For more area obituaries, please visit Schwab Mortuary.

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

Lee Albrecht

A devoted and steadfast presence has left us after a life marked by strength, dedication, and quiet care. Werner Lee Albrecht, 82 years old, of Afton, passed away on September 30, 2025 in Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center (EIRMC) in Idaho Falls, Idaho after a fall. Per his wishes, a graveside service will be held at the Grover Cemetery on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.

Lee was born in Logan, Utah to Werner Albrecht and Lillian Viola Lawson Albrecht on December 18, 1942. He was the oldest of four siblings, Carol, Patricia and Susan. He loved to joke and tease them relentlessly while growing up. He graduated from South Cache High School in Hyrum, Utah, later moving to Afton Wyoming. Lee worked for Logan City Light and Power prior to working and retiring from Lower Valley Energy in Afton, Wyoming.

Lee married Sheila Stoddard Buttars and together they had three daughters, Sandie Lee, Laurilee and Diana Lee. They later divorced. Lee married Peggy Jensen  Albrecht, and she brought four children to their blended household, Kerri, Rod, Rick and Kami.

Lee is known for his polite and reserved demeanor, and carried his care for others in a humble and discreet manner. His love for his family was profound and expressed through actions rather than words. Lee enjoyed remodeling houses, working on anything mechanical and tending to his garden with his wife Peggy. He loved  spending time with his family cooking dutch oven chicken, potatoes and milk-can dinners for them as well as smoking turkeys for friends and family.

Lee is proceeded in death by his parents and sons-in-law, Boyd (Sandie) Jensen and Rory (Lauri) Coates. He is survived by his wife, Peggy, his daughters and sons.

Lee’s legacy is one of quiet strength, relentless work ethic and sincere kindness. His life reminds us that true strength often speaks softly but carries a lasting impact.

Michael Black

Michael (Mike) Don Black, age 72, returned home unexpectedly to his loving Heavenly Father early on October 4, 2025. He was born in Ogden, Utah on June 17, 1953 to Don Maurice and Doris Weenig Black. Mike spent his growing up years in Utah, Idaho & California. He graduated from Vista High School in California. Following High School, Mike served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Texas North Mission. After his mission, he graduated from Utah State University. Mike spent his career serving in Higher Education Administration, retiring from Georgia Tech in 2018 as the Assistant Vice President and Executive Director of Housing.

Mike married the love of his life, Paulette Jeffs, on August 1, 1975 in the Salt Lake Temple and recently just celebrated 50 years of wonderful marriage surrounded by family. Together they have 4 beautiful children, Heather Mae Taylor (Doug), Christopher Michael Black (Kelsie McCue), Cameron Roger Black (Jenny Womack), and Sarah Ruth Noftle (Marcus). Mike has been blessed with 16 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Upon retirement, Mike and his wife settled in Star Valley Wyoming. They both had been coming here for 40+ years and finally made it home. Mike was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He loved his family deeply. He found joy in golf, basketball, skiing and lived with a strong and enduring testimony of Jesus Christ. He is survived by his beloved wife, Paulette, 4 children, 16 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held October 11, 2025 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel in Freedom, Wyoming (1556 WY-239 Freedom, WY). A viewing will be held the night before on October 10, 2025 from 6-8 p.m. A second viewing will be held October 11 from 9-10 a.m. Both will be held at the church. The funeral will begin at 10:15 a.m.

Delane Hyde

Delane Hyde, 78 years old, returned home to his Heavenly Father on October 5, 2025 in Tooele Utah. Delane was born to Eldon and Rena Hyde on November 15, 1946 in Afton, Wyoming. He married Catherine T Jankowiak on August 31, 1984 in Ogden, Utah. They were sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple on August 31, 1995 for time and all eternity.

Delane held many callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints over the past 35 years. One of his most precious callings was when he was called to work in the Star Valley Temple in Afton, Wyoming, October 31, 2016.

Delane served in the Army National Guard from 1965-1969 and had many stories to tell of his experiences. He loved the outdoors, fishing, camping, elk hunting with his family, and backpacking with his wife Cathy. Delane was an avid photographer and had an eye for the most perfect setting out in the wilderness.

In his earlier years he enjoyed the mountain man rendezvouses, black powder shooting which he was very good at, and hatchet throwing. He made all his own leather clothing. He and his friend Craig were asked to come to the elementary schools and teach the children about the mountain men. They wore their leather clothing and brought their black powder guns, knives, and hatches into the school to show them to the children. He enjoyed reading the letters that the children wrote to him thanking him for coming.

Delane enjoyed spending time with family especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They enjoyed skeet shooting and target shooting. When Delane could no longer shoot on his own, his 10 year old great-grandson Talon would say; “Come on grandpa I’ll help you shoot,” he loved that.

He loved all his children but especially his grand and great-grand-children, they had a special place in his heart.

Delane also loved Cathy’s family, they took such great care of him and they would laugh until their sides hurt. They did many things together. He had a special place in his heart for Susie, his sister-in-law. She was mild special needs and when she lost her spouse he stepped up to the plate and made her feel so special, by calling her sweetie. He was loved by his in-laws.

Delane is survived by his wife of 41 years, Cathy; two daughters, Nicki Jean (Bill) Romero, and Julie Ann (Nick) Morton; grand-children, Johnniejean Sanders and her special friend Chris, J.D. Morton, Kurtis Romero and Katelin Romero; great-grand-children, Keira Sanders, Sage Romero, Talon Sanders and step great-grand- child Vander McMullen; and a great-great-grand-child that is on the way; sisters, Vernette Fluckiger, Nyla Skinner, and Sue Ann Hymas; brother, Spencer Hyde, many nieces and nephews, sisters in-law; Julie Rusho and Connie Morse, and many in-law nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents Eldon and Rena Hyde, parents-in-law, Walter and Thresa Jankowiak, siblings; Galene, Clain, Delwin, LaRene, and Curt; sister-in-law Sue White, brothers in-law Richard Jankowiak, Bill Rusho, Al Morse and Randall White.

A viewing has taken place in Grantsville, Utah for his immediate family on October 8, 2025 with cremation following.

A visitation with the family will take place on October 18, 2025 from 11-11:45 at the Bedford Ward Chapel, Bedford, Wyoming and the funeral following at 12 noon with military honors at the Bedford Cemetery at 1:15 p.m.

Arrangements and Cremation were provided by Dalton-Hoopes Funeral Home & Creamation Center, Grantsville, Utah daltonhoopes.com.