The following obituaries appeared in the March 13, 2019 edition of the Star Valley Independent.
John A. Teichert (90) passed away March 8, 2019 at home. He was born November 1, 1928. He was the fifth and last child born to Herman Adolph and artist Minerva Kohlhepp Teichert and their only child born in Cokeville, Wyoming. His parents had moved to Wyoming the previous year after their ranch, on the Fort Hall Bottoms in Idaho, had been inundated by the building of the American Falls Reservoir. John grew up riding the range, putting up hay, feeding and milking cows. The family ran the town dairy for a number of years. During the war John and the boys in the community followed the threshing machines and helped those that didn’t have their hay in. This lasted until October so the only sport was basketball. He played basketball on a state championship team in 1946. After High School he attended Brigham Young University for two years. He served a 2 1/2 year mission to Finland. He then returned to BYU and was involved in the Delta Phi chorus where he met his sweetheart Dorothy Black. They were married June 15, 1953 in the Salt Lake Temple just a week after his graduation in Geology. A month later he left for the army. John served in the Topographic Engineers, stationed at the Presidio in San Francisco, including a summer in Alaska with a survey company. On returning to civilian life, John worked as a Geologist for Anaconda Mining in Butte Montana before enrolling in the University of Utah to receive a Master’s Degree. Oil Companies were laying off Geologists, so John ranched with his brothers before taking a job as Materials Engineer for the Utah Road Commission. John left this to take a job logging core samples at various proposed missile sites in North Dakota and Missouri. While checking on phosphate leases in Cheyenne, John went into the State Engineers office and was hired as an Assistant State Engineer. He moved his family back to Cokeville when a division water superintendent position opened. He worked for 30 years in this position. He served on the Bear River Commission, Cokeville Water Shed Improvement District, Cokeville Development Company and Bear River Advisory Board. In Cokeville they built a home and raised 9 children (two girls and seven boys). With John’s travels, he needed a bunch of boys to take care of his ranching interest. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints with a lifetime of service and commitment. As a senior couple John and Dorothy served in the Washington DC visitor’s center and as temple workers in the Logan Temple. He was known for his kindness and honesty. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother’s Herman, Robert, and Hamilton Teichert and sister Laurie Eastwood. His daughter Patricia (Patty) and daughter-in-law Jan Teichert.
He is survived by his wife Dorothy and children Matthew (Chris), Ann (Val) Garn, Mark (Christine), Michael (Valerie), Melvin, Tim (Renae), Jonathan (Tryny), D.J. (Cindy), 44 grandchildren and 57 great-grandchildren, his sister-in-law Buhla Teichert and brother-in-law Charles Eastwood.
Funeral services will be held March 16, 2019 in Cokeville at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building at 11:30 a.m. A viewing will be held prior to the service at the church beginning at 9:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the missionary fund or your favorite charity.
Joseph Ammon Bassett, 34, of Idaho Falls, passed away March 7, 2019, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Joe was born December 5, 1984, in Afton, Wyoming, to Alan Reed Bassett and Denise Yeamen Bassett. He grew up and attended school in Star Valley Wyoming. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joe loved his family, computer games, art, and his dog Drizzt. He enjoyed climbing and being in the mountains, fishing in the river, running, and playing sports. He was an amazing uncle greatly loved by 16 nieces and nephews. Joe is survived by his loving mother, Denise Miller of Idaho Falls; brother, Jeremy (Shelby) Bassett of Granite Falls, Washington; brother, Corry (Leslie) Bassett of Afton, Wyoming; brother, Tyler (Christina) Bassett of Boise, Idaho; sister, Shantel Bassett of Idaho Falls, Idaho; brother, Christopher (Stormi) Miller of Thayne, Wyoming; and sister, Brianna Gabaldon of Tooele, Utah. He was preceded in death by his father, Alan Reed Bassett; grandfather, John Hillstead; grandmother, Patricia Slater Hillstead; grandfather, Ammon Bassett; grandmother, Lucile Tippets Bassett; and uncle, Mike Hillstead. A celebration of life and graveside service will be held early May in Afton, Wyoming. Specific dates and details to follow.
Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.woodfuneralhome.com.
Lillian Louise Lawson passed away peacefully in her home on March 6, 2019. She was a resident of Afton, Wyoming. She was born on May 2, 1942. Her husband, James Lawson, asked that instead of flowers or cards that you make a donation to the American Heart Association.
Van P. Todd was born July 7, 1950. He passed away on March 1, 2019.
Van was a great friend, godfather, ranchhand, chef, cattleman and person. Van could fix anything. His excitement for Christmas was contagious and his love for friends was unwavering. He will forever be missed.
Van wrote “I would rather go a few days early then stay months too late.”
A celebration of life will be held in early summer 2019 at The West Ranch. We encourage all friends and family to attend. For information please e-mail westranch307@gmail.com.
Van is preceded in death by his parents and brothers.
~ Our hearts are broken ~
The West Family Tobe, Cindell, Austin and Bill
