Tony John Pelesky was born October 15, 1933 at the Old Sheridan Memorial Hospital, to Tony Joseph Pelesky and Mary Legerski Pelesky.

Tony passed away May 1, 2016.

He attended school in Sheridan and Ranchester and graduated from Sheridan High School in 1952.

After graduation he worked on the family ranch in Ranchester then went to work at Big Horn Coal. Later, he went to work for the City of Sheridan.

Tony met the love of his life, after she ran through the fence, of his family's property. They were married on March 1, 1957. In June of 1958 they purchased their first business together, The Wyoming Cabins. After selling that business, they moved to Emerson St. where Tony continued to work for the City, then working for J. D. Pelesky Construction. He worked there for the next 10 years.

In 1970, Tony was hired back to the City of Sheridan, as Director of Public Works, a position that had been in the family for over 40 plus years. Tony retired from the City in 1998.

On June 1, 1972 Tony and Joyce purchased their second business, The Rancher Motel, on Coffeen Ave., which they continued to run until Dec. 1, 2015.

Tony was a life member of the Eagles #186 and a member of the Big Horn Mountain Eagles. He was a life member and Past Exhalted Ruler of Elks Lodge #520. Tony became a Mason, belonging to Lodge #8, Scottish Rite, and life member of Kalif Shrine. He was also, a life member of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of American Public Works. Tony became President and served on the National Board of Directors of that organization for many years. He was a member of the Wyoming Restaurant and Lodging Association; where he served the position of secretary. Tony was a coach of little league and Babe Ruth baseball. He was a mentor for many in the community, showing his talent for hard work and knowledge of running any kind of equipment.

Tony was an avid hunter, fisherman, and snowmobiler. He enjoyed spending time at the family cabin, where he spent weekends demonstrating the Moto-Ski snowmobile. This was a side business, which he owned the dealership for. He enjoyed rotor-tilling gardens in many areas of Sheridan. Tony loved his family and was very active in all of their activities.

Tony is survived by his wife, of 59 years, Joyce; sons, Ken (Teri) of Chinook, MT and Don (Kim) and daughter Kayleen McKinzie of Sheridan; his three sisters, Marylou Brewer, Helen Ann (Jim) Jackson, and Virginia (Zack) Garretson; his grandchildren, Kathy Mitchell, Ken Pelesky, and Brenda and Codee McKinzie; step grandchildren, Bryan and Scott Christ, and Jamie Seamen; ten great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild to be born in August. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, 2016 at Champion Funeral Home with Pastor Tony Forman officiating; including B.P.O.E. Rituals by the Elks Lodge #520. A luncheon reception will follow at the Kalif Shrine.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: the Kalif Shrine Travel Fund, PO Box K, Sheridan, WY 82801 or the Elks Building Fund, 45 W. Brundage, Sheridan, WY 82801.

Online condolences may be written at www.championfh.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Champion Funeral Home.

SheridanMedia.com - May 17, 2016.