Death Notice for Faye “Elaine” O’Leary
Faye “Elaine” O’Leary, 66, of Gold Creek, died Thursday, February 13, 2020 at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula. Services are pending.
Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral & Cremation Service is entrusted with Elaine’s funeral arrangements. You may pay your condolences at www.longfellowfinneganriddle.com.

Death Notice for Jim Tomlinson
Jim Tomlinson has passed away. Services will be Thursday, February 20, 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church.

​ Richard Bruce Wiant
 Richard Bruce Wiant was born in Sheridan on March 22, 1936, the son of Jeff and Dorothy Wiant. Richard attended school in Anaconda graduating in 1954. He was very active in sports while attending high school, playing football and basketball. In September 1955 he married his high school sweetheart Ruth Robinson. Ruth was Richards wife, best friend and lifelong hunting and fishing partner. 
Richard had various jobs early in life, but worked the majority of it for Cominco retiring in 1996. Residing in Deer Lodge for many years Richard enjoyed the outdoors of Montana to the fullest. Fishing, hunting and camping with family was always a priority in his life. 
Richard is survived by his wife Ruth, daughters, Sandy and Debbie (Tim), and son Clayton (Tina) as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Richard passed away of natural causes at St. Patrick Hospital on January 31, 2020.  

​Christine Eleanor (Jelinek) Johnson
​Christine Eleanor (Jelinek) Johnson passed away at the age of 98 on January 23, 2020 at Granite County Medical Center in Philipsburg. At the time of her passing and throughout her life, she was dedicated to her family, faith, and friendships.
Chris was born March 29, 1921 in Miles City to Frank and Christina (Kopriva) Jelinek. She was the youngest of six children. Chris attended Lincoln Elementary School and Ursuline Academy before graduating from Custer County High School in 1938. Throughout her life, Chris enjoyed wonderful memories of her school-age years.
After high school, Chris worked as a stenographer in the office of the Farm Security Administration in Forsyth before transferring to their office in Columbus. She was introduced to her husband Wilford (Ford) Johnson by her sister Dorothy while on a weekend visit in Billings. Ford, a graduate of Montana State College, was employed as an accountant by the Independent Refining Company in Billings. 
Chris and Ford were married on November 25, 1942. Ford was stationed at Gore Field in Great Falls, and with orders to deploy, Chris and her father traveled by train to Great Falls where she and Ford were married. In 1944, Chris and infant daughter Karen moved to Miles City to be near family and friends while Ford continued his service in the Army Air Corps. Following Ford’s discharge from overseas duty in 1945, the new family moved to the Johnson Tuning Fork Ranch south of Hall in the Flint Creek Valley. There they raised three children and took great pride in their ranching operation. 
Chris was an active parishioner of St. Michael Church in Drummond until she moved to Philipsburg in 2013. She was both proud of and grateful for her association with Alcoholics Anonymous. For many years after achieving her own sobriety in 1982, she led weekly meetings in Drummond and Deer Lodge and served on advisory boards addressing addiction. Many current and past residents of the Tri-County area credit Chris with helping them turn their lives around. Chris also was a member of the Granite County Cattlewomen and the Granite County Republican Central Committee, and together, she and Ford were active in the Montana Stockgrowers Association, Montana Livestock Ag Credit, Montana Livestock Commission and Sanitary Board, and Montana Farm Bureau.  
Chris never stopped making friends, and her family would say her favorite thing to do was visit. She maintained close contact with family and friends around the country, and she corresponded faithfully by letter with many. Her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandson knew her love unconditionally, and she was genuinely interested in their activities. Her love of life was an inspiration to many, and she was a source of positivity for generations of family and countless friends. 
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and five brothers and sisters: Sylvia, Paul, Dorothy, Gilbert and Charles. 
Survivors include daughter Karen (Pete) DesRosier of Drummond, son Charles (Shelley) of Hall, and daughter Susan Wolff of Great Falls. Grandchildren are Kyle (Debra) Fickler of Tonganoxie, Kans.; Wade Fickler (Brian Kurth) of Denver, Colo.; Katherine Christine (Wayne) Carmichael of Bellingham, Wash.; Scott Wolff of Shelley, Idaho; Cooper (Cat) Johnson of Hall; Krista Johnson (Paul Arcangeli) of Missoula; and Andrew (Heidi) DesRosier of Dickinson, N.D. Great-grandchildren are Destiny Kathlynn Christine Spoon, Burgandie and Eamon Carmichael, Danika Fickler, Reid and Leo Arcangeli, and Gibson and Scout Christine DesRosier. She also is survived by one great-great-grandson, Liam Spoon, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.
Visitation and a vigil service will be on Friday, February 7  at 7 p.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church in Drummond. 
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Michael in Drummond on Saturday, February 8 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Rudolph Bullman as celebrant. There will be one hour of visitation prior to the service.
Interment will follow at Valley Cemetery south of Drummond. Please join the family for a catered luncheon at the Community Hall in Drummond following the service at the cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home in Anaconda and Philipsburg.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts to Granite County Medical Foundation at PO Box 401, Philipsburg, MT 59858 or to St. Michael Parish at PO Box 329, Drummond, MT 59832.
Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral & Cremation Service are entrusted with Christine’s funeral arrangements. You may pay your condolences at www.longfellowfinneganriddle.com.

