Eugene Michael Hanify

Eugene M. "Mike" Hanify, 90-year-old longtime Worland resident, passed away April 29, 2023, at Worland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.

Mike was born on February 5, 1933, in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, the first child born to Eugene C. and Dorothy H. (Jones) Hanify. After graduating high school, he spent two years in the Army. He then graduated from Black Hills State University. He also studied physics and chemistry at the University of Wyoming receiving a master's degree in both.

After a barn-warming in Nisland, South Dakota, Mike asked Mary Lou Helmer for a dance. They were married November 25, 1955. To this 67-year union, four sons were born: Douglas, Christopher, Matthew and Brian.

After teaching stops in Hot Springs, South Dakota, and Saratoga, Basin, and Sheridan, Wyoming, Mike and Mary Lou settled in Worland, Wyoming, in 1967. Mike taught chemistry and physics at Worland Senior High School, where he also initiated the adult education program, before retiring in 1979. Subsequent to teaching, he sold real estate and insurance. He also served as Post Commander of the Floyd Minch American Legion Post 44 in Worland.

Among his favorite hobbies was photography. He taught photography through the adult education program, instilling a love of photography in others. He also loved hooking the camper to the truck and spending time with family camping in Utah, Washington, Montana and Alberta, as well as frequent trips to the Big Horns. And he adored home improvement projects, even managing to finish several of them.

Mike was passionate about teaching and community betterment. He was always happy to help with committees and boards. And if you needed someone to share an opinion, Mike was your man. Mostly, he liked to chat. He liked people. He had an altogether different opinion of snakes. And his sage advice, handed out every chance he got: Don't do nothing dumb.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Arthur and Richard; and sister, Carol Jean.

Survivors include his loving wife, Mary Lou; sons: Christopher (Sandy) of Casper, Wyoming, Brian of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Douglas of Wildwood, Missouri, and Matthew of St. Louis, Missouri; grandchildren: Ryan, Nicholas, Timothy, Daniel, D. Scott, Jackson, Alexander and Adelaide; great-grandchildren: Jillian, Alaina, Emmalee, Mason and Hailey; sister, Rose Mary (Ernest) Davis of Phoenix, Arizona; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be held 10:30 AM Thursday, May 4, 2023, at St. Mary Magdalen's Catholic Church with Father Robert Rodgers as celebrant. A Prayer Vigil/Rosary will be held 5:30 PM Wednesday. Inurnment will take place in the Black Hills National Cemetery on Friday, May 5, 2023 at 2:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Parkinson's Disease Research Foundation and sent to PO Box 524, Worland, WY 82401. Online condolences may be made at http://www.bryantfuneralhome

online.com.