Elva Bales

Elva Charlene Jolley Bales, 80, of Lander, Wyo., passed away peacefully November 10, 2015, at Sage West Hospital after four years of declining health.

Charlene was born February 28, 1935, in Kane, Wyo., the daughter of Burl and Elva (Workman) Bonar. Educated in Lovell, Wyo., she met her first husband, Merrill Jolley in 1952. From this marriage three children were born: Merrill, Debra and Glenna. After the passing of Merrill, Charlene married Thomas Allan Bales on October 9, 1961, in Casper, Wyo. Of this union there were four children: Shelley, Sharon, Tammy and Tim.

A proud mother and grandmother, Charlene was famous for baking hot rolls, cinnamon rolls and cherry pies, all in her fashionable hair curlers.

She is survived by her husband, Tom; brothers, Elvin Anderson and Brad Bonar; sisters, Cheryl Babb and Leah Anderson; children, Merrill (Cindy) Jolley of California, Debi Robert and Glenna (Jim) Martin of Casper, Tammy (Bobby) Ellis of Casper and Tim (Stephanie) Bales of Lander; 22 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Betty Joan Tjepkes and Franky Pitt; daughter, Sharon Lee Bales Recknor; and one grandchild, Bobby Lee Ellis.

Funeral services were held Saturday, November 14, 2015, at Mortimore Funeral Home in Thermopolis. Burial followed at Monument Hill Cemetery. 

Online condolences may be expressed at http://www.mortfh.com.