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Gerald E. Lilley
Former Acme and Sheridan resident Gerald E. Lilley, 82, died Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009, in Fair Oaks, Calif. A celebration of life is noon Tuesday at Mount Vernon Memorial Park in Fair Oaks. Born Dec. 21, 1926, in Acme to Albert and Marie Lilley, he attended school in Acme and Sheridan before joining the Marine Corps on Feb. 8, 1945. He served in Japan with the occupational forces immediately after the bombing of Hiroshima. After discharge, he returned to Sheridan, resuming employment with Peter Kiewit Co. He married
Barbara M. Townsend on May 24, 1947. Mr. Lilley re-enlisted during the Korean conflict, where he served as a forward observer for heavy artillery. In May 1951, he was discharged and returned to Sheridan. He drove for Consolidated Freightways from 1954 until retirement in 1989, accumulating more than 3 million miles of safe driving. He enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting and outdoor activities with his family, especially his grandchildren. He also enjoyed traveling in his camper trailer, going as far as Alaska and spending winters in Arizona. He was preceded in death by a brother, Chuck; a son, Robert; and a grandson. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Linda Ashley and Rhonda Roediger; a son, Kenneth; two brothers, Bill and Larry; three sisters, Virginia Stevens, Alice Hyder and Betty Snodgrass; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorials may benefit Mercy San Juan Hospice, 3400 Data Drive, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670.
Cheryl Lynn McCoul
Cheryl Lynn McCoul, 51, of Buffalo, died Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, at the University of Utah Medical Center in Salt Lake City. Visitation is 1-10 p.m. Monday at Adams Funeral Home Chapel in Buffalo. Funeral services are 10 a.m. Tuesday at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Buffalo with Pastor Kirk Peters officiating. Graveside services will follow in Willow Grove cemetery. Born Jan. 21, 1957, to Kenneth and Donna Morse at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Va., she moved with her family to Sheridan, where she graduated from Sheridan High School in 1975. She earned an associate degree in welding from Sheridan College, then a Bachelor of Science degree from Montana State University in Billings in 2000. She worked as a welder for several years, herded sheep in the Big Horns for 10 summers, and ran a dairy farm in Wisconsin for a few years. She was a welding professor at Central Wyoming College for five years. In July 2003, she married
Alex McCoul in Buffalo, where they made their home. She was a homemaker while teaching at Central Wyoming College. She loved the outdoors, Wyoming’s mountains, and was known as an expert horse and dog trainer. She realized her dream of building a home in the Big Horn Mountains, which she enjoyed with her husband and family. She was preceded in death by her father. Survivors include her husband; three sons, Tony Mitchell of Tennessee, Carsie Mitchell of Phoenix, and Dean Mitchell of Riverton; one daughter, Jessie Romney of Florida; her mother, Donna Dexter, and her stepfather, Charles, of Sheridan; two brothers, Kevin Morse of Cheyenne and Ken Morse of Casper; two sisters, Diane Morse of Buffalo and Debbie Daily of Colstrip, Mont.; seven grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Memorials may benefit Ride for Him Ministries in care of Adams Funeral Home, 351 N. Adams, Buffalo, WY 82834.
Dorothy Ruzila
Lifelong Sheridan resident Dorothy Ruzila, 93, died Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital. Services are private with interment in Sheridan Municipal cemetery. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Born April 20, 1915, in Sheridan County to Andrew and Stella (Jeziorski) Kosine, her parents were immigrants from Germany and Austria respectively. She grew up and attended schools in Sheridan County. She married
John Ruzila in Sheridan on April 28, 1933. Mr. Ruzila died in 1983. A homemaker, Mrs. Ruzila enjoyed cooking, baking, daily walks, shopping, fishing, hiking in the Big Horn Mountains, playing cards with family and friends, and celebrating holidays. She was preceded in death by her husband; two brothers, Louie Kosine and John Kosine; and four sisters, Martha Cichonski, Frances Louie, Helen Baccari and Mary Williamson. Survivors include a son, Harold of Sheridan; a daughter, Fairy Todd of Gillette; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorials may benefit Sheridan Senior Citizens Center, 211 Smith St., Sheridan WY 82801.
Mae P. Harper
Sheridan native Mae P. Harper, 85, died Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009, in Lancaster, Calif. Services are 11 a.m. Saturday at Grace Chapel in Lancaster. Interment will be private.
