Chester “Ellis” Hemler, 88, of Newcastle, Wyoming, passed away Friday, January 4, 2013, at Campbell County Hospital in Gillette, Wyoming.
Ellis was born June 8, 1924 in Government Valley, south of Sundance, Wyoming, to Sadie (Davis) and Chester Hemler. He attended high school in Sundance, Wyoming, until enlisting in the U.S. Army during World War II. He served as a hospital corpsman. Following his discharge, he returned to ranching at the family ranch and later retired from US Postal Service in Newcastle following a career of 28 years. Ellis was known for his musical instruments and his mechanical and carpentry craftsmanship. He built his Newcastle log home with logs he harvested from the Hemler family ranch.
Surviving him is a son, Douglas E Hemler (Karen) of Golden, Colorado, and grandchildren Eric and Laura Hemler; nieces, Janette Heidtke (Dave) of Reedsburg, Wisconsin, and Kathy Gearhart (Tom) of Sundance and nephew, Lee Habeck of Sundance.
Preceding him in death were his sisters, Naomi Habeck and Gail O’Haver.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, January 8, 2013, at Worden Chapel with Pastor Bill Haley of The Country Church of Four Corners, Wyoming, officiating. Burial was at Mt. Moriah Cemetery at Sundance with military honors by the local V.F.W. Post. A luncheon was served following internment at the Chapel of Faith Church in Sundance.
