Joseph Koritnik
February 26, 1936 — July 21, 2025
Cheyenne, WY
Joseph Albin Koritnik, 89, passed July 21, 2025, at Davis Hospice Center in Cheyenne.
He was born February 26, 1936, to Louis and Josephine Koritnik (Tomich). He grew up roaming the hills around Blairtown, south of Rock Springs. Joe enjoyed riding broncs, driving stock cars and working on the family ranch in Eden Valley Wyoming. Joe came from a family of three boys and was the middle child. After his father passed and his mother remarried he was blessed with two sisters and another brother.
He joined the Army and became a paratrooper. He spent his enlistment stationed in Germany. After Germany he returned to Rock Springs and married the love of his life, Mary Rebecca VanValkenburg on September 25, 1959. They had three daughters. Joe and Mary moved to Cheyenne and he began working with his brothers under Koritnik Construction.
Joe and Mary enjoyed taking their family and a neighborhood kid or two camping or boating almost every weekend during the summer. When grandkids came along they started taking them. Joe enjoyed swimming (he was a lifeguard and was on a diver rescue team in his earlier years), kids, dogs, hunting, fishing and family gatherings. Never was there a kid or dog who didn’t instantly take to Joe. No one could ask for a more caring husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather or great-great grandfather, uncle or friend. He was always ready to take his grandkids and great grandkids camping, fishing, or hunting and was willing to help anyone in need. He loved his family and had given nick names to many of them. People seldom knew is grandkids’ and great grandkids’ real names. He even gave names to his nieces and nephews.
Joe is survived by his three daughters, Kim Wilkins (Keith) of Cheyenne, Ricki Rekow (Keith) of Gillette, and Ronda Wilson (Tom) of Cheyenne. Grandchildren, Steven Wilkins (Rebecca), Christopher Epler (Desirae), Kevin Wilkins (Andrea), Michelle Wilson (Mac), Amy Frink (JJ), Crystal Wilson, Joseph Wilson (Kelsey), Thomas Wilson (Hannah), Antonio Padilla (Amanda) and Teresa Padilla. Great grandchildren, Austin Epler, Chase Wilson, McKenzie Wilson, Kenzie Jo Epler, Austin Burgman, Oliver Burgman, Shea Frink, Paige Frink, Brogen Frink, Samuel Wilkins, Hanna Wilkins, Charlie Tafoya, Addie Tafoya, Tristan (Moose) Tafoya, Catherine Wilson, Rachel Wilson, Liam Wilson, Eli Wilson, and Joshua Wilson. Great-Great grandsons Brantley Peters and Clayne Wilson. Sisters Mary Jo (Jim), Judy Abram (David) and Brother Eddie Westbrook (Lenora) along with many special nieces and nephews. Joe was greatly loved by his family and those who considered him their grandpa.
Joe leaves behind a legacy of unconditional love, adventure and memories to his family and to anyone who knew him. He has gone to be with his beloved wife, and is just out of sight until we are together again. Love you so much!
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Cheyenne Animal Shelter or St. Jude’s.
Learn more about Joseph on the Van Valkenburg Family History website:
