The following obituaries and death notices appeared in the January 22, 2025 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.
Nadean Cassell

Nadean Humpherys Cassell was born on November 7, 1936, to Neva Clark and Dean Gardner Humpherys in Afton Wyoming. She was the oldest of nine brothers and sisters- Sharon Sanderson, Ken Humpherys, Florence Parker, John Humpherys, Robert Humpherys, Ray Humpherys, Gerald Humpherys and Newell Humpherys.
She passed away peacefully at the Ashford Memory Care facility, on Friday, January 17, 2025. For the last few years, Nadean lived in a Memory Care and Assisted Living facility in Draper, which was in close proximity to her family. She was well taken care of and got to see her family on a frequent basis. She was proceeded in death by her parents, Dean and Neva Humpherys, her sisters, Sharon Sanderson and Florence Parker and her brothers, Gordan Ray Humpherys (infant), John Humpherys, Robert Humpherys and Ray Humpherys.
Nadean grew up, the oldest of nine children on a dairy farm in Etna, Wyoming. Her first job on the farm was to hold the cow’s tail, while her father did the milking. At 10-11 years old, she started driving the hay stacker and then graduated to the dump rake. After doing the farm work, Nadean would help with the house chores and taking care of the younger children. In her limited spare time, Nadean loved spending time with her younger sister Sharon and brother Kenny. They would either be playing with dolls, riding horses, or climbing trees. She loved living on a farm with access to so many adventurous and fun things to do. When Nadean was 8 years old, her father Dean, served in the military and fought in World War II. That was a difficult time for the Humpherys family. Dean safely returned home in 1945.
Nadean went to elementary and junior high school in an Etna Wyoming, where she formed life-long friendships. All eight grades were condensed into three rooms. There were forty students in the school. Nadean attended Star Valley High School in Afton, Wyoming graduating in 1954.
The day after Nadean graduated, her Grandpa, Ray Humpherys asked her what she was going to do now. Nadean was not sure. Grandpa Ray told her that she needed to go to college and the decision was made, Nadean was off to Utah State University. She worked as a waitress, all four years of college at Chambers Restaurant and at the Wort and Silver Spur in Jackson Hole during the summers. She would later say she paid her way through college on tips. She graduated in 1958, with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in English.
After college, Nadean got her first teaching job in Haines, Alaska. She taught mostly native Alaskans- which she said was one of the highlights of her teaching career. After two years, she moved to Anchorage, where she taught for two more years. She loved Alaska but wanted to be closer to her family, who by then had grown to nine children.
She then applied for a teaching job in Las Vegas, Nevada and was hired in 1962. She went on to teach 8 more years, mostly 2nd and 6th grades in Las Vegas. While she was there, she met and married Bill Cassell, in 1962. To this marriage, was born two precious children- Jim and Carol Cassell. Bill and Nadean later divorced in 1974.
In 1974, Nadean and the kids moved to Star Valley, Wyoming. Nadean taught school there for the next 22 years. The last 8 years she was a reading specialist, where she helped develop programs for children who had reading disabilities such as dyslexia. She won several Teacher of the Year awards over her 34-year teaching career. In 1988, she went back to college and earned her master’s degree, in Elementary Education with an emphasis on Science. She loved working with children and helping them reach their potential.
After Nadean retired, she started spending winters in St George and then moved there permanently for six years. She made many new friends and loved her time there.
Nadean was such a loving Grandmother. Her grandchildren loved her more than words can express. She would take each grandchild for several weeks during the summer and put them to work as they would say. She had a unique relationship with each grandchild with many funny stories over the years. They loved Grandma’s sense of humor and quirkiness. It is hard to think of a more devoted Grandma than Nadean.
Lastly, Nadean was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She had strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the atonement. She had many callings over the years. Her favorite calling was her relief society teacher position. She would spend hours preparing for each lesson. She lived her life in accordance with what she believed.
Nadean is survived by her brothers, Kenny Humpherys (Myrna) Gerald Humpherys (Tena) and Newell Humpherys (Sally). Her children, Jim Cassell (Stacy) and Carol Lancaster (Blair), her grand-children, Logan Cassell (Annie), Katie Russell (Ty), Rilee Daly (Hayden), Josh Lancaster (Esther) and Jase Lancaster. And five, great-grandchildren with one on the way. She left this earth with a wonderful legacy.
She will be remembered for her love for her Savior, her love for her family and her love for helping other people. Her family is eternally grateful to have Nadean as their mom and grandmother.
Funeral Services will held on Saturday, January 25 at 12 pm in the Afton Tabernacle. There will be a viewing at 10 am, prior to the service.
Joan Walker

Joan Pack Walker was born February 14, 1937 in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Leland Newton Pack and Eva Richardson Pack. She had two sisters, Nedra Pack Allen and Phylis Pack Tonks and one brother, Richard Leland Pack.
She passed away peacefully almost one month before her 88th birthday on January 17, 2025 at her home in Afton, Wyoming. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Nedra Allen, and brother Richard “Dick” Pack.
Joan grew up in Pocatello, Idaho where she attended school and graduated. After her graduation, she worked as a secretary for Farmers’ Insurance. She was blessed to have many wonderful friends, one of which convinced her to move to Provo, Utah where she found work as a secretary at First Security Bank. She and her girlfriend attended the BYU Seventh Ward where she met Robert “Bob” Walker. After a few months of dating, they became engaged on her birthday, Valentines Day, February 14, 1960. She was very nervous about accepting the proposal because she was afraid that her father would say that this was too soon, but she knew that Bob was the one she wanted to spend her life with and so she said yes. Bob often referred to her as his greatest Valentine gift he had ever received. They were married in the Idaho Falls Temple on September 9, 1960. They returned to Provo to complete Bob’s education. There Joan earned her PHT, “putting hubby through” Degree. To this marriage was born 8 precious children, Bruce, Ann, Douglas, Lori, Daniel, Dean, Gary, and Richard Walker. After graduation, Joan, Bob, and Bruce moved to Pocatello where Bob found work. In 1963 a teaching a position opened up and the family moved to Afton, Wyoming where he taught shop and then as a teacher in the elementary schools while Joan spent her time as a domestic educator and mother.
She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in which she served in many positions. Her favorite was when she was serving in Primary. She loved the children and the music they sang. She and her husband served as a missionary couple in the Micronesia-Guam Mission, the Australia-Melbourne Mission, Washington-Everett Mission, and the Oregon-Eugene Mission, where they met and loved many precious people whom they still love and cherish. They would have loved to continue to serve as missionaries, but health issues kept them from doing what they loved best.
Joan is survived by her husband Bob, one sister Phylis Tonks, 8 children and their eternal companions, 49 grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren, and many cherished and wonderful friends.
She will always be remembered for her beautiful smile, the love which truly glowed in her eyes, and her deep love for her Heavenly Parents and her Savior Jesus Christ.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, January 24 at 1 p.m. in the Afton Tabernacle. A viewing will be held from 11-12:45 prior to the service at the church.