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Grace Elizabeth Bonner
Grace Elizabeth Bonner, 88, of Sheridan died Monday, June 1, 2009, in Sheridan Manor. At her request, no services are planned. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Mrs. Bonner was born Aug. 17, 1920, in Agate, Neb., to William Henry and Pearl Elizabeth (Kinner) Murphy. She grew up and attended schools in Torrington and graduated from Torrington High School. She married
Lloyd Ferguson in 1941. After his death, she married
Harry Bonner in 1948. She retired from employment as a bookkeeper at Mountain Bell. A member of Rebekah Lodge, she enjoyed cooking, bowling, and dancing. In addition to her first husband, she was preceded in death by her second husband; two sisters, one brother, one stepson, and two grandchildren. Survivors include two sons, William G. Ferguson and Harry E. Bonner, both of Sheridan; one brother, Terry Murphy; seven grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. Memorials may benefit Sheridan Manor, 1851 Big Horn Ave., Sheridan, WY 82801.
Catherine C. ‘Rene’ Adams
Catherine C. "Rene" Adams, 77, of Big Horn died Sunday, June 7, 2009, at her home. Per her request, cremation has taken place; burial will be private. Rosary is 7 p.m. today at Kane Funeral Home. Memorial Mass will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Holy Name Catholic Church with the Rev. Ron Stolcis officiating. Born July 16, 1931, in Thunder Bay, Ontario, to Giovanna (Casseta) and Ludovico Bottos, she attended grade school at St. Martin’s and a vocational high school. Following high school, she graduated in 1952 from nurses’ training school at McKellar Memorial Hospital in Fort Williams, Ontario. She spent several years in northern Canada, nursing in outpost hospitals for the Ontario Red Cross and the Department of National Health and Welfare. Upon graduation from a medical technology program in 1965, she returned north to Prince Rupert, British Columbia, where she met her future husband, Randy Adams of Dayton. They were married
in Sheridan on July 21, 1967. She was an avid curler on the Dawson City, Yukon Territory, team for several years and received several trophies. She resided in British Columbia for two years and then Nooksack, Wash., for eight years. The couple made Big Horn their permanent home in 1977. She was a lifetime member of the Big Horn Woman’s Club and its president from 2003-2007. She was also a member of the Big Horn City Historical Society, Backyard Habitat, and annually assisted Sheridan County Community Health with flu shot clinics. She was an active member and volunteer of Holy Name Catholic Church. Her hobbies were painting, growing wildflowers, knitting, gardening, cards, board games, and feeding wildlife. Mrs. Adams was very proud to become an American citizen Oct. 21, 2002. She was preceded in death by her husband and a sister. Survivors include a daughter, Becky Husske; two grandchildren; two sisters, Wilma Sekwich and Elsie Matis of Thunder Bay, Ontario; and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials may benefit the Big Horn Woman’s Club, .PO. Box 151, Big Horn, WY 82833, or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Maurice ‘Red’ Wortman
Maurice “Red” Wortman, 86, of Gillette, father of Patty Colvin of Sheridan, died Saturday, June 6, 2009, at Pioneer Manor Nursing Home in Gillette of natural causes. Visitation is 4-6 p.m. Wednesday at Gillette Memorial Chapel with a prayer vigil at 6 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial is 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Gillette with the Rev. Cliff Jacobson officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Pisgah cemetery. Born Oct. 4, 1922, to Frank and Marietta (Morris) Wortman in Orient, S.D., he moved with his parents to a farm northeast of Isabel, S.D., where he grew up and attended school. As a young man he worked on the family farm. He married
Irene Evelyn Hill on Nov. 12, 1945, and they made their first home in a sheep wagon before purchasing a ranch near Isabel. In the early 1950s, he began employment in road construction and operating heavy equipment, a career he continued until he was more than 80 years old. Due to his work, the family moved many times throughout North and South Dakota, Montana and as far south as New Mexico. In 1960, the family settled in McLaughlin, S.D., where he partnered in a construction company building dams, dugouts and roads for the area’s farmers and ranchers. The couple also owned and operated Wortman Trailer Court. In 1977, the family moved to Gillette during the boom years, and Mr. Wortman worked at Clovis Point and Jacobs Ranch coal mines, retiring in 1989. However, he continued to work for area construction companies. An active member of the Pony Express Club, he enjoyed working with horses and was a member of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus. He was preceded in death by a brother, Lyle, and a grandson. Survivors include three sons, Dennis Wortman of Deadwood, S.D., Larry Wortman of Carter Lake, Iowa, and Robert Wortman of Gillette; three other daughters, Rhonda Wortman, Susan Kramer and Gina Grimm of Gillette; two brothers, Wallace Wortman of Forest Grove, Ore., and Jim Wortman of Cibilo, Texas; two sisters, Madonna Alley of Isabel and Eileen Becker of Hillsboro, Ore.; 13 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorials and condolences may be sent in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel, 210 W. Fifth St., Gillette, WY 82716 or at www.gillettememorialchapel.com.
