Likes, Stevens and Henderson Accounting Firm - which is now Schnauber, Hall and Associates - for 32 years, retiring on April 30, 2007.
Her interests included sewing, scrap booking, traveling with her husband and spending time with her family and grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband, Rodger J. Veys of Green River; one son, Ian Veys and wife Tina of Green River; one daughter, Lareen 'Lory' Kettering and husband Robert of Green River; one sister, Carla Falkofske and husband Burt of Virginia; three nephews, Randy Falkofske, Dwight Falkofske and family and Jonathan Falkofske and family, all of Virginia; two cousins, Jim Harris and family and Richard Harris and family, all of Colorado; and three grandchildren, Carly A. and Ellie M. Kettering and Alexander Joseph Veys.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Cremation will take place. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008, at the Vase Funeral Home 154 Elk St., Rock Springs. Friends may call from 10 a.m. Wednesday until time of services at the Vase Funeral Home.
William "Bill" Glynn Smith
ROCK SPRINGS - William 'Bill' Glynn Smith, 83, of 325 O St., Rock Springs, died Thursday, July 31, 2008, at the University of Utah Medical Center in Salt Lake City. A longtime resident of Rock Springs, Mr. Smith had been in ill health for several years.
He was born March 20, 1925, in Clarksville, Ark., the son of Gus and Emma Smith. He attended schools in Clarksville and was a 1943 graduate of the Clarksville High School. He also attended Oklahoma A&M College.
He married
Anita Petrie on Sept. 1, 1947, in Jackson.
Mr. Smith was a U.S. Marine veteran of World War II and served in the Pacific Islands for three and a half years.
He was employed by Anadarko Petroleum for 27 years, retiring in 1993 as a gas processor.
His interests included spending time with his children and grandchildren, being an avid sportsman, fishing, camping and the mountains.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Anita Smith of Rock Springs; two sons, Dennis Smith and wife Karen of Peoria, Ariz., and Douglas Smith and companion Shaunna Romero of Mountain View; one daughter, Janice Budak and husband Bob of Tucson, Ariz.; two sisters, Emma Hawkins of Tucson and Lorraine Phillips of Florida; seven grandchildren, Keri, Aaron, Katherine, Natalie, Sara, Courtney and Lance; six great-grandchildren, Douglas, Mark, Jack, Connor, Cameron and Ava; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and five sisters.
Following cremation, memorial services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008, at the First United Methodist Church, 1515 Edgar St., Rock Springs. Military honors will take place at the church.