Deanna Marie (Duff) Schroeder
Deanna Marie (Duff) Schroeder, 78, passed away on Monday, January 20, 2020 surrounded by her loved ones after valiantly battling numerous health issues.
Deanna was born May 10, 1941 in Deer Lodge to Nolan and Frances Duff. She  spent most of her childhood growing up in Deer Lodge with her older brother Gary and younger sister Linda with the exception of a brief stint at the Phosphate Mine in Garrison.
In 1960 Deanna married Bill Schroeder and they had three children; Greg, Debbie, and Shawn. She worked at the Powell County Registrar’s Office from 1962-1976. In 1976 the family  moved to Mandan, N.D.
Deanna and her children returned  to Deer Lodge in 1978 where she continued to  raise her children. She  resumed her job at the Registrar’s Office until 1981 at which time she  began her 27 year career as a Dispatcher with the Powell County Sheriff’s Office.  She retired in 2008.
Those who knew Deanna can attest that her sassy-witty humor could be outmatched by none. She loved a good joke and shared  a laugh up until her very last breath.    Deanna spent many of her years before and after retirement following her grandchildren and making scrapbooks of their accomplishments. Her house was always filled with friends stopping by for coffee and “gossip,” or her children and grandchildren popping in to have lunch with her. In the summer you would find Deanna sharing a Pepsi on her deck with any and all family and friends who happened to visit. Visitors would often be entertained with stories of Deanna’s latest QVC purchase that she had made either for herself or for them. She continually gave of herself this way to all in her life for so many years.
Deanna, or “Aunt Banana” as some of her nieces and nephews caller her, loved her family and those around her selflessly. She was always interested in what was going on with others and took pride in telling everyone the accomplishments of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Deanna is survived by her brother, Gary Duff and sister, Linda Hamblin; her loving children; Greg (Iva) Schroeder, Debbie (Scott) Wozny, and Shawn (Liz) Schroeder as well as her cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren; Heidi (Mike) McGuire and their children Brayden and Hadlie, Brian Schroeder, Heather Schroeder, Sarah (Myron) Beeson and their children Jordyn, Shelby, and HayLee, John Tweedy, Josh Schroeder, and Christie Jo Schroeder.
Deanna was preceded in death by her parents and numerous aunts and uncles.
Deanna’s memorial service will be held on  February 15 at 11 a.m.  at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Deer Lodge.
All are invited to attend a luncheon to celebrate Deanna’s life at the Catholic Hall immediately following the ceremony.

