Elmer Badgley

Elmer "Neal" Badgley, 84, passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 19, 2012, in Cheyenne. He was born May 31, 1927, in Bushnell, Nebraska to the late Boyd Badgley and Rena (Johnson) Badgley. He married Mildred Hobbs on August 5, 1950 ,in Pine Bluffs, Wyoming. He is preceded in death by his brothers, Howard Badgley and Willis Badgley. Neal is survived by his wife Mildred. Also surviving are his daughter Caroline Poelma and husband Mike of Carpenter, WY; his son Kenneth Badgley and wife Brenda of Cheyenne, WY; five grandchildren, Kendall and Kyle Badgley of Cheyenne; Patrick Poelma of Wilkes Barre, PA; Pamela (Poelma) Downing and husband Jonathan; and Eric Poelma of Cheyenne, WY; a niece Donna Kingsley of North Carolina; and, great granddaughters Skylar and Taylor Poelma. In the early years Neal attended Bushnell, NE public schools. He served overseas in the United States Navy and received an honorable discharge. He was a lineman with the local Rural Electric Cooperative. While stringing line in rough country between Laramie and Cheyenne he fell from a pole in 1949 and was in traction for over 100 days with a broken neck and back. A strong man, six feet six inches tall with broad shoulders, it wasn't long before he was back out to hunting, fishing and camping in Wyoming's majestic outdoors. He was a lifetime member of the NRA Neal was a custodian with Laramie County School District 2 for 36 years and retired in 1992. A reliable hard worker, folks in Pine Bluffs could always count on him to help out wherever needed as the High School was the center of numerous community and school activities. Neal was a part of the lives of many Pine Bluffs students and always a friendly face with a great sense of humor. A quiet man, people listened when he spoke. He enjoyed teaching his son and grandsons to hunt and fish while enjoying the beauty of Wyoming. He enjoyed raising his Labrador dogs over the years. His faithful dog Amy would visit and brighten his day while he was in long term care. Neal enjoyed bowling, baseball, basketball and softball. Sunday dinners with Mildred's homemade fried chicken, made from scratch chocolate cake and teaching the grandkids to play Pitch were times of great happiness for Neal and the family. He will be deeply missed. Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 22, 2012, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the Schrader Funeral Home. A graveside service will be conducted on Tuesday, January 24th at 11:00 a.m. at the Pine Bluffs Cemetery. Cremation is under the direction of Schrader Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Paul Catholic Church in Pine Bluffs or the Cheyenne Animal Shelter.

Service

Tuesday, January 24, 2012 11:00am

Pine Bluffs Cemetery

Pine Bluffs Cemetery

PINE BLUFFS, WY 82082

Visitation

Sunday, January 22, 2012 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Schrader Funeral Home

2323 Carey Avenue

CHEYENNE, WY 82001