The following obituaries appeared in the January 9, 2019 edition of the Star Valley Independent.
Cynthia Kay “Cindy” Bergstrom, left us to be united with our Heavenly Father in the early morning hours of Dec 18, 2018 after a hard fought battle with cancer.
Cindy was born February 9, 1952 to Ray and Maryann Eickmeyer in Oakland, California.
She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend who dedicated her life to those she loved.
Cindy was an avid creator, and her creativity was seen through her She is survived by her husband Raymond, her three daughters Jessica, Nicole and Chelsea, five beautiful grandchildren and a very loving extended family.
She was preceded in death by her parents Ray and MaryAnn Eickmeyer. Time and date of the services will be announced at a later date.
Dan William Stoker, 76, passed away Sunday, January 6, 2019 at his home in Blackfoot, Idaho surrounded by his family. Dan was born on July 21, 1942 in Afton to Charles William and Edith Yeaman Stoker. He attended school in Star Valley and graduated from Star Valley High School. After high school he served in the National Guard. Dan married Karen “Jane” Hinck on August 4, 1964 in the Idaho Falls Temple. They lived for 38 years in Cheyenne. They moved to Blackfoot, Idaho in 2004 to be closer to family. They enjoyed wintering in St. George where Dan loved cracking pecans. Dan was co-owner and merchandise buyer for Corral West Ranchwear. He was an honorable member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served faithfully in two bishoprics and was a high councilman. He and Jane served a mission in Blackfoot, Idaho. Dan had a passion for horses and participating in round-up. He also enjoyed camping, hunting, and anything outdoors. One of Dan’s biggest joys in life was his family.
Dan is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jane Stoker; his five daughters, Becky (Curtis) Horton of Gilbert, Arizona, Tess (Tracy) Lake of Blackfoot, Idaho, Danelle (Jason) Wistisen of Blackfoot, Idaho, Sarah (Tracy) Bono of Grant, Idaho, and Tallie (Kelly) Harris of Idaho Falls, Idaho; sister Irene (O’Dean) Merritt of Afton; brother Jim Stoker of Thayne; 24 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Edith Stoker. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 11, 2019 at the Blackfoot West Stake Center, 101 N 900 W in Blackfoot, Idaho. The family will meet with friends and family from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, January 10, 2019 at the Hawker Funeral Home, 132 S. Shilling Avenue in Blackfoot and again for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Thayne, Wyoming Cemetery on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 11 a.m. Condolences and memories can be shared at www.hawkerfuneralhome.com. Donations can be made to the Huntsman’s Cancer Institute in Dan’s honor.
Steve Rich was born November 2, 1953 in Afton, Wyoming to Lora Jean Walton and Budd Rich. Surrounded by family, he passed from this world December 31, 2018 in the log home he built himself, overlooking the valley that he loved after a hard-fought, self-disciplined battle with cancer. At the age of three, his family moved to Salt Lake City. Although he lived in Salt Lake, he still spent most every summer in Star Valley working on the family farm with his grandparents, Elmo and Bertie Rich, whom he loved dearly. At the age of 21, Steve met the love of his life, Dorlene Ricks, and they were married in 1975. Steve attended school in Salt Lake City, Utah. Following High School, he completed Automotive Technology training in Phoenix, Arizona. He began his career working on fork lifts at Western Lift Trucks. He later accepted a position as Maintenance Supervisor at Smith’s Food and Drug’s non-foods division. After 18 years of service, he left Smith’s to return to Star Valley where he was hired as the Maintenance Director for Lincoln County School District #2. During his tenure he was responsible for maintaining all the district buildings from Cokeville to Etna, as well as overseeing the construction of the new Etna, Thayne, and Afton Elementary Schools, and the new Administration Building. Steve took great pride in his work and ensured that everything was done to the highest standard. If Steve was willing to put his name on it, you knew it was done correctly and would stand the test of time. Steve retired from LCSD#2 in 2017 with 17 years of dedicated service. Steve enjoyed making memories with his family. Some of their family adventures included: snowmobiling, fishing, boating, camping, hunting, golfing, rebuilding cars, and helping his children with their various projects. Above all else, Steve took pleasure in providing service to others. You could often find him building fences, plowing snow, fixing cars, repairing homes or lending a helping hand wherever it was needed. Steve was preceded in death by his mother Jean Rich, brother Todd Rich, sister Lisa Rich, father and mother-in-law Des and Dora Ricks, brother-in-law and lifelong friend Kim Smith, and nephew Shane Fern. Steve is survived by his wife of 43 years Dorlene, sons Matthew (Buddy) and Douglas Rich (Afton), daughter Chelsie Rich (Taylorsville, Utah), father Budd Rich, sisters Tanna (Dave) Williford and Crystal (Randy) Burgess (Afton), sister Jewel Smith (Herriman, Utah), and brother Jody (Mandy) Rich (Hurricane, Utah).
