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Obituaries: Hart, Bennett, Korhonen, Battista, Swan

Lance Michael Hart

Lance Michael Hart: May 6, 1970 – May 24, 2022

Lance Hart died May 23, 2022, in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He was born in Philip, South Dakota, May 6, 1970 to Mike and Becky (Vos) Hart.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Hart; children, Hunter, Tayva, and Caden Hart; mother, Becky (Joe Dougherty) Logsdon-Dougherty; sister, Chevon Logsdon; father, Mike Hart; brothers, Jamie and Richard Hart; and mother-in-law, Pat Milam. Survivors also include Logsdon stepbrothers, Michael (Angie), Marco, and Charlie (Shelia); Dougherty stepsiblings, Dan (Amanda) and Erin (Daryn) Kramer, As well as many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, and cousins.

Lance lived in South Dakota until his dad went into the military, which led to living in several other states and Germany. In 1982 he moved with family to Cheyenne and with the exception of four years at St. Mary of the Plains College in Dodge City, Kansas and four years teaching on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, he remained in Cheyenne.

Lance graduated from East High School where he excelled academically, as well as athletically in soccer and football. Soccer was his number one sport. He played for Cheyenne Sting and at the college level on a partial scholarship. After his playing years were over, Lance spent his time coaching kids soccer and baseball. His kids all grew up with a ball at their feet.

Family was the most important thing to Lance, friends were second. He had countless friends, many he had connected to through his job at CPS Distributors where he worked for 22 years. Several he had known for years and remained close with throughout his life, and some he had only met once.

Lance was a big Dallas Cowboys and LA Dodgers fan, which meant his kids had to be too. He loved his family and never failed to tell them every chance he got; every night he would give his kids a kiss and tell them he loved them. Lance never hung up the phone without saying “I love you.”

Lance was preceded in death by brothers, Darin and John Hart; grandparents, Jim and Doris Vos, Francis and Lucille Hart; step-father, Bill Logsdon; step-mother, Sharon Hart; and cousin, Chrystelle Janke.
A Celebration of Life will be held on August 6, 2022. Additional details will be provided at a later time.


Jack Bennett (Jr)

Jack Bennett (Jr.): August 22, 1929 – May 19, 2022

Jack Bennett (Jr), 92, died peacefully in his sleep, May 19, 2022, at 12:40 p.m., in his home near Temple, Texas.

He was born August 22, 1929, in Webster City, Iowa, to John (Jack) Avery Bennett and Lillian (Johnson) Bennett.

Jack grew up in farming communities and attended high school in Owasa, Iowa, where he participated in baseball and basketball and excelled in school, to the extent he was offered a college scholarship.
He joined the US Navy and was stationed at Norfolk, VA, as an Aviation Storekeeper.

Jack married Dorothy Bullis, November 1,1949, in Iowa Falls, IA, and later married (Mary) Carolyn Holladay Donnelly, December 21, 1964, in North Dakota.

He worked as an Ironworker most of his life holding positions of Foreman and Site Superintendent and working on several dams, missile sites, power plants, airports, etc., in CA, AZ, SD, ND, WY, IN, MO, NE, WI, MN, ID, and AK.

He also installed home siding for a time after retiring from ironworking.

Jack and Carolyn retired in Cheyenne, WY, and then relocated to Texas to be near his daughter, Kathleen.
Jack was charismatic and very personable with a million-dollar smile. He enjoyed cards and dominoes and played a mean game of cribbage, was an avid reader, enjoyed a wide variety of movies, but especially Westerns.

Jack is survived by his brother, Gene; six children from his marriage with Dorothy; Linda (Darcy) Gibbins, Stephen, Susan (George) Kendrick, Patricia Warrior, Kathleen Simon, and Thomas, and their children and grandchildren; and three stepchildren from his marriage with Carolyn; Steven (Katherine), Michael (Karen), and Kathy (David) Laymon and their children & grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, both of his wives, and his sister, Vivian.

There will be a graveside service Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at 2:00 pm., at the Cheyenne Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations to hospice would be appreciated: Community Healthcare of Texas, 6100 Western Place, Suite 105, Fort Worth, TX 76107, (800) 735-2098.


Wayne Ray Korhonen

Wayne Ray Korhonen: November 30, 1946 – May 21, 2022

Wayne Ray Korhonen, 75, of Cheyenne, died on May 21, 2022 in Cheyenne.

He was born on November 30, 1946 in Cheyenne to Reino Osmo Korhonen and Kathryn Korhonen and was an only child .

Wayne graduated from Cheyenne Central High School in 1965, graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1974 with a Bachelors of Education and Lesley College, Cambridge, MA with a Master of Education. Wayne had an additional 30 plus hours of class room study.

