Mary Jane Schmeltzer

Lifetime Worland resident Mary Jane Schmeltzer died Saturday Dec. 21, 2002 at Washakie Medical Center. She had suffered a stroke earlier in the week. Her children were at her side.

Mary Jane was born to Washakie County pioneers William and Adeline (Neiber) Murdoch on March 6, 1928. She attended Worland schools and graduated from Washakie County High School with the class of 1946. While in high school she was employed at the Washakie Trading Company and following graduation worked at the Stockgrowers State Bank. She met Philip “Edward” Schmeltzer when he moved to Worland following WWII. They were married on Wednesday morning, January 14, 1948 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church. The entire Girl Scout troop that she led attended the wedding.

Ed and Mary Jane made Worland their home where they built their first house at 519 Howell. From there as their family grew, they built at 1507 Coburn and made their final residence at their ranch, the Ol’ Circle Eight, nine miles south of Worland at Neiber, WY. Their present home is built on land that was homesteaded by her grandparents Bernard and Mary Neiber.

Mary Jane was actively involved in the community having served on the Worland School Board for twelve years. She was also on the founding board of Big Brothers, Big Sisters and served on the Senior Citizens Advisory Board. She was currently serving on the Washakie County Historic Preservation Commission and was working to complete a project to designate the Neiber Stage Stop as a historic point of interest along the Jim Bridger Trail.

She was a lifelong member of St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church where she was a lector and member of the CCW. She actively worked at and promoted the parochial school while it was open. She was also a member of the Worland Junior Women’s Club, Chapter AH PEO, and the American Legion and VFW auxiliaries. She was always willing to volunteer her time and talents.

She and Ed traveled on the Wyoming Centennial Wagon Train from its origin in Casper to the Murdoch lambing pens west of Worland. They also enjoyed traveling in their RV and raising draft horses and sheep. She liked to do handwork of all kinds and was noted for the stuffed animals she loved to make and give away. She was a gracious hostess and always had room at her table for guests. She delighted in choosing and giving the perfect gift and completed her Christmas shopping with zest!

She and Ed raised their children with love and honesty and led them by example. They taught them to put the Lord first in their lives, to always be upstanding and serving citizens, to perform an honest days work and to find joy in the simple pleasures of life.

Her husband of 54 years preceded her in death on September 14, 2002. Her parents, her sister Grace A. Miller, her brother William Murcoch and an infant granddaughter, Diana Renee Schmeltzer, also preceded her.

She is survived by and will be sorely missed by her five sons; Philip (Rhonda), Thomas (Vicki) and Christopher (Lauree) all of Worland, John (Beth) of Helena, MT and Joseph (Elaine) of Orland, CA; her four daughters, Janet (George) Barp of Kimball, NE, Margaret (Gregory) Lungren, Nancy Martinson and Frances (Scott) Heessel all of Worland, 30 adoring grandchildren and three great granddaughters. She also leaves her sister Barbara Miller and her brother David Murdoch both of Worland, her sister Nancy Miller of Powell and a multitude of fond nieces and nephews.