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Denis D. Croft
Denis David Croft, 73, of Sheridan died Thursday, May 14, 2009, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital. Graveside services were this morning at Sheridan Municipal cemetery, the Rev. Ronald Stolcis officiating. Born May 25, 1935, in Wheatland to Willard and Florence (Tierney) Croft, he grew up in Lance Creek and graduated from St. Michael’s High School in Santa Fe, N.M. He also graduated from the University of Montana with a forestry degree. He served in the Army from 1959-61. He then came to Sheridan, where he worked for the U.S. Forest Service until 1977. He married
Asako Oshima on Oct. 25, 1983, in Sheridan. They owned and operated Asako Tent until 2007. Mr. Croft enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, and carpentry and loved his birds. Survivors include his wife; a son, Patrick Cotton of Denver; two daughters, Valerie Regan of Denver and Sheila Cybyske of Seattle; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.
Ruth Bateman
Ruth Bateman, 90, of Sheridan died Tuesday, May 12, 2009, at Sheridan Manor. No services are planned. Cremation has taken place with arrangements by Kane Funeral Home. Born July 29, 1918, in Douglas to Jon and Lilly Stinson, she married
John Zaichkin on Sept. 20, 1938; they divorced in 1958. She married
Ellsworth Bateman in 1960 in Story. She was preceded in death by her husband; four brothers, Grover, Carl, Dave, and Harold Stinson; and a grandchild. Survivors include two children, John Zaichkin of Chandler, Ariz., and Betty Ann McClure of Recluse; three brothers, Bob, Raymond, and Richard Stinson; two sisters, Mary Stinson and Irene Baker; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Albert Begay
Albert Begay, 44, father of Kim, Mike, Lindsey and Ashley Ennis of Sheridan, died Saturday, May 2, 2009, in Gallup, N.M. Funeral services were May 7 at Desert View Funeral Home in Shiprock, N.M., with burial in the family cemetery in Table Mesa, N.M. Mr. Begay attended schools in New Mexico. He enjoyed riding horses, camping, fishing and spending time with family and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Fannie Begay. Survivors include his wife, Brenda Ennis of Gallup; his father, Gilbert Begay of Table Mesa; six other children, Ariel Begay, Terrance Begay, Kendall Begay, Devona Begay, Celeste McDonald and Aldon Begay, all of New Mexico; two brothers, Jimmy Begay of Little Water, N.M., and Larry Begay of Table Mesa; six sisters, Anna Peter of Sanostee, N.M., Angie Curley of Fruitland, N.M., Bertha Begay of Table Mesa, Rosemary Begay and Berlinda Begay of Salt Lake City, and Lorena Washburn of Table Mesa; and five grandchildren.
Ray Marion Clark Sr.
Ray Marion Clark Sr., 92, of Buffalo died Wednesday, May 13, 2009, at Johnson County Healthcare Center. Visitation is 1-9 p.m. today and 8-9:30 a.m. Saturday followed by funeral services at 10 a.m. at Adams Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Robert Miller officiating. Burial will be in Willow Grove cemetery with Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion in charge of military graveside rites. Anchor Lodge 7 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons will conduct a Masonic Graveside Rite. Born Oct. 26, 1916, in Springfield, Ill., to Ray and Carrie Clark, as a young boy he moved with his family to Adel, Iowa, where he grew up and attended grade school and some of his high school. He moved with his family to Buffalo and graduated from Johnson County High School in 1935. After high school he worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps and in 1942 joined the U.S. Army and served in Belgium, France, and Germany. A staff sergeant, he was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge and Purple Heart. He was discharged in 1946.He returned to Buffalo and took a job with the Wyoming Highway Department. He married