Robert (Bob) Lee Brown
Bob was born to Donna and Phillip Brown on March 1, 1954 in Deer Lodge. He graduated from Powell County High School and attended Missoula Vo-Tech forestry program. While in Missoula, he met and married Alese Moore, and soon welcomed a daughter, Heidi Marie, who was his pride and joy.
Bob worked many years in the forestry industry. He worked in many locations for the Louisiana Pacific Corporation, as a check scaler, and eventually returned home to Deer Lodge to work for Sun Mountain Lumber, until he was forced to retire due to ill health.
Bob was hard working, dedicated, generous, and loyal. He loved any and everything to do with his family and the outdoors. He inherited a pioneer spirit, a love of the wild and high places. He went on countless hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling expeditions with his family and friends.
He loved to research maps and plan outings. If you were lucky, you were a member of the “annual hiking group.” Bob loved to fix things and always had a project. If you were a friend of Bob’s, you were a friend for life.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents Phillip and Donna Brown. He is survived by daughter Heidi (Tate) Rome, granddaughter Breanna, brother Darrell Brown, and sister Phyllis (Tom) VanElsberg, nephews, Phillip, Tom, and Bryan Brown, and Travis VanElsberg. Also survived by Alese Moore and Brandy Sheehy.
A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at the Deer Lodge Elk’s Lodge on January 26, 2020 from 1-3 p.m. Burial will be at a later time.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Powell County Senior Center in Bob’s honor.

​Joy E. Bauman
Joy E. Bauman, of Deer Lodge, passed way peacefully into the hands of the Lord on December 24, 2019.
She was born Joy E. Kirby on March 21, 1931 in Monterey, Calif. She is survived by her children Douglas Hunt of Deer Lodge, Darcey Hunt of Deer Lodge, and Darrell Bauman (Sandy) of Helena; eight grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents William and Elsie Kirby, son David, and daughter Darla.
Cremation has taken place. Services and celebration of life will be performed this summer.

Harold A. ‘Pete’ Peterson
Harold A. ‘Pete’ Peterson, 87 of Pryor, was called home on Dec. 28, 2019.  Funeral services were held at 4 p.m., Friday, Jan. 3, 2020 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Monad Chapel, 3591 Monad Rd.  The casket was open at the church at 3 p.m.  Burial took place in Lewistown, on Saturday. To view full obituary, visit www.heightsfamilyfuneralhome.com  

​William Thomas Coates
William Thomas Coates, better known as Bill or Mr. Bill, passed away on the morning of November 18, 2019 at the Nevada State Veterans Home in Boulder City, Nev. 
Bill was born February 9, 1923 in Deer Lodge to Thomas and Helga (Stay) Coates. He attended schools in Deer Lodge graduating from Powell County High School in 1940. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943 during WW II. After leaving the Army at the end of WW 11, he returned home to Deer Lodge for a brief period of time. Bill reenlisted in the Army in 1946 making the Army and later the Air Force a career. He served in many locations including the United States, Western Pacific, Europe, Africa, and Canada. At the time of his retirement, he was the Base Operations Officer for the 4082nd Strategic Wing at Goose Air Force Base, Labrador. Since retiring from the military, Bill has lived in Montana, Texas, and Nevada. 
Bill was life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 689 in Deer Lodge, a member of American Legion Post 10 in Deer Lodge, The Military Officers Association, and the Knights of Columbus in Las Vegas, Nev. Bill was preceded in death by Vada, his wife of 53 years, his son, James, his two daughters, Shirley and Mary, and his grandson, James Cusick. His parents, and his brother John and sister Helen also preceded him death. He is survived by his daughter, Patricia Goeppinger of Nevada, sister-in-law Nancy Coates of Bend, Ore.; daughter-in-law, Eileen Coates of Camby, Ore.; and two son-in-laws, Dwayne Hart of Deer Lodge, and Kenny of San Diego, Calif. He has nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. 
Bill’s ashes will be buried next to his wife, Vada, at the Hillcrest Cemetery, Veterans Section, on a date yet to be determined in the spring of 2020. 