Born May 3, 1923, in Sheridan, she and her family moved to Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., in 1955. She worked for the U.S. Air Force Civil Service at Edwards as an executive staff secretary on the generals’ staff, retiring in 1981. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ellery “Bert” Harper; a sister, June Hargis; and a brother, James Phillips. Survivors include two daughters, Penney K. Taylor and Becky Mansfield; three grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
Russell ‘Rusty’ James Wood
Former Sheridan resident Russell “Rusty” James Wood, 25, of St. Louis, died Monday, Jan. 19, 2009, in St. Louis. Visitation will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Kane Funeral Home with services following at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Don Derryberry officiating. Born Dec. 23, 1983, in Camp Pendleton, Calif., to James “Randy” and Sherri Wood, he attended Guernsey Sunrise Elementary School before the family moved to Sheridan, where he graduated from Sheridan High School in 2002. He was on the high school debate team and, as an adult, served as a judge for high school debate teams. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 2003 and served until his honorable discharge in 2006. He earned an associate degree in information systems from the Community College of the Air Force in 2004 and in 2008 received a degree in pharmacy technology from Allied College South in Missouri. He was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, loved politics, and was a member of the Democratic Party. He enjoyed music, video games, hanging out with friends, travel, volunteering, and movies, especially independent films and documentaries. Survivors include his parents of Sheridan; a sister, Shebli Huston of Dayton; and grandparents Art and Clara Bell Newton of Cheyenne, Edward and Irma Garner of Candler, Fla., and Donna Gee of Stayton, Ore.
Orwill G. ‘Bill’ Sikora
Sheridan native Orwill G. “Bill” Sikora, 80, died Friday, Dec. 26, 2008, in Houston. Funeral services were at Kleiin Funeral Home in Houston. Ashes will be placed this summer in Sheridan, Rawlins and Laramie. Born June 3, 1928, in Sheridan to Beatrice and Tony Sikora, he graduated from Sheridan High School in 1946, spent 18 months in the Army Engineer Corps in Korea, then attended the University of Wyoming from 1948 to 1952. He majored in civil engineering and graduated with honors. He worked 35 years for Chicago Bridge and Iron Co. He and his wife, the former Clare Kazmerchak, traveled extensively until settling in Houston in 1974. He was active in Boy Scouts when he lived in Chicago Heights, Ill., and worked with the Deaf Parents Organization. He was a 52-year member of Masonic Lodge 7, a 32nd degree Mason, and longtime member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He enjoyed crossword puzzles, dabbling in the stock market, and genealogy. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles and Gene, and two stepbrothers, Leo and Anthony. Survivors include five children, Charles, Gene, Dale, James and Jerilee Ortiz; and two grandchildren. Memorial contributions may benefit the UW College of Civil Engineering, where he established a scholarship fund.
Fay Cornell Cole Chalfant
Former Sheridan resident Fay Cornell Cole Chalfant, 86, of Spearfish, S.D., died Saturday Jan. 17, 2009, in Belle Fourche, SD. Visitation will be 3-7 p.m. Wednesday at Aldinger Funeral Home in Spearfish, S.D. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home with the Rev. Kerry Prendiville officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill cemetery, Spearfish. Born July 15, 1922, in Terry, Mont., to Harry and Mona (Sankey) Cornell, she was raised in the Sundance area and graduated Sundance High School in 1940. In 1942 she married
Elbridge Cole in Sundance. The couple had three boys. In 1966 she married
John Chalfant in Sheridan. During her many years in the Sheridan area she worked as a Farm Bureau secretary, helped on dairy ranches, worked as a ranch cook on the Kane Ranch at Wolf, was employed in the Sheridan County Treasurers Office and worked for accounting firms. She moved to Spearfish in 1985 and spent several years as a volunteer at the Heritage High Plains Museum. In 1994 she received a Volunteer of the Year award from the Governor of South Dakota as well as the J.C. Penny Golden Rule Award. She enjoyed playing cards, dancing, crocheting, ranch work, horses and was always ready for a drive in the country. She was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Spearfish and the Spearfish Senior Citizens Center. She was preceded in death by her husbands; a son, Rex; brother Hugh Cornell; and step-daughter Kay Duthie. She is survived by her son Randy of Albuquerque, son Larry of Sundance, sisters Beverly Klumb and Lorraine Hamilton of Spearfish, brother Jack Cornell of Spearfish, step-son Fred Chalfant and step-daughter Tempe Murphy, both of Sheridan; 10 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation.
Jack I. Kibben
Jack I. Kibben, 81, of Sheridan, died Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009, in Billings Clinic Hospital. Cremation has taken place and service is private. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Born Sept. 13, 1927, in Sheridan to James & Nona (Satterlee) Kibben, he grew up in Sheridan and graduated from Sheridan High School. He married
June Ann Keseling Feb. 25, 1951, in Los Angeles, Calif. They lived in Sheridan where Jack was a financial advisor. Survivors include his wife; son Kenneth of Norman, Okla.; daughter Karen Kibben of Mesa, Ariz.; and two grandchildren. Memorials may benefit Camp Bethel, P.O. Box 70, Dayton, WY 82836 or the Homeless Shelter, in care of VOA, 1309 Coffeen Ave., Sheridan, WY 82801.