Helen Washut on Jan. 20, 1950, in Buffalo. He worked 36 years for the highway department, retiring in 1982. Mr. Clark enjoyed polka, hunting, fishing and spending time in the Big Horn Mountains. He was member of Union Congregational Church and had a 50-year membership pin. He was a 35-year elected board member of the Johnson County cemetery District, active in VFW and American Legion, a member and past grand master of Anchor Lodge 7 AF and AM, and a member of the Kalif Shrine and Scottish Rite. He was preceded in death by his wife; one sister, Mildred Babcock; and one brother, Virgil Clark. Survivors include a son, Ray Clark Jr. of Buffalo; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
ROBERT D. (BOB) WILSON
JANUARY 1, 1913 - JANUARY 2, 2009
Born January 1, 1913, to L. Pearl Wilson and Earl B. Wilson in Billings, Montana, Bob Wilson was raised in a strong Christian family in Billings, where he got the opportunity to meet Charles Lindbergh and see Amelia Earhart. He graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1933. He moved to Minnesota for work and there he met Leila B. Folk. They were married
in Fairmont, Minnesota, on July 5, 1942. Bob and Leila were an inseparable couple, and they had no children. The Wilsons moved back to Billings, where Bob worked in a shoe store. During World War II, Bob was not accepted for enlistment, being rated by the Army as 4F. While in Billings, Bob and Leila formed a youth group at their church called the G and G - guys and gals. Bob had many fond memories of that y outh group and formed lifelong friendships with the people involved. In 1947, the Wilsons moved to Miles City, Montana, where Bob worked for the radio station as the news director. Bob and Leila moved to Sheridan in 1949, where Bob was employed by KWYO radio station and became the news director. Bob’s career in broadcasting spanned more than 60 years. As news director for KWYO, Bob was involved with nearly everything in Sheridan. He felt it was his responsibility to attend and participate in as many community events as possible to properly report the local news. He was a board member or president of a number of local organizations. Among the many events and organizations that had the hand of Bob Wilson in their creation or promotion during his 50-year radio career in Sheridan were the Miss Indian America pageant, Cow Town Hoe Down, Rotary Gun Powder and Buckskin event, Community Concerts, Sheridan Retailers Association, Sheridan Centennial Celebration, Christmas Stroll, Community Thanksgiving Dinner, North East Wyoming Life Underwriter Association, and Sheridan WYO Rodeo. As news director for KWYO, Bob was privileged to interview nearly every significant person who came to Sheridan, including Babe Ruth, Paul Harvey, Bob Hope, Phyllis Diller, the Queen of England, Prince, Kenny Rogers, Robert Urich, Garth Brooks, Anthony Zerbe, and Pam Dauber, to name a few. His popular Man About Town program ran for over 20 years in Sheridan. Bob received many honors in his life, including induction into the Wyoming Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Bob became very active in Rotary after he joined the Sheridan Rotary Club in 1949. He remembered working with Jack Gage, who became Wyoming’s Governor and then U.S. Senator, to help pass a bill in the Wyoming legislature that annually granted 25 deer licenses to the Sheridan Rotary club for use in the Gunpowder and Buckskin Club event. He served on the Rotary board as an officer and as president of the Club. One of the significant events he supported and fostered was the annual Ladies Night. For many of the 60 years of his membership, Bob presented a short news program at the weekly Rotary meetings as well as preparing the weekly bulletin the Ramrod. Count Frederic Thorne-Rider and his wife Harriet were personal acquaintances of Bob’s as well as Dodd and Dorothy Bryan and Vernon and Rowena Griffith. Bob was proud to be asked to write The Good that Lives After Them, the book about the lives and legacies of these prominent people. Away with Words is Bob’s publication of many of the tag lines from his Man About Town radio programs. The text for the Sheridan Centennial Celebration was also crafted by Bob. Bob and Leila created a tour group called the Wyoming Wayfarers, which visited destinations