The following obituaries appeared in the April 29, 2020 edition of the Star Valley Independent.
For more area obituaries please visit Schwab Mortuary.
On Thursday, April 23, 2020, Norris Cyril Roberts passed away at his home in Salt Lake City, Utah with his loving family at his side. We will forever miss him but find comfort in the fact that he is now free from the frustration of a body and mind that no longer allowed him to do the things that brought him joy.
Norris was born in Etna, Wyoming to Cyril and Lois Clark Roberts on June 11, 1936. He was the oldest of nine children. He grew up working on the family dairy farm, hunting and exploring the mountains of Star Valley, and learning that he was never going to be a very good fisherman. He was a graduate of Star Valley High School, class of 1954. He then moved to Salt Lake City to attend college. Though he loved Star Valley, and returned to visit as often as possible, he knew that farming life wasn’t for him.
Norris served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the South Australia mission from 1956–1958. It was a long way from home – and took him a month on a ship to get there – but he loved Australia and always wanted to return to visit someday. He was a life-long member of the church and served in many callings throughout his life, including Sunday school teacher, ward membership clerk, and counselor to the bishop.
On March 11, 1960, Norris married the love of his life, Joyce Anderson, in the Idaho Falls LDS temple. The couple resided in the Salt Lake City area until Norris was called to active duty with the Wyoming National Guard during the Berlin Crisis of 1961. He was sent to Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Washington to prepare to be deployed. Joyce and their first-born son soon joined him in Tacoma where they lived for the better part of a year knowing that Norris could be called to war at a moment’s notice. When the crisis ended and Norris was released from active duty the family returned to Salt Lake City and Norris resumed his career at Unysis (now L3-Harris) where he worked until his retirement, after 40 years of service.
Norris and Joyce purchased their home in the Rose Park neighborhood of Salt Lake City in 1963. It was supposed to be a “starter home” but they loved the area and the people of Rose Park so much that they stayed, raised their four children, and made life-long friendships. An avid gardener, Norris’s yard always had the greenest lawn and the prettiest flowers and was the envy of the neighborhood. He was very handy and particularly loved woodworking. He could find a way to fix nearly anything, often in his own unique way, which usually involved bailing twine and/or duct tape.
Norris was happiest in the outdoors, so family vacations were almost always spent camping, rafting rivers, and riding motorcycles or four wheelers. He enjoyed music of all kinds, from country to classical. One of his biggest regrets in life was that he wasn’t able to take piano lessons as a child because farm chores took precedence. His desire to play was so strong that he taught himself to play certain songs by ear on the piano and harmonica. Later, when his children asked for music lessons, he found a way to make it happen. Norris had a wonderful sense of humor and was well known for his teasing and practical jokes – skills that he passed along to all four of his kids, much to their mother’s chagrin. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, neighbor, and friend and his presence is already being missed by all those who love him.
The family would like to thank Inspiration Home Health and Hospice – especially Corbin and Susanna – for their kind and gentle care of Norris in the last weeks of his life. Our deepest gratitude also goes to Heather and Holly for using their skills to give loving care and comfort to their grandpa (and peace of mind to their grandma) during the final few days.
Norris is survived by Joyce, his wife of 60 years; his four children: Brad (Shauna) Roberts, Lorie Roberts (Cindy Hartung), Laniece Roberts (Chris Critchley), and Linda (Todd) Seegmiller; his grandchildren: Michael (Katie), Heather, Holly, Ashley, Scott (Stacie), Josh, Nicole, Daniel, and Jonah; his great-grandchildren: Clara and Graham; as well as his siblings: Gene (Gale) Roberts, Burtis (Teresa) Roberts, Darrell (Dianne) Roberts, Connie (Kevin) Bowers, and sisters-in-law Jeannine Roberts and Loyce Roberts. He was preceded in death by his father Cyril, his mother Lois, his brothers Bryce Roberts and Kendall Roberts, and his sisters Leah Joyce Roberts and Verla Prescott.
Due to COVID-19, no funeral or viewing will be held. If you have memories of Norris, the family asks that you write them down and send them by mail to the family home, or by email to: RobertsNews@aol.com so that we may be able to share in your memories of him in that way.
