Obituaries

Ronald Scranton passed away December 4, 2022 at Hospice House in Rapid City, SD. He was born in Antelope County, Nebraska on January 28, 1934 to Hattie and Ed Scranton. He graduated from Plainview High School in 1952 where he played football, basketball and was a member of National Honor Society. He went on to earn college credits from Hastings College, BHTC in Spearfish, SD and earned a degree in Business from the University of South Dakota School of Business in 1964.

Ed Vinton, knownbymany as the “King of Nebraska” and “Eli Kid” left this world too soononNovember 15, 2022. He leaves behind his wife of 32 years, deAlva, honorary wives Wissal Byrnes, Julie Davy and Kyle Brooks along with furbabies Alley, Brownie, #3, Scout, Mickey, Sophie and numerous possums, raccoons, geese and the birds he fed daily. Anne Strozier (Momma) will miss her favorite (and only) son-in-law and their Rummikub games and weekly breakfast.

Darrel R. Copeland, 89, of Salina, KS, passed away Saturday, November 26, 2022 at Salina Regional Health Center.

Major (Retired) Claude Lou Reyman was born on October 29, 1934 in Ainsworth, to Bruce Abrah am Rey man Sr. and Edith Mildred (Hutchin son) Reyman. Claude grew up on his parent’s cattle ranch outside of Wood Lake. Claude passed away on November 19, 2022 at age 88 in Lincoln. He was surrounded by his daughter Colonel (Retired) Lynda Marie Granfield and son-in-law Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Christopher Thomas Granfield Claude met Yvonne “Vonnie” Marie Marlatt during high school in Ainsworth, and they were married at the Congregational Church in Ainsworth on July 24, 1960. Claude and Vonnie moved to Lincoln where they lived over 60 years. They had two children, daughter Lynda and adopted son Cory Reyman. When Vonnie passed in May 2021 they had been married almost 61 years.

Jane Howell was born on September 7, 1956 to Darrell and Dorothy Mundorf in Valentine. She grew up on the family ranch south of Wood Lake and attended the Wood Lake Elementary and Valentine High Schools. Many lessons were learned on the ranch in the hay field, driving a dump truck for road construction on Highway 20 and caring for the Wood Lake Cemetery.

Bruce Frederick Kreycik was born January 9, 1952, and went to his heavenly father on November 7, 2022, after a brave ten-year battle with Parkinsons disease. Through it all he remained patient and focused on finding the joy in life.

Merle Andrew (Andy) Shelbourn passed away at the Good Samaritan Home in Jackson, MN on October 27, 2022, at the age of 92 years old. Andy was born July 30, 1930, in Valentine to Joseph and Caroline Lurz Shelbourn.

Letha Kalenda/ Osburn, 85, of Winner, SD passed away on Sunday, October 30, 2022 at the Butte Senior Living Center in Butte. Funeral services were held on Thursday, November 3, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at the Winner United Methodist Church in Winner, SD. Burial followed in the Colome City Cemetery.

Kevin Reece, 57, passed away October 19, 2022 at his ranch home near Valentine. A Celebration of Life service will be held November 12, 2022 at the Valentine Methodist Church at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family as they establish a scholarship in his honor. Holmes Funeral Home of Valentine is assisting the family.

James Ray Sheet was born September 30 1933, he returned to the loving arms of Jesus October 18, 2022. James was family, a mentor, a confidant and a friend. In James' own written words: The sun and insatiable earth conspire to pull a disappearing act on all the water I pour on my plants. Of course, I am the slave in the whole process. Anything to prolong the look of summer. I get the sense I was born with a garden hose in my hand and sentenced to a life of watering forever. I look around at the incredible beauty of all the flowers, and I know it is worth the effort to be a co-worker in this ever changing feast of color. I can't paint pictures, but I can use plants to create a living work of art. As the years flash by with many fading dreams, I still have this gift and I am grateful. Some colors have faded from my palette. The Asiatic and oriental lilies have come and gone along with the piercing-red oriental poppies. The red and plumcolored hibiscus now join the mix of lavender Russian sage, bright yellow and orange dwarf cosmos, mixed-colored garden phlox, baby's breath, and a whole multitude of flowers vying for a place on the palette. The roses are hanging in, seemingly determined not to lose their preeminence in the theme of the show. Even the new ones: Judy Garland, Bull's Eye, and Perfume Delight are gearing up to make a last minute statement to bolster the place of roses as queens of all flowers. Waiting in the wings for their cue are the fall asters: white, blue, pink, wine and purple. Joining in the last hurrah of summer's art show are red, purple and yellow mums. The show is free and you are welcome to visit the gallery.