The following obituaries and death notices appeared in the August 5, 2026 edition of the Star Valley Independent.
Kathy Giles
In Loving Memory of Kathleen Joann Giles
Kathleen Joann Giles was born February 22, 1966, to Bert and Patricia Giles, in Salt Lake City, Utah and passed away on July 3, 2026. Kathy was the eldest daughter and one of six siblings; Robert, Ricky, Ronnie, Kathy, Bonnie & Roseleen.
Although, her life was cut short she packed more love and adventure into her 60 years than seemed possible. She grew up in a small town Duchesne, Utah where she graduated from high school and started her own family. She raised the first two of four children; Robert Giles and Paul Giles while living in Duchesne, Utah and later moved to Salt Lake City, Utah where she met and married Paul Felicetti, and had two more children; Ashton Felicetti and Canessa Felicetti to complete her family.
Kathy loved being outdoors, camping and fishing with her family and cooking in the kitchen with her mom where her passion for cooking flourished. She loved cooking for people in and around her life. Her children will remember her as the mom who always said yes to one more hug, one more kiss and one more silly joke. Her impact on her family and friends will echo for generations to come.
Kathy was preceded in death by her father; Bert A Giles, brother; Ricky S Giles, nephews; Austin T Sheppard, Eli Hull, daughter-in-law; April Bond Giles, great nephew; Silas R Giles and great niece; Lorelia W Giles.
Kathy leaves behind her four children Robert Giles, Paul (Robyn) Giles, Ashton Felicetti, Canessa (Nick) Hull, her grandchildren; Destiny and Elizabeth Giles, Ryker and Bexley Giles and Tytus Hull. She is survived by her mother Patricia Giles, brothers Robert Giles, Ronnie (Wendy) Giles, sisters Bonnie (Kevin) Herrell, Roseleen Giles and various nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held August 8, 2026 at 1p.m. At the Latter-day Saint church at 455 East 200 South in Pleasant Grove, Utah.
Barbara Shannon
In Loving Memory of Barbara Shannon
On July 28, 2026, the world lost an extraordinary woman. While her family grieves the loss, they take comfort in knowing that her love continues to live on in the countless lives she shaped.
Barbara was born on September 25, 1941, in Port Jervis, New York, to Robert James Harford Jr. and Claribel Shute Harford.
Barbara’s greatest love story began at age 15, when she met her high school sweetheart, Walter Roland Shannon III. Together they shared a remarkable 70-year love story, including 63 years of marriage. They raised six children in Milford, Pennsylvania, before later making their home in Anthem, Arizona, and Thayne, Wyoming, where they cherished being closer to their growing family.
Throughout her life, Barbara wore many hats, from realtor to wedding cake baker, seamstress, and crafter. Yet no role ever meant more to her than being a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her lifelong devotion to her Lord and Savior was the foundation of a life of faithful service through leadership callings in the Young Women and Relief Society organizations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and countless quiet acts of kindness for family, friends, neighbors, and strangers.
She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Robert James Harford Jr. and Claribel Shute Harford.
Barbara’s love lives on through her devoted husband, Walter Roland Shannon III; her children, Teresa Thomas (Nathan), Roland W. Shannon (Sandra), Michael Shannon, Michelle Yurkovic (Greg), Danielle Parsons (Cory), Lindsey Henry (Jason), and her beloved dog, Roy; her 17 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren; her brother, Robert Harford and his wife, Jeanne; and their children, Nicole Little (Shawn) and Charles Harford (Wendy).
Her greatest legacy was the family she loved so completely and the countless memories that will be cherished for generations to come. Though her family will miss her dearly, they find comfort in knowing she is reunited with her parents and many loved ones. Their faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ gives them hope and peace in the eternal promise that families can be together forever.
There are no services currently scheduled, in accordance with her wishes.
Gary A. Daggett
CMS Gary A. Daggett (ret) passed away on July 5, 2026 at Star Valley Care Center.
He is survived by his wife Sandra Daggett, daughters Trishanne Beckmer and Tracy Adams, four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
He had a wonderful life doing what he loved. He will be missed,
Cremation done by Schwab Mortuary.
Ron Stoltenberg Celebration of Life
The family of Ron Stoltenberg will hold a pasture party to celebrate Ron’s life on August 15, 2026 from 5:00-8:00– p.m. at the Stoltenberg residence located at Stoltenberg Lane – 688 County Road 133, Auburn, WY 83111.
Family, friends and neighbors are invited to bring their chairs and beverages to the pasture to share stories, memories and laughter.
To honor Ron’s love for animals and per his request, a boot will be available for donations to Lucky’s Place Animal Shelter.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Eddie Hunsaker
Eddie Odell Hunsaker was born on April 8, 1944, in Afton, Wyoming. He was the oldest of five children born to Odell and Marge Hunsaker. Eddie spent his early years in Smoot, Wyoming, helping on the family dairy farm and attending Smoot Elementary.
He graduated from Star Valley High School in 1962. One of the highlights of that time was helping the Star Valley Braves football team win the first state football title in school history. Eddie was an all-state running back.
He went on to attend Snow College in Ephraim, Utah, where he also played football. It was there that he met the love of his life, Pam Paulsen. They were married on July 31, 1965, in Ephraim and were sealed eternally 13 years later in the Idaho Falls Temple.
Eddie worked for Smith’s Food King as a meat cutter in Brigham City, Utah. During that time, Eddie and Pam experienced the heartbreaking loss of their first child, baby Margo, who passed away at three months old. A few years later, they were blessed with another daughter, Amy, and then a son, Brian.
Eddie was later promoted to meat supervisor for Smith’s, a position that required the family to move to Boise, Idaho. While living there,they welcomed another daughter, Lisa. A subsequent promotion moved the family again, this time to El Paso, Texas.
After a year in El Paso, Eddie wanted a better environment in which to raise his family. He and his brother, John, purchased Robert’s Market in Afton, Wyoming, which became Familee Thriftway. They later built a second grocery store, Alpine Market, in Alpine, Wyoming.
Eddie enjoyed many aspects of living in Star Valley. He loved running up Swift Creek Canyon to train for multiple marathons, biking the roads of the valley to prepare for endurance races, taking trips to Bear Lake with his family, and serving the Lord.
After selling the stores, Eddie and Pam served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the California Los Angeles Mission from 2013 to 2014.
Eddie had a tremendous work ethic, beginning with his early years on the dairy farm, continuing as he built a successful business, and extending to the lessons he taught his children and grandchildren.
Eddie served faithfully in many callings for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. At the time of his passing, he was serving as first counselor in the Afton 2nd Ward bishopric.
Eddie passed away doing one of his favorite things, sitting in the bike saddle and pedaling through the valley he loved.
He is survived by his siblings, Jennifer Heap, John Hunsaker, and Barbara Erickson; his wife of 61 years, Pam; his children, Amy (Shane Hinckley), Brian (Brooke Hunter), and Lisa (Sam Linford); 12 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Tom; his infant daughter, Margo; and “his boys,” his two great-grandsons, Jack and Lucas.
A viewing will be held from 6-8pm on Friday, August 7, 2026 at Schwab Mortuary. Funeral services will be Saturday, August 8, 12:00 p.m. at the Afton Wyoming Stake Center with a viewing preceding the funeral from 11:00-11:45 a.m.
