Del Courtney

Mass of Christian Burial for Del Courtney will be at 10 a.m., Monday, February 11, 2008 at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Gillette, Wyoming with Father Thomas Ogg of the Holy Name Catholic Church of Sheridan, Wyoming as Celebrant.Rite of Committal will follow at the Gillette, Mount Pisgah Cemetery.Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Sunday, February 10, 2008, a vigil/rosary service will follow at 7 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home. Delbert Vernon Courtney, known to his family and friends as "Del", age 57, passed away on Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at his home in Gillette of an extended illness.Del was born on December 12, 1950 in Mitchell, South Dakota the son of Sara (Ell) and Vernon D. Courtney. He attended school in Mitchell and graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1969. Del moved to Rapid City, South Dakota where he attended the National College of Business and worked for Gifford Electric Supply. He married Barbara Schneider on April 15, 1972 in Tyndall, South Dakota. They have two sons, Aaron and Nicholas.In 1972 Del and Barb made their home in Gillette, Wyoming where Del opened and managed Gifford Electrical Supply for numerous years before working for Green Electric and Virg's Electric. Del later received his Master Electrician License and owned and operated I.T.S. Electric.Del was a member of St. Matthew's Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He was an avid reader and was a WWII History buff. He enjoyed NASCAR Racing, camping with family and friends, fishing, hunting, golf, bowling, and cooking.Del's favorite times were spent with his family playing games and loving his granddaughter, Ava. Del was the best uncle ever to his nieces and nephews. Del is survived by his wife, Barb Courtney of Gillette, Wyoming; his two sons, Aaron (Shelly) Courtney of Cheyenne, Wyoming; Nicholas Courtney of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; his mother Sara (Ell) Wipf and stepfather Art Wipf of Rapid City, South Dakota; one granddaughter, Ava; his sisters, MaryAnn (Chuck) Broeker of Herrin, IL, Judi (Jerry) Hughes of Rapid City South, Dakota, and Lin (Clet) Schoenfelder of Mitchell, South Dakota; stepsisters, Carrie Gottsch and Janelle Kelley; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father; his brother Rick; one nephew Craig Broeker; and one step brother, Jay Wipf. A memorial has been established to benefit the John Paul II Catholic School Library Fund and donations may be sent in care of the Walker Funeral Home, 410 Medical Arts Court, Gillette, WY 82176. Condolences may be sent via the website: www.walkerfuneralgillette.com.