Death Notice: Arthur Barkhoff
Arthur Barkhoff, 71, passed away January 26. There will be a celebration of life at a later date.

​Daniel “Danny” Roy Antila
Daniel “Danny” Roy Antila, 48, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Friday, January 25, after a heroic battle with brain cancer.  
Danny was born in Helena  to Allen Antila and Sue (Thomas) Hiltz on May 6, 1970.  He was the fifth son of six boys.  Danny married his high school sweetheart Luanne (Tolon) Antila on July 20, 1991 at the Cathedral of St. Helena.  Together, they were blessed with two sons, Brandon and Bo.
Growing up in the mountains of Elliston, Danny was often found with either a fishing pole or a rifle in his hand.  He not only loved the mountain life, but he excelled in sports, as well.  He was a talented state diver, basketball player, runner, and all-around athlete.  He was well known for his record breaking hunting accomplishments and massive elk and deer shed collection.  Danny’s hobbies included hiking, bow and horn hunting, camping, golfing, fast pitch softball, fishing, 4 wheeling and watching the Dallas Cowboys. His favorite pastime of all was spending quality time with his family. 
Danny had an incredible work ethic, which was admired by all.  In his earlier days, he worked as an iron worker and pipefitter alongside his father and brothers constructing refineries and paper mills.  They worked in several states including  Alabama, Minnesota, Washington and Wyoming.  Danny was quickly drawn back to Montana where he worked for several contractors in the construction business.  He and Luanne eventually started their own business, Antila Construction & Excavation.  His strong dedication and willingness to go the extra mile, not only brought success, but built many lifelong friendships that endure to this day. 
Danny wholeheartedly loved and supported his family in every way.  He never missed a sporting event or school function that his boys were involved in.  He instilled in his sons at an early age how to work hard and persevere, a trait that made him very proud of them.  Danny’s love of hunting and fishing was passed on to his sons, and while at his side, they had their own record breaking animal hunts and fishing adventures. Danny was also very proud of his nephews and nieces. He loved them very much and showed his support, attending their graduations, weddings, and hunting trips. He loved bow hunting trips in the fall with his brothers, cousin, and friends, and he looked forward to antler hunting on the Cobb Ranch each spring.  Most of all, he loved spending time with his wife, Luanne, who was his best friend. She was always beside him on their many camping trips to Augusta, taking hikes together, sharing movie nights, numerous trips, and listening and dancing to music at home. 
 Danny was good to everyone. It was simply his nature. He never met a stranger. His quiet kindness was felt by many in countless ways, but never mentioned by him. He never expected, nor would accept anything in return. He was strong, heroic, giving, compassionate and truly a caring man that saw only the best in everyone.  He would help anyone without hesitation, and he lovingly opened his home to many in need over the years, without thinking twice about it. His positive attitude pushed him through many trials in his life.  Danny fully enjoyed hosting some of the greatest parties and get-togethers in Elliston, including his world-class Fourth of July events, and poker parties.  He loved his friends and community and always wanted people to have a good time.  
Danny always had a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye.  He loved God and has always felt that his life was blessed, even during the toughest of times for him. Giving to others is what gave Danny strength, and he stated throughout his illness that he was strong enough to handle what he had no control over.  In the company of family and the great outdoors of Montana, he gracefully accepted his fate in his final months and days, never deviating from the Danny we were all blessed to know and love. He never questioned why…he just continued to be the wonderful husband, father, family member and friend that he was meant to be. He will be truly missed and forever loved by so many. 
Danny is survived by the love of his life, Luanne and their two sons, Brandon (Emily Quigley) and Bo (Madi King), grandchildren Blakely and Knox of Elliston; mother, Sue Hiltz of Elliston; four brothers, Allen of Elliston, Rich (Gabby) of Rock Springs, Wyo., Wayne (Nila) of Bellingham, Wash., Shawn (Kendra) of Lebanon, Ore.; godson, Johnny (Karli) Thomas of Thompson Falls; nephews and nieces, Zach, Katlyn, Tanner, Tiffany, Preston, Tessa, Tim, Seth, Slade, Kaycee, Shane, Kenzie, Kayla, Krypton, Camdon, Khandrad, and Hadley;  sisters-in-law, Christy Antila of Bellingham, Wash. and Paula Antila of Green River, Wyo.; mother-in-law, Lois Tolon of Deer Lodge; brothers-in-law, Tim Tolon of Deer Lodge, Tom Tolon of Colorado Springs, Colo., Dan Tolon of Bluffton, S.C., and Mike (Lesley) Tolon of Helena; sister-in-law, Terese Penix of Huntsville, Ala.; and numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends.          
Danny is preceded in death by his father, Allen Antila; step-father, Jim Hiltz; youngest brother, Wylie Antila; father-in-law, Moose Tolon; and brother-in-law, Ed Tolon.
Danny’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Thomas Weiner and the wonderful Oncology staff at St. Peter’s Health. 
“I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death.  They continue to participate in every act, thought, and decision we make.  Their love leaves an incredible imprint in our memories.  We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love.”-Joe Buscaglia
 In lieu of flowers please help someone in need in any way you can.  The best gift you could give back to Danny and his family is to share your smile, kindness, and generosity with someone who can use a kind gesture or a helping hand. Danny lived by this simple rule, and to pay it forward would mean so much to him.
A vigil will be held at 6 p.m., Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave, Helena.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12 p.m. Thursday, January 31, 2019 at the Cathedral of St. Helena, 530 N. Ewing St.  A graveside service will follow the mass at the Elliston Cemetery.  A potluck reception will follow the burial at the Elliston School Gym, 205 W. Main St. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer the family a condolence or share a memory of Danny.

