Sylvester Henry Hellevang: 1946 – 2024
Les Hellevang, 78, passed away August 21, 2024. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, 900 Butler-Spaeth Road, Gillette, WY, Friday August 30, 2024 at 10 a.m. Father Steve Titus will officiate.
Sylvester Henry (Les) Hellevang was born June 24, 1946, to Melvin and Dorothy Hellevang. Les and his sister Betty, raised by their grandparents, lived in Webster, South Dakota. He was always humble and grateful for his upbringing. Les graduated from Waubay High School in 1964. Education was a priority. He earned several Master’s and Certifications from various universities. During this time, he met and married his wife, Lois Ann Parquet, and they created their family of five children in between square dancing, playing bridge, camping, being active in the church and swim team. His love of learning continued after retirement. He was enrolled in college classes in Hawaii prior to his death. Les was a lifelong learner. He raised their five children with the importance of furthering their education and to never cease learning.
Les’ first teaching position and contribution began in 1968 in Business Education. He transitioned into Administration in 1970’s and would eventually become a Principal in Revillo, South Dakota. In 1980, the family made a final move to Gillette, Wyoming. Les held various positions in Campbell County School District during his 23 years of employment. Education was his driving force. One of his proudest accomplishments was his development of the Alternative School (Westwood) and the students that attended. He built the school from the ground up. He was the “King of Second Chances, and never gave up on anybody.” He created a grant and daycare so students could come to school and have a safe place for their children while they completed their education. Les created a functional school with teachers who saw the students, taught life skills, and told students they could and should succeed.
After retiring, Les was active in Gillette, opening a booth that was filled with pottery and odds and ends; he loved thrift shopping. He taught all of his children, and some of his grandchildren, driving by going to the local thrift shops. Les loved playing bridge and knew where the cards were in every hand. Les was a member of the Levi and Lace Square Dance Club and if you had the opportunity to dance with him, you knew it was like floating on air.
For the last two years, he transplanted to Arizona for a Square-Dancing Community from November through April. June 26-30, 2024, he attended a square dance convention for 6 hours daily. He had the time of his life. Les was active in the Knights of Columbus at St. Matthew’s Church as a 4th Degree Knight, when he was not traveling worldwide. His favorite place was Hawaii and he completed a long-desired Holy Land Cruise last fall.
Words to sum up Les’ life: Devout, love of family, caring of others, and giver.
His legacy will continue with his sons: James, Mark, David (Sarah); daughters: Elise Buhler-Hanslip (Leonard), Kathy (Greg); grandchildren: Coulter (Chandler), Maria, Paul, Reagan, and Austin; sister, Betty Froslie; nieces, Beverly and Sandra (Ryan) Lamar. In-Laws that have treated Les and embraced him like a brother: Betty and Tim Weber, Mary and Dave Larson, Tom Parquet, and Chuck Parquet, along with their children and 13 great-nieces-and-nephews.
Les was preceded in death by his wife, Lois; in-laws, Harold and Hazel Parquet; sister-in-law, Mary Parquet; grandparents, John and Kate Thiel; brother-in-law, Gary Froslie; aunt, Ella Hellevang; uncle, Henry Hellevang; and parents, Melvin and Dorothy Hellevang.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF), Lung Cancer Foundation, Breast Cancer Foundation, Masses, or a charity of your choice.
Elvin Jesse Mayer: 1939 – 2024
Elvin Jesse (EJ) Mayer, age 85, of Rozet, Wyoming, passed away at his home surrounded by his loved ones on August 23, 2024.
E.J. was born January 1, 1939, to Ralph and Etta “Faye” Mayer on a farm in Nemaha County, Kansas, then moved to Rawlins, Wyoming, at the age of four. He graduated in 1957 from Rawlins High School where he excelled in track and field, and was a state champion numerous years in hurdles and high jump. After graduation, he joined the National Guard for two years before enlisting in the US Navy.
After high school he married Judy Hansen and had three sons: Mike, Miles, and Mark. After eight years, they divorced. While in the Navy, he received the Navy Achievement and Navy Commendation, the highest peacetime awards. He served three tours in Vietnam and sat on the Cuban Blockade. He was one of the first to be part of the US Naval Nuclear Power Program. He and his family were stationed in Scotland his last two years in the Navy when he then retired in 1978, as an E8 Senior Chief Machinist Mate. He had been stationed all over the world.
While at home on leave in 1966, he met the love of his life Virgina “Cindy” Halsell. They were married shortly after in Reno, Nevada. Their marriage produced three daughters: Aimee, Gail and Joy. After retirement from the Navy, they moved to Baggs, Wyoming, and lived there for 25 years. During that time, he played many important roles in the community. He built the Homestead Garage, volunteered as a fireman, was active in the Lion’s Club, was the maintenance and bus director for the school district, a Deputy Sheriff, and worked in the oil field. They made so very many lifelong friends in the valley.
After retirement, EJ and Cindy moved to Thermopolis, Wyoming, to be closer to family. While in Thermopolis, they were the life of the neighborhood, making cherished lifelong friendships. After watching their Thermopolis grandkids through most of their school years they began their next adventure. They moved to Rozet, Wyoming, in 2016 and learned about a new sporting event as they watched their Rozet grandchildren compete in rodeo. Watching his grandchildren compete in their sporting events was the highlight of his retirement.
During the last year of his life, he was fortunate enough to have his daughter Gail and sister-in-law, Dorothy move in. He also enjoyed his many beloved pets.
EJ was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Faye Mayer; brother, Ronald Mayer; brother, Lyle Mayer and sons, Miles and Mike Mayer. He is survived by his wife, Cindy; son, Mark; and daughters: Aimee (Eric) Kay, Gail Mayer, and Joy (Joe) Sheehan; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Also included as family are his very close friends, Dave and Cathy Eddy of South Dakota.