such as Alaska, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean, Canada, and the Northeastern United States. Nearly a thousand paying participants went on the group’s 26 different trips, with some people enjoying many of them. Bob not only chose the tour locations but he also had absolute control of every detail of the trips. He was good at finding the unique and unusual for his tour group to enjoy. Music played a large part in Bob’s life. He created singing groups called the Mother Singers and the Notables. He directed the choir at First Presbyterian Church as well as a number of Community Choirs . The radio presented an opportunity for him to present classical music in the Concert Hour each Sunday af ternoon. Bob directed the music in the stage play of the Mary Widow . Bob and Leila also attended as many musical and stage presentations as possible. First Presbyterian Church was a central part of his life. In addition to serving as choir director f or 44 years, on most Saturdays Bob could be found at the church looking after the flower arrangements for the chancel table, organizing the hymnals, or arranging the pews in straight consistent rows. Bob was a significant contributor to many worship services, including Easter Sunrise service and Maundy Thursday service. He was the organizer of both the Easter Lily Cross and the Christmas display of poinsettias . The Thanksgiving Harvest set piece was Bob’s creation, and he enjoyed gathering the items and arranging them each year. A picture of each of the past year’s presentations was always at hand. Bob died peacefully in his sleep on January 2, 2009, at Westview Health Care Center in Sheridan. Cremation has taken place. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 65 years, Leila; two sisters, Margaret Benesh and Murial Brannon; and one brother, Bernard Wilson. He is survived by nieces Murial Mitchell of Billings, Montana, Joyce Roath and Janet Hannrahan of California; nephews Glenn Benesh and Ronald Benesh of Kalispell, Montana, Dale Benesh of New Jersey; as well as 20 great nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Bob’s Life will be held at First Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, May 19, 2009, at 11:00 AM. Kane Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials may be sent to First Presbyt erian Church, 2121 Colonial Drive, Sheridan, Wyoming 82801.
Josephine Smith
Josephine Smith, 84, of Sheridan died Tuesday, May 12, 2009, in Sheridan Manor. Cremation has taken place. Kane Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Born Oct. 18, 1924, in Dixon to Harry and Pauline Lewis, she graduated from Sheridan High School. She married
Harry Smith in Sheridan on June 6, 1944, and worked as the office manager at Wyoming Well Service for 25 years before retiring. She enjoyed fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, square dancing and painting and was known as an accomplished artist. She was preceded in death by her husband; three brothers, Robert, Ralph and Jack Lewis; and two sisters, Jenny Moyer and Jane Durkee. Survivors include a sister, Betty Conner. In lieu of flowers, memorials may benefit Kalif Shrine Crippled Children’s Fund, P.O. Box K, Sheridan, WY 82801.
MARCY LYNN SHURTER
MAY 20, 1969 — MAY 08, 2009
Marcy Lynn Shurter passed away May 08, 2009 in Fort Collins, Colorado after a courageous battle with breast cancer. She is survived by her sons, Mitchell, 19, Marshall, 15, and Michael, 13, and their father Terrance Murray; her parents and step-parents, Joseph and Ruth Dennis of Windsor, CO, Frank and Linda Shurter of Sheridan, WY; her brother, Shane Shurter and family, also of Windsor, CO; three stepbrothers, Joseph Jr., of Columbus, OH, Jessy and family of Houston, TX, Johnathon Dennis and family of Boise, ID; stepsister Tamara Davidson and family of Sheridan, WY; Aunt Cindy and Uncle Brad Palm of Laramie, WY, Aunts Patty Pendleton of Hanna, WY and Mary While of Sheridan, WY and Uncle Kenneth Shurter and family of Wright, WY; Grandmother Myrtle Arwood of Laramie, WY and Grandfather Frank Shurter Sr. of Hanna, WY; numerous