For more area obituaries, please visit Schwab Mortuary.

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

JoAnn Hodges

As written by her: JoAnn Merritt Hodges was born in Bedford, Wyoming 1 August 1932 to Norman and Bessie Merritt.

She attended grade school in Bedford and High School in Afton.

She was married to Mark Pope Hodges on 23 September 1948.  They had 5 children:  Leon Merrit, Eric Merritt, Norman Parley, Lisa and Bonnie.

They spent 4 years in various places while Mark served his enlistment during the Korean War.

Employment eventually took them to Pleasanton, California in 1969 where they stayed for 10 years before building their final home in Bedford, Wyoming.

JoAnn served in various church callings including the Primary, MIA and Relief Society.  She enjoyed the out of doors and her family.

She is survived by her children Leon (Nancy), Eric (Barbara), Norman (Kay), Lisa, and Bonnie (Kory) as well as 25 grandchildren and 51 great grandchildren and 9 great great grandchildren.  Also survived by her brothers Alonzo and JH.  Was preceded in death by her husband Mark, brothers LaGrande and Gilman and sister Claudette.

Tami Luthi

Tami Luthi, beloved sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 23, 2025, in her lifelong home in Freedom, Wyoming. She was born on May 31, 1958, in Afton, Wyoming, to Dick Robinson Luthi and Reba Sanderson Luthi.

Tami grew up on her family’s dairy farm, where she learned the value of hard work from a young age. Many of her fondest memories came from that time—catching frogs with her siblings, riding bikes, sledding in the winters, and the many early mornings spent milking cows. These shared experiences created bonds and stories that her family treasures to this day.

Tami attended Metcalf Elementary in Etna, Afton Junior High and Star Valley High School in Afton. As a teenager, she enjoyed playing softball and cherished the friendships and memories from those years.

At just 16 years old, Tami began working at the Star Valley Cheese Factory, where she dedicated 34 years. Over time, she took on many roles but was most well-known for her work on the grill and for the delicious holiday pies she baked, which became a favorite for many families.

Tami had a special affinity for animals, especially cats, who were faithful companions throughout her life. She was also the life of every family gathering—always the first to do something silly to make the little ones laugh. Though she did not have children of her own, Tami poured her love into being a devoted aunt. Her nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews were her pride and joy, and she never missed a chance to celebrate their birthdays, milestones, and holidays with thoughtful gestures.

A lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Tami lived her faith quietly but deeply, showing love, kindness, and service to those around her.

Tami was preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, Dick and Reba Luthi, and her brothers-in-law, Ralph Sherman Hemmert and Andre Dee Brown, and nephew Tod Hemmert, and two uncles. She is survived by her siblings, Dixie Ann Hemmert, Kirby Delos Luthi (Jeraldine), and Nena Brown; aunts and uncle, several nieces and nephews; and an even greater number of grand-nieces and grand-nephews who adored her.

Graveside services will be held at the Freedom Cemetery on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. Family and friends are invited to attend and honor the memory of a woman whose kindness, humor, and love touched so many lives.

Joe Nield

Joseph C Nield, 56, of Afton, passed away on September 20th, 2025, by Steer Creek at the herder’s camp up the Little Greys River. Fall round-up was in progress and he was surrounded by family and friends doing what he loved with the people he loved when he passed. The circumstances of Joe’s passing have been a comfort and a blessing to his family. Joe spent the day gathering cows on McCain Meadows. After returning to camp, Joe spent time with his grandkids and visited with those present. It would be difficult to imagine a better day.

Joe was born December 12, 1968, in Afton, Wyoming to L. Dee and Joan Nield. He was the youngest of six children. He attended Star Valley High School and graduated with the class of 1987. Joe served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Canada Vancouver Mission from 1988 – 1990. When Joe returned from his mission, he attended Rick’s College where he met his wife Kay Lynn Hill. They were married September 11th, 1992, in the Logan, Utah temple. They did not return to school that fall and instead began their married life herding cows on the Little Greys forest permit for the remainder of the grazing season. Joe and Kay Lynn celebrated 33 years of marriage together this fall. To this union were born seven children, McKay, Codi, Wyatt, Jamie, Kim, Page, and Seth. Joe and Kay Lynn raised their children on the ranch that they purchased from L. Dee and Joan. Joe was able to involve his children in his work and taught them all lifelong lessons which serve them well. The thought and consideration he put into the work he did was of the utmost importance to him.

Joe was a lifelong learner, and he loved to share his knowledge. He was a teacher and a mentor to many over the years.  He always joked about anticipating the day when he had all his kids “trained up” so he didn’t have to keep instructing everyone, but he always seemed to find more kids and people to teach, and he was so proud of them when they did a job well. His advice and instruction will be missed by many.

Joe was a man of deep faith and dedicated service. He served faithfully in his church callings and in many other leadership roles, always striving to help and uplift those around him. His influence reached far beyond his own home. He inspired and guided countless friends, neighbors, and community members throughout his life.

Joe is survived by his wife, Kay Lynn; children, McKay (Seth) Haderlie, Codi Nield, Wyatt (Sophie) Nield, Jamie (Bryant) Dimond, Kimberlee (Rustin) Rinderknecht, Page (Jay) Lee, and Seth Nield; and grandchildren, Ryker, Reagan, and Quinn. Joe is also survived by his siblings, Dee Ann Gardner, Julie Nield, Claudia (Ron) Anderson, and Lori (Ern) Cornia.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents L. Dee and Joan Nield and his brother, Terry Nield.