William L. Mosier
​The last grandson of Montana pioneers Andrew and Katie Christoffersen, William L. Mosier, passed away on December 29, 2019. He was Born to William and Emma Christoffersen Mosier June 6, 1920. At age 12, having lost his father, his mother moved the family to the ranch so she could keep house for her bachelor brothers. During high school Bill was active in FFA and enjoyed feeding and showing livestock. During that time he took a steer in a trailer he built himself to the Inland Stock Show in Salt Lake City. He and his steer took fifth place out of over one hundred entries. He graduated from PCHS in 1939, after which he moved to Seattle and worked as a carpenter. In 1941 he married Violet Schott. During WWII he served in the Air Force as a crew chief. During his service he was stationed in multiple places in the US and did a tour of duty in Okinawa. After discharge from the service, he returned to the Christoffersen Ranch and worked with his uncles until 1959, when he purchased the property. He continued to raise Hereford cattle and help his children with feeding and showing cattle through 4-H programs. 
In 1981 he turned the operation over to his son. After this he and Vi began to travel, his first foray being an agricultural tour with Conrad Burns to Australia. Fall trips thereafter included China, Japan, Germany, Italy, Hawaii and the East coast. 
He was proceeded in death by Violet (his wife of 73 years), his sister Maureen Scwartz, his daughter Darlene and her husband Larry Temanson; daughter Gwen and husband Randy Morrow; and granddaughter Kelly Mosier. 
He is survived by son Bill and wife Terry; grandchildren Greg (Jolee) Mosier; granddaughter Sara (Chris Foster); granddaughter Debbie Temanson (Doug) Malone; granddaughters Natalie Morrow and Stephanie Morrow; grandson Kevin Morrow; and 10 great-grandchildren. He was a member of Elks and the First Christian Church. He moved to the Renaissance Center at age 98. 
We would like to thank Powell County Medical Center and the Renaissance Center for their excellent care during his last days. 
Services will be held at the Jewell Funeral Home on Friday, January 3, at 11 with internment following. A reception will follow at the First Presbyterian Church. 

Larry Carl Tilley
​On Wednesday, December 25, 2019 in Deer Lodge Larry Carl Tilley spent his first Christmas in heaven. Born 77 years ago to Loy and Dorothy Tilley in Osage, Okla., Larry led an adventurous life. He married Veva Gibson (Tilley). They had two children, Carla and James. 
He served in the Airforce in 1960 to 1963. Larry was a dreamer with a generous heart. His  grandchildren will miss golfing with him, especially driving the golf cart. He enjoyed telling his family stories about his life. He traveled around the country and played on an international volleyball team in the 1970s. In the 1980s the family settled in Deer Lodge.  
He was preceded in death by his parents Loy and Dorothy, his four sisters Helen, Ellen, Loretta, Loy Dean, and Cris, and his son Larry. He is survived by his wife, Veva, his son James and wife Sarah Tilley, and daughter Carla Tilley (Warner) and husband Kenneth, and nine grandchildren. He has nieces and nephews and cousins scattered through the world.
A graveside service will be held at the Deer Lodge Cemetery on Saturday January 4th at 11:30 am.

Kristine A Ehlert
- Age 53,  received her wings  December 8, 2019.   She passed quietly at her home with her precious dog, Fiona, by her side. When Kristine lost her son, Josh in February 2018 by an unfortunate accident, her spirit was shattered beyond repair and her health and heart paid a heavy price.   Her daughter-in-law, Samantha, along with three amazing grandsons Maximus, Michael and Malachi, kept her going and brought her great joy, care and love.   Her best friend, Leo Bueckers loved her and will miss her greatly.   They were companions and friends who helped each other through many years.   Even when she had nothing to spare, she found a way to help others in need.   Kristine was a free spirit with a tremendous heart and  touched many lives. Remember her love,  beauty and her spirit. A celebration of life will be held in the spring.  