cousins and friends. She and her sons lived at Water Valley in Windsor, CO. Marcy was born in Gillette, WY - May 20, 1969 and had lived in several Wyoming towns plus Redmond, WA and Colorado. She is preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, paternal grandmother, a cousin and an uncle. Marcy graduated high school in Grand Junction, CO - Class of 1987. She attended Mesa State College in Grand Junction, CO working towards her nursing degree. She also attended Sheridan Community College pursuing her degree. She had a gift for medical knowledge and compassion. She especially loved working in geriatrics and pediatrics. Her compassion also led her to help as many underprivileged as she could, including taking people into her home. She worked in various hospitals, nursing homes and home health settings. She loved playing sports, taking dares and playing jokes, animals, crafts, writing poetry, solving crossword puzzles, home decorating, playing piano, gardening, plants and had a special gift for creating flower arrangements. Her pride and joy was her family, especially her three boys. A rosary and viewing will be held Friday May 15, 2009 9:30 a.m. at St. Joseph_s Church, 219 W Pine St, Rawlins, WY followed by a funeral mass at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in the Rawlins cemetery, 915 3rd St, Rawlins, WY. Memorial donations may be made to Susan G. Komen for the Cure at donorinquiry@komen.org She was loved by many and in our pain is the joy of knowing with certanty that she is with our risen Lord, resting in the arms of the angels
Clarence D. Westbrook
Clarence D. Westbrook, 89, of Sheridan died Saturday, May 9, 2009, at Sheridan VA Medical Center. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church in Sheridan. Interment with military honors will follow in Lodge Grass (Mont.) cemetery. Arrangements are with Bullis Mortuary of Hardin, Mont. Born Jan. 6, 1920, in Lodge Grass to Darreld and Jessie Williams Westbrook, he grew up and attended school in Lodge Grass, graduating with the class of 1938. He was a member of the Lodge Grass basketball team that won a state championship. He attended the University of Montana before enlisting in the U.S. Army. He received an honorable discharge.
He married
Margaret Pattyn in 1942. She died in 1974. He married
Darlene Kemmis Grinstine on Jan. 29, 1976, in Sheridan. The couple resided in Wyola, Mont., and the Buffalo area. Mr. Westbrook worked more than 25 years for the Lodge Grass Rural Electric Association and raised registered Black Angus cattle. He was proud of his Black Angus herd and the Dar Clar Angus operation. He retired in 1986 and moved to Sheridan. He enjoyed fly-fishing, attending Bible study group, and being with his dog Dolly. He was a proud member of the Crow Tribe, Greasy Mouth Clan and the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He was preceded in death by a sister, Josephine Westbrook; a stepdaughter, Brenda Morris; and two grandchildren. Survivors include his wife; six daughters, Malena Heun, Shirley Shick, Jessie Redfield, Donna Flores, JoAnn Molina Jr. and Laura Smith; one son, Clarence Westbrook Jr.; a half sister, Darreldlene Old Crow; a half brother, DJ Westbrook; 25 grandchildren; 52 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren.
John E. Hupp
John E. Hupp, 83, of Sheridan died Wednesday, May 6, 2009, at Sheridan VA Medical Center. Memorial service will be 7 p.m. Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran Church with the Rev. Phil Wold officiating. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Born July 12, 1925, in Galesburg, Ill., to E.H. and Frida (Hartley) Hupp, he grew up in Sigorney, Iowa, and Bellevue, Neb., and graduated from high school in Bellevue. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day. After the war, he returned to Nebraska. He married
Norma Busch in the late 1940s. They moved to Bakersfield, Calif., in 1961, where he was a machinist for Hopper Inc. until he retired. Norma Hupp died in 1990. Mr. Hupp married
Enid Stine on Dec. 25, 1995, in Bakersfield. The couple moved to Sheridan in 2005.
