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Laura Lee ‘Muggy’ Polster Clifford
Dr. Laura Lee “Muggy” Polster Clifford, 38, died Monday, Feb. 23, 2009, at South Big Horn County Critical Access Hospital in Basin. She graduated from Sheridan High School in 1989 and worked as an optometrist. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church, 3179 Big Horn Ave. in Sheridan, followed by a reception in the church foyer. Atwood Family Funeral Directors Inc. of Basin and Kane Funeral Home are in charge of arrangements. As per her wishes, her eye tissue has been donated for transplant. Born Oct. 30, 1970, in Logan, Utah, to John James “Jack” and Sandra Lee (Hanft) Polster, she attended Sheridan schools and received her Associate of Science degree from Sheridan College in 1991. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1993 from the University of Wyoming and graduated with honors from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore., with a Doctor of Optometry degree in 1997. She worked for various optometry practices throughout the region, finally owning and operating SE Montana Eyecare in Forsyth and Colstrip, Mont. Her latest employment was through TLC Laser Vision Correction Center in Billings and Clear Image Vision Care in Worland. She was a member of the Wyoming Optometric Association, American Optometric Association, Montana Optometric Association (where she was on the board), and an executive for TLC. She married
Todd Clifford on April 17, 2007, in Absarokee, Mont., and they resided in Basin, where they owned and operated Valley Hardware. Mrs. Clifford was known as a talented woman with a love for life who enjoyed any outdoor activity, helping others, her Boston terriers, and crafting. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, John E. Hanft of Dayton; her paternal grandparents, James A. and Donna E. Polster of Sturgeon Bay, Wis.; and an uncle. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Johnna Lee Clifford of Basin; two sons, Avery John Clifford of Basin and Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Dana Neal Clifford of Forsyth; her parents, Sandra and Fred Prunty of Sheridan and Jack Polster of Homer, Alaska; a sister, Marsha Lee Sano of Windsor, Colo.; a brother, Keith Prunty of Fargo, N.D.; two grandmothers, Helen Lee Hanft of Dayton and Elenita Prunty of Sheridan; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Memorials may benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wyoming, P.O. Box 273, Casper, WY 82602.
Dorothy Mae Warburton
Dorothy Mae Warburton, 86, Buffalo, died Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009, at Johnson County Healthcare Center. Funeral service is 2 p.m. today at First United Methodist Church in Buffalo with the Revs. Sue DeBree and Connie Cranston officiating. Born Aug. 25, 1922, to John W. and Irene A. Gant in Hurffville, N.J., she grew up on the family dairy farm helping with chores and cooking for the hired hands. She graduated from Glassboro, N.J., High School in 1939. The farm was sold in 1946 and she worked in a sewing machine factory for the following three years. She also worked for Wye Corp. (Maryland Credit) until 1952. She resigned from her job and moved to Wyoming in August 1952. She married
Robert H. Warburton on Aug. 22, 1952, in Clearmont. She helped her husband with his wrecker service and tree-trimming business. She was PTA president and volunteered at the grade school. She went to work as a secretary at the Buffalo Grade School on May 1, 1955, and worked there 14 years before transferring to the school administration office. She was bookkeeper for the school district for 18 years and retired in 1987. She also cared for her mother, who died in 1983. Mrs. Warburton was active in the church and was financial secretary for many years. She served on many committees, was involved in Stephen’s Ministry, sang with and played for the Saturday Singers, and was a treasurer of United Methodist Women. She also was organist at the Methodist Church for 26 years. She enjoyed preparing meals and baking for family and friends. In 2001 she began knitting sweaters for the Guidepost “Knit for Kids” program. She completed 494 sweaters, the last one while in the hospital. She was preceded in death by a brother, John Carlton (Mike) Gant, and a sister, Frances Lilly Gant. Survivors include a daughter, Frances Colby of Laramie, and two grandchildren. Donations may benefit First United Methodist Church or Susie Bowling Lawrence Hospice in care of Adams Funeral Home, 351 N. Adams Ave., Buffalo, WY 82834.
ROBERT M SACKETT, JR.
