The following are obituaries and death notices that appeared in the May 7, 2009 edition of the Star Valley Independent.

Long time Afton resident, Quinn B. Cazier, died April 25, 2009 surrounded by his family at the Star Valley Medical Center.  Funeral services were held Saturday May 2, 2009, at the Afton Stake Tabernacle under the direction of the Salt River Ward Bishopric with his son, Bishop Kem T. Cazier conducting. Burial services were held at the Afton Cemetery.  Quinn was born July 25, 1927 in Afton to Fannie Blacker and Earl Cazier. He was the sixth of eight children. His early childhood years were spent on the farm west of Afton.  At Star Valley High School, he was active in the FFA and in 1945 was named the “All-Tourney basketball guard” in the State of Wyoming his senior year.  After graduating from SVHS he marred his sweetheart, Elayne Turner, in 1945 in Paris, Idaho by Bishop Tucker. There marriage was later solemnized on May 21, 1946.  He participated in M-MEN basketball and played in an all-church tournament. He worked for 30 years with the department of agriculture in the soil conservation service. He helped survey and design most of the sprinkler irrigation projects in Star Valley. He served as  president of the Star Valley Creamery at the time of consolidation with the Swiss Cheese Plant. He was district Boy Scout chairman and sat as a member of many Eagle Scout boards of review.  Throughout his life he loved and cared for all of his farm animals. He was truly a Shepard to his flock of sheep. His sheep learned to follow his kind commands and gentle voice.  The six children born to Quinn and Elayne were among the highlights of his life. He was an avid fan of all sporting events, school and church activities that his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren participated in. He was proud and grateful that several of his grandsons received the rank of Eagle Scout. He supported his children and grandchildren a they served honorable LDS missions and witnessed many temple marriages.  Quinn served faithfully in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in many leadership positions including Bishopric, Sunday School and Stake Mission Presidencies, and High Priest group leader, but his most favorite call was teaching in the Primary.  Quinn will be remembered and cherished for his love of family and friends, his special devotion to Elayne, his willingness to help others, his kind and caring nature, and his ever-optimistic attitude.  Quinn was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Elayne, son Roger Cazier, grandson Tyson Cazier, and sisters, Dora Perry and Dona Tolman.  Quinn leaves behind daughters, Jolene (Robert) Hunsaker; Patsy (Sid) Steed; Sally (Norm) Nelson; and sons, Kem (Beth) Cazier; Layne (Patti) Cazier, and daughter-in-law Patsy Payne; 26 grandchildren and 45 great grandchildren; and sisters, Ireta (Neil) Kennington, Marveline Jenkins, LueDene Jenkins, Billie Renee (Royce) Nield, and brother Paul Cazier.

Robert Richard Swiston, 69, of Idaho Falls, passed away April 28, 2009, at Good Samaritan Society Center. He was born Dec. 4, 1939, in Chelsea, Mass., to Charles and Mary Swiston.   Robert served in the Army where he earned the rank of E-7. After his service he became a lifetime member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.   He married Kathleen Taylor in 1968 in Two Rocks Calif., later divorcing in 2002. He traveled, worked and lived in Japan; Tehran, Iran; Beruit, Lebanon; Bern,  Switzerland; Shirley, Mass.; and Alpine. He enjoyed golfing with his son, and watching any Boston sports team win. He loved going to reunions and reminiscing with his Super Group and Chitose buddies. He was a quiet man who loved his children and grandchildren.   Survivors include, Kathleen (Taylor) Swiston, ex-wife, of Idaho Falls; Robert William (Kymm) Swiston, son, of Idaho Falls; Charles (Marie) Swiston, brother, of Florida; and two grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, and daughter,  Michelle Nicole Swiston.   Memorial services will be at a later date with military rites held in Alpine and later in Boston, Mass., where he and his mother will be rejoined with his father.   In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be sent to the American Legion or VFW.

Alice LaVonne Hurt Ruder, 70, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and formerly of Cheyenne, died Wednesday, April 29, 2009, at her home.  She was born March 8, 1939, in Cheyenne  to Ivan H. And Hazel J. Koon Hurt.  She grew up in Cheyenne and graduated from Cheyenne High School in 1957.    She attended Mountain Bell and Qwest trade schooling throughout her 30+ years of working there. She was a certified nutritionist.    She married Clarke Theobald and they were later divorced.  She married Ralph J. Ruder in Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, on Dec. 26, 1975.    She lived in Cheyenne, Pine Bluffs, Afton, Alpine and Idaho Falls.  She loved harvesting and the study of herbs, fishing, snowmobiling and she had a special love for her four birds.  Alice was a fun, loving, caring and adventurous wife, mother, grandmother and sister. She is survived by her husband, Ralph Ruder of Idaho Falls; son, Allen (Laura) Theobald of Ocoee, Fla.; daughter, Johnna (Dean) Charron of Elk Grove, Calif.; stepsons, John Ruder of Meeker, Colo.; Michael and Joseph Ruder both of Ft. Morgan, Colo.; stepdaughters, Vicki Lehmkulla of Loveland, Colo., and Julie Weimer of Ft. Morgan, Colo.; sisters, Nancy Stokes of Mobile, Ala.; and Carol Green of Cheyenne; granddaughters, Miranda Theobald of Casselbury, Fla., and  Valerie Baumeister of Tallahassee, Fla.; grandsons,  Darren Ruder of Idaho Falls and Andrew and Michael Hernandez both of Cheyenne,.
She is preceded in death by her parents.  At her request, no services will be held.