​Fay “Mickey” Erb Neubauer
Fay “Mickey” Erb Neubauer, 87, died of natural causes on January 21. Mickey was born to Margaret and Philip Erb in Missoula, April 4, 1931. Mickey, her mother, and brother Flip moved to Clinton and then to St. Ignatius when she was very young. She and her brother moved to Deer Lodge to live with her grandparents, Rosie and Frank Roberts, when she was in the third grade.
Mickey was a good student in grade school and throughout high school. While attending PCHS and for some time afterward, she worked at several local restaurants, then she took a fulltime job clerking at Bud’s Drug store for a while. Things were tight during the early 1960s, so to help make ends meet, Mickey worked in local potato fields, and ironed and sewed for others. She eventually took permanent employment at School District #1, where she was instrumental in exposing the corruption of a superintendent and helped bring him to justice. It was something she didn’t enjoy but for which her family was proud. As the first secretary at Granville Stuart, Mickey knew every child and called each by name in the lunch line, generously giving out hugs and compliments.
She married twice at a young age and gave birth to the girls Terry, Shannon, and Kathy. On January 5, 1957, she married Wayne Neubauer. Together they had two boys, Brad and Guy, thus making their family complete. 
Mickey raised her children to be good citizens, instilling high moral standards, a sense of charity, kindness, and love.  She instilled in them a love for reading, playing board games, putting puzzles together, gardening, sewing, cooking, and baking. Her hands were never idle; she sewed and knitted for her family and others, baked bread, made lots of soups, and canned vegetables and fruit from the family gardens. Always willing to share, Mickey would give out freshly baked breads and pies to family and friends.
After retirement Mickey and Wayne went on many adventures with friends from the Deer Lodge Valley.  Travels took them to Alaska, Hawaii, Ireland, Jamaica, and to various destinations throughout the continental U.S. During their excursions, Mickey was always kind and sweet with others, and Wayne told stories and jokes, and he still does.
Mickey’s last year was spent in the tender care of the Renaissance Center. The family sincerely thanks the staff for their loving and compassionate attention to her and the entire family.
Mickey was preceded in death by her mother Mike Roberts, grandson Cory Driessen, son-in-law Glen Mullins, in-laws SJ and Cora Neubauer, Audrey and Ron Neubauer, Wes and Marie Neubauer, Lyle Neubauer, Donna Shrauger, and Lee Fletcher.
Mickey leaves behind her husband of 62 years, Wayne; daughters Terry Sullivan (Tom Gilbert), Shannon Sullivan (Bob McElderry), and Kathy Mullins;  sons Brad and Guy; brother Gary (Flip) Erb (Alice); sister-in-law Shirley Fletcher; grandchildren Zach Neubauer (Kristina), Paige Fisk (Russ), Briana Mullins, and honory grandchild Brett Tolon; great grandchildren Kynsley, Lily, Parker, and Maverick; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to ARK After School Program, Senior Citizen Center, Woman’s Club, or a charity of your choice. A service will be held at the Deer Lodge Elks on Main Street on February 8 from 1-3 p.m. Burial will at a later date.

