Graveside services for Lila Jean McCart, 88, will take place 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at the Craig Cemetery in Craig, Colorado. A Celebration of Life to follow with location to be announced at a later date. Lila passed away on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at the Wind River Rehab and Wellness in Riverton, Wyoming.
Lila Jean McCart was born on October 10, 1936, in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, the daughter of Arthur and Elizabeth (Gammill) Van Cleave. She grew up in Steamboat Springs, where she also attended school.
Throughout her life, Lila and her family lived in several communities across Colorado’s western slope, including Yampa, Oak Creek, Meeker, Fruita, and eventually Craig, where she and her husband settled until his passing. Following his death, Lila moved to Riverton, Wyoming to be closer to her daughter and granddaughter.
Lila was a devoted homemaker, but she also worked in various roles throughout her life. She served as a school lunch cook, head housekeeper at Mountain Resorts in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and took on occasional odd jobs to help support her family.
She enjoyed snowmobiling, gardening, reading, camping, and spending time with her loved ones. She especially loved to fish—as long as someone else was willing to bait her hook! Lila had a special fondness for angels, angel bears, and teddy bears, which she proudly displayed in a curio cabinet she purchased just to showcase her beloved collection.
Although Lila was baptized into the Methodist faith, her spiritual journey took her through many different congregations due to the family's frequent moves. Over the years, she attended Christian, Baptist, Seventh-day Adventist, and other churches, always maintaining a deep personal faith.
On April 8, 1956, Lila married the love of her life, Walter L. McCart, in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
Survivors include her children, Doral (Marja) McCart of El Reno, OK, Laurel McCart of Riverton, WY and Jeffery (Linnea) McCart of Delta, Colorado; sisters, Rosemary (Don) Hilkey of Meeker, CO, Arthene (Larry) Robins of Austin, CO, and Tammie Bowden of Kingfisher, OK; brothers, Douglas (Kathy) Bowden of Norman, OK and Phillip (Sandy) Bowden of Edmond, OK; Her five grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, one great, great grandchild, many nieces and nephews; two sisters-in-law, Judy Van Cleave and Jody Bowden.
She was preceded in death by her husband, grandparents, parents, and two brothers, Carroll Van Cleave and Bobbie Bowden.
Online condolences may be made to the McCart family at www.TheDavisFuneralHome.com.
Services are under the direction of Davis Funeral Home, Crematory and Monuments of Riverton, Wyoming.