Our beautiful, hilarious, amazing mom, grandma, sister and aunt, Terri Lee Merica, passed away December 24, 2018. She decided it was time to get back in the saddle with the love of her life, Ross. How we will go on without her remains to be seen, but continue we will to honor her legacy. She was the foundation of our family. She built us up, guided us, backed us up and made us laugh every day. Terri was born December 27, 1944 to Jack W. and Hazel (Mike) G. Ellis in Compton, California. She was raised and attended school in Truckee, California where she graduated from Tahoe Truckee High School. She then attended Sierra Junior College in Rocklin, California. Terri began working at a very young age. She waitressed at many local restaurants in the Truckee area including at Squaw Valley in the Olympic Lodge during the 1960 Olympics. She also helped in the family owned business at the Alpine Riverside Hotel and cook-it-yourself steak house. She enjoyed the service industry because she adored people and enjoyed making them laugh. Terri married Ross W. Merica in 1968 in Truckee and they were miraculously blessed with twins, Bart and Bret. Terri and Ross and their little family worked and made homes in Truckee, California, Lakeview, Oregon and Thayne, Wyoming. While Ross worked Terri raised their boys along with some chickens, rabbits, pigs, horses and a few dogs. She loved the feel of a small town and the values it had to offer her young family. Terri and Ross moved to Star Valley in 1975. Her Dad and step mom, Maggie, lived in the valley along with her sister and brother-in-law. Terri kept herself busy raising a family. She eventually became interested in the real estate business and followed in her Dad’s footsteps. She got her license and worked as an agent for a few years then obtained her broker’s license. She and her sister, Kittie, bought out their Dad and step mom’s business, Ellis Big Game Realty in the early 1980’s. They worked hard, sacrificed, scrimped and saved in the early years and enjoyed much success throughout the rest of their careers. They were a force to be reckoned with in the industry. They were respected by their peers, renowned for their flawless work ethic and famous for their endless senses of humor. The business held a very special place in Terri’s heart because of the ties to family and because she got to work with her best friend and sister, Kittie. Terri and Ross were also involved in Salt River Enterprises with livestock and haying operations. They also owned and operated R & T Maintenance Company and The Wash House laundromat, both out of Thayne. Terri and Ross retired together and enjoyed time spent in Kauai, Hawaii and Scenic, Arizona in the winters and at their home in Star Valley in the summers. Terri lost her Ross in 2011 and struggled with his absence until her very last day. She was surrounded by many but often seemed lonely. However, her dog, Pepper, kept a smile on her face. Terri enjoyed her deck in the summer, her dog Pepper, time spent in or on the water, a good book, a good Cape Cod…shaken not stirred, a pack or two of Marlboros, laughing with her sister, Kittie and spending time with her children and grandchildren and watching their lives change and grow. Our Terri was kind, patient, sincerely listened to you and answered with her heart mixed with a little hard truth from life experience. She was giving to a fault, never met a person she didn’t know, could tell the best dirty joke and beautiful enough to make a blind man buy her a drink. Oh, how we will miss her. But we can hear her now saying “Everything is going to be okay baby.” Terri was preceded in death by her parents Jack and Mike and her husband Ross.
She is survived by her sons Bart (Syliva) Merica, Bret (Debbie) Merica, grandchildren Patrick, Katarina and Michelle Merica, sister Kittie (Frank) Borden, niece Cinta (Robert) Roberts and her faithful dog, Pepper Lou.
Trev Eugene DeVore, 50, passed away peacefully from natural causes on December 14, 2018. Trev was born March 10, 1968, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He graduated from Brighton High School and later received an Associate of Applied Science degree from Salt Lake Community College. He lived in Alpine off and on since 2006. He is survived by his mother, KaRil Carol Brocha, father Howard Wayne DeVore, brothers Troy Joseph DeVore (Rishanna), Trace Wayne DeVore (Lanette Lowder), Tristan Christopher Brocha, son Devan Joseph, girlfriend Dee Struble, surrogate parents Ken and Linda McGregor, many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and friends. Trev was a hard worker, taking pride in everything he did. He was a craftsman, as seen through his extraordinary tile work, custom tables, and unique birdhouses that grace many yards. At the time of his death, he was employed by the Seattle Fish Company. He made many friends and acquaintances with co workers and customers, and was always ready to lend a helping hand. He enjoyed his work immensely and it was a perfect fit with his “social butterfly” skills. Anyone who spent even a minute with him will remember the laughter and good times. He loved cooking, golfing, camping, and spending time with family and friends. Fishing was his passion and he got excited every time he caught what he called “a guppy”. We loved hearing him tell stories about his EPIC adventures. You couldn’t help but laugh when he was near you. His joy of life was contagious. Trev, you left us too soon. Until we meet again, keep the campfire going. A celebration of life will be held at the Alpine Civic Center February 23, 2019 at 4:30 p.m.
