Harvey B. Annis: 1935 – 2024
Harvey Bruce Annis, age 88, of Alcova Wyoming passed away April 19 in Casper, Wyoming.
Harvey was born in Casper, Wyoming to Oscar and Esther (Anderson) Annis on July 3, 1935. He was raised on the family ranch near Alcova and went to the 8th grade in a one-room school house there.
He served from 1957-1959 in the US Army as a helicopter mechanic and was honorably discharged as an E-4. Harvey ventured in and out of several businesses over the years, but was always a farmer and minister.
Harvey is survived by his younger siblings: Pansy (Tom) Pickrell, Dell (Patsy) Annis, Lucinda (John) Simmons, Amie Toyne, Mellissa Wilson, Linda Whitehouse, Diana (Gary) Weber, Rose (David) Weber, Limon (Chantal) Annis; a hoard of nieces and nephews; and his long time hired man and friend, Ben Boren. He is preceded in death by his parents; his older brother, George Annis; his younger brothers, Richard, Ben, and David Annis; his brothers-in-law, Leon Toyne and Bob Wilson; sister-in-law, Linda Tyler; and step-mother, Pauline Annis.
A legend in his own right he will be truly missed by many.
Funeral services will be held at Bustards Funeral Home on Thursday, April 25 at 10:00 a.m. with a viewing from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. He will be laid to rest in the Sentinel Rocks Cemetery located at the family ranch.
Walter Edward “Wally” Dacus: 1967 – 2024
Walter Edward Dacus, age 57, of Casper, Wyoming, passed away unexpectedly on April 19, 2024. He will be greatly missed by many. He loved to hunt and fish with his kids and grandkids. Sharing his knowledge of hunting and fishing – even if he never caught anything – he still loved being there with his children and grandkids.
He was the glue to all family gatherings and his biggest joy was BBQ’ing for anyone who would come. Every holiday and birthday, you could find him next to his barbecue with a cold one in his hand at the pond. Anything that involved the outdoors. Wally worked for many years in the oilfield industry and also enjoyed working at Troopers bingo where he met a lot of friends. Whatever the occasion, he would always have a joke for everything.
Walter was survived by his three kids: Zachury (Alyssa) Dacus, Kayla (Jeremy Hiatt) Dacus, Bryce Dacus; and his spouse, Heidi Dacus of 17 years; his grandkids: Brinleighe, Kartur, Adeline and Oakley, they were his pride and joy; his sisters, Karen Buckeye, Lauri Stoops; aunt, Lynn; brother-in-law, Jim; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins, whom he loved dearly.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Patricia Dacus; dad, Leroy Dacus; sisters, Dorothy Gabriel and Leona Trionfo; brother-in-law, Pat Trionfo; brother, Leo Cook; and his best friend, Scott Maxwell; his nephews, Oscar Pena and Rick Townsend; aunt, Bonnie Stoops; and Bucky Stoops; Judy and Jay Nation; Roger Gunzenhauser; and grandmother, Verl Gunzenhauser.
A Celebration of Life is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on Friday, April 26, 2024 at the North Casper Clubhouse, 1032 East L Street, Casper, WY 82601.
Michael D. “Mike” Hughes: 1967 – 2024
Michael Duane Hughes is off hunting for good, no doubt with his trusty poodles in tow. He was 56 when he left us unexpectedly on April 22, 2024. He was born August 16, 1967, to Stephen and Shirley (Tumpak) Hughes of Hadley, Pennsylvania.
By trade, Mike was a mechanic with over 35 years of experience working on a bit of everything that needed fixing, but he can’t be defined by just that. Mike was the guy you called if you needed help with most anything. To his friends, he was a big brother or Uncle Mike. He was the guy who walked from Georgia to Maine in 1991—because he could. To his family, he was Mikey—the kid always outdoors, running around looking for animals to bring home or sitting up in a tree, waiting for some unsuspecting deer. The man who called home every Sunday and laughed over silly things with his mom and dad. To his wife, he was the best man she ever brought home to meet her family—the guy her dad approved of, the guy who always knew how to hold her close and let her fly.
Mike’s biggest loves were the outdoors, hunting, his dogs and cats, his family and friends, and Jill Snyder, whom he married in 1992. They left their homes in Pennsylvania and North Carolina without jobs, a place to live, and $1800 in cash to make Casper, Wyoming a home. He cherished his adopted state, with its open space, wildlife, and lack of people. They were together for a total of 36 years and a few months.
He is survived by his wife, Jill; his parents; brothers, Don Hughes and Stephen (Dawn) Hughes; three nieces: Raegan, Devyn, and Courtney; his mother-in-law, Polly Snyder; brother-in-law, James (Sherry) Snyder; and many other extended family members; beloved friends; and his “fur-kids,” Frank, Butch, Minnie, Leonard, Mama Mouse, and his spirit animal, Brenda Boop.
He was preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents; his “bonus” grandparents, Bob and Jane McQuaid; his father-in-law, James Snyder, Jr; his grandparents-in-law, Paul and Roxie Beeson; and his beloved pets: Mighty Max, Picklesack, Romeo, Sissy, Cookie, Tortie, Kayleigh, and Lilly.
A memorial will be held at a future date to celebrate Mike’s life. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to honor Mike to the Casper Humane Society at 849 East E Street, Casper, WY 82601 or a Trap/Neuter/Release program in your area.
Donna Laird: 1933 – 2024
Donna C. Laird passed away on April 22, 2024. She was born on December 23, 1933, to Carl and Velma Davis in St. John, Kansas. After graduating from St. John High school, she attended Ft. Hays College. After a year of college, she took a job with Continental Oil Company.
Later she met and married the love of her life, Jack B. Laird. They were married for 66 blessed years. The couple raised three children: Doug, Sally, and Carrie.
After her children entered school, she was employed by Natrona County School District and served in various capacities for 25 years.
Donna was active in the First United Methodist Church, the Methodist Thrift Store, PEO Chapter “O”, and volunteered at Wyoming Medical Center. She also loved to play bridge.
She is survived by her husband, Jack B. Laird; her children, Doug Laird (Kristin); Stephanie Cogdill (Jon); and Carrie Nettles (Paul); her brothers, Jack Davis (Bobbett) and Donald Davis (Rosie); as well as six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Donna was preceded in death by her parents and an infant brother, Bradley.
A celebration of life will be held Friday, April 26, at 10:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Casper, Wyoming. In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be made to the First United Methodist Church or Central Wyoming Hospice and Transitions or a charity of your choosing.
Kathaleen Mickey Sanford: 1950 – 2024
Kathaleen ‘Mickey’ Sanford, wife of Earl Sanford, passed away on Friday, April 19, 2024.
Mickey’s Funeral will be Friday, April 26 at 12:00 p.m. at the Christian Church of Casper. A visitation will be held an hour prior to the service, at 11:00 a.m., with the Committal service to follow at Memorial Gardens Cemetery. There will be a reception following services at the Christian Church of Casper.