Ronald Alfred Dunn
Montana State Prison inmate Ronald Alfred Dunn died on January 16, 2019 at the Lewistown Infirmary in Lewistown, following an extended illness. Mr. Dunn was 76 years old. 
Mr. Dunn was sentenced out of Missoula County in 2014 for the crime of Abuse of Older or Developmental Disabled Person. Mr. Dunn was sentenced to 10 years with 5 of those years suspended. Mr. Dunn had been Parole eligible since 2015 and had a prison release date of August 2019. 

​Mary Lucile Reed (Welch) Simmons
Mary Lucile Reed (Welch) Simmons, January 25, 1926 – January 10, 2019.
Mary Lucile Simmons of Bozeman  went to be with the Lord on January 10, 2019 with her daughters by her side.
Mary was born on January 25, 1926 in Bozeman to Arthur C. Reed and Elsie Phipps Reed.  She attended schools in Belgrade and graduated from Gallatin High School in 1943.  She went on to MSU and Bozeman Deaconess School of Nursing and finished her degree at Spokane Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing in 1947.  
Mary spent her career life in nursing.
Mary married Theodore Welch in 1947, they had six daughters.  She married Everett (Pete) Simmons in 1976 and lived happily for 29 1/2 years when he passed away in 2005.
Mary enjoyed Bible Study, her church, BWAGS quilting group, she was a member of Deaconess Alumni of Spokane.  She enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, and friends.  She kept busy quilting, knitting, crocheting, sewing, time with family, and she loved to travel.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents: Arthur and Elsie Reed, husband Pete, brothers Frank and Leonard Reed; daughters: Judy Kemp and Debbie Jenkins.
Survivors include: daughters Mary Straugh of Deer Lodge; Kathy Tomaskie of Montana City; Lucy Melugin (Jeff) of Billings; Jackie Welch-Doubek of Henderson, Nev.  Eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at Grace Bible Church, Bozeman,  on January 15.
Memorials can be made to her beloved church – Grace Bible Church, 3625 S. 19th Ave., Bozeman, MT. 59715.

​Donald Harvey Jones
Donald Harvey Jones, 86, of Wise River passed away New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2018 at St. Patrick Hospital. He was born March 22, 1932, in Butte  to Robert (Leslie) and Louise Jones. 
He lived his entire life on the family ranch in Wise River. He attended grade school in Wise River, riding his horse to and from school every day and attended Beaverhead County High School in Dillon.  He was drafted into the Army in 1953 and was based in Alaska. After his time in the Army he returned home to the family ranch in 1955. He married Elizabeth Pilling, June 5, 1960 and for over 58 years they ranched side by side, raised their family and were involved in several organizations within their community and Beaverhead County. Donald became a director on the Vigilante Electric Co-op board in 1961 and was an advocate of bringing quality service to rural areas for 53 years when he retired from the board in 2015.  He also served on the state board of Rural Electric Cooperatives, Western G&T and Northwinds Publishing.  He served on the school board in Wise River for several years, was a superintendent for the Beaverhead County Fair in sheep and hogs and was instrumental in getting a new fire hall in Wise River by donating the land and helped to get the building off the ground. Don was a member of the Elks in Dillon since 1962 and enjoyed the many membership benefits of being an Elk. He also belonged to the Masonic Lodge of Wisdom, was a member of Stockgrowers and the Montana Woolgrowers. In his early years he owned a small plane and often would be found flying in the fall looking for lost cattle on the forest permits. 
Don was a third generation rancher following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather who came here in 1910. Hereford cattle and sheep were always a part of the ranch and Don raised many fine registered and commercial Hereford cattle over the years. In 2002 he was named commercial man of the year by the Montana Hereford Association.  Don was a true steward of the land and worked and managed his ranch tirelessly. In 2010 he and Liz celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary along with celebrating 100 years of the ranch being in the Jones family. Don took a lot of pride in those two accomplishments. Don loved to travel and spent a lot of time traveling with Liz and their special friends Jay and Jean Nelson. He also was an avid reader and in his later years he always had a book in hand.
He is survived by his wife Elizabeth Jones, his children, Keith Jones (Wendy) and children Nora and Nathan, Yvonne Jones, and Jodi Pauley with her children Dalton and Jesse. He is also survived by his two sisters Retha (Loren) Sigman and Lynn (John) Mugaas along with several nephews, nieces and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Louise Jones and his son Karl Jones.
Cremation has taken place and per Don’s request no funeral services but a family celebration of life will take place in the summer of 2019. A special thank you from the family for all his care at Barrett Hospital, St. Patrick Hospital and Dr. Loge.
Memorials can be made to the Wise River Volunteer Fire Company, Beaverhead County 4-H Foundation, Friends of the Beaverhead County Fair, Barrett Hospital Foundation or donor’s choice.

