The following obituaries appeared in the January 10, 2018 edition of the Star Valley Independent.

LaReene Thornock Coziah Barrus Martin was born on June 19, 1936 in Bloomington Idaho to Donald Augusta Thornock and Lydia Edith Payne Thornock.  LaReene was raised on a farm in Bloomington with her three brothers Rulon, Ruben, and Mel. She told us children it was hard work living on a farm. LaReene walked to school from her home to Paris everyday. She didn’t like the winters and having to walk through the snow to get to school. On the way home she would ride one of the cows and the rest of the herd would follow. It was time to milk when she would get them home. When they were finished milking they would sit there milk cans in the wooden water conveyer and send it downstream to the creamery, which was located on the North side of Paris. You can still see parts of the wooden water conveyer as you are driving through Paris to Bloomington. LaReene was always telling us about her Dad’s raspberry patch and Apple orchard. He grew the very best she would say. Her best friend was Mary Thornock, she was also her cousin and became a sister-in-law.  On March 28,1954 LaReene married William (Billy) Coziah in Bloomington Idaho. He worked for Jack Igo as a sheep herder. He grazed the sheep up Grey’s River and would herd them back to Cokeville. LaReene was a camp cook up Blind Bull for the mine.There first son, Michael Dean, was born on January 24, 1955. On January 26, 1958 they added a daughter to the family, Jean Margaret. They moved there family to Grover Wyoming. They purchased the Nelson Ranch, where Dee Calls home sits today. Billy worked as a farmer, blacksmith, and airplane builder. LaReene was a homemaker. On January 25, 1960 Patrick William joined there family. Another son was born on April 22, 1961 Kent Donald. On September 29, 1963 they completed their family with a son Daniel Earl. LaReene was a good mother and a good cook. Her life with Billy wasn’t long enough. Heavenly Father took Billy on August 2, 1967. LaReene meet Boyd Barrus and they were married in 1968. They sold the Coziah ranch after being married a few years. LaReene’s family grew from five children to twelve children. They lived in Boyd’s home on Jackson street. On December 31, 1968 DyAnn Lydia joined the family to make thirteen children. Boyd worked for the postal service. Everyone knew him as the “mailman.” LaReene worked at the school store and a school cook for the Afton Elementary. The family traveled and was able to see a lot of places. After Boyd retired LaReene worked for a few more years and then they started traveling for the winters. They would go see family from Montana, Oregon, California, stay in Las Vegas and then head for Star Valley in May. LaReene loved traveling. She loved to share with us her winter stories. Boyd passed away in 1992. LaReene and Vada Smith started cruising main street and attending dances. LaReene met Jack Martin. They were married on August 2, 1996 in Afton. Jack had a daughter, Valerie that was added to the family. Jack was working at Courtesy Ford at that time. Jack suffered a heart attack and was not able to return to work. LaReene and Jack were able to continue traveling. They would go to Lake Havasue, Mexico, Las Vegas and Saint George. They were able to travel until 2015 when Jack’s health got worse. On February 21, 2016 Jack passed away. LaReene was heartbroken.  On December 26, 2017 LaReene passed away at her home. She will be greatly missed by those who knew her. LaReene was sealed to her husband Billy on October 10, 1984 in the Idaho Falls Temple. LaReene is survived by her children Michael Dean (Sonia) Coziah, Jean Margaret Wozniak, Patrick William (Cindy) Coziah, Kent Donald Coziah, Daniel Earl Coziah, DyAnn Lydia Barrus (Derick) Quinlan. Her brothers Ruben (Ellen) Thornock and Mel (Jackie) Thornock. Grandchildren- 13 Great grandchildren- 14.

