The following obituaries appeared in the January 3, 2018 edition of the Star Valley Independent.

Boyd H. Carpenter was born April 10, 1939 in Caldwell County, North Carolina to Howard R. and Evy Franky Wilson Carpenter. He was born in the family home where his closest and last living brother, John, still resides in Granite Falls, NC. Boyd was the seventh child of ten siblings and the first of two sets of twins. Boyd’s siblings include Howard Jr. “Peck”, Eugene “Gene”, Fred, Homer, Doris, John, his twin brother, Floyd and their youngest twin sisters, Linda and Brenda. Boyd remained very close to his siblings and talked to them frequently. He loved his mama and daddy and spoke so endearingly of them to anyone who would listen. He could tell vivid stories and remembered every detail, date, and did this even to his last day on this earth. The day he passed, he told those around that his family members who had already passed on were there to get him and he could see them clearly. He just knew everyone else was crazy and could go to hell if they couldn’t see what he saw, and he would state this with a wink and chuckle.
Boyd was a very hard working dedicated man throughout his life. He was honest and dependable to his employers and became very good best friends with so many men that he worked alongside with throughout his different job careers. While living in North Carolina, Boyd worked in a furniture factory for a man who become one of his best life-long friends, Trip Triplet. Boyd demonstrated to his children that work always came first and his word was a guarantee anyone could count on. He never called in sick, was consistently 30 minutes early, and when someone told him something, he held them to it. His word and hand shake were as dependable as the sun coming up. He expected these qualities from others he associated with and accepted nothing less. His moral compass was his own and drove all of his actions with others, right or wrong.  In 1964, Boyd traveled from North Carolina to Wyoming in search of employment in the oil drilling business. While on that trip, he fell in love with the country and became determined to move his new family to the west where he wanted to spend the rest of his life as a Wyoming cowboy who loved to golf, fish, hunt, and have a drink at the bar with his buddies.  In 1979, Boyd began making his dreams and passions come true when he moved across the country with his wife, Ruth, and his two step children, Darrin and Tina Bivens and his biological daughter, Crystal, to Wyoming to begin their new life. Boyd and Ruth moved to Afton “Star Valley” Wyoming where they wanted to create new roots in this country that they both loved so much. It would be the place Boyd would call “home” for the rest of his life. Soon after moving to Wyoming, Boyd and Ruth would part, but when Ruth remarried, Boyd also claimed one of his children’s older step-sisters as his own, Becky Barber Neunschwander, who he considered one his kids.  Boyd loved life in Wyoming. He pulled his camper to Bailey’s Lake in Little Greys River that would become his home away from home. He spent a lot of time in the Greys River area with friends and family creating memories that stayed with him throughout his life. Boyd talked about his family and friends non-stop with any who would provide him with company over a drink. As he became older, he relived these memories over and over, telling the stories, and he loved the people who helped him create those memories. Trip Triplet, his son Jim, Boyd’s brother John and his son, Mike, David, and so and many other genuine Wyoming and North Carolina men remained to be Boyd’s best and closest friends, golf buddies, and hunting partners throughout his life while he remained as a woman loving bachelor for most of his life. Boyd lived the type of life that he never regretted and one that made him very happy. He admitted he lived by his own rules and was not shameful of this, as it was what made him happiest. He lived by the philosophy not to judge others and he would not tolerate judgment towards his decisions leading him to be very unapologetic throughout his life. While he could be quite difficult at times, when a woman entered the scene, Boyd’s charm and charisma were unstoppable. He loved to laugh, enjoyed anything western, including movies and music, loved golfing and watching it on tv, but mostly, he loved visiting his friends at the bar, where he had a drink every night he was able.  Boyd’s health started to deteriorate several years ago causing him to have to move to a care center in St. George, Utah to be closer to family. Boyd hated leaving his beloved Wyoming and his friends, but he made the best of the situation he was in until he died peacefully in his sleep on December 8, 2017. He had family and loved ones with him almost every day through his last days on this earth, which he so appreciated.
There will be no service per Boyd’s request. His family is attempting to set up a blog for all to share stories as desired. Information regarding this will be announced at another time as it becomes available. Thank you to everyone who contributed to our dad while he was on this earth! You are so appreciated and he loved you all so much! “Here’s to you and here’s to me… Great friends for life, we’ll always be… But if we ever disagree… Then **** you, and here’s to me!” Cheers and bottom’s up!  Rest in peace dad! We love you! Your children, grandchildren, great-granddaughter and so many extended family members and friends; Darrin R Bivens, Tina L Bivens Call, Crystal White, and Becky Barber Neuenschwander and so many other family members who will keep you in our thoughts and memories forever!

