The following obituaries appeared in the July 17, 2024 edition of the Star Valley Independent.
For more area obituaries, please visit Schwab Mortuary.
For more resources including headstones, please visit the Star Valley Historical Society.
Joe Schwab
Joe Dell Schwab, 74, of Smoot, Wyoming, passed away peacefully at home on July 12, 2024, surrounded by his children. He was born on July 31, 1949, in Afton, Wyoming, to Dell and Mary Lou Schwab.
Joe grew up in Smoot with his siblings: David Schwab, Helen Merritt, Kathy and Marilyn (both deceased), Lavon, Ludean, and Erryn.
A devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and he shared his testimony many times during the last week of his life. Joe had strong faith in and dedication to tithing and fast offerings.
In November 1967, Joe married Bonnie Merritt, and they had five children: Dixie, Mike, Steve (deceased), Brian, and Scott.
Joe was a hard worker, taking on various jobs throughout his life, including welding, logging, oil fields, drilling water wells, road construction, sawmilling, and eventually retiring after 25 years with JR Simplot.
In May 1991, Joe married Barbara Baldwin. He welcomed her children: Chance, K.C., Kate Jensen (deceased), and Ellie Jones, into his family. Joe was a proud grandfather to 20 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
Joe was known for having a fun, witty personality. He loved to tease and joke around, and he had plenty of words and one liners that were unique to Joe. He affectionately became known by “King of Smoot” in his later years, a title that he put into action as he would survey the neighborhood from his thrown under the big pine trees at his home.
A viewing will be held Friday July 19 from 6-8 p.m. at the Schwab Funeral home in Afton, and Saturday July 20 at 11:00 a.m. before funeral services in the Smoot/Osmond Ward Chapel. Funeral services will begin at 12:00. Following the funeral Joe will be laid to rest in the Smoot cemetery.
Andy Stewart
Andy Stewart was born Anna Dee Ward on December 14, 1949 in Logan, Utah. She passed away peacefully at her Star Valley Ranch home in her daughter’s arms on July 3, 2024. She was the first of six children that would come to Eva Egbert and Jim Ward. Her birth position revealed her true identity and laid the foundation for her mortal journey. Andy was the consummate “First Responder.” She was self-sacrificing to the core, and she worked to bless the lives of everyone she crossed paths with. Her greatest joy was helping and serving people. Even when she was misunderstood or misjudged, her intentions were pure. She didn’t care how her circumstances affected her as long as she could make life better for others. This started with her parents as she embraced the role of “Eldest” – it extended to her siblings, her husband, her children, their friends, nieces, nephews, in-laws, friends and community members – – everyone. She made it her mission to make life better for others, and she succeeded.
Raised in Richland, Washington, where she attended Spalding Elementary and then Carmichael Jr. High School, she was a graduate of Richland High School, Class of 1968. She was so proud to be a “Bomber,” and loved attending her high school reunions and reconnecting with her friends. She attended Rick’s College in Rexburg, Idaho, and apparently pursued a degree in “Campus Wildlife.”
Her family relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada, while she was attending college and while visiting them she was introduced to Dale Francis Stewart. They were married for 23 years, welcomed five beautiful children and later were divorced. She taught her children by her example how to work, love, serve and help others. She welcomed them, their friends, and countless others into her home and made them feel a part of her life. Anyone and everyone found safe haven in her home.
She loved music – she played the piano and shared her beautiful alto/tenor voice whenever called upon to sing in church, weddings, funerals, and with her family. She loved to craft, tole paint and cook.
She made over 2000 beanies to support the humanitarian mission. When she got her first serger machine, she was busy making MC Hammer pants, costumes, swimsuits and clothes for her kids and their friends.
She loved reunions in Richland, Washington, and Warm River, Idaho. She loved people; she was relentless in trying to help their lives be better. No one wanted for anything if she could provide it.
Some of her jobs included working at the Jackson Hole Airport, Maverik, and substitute teaching. She loved connections; she substituted at Holdaway Elementary and Star Valley High School. Teens and children loved her because she was “cool.” Her desire to help others led her to become an EMT for 18 years. She was knowledgeable and had an amazing memory to recall details. Patients, friends and loved ones felt calm and secure in her care. She trained many new EMTs to help field the organization. She loved learning and teaching First Aid and CPR to groups around the valley and attending trauma conferences with her fellow EMT’s.
One example of her prankster/fun-loving side was when she and Ra Dawn Ruud threw Jim Murray into the pool. His watch stopped at that moment – had his heart stopped they could have fixed it.
She started evening “Pork-Out” pool parties where women could eat, socialize and swim.
She endured her many trials as spiritual growth experiences and made it through them by focusing on the needs of others. She met people where they were and ministered to them with love and always with humor. She especially loved teenagers and small children.
Something unique about Andy is that she shared a birthday with her good friends Ra Dawn Ruud and Tammy Point, who was also her cousin. Every year they would each try to outdo each other in being the first to wish the others happy birthday at 12:01 am.
She was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many callings and exemplifying Christ-like ministering. Her testimony sustained her. She was faithful to her Heavenly Father, and to her Savior Jesus Christ, and tried to show that love to their children here on Earth.
Andy left this life on her terms free of machines and pain, refusing to live in “jail” in assisted living.
She was appreciated for being blunt and colorful, always checking in on people asking, “How the ‘heck’ are ya?” If you asked her how she was, she would usually respond with, “Same ‘stuff’, different day.” The family would like to thank the Star Valley EMT’s, special neighbors including Galen and Sherry Trosper, and her loving and loyal ministering brothers and sisters of her LDS Wards.
Andy is preceded in death by her mother Eva Egbert (Baker), her father James Moroni Ward, her step-father Charles Edward Baker; her siblings Christie Ward and Bart Ward; and her son-in-law Kevin Smith (Shannon).
Andy is survived by her children Shannon Leigh Smith (Kevin – deceased), Jaymie Ann Stewart, Jonathon Dale Stewart (Ashley), Sean Adam Stewart (Quincy), Benjamin William Stewart (Kelly); daughter-in-law Amanda Bauers Stewart; 11 grandchildren; sister Jo Lynn Hollingsworth (Norman); and brothers Bryce Ward and Robert Ward (Gina).
Her wish was to be cremated and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
