The following are obituaries and death notices that appeared in the October 22, 2009 edition of the Star Valley Independent.

Lyman P. Bruce, 84, passed way on Oct. 11, 2009 in Portland, Ore., surrounded by his family. He was born Nov. 6, 1924 in Smoot to Franklin and Minnie Bruce.   He married his wife, June Papworth, on Dec. 18, 1942 in the Logan LDS Temple. He graduated from Star Valley High School in 1942 and later served in the U.S. Army at the end of WWII.    He earned a bachelors degree in music education from Utah State University  and began teaching band and choir in Winnemucca, Nev.  His band was chosen by Walt Disney Studios to play the National Anthem at the Squaw Valley Winter Olympics; was the first band from outside the state to perform at the East-West football game, and was selected by the New York times as one of the top ten bands in the U.S. from small schools.  After a decade of teaching, Lyman returned to college and obtained a masters degree in school administration. He was either principal or superintendent for several school districts over the next 27 years.  They included Humboldt County, Nev.,  Riverdale School District, Portland, Ore,, and Dickie Prairie and Maple Grove schools in rural Oregon.    He spent his retirement years doing the things he loved; playing in multiple community bands, participating in sporting events, and maintaining his show piece yard.    He is survived by three children, Claire (Ralph) Oler; Barbara (James) Olavarria;  and Lyle (Jerralyn) Bruce; as well as 11 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.    He was preceded in death by his son, Wayne Bruce.
A private interment will be at the Willamette National Cemetery under the direction of the Family Memorial Mortuary.

Our loving, devoted mother, sister, and friend Vicky Tolman, 59, passed away of unexpected complications following a short illness on Oct. 14, 2009, at the Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah. She was born on Dec. 22, 1949, to Vincent (Bish) and Dona Cazier Tolman in Afton.  She graduated from Star Valley High School in 1967.  She received an Associate Degree from El Paso Community College in Colorado Springs, Colo.  She received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Nazareth College in Kalamazoo, Mich.   Her work experience included accounting, teaching, vice-president of a junior college, certified locksmith, manager, and real estate broker.   Her many interests and hobbies included horseback riding, skiing, golfing, photography, camping, biking, racquetball, traveling, writing, reading, enjoying pets of all kinds, talking to friends, and being a mom.   She always said she was having a “fine and dandy day” no matter what struggles she was facing. Vicky lived a life that she loved. There isn’t a person she has met that didn’t love her. She was the epitome of unselfishness and goodness.   She was Heavenly Father’s caretaker for the animals. If she were driving and saw a lost dog, she would stop to rescue it and return it to the owner. It didn’t matter what her personal agenda was at the time.   She endured intense pain and still had an incredible positive outlook on life.   She is survived by her daughter Victoria Tolman (Xay); two brothers, Jerald C. Tolman (Kathy); and Vincent Bruce Tolman (June); one sister Dawnette T. Muir (Leland); a devoted friend Luana, and many loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.    She was preceded in death by her father and mother.  Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, at the Fairstone Branch LDS Chapel (1250 W. Atherton Drive [4375 S], Taylorsville, Utah) at 1:30 p.m. Family prayer will be held prior to the services at 1:15 p.m.   Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery, with a graveside dedication.   In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Vicky Tolman Fund at Mountain America Credit Union at any location or mail to MACU, P.O. Box 9001, West Jordan, UT 84084.

Lena Mae Layton, 78, of Sand Springs, Okla., passed from this life and into the presence of her Lord in Idaho Falls, Idaho on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009. She was born in Clever, Mo., on June 19, 1931, one of seven children born to George Frazier and Stella (Trotter) Frazier.   Lena married Jerry Layton in Sand Springs on Feb. 9, 1952. She and Jerry were both graduates of the Class of 1949 of Sand Springs High School. Jerry’s employment gave them the opportunity to live in many areas of the United States. They were members of Broadway Baptist Church.  Lena, like a lot of ladies, enjoyed shopping, redecorating, and cooking. She also enjoyed oil painting.   Survivors include her husband Jerry; two daughters, Diane Richards of Oklahoma City; and Suzanne Tarver and husband David of Guthrie; one son, Larry Layton and wife Michelle of Guthrie; and nine grandchildren. She is also survived by three great-grandchildren.  Preceding her in death were her parents; three brothers and three sisters.  In lieu of flowers the family would like for you to consider a donation to the American Heart Association.   Funeral services were held Thursday,  Oct. 15, 2009. Interment took place at Woodland Memorial Park.

Funeral services for Gina Johnson Brewer will be held Friday, Oct. 23 at noon in the Afton Third Ward Chapel.    A viewing will be held Thursday, Oct. 22 from 6-8 p.m. at Schwab Mortuary in Afton and Friday morning  from 11-11:45 a.m. prior to funeral services at the church. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Gina’s name at the Bank of Star Valley.