Dale Edward Miller: 1951 – 2022
Dale E. Miller passed away in his home in Casper, Wyoming, surrounded by love.
Dale was born on September 22, 1951, to Neal and Ella Mae Miller. He spent his childhood and most of his adult life in Midwest, Wyoming.
He graduated from Midwest High School in 1970. During high school he was an avid football player, becoming an All-State athlete his senior year. After high school, Dale served his country in the U.S. Navy, where he worked as an aviation structural mechanic. After being honorably discharged in 1975, Dale attended South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota. Most of his career was spent working in the oil fields and he retired as the Maintenance Director for the Town of Edgerton.
At the age of 45, he reunited with his high school sweetheart and the love of his life. He was an amazing husband and father. Being the father to two stepsons was the greatest joy of his life.
Dale is survived by his wife of 25 years Deborah, and his sons Lonnie and Casey Chopping. He is also survived by his brother Larry Miller of Edgerton and sister Sandra Rue of Sheridan. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Jimmy and Edward, and his brother-in-law Larry Rue.
As he wished, he will be honored with a private family celebration.
Instead of flowers, donations to your favorite charity or Central Wyoming Hospice would be appreciated.
Arrangements are under the direction of Newcomer Casper Chapel.
Dale Walter Krzystofiak: 1944 – 2022
Dale Walter (Goclon) Krzystofiak, 78, of Casper, Wyoming, passed away on Thursday, November 3, 2022. Dale was born on May 24, 1944, to Joyce Larson and Walter Goclon of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Walter preceded Dale in death during World War II. Joyce later married Theodore Krzystofiak and Dale was adopted. Dale graduated from Columbia Heights High School in Minnesota.
Dale was blessed with a loving family and many wonderful relatives and friends. He married his loving wife of 59 years, Judie Thompson, in 1963 and together had two daughters, Charleen and Chantell. The family lived in Minnesota and Michigan, and moved to Casper in 1980, where Dale worked for Wyoming Water Works. A man of many skills, Dale later worked for Eismann Chemical and the Natrona County Sheriff’s Office, and drove commercial trucks before becoming an entrepreneur — owning and operating A1 Rebuilds in Casper.
Dale was a kind soul, never met a stranger, and was always eager to lend a hand to others. His keen sense of humor, taste for mischief, and delight in telling tall tales brought joy to all around him. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and with his extended family.
As an avid sportsman and hobbyist, Dale enjoyed life. He was a fan of the Denver Broncos and Natrona County High School football teams. He enjoyed boating, snowmobiling, and fishing (even ice-fishing!) across Minnesota, Michigan and Wyoming, and especially at the Flying X Ranch near Wheatland. A great tinkerer, Dale delighted in fixing whatever broke, making model airplanes, and adding to his tool, stamp, and other collections. He also enjoyed his dogs Bentley, Opal, and Minnie.
He is survived by his wife Judie Krzystofiak; daughters Charleen (Scott) Schutte of Casper, Wyoming, and Chantell (David) Pickles of Plano, Texas; grandchildren Steven Dovala, Sarah Myrick, Rachael (Harry) Reich, and Elliot Pickles; and great-grandsons Barrett Dovala and Theodore Myrick.
The family would like to thank the Central Wyoming Hospice for their loving care and kindness, and the many doctors and nurses that attended to Dale. The family also appreciates the support offered by others affected by Parkinson’s.
A celebration of life will be held on November 19, 2022, at 2:30 p.m. at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting that donations be made to CentralWyomingHospice.org. Also, the Prince of Peace Lutheran Preschool was very dear to his heart.
Ignazio Anthony “Tony” Maiorana, Sr.: 1933 – 2022
Ignatius “Tony” Maiorana Sr., 89, of Casper, Wyoming, passed away November 2, 2022. Tony was born February 5, 1933, in Lawrence, Massachusetts, to Antonio and Cecelia Maiorana. Tony served in the United States Air Force. While serving he met the love of his life, Fabiola Guertin, to whom he was married for 59 loving years. He retired from AT&T Merrimack Valley Works after 25 years. Tony was a fourth-degree Knight of Columbus, was a lifetime member of the VFW and also served our community for many years as a volunteer at the Wyoming Medical Center. Tony took great pride in these things and was always such a wonderful and joyous personality. People to this day still remember him from his volunteer work at the Medical Center and greeting days at Walmart. Among the things Tony took pride in, he passionately enjoyed spending time with his family.
Tony was preceded in death by his parents, wife Fabiola and two siblings. He is survived by his children Tony Maiorana Jr., Cecilia Nguyen, and Mary Compton, all of Casper, Wyoming, Wallace Boucher of Salem, New Hampshire, Armand Boucher and Elizabeth Kneeland of Methuen, Massachusetts, and Nancy DeLellis of St. Augustine, Florida; 16 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren as well as many other family members and friends.
Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until a prayer vigil service at 7 p.m. Thursday, November 10, 2022, at Newcomer Chapel, 710 E. 2nd St. Casper, WY 82601. There will be a Funeral Mass held at 1 p.m. Friday, November 11, 2022, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, with Military Honors to follow. Interment will be private at Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Newcomer Casper Chapel.
Mary Clare Smith: December 29, 1940 – October 25, 2022
Mary Clare Smith died on October 25, 2022, in Casper at Central Wyoming Hospice at the age of 81, surrounded by her loving family.
Mary was born on December 29, 1940, in Atkinson, Nebraska, to Edward and Margaret Seger. Her family moved to Newcastle and eventually to Casper, where she met her husband, John (“Jack”) Smith. Mary and Jack were married on June 6, 1959. In 1960, they welcomed their son, Andrew, and in 1961 their daughter, Jonalie. Mary and Jack relocated to Grants, New Mexico, in 1984 and then to Winnemucca, Nevada. They returned to Casper in 1998, just in time to start enjoying the great-grandchildren.
Most importantly, Mary was a homemaker and enjoyed caring for her family. As the children grew older, she worked outside the home as a banquet hostess at the Ramada Inn. Mary will always be remembered for her beautiful flowers and well-manicured yards that she took great pride in throughout the years. She had a soft spot for animals, especially her little dogs and parrots. The highlight of Mary’s day was spending time with the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Having lunch with them was often a daily occurrence, which she absolutely loved.
Mary was a kind, loving and strong individual. She was available any time of day to support her family with advice or to provide a shoulder to lean on. Mary was known to the grandchildren and great-grandchildren as Nan, Nana, GG or Gigarino. She encountered health challenges in recent years that never seemed to get her down, but that she met with strength and resilience. She will truly be missed by her family. We are positive Papa Jack has left the lights on for you.
Mary is survived by her son Andrew (Carolyn) Smith of Laramie and daughter Jonalie (Jerry) Irvine of Casper; four granddaughters Ashlie (Steven) Delach of Casper, Cortnie (Chris) Elrod of Casper, Megan (Patrick) Smerud of Laramie and Anna (Robert) Stroh of Miles City, Montana; nine great-grandchildren with two on the way; two sisters Margery (Matt) Barker and Lois (Les) Currey; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jack Smith in 2017, and her brother Melvin in 1963.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, November 14 at 10:30 a.m. at Bustard & Jacoby Funeral Home in Casper. A reception will follow at 11:30 a.m. Her final resting place will be the Oregon Trail Veterans Cemetery with her husband Jack.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Central Wyoming Hospice.
Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Bustard & Jacoby Funeral Home, 600 CY Ave., Casper, WY 82601.
