The following obituaries and death notices appeared in the June 17, 2026 edition of the Star Valley Independent.

Eldene Petrovich

Eldene Veigel Petrovich passed away on June 6, 2026, at her home in Murray, Utah. She was born on August 6, 1926, to Charles Veigel and Barbara Ann Nield Veigel, in Fairview, Wyoming.

Eldene graduated from Star Valley High School in Afton, Wyoming. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Utah State Agriculture College (now Utah State University) in Logan, Utah. After graduating from college, she returned to Star Valley to teach English and Office Skills at Star Valley High School. After several years, she moved to Salt Lake City and taught at Horace Mann Junior High in Salt Lake City. Later, she worked for Aetna Insurance Company.

She married Edward F. Petrovich on August 15,1953, in Logan Utah. They purchased a mobile home and traveled to construction sites for work. After working at several locations in Idaho, they settled in Murray, Utah.

She was a devoted homemaker and mother to her three children. Once the children were older, she was employed at Murray High School as a teacher’s aide. After a brief time, she worked as a secretary in the school administration office. She remained there until her retirement in 1991.

Eldene was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loved to attend church and participate in church activities. She held many positions in the Primary, Young Women’s, Sunday School, and Relief Society organizations. She served at the Jordan River Temple for several years. She was a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers (DUP) for many years.

She loved to sew, quilt, crochet, and cross stitch. Family members and friends were the recipients of her beautiful creations. She was an excelled seamstress. At the age of 18, Eldene was selected to represent Wyoming in the 4-H National Style Dress Review in Chicago, Illinois. Eldene entered baked items, canned goods, and clothing in the Salt Lake County and Utah State Fairs. For her efforts, she was rewarded with many blue ribbons and sweepstakes awards.

Her concern for needs of others was evident, especially in her later years. She made countless knit hats and crochet-edge fleece blankets. These items were donated to homeless shelters and the Christmas Box House.

Sunday dinners were the highlight of her week, which she hosted until just before her passing. Personal relationships were very important to her. Much of the joy in her life came from being with family and friends. She often commented on how much she appreciated these visits.

She also wrote life stories of her own and other family members. She loved taking pictures of family celebrations and gatherings. She turned these into memory books which not only consisted of photos, but included names and other important details. In one of her family books, we found the following quote:

“TO MY FAMILY: I want all of you to know that I love you and pray for you every day. That I wish life’s choicest blessings for you. Just concentrate on the good and positive things and the negatives won’t seem quite as important. Always love one another. Your Mother (1997)”

Eldene is survived by her children Jed (Crystal), Jill (Brian) Fetzer, and Joni Atencio; grandchildren, Jason (Jenny), Jeremy (Jessica), Chandra (Chris) Parker, and Xavier Atencio; ten great-grandchildren, and sister-in-law Cathy Veigel.

Preceded in death by her “sweetheart”, Edward, her parents, and her brother, Orin Veigel, grandchildren Stephanie and Anthony, and son-in-law Brian Fetzer.

Funeral services will be held Monday, June 15, 2026, at 11:00 AM at the Grant Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 619 West 5750 South, Murray, Utah. A viewing will be held at the church on Sunday, June 14, 2026, from 6 – 8 PM, and on Monday, June 15, 2026, from 9:30 – 10:45 AM, prior to the funeral. Interment will be at Murray City Cemetery. The funeral service will be live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/@GrantWard-u6k

Barbara Smith

Barbara Strout Smith passed away peacefully at home in Afton WY on Jan 10, 2026, after an extended illness. She was surrounded by her beloveds. Per her wishes, no official service will be held.

Barbara Strout was born Dec 3, 1950 to Walter E. Strout and Pauline Stuart Strout in Malden, MA. She was the middle child between two brothers, Richard and Kenneth. The family moved from Massachusetts to Southern California in early childhood. She attended Riverside city schools and graduated from Ramona HS in 1969. She met her first husband, and children’s father, Gerald M Price, when his family moved in across the street. They were married and had two daughters, Cresta and Kendra.

They moved to Texas and back to CA, first to Visalia and then to Porterville. Barbara worked in Real Estate and Escrow, as a personal bookkeeper to a few different land and ranch companies, then eventually as a paralegal. Out in the country south of Porterville, Barbara & Jerry bought a little plot of land and built a house. This had been a lifelong dream. Barbara and the girls stayed at the house in the country when Barbara and Jerry eventually divorced. Here she grew a large garden and had a revolving door of stray dogs. The summers and weekends were spent at the Porterville swap meet, eating at El Tapatio, camping at Belknap and Montana De Oro. Barbara taught her girls to fish and camp and be self-sufficient during these formative years. Barbara met and married Robert Tyrrell. These years saw the teenage daughters and Rob’s son Christopher, grow up and launch into young adulthood.

