For more area obituaries, please visit Schwab Mortuary.

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

Michel Call

Michel L Call, age 82, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City. He was born December 30, 1942, in Afton, Wyoming, to Reita Leavitt Call and Stayner White Call, the eldest of thirteen children. As a youth he loved hiking in the mountains of Star Valley and enjoyed basketball and music. Michel earned the rank of Eagle Scout and excelled in school, graduating from Star Valley High School in 1961.

He served for two years in the Alberta Canada Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After returning home, he graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and later earned a master’s degree in political science.

Michel married Margaret Ann Simmons in 1968 and during their 22 years together they had ten children and currently have 40 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. In 1992 Michel married Maryellen Adams Thornton and expanded his family to include her four living children. During their 32 years of marriage they welcomed seven additional grandchildren.

A dedicated scholar, Michel devoted much of his life to genealogical research, with particular focus on royal, Mayflower, and Mormon pioneer ancestry. He also developed a passion for running and ran multiple marathons. He taught high school mathematics in Wyoming and California before returning to Utah upon his retirement.

He is survived by his children Rachel Hokanson (Robert), Annette Jasperson (‘Jon), Walden Call (Michelle), Liesl Johnson, Rebecca Baggett (Phil), Holbrook Call (Irene), Christina Butler (Jared), Forest Call (Grace), Afton Call (Jared), and Kimberly Perkins (Jon); his stepchildren Wren Thornton, Rachel Thornton Smith, Corbin Thornton (Carolina), Josh Thornton; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his siblings Cara Clark (Sam), Kevin Call (Lorie), David Call (Janet), Justin Call (Umelia), Frieda Garrett (James, dec.), Freya Turner (Scott), Ethan Call (Christine), and Alyssa Owens (Matthew).

Michel was preceded in death by his parents, Stayner and Reita Call; siblings Kim Call, Brett Call, Shann Call, and Nancy Fennern; Maryellen’s son Isaac Thornton and daughter-in-law Soledad Thornton; and grandchild Dan Mower.

A private family memorial service will be held at a later date.

Karey Clark

Karey Merritt Clark, age 68, passed away at her home on Thursday, August 21, 2025. Karey was born July 2, 1957 in Afton, Wyoming to Austin and Dorthy (Hurd) Merritt. She was the fourth of five children. Karey spent her youth growing up on her parent’s dairy farm on the Bedford Bench and talked often of the animals on the farm, including her favorite horses and her white kittens. A highlight of her younger years was attending hunting camp at Whiskey Creek up the Little Greys River and serving as Lincoln County Fair Rodeo Royalty. She had fond memories of spending time together with extended family and having the privilege of going to pick up her Grandpa Hurd weekly for Sunday dinner. Karey was fond of the mountains and spoke often of family cookouts up Grover Park. She loved Star Valley and there was no other place on earth that compared to it, and rightfully so. Karey graduated from Star Valley High in 1975. She then went on to attend college for a short time at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho.

In 1980, Karey met and married J. Jon Clark. While this relationship later dissolved, their three children were the proudest accomplishment of her life. Klint came first and was followed by a younger sister Jesi, and a little brother Jake.

In 1984, Karey went to work for the USDA Farm Service Agency, where she would work for the next 33 years. During her tenure, she served local farmers and ranchers of Lincoln County, Laramie County and eventually served as the County Executive Director for Uintah County. Karey’s health would eventually become a challenge for her and she retired from the USDA and returned to her beloved Star Valley. She took a part-time position as a front desk clerk for Star Valley Medical Center in the Thayne office until she eventually had to retire fully. In October of 2020, Karey was the recipient of a kidney transplant and was grateful for the extended life it provided. Her health continued to be a constant burden for her remaining years and she passed away at her home as a result of this.

As her children grew, married, and began starting families, Karey’s greatest joy of being a grandma became the focus of her life. She made a point of being present for the birth of every one of her grandchildren and recently was thrilled to be present for the first of their marriages when her eldest granddaughter, Lauren, was married. In recent years, her health made it very difficult to attend many events, but she was determined not to miss it.

Karey spent her years as a mother being involved in events her children were involved in including being a 4-H leader, a Boy Scouts leader, and helping her children show livestock at the County Fair. She was a lifetime member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, serving in various callings including playing the organ in church for many years. In recent years, she looked forward to watching church over zoom and still being able to participate in Sunday services. As her health declined, she spent much of her time working on genealogy and connecting with family members across the country. Some of her favorite memories were a family vacation she planned with her sister and her daughter to South Dakota and of course the trips home to Star Valley were always a favorite. In her later years she enjoyed cheering on her grandchildren at sporting events and livestock shows. Camping with family during the yearly Merritt Family Reunion was always a highlight.

Karey is survived by her children, Klint Clark (Melissa), Jesi Clark Gates (Shawn), Jake Clark (Jackie), 10 grandchildren who were the joys of her life; Klayton Clark, Lauren (Kasey) Rosendahl, Gavin Gates, Shaylee Clark, Laney Gates, Shelby Clark, Guthry Gates, Jacetin Clark, Jalette Clark and Kinsley Clark, two step grandchildren Kylie Bunnell and Corbin Wickham, and two brothers Odene (Irene) Merritt and Sheldon (Diane) Merritt.  She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings Trudy Merritt and Kendall Merritt, step grandson Collin Wickham.

A viewing for Karey will be held Thursday, August 28th from 11:00am-12:30pm at the Schwab Funeral Home in Thayne Wyoming. A funeral procession to the Bedford Cemetery will directly follow the viewing and graveside services will be conducted at the Bedford Cemetery at 1:00pm, where interment will follow.

Schwab Mortuary in Thayne, Wyoming is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.schwabmortuary.com