​Oscar Kinzle
Oscar Kinzle of Missoula went home to be with his Heavenly Father December 21, 2018 at the age of 91.
Oscar was born to the late William and Magdalena Kinzle in Torrington, Wyo. on January 7, 1927. He was raised in Montana and lived his early childhood years in the Deer Lodge Valley and the remainder of his childhood in the Mission Valley in the towns of Ronan and St. Ignatius.
Oscar was drafted into the US Army during the Korean War in September 1950 and served two years. He was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska for most of his time in the service. After discharging from the Army, he returned to Montana. 
Shortly after meeting Ava Lee Michaels of Portland, Ore., they were married on December 28, 1955. They eventually settled in Deer Lodge, where they had five children together. They were divorced in 1979 and he never remarried. Early in their marriage, he worked many odd jobs, including the mine at Phosphate, but his dream job was to be a Railroad Engineer. He worked as an engineer on the Milwaukee Railroad until 1980 when the railroad ceased freight operations in the state. He later continued his railroading career with Montana Rail Link in 1988 and retired in 1992. 
Oscar was best known for his gentle spirit, kindness and generosity. He avoided being the center of attention and his humility was unmatched. He also had a great sense of humor that served him well through his medical issues later in life.
Oscar is survived by his sons Dan Kinzle of Missoula, Jon (Dawn) Kinzle of Butte and Rob (Pam) Kinzle of Polson; his daughter Cindy (John) Moree of Missoula; his brothers Rueben and Sam (Addie) Kinzle of Missoula; his sister Alma Kinzle of Redding, Calif.; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.  He is preceded in death by his parents; his daughter Connie, his ex-wife Ava Cook, his brothers Otto, Art, Bill, Ted and Fred Kinzle and his sister Edna Jovin.
The family would like to thank Providence St. Patrick Hospital, St. Patrick Hospital Dialysis Center, Fresenius Kidney Care, Hestia In-Home Support, MonTECH, Brookdale Senior Living and Partners In Home Care for the incredible health care he received for the past 20 years.
A memorial service is planned for 2 p.m. on February 9 at City Life Building in Missoula followed by a reception afterwards.

Joie E. Kramer
Mr. Joie E. Kramer passed away Wednesday, December 26, 2018 at his home on the Kramer Ranch.  He was born in Deer Lodge July 7, 1935 to Carmen and Joie Kramer.
He lived his entire life in the Deer Lodge Valley working as a rancher, at the smelter in Anaconda, at the Montana State Prison and as a carpenter contractor.  He is survived by his six children, 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.  He is preceded in death by a grandson and granddaughter.  
Words cannot express how thankful we are to have had Mary Newman caring for our father the past few years.  We are blessed to have her in our lives.  Thank you, Mary!  
Mr. Kramer’s remains are in Wayrynen-Richards Funeral Home where friends may call beginning Sunday afternoon at 1 o’clock.  Cremation will follow and memorial services will be conducted at a later date.  Memorials in memory of Joie may be made to the Shrine Hospital for Children or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.  Express condolences at www.wayrynen-richards.com.

