Donald G. Galles was born in Casper August 18, 1925 the son of Walter and Gladys Galles. He attended St. Anthony grade school and Natrona County High School. Prior to graduating from high school Don joined the Army in February 1944. He served with the 1OOth Infantry Division in France until he was seriously wounded by shrapnel. After many months of hospitalization and recuperation in both France, on a hospital ship and in the United States he received an honorable discharge on November 21, 1945. For his service he was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Combat Infantry Badge as well as four other medals. Don was extremely proud of his service to his country.
In January 1946 he enrolled at Creighton University in Omaha, NE. and graduated from the Creighton College of Commerce on June 2, 1949. Only two days later he married Anna (Ann) Christensen in Omaha. After a short honeymoon the newlyweds began their lives together in Casper where he started his career with the Casper National Bank in the auditing department. In 1951 Don began working for Jeff Hawks, a Casper Oilman. He eventually entered into a partnership with Mr. Hawks in 1968 that was known as The Hawks Company. In 1985 Don purchased Mr. Hawks’s interest in the partnership and continued operating The Hawks Company with his wife Ann as Limited Partner.
In January 2005 Ann passed away after the couple raised six children over their 55 years of marriage. Later that same year, while doing his weekly grocery shopping, Don ran into life-long friend Rita Murphy, who had recently lost her husband Dr. Joseph P. Murphy after 52 years of marriage. That chance meeting led to a whirlwind romance and they were married December 29, 2005.
In the early 1950’s Don helped build the first Little League ball parks in Casper. He served as a Cub Scout master and as an usher at St. Anthony Church. In 1969 and 1970 Don formed a committee called LEGS (for Let’s Eliminate Gangs) with the purpose of raising public attention to the gang activities in Casper. Don enjoyed fly fishing, gardening, working around their cabin on Casper Mountain and playing gin-rummy with many life-long friends. Don was a life-long member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Knights of Columbus, the Casper Petroleum Club and the Casper Country Club.
Don is survived by his wife Rita; son Thomas and wife Susan of Casper; son David and wife Becky of Casper; daughter Dona Shockey and husband Gary of Jackson, Wyoming; daughter Laura Claunch and husband Don of Casper; daughter Karla Dundas and husband David of Casper; son Jeffrey and wife Teresa of Casper; sister Wilma Lathrop of Cheyenne, Wyoming; fourteen grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Ann, his parents and one grandson.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 Monday February 12 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church by Fr. Michael Carr. Rite of Committal will be in Highland Cemetery. Visitation will take place Sunday, February 11 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM and Vigil for the Deceased will be recited at 7:00 Sunday at Bustard’s Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers gifts to Jason’s Friend’s Foundation of Casper or Central Wyoming Hospice of Casper would be greatly appreciated by the family.
Writing an ordinary obituary for an extraordinary woman is not an easy task. Darlene McIrvin deserves a spectacular remembrance. She was born during the Great Depression, October 14, 1932. Her mother Daisy and her father Lee Hensley were models of hard work and a loving family as they raised Darlene and her brothers in Newton, Kansas. Darlene was a 1950 graduate of Newton High School, Go Railroaders! She attended college until her father’s untimely death when she returned home and attended a shorter business college course of training preparing her for office work in the years to come.
Darlene met her husband of sixty-four years as a child in Newton. Long time family friends, Darlene and Stanley were married on November 20, 1953. Darlene worked in various companies from Denver to Massachusetts as a secretary. In 1960 she found herself landing in Munich, Germany where Stanley was stationed with the U.S. Army. Shortly thereafter their daughter Cindy was born. Darlene learned to be a mother in a foreign country as she prepared to return to the states. Once back, and living in Denver, Colorado Darlene settled into motherhood as she gave birth to her son David in 1963. Her life was filled with activity with her children and husband. In 1967 the family moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Newcomers Club and two young children kept Darlene busy in her new community. It wasn’t long before she was fully involved in family camping, hunting, archery, school mom duties, 4-H, and church activities. Her career as a cytotechnologist began in Cheyenne and followed her to Casper, WY in 1976 when she went to work with Medical Laboratories. Darlene worked there for the rest of her career, retiring in 2000. Stan and Darlene were involved in church working with youth, as deacons, and ministries too numerous to mention. Darlene was also involved in several fraternal organizations. But it was her family that brought her great joy.
Darlene was preceded in death by her father Lee Hensley, her mother Daisy (Miller) Hensley, and brothers Donald and Jack Hensley. She is survived by her husband Stanley McIrvin, daughter Cindy Alsobrook (Gary), David McIrvin (Kim), grandchildren Troy Alsobrook (Erika), Grant Alsobrook (Sheridan), Abigail McIrvin (Krissy), Claire McIrvin, Jack McIrvin, and Kathryn McIrvin. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Very recently Darlene received news of a series of complicated symptoms and illnesses. From December to February 6, 2018 her health decline was very rapid ending very peacefully as she left this life to walk with her Lord and Savior Jesus. Her family was by her side as she passed. Darlene was a giver. She gave of herself in so many ways and those who knew her could attest to her gift of giving. Her family would encourage you to give a gift of time to local ministries and organizations devoted to giving to others. In lieu of flowers and other signs of sympathy, please give financially to the cardiac or cancer charity of your choice.
Darlene’s life and spirit can be summed up in a verse from the hymn It Is Well with My Soul by Horatio G. Spafford
“When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.”
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, February 17, 2018 at First Christian Church in Casper.
