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Gerald T. `Jerry' Kepler
Funeral services for Gerald T. Jerry Kepler, 68, of Sheridan will be 2 p.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church in Moorcroft with Pastor Charles Gifford of the Mercy and Grace Ministries of Sheridan officiating. Graveside services will be later in Pennsylvania. Local arrangements are with Kane Funeral Home. Mr. Kepler died July 19, 2007, at Sheridan VA Medical Center. He was born Aug. 3, 1938, in Elmira, N.Y., to Jesse Abraham Kepler and Beatrice Mollie (Bassett) Kepler. He served in the Navy from October 1955 to March 1963. He worked for the railroad in Connecticut and in heating and air conditioning for several years before moving to Wyoming, where he worked construction. He also worked with the Wyoming Department of Transportation as a heavy-equipment operator in Moorcroft for 19 years, retiring in August 2000. He enjoyed bowling, the company of his companion and caregiver, Jeannie Mills of Sheridan, and spending time over coffee with friends and his dog, Pookie. He was preceded in death by a brother, Paul W., two sisters, Joyce Martone and Sandra Kay Kepler; and a granddaughter. Survivors include two daughters, Pamela Denoy of Wilkes Barre, Pa., and Mary Hartford of Alba, Pa.; two brothers, Ronald of Montgomery, Pa., and Stanley O. of Trout Run, Pa.; two sisters, Harriet Kiessling of McEwensville, Pa., and Debbie Nicholas of Loganton, Pa.; and seven grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Edward Raymond Bell
Funeral services for Edward Raymond Bell, 88, of Sheridan will be 2 p.m. Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church with the Rev. Philip Wold officiating. Burial will be in Sheridan Elks cemetery with military rites by the American Legion and Wyoming National Guard. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Mr. Bell died July 19, 2007, at Sheridan VA Medical Center. He was born July 30, 1918, to Frood and Clarissa (Collette) Bell in Pine County, Minn. He grew up and attended schools in Pine County. He enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard in November 1939 and entered active duty in February 1941. He served during World War II with the Army's 82nd and 101st Airborne divisions as a paratrooper. He was honorably discharged on July 30, 1945. He married
Rebecca C. Johnson in Minneota, Minn. He attended Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis and went to work in Denver. In 1957, he became district manager of Libby Foods for South Dakota, Montana and Wyoming and moved his family to Sheridan. He worked in the food business until Panetta Bros. sold its wholesale food business, then went to work for PKS and, later, Decker Coal Co. He retired from Decker Coal in 1983. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and American Legion and a life member of Sheridan Elks Lodge 520 and Disabled American Veterans. He enjoyed traveling with Bots Sots and Good Sams and dancing with the Jeans and Queens Square Dancing Club. He volunteered at Sheridan Senior Citizens Center, where he delivered Meals on Wheels. He also drove the Disabled American Veterans van and worked as an escort at Sheridan VAMC. He enjoyed working in his yard and garden, refinishing furniture, playing cards, hunting, fishing and camping with family and friends. He was preceded in death by five brothers, two sisters and one grandson. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Susan Matthews of Provo, Utah; three sons, Duane of Butte, Mont., Mark of Sheridan and Richard of Clearmont; a sister, Ethel Bergendahl of St. Paul, Minn.; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 135 Crescent Drive; Sheridan Senior Citizens Center, 211 Smith St.; or Elks Lodge 520, P.O. Box 624, all in Sheridan.
Ray Thorburn
Sheridan County native Ray Thorburn, 88, of Buffalo died July 18, 2007, at his residence. Visitation will be 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sunday in Adams Funeral Home Chapel. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Sunday at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Buffalo. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Monday at the church with the Rev. Peter Johnson as celebrant, followed by burial in Willow Grove cemetery with military graveside services by Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion. Mr. Thorburn was born July 23, 1918, to John and Nora (Kuhl) Thorburn at his grandparents' ranch on SR Creek east of Wyarno. He attended schools in Big Horn and Holy Name School in Sheridan. The family moved to Gillette in 1933, and he attended Campbell County High School for two years. The family then moved to Buffalo, and Mr. Thorburn graduated from Johnson County High School in 1937. He attended Mortuary College in Kansas City and, following an internship, became a licensed mortician. He worked in funeral homes in Scottsbluff, Neb., and Bozeman, Mont. He joined the U.S. Navy in December 1941 after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was sent to Pearl Harbor, then was attached to the U.S. Marine Corps as a medic and served in the battle of Midway. He was on Midway Island for the next two years, then rotated back to Hawaii to work in a hospital. He was later stationed at Letterman Hospital in San Francisco. He returned to Buffalo after an honorable discharge. He married
Madelyn Richter on Sept. 4, 1944, in Buffalo. They resided in Rawlins, where Mr. Thorburn worked for McKelvey Funeral Home until 1948, when they returned to Buffalo. Mr. Thorburn owned and operated Ray's Liquor Store in Buffalo until 1983, when he retired. He and Mrs. Thorburn enjoyed riding their horses, Ajax and Frosty, in the Big Horn Mountains and playing with their Siamese cats, Toy, Bijou, Ms Ellie, Coco and Christy. Mrs. Thorburn died in June 1994. Mr. Thorburn for many years ran the VFW's statewide marble tournament and was involved in the Fourth of July fireworks at Lake DeSmet. He also supported the Johnson County Fair by buying dozens of 4-H animals for himself and other businesses and organizing the fair and jubilee parades. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, American Legion, VFW and the Buffalo Chamber of Commerce. He served on the board of the Buffalo Golf Course, was a longtime member and made a hole-in-one on the No. 4 hole. Survivors include two sons, John of Buffalo and Joe of Greeley, Colo.; two daughters, Ann Cole and Cecile Gallegos, both of Casper; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Jim Gatchell Museum or Johnson County Public Health Building Fund in care of Adams Funeral Home, 351 N. Adams, Buffalo, WY 82834.
