For more area obituaries, please visit Schwab Mortuary.

For more resources including headstones, please visit the Star Valley Historical Society.

Ione Helm

Ione Parsons Helm was born May 31, 1926 in Smoot Wyoming to Thomas and Leona Parsons. She passed away September 1, 2025 in Logan, Utah. Ione was raised in Smoot, where she helped on the family farm along with her seven siblings. She graduated from Star Valley High School. On April 19, 1946 she married Ernest Helm in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Forty-five years later they were sealed in the Logan, Utah temple on April 19, 1991. Together they have six children. J Ann Hyde (LaMoyne), Dennay Burrie (Dee), Verda Nell Justesen (Dan -deceased), Dave Helm (Ellen), Jill Larson (Terry), and Van Helm (Daydra). For many years she was employed at Lower Valley Energy.

A night viewing will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2025 from 5 -7 p.m. at Schwab Mortuary. Funeral will be Friday, September 19, 2025 at 1 p.m. with a viewing prior to the service starting at 11 a.m. in the Cottonwood Ward Chapel. Interment will follow on the Smoot Cemetery.

Darlene Lytle

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Darlene Michelle Lytle, who departed her Earthly life on September 14, 2025, at the age of 54 in Afton, Wyoming after a hard-fought battle with Cancer.  Darlene was born on August 22,1971 in Thermopolis, Wyoming. To parents Dan and Melissa (Kenyon) Brownell. Darlene touched the lives of all who knew her with her kindness, generosity, and unwavering spirit.

Darlene will be deeply missed by her loving family: Jim Lytle, spouse, Dylan Lytle, son, Allyson Lytle (Kim), daughter, Danny Brownell (Kris), brother, father-in-law, Dick Lytle, brother-in-law Joe Lytle, nephews; Orion Lytle, Aden Lytle, Jacob Brownell and Josh Brownell, nieces; Emma Brownell, Julia (Brownell) Lougee (Carson), Kira Brownell, and Lily Brownell, great nephew; Jack Lougee and great niece; Janie Lougee, as well as a host of extended family members, friends, and all those whose lives she touched throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her mother-in-law Marilyn Lytle, her paternal grandparents, Vern and Ruby Brownell, her maternal grandparents, Al and Pauline Kenyon. She also was preceded in death by several aunts, uncles and cousins.

She graduated from Rawlins High School in Rawlins, Wyoming in 1989 and moved to Grand Junction, Colorado to attend TTI Technical School to pursue a business degree.  After her graduation from TTI she stayed in Colorado for work and met the love of her life, Jim and they were married in 1992 in Sinclair Wyoming in the Parco Inn.

They ended up making their home in Afton, Wyoming where she worked for Rural Development for about four years.   She then started driving school bus and at the same time started with Star Valley EMS as a volunteer EMT and continued driving bus for several years as well. In between these jobs she found time to have her beloved children Dylan and Allyson. Her love of community and caring and giving heart made her decide to choose a career in the medical field.  She became an instructor of CPR and First Aid, and she went full time with Star Valley Health. During this time, she worked as a Ward Clerk, Surgical Scrub Technician, CNA, Emergency Room Technician, LPN, and Registered Nurse on Med/Surg unit. She was able to touch many lives through her teaching numerous students in Triage, CPR/First aid, Stop the Bleed and EMT courses for Basic, Advanced and Intermediate EMT levels.

She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holding several positions throughout the years.

She was very proud of her membership in the women`s motorcycle  group, Women in the Wind and the many friendships she made while riding across the U.S. with her special friend Sherry Nebeker as they attended Regional and International events and earning her various mileage pins. At the time of her death, she was the president of the local chapter called Star Valley Saint and Sinners.

A funeral service to celebrate Darlene’s life will be on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 1 p.m. in the Afton Tabernacle. A viewing will be held from 11:30-12:45 prior to the service at the church.

Darlene will forever remain in our hearts, cherished and remembered always.