Christopher Dean Eckman Jr.: 2001 – 2025
Christopher was born on March 15, 2001 in Casper Wyoming to Melissa Anderson.
He grew up in Casper, attending North Casper and Evansville Elementarys, Dean Morgan and Centennial Jr Highs, and NCHS.
In 2012 his dad/best friend came into his life.
In 2020 he moved with his family to Tulsa Oklahoma
He was active in the Army JROTC program and had dreams of becoming a Marine. He loved technology and high end cars, specifically Land Rover and Tesla. He would rent a Tesla for the weekend just because he could. He always wanted the best gadgets for the house to make it better and smarter. He was the reason there was an Alexa in every room and smart bulbs that changed colors. He had such big dreams and an endless imagination. He could turn a pile of Legos into anything he dreamed and explain to you exactly how it was supposed to work. He worked various jobs but put his heart into the jobs he enjoyed at The City of Casper, The Creek County Detention Center, and Robertson Tire.
On May 7, 2025 in Tulsa, Ok, he succumbed to the battle of addiction.
He will be missed by all those who loved him and may he walk the halls of Valhalla side by side with his dad.
He is survived by his Momma; his big sister, Cathleen; his big brother, Tristan (Raven); his baby brother, Danny (Elena); nieces and nephews: Walker, Malia, Silas, Thayne, Audrey, Ollie, Shiloh, and Maggie; his favorite aunt, Buppy; his aunt Debbie (Jody); uncle Craig (Billie); uncle Shawn (Gina); uncle David (Brittany); uncle Keith (Alisha); and uncle Erick (Destiny); his Grammy, Sharon; grandma, Patty; MeeMaw, Pamela; PawPaw, Richard; great-grandmas, Mary and Judy; along with numerous, aunts, uncles, and cousins…..too many to list.
He was preceded in death by his dad, Adam; his Bumpa Greg; his grandpa, Pete; his uncle, Gene; his great-grandpa, Tom; his cousin, Lillie; and his cousin, Ashlea.
There will be no services. Cremation has taken place and a celebration of life will be planned in Wyoming and Oklahoma at a later date.
David Edwin Harned: 1971 – 2025
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of David Edwin Harned on May 8, 2025, at the age of 53. David brought light and joy into the lives of everyone he met. His life was full of love, kindness, and laughter that will always be remembered.
David Harned was born on November 18, 1971, in Rawlins, Wyoming. From a young age, he showed a strong passion for bringing joy to those around him and protecting any who needed it, which became an important part of his life. He spent his years dedicated to being a shining light in the darkness, always striving to make the world a better place. Even while battling stage 4 esophageal cancer for the last year and a half, he made the nurses and patients around him laugh and smile.
A loving partner, stepfather, son, and brother, David cherished his family and friends deeply. He was admired for his kindness, humor and his ability to bring a smile to almost anyone’s face. Through his Dungeons and Dragons campaigns, his cheesy dad jokes, or simply his presence, he brought joy and comfort to many.
David leaves behind his partner, Johanna Peden and her daughter, Lita Culver; his mother, Alvada “Imo†Harned; his sister, Ester Brook Harned; and half-sister, Keri Pittman, who will treasure the wonderful memories they shared together. He is preceded in death by his father, David Duane Harned, who surely welcomed him with open arms.
A celebration of David’s life will be held on May 16 at 10 a.m., in the Masonic Lodge at 138 N 4th St, Douglas, Wyoming. Friends and family are invited to come together to remember and honor his incredible life.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to “Cancer Awareness Task Force†of Converse County at [cancerawarenesstaskforce.squarespace.com], reflecting David’s dedication to helping people in little ways every day.
David will be greatly missed but always remembered. His kindness and love will be a shining beacon continuing to shine on in the hearts of everyone he touched.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to Cancer Awareness Task Force of Converse County.
Winifred Alleyne Loder: 1924 – 2025
Winifred Alleyne (Manring) Loder was born January 3, 1924 near the town of McFall, Harrison county, Missouri. She was the fourth child of seven of William Harold and Ida Luella (Jones) Manring. She graduated from New Hampton, Missouri high school in 1941 and married Louis Franklin Sexton on December 24, 1940 in a double wedding with her cousin Suzie (Thompson) Gilbert and Richard Gilbert, the ceremony being in Rockport Missouri.