SEPT. 1, 1925 - APRIL 19, 2009
A Celebration of Life memorial service for Riverton businessman and civic leader Robert M. "Bob" Sackett will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 15, at the United Presbyterian Church in Riverton. Mr. Sackett died Sunday night, April 19, 2009, at the Davis Hospice Center in Cheyenne. He was 83. Robert M Sackett, Jr., was born in Casper on Sept. 1, 1925, the son of Robert M. Sackett, Sr., and Mary Margaret (Bean) Sackett. He was graduated in 1944 from Natrona County High School, where he was active in football, basketball, and track. He attended Casper College. On Feb. 7, 1944, he was inducted into the U.S. Army. He received his honorable discharge as a Staff Sgt. Feb. 17, 1946. On April 5, 1947, he married
Jean L. Brunk in Casper. Two daughters – Susan Marie and Karen Leigh – were born to that union. Jean preceded him in death on Sept. 30 1991. In December of 1993, he married
Eldonna Coleman. She preceded him in death on Nov. 4, 2003. Mr. Sackett was a master electrician and he was owner and operator of Riverton Electric Co. for 40 years. He was a charter member of the Riverton United Presbyterian Church in 1959. Mr. Sackett was a 59-year member of the Masonic Lodge AF&AM with dual memberships in Casper and Riverton and was a past master of Riverton Lodge 26. Mr. Sackett also held memberships in all the Masonic orders for over 50 years. He was a 33rd degree Mason through the Scottish Rite, a member of the York Rite, and the Shrine, having served as potentate of Kalif Shrine in 1986. He currently was a member of the board of directors of the Scottish Rite Foundation. In addition, he was a life member of the American Legion, Kiwanis Club, Riverton Chamber of Commerce, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and B.P.O. Elks Lodge. He served 12 years on the Wyoming Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety Board and received the Riverton Chamber of Commerce Industrial Service Award, Community Service Award, Boss of the Year, and Riverton Railroaders Ambassador award. Mr. Sackett was a member of the National Electrical Contractors Association and served as president and governor of the Wyoming chapter. He was active in Riverton youth organizations and was on the board of directors for the Wyoming North/South Shrine football games, including several terms as president. Survivors include daughters, Susan Harris and her husband Gordon of Twin Falls, Idaho, and Karen Lange and husband Bruce of Laramie; grandchildren, Shawn Robert Harris and his wife Jill, Brian Jeffrey Harris, Andrew Michael Lange, and Sarah Nichole Lange; great grandsons, Tyler James Harris, Alec Michael Harris, Martin Adam Harris, and Kellen Patrick Harris; a sister, Mary Susan "Sue" Denes and her husband Andy of Park Ridge, Ill.; nieces and nephews; step- daughters from his second marriage, Jody, Carrie, and Eldeana, and their families; special friend, JoAnn Gill of Sheridan. Memorials may be made to the Shrine Hospital for Crippled Children, or the United Presbyterian Church of Riverton, in care of the Davis Funeral Home, 2203 West Main, Riverton, WY 82501. Services are under the direction of the Davis Funeral Home of Riverton.
Harry Thomas Latham
Harry Thomas Latham, 72, of Buffalo, died Thursday, April 16, 2009, in Billings. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Adams Funeral Home in Buffalo is in charge of arrangements. Born Nov. 28, 1936, in Chicago to Harry and Marion Latham, he attended schools in Chicago and Texas and several colleges in Texas where he studied business and personnel management. He worked at Texas Instruments and the City of Lubbock Police Department in the records division. He married
Mavis L. Miller in Lubbock. The couple moved to Buffalo in 1997. He was a member of the MENSA Society and enjoyed theosophy and astrology. He was preceded in death by one brother and one sister. Survivors include his wife; four stepdaughters, Becky Thompson of Buffalo, Debbie Garcia of Lubbock, Kim Miller of Tyler, Texas, and Teresa Oppermann of Cedar Creek, Texas; a brother, Phil Latham of Texas; and nine grandchildren. Memorials may benefit the Susie Bowling Lawrence Hospice, c/o Adams Funeral home, 351 N. Adams Ave., Buffalo, WY 82834.