Craig Thomas Shivers
Former Sheridan resident Craig Thomas Shivers, 51, of Silver City, N.M., died July 17, 2007, following a heart attack. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church in Sheridan with the Rev. Don Derryberry officiating. Burial will be in Sheridan Municipal cemetery under direction of Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Mr. Shivers was born Nov. 6, 1955, in Concordia, Kan., to Marvin F. Shivers and Margaret Matthew Shivers. He was a 1973 graduate of Concordia High School. He began a career as an auto body specialist at Gerald's Body Shop and later worked in body shops in Emporia, Kan., Cody and Sheridan. He married
Jenifer Hanson in 1981. After moving to Sheridan in 1999, he became engaged to Tamara McKennan. He was a member of First United Methodist Church and a sponsor in Alcoholics Anonymous groups. He made jewelry and sporting knives and had recently become interested in black-powder hunting. He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Cole. Survivors include a son, Lane of Cody; and a sister, Debra Redburn of Bozeman, Mont.
Frances LaBreck Simmons
Funeral Mass for Frances LaBreck Simmons, 85, of Sheridan was Monday at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Ekalaka, Mont. Burial was in Beaver Lodge cemetery in Ekalaka under direction of Stevenson Funeral Home. Mrs. Simmons died July 13, 2007, in Westview Health Care Center. She was born June 21, 1922 in Box Butte County, Neb., to Moritz R. and Louisa Kittelmann. Her mother died when she was very young. Her father and new mother, Susie, moved to Montana in 1929. Mrs. Simmons attended country and Ekalaka schools and graduated from Carter County (Mont.) High School. She married
Pat LaBreck on Nov. 9, 1940, in Baker, Mont. They lived in Spanaway, Wash., for a time during World War II, then returned to Ekalaka. Mrs. Simmons worked in the liquor store there for the state of Montana for many years. She also worked in the Carter County clerk of court office. Mr. LaBreck died, and she married
Leonard Simmons in 1984 in Lead, S.D. They resided in Nebraska before moving to Sheridan. Mr. Simmons preceded her in death. She was a member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Ekalaka, Holy Name Catholic Church Parish in Sheridan, and American Legion Auxiliary in Ekalaka. An avid stamp and bottle collector, she enjoyed playing the card game "500" and attending dances. In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles Kittelmann and James Bazil; a sister, Clara Farwall; and an infant son, Kelly Pat. Survivors include a son, Tracy LaBreck of Sheridan; a stepdaughter, Vicki Atwell of Omaha, Neb.; a brother, George Kittelmann of Ekalaka; a sister, Alice Carlisle; and two grandchildren.
Wilhelmina Olida Price
Wilhelmina Olida Price, 88, of Buffalo died July 17, 2007, at her residence. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday in Adams Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Nancy Brooks officiating. A private family burial will be in Willow Grove cemetery. Visitation will be 1-9 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Big Horn Chapter of Habitat for Humanity in care of the funeral home at 351 N. Adams in Buffalo.
Judy Elaine Lewis
Judy Elaine Lewis, 63, of Gillette died July 11, 2007, in Campbell County Memorial Hospital of cancer. She was mother of Anna Legerski of Sheridan. Cremation has taken place, and at her request, no services are planned. Arrangements are with Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home of Gillette. Mrs. Lewis was born Nov. 15, 1943, in Lusk to Grant and Alice (Rose) Lund. She grew up and was educated in Sheridan. She married
John F. Lewis Jr. on April 15, 1971, in Sheridan. They moved to Gillette in 1982. Mrs. Lewis worked at McDonald's for 10 years, until illness forced her to retire. She enjoyed camping, cooking, watching TV and decorating the house for holidays. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Dawn; two brothers, Robert and Loren; and a sister, Mary Anne Ottgen. In addition to her daughter, survivors include her husband; two sons, Jim Lund of Jackson and John Lewis of Gillette; two brothers, David Lund of Gillette and Dan Lund of Michigan; and eight grandchildren. Memorials and condolences may be made in care of Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home, 210 W. Fifth St., Gillette, WY 82716 or via the Internet at www.stevensonwilson.com.
