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Frances J. Purvis
Longtime resident Frances J. Purvis, 99, died Friday, March 10, 2000, of injuries received in an automobile accident the week before.
Frances was born April 9, 1900, in Park City, Mont., the daughter of Martin Luther and Mary Kinnick Jones. She came to Ishawooa, Wyo., when she was three weeks old, traveling by horse and buggy.
Frances attended Ishawooa School and Cody schools. Her senior year was spent in Powell where she graduated in 1918. She married
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Henry Purvis at Valley on July 25, 1917, and Henry left for World War I the next day. He returned unhurt to find Frances had lost her leg to complications of influenza. They ranched on the South Fork where three children were born. In 1923 they moved to Cody and Henry worked for the city of Cody.
The Purvis' acquired their present South Fork location in 1945. At that time, Henry and Frances started Purvis Outfitting. Frances drove a school bus and many of her present friends were former school bus riders.
Frances' life was horses. She always had a good saddle horse for riding. The horses were used for enjoyment, helping others and recreation, and Henry and Frances also helped round up wild horses. Frances also conducted trail rides on Cedar Mountain having some families return year after year. Frances and Henry often led the Stampede Parade carrying the Wyoming and American flags. Frances carried the Centennial flag from 1976-1999.
She belonged to many organizations including the Boot and Bottle Club (charter member), VFW Auxiliary (charter member), Extension clubs, Cody Better Best, Irma Flat Mothers Club, Wyoming Historical Society, Buffalo Bill Historical Center, American Association of Retired People, American Red Cross, and did volunteer work for West Park Hospital and Big Brothers
and Big Sisters.
Stories about Frances were published in the San Francisco Examiner, New York Times, Wyoming Wildlife, American Rifleman, and the Enterprise. Good Morning America also featured her good deeds.
After Henry's death March 15, 1984, Frances worked for the Cody Senior Citizens Center as a senior companion.
Survivors include her son Paul and wife Lois, daughter Grace, nine grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 24 great-great grandchildren.
Frances was preceded in death by husband Henry and son Frank.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Ballard Funeral Home with burial at Bull Creek Cemetery on the South Fork. Memorial contributions in her memory may be made to the Cody Senior Citizens Center, 613 16th St.
Anyone with fond memories of Frances is asked to send remembrances to Grace McGary, 1302 South Fork Rd., Cody.
C. Gene Klingler
C. Gene Klingler, 65, of Worland died Friday, March 3, 2000, after a short battle with cancer.
Gene was born in Port Royal, Ky., on May 17, 1934, the son of Rev. David and Dorothy Huyett Klingler. He graduated from Bradford, Pa., High School and attended Grove City College in Grove City, Pa.
In 1955 Gene moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, where he met Mary Joyce Franklin. They were married
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Nov. 30, 1957.
The couple moved to Abilene, Texas, where Gene graduated from court reporter college.
He began his court reporting career with a freelance firm in Albuquerque, N.M. He then became the legislative reporter for the Navajo tribe in Window Rock, Ariz.
In 1963, Gene and Mary moved to Worland where Gene worked for judges Harkins, Jaffe and Hartman as a court reporter in the Fifth Judicial District, retiring in 1996 after 33 years.
Gene loved fishing, camping and spending time with family and his pets. He loved to hunt and care for his yard and garden.
He was a member of the National Court Reporting Association.
Memorial services were Sunday at United Methodist Church in Worland.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Washakie Medical Home Health, c/o Bryant Funeral Home, P.O. Box 524, Worland, 82401.
Lloyd William NcNeil
Lloyd William McNeil, 62, died Thursday, March 2, 2000, at the Long Term Care Center.
He was born Jan. 19, 1938, in Cody, the son of Lemert and Dorothy Orns McNeil.
Lloyd was raised in Cody and attended Cody schools, first as a student at Valley and transferring to town during his upper elementary years.
Following his education at Cody High School, Lloyd entered the Army. Upon his discharge, he returned to Cody where he served with the National Guard for 11 years.
During the next several years, he lived in a number of places, most recently living in Riverton, before returning to Cody.
He married
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Patricia Sauer on July 6, 1985, in Riverton.
Lloyd enjoyed woodworking and welding. He also enjoyed motorcycles and was a member of a motorcycle club. He was also a member of the Eagles Lodge.
Survivors include his wife Patricia of Cody, children Lessel McNeil of Gillette, Cindy Asay and Sandy Hernandez, both of Lovell, stepchildren Wayne Parish of Beaumont, Texas, and Dennis McKinney of Fort Lewis, Wash., brothers Robert Hicks, Donald Hicks and Rick McNeil, all of Cody, sisters Louise Pawley of Cody and Carol Lassey of Rock Springs and 14 grandchildren.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Ballard Funeral Home. Interment of cremains will be in Riverside Cemetery.
Reba V. Siek
Former Cody resident Reba V. Siek, 85, died Sunday, Feb. 17, 2000, at a Topeka, Kan., care home.
She was born Jan. 13, 1915, in Pineville, Mo., to Edwin and Mae Slinkard Mac Pasley.
The family moved to Lander in 1916, and she graduated from Riverton High School in 1933, then attended Billings Business College. She worked as a secretary for 45 years before her retirement.
