Jeremy Alan Backman: 1986 – 2024
Jeremy Alan Backman, 37, of Casper, Wyoming, passed away unexpectedly on April 24, 2024 in Casper.
Jeremy was born in Casper, Wyoming to parents Karl Backman and Shannon (Fitzgerald) Backman on November 4, 1986. He attended Roosevelt High School and graduated in 2005.
Jeremy enjoyed many hobbies and passions. He began BMX racing as a teenager, and his love for riding his bike continued with him into his adulthood. He spent much of his free time enjoying the good weather and riding his bike along the North Platte River trail system. If he was not biking, Jeremy was probably skateboarding. He spent much of his time throughout his life at the skate park with his friends, even when his family began to joke that he might be too old for that kind of sport. All of Jeremy’s bikes and skateboards were put together with a touch of his personal style, bright orange wheels and all. Along with his love of biking and skateboarding, Jeremy was fond of spending time outdoors. Camping, fishing, and campfires were some of his favorite outdoor activities. With any of Jeremy’s hobbies it was certain that he would be blasting the music he loved along the way.
From childhood to adulthood Jeremy was incredibly passionate about his pets. His two pit bulls, Twitch and Whitey, were his most loyal pals and he loved them dearly. Jeremy, his sweet, quirky personality, and infectious laugh will be incredibly missed.
Jeremy is survived by his father, Karl Backman; mother, Shannon (Fitzgerald) Backman; sister, Kathleen McCord (Kyle); brother, Levi Backman; grandmother, Gaylene (Davis) Kennedy; grandfather, Dale Kennedy; grandmother, Blanche (Yock) Bender; grandfather, Richard Bender; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. He is preceded in death by his grandfather, Bruce Backman; and grandfather, Dave Fitzgerald.
A Celebration of Jeremy’s life will be held on Saturday May 4, 2024 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Bustard and Jacoby Funeral Home Reception Center, 600 CY Ave. Casper, WY 82601.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to:
The American Diabetes Association
Claude Irvin Boam: 1950 – 2024
Claude Irvin Boam 74 of Glenrock Wyoming passed away on April 17, 2024 at home in Glenrock.
Claude was born in Rock Springs, Wyoming to John and Dorothy Boam. He grew up in Casper and went to school at Natrona County High School and then graduated from Casper College with an Associates degree in Biology and the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a Masters degree in Education. He worked at Glenrock High School for 15 years. After teaching, Claude was a small business owner for the next 30 years, serving the Glenrock community in many ways.
Claude was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing around his beloved Wyoming. Some of his favorite memories were the times he spent hunting and fishing with family and friends.
Claude is survived by his son, Wade; brother, Frank; sister, Beth; nephews: Ben, John, Travis and niece, Alisha. He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Dorothy; his wives: Jeanene, Debbie, and Pearl; and his niece, Brandy.
An informal gathering is planned at The Higgins Hotel 416 W Birch St. Glenrock, Wyoming for a celebration of Claude’s life between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 11.
Terry Gene Shanley: 1955 – 2024
Terry Gene Shanley, 69, died April 23, 2024, at Wyoming Medical Center, Casper, Wyoming. Born February 11, 1955, in Denver, Colorado to the late Gene and Jewell (Stetson) Shanley, Terry grew up in Aurora, Colorado with his parents and six siblings. He enjoyed all things mechanical, Boy Scouts, the outdoors, music, dancing and playing sports (baseball, football, and wrestling). In high school, Terry drove his parents crazy wearing out new sneakers in under a week playing handball. Terry was an Eagle Scout, graduated from Aurora Central H.S. in 1973, and later joined the USMC.
Terry was a brilliant mechanic, rebuilding cars in his parents’ yard as a teenager while learning from his dad. In addition to his time in the Marines, Terry worked many years as either a mechanic or flooring installer in many states including Colorado, Nebraska, Connecticut, and Wyoming. He met his wife, Rita (Bunny), when installing flooring in Waterbury, Connecticut. They married in 1990 and eventually moved back to Colorado because Bunny grew to love the Rocky Mountains as much as Terry did.
After Bunny passed, on September 20, 1999, Terry eventually moved to Wyoming where he had worked on ranches in his younger years. He loved the wide open lifestyle where hunting, fishing, camping and target practice were out his back door. In Douglas, he especially enjoyed working as a mechanic for Roy and Carol Whittrock. In the evenings, Terry loved to toss one back while listening and dancing to his cherished full sized juke box. While in Douglas, Terry also installed flooring and met his girlfriend, Vivian Marshall.