Ila Christenson
Graveside committal of cremains of Ila Christenson, 84, of Sheridan will be 10 a.m. Thursday in Mount Hope cemetery in Big Horn with Pastor R.H. Robinson officiating. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Mrs. Christenson died July 13, 2007, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital. She was born Aug. 26, 1922, in Ault, Colo., to Jess Burt and Anna Pearl (Laney) Rickman. She married
Oscar J. Christenson on Nov. 18, 1939, at the Wyoming Girls School in Sheridan. She worked many years for the Girls School before working for the Wallop Ranch. Her last work was caring for elderly and sick individuals in their homes. She enjoyed sewing and reading. She was preceded in death by her husband; two brothers, Lane David Rickman and a stillborn infant; and a sister, Amy Charlene. Survivors include a son, Don Allen; a sister, Georgia E. Ogden of Wichita Falls, Texas; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library, 335 W. Alger Ave., Sheridan, WY 82801.
Wilma Lois Skog
Former Sheridan resident Wilma Lois Skog, 88, of Buffalo died July 13, 2007. A celebration of her life will be 1:30 p.m. Friday in Amie Holt Care Center in Buffalo, where she was living at the time of her death. Arrangements are with Adams Funeral Home in Buffalo. Mrs. Skog was born May 7, 1919, in Philip, S.D., to Albert and Mary Elizabeth Anderson. She was a 1938 graduate of Philip High School. She married
Orvall E. Skog on Sept. 11, 1938, in Rapid City. They made their home in Rapid City and later in Newcastle and Sheridan before moving to Buffalo. Mr. Skog died in May 2006. Mrs. Skog was a member of Order of the Eastern Star, Elks Club Does, Lutheran Church Women's Circle and the Garden Club. She enjoyed reading, gardening, needlepoint and being with her grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by one brother and one sister. Survivors include two daughters, Lana Dalziel of University Place, Wash., and Sybil Petro of Buffalo; two grandsons; one granddaughter; and six great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Amie Holt Care Center.
Ralph Phoenix
Ralph Phoenix, 89, of Sheridan died July 3, 2007, in Westview Health Care Center, according to his family. Cremation has taken place, and at his request, no services are planned. Mr. Phoenix was born Jan. 31, 1918, to Ray and Daisy Phoenix. He worked at Mullinax Concrete Service until he retired. He was a member of Grace Baptist Church. Survivors include two sons, Brad Bunton and Paul Vinzant; two daughters, Cindy McPherson and Linda Walker; a sister, Irma Williams of Tacoma, Wash.; and one granddaughter.
Harold L. Field
A celebration of the life of Harold L. Field, 89, of Riverton will be 2 p.m. July 28 in the VFW Post 3628 Club Room, 1409 W. Main St. in Riverton. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home of Sheridan. Mr. Field was father of Ed Field, Betty Field and Marci Borzenski, all of Sheridan. He died July 11, 2007, in Sheridan VA Medical Center. He was born Oct. 23, 1917, in Coalmont, Ind., to Henry and Velora (Cushman) Field. He was a graduate of Coalmont High School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1942-46, when he was honorably discharged. He returned to Indiana and graduated from Purdue University. He worked for the Bureau of Reclamation as an agricultural engineer from 1958 until 1984, when he retired. He married
Vivian Kisinger in May 1959 in Cody. She died in 1985. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Professional Board of Engineers and Fraternal Order of Eagles. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, playing cards, camping and the outdoors. Survivors include another son, Hal of Oakes, N.D.; another daughter, Judy Donahue of Riverton; three brothers, John and Roy, both of Jasonville, Ind., and Jim of Connorsville, Ind.; a sister, Mary Chamberlain of Clay City, Ind.; seven grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
Chris Blackburn
Chris Blackburn, 37, of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., died July 8, 2007, near Kingman, Ariz. He was grandson of Marabel Gates of Sheridan. A memorial service will be 6 p.m. Thursday in the commons area of Gillette High School South.