There will be a private family service followed by a Celebration of Life planned on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at the Savery Museum in Savery, Wyoming, at 12:30 p.m.
Todd Lee McInerney: 1964 – 2024
It is with tremendous heartbreak the family announces the passing of Todd Lee McInerney of Sundance, Wyoming. Todd passed away surrounded by loved ones due to complications from a severe traumatic brain injury on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 in Aurora, Colorado.
Gerald and Jacquie McInerney welcomed Todd into their lives in Spearfish, South Dakota on January 1, 1964. He escaped being the New Years Baby by a few hours, but quickly gained the attention back as soon as he was born. Todd spent his first years of life in Spearfish, South Dakota before moving to Sundance, Wyoming alongside his four siblings: Chris, Tim, Mike, and Samie. While growing up, he spent time playing basketball, football, rodeoing, hunting, but most importantly to Todd— helping work the family businesses. Whether it was helping ranch alongside his dad and uncles, or helping with the McInerney Stock Contracting he showed his character from a very young age. Todd was a stubborn, knowledgeable force to be reckoned with, who often found himself bringing joy to even the darkest of moments.
As Todd continued through his years, he attended Sundance High School where he went on to graduate as the Salutatorian. He then went onto pursue his academic and rodeo career at Casper College. Todd enjoyed college, where he rodeoed for the Thunderbirds, won multiple intramural championships, and made a living taking exams for his fellow peers and friends. After college, Todd honed in on his various social skills at dive bars across the country as he worked numerous occupations. Todd moved back home and continued his career, while rodeoing until he went through a crippling back injury that ended most of his enjoyable activities of life.
After his injury although he was never expected to settle down, Todd was married on December 5, 1997 to Veronica Kramer. Shortly after on November 28, 1999 Todd’s roles and his spirit of life were forever changed when he welcomed in his first child, Teila Shae McInerney. Todd immediately put his role as a father as the most important occupation he had ever encountered, one that he treasured until the day he passed. Teila was simple, happy, and didn’t fuss much. Leading to April 8, 2002, the day that Todd and Roni welcomed in their second child, a much more spitfire handful, Rigan Pauline McInerney. During the years following, Todd spent his time ranching, golfing with good friends, hunting various game, and following his children around with their various sporting events, missing less than a handful of games through 20 years.
Todd will be remembered as a jack of all trades. He was a comedian, plumber, electrician, son, brother, uncle, hunter, retired bulldogger, rancher, a punch drive hitting specialist, and a one of a kind father. He was a man of many talents, who exonerated knowledge in many fields while generously serving people. Whether he was helping coach youth sports, announcing events with his un-biological brother, Jett, or helping a stranger with a flat tire— Todd will always be remembered for creating laughter, loving others, and his unique drinking toasts.
He is survived by his two daughters, Rigan and Teila McInerney; parents, Gerald and Jacquie McInerney of Sundance, Wyoming; siblings: Christine (Jason) Babcock of Flagstaff, Arizona, Mike McInerney of Sundance, Wyoming, Tim (Terri Raye) McInerney of Alzada, Montana, Samie McInerney of Sundance, Wyoming; nephew, James (Elysha) McInerney of Gillette, Wyoming; and multiple cousins, nieces, nephews, and bunches of chosen family.
The family invites you to attend the funeral services for Todd that will be held on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 6 p.m. at Sundance High School, with a celebration to be held afterwards at The Dime Horseshoe Bar “Todd Style.”
Sheila Mae Waugh: 1946 – 2024
Sheila Mae Waugh, a beloved and loyal daughter, sister, mother, and treasured wife, was born on October 28, 1946, in the town of Gillette, Wyoming.
She battled a devastating illness and peacefully passed in her home on August 24, 2024 with her brother Jay at her side.
Sheila’s journey through life was characterized by her devotion to her parents, John and Bertha, her love and loyalty to her husband Jerry, and her love and guidance to her only son, Stace. Sheila was only two years-old when her parents moved her and Jay to West Plains, Missouri to help improve their father’s health. They lived there until 1955, when they drove cross country with a bumper pull trailer to Ridge, Montana. They lived in Ridge until 1958 and then moved to Rocky Point, Wyoming. Sheila was proud graduate of Hulett High School in Hulett, Wyoming in 1964.
Sheila pursued her dreams of going to cosmetology school in Rapid City, South Dakota. This would be her first adventure away from home and living on her own. She had her qualms about leaving but the reality of what she learned and accomplished in school, culminated in the ownership and operation of the LaHair Boutique, in Gillette, a venture that not only allowed her to make a living for her family, but also join a community of family, friends, and clients that she appreciated and loved. Her ability to “tell it like it is” was matched only by her generosity and kindness for her friends.
Sheila loved horses but gave them up when she married her husband, Jerry and had her son, Stace. Her biggest love was watching him with his many hobbies like racing motor bikes and playing golf. Together, Stace and Sheila shared a love of antiques and Western art.
Sheila was preceded in death by all but one of her family members, including her beloved husband, Jerry L. Waugh; and her cherished son, Stace L. Waugh. She now joins her parents, John C. Mathews and Berta Vera “Roberts” Mathews; and her niece, J’Lynn Mathews in eternal rest. Sheila leaves behind her devoted brother, Jay Mathews, who will undoubtedly carry forward the memory of her mischievous smile and indomitable and sometimes stubborn spirit. Her legacy will always be remembered as a devoted family and community member wanting to enrich the lives around her.
Celebration of Life will be held at her home: Sunday, September 15, 2024 3 p.m. 4705 Antelope Valley Street, Gillette, Wyoming 82718.
