Merle Olive Sylvester Jennings

Merle Olive (Bartos) Sylvester Jennings

A memorial service for Merle Olive Jennings, 96, was conducted at 2 p.m., Monday, June 29, 2009, at Gorman Funeral Homes - Platte Chapel in Wheatland, Wyoming, with Pastor Andy Gudahl officiating. Inurnment will be in the Wheatland Cemetery.

She died Tuesday, June 23, 2009, at the Platte County Memorial Hospital in Wheatland.

Merle was born November 17, 1912, in Hemingford, Nebraska, the daughter of Joseph P. and Minnie (Wanek) Bartos. Her folks had a homestead north of Lost Springs, Wyoming and she attended country school. Merle married Arnold "Bud" Sylvester and they lived at Ucross, Wyoming prior to moving to Wheatland in 1940 to live and work on the Phifer Ranch. She began her nursing career in 1956 at the Wheatland Hospital under the direction of Dr. Allison. Merle continued nursing in Cheyenne at Cheyenne Memorial Hospital and then moved to California where she worked at Queen of the Valley and City of Hope Hospitals. After retiring in California, she returned to Wheatland in 1980 to reside at the Senior Center Housing Complex. Merle enjoyed playing cards and belonged both the Golden Age and Moody Card Clubs. In earlier years she enjoyed quilting and other sewing projects. Merle adored her grandchildren.

Survivors include her four children, Dean Sylvester, Marilyn Ferracone, and Clarice Sylvester all of Wheatland, and Patricia Bitner of Joplin, Missouri; six grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant daughter, Benita Sylvester; two brothers, Glen and Floyd Bartos; a sister, Ethel Church; and a great granddaughter.

Memorials to the Platte County Ministry Co-op, P.O. Box 322, Wheatland, Wyoming 82201 would be appreciated by the family.

Gorman Funeral Homes - Platte Chapel of Wheatland is in charge of the arrangements.

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