Dan Harlan Dillinger: 1948 – 2023
Dan Harlan Dillinger, 74, of Cheyenne, died on April 28, 2023, in Cheyenne.
He was born on August 1, 1948, in Moorcroft, Wyoming. Dan graduated from Moorcroft High School in 1966, and the University of Wyoming in 1970. He proudly served in the US Army Band, playing both the trombone and French horn. He moved to Cheyenne in 1977 and soon after opened Doors & More followed by Dan D Rental and Dan D Party Corner.
Dan was a Member of the Cheyenne Sunrise Lions Club, the First United Methodist Church, and numerous other organizations.
He is survived by his wife, Bonita Jacobs Dillinger; daughter, Dawn Dillinger and stepchildren Lori Fura-White and Clinton Fura; and sisters, Maxine Butcher and Doris Peplowksi. He is also survived by several cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Dan was preceded in death by his son, David Dillinger; his parents, Earl and Marie Dillinger; and brothers, Ed, Bud, and Lou Dillinger.
Services will be Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at 11:00 a.m., at First United Methodist Church.
Benjamin Kotek: 1983 – 2023
On Monday, April 24, 2023 Benjamin Kotek died at the age of 39. His family and friends will remember him most for his kind soul, his love of technology and driving the open road. He lived most of his childhood in Illinois. As a youngster he loved to create things from cardboard boxes and his toys. He loved animals and as a toddler would squeal with delight every time his pet cat would rub against his legs.
Ben had many adventures and experiences when his family moved to England. When he was five, he attended a two-room school house in a small Cotswold village. He was an instant celebrity, being from America. He had many friends and playmates. In England, he took horseback riding lessons and competed in tournaments and won ribbons. His family came back to Illinois for a short time but moved back to England and Ben attended an International high school there for his freshman and sophomore year.
He played baseball for the high school team. His team went to Belgium to compete in a tournament and while there, he and some of his teammates got to stay in the house of the Supreme Allied Commander of Europe. He was told to be careful not to push certain buttons on the wall or it could call the military and the swat team. His class also went on an outward-bound trip to Switzerland where he got to ski in the Swiss Alps.
He was an excellent student and excelled at math and computers. He finished his junior and senior year of high school in Illinois and graduated in the top 2 percent of his class. He got a perfect score on the math section of the SAT test. He built his own computer while in high school and would create his own programs. At the age of 10 he created a computer graphic program of a rocket ship blasting off. He went to the University of Illinois as an Engineering student.
He was an avid reader and in junior high he read almost all of Michael Crichton’s books. His favorite was Jurassic Park. When he was 21, he started driving a truck. Recently he had bought his own cab and established a business as a owner/operator. He loved driving and the open road.
He was a kind soul and loved children especially his daughters Chloe and Lilly, and his step son, John. He is survived by his loving family: his wife Jennifer; his step son and his daughters. He is also survived by his parents, Phil and Mary Kotek and his brother Neil, his wife Trista and daughter Ellie and his brother
Tony. In addition, he is survived by many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Grady Lee Prince: 1959 – 2023
Grady Lee Prince of Cheyenne died on April 24th 2023 in Cheyenne.
He was born on July 27th, 1959 in Greeley Colorado.
Grady had a quiet, easy going, warm personality. Everyone who knew Grady liked him.
Grady grew up in Colorado , New Mexico and Wyoming. He loved playing baseball and basketball during those years. He was 5’10” in sixth grade so he was a very good player in both. He also enjoyed watching the Broncos, Avalanche, Rockies, and Wyoming. He Went to Pomona High School in Arvada. His senior year he went to East High School in Cheyenne.
He also loved riding motorcycles and was an excellent motor cross rider during his teen years. Later he switched to liking street bikes. He loved Harley Davidson Motorcycles.
He loved his DC and Marvel Super Heroes . His favorites included Superman, Spiderman, Batman and Aquaman. He loved to go to the latest superhero movie.
He also enjoyed action movies with guys like Clint Eastwood, Charles Bronson, Bruce Lee, and Chuck Norris.
Grady loved animals, especially his cat Ziggy. He loved playing softball in the summers during his twenties, thirties and forties.
He was proud veteran in the U.S. Navy form 1979-1982. He was a Boiler Technician on Submarines, having stops in San Diego and the Philippines He was also a proud member of the VFW, Fraternal Order of the Eagles and a member of AMVETS.
After the Navy, Grady received his Business Degree from Laramie County Community College.
He worked for the State of Wyoming for over 25 years. He primarily worked in Sc0hool Budgeting.
He loved going to his daughter Heather and Son Seans games while they were growing up. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, Ryleigh and Oliver.
He is survived by his long time mate, Vicki; daughter, Heather Martinez (Chris); son, Sean Prince; grandchildren, Ryliegh and Oliver Martinez; sister, Paula Applegate; brothers, Michael Prince (Kathy) and Chris Prince (Jill); and numerous nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Jack Prince and Jean Prince.
To order flowers, please visit www.theprairierose.net.