He enjoyed golf, fishing and travel. He was preceded in death by one sister and two brothers. Survivors include his wife; two stepsons, Jeff and Darwin Stine of Sheridan; a brother, Larry Hupp of Bakersfield; a sister, Linda Fry of Bakersfield; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Robert Dale Johnson
Former Sheridan resident Robert Dale Johnson, 71, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, died Thursday, April 30, 2009, at his home. Services were Tuesday in Idaho Falls with arrangements by Buck-Miller Funeral Home. Born June 6, 1937, to Bert and Alice Marie Hutchens Johnson in El Dorado, Kan., he attended school in Topeka, Kan., until 1954, when the family moved to Thermopolis, where he graduated from high school. He attended Sheridan College on a basketball scholarship. Following school, he worked for various companies in the Wyoming oil fields. He joined the Army National Guard in 1959, serving six months’ active duty followed by Reserve duty. Service locations included Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and Thermopolis. He was honorably discharged in March 1965. He married
Bonnie Jo Blakesley in 1960, and they had one daughter. They divorced. He married
Frances Wantulok of Sheridan in 1965. The couple moved to Idaho Falls in 1967, where he worked for Westinghouse. A son was born in 1975. Mr. Johnson retired from Westinghouse after 30 years. He played golf nearly every day in his retirement and was proud of two holes-in-one. He also enjoyed fishing and bargain hunting. Survivors include his wife; his mother of Thermopolis; a daughter, Jacqueline of Denver; a son, Tim of Seattle; and a brother, Kenneth of Greybull.
Donald R. Benjamin Sr.
Donald R. Benjamin Sr., 43, died Sunday, May 3, 2009, at his home east of Buffalo. Visitation will be 1-9 p.m. today and 8 a.m. to noon Friday at Adams Funeral Home Chapel in Buffalo with funeral services at 2 p.m. Friday. Private family burial will follow services. Born July 6, 1965, in Colorado Springs, Colo., to Jack and Evelyn Benjamin, he grew up and attended school in Colorado Springs. After high school he moved to Hulett and worked as a ranch hand on local ranches. He moved in 1981 to Buffalo, where he worked for the Elsom Ranch and also as a cook at the Crossroads Inn. He married
Melinda Roberts in Buffalo in 1987, and they resided in Buffalo. They were divorced. He worked three years at the Largent Ranch in Kaycee, then as a chef at the Stagecoach Inn. In 1993 he returned to Hulett, where he worked for the Hulett Post and Pole. He married
Leah Boyd in Hulett in 1999, and the couple lived in Hulett. In 2005 he moved back to Buffalo, where he worked for the Wolverine Roustabouts, then for Enercrest Environmental. He was working at the Ucross Guest Ranch at the time of his death. Mr. Benjamin was a member of the Moose Lodge, an avid hunter and fisherman, and enjoyed the outdoors. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother. Survivors include two sons, Donald Benjamin Jr. of Basin and Austin Ruby of Buffalo; three daughters, Kirstin Hill of Missoula, Mont., Krystal Benjamin of Laurel, Mont., and Kaley Benjamin of Buffalo; six brothers, Jim Benjamin of Phoenix, Sam Benjamin of Basin, Danny Benjamin and Larry Benjamin of Colorado Springs, David Benjamin of Florida, and Terry of Alabama; eight sisters, Ronda Jones, Corky Gillen and Judy Linneman, all of Buffalo, Sue Focht of Three Forks, Mont., Mary Dotson of Dallas, Barbara Gantz of Hulett, and Jackie Masterson and Pat Smith, both of Colorado Springs; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorials may benefit the Benjamin Children Educational Fund in care of Adams Funeral Home, 351 N. Adams Ave., Buffalo, WY 82834.
Dorothy J. Stampka
Memorial services for Dorothy J. Stampka, 77, of Sheridan are planned 1 p.m. Friday at Champion Ferries Funeral Home with the Rev. Ronald Stolcis officiating. Burial will be in Sheridan Municipal cemetery followed by a reception for friends and family at Trinity Lutheran Church, 135 Crescent Drive. Mrs. Stampka died March 31 in Sheridan Memorial Hospital. Her obituary was published April 2 in The Sheridan Press. Memorials may benefit Sheridan Dog and Cat Shelter, 84 East Ridge Road, Sheridan, WY 82801.