On May 2, 1942, Karen Ida was born, when Karen was two months old, her family moved to McGill, Nevada where Louis became employed by Kennecott Copper Corporation in the smelter. In 1943 they were divorced and Winifred worked for a general merchandise store and later Kennecott in The Copper Mill before going to Chillicothe Business College in Chillicothe, Missouri to take a business course. Winifred’s sister, Kathleen Ellis, kept Karen while she did that. They lived on a farm near McFall. Winifred worked part-time for Montgomery Ward’s store in Chillicothe while attending school.
In 1944 Winifred and Karen came to Casper, Wyoming and Winifred was employed for a time with Standardized Oil and Gas Company and worked briefly also for Gibbs Investigating Service and Stroud Truck Sales.
In February 1946 she married Henry Wilton Lewis in Casper, and they had three children: Linda Sue, born 1/8/47; Anita Kay, born 6/28/51; and Gary Corwin, born 7/18/55. During that marriage Winifred worked a few jobs for not too long. One for a lawyer in Lusk; one for the Weston County Abstract Company in Newcastle; and the Newcastle Chambers of Commerce for the time her divorce from Henry was pending which was in August, 1956.
Winifred moved to Casper and obtained employment with the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission in the lease department. Two years later she was promoted to secretary department head of the State Oil and Gas Commission, and acted in that capacity until retiring April 17, 1987 with over 30 years’ service.
On November 21, 1959 she married Harold Samuel Loder and they were married until he passed away on September 22, 2007.
All three of Winifred’s husbands have preceded her in death, as well as her 2 of her children Gary Corwin Lewis and Linda Lewis (Brown, Villar). Also preceding her were her siblings Dayton, Kathleen, Doris, Kenneth, Dereva, and Dudley.
Winifred is survived by her children: Karen Ida Willis and Anita Kay Crane (Capshaw); as well as her grandchildren: Robert Willis, Karen Willis, Ace Capshaw, Thomas Capshaw, Russell Brown, Jason Villar, and Lea Lewis; and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, family would like donations to be sent to Chapman Hospice Home at 319 South Wilson Street, Casper, WY 82601.
Services will be held at Radius Church on May 21, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. with refreshments to follow. Interment will be held at 2 p.m. at Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery for anyone who would like to be present after refreshments.
Jon Michael McLean: 1954 – 2025
Jon Michael McLean, 70, of Casper, Wyoming passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 7, 2025 at Central Wyoming Hospice after a long health battle.
Jon was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota to Robert “Mick†and Ruth (Anderson) McLean on July 9th, 1954. He attended Midway High School and graduated in 1972.
After briefly attending Valley City State where he played football, Jon moved to Portland, Oregon and entered the restaurant business. He moved to Casper in 1978 to further his career with Country Kitchen, later known as Casper’s Good Cooking.
Big Jon was a recognizable figure in Casper for many years as the managing partner of Casper’s. He was also an avid golfer, a member of the Paradise Valley Country Club for many years, and frequent patron of several establishments in Casper and Thermopolis. He knew no stranger and was willing to tell his exaggerated stories to anyone who listened. He will be remembered for his anecdotes, his bigger than life personality, and making lasting memories with those closest to him.
He didn’t want the hassle of a funeral service for his daughters but gave specific instructions on what to do after his passing to include listening to Head East’s song, “Never Been Any Reason†with all the windows open driving down the highway.
Jon is survived by his son, Jamie (Rhonda) McLean of Bismarck, North Dakota; and daughters: Megan McLean of Grand Forks, North Dakota, and Kylee McLean of Casper, Wyoming. He is also survived by his sisters: Michelle (Gerry) Macintosh, of Santa Rosa, California, Maggie (David) Perkerewicz, of Manvel, North Dakota; and brother, Robert (Wendy) McLean of Minneapolis, Minnesota; three granddaughters; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by Robert (Mick) and Ruth (Anderson) McLean; and his best friend, Larry Moen; and other friends throughout the years.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your favorite charity or carrying out random acts of kindness to those in need.
Laura Ferne Reiner: 1946 – 2025
Laura Ferne Reiner, 79 of Casper, Wyoming, went home to be with Jesus on May 8, 2025. She was born on May 8, 1946, in Goshen, Indiana to the late Perry Benjamin Herschberger and the late Annabelle Herschberger (Yoder).
She was a caring and considerate homemaker that loved her family. She was a great conversationalist and enjoyed writing. She is survived by her husband, John L. Reiner, whom she married September 27, 1980. She is further survived by her children: Kelly S. Brush of Casper, Wyoming, David B. Reiner of Carmel, Indiana, and Sarah L. Siegel ,of Casper, Wyoming. She had five grandchildren: Becky, Tyler, Joel, Ashley, and Elijah; as well as two great-grandchildren, Jackson and Jason.
