Donald David Horton

Donald David Horton, age 71, of New Raymer, Colo., died June 7, 2008, at the Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, Colo.

He was born August 28, 1936, in Cheyenne, Wyo., to David & Mary (Kerbs) Horton.

Donald married Delores Sue Cummings on June 26, 1954, in Fort Collins, Colo. The couple moved to New Raymer in 1963.

Mr. Horton owned and operated Horton Dairy in New Raymer for 16 years and also worked as a highway maintenance man for 30 years. He was employed by the Colorado Department of Transportation for a number of years, and also worked for Weld County Road Maintenance for 4 years. He retired in 1998.

Donald was a member of Saint John’s Catholic Church in Stoneham. He was also a member of the New Raymer Lions Club, the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, and the Elks Lodge. He served on the town council in New Raymer, and was a 4-H leader for a number of years. Mr. Horton helped start the New Raymer Volunteer Fire Department in the late 1960’s. He enjoyed working, fishing, dancing, and watching sports and rodeo. He especially liked guns, and old pickup trucks and tractors.

Survivors include his wife, Delores Sue Horton of New Raymer; four children: Rocky Horton & his wife Vicky of Lonestar, Colo., Chris Horton & his wife Anne of Larkspur, Colo., Cindy and her husband Steve Vierow of Sterling, Colo., and Amy and her husband Rich Harms of New Raymer. He is also survived by his cherished friends,

Anthony Aragon & his wife Dora of Pueblo, Colo.; his brother, Frank “Spud” Horton & his wife Dorothy of Nunn, Colo.; 12 grandchildren: Amanda, April, Amber, Russell, Ryan, Rawlyn, Nicole, Brogan, Tierney, Kaleb, Danielle, and Alyssa; and five great-grandchildren, Tyrus, Hunter, Trinity, Kailey, and Gabby.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on June 13 at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Brush. Interment took place in Prairie View Cemetery in Stoneham.

Memorial donations may be sent to the Heer Mortuary, 225 East Platte Ave., Fort Morgan, Colo., 80701.

Ona Patricia Cronberg

Ona Patricia Cronberg, age 93, of Medicine Bow, Wyo., died June 2, 2008, at the Valley View Rehabilitation Home in Saratoga, Wyo.

Pat was born in 1915, in Merritt, B.C., Canada, to Homer and Jean (Bryden) Darknell. She attended schools in Rawlins, Wyo., where she graduated in 1933.

In 1938, she married E.D. “Ted” Cronberg. Pat and Ted lived in “the Bow” with their two children, Marvin and Barbara Jean, throughout their lives. Ted preceded Patricia in death in 1997, a loss that dramatically affected her throughout the remainder of her life.

Pat was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, and was known affectionately as “Muzzy” to her family. Her home was a haven for her extended family anytime they were near Medicine Bow. Pat will be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor and eagerness to travel with family and friends. She was a collector of everything Wyoming or Native American and was openly proud of living in the historic community of Medicine Bow.

Patricia is survived by her daughter, Barbara Jean and husband Larry Bourret of Laramie, Wyo., and her son, Marvin, of Medicine Bow, along with seven grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great-grandchildren.

In death, as in life, Patricia passed away embraced by the love of her children, family and friends. A memorial service will be conducted at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be sent in Patricia’s honor to the Medicine Bow Methodist Church, P.O. Box 179, Medicine Bow, Wyo., 82329.

Phillip George Joss

Phillip George Joss, age 70, of Lusk, Wyo., died June 5, 2008, at the Casper Medical Center, with his family by his side.

He was born on Oct. 28, 1937, in Lusk, to George and Leola Joss. At the age of 6, Phil’s mother passed away and he spent time with his dad, special friends Jim and Della McAllister, and his uncle and aunt, Art and Peg Joss. When Phil was 16, his dad passed away. He then made his home with Art and Peg. He attended school in Manville and graduated from high school in Douglas in 1955. He attended one year of college at Fort Collins, and then returned to the Joss Ranch. During high school and college, Phil rode barebacks and bulls while rodeoing with his good buddies, Kenny Ballard and Bruce Quintard.

Phil was a true cowboy. When he was 4 years old, his grandfather Sam Joss put him on behind his saddle, and they rode for hours. From then on, he spent a great part of his life on a saddle horse. He learned at an early age how to raise good cattle and good horses, and he devoted his life to ranching.

He married Barbara Quintard on Feb. 7, 1959, in Harrison, Neb. They made their home at the Hitchew Ranch north of Keeline, where their two daughters were born. In 1963, they moved the 20 Mile Ranch west of Lance Creek, where their son was born. They remained at the 20 Mile until the late ’80s, when they made their home in Lusk. After moving to Lusk, Phil spent many years working in the oil field as a Pumper on the Joss Ranch. He was then employed by the town of Lusk from 2001 to 2007, when ill health forced his retirement.

Phil was one of the original founders and members of the Soil Conservation District and served on the board for a number of years, served on the school board, was an active member of the Lance Creek and Manville Alliance Churches, a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and was founder and president of Project Hope.

Phil will be missed greatly by his wife, Barb; two daughters, Judy Joss, and Kaleen and husband Jeff White; grandchildren Brittani Joss, Ashley and husband Aaron Miller, Kristen and Brooke Schrader, Joshua and Mathew James, Kacey and wife Bobbie Jo Gibbs, Kyle and wife Amber Joss, Keeley and Kami Joss, Cody and Laramie Lawrence; and great-grandchildren: Martin and Jayce Joss, Eli Blythe, and Andrew Schrader. He is also survived by sisters Sandra and husband Warren Thompson, and Jean and husband Henry Krejci; nieces and nephews: Shawn and wife Marlissa Hall, Trey Beghtol, and Rhonda and husband Mark Mehling; and cousins: Artie and wife Frieda Joss and Shelley and husband Rebel Coffey.

Services were held on June 12 at the Niobrara County Fairgrounds.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Niobrara Senior Center in Lusk.

Victor Schwab

Victor Schwab, age 95, of Sterling, Colo., formerly of Mitchell, Neb., died June 5, 2008, at the Colorado Assisted Living Home in Sterling.

He was born on Sept. 28, 1912, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, to Jacob and Anna Elizabeth (Leis) Schwab. As a young boy, he moved to Scottsbluff County with his family, where he grew up and received his education.

Victor married Esther Tittle on Feb. 24, 1940, in Scotts Bluff County. He and his wife farmed in Scotts Bluff and Sioux counties in Nebraska, and Platte and Goshen counties in Wyoming their entire married lives. He retired from farming in 1999, and moved into Torrinton in 2000. Shortly after his wife’s death in 2002, he moved to Brush, Colo., and later Sterling, where he lived until the time of his death.

He was a member of Sovereign Grace Church in Morrill, Neb.

Victor is survived by his children, Melvin Schwab and wife Carolyn of Brush, Dennis J. and wife Rita Schwab of Sebring, Fla., Vic Schwab Jr. of Torrington, Wyo., Timothy P. Schwab and wife Pamela of Brush, and Lana E. and husband Jerry Schlotthauer of Cheyenne, Wyo.; 11 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Esther and 10 brothers and sisters.

Services were held on June 10, with interment at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Morrill.