EMMETT JOHN WARFIELD
MAY 14, 1925 - JUNE 4, 2009
Emmett John Warfield, amateur rodeo bronc rider, rancher and sailor, passed away at his home in Coeur d_Alene, Idaho, June 4, after a five month illness. Emmett was born May 14, 1925, in Arvada, WY, to Walter (from Michigan) and Mary Francis - Mae - Kelly, (a school teacher from Nebraska) and was a member of the Catholic faith. In 1919, Emmett’s parents homesteaded near Leiter, WY, about 1 mile south of the old Davis Ranch. They built a log house by Clear Creek at the site of the well-known Davis Crossing and moved into their new home about 1937. It was here that Emmett and his older brother Frank were raised and learned to love the wide open spaces of Wyoming. Emmett graduated from Sheridan High School in 1943 where he excelled in pen and ink western art. As a young man, he enjoyed riding in local and regional rodeos. After the death of his parents in the mid 60’s, Emmett continued to work the family ranch and in November 1967, he married
June Meeker Severance; they were married
until 1976. In 1978, Emmett sold the ranch in Leiter and first moved to Colorado, then Montana and finally settled in the Panhandle of Idaho where he resided for the last 25 years. Emmett was lured by the many lakes in and around Coeur d_Alene and became an avid sailor of a 25 foot craft. He was a fervent reader of nonfiction (especially geology of Northwest U.S. and history of all sorts) and he remained active by walking and riding his bicycle around town. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Frank who died in service during WWII, his former wife and friend, June, and a step-great grandson, Landen J. Poll. Emmett is survived by four step-daughters, June Puzuhanich Freilinger, Englewood, CO, Janis Puzuhanich Clarke, Palm Desert, CA, Jean Puzuhanich Poll, Twin Lakes, ID, and Julie Severance Mitchell (Parke), Sheridan, WY, five step-grandchildren and as well as great grandchildren. He will be missed by his daughters and their families, many neighbors, friends, and special caregivers. No services are planned. Cremation has taken place; and from within his favorite cowboy hat, his ashes will be scattered over the countryside that he loved. “ Now that you have crossed over to be with those family members who have left this earth before you Emmett, it is time again to have a foot race with your brother Frank - and this time you can beat him!”
Rachel Schmidt
Graveside funeral services for Rachel Schmidt, 95, of Buffalo are 2 p.m. Tuesday in Willow Grove cemetery. She died Thursday, April 2, 2009, at Westview Health Care Center in Sheridan. Her death announcement was in the April 3 Sheridan Press. Cremation arrangements were with Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Burial of cremains is with Adams Funeral Home in Buffalo.