La Wanda ‘Polly’ Meece
La Wanda “Polly” Meece, 81, of Sheridan died Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009, at Sheridan Memorial Hospital of cancer. Memorial services will be 10 a.m. Monday at Kane Funeral Home with the Rev. Don Derryberry officiating. Born Nov. 16, 1927, to Carl and Eva Buck in Maquon, Ill., she graduated from Williams Field High School in 1945 and married
Virgil Meece in Peoria, Ill., on Aug. 31, 1947. Mrs. Meece worked at the Livestock Sale Barn and in The Sheridan Press circulation department until retiring in 1989. She enjoyed reading, line dancing, playing poker with family and friends, camping in the mountains, and spending time with her grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; a brother, Earl Buck; and two sisters, Flora Potter and Virginia Kelly. Survivors include four sons, Gary Meece, Stephen Meece and Martin Meece, all of Sheridan, and David Meece of Gillette; a sister, Cherry Hanson of Gilson, Ill.; 12 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may benefit Sheridan Senior Citizen’s Center, 211 Smith St., Sheridan, WY 82801.
Mildred H. Francis
Mildred H. Francis, 81, of Sheridan and Buffalo, died Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009, at her Sheridan home. Funeral services are 11 a.m. Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church with the Rev. Phil Wold officiating. Interment will be in Willow Grove cemetery in Buffalo. Adams Funeral Home in Buffalo is in charge of arrangements. Born March 26, 1927, in Edgemont, S.D., to John and Louise Frey, she grew up and attended school in Belle Fourche, S.D., and graduated from Bell Fourche High School. She married
Charles Baker in South Dakota and they lived in Belle Fourche. They later moved to Farmington, N.M., and in 1964 to Widefield, Colo., where they eventually divorced. She moved to Gillette and later to Buffalo, where she met and married
John Francis on July 20, 1979. The couple made their home in Buffalo. Mr. Francis died in July 1993. Mrs. Francis continued to live in Buffalo until 1998, when she moved to Sheridan. A member of the Red Hat Society, she enjoyed playing bridge and was an avid golfer, scoring a hole-in-one on the Kendrick Golf Course in Sheridan. She was preceded in death by a son, two sisters and an infant daughter. Survivors include two daughters, Mary Ward of Chandler, Ariz., and Cindy Baker of Sheridan; a son, John Francis of Pagosa Springs, Colo.; a sister, Joann Paulson of Mesa, Ariz.; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may benefit Hospice of the Bighorns in care of Adams Funeral Home, 351 N. Adams Ave., Buffalo, WY 82834.
Melva Schuman
Melva Schuman, 71, of Sheridan, died Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009, at Sheridan Memorial Hospital.
Memorial services will be 10 a.m. Friday at Sheridan Wesleyan Church with Pastor Darrell White officiating. Interment of cremains will follow in Sheridan Municipal cemetery. Kane Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Born May 15, 1937, in Sheridan to Edward and Anna Tetschner, she graduated from Sheridan High School and married
Donald Schuman in Buffalo on Aug. 22, 1975. She worked at the Bank of Commerce for 15 years as head bookkeeper and for five years at Babe’s Flowers. She enjoyed the mountains, walking, fishing and travel. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Laura Jean Harrington. Survivors include her husband; five children, Susan Keahey of Sheridan, Michael Schuman of Aurora, Colo., Valerie Schuman of Sheridan, Paul Slayter of New Castle, Colo., and Michelle Jones of Sheridan; two sisters, Laurie Loucks and Irene Campbell, both of Sheridan; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may benefit Wesleyan Church Building Fund, 404 W. Brundage Lane, Sheridan, WY 82801.
Ann Pilch Booras
Former Sheridan resident Ann Pilch Booras, 89, of Billings died Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, in Boise, Idaho, after a brief illness. A memorial service is 6 p.m. Wednesday at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Billings. An orthodox funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Thursday at the church. Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens in Billings with arrangements by Michelotti-Sawyers. Born June 15, 1919, in Acme to George and Mary Pilch, she grew up in Acme and Sheridan and graduated from Sheridan High School. On Aug. 28, 1942, she married
Gus Booras in Little Rock, Ark., where he was stationed in the service. They were married
61 years living in Sheridan and Billings. Mrs. Booras worked for several jewelry stores and was instrumental in starting a son and grandson in the jewelry business. A member of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Billings, she enjoyed decorating, watercolor painting, and gardening. She was preceded in death by her husband; two brothers, Tony and Richard Pilch; and a sister, Florence. Survivors include a daughter, Stephanie Anderson, and a son, Peter, of Boise; sons Stephen and Gregory of Billings; 10 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a brother, Albert Pilch of Evanston. In lieu of flowers, memorials may benefit St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, 401 Lewis Ave., Billings MT 59101.