Reba was married
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to John L. Boyd on Dec. 29, 1934, and they were later divorced. She married
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Hans R. Siek in September, 1958. He preceded her in death in 1964.
She was active in Order of Eastern Star, BPO Does and volunteered for hospice and hospitals in Cody and Casper. She was also a 4-H leader.
She is survived by son John (Jack) Boyd of Topeka, and two grandsons.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial services were Thursday in Topeka with private inurnment scheduled for a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to Shriner's Childrens Hospital, c/o Arab Temple, 1305 S. Kansas Ave., Topeka, Kan., 66612, or to a charity of choice.
John Peter VanGrinsven
Former Cody resident John Peter VanGrinsven, 81, died Thursday, March 2, 2000, at the Powell Nursing Home.
John was born March 18, 1918, in Onamia, Minn., the son of John and Antonette Von Der Heider VanGrinsven.
John served in the Army during World War II, spending much of that time in Panama. He was a past member of the VFW and Eagles organizations.
John worked at various jobs including construction and the oil fields throughout Minnesota, North Dakota and Wyoming. He and his wife Ann owned the Big Seven Bar in Basin during the 1960s.
In his later years, John enjoyed delivering the Cody Enterprise, mowing the highway department lawn in Cody, driving with his dogs, especially "Casper," and many special visits with his granddaughter Kendra.
Survivors include his sons Charles, John, Richard, Tim, Ken, Bill, John Jr., and Joseph and their spouses, daughters Jackie, Annette, Eileen and their spouses, his best friend Casper, step grandchildren, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Philip Catholic Church in Basin with burial following at Mount View Cemetery in Basin.
Memorial donations may be made to a Humane Society fund at First Interstate Bank in Greybull.
Warren Atkinson
Warren Atkinson, 78, died Friday, March 3, 2000, at the Long Term Care Center following a long battle with cancer.
He was born Oct. 5, 1921, in Gloucester County, N.J., the son of Albert W. and Mary Thies Atkinson.
He married
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M. Eleanor Wagner on Jan. 22, 1949, in Aura, N.J.
Mr. Atkinson worked as a carpenter and farmer most of his life. He was retired at the time of his death.
A resident of Cody for the past 30 years, he was a member of the Cody Elks Lodge, Boot and Bottle Club and was a life member of the National Rifle Association.
He is survived by his wife Eleanor of Cody, a niece and nephew.
Cremation has taken place. In accordance with his wishes, no services are planned.
Memorial contributions may be made to Spirit Mountain Hospice, 707 Sheridan Ave., Cody.
Helen Marie Schultz
Helen Marie Schultz, 90, died Tuesday, Feb. 29, 2000, at the West Park Hospital emergency room.
She was born Oct. 18, 1909, in Montpelier, Idaho, the daughter of Carl and Minnie Jensen Anderson. She and her family moved from Montpelier to Byron when she was young. She attended schools and graduated from Byron High School.
Following graduation, Helen worked for the Way family on the North Fork. She married
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Ernest Schultz on Oct. 18. 1930, in Billings. The couple made their home in Cody. Mr. Schultz preceded her in death Jan. 16, 1994.
Helen was always a hard worker and cooked at various locations during her younger years, including at Cody Hospital on Rumsey Avenue, the old country club and the Cody Club Room. She cooked the last meal served at the original Wolfville Hall. She helped her husband with farming and ranching. Helen sold fresh chickens to Cody families for many years.
Helen enjoyed her yard and antiques room. She also loved to fish and dance. She loved animals and enjoyed playing pinochle. Tuesdays were her designated "card day."
Helen was actively involved with Sage Creek Community Club. She was also a member of the Boot and Bottle Club, Cody Senior Citizens, the Tuesday Card Club and Sage Creek Women's Club. Helen was devoted to her family and her most impressive attribute was her constantly positive attitude.
Helen is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Al and Judy Schultz of Cody, grandchildren Kitty and Bill Oliver, Cherain Schultz and Misty Schultz, great grandchildren Zachary Oliver and ShyAnne Schultz, and sisters Pearl Ames of Byron and Laura Snell of Apache Junction, Ariz.
Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday at Ballard Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. at Ballard's with interment following in Riverside Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Sage Creek Community Club or the Cody Senior Citizens.
Lois Savage Jones
Former Cody resident Lois Savage Jones, 92, died Thursday, March 16, 2000, in Corvallis, Ore.
She was born April 15, 1907, in Storrs, Conn., to Clarence H. and Clara Snow Savage. After being raised in Storrs, she attended college in Wisconsin, where she married
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Robert A. Jones on Aug. 31, 1929.
Lois was a lifelong gardener, an enthusiastic weaver and expert rug braider. She and her husband remodeled their home in Beloit, Wis., doing their own carpentry, bricklaying and plumbing. The house was furnished with antiques and their own handcrafted furniture, curtains, rugs and upholstery.
After Robert's death in April 1966, Lois moved to Madison, Wis., and in 1972 to Cody before moving to Corvallis in 1989.
Lois is survived by her daughter Caroline Jones Lorusso of Corvallis and several nieces and nephews.
Private funeral arrangements were made by DeMoss-Durdan Garden Chapel in Corvallis.