A graveside service and interment will be held at the Afton, Wyoming Cemetery.
Rhea Roberts Miles passed away of natural causes at her home in Afton, Wyoming on Friday, April 24, 2020. Just two weeks prior she celebrated her 99th birthday with a drive-by parade. She was thrilled with all her friends and family that came by to wave and wish her happy birthday.
Rhea was born to Franklin Joseph and Florence Edna Roberts on April 10, 1921 in Thayne, Wyoming. She had a wonderful childhood growing up in Thayne with her three brothers, Frank Roberts, Matthew Roberts, and Griffith Roberts and her three sisters, Mary Roberts Wolfley, Martha Roberts Call, and Doris Roberts Taylor.
On September 21, 1940 she married O’Niel (Bus) Miles in Paris, Idaho. Together they raised six daughters, Sherlene, Linda, Tanna, Jill, Connie, and Venice. Going on picnics, camping, and hunting were some of her favorite family activities. She was known for being able to spot a deer on a hillside far before anyone else. She and Bus farmed, raised sheep, and milked cows for many years. Hard work never slowed her down or prevented her from being a wonderful wife and mother. Service was important to her and many people in the valley were recipients of her kindness.
Rhea was known for her great cooking skills. They first operated the Pilot café in Afton, Wy where her cooking reputation spread throughout the town. Later they purchased the Golden Spur Café and Bus’s Cowboy in Afton Wyoming.
As a Jazz basketball fan, Rhea knew all the players’ names and never missed watching a televised game. On her 98th birthday she received a phone call from the Jazz commentator, Craig Bolerjack, thanking her for being a loyal Jazz fan and wishing her a happy birthday.
Rhea was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had a strong testimony of the gospel and had great faith. Her devotion to personal prayer has been a great example to her posterity.
She was preceded in death by her husband, O’Niel (Bus) Miles, and daughters Linda Call, Tanna Creamer, and Jill Hillyard.
She is survived by daughters Sherlene Moss, Connie Scherbel, and Venice Lancaster, as well as 18 grandchildren, 43 great grandchildren, and 19 great great grandchildren.
Rhea’s life span encompassed the time period of Indian scares to talking to her virtual assistant, Alexa.
The funeral service will be broadcast live on Schwab Mortuary’s Facebook page, please like the page and follow it in order to view the livestream.
Shannon Andrea Stauffer Dickson, 37, loving mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend passed away Tuesday, April 15, 2020. Shannon was born on July 9, 1982, in Afton, Wyoming, to Alan and Jill Stauffer. She was child number seven of ten. Shannon met Kevin Brian Dickson at the University of Wyoming in 2000 and they were later married.
Shannon was a dedicated and loving mother, who would have done anything for her 4 children, Allison Grace Dickson, born in 2003, Isabel Renae Dickson, born 2005, Jamen Brian Dickson, born 2007, and Amelia Claire Dickson, born 2012, who will miss her beyond words.
Shannon had a passion for learning and graduated from the University of Wyoming, while raising her 4 children, with a degree in Psychology and had recently been accepted into a graduate program to continue her education with the hope of becoming an elementary school counselor. Shannon and her family lived in Chehalis, Washington, where she worked as a paraprofessional at Orin Smith Elementary. She was a strong advocate for all children but really loved those special children that she got to work with daily.
Shannon had many talents; she loved to listen and help people. She was an incredible listener and knew when others needed a shoulder to lean on and an ear to listen. She was a justice warrior, fighting for those who suffered injustices throughout the world. She was an amazing photographer and quilter, she loved to read and found great joy in reading and in reading to her children. She was a world traveler and loved visiting various countries throughout the world. She adored nature and loved to roam through the mountains, valleys, and beaches collecting rocks and taking pictures of her children.
Shannon’s infectious smile and witty sense of humor will be deeply missed by all who loved her. She is survived by a large family including 35 nieces and nephews who thought she was the best.
A public funeral service will not be held at this time due to the current restrictions. When family and friends can gather again, her family will plan a celebration of life.
In lieu of flowers or cards, the Stauffer Dickson family asks that you make a donation to the Shannon Stauffer Dickson Family Memorial Fund at gf.me/u/xxmb23 or to any organization that supports mental health or social justice throughout the world.