​Stanley Charles (Chuck) Sworder Jr.
​Stanley Charles (Chuck) Sworder Jr., 90 of Deer Lodge, passed away on November 29, 2019.
Chuck was born on January 26, 1929 to Stanley and Alice Sworder at Pompey’s Pillar.
Chuck grew up in Livingston where he attended grade school.   Chuck’s family then moved to Alberton where he graduated from High School.
Chuck enlisted in the Marines on March 23, 1948. Stationed in Ft.Campbell, San Diego, Calif. He was honorably discharged in March of 1952. “Once a Marine Always a Marine.”
Chuck married Audrey O’Bannon shortly after on January 25th, 1953. They had two children.
Chuck started working for the railroad when he was 16 in the summers. When he finished the Marines he continued working for the railroad which included The Northern Pacific, Burlington Northern and Burlington Northern Santa Fe.
Chuck was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Marysville and the American Legion.
The family moved to Avon in 1961 where they lived until Chuck’s retirement and then decided to make the move into Deer Lodge in 1986 to be closer to the grandchildren. Chuck and Audrey enjoyed being a big part of the bowling leagues. He enjoyed fishing in the small streams for brook trout onto deep sea fishing on the Washington coast for king salmon.
Chuck is proceeded in death by his wife Audrey of 55 years, grandson Tony Smith, brother Jim Sworder, sisters Alice Watt and Frances Arthur.
He is survived by his Boston Terrier and best friend which he called “The Dog,”   son John Sworder (Lisa), daughter Jayne Smith (Norman “Doug”); two grandsons, Chuck Smith (Dawn), Steven Smith (Tara) and granddaughter Julia Smith-Freeman;   seven great-grandchildren, Hunter Smith, Jaycee Wood;   Chance, Brodey and Landon Freeman;   Emma and Anna Smith, great-great-grandchildren Isabelle and Ray Bernhardt.  
Private family services will be held in the spring. Memorials can be made to the local animal shelter or charity of your choice.
The family would like to thank Genesis Healthcare and Rehab for the wonderful care you gave him.

Gladys Geneva Reeves Knuchel
​Mom was born September 14, 1928 to Richard Reeves and Susie Rosenberg Reeves in Crawford, Nebr., the youngest of six children. The family moved to Portland, Ore. where mom graduated from Portland Girls High School in 1946. Mom made her way back to Missoula where she met and married Harry Knuchel (the milkman) on April 3, 1948. And, then along came the milkman’s kids, six in eight years, Cheryl Knuchel, deceased, Diane (Mike) Grey of Deer Lodge, Karl (Laurie) Knuchel of Livingston, Tim Knuchel of Deer Lodge, Gary (Polly) Knuchel of Belgrade and Mark Knuchel of Deer Lodge. 
They moved to Deer Lodge over Memorial Day weekend in 1959 where they proceeded to make a fun filled life following the trials and tribulations that their boys put them through. Mom loved following her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids as they played sports, danced or their academic achievements. Often times you could hear her calling out the referees when she didn’t quite agree with one of their calls and dad would tell her to be quiet. She was always our biggest fan and our biggest critic. 
In her later years, she loved hearing stories about her family and she especially enjoyed hearing about how naughty they could be. 
Mom loved animals and always had one or two or three dogs and a few cats. 
After the kids were all in school, mom went to work at Coast to Coast Hardware and then for Castilio’s. But, she only worked during the school year because she could never find anyone willing to watch the little boys and she always wanted to be available for any of the kids’ activities. Later, she worked at Keystone and New to You. Mom always loved interacting with others and truly enjoyed all of her kids’ friends when they came over. 
Mom has been a resident of Renaissance of Deer Lodge for the last three plus years and loved teasing everyone who worked or lived there. In these later years, whenever anyone asked how she was doing, the first question asked was “is she still feisty?” That would be a resounding yes as anyone involved with her would testify. 
Mom passed away on November 15 after a struggle with dementia. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry in 1998 and her daughter, Cheryl in 2009. She is survived by five of her children, 11 grandchildren, Debi (Scott) Casagranda, Stacey (Lee) Clark, Arie (Heidi) Grey, Necia Knuchel, Megan (Matt) Ballinger, Shane (Kassidi) Knuchel, Jacquie Pischke, Skyler Knuchel, Delaney (Ty) Pocha, Kylie and Tyson Knuchel and 18 great-grandchildren, Kadeshia, Tristen, Ariel, Myleigh and Trae Clark, Macee, Jake and Brady Casagranda, Raeder, Saege, Tymber and Aece Grey, HayLeigh and Carter Pischke, Kia Pasulka, Millie Ballinger, Annaleigh Knuchel, and Kaine Pocha. 
A memorial service will be held Monday, January 6, 2020. 
Memorials can be made to the Shriners’ Hospital or Frontier Home Health and Hospice. 

