Sheridan County native Emmett John Warfield, 84, died Thursday, June 4, 2009, at his home in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, following a brief illness.

Cremation has taken place and no services are planned.

Born May 14, 1925, in Arvada to Walter and Mary Francis “Mae” (Kelly) Warfield, he homesteaded with his family near Leiter and graduated from Sheridan High School in 1943.

He rode in local and regional rodeos and was known for his pen-and-ink Western drawings.

He worked the family ranch after his parents died.

He married June Meeker Severance in 1967. They divorced in 1976.

After the Leiter ranch was sold, Mr. Warfield moved to Colorado, then Montana, and eventually settled in northern Idaho.

He became an avid sailor and enjoyed reading nonfiction (particularly geology and history), walking and bicycle riding.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Frank.

Survivors include four stepdaughters, June Puzuhanich Freilinger of Englewood, Colo., Janis Puzuhanich Clarke of Palm Desert, Calif., Jean Puzuhanich Poll of Twin Lakes, Idaho, and Julie Severance Mitchell of Sheridan; and numerous step-great-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The Sheridan Press - June 8, 2009