​Emmett Thomas Hogan
Emmett Thomas Hogan was born April 3, 1929, the first of nine boys and one girl,   to David Patrick and Marian Hollenback Hogan. He grew up and worked on the ranch at Gold Creek, surrounded by a large and loving extended family.  
He attended the Gold Creek grade school and Powell County High School. Emmett was a tough cowboy, even as a young boy. He contracted Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever while in grade school and then polio as a senior in high school. With his determination and hard work, not only did he beat polio and walk out of Shodair Hospital in Helena that year, but he also completed his studies and walked through commencement with his graduating class in May.  
Emmett married Dorothy Wilsonoff and began married life in Butte as a cattle buyer for Montana Livestock Auction. They moved to Dillon in 1960 and began raising four children, where the neighbors were our friends, classmates and teachers. The family enjoyed picnics at Birch Creek, fishing the beautiful streams of southwest Montana and long drives through Yellowstone Park. Loading cattle on rail cars and in semi-trailers were also part of the family activities through the years.  
In 1977 Emmett partnered with John Erb to buy Beaverhead Livestock Auction and his brother, Pat, worked for him at the yards. Uncle Pat became legendary with family friends in those years, a joy and great source of many adventures.  
Emmett worked tirelessly to build up the yards and the Livestock Auction over the next 25 years.   Emmett and Dorothy worked side by side feeding cattle in fair weather as well as in 40 below zero. Incredibly, they calved out around 250 head in the worst Montana winter conditions. He remembers loading cattle when the mercury didn’t rise out of the bulb. After retirement and until his health restricted his activities, Emmett was at the yards twice a day to keep involved with friends and the yards.  
The family wishes to thank Judy Tash as well as the management and staff of Legacy Assisted Living for their loving care given to dad over the past three years.  
Emmett was preceded in death by his parents, wife Dorothy, daughter Connie, brothers David, Jerry, Patrick, Gene and sister Mary Ann and brother-in-law Russel. Emmett is survived by children Peggy Hogan (Ray) Blize of Spokane, Wash., Phil (Britt) Hogan of Ft. Myers, Fla., Debbie Hogan (David)  Lampert of Worley, Idaho. Emmett is survived by grandchildren, Bree (Brian) Hickman, Brandon (Emily) Blize, and Phil Blize all of Spokane, Wash., Krista (Jeff) Cloward of Pueblo, Colo.;   Ashley (Corey) Eckhoff of Alexandria, Minn.; Cory (Shannon) Hogan of Park Rapids, Minn.; Dr. Peter (Sarah) Lampert of Madison, Wis.; Danny Lampert, John Lampert both of Seattle, and Kathryn Lampert of Spokane.   Emmett is survived by eight great-grandchildren. Emmett is also survived by his brothers Donald (Betty) of Great Falls, Thomas (Judy) of Gold Creek, Alan (Eileen) of Spokane, Wash., Sam (Linda) of Gold Creek, and sister-in-law Myrna of Tacoma, Wash.  
There is a visitation scheduled for Thursday, December 27 from 6 – 7 p.m. with a Vigil Service and Rosary following at 7 p.m. at Brundage Funeral Home.  A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Dillon at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 28 with committal services the same day at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Deer Lodge, at 3 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Rose of Lima Church in Dillon or a charity of your choice.  There is a guestbook available online at www.brundagefuneralhome.com.

​Mary Lou Crossman
Mary Lou Crossman, formerly from Deer Lodge, passed away in Billings on Tuesday, December 11, 2018. She was born on March 2, 1940, in Missoula to Sam Karras and Nettie Reichert.
Because her parents were unable to care for her, at three months old she was taken to the Montana State Orphans Home in Twin Bridges where she lived until she reached the age of 18 years old.  Upon graduation from the Twin Bridges High School, she took a job at Galen State Hospital.  While working at Galen State Hospital she met and married James Crossman and two children were born from their marriage, namely Rick and Beverly.  They later divorced and she never remarried again.  When the family moved from Galen to Deer Lodge she took a job as a school bus driver with the Deer Lodge Public School System and remained in that job for 30+ years. She absolutely loved being a school bus driver! She touched many children’s lives over the years, however she would tell you that the children touched her life more. Moving to Deer Lodge also paved the way to attend the Presbyterian Church where she was member, Deacon and taught Sunday School for several years.
Although her childhood was extremely difficult, she somehow found a way to become a wonderful mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and friend to many. She fought many demons with the help of treasured best friend Caroline Polish Sagunsky and confidant, Vicki Weida, whom she felt like she owed the world. She also treasured her morning coffee visits with her special friend, Deanna Schroeder.
Mary Lou had a very strong work ethic and knew how to use every tool in the shed.  In addition to driving bus, she also maintained several other jobs including lawn mowing, painting, cleaning service and really anything that she could do by using her hands.  She also volunteered on the Powell County Ambulance for several years and drove busloads of people from surrounding areas to tour the Prison. 
She was a huge animal lover, especially dogs, and also loved the color blue, clowns, motorcycles, playing gameboy, doing crossword puzzles and cryptograms and unbeknownst to many she was a fabulous softball player and artist. Her goofy and funny nature drew many people to her. She loved to make people smile and loved dressing up in her clown costume. Material things were not important to Mary Lou as reflected in the simple life that she lived.  The most important thing to her were her children and grandchildren and throughout her life she spent many moments with them and she treasured those memories with all her heart!
Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents and her brother and sisters, Ruth, George, Lorraine, and Betty.  She is survived by her children, Rick Crossman (Cathy) of Spokane Valley, Wash., and Bev Freeman (Dan) of Billings; her grandchildren, Rikki Crossman, Ryan Crossman, Andy Freeman (Caty) and Mackensie Smith (Chris) and one great-granddaughter, Layla Freeman.  She also had two special step-grandsons, Chad Ward and R.J. Ward.
The family would like to give a special thanks to mom’s caretaker, Barbara Evans, and Welcome Home Valley Care in Stevensville.  Barbara and her whole family were mom’s angels in her final year of life.
Services will be Friday, December 21 at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Deer Lodge.
Any donations or memorials are suggested to be made to the Powell County Ambulance in her memory.