Darwin Darrell ‘Scotty’ Scott
Darwin Darrell "Scotty" Scott, 69, of Ranchester died Thursday, June 4, 2009, in Sheridan Memorial Hospital. Cremation has taken place. Kane Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Born Dec. 25, 1939, in North Platte, Neb., he was raised in Sheridan and Cheyenne. He married
Barbara Howe. They divorced. He married
Karen Kukuchka on Jan. 28, 1967, in Greeley, Colo. Mr. Scott worked 48 years for Reiman Corp. of Cheyenne building bridges. He enjoyed his work, spending time with his family, four-wheeling, snow-machining, and his two dogs. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Beverly, Thelma, and his twin, Darlene; and two brothers, Leroy and Darrell. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Christine Erickson of Cheyenne, Diane White of Portland, Ore., and Cindy Wilson of Cody; two sons, Daniel Scott of Cheyenne and David Scott of Portland; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Memorials may benefit Tongue River Valley Community Center.
Phyllis J. Smith
Phyllis J. Smith, 77, of Sheridan died Friday, May 22, 2009, in Aztec, N.M. Memorial services are planned later. Born June 29, 1931, in Sidney, Mont., to John and Julia Kallevig, she married
Wesley Smith on July 18, 1948, in Sidney. She was a nursing assistant at Sheridan Memorial Hospital and Sheridan VA Medical Center. Mrs. Smith enjoyed being a mother and a grandmother. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Marvis Bomar, and a son, Keith Smith. Her husband died June 3. Survivors include two sons, Ken and Mark Smith, both of Sheridan; two daughters, Marie Feist of Sheridan and Karlette Winebarger of Aztec; 14 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. Memorials may benefit the Salvation Army.
Wesley G. Smith
Wesley G. Smith, 80, of Sheridan died Wednesday, June 3, 2009, in Aztec, N.M. Memorial services are planned later. Born Nov. 27, 1928, in Dickinson, N.D., to Gordon and Helen Smith, he married
Phyllis Kallevig on July 18, 1948, in Sidney, Mont. He worked 25 years for Sweetheart Bread, then for Decker Coal until he retired. He was preceded in death by his wife; a daughter, Marvis Bomar; and a son, Keith Smith. Survivors include sons Ken and Mark Smith, both of Sheridan; two daughters, Marie Feist of Sheridan and Karlette Winebarger of Aztec; 14 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
Helen Gearhart
Helen Gearhart, 81, of Buffalo, died Tuesday, June 2, 2009, at Amie Holt Care Center. Visitation is 1-9 p.m. Friday and 8-9:30 a.m. Saturday at Adams Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services are 10 a.m. Saturday at the chapel with Pastor Mike Leibee officiating. Burial will be in Willow Grove cemetery. Born Dec. 4, 1927, in Sheridan to John and Helen Sept, she grew up and attended school in Big Horn, Sheridan and Buffalo. She married
George Gearhart on June 28, 1947, in Hardin, Mont. They resided in Sheridan and Johnson counties, where Mr. Gearhart worked on ranches. After their children were grown, they moved to Buffalo, where Mrs. Gearhart worked as a dietitian at the hospital, retiring in 1993. She enjoyed taking care of flowers, watching John Wayne movies and the Denver Broncos, and spending time in the mountains and with her family. She was preceded in death by her husband, six brothers, and five sisters. Survivors include five sons, Al of Pennsylvania, Bob and Charles of Gillette, Dennis of Buffalo, and Tom of Sundance; four daughters, Jane Pfeifer of Santa Clarita, Calif., Carol Gray of Gillette, Phyllis Ramsey of Sundance, and Mary Lou Leibee of Buffalo; a sister, Bertha Britzman of Riverside, Calif.; and 78 grand- and great-grandchildren. Memorials may benefit Buffalo Head Start c/o Adams Funeral Home, 351 N. Adams Ave., Buffalo, WY 82834.