Wayne was a History Teacher having first worked at Torrington Junior High, then at Johnson Junior High, Cheyenne and East High School, Cheyenne, where he retired in 2004.

Wayne was chosen as the Laramie County High School; Teacher of the Year, 1996-97.

In 1997, Wayne was chosen along with Pam Steel to attend the Arthur and Rochelle Belfer National Conference for 2 weeks in Washington D.C. at the Holocaust Museum. Wayne and Pam were the only two educators chosen from Wyoming to attend this event. This event had a profound effect on Wayne.

Wayne received the 2004 Outstanding Teacher Award from the VFW. In 1994, 1996, 1998, and 2000, Wayne was listed in Who’s Who Among American Teachers.

After his retirement, Wayne organized the first and only chapter of the Play It Smart Program in Wyoming at East High School. Wayne was the Academic Coach for the student athletes involved with the football team. The Play It Smart Program is a part of the National Football Foundation College Hall of Fame. East High School distinguished itself as one of the “Top 10” Play It Smart Programs among 146 highs schools in the nation.

Wayne was a volunteer at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Public Relations Committee for over 35 years and was honored to be chosen as the PR Chairman for the years 1999, 2000, and 2001. He was the Co-Chairman for three years of the Relay for Life held at Okie Blanchard Stadium for the American Cancer Society. Wayne also served for 7 years on the Board of Directors of Special Friends and as Program Director 2004/2005. He was a youth mentor for several young people attending Confirmation Classes at our church, First United Methodist Church in Cheyenne.

He is survived by his wife of almost 40 years, Nadine; his daughter, Julie; and his step daughter Kristine.
Wayne was preceded in death by his father, Reino Osmo Korhonen; his mother, Kathryn Korhonen; and his son, Jeffrey Korhonen.

Services will be Wednesday, June 1st, at 10:00 a.m., at Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel. Military honors and burial will follow at Cheyenne National Cemetery at 12:00 p.m.

There will be a reception from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm at the Buckle Club at Frontier Park.


Leslie (Les) Lyn Battista

Leslie (Les) Lyn Battista: May 22, 1946 – May 22, 2022

Leslie (Les) Lyn Battista, 76, of Cheyenne, WY, passed away surrounded by family on May 22th, 2022. He was born May 22nd, 1946, in Seattle, WA to Victor Joseph Battista and Elizabeth Rose Battista (With).

Les enlisted in the United States Navy in 1965 and was honorably discharged in 1972 during which he served in the Vietnam war on the USS Enterprise. During his time in the service he received a wide range of honors and medals including the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea), RVN Armed Forces Merit, Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross), Navy Unit Commendation and Good Conduct Medal.

Les married his soulmate, Janice (Jan) Kay Battista (Theis) in 1977 and raised their three children Lisa, Krista, and Anthony.

Les served in many facets with Goodwill Industries including the Director of Retail Sales where he established new retail locations across Wyoming. An astute businessman, Les also pioneered several successful businesses including the local staple Cheyenne Stitch.

Les was a passionate communicator, starting every conversation with his signature “I look like more but I are Les.” Those who knew Les could always count on him to provide lots of advice and even more laughs.

Les is survived by his loving wife Jan Battista; his children Lisa Sears (Steve), Kris Finck (Steve), and Tony Battista; his grandchildren Mary Mansheim, Connor Sears, and Rhianne Sears; his great grandchildren Hadley Mansheim, Reese Mansheim, and Eliana Mansheim; his siblings Tanalee Storm, Renae Turbak, Cleland Battista, Michael Battista, and Debbie Colby; numerous nieces and nephews and his loyal scottish terriers Harley and Bentley.

At this time, no formal services will be held, although his family looks forward to a summer celebration in his honor where they will fill his house with stories, laughter and plenty of Les’s favorite foods.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to Dogs and Tags of Wyoming (https://dogsandtags.org/) and Wounded Warrior Project (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate).


James Richard Swan

James Richard Swan: October 6, 1947 – May 24, 2022

James Richard Swan Sr, 74, of Cheyenne, passed at Polaris Rehabilitation and Care Center surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on October 6th, 1947, in Cresent, Oklahoma to Willie Swan and Opal Bufford.
James was retired from the railroad and a Vietnam Vet. He loved fishing and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his sons, James Swan, II, Johnathon Swan, and Wesley Swan.

James was preceded in death by Opal Bufford and Willie Swan.

Services will be held at a later date.


Obituaries are a complimentary service of Cap City News. To submit an obit, email news@oilcity.news.


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