PAUL MESPELT
JANUARY 24, 1950 TO APRIL 30, 2009
Paul Mespelt, 59, of Sheridan, passed away at Memorial Hospital of Sheridan County on April 30, 2009. Paul was born on January 24, 1950 in Parsons, KS to James and Ethel Mespelt. After graduating high school he enlisted in the Army in 1969. He married
Kay Moye on May 12, 1974 in Gillette, WY. Paul loved his family, especially the grandchildren. He enjoyed taking care of his pet birds, hunting, and working in the yard. Paul was the founder of Pets ‘N Stuff in Sheridan, WY. He was lovingly called the “Bird Man” by many. Everyone admired him for his handicap. One of his favorite phrases was, “Don’t tell me I can’t do something - I’ll prove you wrong!”, he’d say with a chuckle, and he darn sure did, every time! Paul will be dearly missed. We love you Papa - Bear Hugs! May you always get the “big one” in your future hunting adventures. Enjoy your new life with no boundaries, no wheelchairs, no medicine, and most of all, no pain. Thanks for sharing your life with us. It’s been quite an adventure. A phrase which truly is meaningful, “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” Paul was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Robert Wayne Mespelt. He is survived by his wife, Kay, of Sheridan; his sons, Jason and Justin, of Sheridan, and Jeremy, and his wife along with their five children, of Casper, WY; three sisters, Jean Ann Schofield, of Rochester, NY, Sandra Eileen Eppery, of Keniwick, WA, and Deborah Kay Zeller, of Albany, OR; and a brother, William Lewis Mespelt, of Hermiston, OR; and seventeen nieces and nephews. Per Paul’s request cremation has taken place and the family has chosen to have a private gathering. Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with cremation arrangements.
Waldron Joseph ‘Wally’ Gasper
Waldron Joseph “Wally” Gasper, 71, of Sheridan and Estelline, S.D., died Sunday, May 3, 2009, at Westview Health Care Center in Sheridan.
Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Adams Funeral Home Chapel in Buffalo. Rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m. Friday in Estelline at St. Francis DeSales Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Hillcrest cemetery in Estelline with graveside services. Born May 9, 1937, in Gary, S.D., to LeRoy and Bessie Gasper, he grew up and attended school in Estelline. After high school he worked briefly for the Chicago-Northwestern Railroad, then went to work for his dad on the family farm. In 1970 he took over the farm, which he owned and operated until retirement in April 2007 due to health. In October 2008 he moved to Westview Health Care Center to be near family. An avid bowler who loved farming and his cows, he also enjoyed going on organized farm tours and was a spectator at many tractor pulls. One brother and one sister preceded him in death. Survivors include a sister, Mary Lou Malli of Arvada; two nieces; and six nephews. Memorials may benefit St. Francis Animal Shelter in care of Adams Funeral Home, 351 N. Adams, Buffalo, WY 82834.
Paul Mespelt
Paul Mespelt, 59, of Sheridan died Thursday, April 30, 2009, at Sheridan Memorial Hospital. Per his request, cremation has taken place and the family will have a private gathering. Kane Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Born Jan. 24, 1950, in Parsons, Kan., to James and Ethel Mespelt, he enlisted in the Army in 1969 after graduating from high school. He married
Kay Moye on May 12, 1974, in Gillette. Founder of Pets N Stuff in Sheridan, he was called the “Bird Man” by many people. Mr. Mespelt enjoyed his family, especially the grandchildren, taking care of his pet birds, hunting, and yard work. Although handicapped, one of his favorite phrases was, "Don’t tell me I can’t do something — I’ll prove you wrong!" He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Robert Wayne Mespelt. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Jason and Justin of Sheridan and Jeremy of Casper; three sisters, Jean Ann Schofield of Rochester, N.Y., Sandra Eileen Eppery of Kennewick, Wash., and Deborah Kay Zeller of Albany, Ore.; a brother, William Lewis Mespelt of Hermiston, Ore.; five grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