Beatrice Gallatin-Beuf
FEBRUARY 8, 1907 APRIL 21, 2009
Beatrice Gallatin-Beuf, 102, of Big Horn, passed away on April 21, 2009 at her residence. Bea’s roots in this area go back for many generations. Her great, great, grandfather was Albert Gallatin, Jefferson’s Secretary of the Treasury, who provided the money for Lewis and Clark, resulting in their giving the Gallatin name to regional mountains and rivers. Her great uncle, Regis deTrobriand, was the general in command of the Territory of the Dakotas covering much of Wyoming, Nebraska, and the Dakotas in the 1870’s. Beatrice Gallatin was born in New York City, the first child of Edith Post Gallatin and Goelet Gallatin. As a child, she suffered from a serious kidney disease. Her doctor told her parents that children with similar problems rarely lived past the age of eighteen years and that they would be foolish to invest their money if they had plans to send her to a university. Consequently, she didn’t even complete high school, much less go to college. This gave her time to devote to other interests, such as riding, reading the classics, traveling to Africa and Europe, partying and generally living a happy, active life at the family homes in New York and in Big Horn. At the ranch, they were raising polo ponies and providing horses for the cavalry, as well as ranching, and Bea, from an early age, showed an incredible skill as a horse whisperer. She also traveled extensively to Europe, becoming proficient in French, and took a round-the-world cruise, during which she convinced an elephant trainer in Ceylon to allow her to ride an elephant into a river to give it a scrub-down. Never satisfied with animals as her only excitement, she was given her first airplane ride by Charles Lindbergh, who was barnstorming across the country in the early 1920’s, and had landed his plane in a polo field on the family’s ranch. Bea and her husband, Count Carlo Beuf, were married
at the family ranch on New Years Day, 1931. They lived in Beverly Hills, California, where Carlo was director of Foreign production for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Their first son, Francesco, was born in 1933, shortly after which MGM tried to move Carlo back to his home country, Italy, to run their business from Europe. Fortunately, Bea and Carlo decided that Europe was approaching another war, so they elected, instead, to go back to the family ranch, where their second son, Alessandro, was born in 1938. Bea took a very active role in running the ranch and still found time to become involved in helping Carlo write his books and New York Times articles, was actively self-educating in engineering and became an enthusiastic member of the Society of Women Engineering, a friend of Woman Astronaut, Bonnie Dunbar, and a participant in University of Wyoming scientific project decisions. She also established a scholarship for students there, and was awarded an honorary PhD in Law by the University in 1996. The scope of Bea’s social interactions has been wide, due to her many acts of kindness, energy, intelligence, and sense of humor. These have ranged from Buffalo Bill (whom she met at age four) to the Saddlebags group of local woman horse enthusiasts to Madame Chiang Kai Shek, to the Big Horn Women’s Club to Marilyn Monroe, to occasional contact with the Queen of England. Bea was a very physically, as well as mentally active person. She played polo, figure-skated, and herded cattle as well as many other demanding activities. She went on long drives to see family in Arizona and Colorado until well into her mid-90’s, and drove her Jeep up into the foothills of her ranch after her driver’s license expired on her 100th birthday. She also continued to demonstrate her equestrian enthusiasm by riding her horses on the ranch until well into her mid-90’s. In summary, Bea has set a wonderful example of how a western woman’s lifestyle of activity and enthusiasm can lead to a long, happy, and productive experience.
Leoetta Ruth ‘Pat’ Bates
Leoetta Ruth “Pat” Bates, 82, of Sheridan died Wednesday, April 22, 2009, in Sheridan Manor. Visitation is 5-7 p.m. Friday at Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. Brian Johnson officiating. Burial will be in the Sheridan Municipal cemetery. Mrs. Bates was born Aug. 29, 1926, in Wakefield, Neb., to Fred and Grace (Christopher) Strange. Her family moved in 1936 to Sheridan, where she attended grade school and graduated from Sheridan High School in 1944. She married
Kleo Sams in Sheridan in July 1944. They divorced in 1969. She married
Clyde Franklin Bates in Sheridan in July 1977. He died in November 1985. Mrs. Bates worked in various motels in Sheridan and also in housekeeping at Sheridan Memorial Hospital. She enjoyed croquet, sewing, plastic crafts, collecting refrigerator magnets, the mountains, volunteering at Sheridan Senior Center, and especially time spent with family. In addition to her husband, a daughter preceded her in death.
Survivors include two sons, Andrew and Jack Sams of Sheridan; two daughters, Margaret Swinyer and Linda Haler of Sheridan; two stepsons, Ruben Bates of Sheridan and Steven Bates of Evanston; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, step-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.
Memorials may benefit Sheridan Animal Shelter, 84 East Ridge Road, or Sheridan Senior Center, 211 Smith St., Sheridan, WY 82801.
Helen Mae Zowada
Helen Mae Zowada, 70, of Sheridan died Friday, April 17, 2009, at Sheridan Manor of breast cancer. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Kane Funeral Home with the Rev. Thomas Ogg officiating. Burial will follow in Sheridan Elks cemetery. Born Nov. 10, 1938, in Monarch to Henry and Anna Oelschlager, she graduated from Sheridan High School. She married
Michael J. Zowada at Holy Name Catholic Church on June 15, 1957.
