Obituaries

Howard Rufe Gazaway, 86, was born Nov. 11, 1936, in Riverton, Wyo., the son of Rufe I. and Hattie MaryAnn (Price) Gazaway.  He passed in the hospital at Basin, Wyo. 

He was married to Mary Etta (Rosenbaum) Gazaway, Aug. 7, 1968, in Casper, Wyo.

March 16, 1990 – March 1, 2023

Our well-loved Samuel Wilson Smith left this earth too soon on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, with family by his side in Casper from injuries sustained from a vehicle accident.

Sam was born on March 16, 1990, in Casper to James Henry Smith and Gladys Virginia Getz Smith. His brother Christopher joined the family a year later, and Patrick completed the trio of brothers two years after that. When Sam was five years old his father passed away and the family moved to Lovell, where he spent his remaining years.

Feb. 25, 1948 – Feb. 9, 2023

Sandy Smith passed away on Feb. 9, 2023, at the New Horizon Care Center.

Sandy was born in Denver, Colo., to Wallace William and Marjorie Dawn Gainey. Sandy grew up in Denver until her junior year then the family moved to Grand Junction, Colo. She graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1966.

Sandy met Jack Smith later that year and they married on May 20, 1967. A marriage which would last for 55 years. Two sons and a daughter soon arrived and another son was stillborn.

Dec. 7, 1939 – Jan. 30, 2023

Christian Steele Hinckley, beloved “Papa,” returned to his heavenly home on Jan. 30, 2023, at the age of 83.

He was born on Dec. 7, 1939, in Lovell. He was the oldest of seven children born to DeVere Taggart Hinckley and Madge Marchant Hinckley. The family resided in Cowley. He was very proud of his pioneer ancestry and that his grandfathers were part of the Big Horn Colonization Company. They were the second and third bishops of their town.