Obituaries

Michael Melinkovich

Michael Melinkovich

A Mass of Christian Burial for Michael Melinkovich was celebrated on Saturday, May 30, at 10 a.m. at the Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Rock Springs. A Parish Rosary was recited on Friday, May 29, at the Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. Internment took place at the Saint Joseph’s Section of the Rock Springs Municipal Cemetery. Friends called at the church before the rosary and the funeral mass.

Michael died Thursday, May 21, 2009, in Farmington, N.M. He was born July 16, 1951, in Rock Springs, to Joseph and Emma (Anselmi) Melinkovich. He attended Our Lady of Sorrows Elementary School and subsequently graduated from Rock Springs High School in 1969. After helping his family establish the Rock Springs KOA, he attended Western Wyoming College and later worked for Mountain Fuel Supply. He married Denice Walker in 1973; together they raised three sons: Clark, Matthew and Clayton. In 1982 Mike relocated his family to Pinedale, where he owned and operated M&M Welding.

Mike and his family moved to Laramie, where he attended and received degrees from the University of Wyoming in Mathematics Education and Engineering. After completing his education, Mike and his family relocated to Eagle River, Alaska, where he worked as a mechanical engineer. In the recent year Mike transferred his employment to Farmington.

From backpacking in the Wind River Mountains to fly-fishing on the Kenai River, throughout his life Mike always had a love of the outdoors. Mike was also a very active father who helped his boys learn the value of hard work from the time they were very young. Mike encouraged his sons to pursue higher education and was very proud to see them graduate from the University of Wyoming.

Those who knew Mike knew that he lived life to the fullest and was intensely dedicated to his family. Throughout his life he also developed endearing friendships and will be greatly missed by many. In the past year he was blessed to have the companionship of Janice Reynolds of Farmington.

Michael is survived by his mother, Emma Melinkovich of Laramie; siblings Paul Melinkovich and his wife Barbara of Evergreen, Colo., Mary Foianini and her husband Larry of Laramie and Gary Melinkovich and his wife Clarice of Cheyenne; sons Clark Melinkovich and his wife Laura of Gillette, Matthew Melinkovich and his wife Sami also of Gillette, Clayton Melinkovich and his wife Jeri of Laramie, and Greg Chancey and his wife Michelle of Littleton, Colo. Memories of Grandpa Mike will be instilled in his eight grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father Joseph Melinkovich and his brother Joseph Melinkovich, Jr., nephew Christopher Foianini and niece Nadia K. Melinkovich.

Memorials may be made to the Christopher Foianini Memorial Scholarship. Contact the University of Wyoming Foundation, 1200 E. Ivinson Ave. Laramie, WY 82070; (307) 766-6300.

James Russell “Jim” Clark

James Russell “Jim” Clark

James Russell “Jim” Clark, 44, of Big Piney, passed away Sunday morning May 24, 2009, at the Lander Regional Hospital in Lander, from causes of heart complications. Jim was born April 28, 1965, in Kemmerer, to Jack and Ruth Clark. He grew up and attended school in Big Piney and graduated from Big Piney High School. He earned a degree from Colorado Aero Technical School in Denver in Aeronautics and learned aeromechanics and airplane maintenance in Cheyenne. Jim enjoyed fishing, bowling, working on the computer, football, golf and gardening. He has been living and working at the Life Resource Center in Lander for the past three years and has made many friends while he has been there.

Jim is survived by his parents Jack and Ruth Clark of Big Piney, brother and sister Willard and Laura Clark both of Big Piney, nephew Leo Mac (Sarah) Lucero and great niece Hannah Dailey.

He is preceded in death by his great-grandmother Ruth Hardy and his grandparents Willard and Blanche Clark and Alvin and Weenona Boyce. A graveside funeral service was held Thursday, May 28, at 1 p.m. at the Plainview Cemetery in Big Piney. Tony Boyce conducted the services.

Donald Eugene “Donny” Calhoun

Donald Eugene “Donny” Calhoun

Donald Eugene “Donny” Calhoun, 61, of Daniel passed away suddenly Monday morning May 11, 2009, from a heart attack.

He was born Nov. 2, 1947, in Everett, Pa., to Ronald and Alma Calhoun. He grew up and completed his formal schooling in Everett and was called to serve his country in the U.S. Army in 1967 during the Vietnam War. He served one tour of duty in Vietnam and earned several decorations and medals for his service including the Purple Heart. He then spent three more years of service in the Army Reserves. He married the love of his life Paula Berlin July 19, 1976, in Teton Park. Together they raised their four children Calie, Jennifer, Charlean and Casey. Don loved his family. He loved being outdoors and in the mountains; this is where he was most at peace. He loved fishing, hunting and horses – these were hobbies he was good at from a very young age. He was a jack-of-all-trades. Throughout his life he worked as a soldier, a farmer, a rancher, an elk feeder at Camp Creek, Gros Ventre and Jewett feedgrounds, and as a hunter and woodsman. His most cherished titles were Husband, Dad and Friend.

Don is survived by his wife Paula Calhoun; daughters Calie Kay Calhoun, Jennifer Lea Calhoun, Charlean Jeanette (Aaron) Moore, and son Casey (Amanda) Calhoun; mother Alma Calhoun; sisters Kathy Miller and Cindy Davis; and brother Roger Calhoun; two grandchildren and one grandchild on the way.

He is preceded in death by his father Randolph Calhoun.

Don was laid to rest Friday morning, May 15, at the Plainview Cemetery in Big Piney. Friends and family gathered to pay their respects and Military Funeral Honors were conducted by the American Legion Dee Fox Post of Big Piney and the U.S. Army Reserve.

Carolyn Abercrombie

Carolyn Abercrombie, former Pinedale resident, passed away on May 27, 2009, at her son’s home in Poole, Ga. She was married to Jerry Abercrombie who preceded her in death. She is survived by a son Glenn, a daughter Holly and three grandchildren.

No memorial service is planned.