Mrs. Zowada enjoyed the mountains, working in her home and flower garden, cooking, and spending time with friends and family, especially her two granddaughters. She was preceded in death by her husband. Survivors include two sons, Loren and Merlin Zowada of Sheridan; a sister, Karen Shell of Sheridan; two brothers, Raymond Oelschlager of Salem, Ore., and Darreld Oelschlager of Yelm, Wash.; two granddaughters; and a niece and nephew. Memorials may benefit the Kelly Schreibeis Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 6786, Sheridan, WY 82801.
Shirley Ann (VandenBerg) Kopta
Former Big Horn resident Shirley Ann (VandenBerg) Kopta, 68, of Portland, Ore., died Monday, April 13, 2009, in Portland. A celebration of life is planned later. Arrangements are by Crown Memorial Center in Milwaukie, Ore. Born Aug. 15, 1940, in Newcastle, she grew up in Big Horn and was valedictorian of her high school class. She attended Sheridan College and graduated from the University of Wyoming with a degree in education. She was a member of Tri-Delt sorority. After graduation she taught at North Powellhurst Elementary in Portland. She married
Gerald R. Kopta. Mrs. Kopta was known as one of the original “Hockey Moms” in Portland. She helped organize and direct the Rose Festival Hockey tournaments at Valley Ice Arena and was regularly involved organizing hockey exchanges with Sapporo, Japan, and numerous Canadian cities. Previously a full-time homemaker, she created a successful bindery business employing parents of young hockey players to help finance their children's participation in the sport. The amateur fundraising group “The Oregon Hockey Moms” later became a full-time business, “Oregon Stingers.” Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Shawn Rector of Troutdale, Ore.; a son, Koley R. Kopta of Gladstone, Ore.; a brother, Alvin VandenBerg of Denver; a sister, Donna Stribling of Estes Park, Colo.; two grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Eva Jane Johnson
Former Sheridan resident Eva Jane Johnson, 84, of Kihei, Maui, died Friday, March 13, 2009, at her residence. Private services are pending. Born Feb. 14, 1925, in Pasadena, Calif., she grew up in Southern California and was a former hospital medical transcriber. She enjoyed having dinner parties for her friends in Wyoming, Kansas City and California and welcoming new babies to her family. She was a golfer, figure skater, and majorette. She loved parades, marching bands and celebrations and built floats for the Tournament of Roses in Pasadena and other youth parades in California. She considered Maui as “Heaven on Earth.” Survivors include her husband, Joseph Johnson; two sons, Thomas Rowley of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and William Rowley of Salten, Wash.; a daughter, Christine Phillips of Kihei; three grandsons; and two great-grandsons.
Fred A. Patten
Fred A. Patten, 93, of Banner died Saturday, April 18, 2009, in Sheridan Manor. Cremation has taken place, and private family services will be in Connecticut. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Born Aug. 15, 1915, in Livingston, N.Y., to Fred and Maud (McRoberts) Patten, he grew up and attended schools in Linlithco, N.Y. He served in the U.S. Army before World War II and married
Joyce Parraga in 1936. During World War II, he worked for Curtis-Wright. After the war, he moved to Hudson, N.Y., where he worked for Foster Refrigeration as a production manager. In the later 1940s, he moved to Connecticut, where he worked for J.M. Ney. In the late 1960s, he divorced and moved to Billings, where he met his future second wife, Dorothy Johnson. He later moved to the Sheridan area. He was known for his creativity and talent fixing things. He designed and built his own vacuum-forming machine and more. He was preceded in death by his wife; a son, Fred Jr.; and two sisters. Survivors include a son, Dan of Old Lyme, Conn.; three daughters, Penny Reneson of Lyme, Conn., Lynne Poulos of Willimantic, Conn., and Gayle Leckie of Billings; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Michael George Markley
Michael George Markley, 50, of Sheridan, died Tuesday, April 14, 2009, at his residence. A memorial service is 4 p.m. today at Stoddard Funeral Home in Greeley, Colo.
A celebration of life is 2-4 p.m. Tuesday at Eagles Aerie 186, 850 N. Main St., Sheridan. Local arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Born Sept. 14, 1958, in Greeley to Kenneth Howard and Corona Irene (Miller) Markley, he grew up and attended Greeley schools and graduated from Greeley West High School. He served in the U.S. Army from May 9, 1976, to Aug. 29, 1978. He married
Tamera Jones. Mr. Markley was a salesman for Eagle Distributing until 1994, when, due to back injuries, he made a career of taking care of his family. A member of Eagles Aerie 186 in Sheridan, he enjoyed fishing, camping, spending time with his family, and family vacations. He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife of Cutbank, Mont.; one son, Kenneth Michael Markley of Dayton; one daughter, Amanda Rose Markley of Story; two brothers, Patrick Markley and Don Markley; and five sisters, Betty Jo Markley, Mary Scott, Linda Jantz, Kathy Haskins, and Judy Roberts.
