The following obituaries appeared in the May 16, 2018 edition of the Star Valley Independent.
For more local obituaries, please visit Schwab Mortuary.
Earnest LaGrande Hobbs, age 86, passed away peacefully Tuesday May 8, 2018 at his home in Ammon, Idaho. Funeral services will be held at the Etna, Wyoming LDS Chapel on Friday May 18, 2018, at 1 p.m. with a viewing prior to the services from 11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Burial will follow in the Etna cemetery. Arrangements are made by Schwab Mortuary in Afton, Wyoming. LaGrande was born November 22, 1931 to Earnest Samuel Hobbs and Sarah Merrill in Richmond, Utah. He was the oldest of four with two sisters and one brother. He married the love of his life, Jane Deona Roberts in the Logan, Utah LDS Temple on September 11, 1953. They were blessed with four sons, one daughter, 22 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren, with one great grandchild and a great-great grandchild soon to arrive.At the age of 13 the family moved to Star Valley Wyoming. He loved the hunting, fishing, and beauty of the valley. He attended Star Valley High where he played football, was elected Senior Class President, and was the salutatorian at graduation. As a tank commander in the 141st Tank Battalion of the Wyoming National Guard, LaGrande served his country valiantly in the Korean War. He finished his military service in Korea as a Sergeant in the 330th Ordinance Depot Company. LaGrande attended Utah State University where he graduated in Plant Pathology with highest honors. His education continued at Iowa State and graduated with a PHD in Plant Pathology. The family then moved to Bradenton Florida where LaGrande worked at the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station and worked on curing diseases of commercial cut flowers. His wife, Deona became ill while working there, so he took a job teaching in the Botany Department at Weber State in order to be closer to family. North Ogden, Utah became their home while he taught for thirty-one years. He had many happy experiences with students and loved every minute teaching. He also enjoyed the challenge of serving as Department Chairman for thirteen years. While working at Weber State, LaGrande shared his love for the sciences by volunteering countless hours judging the Science Fair. He also accompanied winners to the International Science Fair to compete there. His efforts helped thousands of students to learn and to experiment with the amazing things in the world. LaGrande held various positions in the LDS church, many which involved teaching. He especially enjoyed his calling as Scout Master where he was able to work with his boys as they grew up. After retirement, they moved back to their beloved Etna Wyoming. They enjoyed family and friends there along with the beauty of Star Valley. As they aged, LaGrande and Deona moved to Ammon, Idaho to be near two sons and their families. They provided many hours of loving care and support for LaGrande and Deona during their twilight years. Through the years, LaGrande was totally devoted to his wife, Deona and never left her side until the day she died.
LaGrande is preceded in death by his dear wife, Deona, father, Earnest, mother, Sarah, and brother Robert M. Hobbs.He is survived by his sisters, Laura Witzel (Ray), and Cleo Ward; children Brent L. Hobbs (Kathie), Jeannie H. Griffin (Spencer R), Brian R. Hobbs (Jill), David Bruce Hobbs (Joanne), Bradley H. Hobbs (Dori), along with 22 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren. LaGrande was one of those rare individuals who spent his life in service to others. Because of his goodness, kindness, and gentleness he was dearly loved by his wife, children, grandchildren, and all who knew him. He is greatly missed and greatly loved.
E. Steve Clark, 80, passed away on March 27, 2018. Steve was born July 29, 1937 to Jim and Delois Clark. Steve was the oldest of five. He grew up with his eternal companion Joan in Smoot. They married July 15, 1958 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple and to this union they had five children. Steve had many jobs in his life. He worked for the Forest Service, the logging industry and Star Studs Sawmill in Afton. He was an outfitter and had his own hunting camp. Steve guided hunters in Snake River, Greys River and in the Yellowstone wilderness, such as Pass Creek and Hawks Rest. He rode hundreds of miles on horseback and probably as many on a sleigh behind a team of horses. He fed the elk at Forest Park in Greys River for 23 years in the winter and herded cows in Cokeville in the summer. He spent a lot of time in a Sheep Camp and loved the life. Steve loved his grandkids and spent many hours sharing his life with them and teaching them the things he knew. Steve had a great sense of humor and shared that part of himself with many people. He had a great love for the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon. He and Joan went on a working mission in central Utah where he worked with many Hispanic people and he loved them so much. He always had a warm smile and glow about him that drew people to him. Steve was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Brent and Joe, and one grandchild and two great grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Joan, sons Kim (Jill) Reed, Lyman (Heidi), Dale (Carol) and his daughter Dixie Wolfley, 23 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren.