Robert W. Hunter
Robert W. Hunter, 85, of Sheridan died Thursday, May 28, 2009, at Sheridan VA Medical Center. Cremation has taken place. Memorial services are 11 a.m. Tuesday at Sheridan Wesleyan Church with Chuck Lucas officiating. A reception will follow in the church parish hall. Kane Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Born June 21, 1923, in Los Angeles to Robert and Marjorie Hunter, he enlisted in the Army in 1943 and served until his honorable discharge in 1946. He played the flute through his school years and for a short time in the Army. After military service he completed a bachelor’s degree in architecture. He later started his own cattle business and raised Angus bulls. He married
Deo Wilcox in 1947. She died in 1991. He married
Docia Carroll in Hardin, Mont., on July 30, 1993. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Harlan Hunter of Shelton, Conn., and Warren Hunter of Pomona, Calif.; a sister, Bethany Hunter of Sheridan; six stepchildren; one granddaughter; one great-grandson; 14 step-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren. Memorials may benefit Vision Beyond Borders, P.O. Box 6770, Sheridan, WY 82801 or Sheridan Wesleyan Church Building Fund, 404 W. Brundage Lane, Sheridan.
JOHN LEGERSKI, JR.
FEBRUARY 27, 1917 - JUNE 1, 2009
John Legerski, Jr., 92, of Sheridan, Wyoming died Monday, June 1, 2009 at Sheridan County Memorial Hospital with family at his side. John was born February 27, 1917 in Kleenburn, Wyoming to John Legerski, Sr. and Julia (Antonova) Legerski. He grew up on the family ranch at Kruse Creek East of Big Horn, Wyoming. He attended elementary and high school at Big Horn. He married
Nina Mae Scott, the light of his life, on January 18, 1941 at Hardin, Montana. John worked at various jobs, including as a cowboy at local ranches, as a heavy equipment mechanic at Peter Kiewit Sons, before joining the Army during World War II. He was assigned to and trained with the 1269th Combat Engineers at Camp Chafee, Arkansas and Fort Knox, Kentucky. The 1269th then embarked from New York City to Marseilles, France. He was wounded in Nice, France and was hospitalized for 100 days. Afterward, he rejoined his outfit, which battled their way through the French Alps into southern Germany. The 1269th engineers were the first contingent of American soldiers to enter the Dachau Death Camp which John described as horrific. John returned home to his family from the war in February, 1946. In 1951 John joined his brother Joe as an owner of the historical Brown Palace Bar, which they operated for the next thirty years until their retirement. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Brice Crosby Legerski; his parents; brothers Joseph C., Rudy R., and Edward; and sisters Mary Haratyk and Julia Yazoski; a niece, Michelle Legerski Schleyer; and nephews Edward Kilmarx III, Gregory Legerski and John Haratyk. John is survived by his loving wife Nina, three children, Colleen Ann Bushmaker, Floyd Legerski and Dr. Randy John Legerski; three grandchildren Keri R Legerski, Tamara Houghton and Scott Bushmaker; four great grandchildren, and one great-great grandson; four brothers and one sister, Andrew, Walter, William, Louis, and Alma Kilmarx. John had a great sense of humor and loved telling stories about his family and his life in Sheridan. He would often reminisce about his remarkable war experiences. John was an outdoorsman who loved the Big Horn Mountains and called Sheridan _God_s Country. He was truly a member of Tom Brokaws_The Greatest Generation. He will be greatly missed. A rosary service will be held Friday evening, June 5, at 7:00 at Champion Ferries Funeral Home. The funeral mass will be held Saturday morning at 10:00 at Holy Name Catholic Church with interment at the Elks Section, Sheridan Municipal cemetery. Memorials may benefit Holy Name Catholic School or Sheridan Senior Center.
