Torrington, WY (Colyer Funeral Home & Pier Funeral Home) April 15th, 2024 — It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Gary Bruce Kirchhefer II, aged 53, in an automobile accident on April 10th, 2024. Services will be at the Torrington Rendezvous Center April 19, 2024, at 11am with Pastor David Anderson officiating. His final resting place will be in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Affectionately known as GB by his family, he was born on May 25th, 1970, in Torrington, Wyoming, to Gary and Joyce (Werner) Kirchhefer.
Gary’s upbringing in rural Yoder, Wyoming shaped his character and skills. He grew up surrounded by family including his parents, sister Joylene, grandparents, extended family, and friends that felt like family. Gary excelled as a world class hunter, outdoorsman and the owner of Maximum Waterfowl, LLC. He was a talented carpenter and versatile tradesman, Gary’s expertise spanned various fields. It is said that children and dogs are the best judges of character and children and dogs absolutely loved Gary! He was liked and loved by just about everyone he met.
His commitment to mentoring and sharing his knowledge, especially in outdoor pursuits and craftsmanship, impacted many lives. He introduced many to the joys of outdoor sports and he coached youth baseball for many years. Gary’s strong work ethic, kindness, and ability to connect with others endeared him to all who knew him. Strangers were only a short conversation away from becoming new friends.
Gary recently married his best friend on September 26, 2023, and they resided in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. They had a once in a lifetime love that shined through to everyone who crossed their way. Together, they embraced a life filled with grandchildren (their pride & joy), lots of travel, and an overall spirit of adventure. He always made sure to tell Windy to have her passport ready.
Gary was a kid at heart and loved his grandkids. Whether playing, eating ice-cream, or watching movies they loved their papa, who always knew how to make them laugh.
He is survived by his Wife, Windy Kirchhefer; Father, Gary Kirchhefer; Sister, Joylene (Brent) Anderson; Sons, Skyler, Cole, & Josh Kirchhefer; Stepchildren; Britney Krick, Bee Krick, Brice Krick, Jacob & Julian Preston; Grandchildren Reverie, Britton & Barrett Kirchhefer & Rowan Herrera; Nephew Caleb & Nieces Abigail and Faith Anderson; as well as numerous relatives and friends.
Gary was preceded in death by his mother, Joyce Kirchhefer; stepmother, Shelly Kirchhefer; grandparents, Dick and Mary Kirchhefer; Earl and Eleanor Werner and Laura Werner.
A memorial service for Jack Garner, age 93, of Lusk, Wyoming, will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, April 20th, 2024 at the Prairie Hills Community Church in Lusk, with Pastor Matt Parker from the Harrison Bible Church officiating. The United States Air Force will conduct military honors from the F.E. Warren Air Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Jack died on March 17th at the Lusk Community Hospital/Extended Care Center.
Pier Funeral Home in Lusk is in charge of the funeral arrangements.
Bonita (“Bonnie”) June (Korb) Butler, age 85, died Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in her home in Torrington, Wyoming and cremation has taken place. The family will hold a celebration of life for Bonnie on Saturday April 27, 2024, at 2pm at Christ Reformed Presbyterian Church, 2141 West A Street, Torrington, WY 82240. Quilts made by Bonnie will be displayed at the service. A private burial for family will occur earlier that day in Lingle Hillcrest Cemetery. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Gracie’s Promise at P.O. Box 1366 Torrington, WY 82240 or online at www.graciespromise.org, and please include a note in recognition of Bonnie June Butler of Torrington, Wyoming. Arrangements were entrusted to Colyer Funeral Home of Torrington.
Bonnie was born in Hanna, WY, on November 16, 1938, the daughter of the late Neal J. and Greta E. Korb. Bonnie attended grade school in Wheatland, WY, and graduated from Torrington High School in the Class of 1957. Bonnie met Glen Butler in the summer of 1958, and they married in September of that same year. They lived on the family farm outside of Lingle, WY, which they purchased and operated, and together they built their home on the sandhill with their own hands. There, they raised their children, Mike (1960), Diane (1961), Mark (1962), Kaylene (1964), and Roger (1969). Bonnie took great pride in being a mother, raising her children, and sharing their home with friends and family. After marrying Glen, Bonnie worked as a nurse’s aide at the Torrington Community Hospital, and then helped Glen run the family farm and manage their residential rental business, where they purchased homes and renovated and rented them out. Bonnie & Glen were known for being reliable landlords with comfortable homes to rent. Bonnie had the gift of hospitality and would always be one who would lend a hand to those in need. She was an active volunteer for many community organizations. Bonnie & Glen moved from the farm into Torrington in 1995, where they remodeled their first home in town, and then later moved across the street to remodel their last home, a lovely historic Victorian house on the corner of Main and East 23rd. It was here that anyone walking by would be welcome to come and sit on the porch for a wonderful visit.