James A. Fullenwider
James A. Fullenwider, 55, of Pine Haven, father of Laci Fullenwider of Ranchester, died Sunday, April 5, 2009, of a brain aneurysm while on vacation in Phoenix, according to family. Cremation has taken place. A memorial and celebration of life is 6 p.m. Monday at Family Life Church in Gillette with the Rev. Gordon Harper officiating. Born Jan. 11, 1954, to Albert A. and Jonnie F. Fullenwider in Rangely, Colo., he moved to Gillette in 1969 and graduated from Campbell County High School in 1972. He was an undefeated high school state wrestling champion and an avid football player. He attended Dickinson State College in North Dakota for one year. He married
Tina Jo Macmillan on March 20, 1977. The couple had two daughters. They later divorced. Mr. Fullenwider worked in the oil fields of Wyoming, North Dakota, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico and most recently as a consultant with Freer Consulting in Gillette. He married
Denise Robinson, who had two children of her own. He enjoyed reading, bowling, and relaxing in his boat on the lake. He was preceded in death by his parents. In addition to his daughter, survivors include his wife; a second daughter, Nicole Fullenwider of Gillette; two stepchildren, Alicia Lorduy and Joe Waterhouse of Gillette; two brothers, Stan Fullenwider of Vernal, Utah, and Bob Fullenwider of Ojai, Calif.; three sisters, Wanda Murphy of Wheat Ridge, Colo., and Barbara Gulley and Nancy Turner, both of Gillette; one grandchild; and four step-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers or donations, remembrances may be sent to daughters Nicole Fullenwider, 3704 Hoback Ave., Gillette, WY 82718 or Laci Fullenwider, P.O. Box 344, Ranchester, WY 82839.
MAXINE L. (STILES ) DORAN
OCTOBER 9, 1937 - APRIL 11, 2009
Maxine passed on to be with the Lord the morning of April 11, 2009 at the age of 71 in Victorville, CA after a long battle with COPD. She had also been a previous resident of Phelan, CA for 21 years. A beloved mother, grandmother and sister, Maxine was born in Dore, North Dakota on October 9, 1937. She grew up in Sheridan, Wyoming, graduating from Sheridan High School in 1956. Maxine moved to California in 1965 where she and her husband Bill made their home raising their four children. They settled in Phelan in 1986. Maxine worked hard all her life. She enjoyed working as a waitress and also had a board and care home taking care of V.A. veterans. Her biggest joy was being a great mother to her four children all of whom she was very proud. Not only was she a great mother, but she was a good cook and loved preparing food for family vacations, picnics and camping trips....and later that would include loving her seven grandchildren. Maxine loved pets and when possible chose pets from shelters and rescues. Maxine is survived by her daughter Marcie Wolters and husband Tim of Victorville, CA; son William (Bill), III, Doran and wife Sharon of Pinon Hills, CA; son John Doran and wife Ana of Apple Valley, CA; son Patrick Doran and wife Tami of Apple Valley, CA; seven grandchildren, James, Andrew, Paul, David, Shelby, Travis and Jenelle Doran; brothers and sisters Leon, Joyce, Derald, Belinda and Lonnie of Sheridan, Wyoming and Myrna of Buffalo, Wyoming. She is preceded in death by her husband William J. Doran Jr., her parents Emmett and Thelma Stiles and brother Berdon Stiles. Services will be held at Desert View Funeral Home on Friday, April 17. Visitation and viewing will be from 10 am to 11 am. The service will start at 11 am with a graveside burial service immediately afterward. Flowers may be sent to Desert View Funeral Home 11478 Amargosa Road, Victorville, CA 92392 and/or donations may be made to Camp Bethel, P.O. Box 70, Dayton, Wyoming 82836 in Maxine’s name.
Charles ‘Charlie’ Edgar Kinslow
Charles “Charlie” Edgar Kinslow, 81, of Sheridan died Monday, April 13, 2009, at Sheridan Manor. No services are planned. Burial will be at Black Hills National cemetery in South Dakota with arrangements by Kane Funeral Home. Born July 13, 1927, in Indianapolis to Charles Kinslow and Thelma Whitney Kinslow, he served in the U.S. Air Force from Sept. 7, 1945, to Aug. 30, 1948. He then returned to Indiana to farm. He also worked as a merchantman and long-haul truck driver. He spent many years at the Veterans Home in Buffalo before making his home at Sheridan Manor.