Rodney Wayne Berry
Rodney Wayne Berry passed away suddenly on November 6, 2019.   Rod was born on June 26, 1963 in Des Moines, Iowa.   In 1966 his family moved to Anaconda where he lived and went to school.   Rod graduated from Anaconda High in 1981.   After finishing high school, he went on to work various jobs in the Deer Lodge Valley, before finally settling in Deer Lodge where he worked as a mechanic, cook and landfill manager. Rod was a jack of all trades, however, he was best known for his excellent cooking skills.   He loved to BBQ and cook for his many friends who always enjoyed the food he made.   Rod had a big heart and was happy to volunteer his time during the holidays to make dinners for others in town that didn’t have a place to go.   His other hobbies included playing practical jokes on anyone that crossed his path, hunting, fly fishing, making jerky and sausage and enjoying a drink with friends. 
Rod is survived by his best friend and wife Cathy Curran, sister Tami (Gene) Stigen, nephews Gregory and Garrett Stigen, son Scott (Ashley) Berry, daughter Roni (Leland Goodman) Arnett, sons Jeremiah and Nicholas Maulding, grandchildren Logan, Kloee, and Makayla Maulding, Travon Arnett and Olivia Goodman, several aunts, uncles and cousins. 
A celebration of life potluck will be held on November 30 at 2 p.m. at Bar H Saloon, please bring a dish if you are able and a funny story about Rod. 

​Terese Rachele DeLaney (Tessie)
​Terese Rachele DeLaney (Tessie) died peacefully on November 4, 2019, surrounded by her family at her parents’ home in Annandale, Va., after a long and courageous struggle with breast cancer. 
Tessie was born on September 8, 1973, in Salt Lake City, Utah. She lived her early years in Montana, and moved to Virginia in 1980. Tessie graduated in 1995 from James Madison University, and she moved to Colorado in 1998, where she would spend the rest of her life. She worked for many years as a primary school teacher in Virginia and Colorado, and she earned two Master’s Degrees in Education. She was an adventurous soul, who deeply loved the outdoors, especially the mountains in her beloved Colorado. Tessie was an experienced sky-diver, climber, and backpacker who could always be found on the trail with one of her yellow labs by her side. She had a wide and devoted circle of friends around the country, and the world, wherever her adventures took her. Those adventures grew to include her husband, Wayne Crill, and their son, Kaiden Crill, and the three of them spent many wonderful days hiking in the mountains together. 
Tessie is survived by her son, Kaiden, and her husband, Wayne; her parents, Bill and Mary DeLaney (Sewell); her brother Steven DeLaney and his wife Allison, and their sons Joseph and Ben;  and her sister Kathleen DeLaney Thomas and her husband Courtney Thomas, and their children CJ and Evan.
The Funeral Mass for Tessie took place on Saturday, November 9, at 11 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Annandale, Va. A Celebration of Life will be held for her in Colorado at Jester’s Theater in Longmont, Thursday, November 14 at 6 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be considered for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless.