Obituaries

Warren McHugh

Warren McHugh was born Feb. 24, 1950, to Dale and Edith (Tietsort) McHugh in Pisgah, Iowa. He attended school in Pisgah until the eighth grade. The family then moved to Woodbine. Iowa, and he graduated from Woodbine High School in 1968. Warren farmed for his parents after Dale donated a kidney to Robert, Warren’s brother.

Warren married Kathy Hanson on Aug. 9, 1969, in Pinedale. Warren proudly served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps from September of 1969 to July 1971. Warren was at Camp Pendleton and Norfolk Naval Base before his tour of duty in Vietnam. He was on the last plane load of Marines sent home from Vietnam. After Warren’s honorable discharge, he resumed farming in the Woodbine area.

Warren was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and served on the parish council. He was a member o the American Legion Weiss Post No. 143 and the VFW Fremont Peak Post 4801 in Pinedale. He was a member of Harrison County Cattlemen’s Association and a 4-H leader for Hawkeye Ramblers.

He enjoyed his trips to Wyoming, Sunday four-wheeling rides, county fairs and looking over the Boyer Valley. Warren’s greatest joys were his family, his livestock and farming. He was so very proud of his children and all their accomplishments.

Warren died on Friday, July 7, 2006, in Omaha, Neb., at 56 years, four months and 13 days.

Warren was preceded in death by his brother, Robert McHugh, in 1978; and his sister, Charlotte Dugdale, in 1981.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy McHugh, of Woodbine; four children: Kristine (Jerry) Stinson of Daniel, Brandon McHugh of Dunlap, Iowa, R. Luke McHugh of Dana Point, Calif., and Hilary (Adam) Hoskins of Dakota Dunes, S.D.; three grandchildren: Justin and Lily Anne Stinson and Riley McHugh-Hoskins; parents Dale and Edith McHugh of Woodbine; two sisters: Irene Kuhlman and Shirley (Dennis) Wakehouse, both of Woodbine; and many other relatives and friends.

A Farmer’s Hands

Hands that are large and tough
from years of rugged, outdoor work,
Hands with fingers sensitive to music,
but too thick to strike just one key
On the piano, or a single string on a violin.
Hands that are versatile, simultaneously
wieldingan ax and swiping a fistful of
pinchberries from a nearby bush.
Hands that clasp themselves habitually in
prayer-giving thanks for food, for rain, for sun,
for late frosts, early springs, good yield for soil,
for health, for a newborn calf.
Hands that are strong squeezing out a
pail full of milk in just no time, pulling strands
of barbed wire taut, carrying mountains
of hay and oceans of water to hungry,
thirsty farm creatures.
Hands that are gentle, marveling at the
softness of a furry kitten, rescuing a killdeer’s
nest from the path of a plow, patting the
shoulder of a disappointed child.
Hands that are inventive, twisting, pounding,
pinching, until a machine is fixed,
shaping an idea into something useful.
Hands that are tired from tilling,
planting,weeding and harvesting.
Hands that we love, Warren’s hands.

Joe J. Retel Jr.

Joe J. Retel Jr., 91, of Rock Springs passed away Friday, July 21, 2006, at the Castle Rock Convalescent Center in Green River. A lifelong resident of Reliance and Rock Springs, Mr. Retel died following a lengthy illness.

He was born Dec. 2, 1914, in Reliance, the son of Joe and Rose Jereb Retel.

Joe married Stella Ann Barnick on June 7, 1936, and she preceded him in death on April 29, 2006.

He worked as a plumber for Tri State Lumber for many years and on June 27, 1952, opened his own business, Sweetwater Plumbing and Heating, which is still in operation today.

In 1987, Joe was named Wyoming Wildlife Federation’s Conservationist of the year.

In his spare time he enjoyed bowling, woodworking and flyfishing at his cabin in the Upper Green.

Survivors included one son, Joe A. Retel and wife Flo of Pinedale; two grandchildren: Joni Retel and John Retel, both of Rock Springs; one great-granddaughter, Randi Arnoldi of Rock Springs; and one sister Fannie Yenko of Rock Springs

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, his sister, Angela, and one brother, Anthony.

Cremation will take place at the Vase White Mountain Crematory and, at his request, no services will be held.

The family of Joe J. Retel respectfully suggests that donations in his memory be made to Lit’l Bit of Love Animal Rescue, 135 Mesa Drive, Rock Springs, Wyo., 82901.

Kenneth Gerald Gray

Kenneth Gray, 60, of Boulder passed away Monday evening July 24, 2006, at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Kenneth was born Sept. 2, 1945, in Kittanning, Pa., the son of James R. and Hannah E. Gray. He attended high school in Ford City, Pa. and enlisted in the Navy during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was a seaman on one of the ships that formed the blockade to stop Russian ships carrying missiles into Cuba. He worked as a pipe fitter and for Allegany Lubman Steel Mill in West Leesburg, Pa. for 13 years. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing, and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Pinedale.

Kenneth is survived by his father, James, brothers Haroldand Bradley Gray and sister Esther Treece. He was preceded in death by his mother, Hannah, brothers Nathan, James R. Jr. and David Earl and sister Mary Ellen Gray.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, July 29, at 4 p.m. at Covill Funeral Home in Pinedale. A viewing will be held Friday evening, July 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. and prior to the service on Saturday from 2:30 to 3:50 p.m. Interment will follow the funeral service in the Pinedale Cemetery.

Nellie Meyer Perry Service Set

A memorial service for Nellie Meyer Perry will be followed by a luncheon to be held at VFW Post 4801 on Monday, July 31, at 11:30 a.m. The luncheon will be provided by the VFW and ECW ladies from St. Andrew’s in the Pines Episcopal Church.

For more information, contact Jean Rahm at 859-8652.