Wallis “Wally” Warren Wells, 86, passed away on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, at the Fort Meade VA Medical Center in Sturgis.

Interment will be held at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis at a later date.  A celebration of his life is planned for July 19, in Woonsocket. His online guestbook is at blackhillsfuneralhome.com.

He was born July 19, 1938 to Charles and Claribel Wells in Woonsocket. When his mother moved to Canton in 1950, he stayed with Oscar and Georgie Strand in rural Woonsocket where he attended school and graduated from Woonsocket High in 1958. He excelled in every sport during his time in school, setting several school records in football, baseball, track, and basketball and receiving several All-State Honors. He received a full athletic scholarship to the University of South Dakota to play football. In 1960, he joined the Air Force and was stationed at Lackland AFB in Texas where he met and married Gayle Boyd.  They had two children, Taffey (George) Iskandar and Tab (Esther) Wells.  In 1972, he married Phyllis Loecker, and they had four children, Jeff (Lisa) Loecker-Wells, Shanna (Jeff) Warden, Jeremy (Amanda) Wells and Chris (Loni) Wells.  He married Cheryll Jenniges in 2022 after many  years of partnership together.

Over the years, he had several careers including sales and as a small business owner. He enjoyed being outdoors tending to his cows and horses and returning to his roots in Woonsocket each summer.

Wally is survived by his wife, Cheryll Jenniges-Wells; sisters, Bonnie (Roland) Dant and Betty (Tom) Wolterman; all his children, 16 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Lyle; and sisters, Rita, Esther, and Darlene.

Melda Jean Farris, 93, of Woonsocket, passed away on Dec. 24, 2024, in Woonsocket.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, at Spirit of Faith Church in Woonsocket. Burial will follow at Eventide Cemetery. Visitation was 5-6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, also at the church, with a prayer service beginning at 6:30 p.m. Arrangements were with Basham Funeral Service.

Melda was born on Dec. 8, 1931 in Jones County, to Morris and Louise (Millard) Esmay. Melda graduated from Murdo High School in 1949. She married Jack Farris on March 23, 1950.  They lived in Murdo and Artesian before settling in Woonsocket, where they raised a family.

While Melda dedicated herself to raising her children, she also found time to keep the books for the family business, Local Lumber and Supply, which she did for over 50 years, after she and Jack purchased it in 1969. 

Melda was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Woonsocket, now Spirit of Faith. She devoted countless hours to church activities including United Methodist Women, serving as church secretary, treasurer, and a member of the parish council. 

Melda will be fondly remembered for her culinary talents, was an avid reader and had a sharp mind. She loved spending time with her six children, 15 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren. Melda set examples of hard work and practicality for her children, from canning and preserving the bounty of the family garden to making sure all the game and chickens for her table were cleaned and dressed in record time.

Melda is survived by her children, Jean Diedtrich of Custer, Douglas (Connie) of Woonsocket, Todd (Penny) of Woonsocket, Sharon Knapp of Madison, Jon (Michele) of Mitchell, and Chris (Mary) of Chantilly, Va.; brother-in law, Bill Farris; sister-in-law, Janet Miller; and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jack; her brother, Wayne (Margie) Esmay; son-in-law, John Knapp; and grandson, Jacob Diedtrich.