She nurtured a love for birds, had a large aviary, enjoyed curing olives each year, and took long walks in the olive groves. She loved her dogs Teeni weenie, the chihuahua, and Dreyfus, the great dane/ mastiff mix. When that marriage ended, it necessitated a move back to Riverside, as her parents were aging and needed care. It was at a divorce recovery class at church that Barbara met her last love, Stephen Smith. Their first date was to the giant LA fishing tackle show. Together they enjoyed fishing of all kinds. The two married and raised Steve’s youngest son, Jonathon, through his teen years. They had float tubes and loved driving up to Bishop and the June Lakes for day trips or weeklong adventures. They eventually moved from Moreno Valley up to Green Valley Lake, where they could fish to their hearts content. They had visited Yellowstone together and decided to move to Wyoming once they both retired.

They moved to Afton, WY so they could fish, enjoy wildlife photography and be near their beloved Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. They had many, many adventures, as Steve promised her they would. Steve and their dog Captain were her caretakers until the very end. She loved her people well. She made sure we knew we were loved. She loved their cabin in Wyoming. She loved to read and garden, fish and go for drives, just because. She was the smartest woman in the room. She loved birds of all kinds, but especially hummingbirds. She had feeders at every house. She could outfish any man, as Steve readily admits. She loved nature, was a great cook, and an excellent photographer. She was an exceptional seamstress, loved to do needlepoint and cross stitch, and had a talent for calligraphy. She had a strong faith and was grounded by her daily Bible reading and the love of Jesus. She had so much scripture memorized, and always knew the perfect verse to share and encourage. She loved the old hymns and loved stained glass windows in old churches.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents Walt & Polly Strout.

She is survived by her loving husband, Steve Smith, her daughters Cresta Price Poole (Darin), Kendra Price Cunha (John) and grandchildren- Kelissa, Cambrie, and Matthew Poole; Cameron & Kamille Wiseman, Kalyse, Christian, and Kaiya Davis. In addition, step children- Jeremy Smith, Brandon Smith (Michelle), Selena Smith Knox (JR), Jonathan Smith (Shauday). Step grandchildren- Kaleb and  Drayden Knox, and Tristan, Mason and Liam Smith. She is also survived by her brothers Richard Strout and Kenneth Strout (Sheryl).

Lennis Atkinson

Lennis T. Atkinson passed away peacefully in Tucson Ariz. On September 4th 2025 at the age of 90. She was born in Turnerville Wyoming on September 21st 1934 to Myrtle and Stephen Turner.

Lennis was known for her love, kindness and her passion for her family. She loved to travel and camping. As a military wife she was able to travel and live all over the country. She was the 1st female manager of the Pet & Garden Dept. at Sears, then got her Real Estate license and worked for many years as a Real Estate agent. She finished her career as a receptionist at a Title company before retiring to travel with Dad.  She was a devoted Wife and mother, she cherished her granddaughters, and great grandchildren, always making time for them. She will be remembered for her unwavering love and the countless memories she created with her family.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband Stanley Atkinson, Sister Reba Larson, Brother Eugene Turner, and daughter Vicki Atkinson Barlow. She is survived by her sister Naretta Turner Reeder, brother LaDon (Arlene) Turner, son Terry Atkinson, daughter Linda (Scott) Rhodes, granddaughters Alana (Paul) McCawley, Andrea (GJ) Moore and great-grandchildren Evelyn and Paulie.

A celebration of Lennis’s life will be held June 26th, 2026, at Webb Funeral Home 1005 S 800 E Preston Idaho, Visitation at 10am with memorial service at 11am. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at webbmortuary.com

Barbara Mondy

It is with profound sadness and broken hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Barbara A. Mondy (née Frost). She passed away peacefully on June 14, 2026 at the age of 75, surrounded by the comforting presence of her loving family.

Born in Seattle, Washington, she was the cherished daughter of Delores (Ronne) Church. From a young age, Barbara possessed warm and generous spirit that drew people to her. She built a life defined by devotion, resilience, and an unwavering capacity to love others unconditionally.

Barbara dedicated her life to her family and her passions. Whether she was gardening, helping one of the kids or working in the hardware store, she approached every day with joy and grace. She was the heart of our home—our greatest cheerleader and a beacon of strength during life’s challenges. Her wisdom and selfless nature left a lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to know her.

She is survived by her loving children, Heather (Mondy) Bull and Christopher Mondy; her grandchildren, Ashlen (Nottage) Stomley, Shelby Mondy and William Mondy; her great grandchildren Landon Stomley, Dusti Stomley, Cody Miller and Dean Mondy; siblings, Sandy Frost, Carol (Church) Ortega, Marie (Church) Rodriguez, Pat Church, Linda Church, Bob Church, Jeff Church, Jennifer (Church) Oliveras; and an extensive circle of extended family and friends who will miss her dearly. She was preceded in death by her husband Dean Mondy and Mother Delores Church and siblings John Church, Danny Church and Harold Church Jr.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in her name to the Lucky’s Place Animal Humane Association of Star Valley (PO Box 654, Thayne, WY  83127)  a cause that was very close to her heart.

“You were my first home, my constant comfort, and my guiding light. We will carry your memory and love in our hearts forever.