Marisa Wanetta Clark was born on June 19, 1999 in Afton, to Marc and Deanna Clark. She grew up in Etna Wyo. on the Clark Ranch. She spent time surrounded by her Clark family and made many memories at her Grandma Clark’s house with cousins. Marisa became a big sister on May 18, 2005 when her little brother, Braydon was born.Marisa grew up learning the value of hard work and determination from her parents. Watching and helping her Dad on the Ranch with the cows, as well as seeing her Mom be dedicated to her work.  Marisa started gymnastics in 2010. She loved gymnastics and always had a smile on her face and a positive attitude. She worked hard for everything she accomplished. Marisa was never afraid to try something new, and gave it everything she had to become the best athlete she could. Gymnastics changed Marisa from a shy little girl to a confident young lady. She was an incredible example of hard work and determination to her teammates. Marisa loved being outside and being active. She loved riding her horse and playing with her dogs. She spent a lot of time up Grey’s River camping with her family. She would spend her days riding her horse, chasing cows with her Dad, and her late afternoons and evenings hanging out with her Mom, brother and Clark cousins. She could be found riding motorbikes, 4-wheelers, horses, or shooting her .22 or her bow and arrow. Marisa also loved the annual snow machine trip up Greys River to the Deer Creek Cabin with her family and friends.Marisa spent a lot of time with her Heiner cousins at annual Heiner camp-outs in locations all over Idaho and Wyoming. Heiner campouts were filled with river rafting, marshmallow roasting, geocaching, exploring and relaxing around camp. Paddle boards became part of the fun too. Marisa would try her gymnastics on the paddle board, doing head stands, jumps and various dismounts. Marisa graduated from Star Valley High School on May 23, 2017, and from Seminary May 21, 2017. Marisa worked at Thayne Valley Market as a cashier. She loved her job, especially those she worked with.She attended BYU-Idaho fall semester and enjoyed spending time with her roommates. The semester was full of hard work, laughs, movie nights and good memories. She made time in her busy schedule to attend the temple frequently. She enjoyed visits back to Star Valley to visit her family and friends. She posted on Facebook that she “Sure missed those mountains.”
Marisa unexpectedly returned to her loving Heavenly Father on December 18, 2017, surrounded by the mountains of Star Valley, her home on this earth.Marisa was a daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, and friend. She was a daughter that had fun and joked with her parents. She was a sister that on the surface looked like any sibling relationship; loving rivals. At the core, she was fiercely loyal and loved her family very much.  Many words have been used to describe Marisa: adventurous, fun, full of love and life, driven, hardworking, great listener, beautiful, talented, sweet, an example of what to be, kind, a true angel, gentle heart, and a sweet soul. She shined an amazing light in this world. She will be remembered and missed by all those who knew her.  Marisa is preceded in death by her grandpa, Mark Clark Jr. She will be lovingly remembered and missed by her parents Marc and Deanna Clark, her brother Braydon Clark, and her grandparents, Wanetta Clark, and Mark & Marilyn Heiner. As well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.

M. Willard “Wid” Martin, born Nov. 9, 1943, passed away on Jan. 5, 2018 in his home in Thayne, surrounded by his family. He was born and raised in Afton and spent most of his time with his uncles on his granddad’s ranch in Willow Creek. He excelled in basketball throughout high school and held many records in track. After he graduated, he spent time with his brother Del in California where he rode bulls.
After he returned home from California, Wid joined the Army National Guard, serving six years and receiving an honorable discharge. He then went to work for Virl Hebdon as a big game guide, where he married the love of his life, Bobbi, on Nov. 28, 1964. They were then blessed with three children: Sandi, Chuck (Amanda) and Chet (Beth). They have 12 grandchildren, 5 step grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and one more soon to arrive. Wid was so proud of all his family and loved them deeply.
Wid later purchased the Bug Creek Hunting Camp and his life continued to circle around Grey’s River in the fall. He also went to work for Rocky Mountain Construction where he took pride in running equipment, rebuilding Sheep Creek road and Little Grey’s Road. The experience took him to several states, where he also was a seismograph powder boss and where lifelong friends were made. In the winter months, Wid and Bobbi spent every weekend up Grey’s River on snow machine with family and cherished friends at Young’s Deadman Ranch.  Wid enjoyed riding horses, none to outdo Ginger and Duke. He also enjoyed camping, hunting, and later learned to enjoy the side-by-side and see places he hadn’t seen since horseback (much to the persistence of Bobbi.) He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles Delbert Martin and Venna Anderson Martin, his brothers Delbert and Tom Martin, and many other cherished family members.  “Even with our progress some things stay the same. Cattle still need branded. There are horses yet to tame. Cowboys will always ride. They’ll head, heal, and haze. Making lasting memories, these are their “good ole days.” As the lonesome sun is setting on our last sky of blue, we’ll think back on good times and friends who helped make dreams come true. The only favor I ask before I’m called away, is let me be a cowboy again for one more day.”