Bonnie’s pastimes included decorating and oil painting, and along with her husband, Glen, traveling to see the many sites in both the United States and abroad. They traveled to all 50 states in the U.S. and to other countries, including Germany, Ireland, and China. Bonnie & Glen attended the Lingle Presbyterian Church until they moved into Torrington and helped restore the Christ Reformed Presbyterian Church where they became members and church leaders. Bonnie will be missed by her husband Glen B. Butler of Torrington; her children, Mike (Amy) Butler of Kemmerer, Diane Butler (Davis Wright Tremaine) of Seattle, WA, Mark (Christine) Butler of Wellington, CO, Kaylene (Terry) Detwiler of Bismarck, ND, and Roger (Rebecca) Butler of Tulsa, OK; sixteen grandchildren, Angie (Jeremy) Pyle, Brandy (Kenny) Lind, and their mother Jeanne Visca Butler Wickard, Sammi Butler and Dalton Butler, Hazel Williams and Theodora Williams, Cara Butler, Lynsey (Mitch) Estabrook, Joshua (Jana) Detwiler, Rachel (Nick) Hornbacher, Hannah (Chancellor) Myers, Sarah (Evan) Jahner, and Rebekah Detwiler, Jeremy (Monika) Butler, Malerie (Derek) Olson, and Maddi Butler; eleven great-grandchildren, Brock, Macee, Remi, Body, Oakley, Laykin, Everley, Molly, Eloise (Ellie), Ariyah, and Kai; two brothers, Don Korb of Pennsylvania, Norman Korb of Colorado and three sisters, Karen Sturtevant of Oregon, Darlene Daniel of Oregon, and Carolyn Butler of Nevada. Bonnie is preceded in death by her brother, Bob Korb of Torrington and granddaughter, Christina Jo Butler.
GUIDO EARLIN SMITH, 90, passed away peacefully April 11, 2024, at Torrington Community Hospital. At his request there will be no services and cremation has taken place. Memorials can be made to the Eastern Wyoming College Foundation in Guido’s name. The Colyer Funeral Home assisted the family with the cremation arrangements.
Guido (Guy)was born 20 October 1933, the last of four children born to Victor R. and Venus (Case) Smith, in Leoti, Kansas. He received his formal education K- 12 in the Leoti public schools, and his higher education degrees (8.S. And M.S. In zoology and botany) from Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS, with additional studies at the University of Wyoming, the University of Colorado and Colorado State University. He married Edith (Edie) Vague in Leoti, KS in 1952. After graduation Guy and Edie moved to Torrington, WY in 1956, Guy having accepted the responsibility for establishing a Biology Department at Goshen County Community College (now Eastern Wyoming College). After teaching the biological sciences for twelve years, Guy served as the Dean of the College for sixteen years, during which time he implemented the Veterinary Technology program, the Welding program, and the Cosmetology program. He also served as the Registrar, and he was responsible for interviewing and hiring of faculty. He was appointed as the President of EWC in 1984. In addition to Guy’s commitment to EWC, he devoted time and energy to chairing the Wyoming Council for the Humanities for two years and serving on the council for six years, the Wyoming Higher Education Computer Network being the chairman for two years, and he served on several state committees including one as the representative of the community colleges at the University of Wyoming. Guy and Edie had two children both of whom were born and raised in Torrington. Linda and Tim attended the Torrington public schools and graduated from the University of Wyoming before taking positions and moving to the East Coast. Upon his retirement from EWC in 1990, he was presented the first Governor’s citation for meritorious service to the Wyoming Community College Commission and to the State of Wyoming by Governor Mike Sullivan and was given the title of President Emeritus by the EWC Board of Trustees. Guy is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Linda D. and Craig Stark of Hagerstown, MD; son Timothy J. of Raleigh, NC; two granddaughters, Jaclyn Smith of Baltimore, MD, attending Johns Hopkins University and Jamie Smith Shiels of London England and a great grandson Henry Shiels He was preceded in death by his wife Edith (Edie) of 66 years, his daughter-in-law Shirley (Lee) Morrissey Smith, and his parents, a sister and brother-in-law, two brothers and sisters-in-law.
A celebration of life for STEVEN “STEVE” RAY BROWN, 72, will be held 2pm Saturday April 20, 2024, at the Lingle Community Center. Steve passed away peacefully at home February 18, 2024, and cremation has taken place. Memorials can be made to the family at P.O Box 237 Lingle, Wyoming. Colyer Funeral Home assisted the family with the cremation arrangements.
Steve was born September 3, 1951, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska to “Bud” and Betty Brown. Steve grew up in Lingle and graduated from the Lingle High School in 1969. Steve married Teri Hileman and to this union they had two boys Dean and Allen. They later divorced. He joined the Lingle Volunteer Fire Department in 1972, and dedicated 22 plus years serving as many roles during his time. He was the Vice President of the fire department in 1977 and 1992. In 1979 he served as the Fire Chief and was the assistant Fire Chief from 1981 to 1983. He was also active on the Fire Department Convention Team. Steve married the love of his life Janice King September 13, 1998, and the couple shared 25 years of love. Together they enjoyed fishing. Steve also loved to hunt as well as spend time with family for holiday dinners.
He is survived by his wife Janice of Lingle, two sons: Dean Brown of Tampa, Florida and Allen Brown of Ogden, Utah. Stepdaughter Jennifer (Marshall) Davis of Cheyenne. Three grandchildren: Logan, Hayden and Paige. Two brothers; Roger (Tamera) Brown of Lingle and Tracy (Colleen) Brown of Jefferson, Colorado. He was preceded in death by his parents Bud and Betty.
