The following obituaries and death notices appeared in the May 6, 2026 edition of the Star Valley Independent.
For more resources including headstones, please visit the Star Valley Historical Society.
Burma Skinner
Burma Elizabeth Nield Skinner passed away on November 15, 2025, in Bountiful, Utah. She was born to Ellis and Ouida Nield on September 7, 1933 in Afton, Wyoming. She married her high school sweetheart, Alma Dean Skinner, on February 20, 1953. She often predicted she would live to be 92, and she was right!
Our beloved mother was an avid reader, a lover of animals, and someone who loved a good pot of coffee and found great joy in making and sharing candy with her family. In her youth, she worked at the Afton Library, Fred’s Cafe, and Robert’s Market. After moving to Utah, she was employed by Litton Industries.
She is survived by her daughters, Laura (Wayne d. 2018) Healey, Sheri (Jim) McGee, Deena Skinner, and Jill (Jeff) Jensen; and her son, Blake (Robyn d. 2017) Skinner.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Alma Dean; her daughters, Susan (Frank) Garcia and Shannon (Ryan) Ogden; her grandson, Russell Garcia; her granddaughter, Teesha Nieser; and her siblings, Rita Hinck, John Nield, Wendell Nield, and Dixie Anderson.
She was blessed with 22 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
A casual graveside service will be held on May 16, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Memorial Mountain View Cemetery, 3115 Bengal Blvd., Sandy, Utah.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you remember her by enjoying a good book, sipping a cup of coffee, savoring a favorite piece of candy, and showing a little extra kindness to an animal.
James Rice
“Jim” James Roland Rice (Uncle Buck), 89, of Star Valley Ranch passed away at home on April 25, 2026. Jim was born in Winnfield Louisiana, Winn parish on August 6, 1936 to the parents of Voyd Edgar Rice and Fannie May Barton Rice.
Preceded in death by his siblings Rex Rice, Doris Rice, Vaudine Rice and Betty Rice.
Survived by his sister Gloria Rice Hickey, residing in Winnfield Louisiana.
Jim lived a full and vibrant life of service to others. He was well known for his strong presence and the connections he built with the people around him. Jim served in the United States Air Force early in his life. Jim also served as the president of the Teamsters Union in Las Vegas, Nevada, a role that reflected his leadership and dedication to working people. He served many years and was very loyal to the Teamsters Union.
Jim loved the game of Poker and was successful with it, most of the time. He enjoyed the game and the camaraderie that came with it. He had a great Poker face that everyone was familiar with. He found joy on the golf course and spent many days enjoying the green, playing in tournaments and making relationships. He was also an avid outdoorsman, he loved to fish and hunt.
His family and siblings were also very important to him, and he invested his time for them often. Jim cherished the time he spent with his beloved dog Bonnie. Everyone knew that Bonnie was a special dog, and what she meant to him. Jim had a natural charm and was a true person, forming meaningful relationships with those he loved. Jim was a great mentor to a lot of young men.
His kindness extended throughout the Star Valley community, where he was known for helping others and making an impact on many lives. Jim was ‘one of a kind’ and left an impression on anyone he encountered. Uncle Buck will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all those who knew him. A celebration of Life will be held in memory of him at the Schwab Mortuary building at 211 Jepperson Rd. Thayne, Wyoming 83127 on Saturday May 9, 2026, at 1:00pm.
