Mark Jeffery Portwine

A memorial service for Mark Portwine will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at St. Matthew's Catholic Church with Father Tim Martinson officiating.Mark J. Portwine, age 53 of Wright , WY went home to be with our heavenly father on May 21, 2011 when he silently passed away in his sleep on his Ranch near Broadus, Montana.Mark Jeffery Portwine known to his family and friends as "Huckle" was born on April 7, 1958 the son of Zilbert and Jean (Hurley) Portwine in Miles City, MT. Mark was raised in Powder River County on the family ranch. He attended rural schools and graduated from the Broadus High School in 1977. On August 9, 1977, he married his high school sweetheart, Mona Williams, together they had four children. He was the best husband, father and grandfather a family could ask for. He loved to spend time with his children and grandchildren. Mark was an excellent horseman, he rode and broke many horses, loved cattle and being a cowboy was in his blood. His first job was working for his parents on the ranch, he loved every moment there calving, haying, branding and everything it took to keep the ranch going. He then moved on and over the years, worked in the oilfields, ranching, and feedlots where he rode his favorite horses, Baldy and Huckle. Mark doctored cattle and was in sheer heaven with all the other cowboys that were his friends for life. In 1995, he moved his family back to Wyoming to start his last career in the coal mine. Mark was employed as a heavy equipment operator for the Jacobs Ranch Mine. Recently he was very proud to announce that he was the first person to operate the new blade. Mark was an excellent blade operator and was very proud that he was going on his 16th year at the mine. Everyone that knew Mark, loved him for his gentle touch and heart of pure gold. Mark was a real jokester and loved playing tricks on easy targets. He shared his love of football with his kids, his favorite team was the Minnesota Vikings. He enjoyed cooking, family BBQ's, camping trips to the river, the outdoors, traveling and his most prize possession, his cat Sox.Mark is survived by his wife of 33 years, Mona, his children, Mickie Portwine (Max Davis) of Wright, WY; Megan(Jason) Prewitt of Gillette, WY; Kelly Portwine (Riki Reeves) of Gillette, WY: Shelby Portwine (Logan Schroeder) of Gillette, WY; grandchildren, Dalton Portwine, Tyler Strobl, Cooper Prewitt, Hannah Strobl and Colby Prewitt, his parents, Zilbert and Jean Portwine of Cheyenne, WY: his sister, Sue (Monty) Phillippi and a brother, Skipper (Tink) Portwine of Shelbyville, TN, and numerous nieces and nephews who all had a special place in his heart.He was preceded in death by his grandparents, DZ and Hattie Portwine, William and Inez Hurley and one very special cousin, Andrew Portwine.A memorial has been established in Mark's name and can be sent in care of the Gillette Memorial Chapel 210 West 5th Street, Gillette, WY 82716. Condolences may be also sent via the Website tribute site at www.GilletteMemorial Chapel.comFuneral Home:Gillette Memorial Chapel210 West Fifth Street Gillette, WYUS 82716