Her siblings include sisters Delores (James ) Stutzman of Milford, Indiana, Marilyn (Randy) Troyer of Millersburg, Ohio, and Carolyn (Rodney) Troyer of Millersburg, Ohio; along with sister-in-law, Rose (Mike) Herschberger Groff of Middlebury, Indiana. She had many nieces and nephews scattered all over the United States. Laura was preceded in death by both of her parents as well as her brother Gerald D. Herschberger.
Funeral Service will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 16, 2025 at Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery in Evansville, Wyoming.
Donald “Don” Levi Shaffer: 1938 – 2025
Donald Levi Shaffer, 86, of Mills, Wyoming, passed away on May 5, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family.
Don was a man of strength, humor, and heart. He had a passion for rock hunting, gold prospecting, fishing, and hunting—all the rugged joys of life, except for working on cars, which he happily left to others. He proudly served in the United States Navy from November 1955 to December 1956, serving on the USS WEDDERBURN during the Vietnam War and later retired from a long and fulfilling career in the oilfield. But above all, Don’s greatest treasure was his family, especially his devoted wife, Alberta.
Known for always cracking jokes and making others smile, Don carried a steady presence and generous spirit. He made sure those around him were cared for—his actions always speaking louder than words, his love unwavering.
Don is preceded in death by his parents, Cecilia and Levi Shaffer; brothers, William and Leroy Shaffer; sister, Elanore Wolfe; son, Craig Howard; and granddaughter, Ayla Jones. He is survived by his loving wife, Alberta Shaffer; daughters: Nicole Shaffer, Kara Glandt, and Stephanie Dumbrill; sister, Joanne Whitaker; grandchildren: Brandon Ryan, Bryan Boatman, Dona Shaffer, Samantha Shaffer, Stefen Shaffer, and Chrystal Shaffer; and great-grandchildren: Serene and Emily Wallace, Wreika Yates, and Zoie and Zackary Ryan. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and cousins who will carry his memory forward.
A funeral service with military honors will be held at 1 p.m. on May 27, 2025, in the chapel at Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will follow at the VFW on Bryanstock Trail. Guests are encouraged to bring finger foods or snacks to share. (Please note: no outside beverages are allowed.)
Donald Levi Shaffer lived fully, laughed often, and loved deeply. His presence will be deeply missed, and his memory forever cherished.
Tina Watson: 1937 – 2025
Born and raised in Vieques, Puerto Rico, Tina’s journey brought her to the United States as a young woman working as an Au Pair for a military family. She crisscrossed the country from New York to Washington State, eventually settling in Pocatello, Idaho. Tina was a gifted dancer and taught Latin dancing at a local studio when she met her husband-to-be, Jim R. Watson, a Pocatello native. Tina and Jim married in 1958 and relocated to Casper, Wyoming, where they spent more than 40 years raising three children and building a life rooted in their shared commitment to family, work, and faith.
Tina’s strong Christian beliefs guided her life, shaping her as a devoted wife, mother, mentor, and friend. She led many into the Christian faith with her charismatic, unwavering love of God and touched so many in the community with her caring and generous spirit.
In 2003, after Jim’s passing, Tina returned to Puerto Rico and found joy in reconnecting with her roots. She fulfilled the dream she and Jim shared of building a retirement home on the island of Vieques, where she spent 10 happy years. In her final years, she moved to Maine to be close to her children and grandchildren, cherishing her time with family in the beauty of New England.
Tina’s vibrant personality lit up every room. She was not only charismatic and bold, but deeply kind and generous—always ready to offer a helping hand, a warm smile, or a word of encouragement. Those who knew her will miss her radiant spirit, however we rejoice in knowing she is at peace in her heavenly home, embraced by God’s eternal love.
Tina is survived by her three children: Eddie Watson of Biddeford Maine; Randy Watson (Patty Scherer) of Mesa, Arizona; and Summer Cooper (Patrick Cooper) of Arundel, Maine. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Sarah Cooper, Nicholas Watson, Olivia Cooper, Austin Watson, and Rachel Watson; as well as two great-grandchildren. Tina is preceded in death by her husband Jim, (2002); along with her five siblings and parents.
Interment of ashes will take place in both Casper, WY, and Vieques, Puerto Rico.