To his parents’ consternation, from a young age, Terry was stubborn, ornery, and knew what he wanted. He was also very bright. Terry read his family’s encyclopedia set in high school, remained an avid reader, had a keen sense of humor and a soft heart he worked hard to hide. He spent much of his spare time helping family, friends, and strangers. He cleared snow, weeds and grass and offered his handyman services for his family and for many in Douglas. He will be missed.
Terry had a special connection with his three brothers (Len, Drew, Brian) and a nephew, Steven, who he loved as a brother. In varying combinations, they played sports, earned their Eagle Scouting Awards, worked together, lived together and were there for each other in good times and in hard times. He loved to torment his sisters and had many laughs with his nieces and nephews.
Terry is predeceased by his wife, Bunny; parents, Gene and Jewell (Stetson) Shanley; brothers, Len and Brian Shanley; brother-in-law, Ted Smith; and grandparents, Orville and Anna (Soester) Stetson, Frank and Olive (Cameron) Shanley.
He leaves his brother, Drew (Vicki Rising) Shanley; nephew, Steven (Amber) Shanley; his sisters: Kris (Roy) Kanter, Jan Smith-Shanley, and Sharon (Hugh) Jopling; nieces; nephews; cousins; aunts; and uncles.
Terry has been cremated and preferred no services. He asked that friends and family wear their tie dyes, have a barbeque, and enjoy their families.
Dale Vernon Zitterkopf: 1954 – 2024
Dale Vernon Zitterkopf, 69 of Casper, Wyoming, the second of six children, was born in Newcastle, Wyoming November 9, 1954, to Vernon and Elsie (Brotzman) Zitterkopf. On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, he entered his rest at home after a battle with cancer. The family moved to Casper in 1956 where he attended Grant School, Dean Morgan Jr. High, and graduated from NCHS. He was an active member of Radius church and has attended the church even in the earliest years when it was Faith Assembly of God Church. Dale had a hand in the completion of the new church building and has for years enjoyed cooking for the Men’s Breakfast every month.
Dale was a Boy Scout in Troop 16 where his dad was Scoutmaster, and he was also involved with 4-H. In his youth he built and raced a soap box derby car, and later dominated on the ½ mile dirt tracks with hobby stock cars. He grew up working in the wood shop with his father where he loved and learned to work with the skills of a master craftsman. After high school, he worked at Firestone Tires and sold cars at DJ’S Mazda.
Dale married Carol (Halbert) in 1974, and to that union, son Johnny was born. Later in 1983, Dale married Martha (Edwards) with her two sons, Byron and Dustin. To that union, son Seth was born. They moved to California for four years before returning to Casper. In 2008 Dale married Belinda (German) and they worked to build a home in the country where they raised alfalfa, cattle, and gardens from which they would generously share their abundance with friends, family, and the Helping Hands Food Pantry. Over the years, Dale and Belinda, together with sons Johnny and Seth, continued to develop Zitterkopf Construction into a successful business with a tradition of excellence.
After some troublesome years, Dale returned to his childhood faith as a follower of Jesus. He dedicated time every morning to read through the bible and to write “Words For Today” from his meditations on scripture. He read through a different bible translation every year and filled a journal with his notes. It was an honor to receive one of his journals as a gift. Evenings were a time of gratitude as he watched the sunsets from his country home. He was a beloved husband, father, son, brother, friend, contractor, farmer, and Christ follower. He was determined to do what was right, committed to excellence in his work, and was ready to offer a hand up to people. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and employees.
He was preceded in death by his father, Vernon Zitterkopf; and by his former wife, Martha (Edwards) Zitterkopf.
He is survived by his loving wife, Belinda; daughter, Alisha (Dan) Kittinger of Casper; daughter, Bobbie Gloe of Casper; son, Johnny (Beth) Zitterkopf of Casper; son, O’Seth (Danielle) Zitterkopf of Casper; son, Dustin Burke of Casper; son, Byron Burke of Casper; mother, Elsie Zitterkopf of Casper; sister, Barbara (Dave) Walters of Casper; brother, Gary Zitterkopf of Casper; sister, Sarah Redmond of Indiana; brother, Daniel (Elizabeth) Zitterkopf of Nebraska; and brother, David Zitterkopf of Casper. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Brittany Burke, Jace Burke, Taten Zitterkopf, Emma Kittinger, Logan Zitterkopf, and Scarlett Zitterkopf; along with numerous nieces and nephews who all adored Dale.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Radius Church, 4301 S. Casper Mountain Road. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery. Private visitation for the family will be prior to the service at 9:00 a.m. Visitation for friends will follow at 10:00 a.m. until the service at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to the Helping Hands Food Pantry at Radius Church in Casper, Wyoming.