M.A. `Babe' Laughrey
Funeral services for M.A. Babe Laughrey, 89, of Sheridan will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Champion Ferries Funeral Home with the Rev. Ronald Stolcis officiating. Burial will be in Sheridan Municipal cemetery. Mrs. Laughrey died July 13, 2007, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital. She was born Feb. 21, 1918, in Sheridan to Charles and Lucille (Gordon) Miller. She grew up and graduated from high school in Sheridan. She married
James Pete Laughrey on Oct. 21, 1936, in Hardin, Mont. They lived in Sheridan. Mrs. Laughrey worked for Montgomery Ward, Sheridan Commercial, Vickery Lumber and Mills Printing. She retired in 1982. Mrs. Laughrey volunteered at Sheridan VA Medical Center, was an avid bowler, and also enjoyed hunting, fishing, crocheting and needlework. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1978 and by a brother, Virgil, and sister, Maxine Long. Survivors include a son, James of Sheridan; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Sheridan Senior Citizens Center, 211 Smith St., Sheridan, WY 82801.
Allen Gene Wagoner
Former Sheridan-area resident Allen Gene Wagoner, 86, of Buffalo died July 13, 2007, in Amie Holt Care Center in Buffalo. Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday in Willow Grove cemetery with Bob Zimmerscheid officiating. Military graveside rites will be by Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion. A reception with the family will follow the services at Shell Creek-Piney Homemaker's Club. Visitation will be 1-9 p.m. today in Adams Funeral Home Chapel in Buffalo. Mr. Wagoner was born May 31, 1921, on the family ranch near Bertha to Ed and Lillie Wagoner. He grew up in Campbell and Johnson counties and attended Johnson County High School. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, then returned to Wyoming, where he worked on various ranches in the Buffalo area. He married
Rosa Bell Key on March 18, 1947, in Hardin, Mont. They resided on Johnson County ranches, where Mr. Wagoner was a foreman, until 1957, when they bought a ranch on Tongue River in Sheridan County. They retired and moved to Buffalo in 1982. Mr. Wagoner enjoyed spending time in the mountains and training horses. He posed for D. Michael Thomas' sculpture, The Coats of Winter, which is in the permanent collection of the Jim Gatchell Museum. He was preceded in death by a brother, Pascal, and three sisters, Mabel Keiser, May Wagoner and Montana Berger. Survivors include his wife of Buffalo; two sons, Ron of Oak Harbor, Wash., and Rick of Arlington, Texas; three daughters, Phyllis Mayo of Boulder, Ann Brecht of Fort Collins, Colo., and Linda Carter of Oak Harbor; one brother, Ed Junior ofGlenrock; one sister, June Suchta of Worland; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Friends of the Library or the Jim Gatchell Museum in care of Adams Funeral Home, 351 N. Adams, Buffalo, WY 82834.
Pauline Virginia `Polly' (Selig) Werre
Sheridan County native Pauline Virginia Polly (Selig) Werre, 91, of Sundance died July 10, 2007, in Crook County Long Term Care Center in Sundance. Mass of Christian Burial will be 1 p.m. Friday at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sundance with the Rev. Peter James as celebrant. Committal services will be in Green Mountain cemetery in Sundance. Arrangements are with Fidler-Roberts & Isburg Funeral Chapel of Sundance. Mrs. Werre was born June 3, 1916, in Monarch to George and Nellie (Patz) Selig. She attended grade school at Monarch. The family moved to New Mexico, where she attended high school in Aztec. After the death of her father in 1933, the family returned to Monarch. Mrs. Werre cooked for several ranches in the area. She married
Calvin G. Werre on Oct. 16, 1937, in St. Thomas Catholic Church in Monarch. They lived in Kirby, Mont., until 1942, when they began farming and ranching at Lodge Grass, Mont. They later farmed and ranched in Ranchester and the Big Goose Creek community. In 1955 they acquired the Ray Wood ranch west of Sundance and moved their family there. They sold the ranch and semiretired in 1976. They moved to Sundance in 1990 and into the nursing home there in 1999. Mrs. Werre enjoyed being with family and friends, playing cards and attending community dances. She was a member of the Ladies Altar Society and Rosary Society. She was preceded in death by her husband; a son; two sisters, Mary Arzy and Louise Manzek; and four brothers, Michael, Frank, Andrew and Stanley. Survivors include two daughters, Marselle Saul of Lingle and Carole Kellem of Belle Fourche, S.D.; two grandsons; two great-granddaughters; and two step-great-granddaughters. Memorials may be made to Crook County Long Term Care Center in Sundance.
Marilyn A. Neill
BUFFALO - Marilyn A. Neill, 61, of Buffalo, died July 9, 2007, in Johnson County Health Care Center. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday in Adams Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Alan Schaberg officiating. Viewing will be 1-9 p.m. today and 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Thursday in the chapel. Burial will be in Willow Grove cemetery with graveside services. Memorials may be made to St. Francis Animal Shelter or the American Cancer Society in care of Adams Funeral Home.
