Charles William Popovich, 93, of Sheridan, passed away Thursday, January 12, 2017 at Sheridan Manor. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at Champion Funeral Home with Pastor Doug Goodwin officiating. Interment will follow in the Elks Cemetery.
He was born in Klein, Montana on August 11, 1923 to Eli and Mary (Lebert) Popovich. Eli & Mary immigrated from Croatia and Eli worked in the coal mines of Montana, later purchasing a small farm in the area. The family moved into Roundup during Charlie and his sister Ruby Popovich Bickford’s childhood.
During WWII, Charlie enlisted in the Navy in 1943, and attended radio school in Helena, before serving on a carrier, The USS Tulagi, in the Pacific and Atlantic theaters. Upon completion of the war, Charlie attended undergraduate school at Montana State University on the GI Bill, and later graduate school at the University of Montana. During this time, he met and married Mary Katherine Cloninger in 1947. Their son, Michael, was born in 1949.
Charlie received an offer to teach in Sheridan, discovering his love for teaching while serving as a substitute teacher in Sheridan, WY the first year. He stayed on to become a math teacher at Sheridan High, eventually serving as the Assistant Superintendent of Sheridan Public Schools for over 38 years. His love for learning, history and research continued throughout his life, and he became an avid writer, publishing three books; Sheridan Wyoming, Selected Historical Articles, Sheridan Wyoming and Area Historical Sites, and Sheridan County Schools.
He was a member of the Sheridan Range Writers, Wyoming Writer ’s Inc, and Wyoming Poets, and actively involved in the Sheridan Historical Society, amongst others. He contributed over 100 articles for a column in the Sheridan Press. Charlie loved photography, the outdoors, hunting and fishing, and especially golf. His interest in technology continued throughout his life, and he delighted his family with his emails and texts to the children and grandchildren. He is survived by his son Michael (Alexis Sterling); and grandchildren Douglas (Sarah), Jeffrey (Lara) and Michelle Bonjour (Brian); and 9 great- grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: the Sheridan County Historical Society, PO Box 73, Sheridan, WY 82801 or the Y.M.C.A., 417 N. Jefferson, Sheridan, WY 82801.
Online condolences may be written at www.championfh.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Champion Funeral Home.