Conn “Chief” Nield Astle passed away peacefully on December 25, 2017. Conn was born on October 29, 1931 in Afton Wyoming, to Elwood (Skeeter) and Effie Nield Astle. He had four siblings, Melba, Ken, Ressa and Rex. Conn attended Star Valley High School from 1946 – 1950. He attended the University of Wyoming in 1951 for a short period of time before returning home to work. In January 1953, Conn was drafted into the United States Army for the Korean War where he served for two years. Conn worked for the State of Wyoming Highway Department as a member of the survey crew from 1955-1986. He was appointed Justice of the Peace in 1972 where he served until 1982. During this time, he also served as the County and City Judge.  In 1959, Conn joined the Afton Volunteer Fire Department. The fire department was a great source of pride and enjoyment to him for many years. He was elected fire chief eight different times for a total of 16 years. In 1972 he was elected president of the State Fireman’s Association. He retired from the department in 1996. The Mayor of Afton named February 8, 2003, Conn Astle Day in honor of the years of service and dedication that Conn provided to the town and community. For 45 years, Conn voluntarily prepared and maintained the city ice skating rink at the town park (1960 – 2005).
In 1955, Conn married LaJette Erickson of Fairview, Wyoming. They divorced after two months and in 1956 she had twin daughters, Sydney and Sindy. In May 1956, Conn married Mary Lynn Chapman of Etna, Wyoming. They were married for ten years and had three boys, Jay (Amy Lientz), Rex (Deb) and Dru (Karen). Later, in 1969, Conn married Betty Wirthlin Clark. She had three children, Sandy, Cheryl (Dave Bryngelson) and Doug (Lonnie Stephens). Conn and Betty had one girl together, Christine (Jake Osborne), in 1970. Together they raised their seven children in Afton. Conn has 19 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and 2 great, great grandchildren on the way. Conn was proceeded in death by each of his siblings and his son, Dru Astle. He was an incredible man and beloved by not only his family but the entire community. His integrity, generosity and character were second to none. He be will greatly missed.
The funeral service will be held at the Afton Stake Tabernacle on January 3rd, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. with a viewing starting at 11:30. A viewing will also be held January 2nd from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Schwab’s Mortuary in Afton.

Janette Alice McNeal, age 74, of Star Valley Ranch and Yuma, Ariz., passed away from respiratory failure on Dec. 23, 2017 in Phoenix.  Janette was embraced by her husband of 53 years, their three adult children, her twin sister, their eldest grandchild, and their youngest great-grand child. In the spring of 1943 Janette and her twin sister Janice were born to DeLonne and Hale Ebling in Moscow, Idaho. They were raised in Deary, Idaho, attending Deary public schools and graduating from Deary High School in 1961.
Both earned degrees in cosmetology from The College of Hairdressing and Beauty in Moscow. They went on to work together at a salon in Moscow.  Janette met Ken McNeal while he was attending the University of Idaho. Ken and Janette were married on Aug. 8, 1964 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Moscow. Marriage with Ken meant a choice to travel and live wherever his employer, Peter Kiewit Sons Company took them or to make a home in one place while Ken met his assignments all over the Intermountain West. It was an easy decision and hey set off on their nomadic new life together.  In 1965 their first child, a son, Carey, was born in Twin Falls.One year and nineteen days later, in 1966, they celebrated their second child, a daughter, Corrie, born in Boise. In ten years’ time and many more small-town moves, their third child, Jennifer, was born in 1976 at Rawlins. Janette dedicated her life to her family which meant her cosmetology practice was limited to Ken, the kids, and an occasional friend.  Art, animals, and golf were among Janette’s pursuits, though, family always came first. She was an avid artist, working in many medias including clay sculpture, oil paint, charcoal, colored pencil, pen and ink, and Conté crayon. Her favorite subjects were her family, animals – especially horses, and mountain landscapes.  She would often take in a stray or nurse sick animals back to health.  Janette was preceded in death by her parents Hale Ebling, followed by her mother, DeLonne Ebling-Davis, and then by stepfather, Emmert Davis. The loss of her grandson, Connor Spear three years ago saddened her deeply.She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Ken McNeal; her twin sister Janice Reger (Doug) of Soldotna, Alaska; her son, Carey McNeal (Daphne) of Boise; daughter Corrie Legesse (Joseph) of Allen, Texas; daughter Jennifer DaSilva of Richardson, Texas; grandchildren Amanda, Riley, Tylyn, Natalie, DJ, Zane, Lila, Ruby, and great-grandchildren; Jace, Kade, Tyson, and Owen. A celebration of Janette’s life will be held in the summer of 2018 at Star Valley Ranch. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Animal Humane Association of Star Valley or a charity of your choice.

Willard Hoopes, age 77, passed away December 18, 2017.  Willard was born December 1, 1940 in Fairview to Vernon Hoopes and Izora Hale. The baby of seven children, Willard learned quickly to hold his own. Willard was raised on a farm and was milking cows before he started school. He learned to work hard as a young boy, but was mischievous by nature. Willard attended Fairview Elementary and Star Valley High School. While not an enthusiastic student, he enjoyed math and English; however, not nearly as well as he enjoyed playing pranks and getting into mischief. In high school he played football and participated in a school play.  On June 7, 1959, Willard married Jean Kennington of Afton. Willard and Jean had four children, Gary, David, Glenda, and Joel. Willard farmed with his father and worked at Star Studs sawmill where he became the head sawyer. Later, Willard worked as a mechanic, a rock crusher supervisor, and then as an equipment operator at the county landfill. He was also a member of the police reserve and of the Star Valley Search & Rescue. Willard loved to ride horses, fish, and shoot his 22 rifle. He also enjoyed riding his Harley. Willard loved dogs and was typically accompanied by one wherever he went. Willard made friends easily and enjoyed socializing.  Willard served as a home teacher, first aid merit badge counselor. His favorite calling was working in the nursery in the Salt River Ward. He and Jean were sealed in the Star Valley Temple on November 12, 2016. Willard is survived by his wife, Jean Hoopes, children Gary Hoopes, David Hoopes, Glenda George, and Joel Hoopes, his sisters Gwenith Roos, Lucille Garrett, and Marilyn Hepworth, 13 grandchildren, and 32 great-grandchildren. Willard was buried in the Fairview Cemetery on December 22, 2017.