William Paul ‘Bill’ Michaelis
William Paul “Bill” Michaelis, 77, of Buffalo died Friday, May 29, 2009, at Johnson County Healthcare Center in Buffalo. Vigil and rosary were Tuesday with Mass of Christian Burial this morning at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Buffalo, the Rev. Pete Johnson officiating. Burial is private. Born Sept. 11, 1931, in Basin to Henry and Rhea Michaelis, he grew up and went to school in Basin and graduated from Basin High School with the class of 1951. After high school he took a job with Big Horn Rural Electric Co. in Basin. In June 1952, he was drafted into the United States Army and served in the Korean War. He received an honorable discharge in 1954 with the rank of sergeant and returned to his job in Basin with Big Horn Rural Electric Co. He married
Sheryl Schmer in Greybull on July 23, 1955. They made their home in Basin. In 1965 the family moved to Gillette and entered the motel business in both Gillette and Casper. They moved to Casper in 1966. Mr. Michaelis worked for Texaco’s Casper refinery from 1967 until the plant closed in 1982. The company transferred him to Port Arthur, Texas, and he was laid off with 3, 000 other employees in 1985 after 19 total years of service as a maintenance supervisor. The couple moved to Fort Collins, Colo., where he continued to work under contract with refineries throughout the country. In 1991 they moved to Buffalo, where he was a refinery consultant until retiring in 1995. Mr. Michaelis enjoyed his family, home, golf, the outdoors, his many friends, Buffalo, and its people. He served on the Senior Center Board and was president of the Senior Center Foundation. He was a member of the American Legion and an active member of St. John’s Catholic Church. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Jerry, Pat and Jim. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Tarry of Casper, Chris of Albuquerque, N.M., and Brad of Phoenix; two brothers, Dick of Green Valley, Ariz., and Michael of Auburn, Wash.; and three grandchildren. Donations may benefit the Buffalo Senior Center Foundation or donor’s choice c/o Adams Funeral Home, 351 N. Adams Ave., Buffalo, WY 82834.
Vlasta L. Sindelar
Vlasta L. Sindelar, 89, of Howells, Neb., mother of Marian Ring of Sheridan, died Monday, June 1, 2009, at Golden Living Center in Clarkson, Neb. Funeral services are 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. John's Nepomucene Catholic Church in Howells, Neb., with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 2:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the church and one hour before services Friday. An Altar Society rosary is 3 p.m. Thursday with public rosary following at 7 p.m. at the church. Humlicek Funeral Home of Dodge, Neb., is in charge of arrangements. Survivors include her husband, Mike F. Sindelar Jr. of Clarkson, Neb.; three additional children, Ervin Sindelar of Clarkson, Neb., and Veronica Flamme and Michael Sindelar of Howells; two sisters, Alice Sindelar of West Point, Neb., and Sylvia Matejka of Hickman, Neb.; 11 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren.
KAREN ANN MAXWELL
APRIL 27, 1943 - MAY 29, 2009
Karen Ann Maxwell, 66 year old Worland resident, passed away on May 29, 2009 at the Washakie Medical Center in Worland, WY. Karen was born on April 27, 1943 to Fred W. and Helen (Piel) Schneider in Worland, Wyoming. She received her education at Worland High School. On June 5th 1960, she married
J.W. Dub Maxwell in Worland. They later adopted three children, Lisa in 1961, J.D. and Terri in 1964. She worked for Jons Foodliner as a bookkeeper and checker for many years. She was also very actively involved with the in-store promotions. She was a member of the Worland Jayceettes, as well as the Wyoming and National Jayceettes. She served as president of this organization during the years of 1969, 1970 and 1971. She was honored as the Woman of the Year in 1970, and the 1st Lady of Shrine Kalif Temple in 1984. She started the Smarteens which was a drug prevention program for teens. She was also a past president in the Worland Civic League. She enjoyed writing poetry and spending time in the mountains with family. She and Dub also traveled extensively around the world which she immensely enjoyed. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Helen Schneider; her mother and father-in-law: John and Agnes Maxwell; her daughter: Lisa Maxwell Frazier and grandson: John Colton Logan. Karen is survived by her husband, John W. Dub Maxwell, one son: J.D. (Robin) Maxwell of Billings, MT; one daughter: Terri (Chris) Logan and one brother: Richard (Linda) Schneider, all of Worland; grandchildren: Zach and Jordan Logan, J.W. Maxwell IV, Chase Maxwell and Milisa Frazier. Funeral Services will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 4th at the United Methodist Church with Reverend Grover Briggs officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Memorial Gardens cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children in care of Bryant Funeral Home, PO Box 524, Worland, WY 82401.