Margaret ‘Margie’ Twite
Margaret “Margie” Twite, 69, of Sheridan, died Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, at her residence after a long illness, according to family. Viewing is until 6 p.m. today at Kane Funeral Home. Memorial services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with Mike Garneau officiating. Born Nov. 17, 1939, to Minory Oliver Floyd Johnson and Rachael “Merle” Scholzen, she grew up on a farm in Mobridge, S.D., and graduated from Mobridge High School. She married
Alvin “Whitey” Twite in Pierre, S.D., in 1958. They raised four children in Sheridan. She worked 20 years at the Golden Steer Restaurant in Sheridan, then as head cook at Big Horn School for 13 years, retiring in 2002. She enjoyed camping and fishing with her husband and cooking and was known for her sense of humor. She was preceded in death by her husband; a sister, Patsy Jakeway of Mobridge; and a grandson. Survivors include two sons, Patrick Twite and William Twite, and two daughters, Susan Oltmanns and Jackie Twite, all of Sheridan; siblings Bruce Johnson of Morris, Ill., Ruth Fischer of Wakpala, S.D., Louise Glaser of McLaughlin, S.D., Florence Heib of Gillette, Joanie Erck of Rapid City, and Joe Johnson of Mobridge; and two grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may benefit the Margie Twite Memorial Fund, c/o First Interstate Bank Attn.: Margaret Sare, P.O. Box 2007, Sheridan, WY 82801.
Ivan Joseph Stedillie
Former Sheridan resident Ivan Joseph Stedillie, 60, of Belle Fourche, S.D., died Friday, Jan. 9, 2009, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Visitation will be one hour prior to the 1 p.m. funeral service Thursday at Christian Life Center in Belle Fourche. Burial will follow at Black Hills National cemetery near Sturgis, S.D. Kline Funeral Chapel in Belle Fourche is in charge of arrangements. Born Oct. 29, 1948, in Belle Fourche, to Geno and Florence (Davis) Stedillie, he attended elementary school in Nisland and Newell, S.D., and graduated from Newell High School in 1966. He also attended Black Hills State in the fall of 1966. Mr. Stedillie was drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps on April 23, 1969, and honorably discharged Dec. 31, 1970. While in the military he received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and Rifle Sharpshooter Badge. He married
Sharon Phillips on Nov. 9, 1973. He worked at American Colloid until 1985. In 1986 they moved to Sheridan, where he purchased Tongue River Stone, retiring in 1999. He returned to Belle Fourche in June 2002, where he was manager of Belle Fourche City Liquor Store. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf, camping and most of all being with his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Steven Stedillie. Survivors include his wife; his mother of Belle Fourche; three daughters, Lisa Blank and Mistie Stedillie, both of Sheridan, and Sherry Bailey of Colorado Springs, Colo.; two sons, Rick Stedillie of Houston and Ryan Stedillie of Belle Fourche; four brothers, Terry Stedillie of Deer Trail, Colo., Sheldon Stedillie of Rapid City, and Craig Stedillie and Duane Stedillie of Belle Fourche; a sister, Darlene McCarthy of Rapid City; nine grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. A memorial has been established.
Gene Porter
Gene Porter, 81, of Buffalo died Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, at his home. Visitation is 1-9 p.m. today. Funeral services are 2 p.m. Tuesday at Adams Funeral Home Chapel in Buffalo with the Rev. Tom Saur officiating. Interment is 10 a.m. Wednesday in Willow Grove cemetery. Born March 19, 1927, in Sparks, Nev., to Edward and Marjorie Porter, he started school in Roy, Utah, and attended high school in Ogden, Utah. He joined the U.S. Navy and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. After the war he joined the U.S. Air Force and served during the Korean conflict. After military service he became an air traffic controller. He married
Dixie Lee Nuckolls on Sept. 6, 1958, in Hulett, and they resided in Stockton, Calif. They moved to King Salmon, Alaska, and later to Juneau, Alaska. In 1969 they moved to Casper, where he continued work as an air traffic controller. In 1970 they moved to Layton, Utah, and in 1972 to Anchorage, Alaska. In 1976 they moved to Billings, where he was an air traffic controller until he retired in 1978 after 43 years of government service. The couple went to Oklahoma City, where he taught at the Air Traffic Control School before moving back to Billings, where he worked various jobs for several years. In 1987 they moved to Story, then Buffalo. A league bowler, he enjoyed golf, the mountains, and searching for wildlife. He was preceded in death by three brothers, three sisters and a daughter. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Bruce Porter of Broken Arrow, Okla., and Brian Porter of Billings; two sisters, Pearl Steck and Dorothy Randall of Centerville, Utah; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Memorials may benefit Johnson County Library in care of Adams Funeral Home, 351 N. Adams, Buffalo, WY 82834.
