The following obituaries appeared in the June 27, 2018 edition of the Star Valley Independent
For more local obituaries please visit Schwab Mortuary.
Walter William (Bill) Martin, 89, of Thayne, passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 17, 2018. Bill was born in Laramie, Wyoming on February 18, 1929 to Leotha and Walter Martin. He attended grade school in Laramie and moved to Cody, graduating from Cody High School in 1948. He excelled in athletics – football, wrestling, and track. He was all-state in football and a two-time state champion wrestler. He attended the University of Wyoming on a wrestling scholarship, graduating in 1953 with a B.S. He later attended the University of Nebraska receiving a M.Ed. Bill married Lynn Thomas, his high school sweetheart, in January of 1949. Four children were born to this union. He began his teaching career in 1954 in Rock River, Wyoming, moving to Worland, Wyoming in 1956 to teach and coach wrestling and football. During his years in Worland, Bill experienced a dramatic 40 foot fall, shattering the bones in both legs. Remarkably, after six weeks, he was back to teaching and coaching from a wheelchair. His strength, determination and perseverance would be a driving force throughout his life. The final segment of his professional career (spanning 32 years) was completed at Laramie Junior High school as a guidance counselor. Bill and Lynn enjoyed their retirement years in a split between Mesa, Ariz. and Thayne, Wyo. Golf, international travel, friends and family were an important part of this scenario. Besides his teaching/coaching career, Bill was most proud of his family. Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Lynn; daughter, Margie Jackson of Thermopolis, Wyo.; son, Tom (Linda) Martin of Ft. Mohave, Ariz./Thayne, Wyo.; daughter, Sara (Kelly) Thompson of Hope, Idaho; and son, Terry (Denise) Martin of Cheyenne, Wyo. Survivors also include a cousin Noralee Hoefer, seven grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held at the Lynn family reunion in Flagstaff, Ariz. at the end of June. Memorial donations may be made to the Bill Martin Memorial Wrestler’s Scholarship fund c/o the Bank of Star Valley, P.O. Box 928, Thayne, WY, 83127.
Debra Joanne King Smith was born August 18th, 1956 in Davenport, IA to William King and Gloriadean Kroeger-King. She died in Afton on June 20, 2018 at the age of 61. She lived in many places; Iowa, Utah, Washington State, Nebraska and then settled in Idaho in 2007 where she decided to stay to be closer to her kids. She is survived by her children Trina Lowe (Mike), Stephen L Kennington (Belinda), Ted Kennington, Latisha Kennington (Joey), Nina Kennington and Dustie Mraz (Kirk); 15 grandchildren and four great grandchildren; her husband of 18 years, Benjamin Smith; her sisters; Vicki, Patty, Robin, Wendy, Fran, Lisa, Cheryl and her brothers Jason, Todd and Johnathon. She was preceded in death by both her parents, her second husband Harry Balus, her grandson, Christopher and great grandson, Christian.
Funeral services were held June 26 at Schwab Mortuary and buried in Afton Cemetery.
Deon Godfrey Turner, 86, from Osmond, Wyoming, Born January 7, 1932 at Woodville, Bingham, Idaho to Delbert Godfrey and Erma Fugal Godfrey passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer, on the afternoon of June 18, 2018 surrounded by her loving family. She married Garth H Turner of Turnerville on June 5, 1964 in the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple. They started their Life together in Turnerville and later moved to Osmond Wyoming where they currently reside. They have lived in Osmond for the past 46 years. In the career world Deon worked as: a waitress, department store clerk, a telephone operator, a Secretary, cleaning Lady and an Elementary School Teacher. Deon is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her church positions included: Teaching Sunday School, Relief Society, and Primary. She served as a Primary President for two years. She served in the Relief Society as a 1st and 2nd counselors, as a visiting teacher and a visiting teacher supervisor. She served a full time mission to the Eastern States Mission including New York and Pennsylvania from June 1956- December1957. She supported her husband as he served in the Bishopric. She was a Stake Missionary, and a welfare missionary. She also served with Garth, as senior missionaries, at the Ft. Lupton Dairy in Colorado from July 2000 – December 2001. She was also passionately involved with Family History and extraction work.
Deon was a successful mother and a supportive wife. She is dearly loved by all who knew her. She raised 4 children and devoted her life to her family and the gospel of Jesus Christ. She is survived by her Husband, Garth Turner, her Children, Nathan Garth Turner (Danyel Dennis), Lynette Deon Turner Smith (Shawn W Smith), Terrel Wayne Turner (DeAnn Randal), and Kaylene Turner Anderson (R. Shaun Anderson), 17 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren with a 5th on the way, her brothers Arvin Godfrey, Veron Godfrey, and Lamon Godfrey. Deon is receded in death by her parents Delbert Godfrey and Erma Fugal Godfrey. Brothers LaVar Godfrey and Deloy Godfrey, sister Rolene G. Starr, Sister-In-Law Nina Gifford Godfrey and Niece Lawana Godfrey Pies. Funeral Services for Deon took place on Saturday June 23, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Osmond LDS Church, 3166 US HWY 241 Afton. There was a viewing Friday evening June 22, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Schwab Mortuary, 44 East 4th Ave Afton Wyoming. A viewing will also precede the Funeral on Saturday from 9:00-10:30 a.m. at the Osmond LDS Church. The internment took place Saturday June 23, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. at Fielding Memorial Cemetery, 3660 N. Yellowstone HWY Idaho Falls, Idaho.
You are not born
A winner or a loser
But you are born a
Chooser
And your choices
Determine your success in Life.
(This quote was discovered in the beginning of Deon’s life story she compiled.)
Margaret S. (Peg) Brown of Idaho Falls died Friday, June 8, 2018 at Morning Star Senior Living.
Peg was born January 31, 1925 in Washington, Pa. to the late Charles and Helen Snoke.
She graduated from Washington High School in 1942 and Grove City College in 1946.
Peg was married by her father, the Reverend Charles Snoke, to Maxwell Brown of Corry, Pa, in Washington on June 17, 1950. She spent many decades teaching in the Corry school system both full time and as a substitute. An active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Corry. She spent many years as a Sunday school teacher and served as president of Womens Association. She and Max spent their later years in Alpine, Wyo. Peg was a dedicated correspondent and kept in touch with friends from school, former students, colleagues and neighbors. She especially enjoyed remembering birthdays.
Peg was preceded in death by her husband, Maxwell E. Brown. She is survived by her two children, Roger Brown of Alpine and Janet Brown of Englewood, Colo. Peg requested that there be no service.
The family of John “Allen” Crooks is hosting a celebration of his life on Saturday, June, 30 from 1-3 p.m. at the Thayne Senior Center.
All who knew Allen are invited to share laughs, stories and rememberances.
He passed away on April 25, 2018 from COPD and viral pneumonia.
