Thelma May Chaney

Services for long time Gillette resident Thelma May Chaney will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 11, 2010 at Blanche Beck Memorial Chapel at Pioneer Manor Nursing Home, Gillette, WY. Burial will follow at Mount Pisgah Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Friday, December 10, 2010 at Walker Funeral Home, Gillette, WY.Thelma Chaney, age 92, passed away December 7, 2010 at Pioneer Manor of natural causes.Thelma May Chaney was born at the family homestead on Highway 59 on December 3, 1918 to Arttie and Mary (Sims) Morehouse. She attended school in Campbell County thru her freshman year when she was forced to quit so she could help with the family finances by cleaning houses.She married Ivan Chaney on June 16, 1941 and they worked on several ranches in the Gillette area until they inherited the Morehouse family homestead south of Gillette in 1955 when both of her parents passed away.Following Ivan's passing on December 7, 1967 Thelma went to work at the Stockmen's Caf, Murphy's Drug Store and Hanes Newsstand. She also took on the job of a compassionate caretaker and companion for Dutch Geis until his passing. Dutch and Thelma attended many parades with their team of mules and buggy. She then started volunteering at the soup kitchen where she faithfully worked every day, walking to and from for eight years. There she met Chuck Mann a special friend whom she also cared for until his passing.Thelma enjoyed her time with family and friends; she loved being busy outdoors, cooking and sewing. She had a special sense of humor and a huge compassionate heart. In her younger years she could make a great pot of homemade chicken and noodles.Thelma is survived by four nephews, Daniel and John Gillen of Grants Pass, OR; Gorden Morehouse of Dalton, GA.; and Roy Badger of Casper, WY; one niece Betty Nollman of Ringgold, GA. She is also survived by Jon, Vikki and Kassi Bartow and Brandi and Derby Kukla her special adopted family. Thelma took a special liking to Vikki when she was born and always considered and introduced her as her daughter. When Kassi was born 20 years later she was Thelma's world. She was Grandma Thelma to many. Troy and Kim Scott family, Tom and Tammy Beck family, Todd and Glenda Jilek family, Gary and Collette McWilliams and the Dutch Geis family were all a part of her special extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, one brother, and one nephew.A memorial has been established in Thelma's name and can be sent in care of the Walker Funeral Home 410 Medical Arts Ct. Gillette, Wy 82716. Condolences may also be sent via the tribute center via the website; www.walkerfuneralgillette.com.Funeral Home:Walker Funeral Home410 Medical Arts CourtGillette, WYUS 82716