​Dixie Hirsch Hargreaves
Dixie Hirsch Hargreaves, 77, of Helena, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. 
Dixie is survived by her husband Richard, her daughters Kelli Hargreaves and Traci (Jason) Orthman, the light of her life grandson Jack, sister Jackie (Chris) Zawada, brother Rick (Pam) Hirsch and her nieces and nephews.   A celebration of Dixie’s life will be held on January 12, 2019, at 1 p.m. at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, 3580 North Benton Avenue, Helena, MT.

​David Gazzara
David Gazzara, 63, of Hamilton, passed away peacefully at his home on November 17, 2018.  He was born David Anthony Gazzara to Joseph and Shirley Archey Gazzara on September 10, 1955 in Roaring Spring, Pa.  
David was raised in Claysburg, Pa. where he received his education. Later in David’s life he became very interested in taxidermy and attended a taxidermy school.  He became quite the artist and won many awards for his taxidermy work.
David will be remembered for his love of his family and the gentle nature that he carried.  He will also be remembered for his sense of humor.  He loved the outdoors and was a lifetime member of Trout Unlimited.  David loved fly fishing and hunting where he was proud of the many trophies he had collected.  He was also a big Penn State football fan. 
David is survived by his wife Kathleen, son Nickolas (Molly) Gazzara and his brother William Gazzara.  He is preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Shirley Gazzara.
At David’s request, no formal services will be held.  Please express your condolences with the family by visiting www.dalyleachchapel.com under the obituary section. 

​Wallace Leroy (Wally) Atkinson
Wallace Leroy (Wally) Atkinson,91, passed away Monday November 26, 2018 surrounded by his loving family. 
He was born May 8, 1927 in Belt, to Wallace Stewart Atkinson and Wonita Munden Atkinson. Wally was raised in Deer Lodge until the age of 12 when the family moved to Shelby. He was an athlete at Shelby High School quarterbacking the football team, playing point guard for the basketball team and setting a Montana state high jump record in 1945. He graduated from Shelby High School in 1945. 
His summers were spent with his grandmother Clara Munden in Deer Lodge where he worked for the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific railroad fixing track. The workers were called “gandy dancers.” 
He met Jeanette Rainville in Deer Lodge in 1943. He teasingly asked her to go to “The Gandy Dancers ball.” But being from a railroad family, Jeanette knew there was no such thing. However, they continued to date and were together from that time on. 
In 1945 Wally enlisted in the Navy and was honorably discharged in 1949. He married Jeanette Rainville May 7, 1950, residing in Deer Lodge until 2013 when they moved to Hamilton. Together they had five children. 
He taught his kids to love sports, outdoor activities and especially reading. He always said you can do anything if you can read about it. He was proof of that. He taught himself all the skills he would need and together with Jeanette he built his own house, doing all the carpentry, plumbing, electrical work and everything else to make a fabulous home for his family. Wally and Jeanette purchased 80 acres in the Sapphire mountains so their descendants could always own a piece of Montana. They of course built a cabin where the family spent many happy hours. 
Wally worked for the railroad and as a truck driver, a correctional officer reaching the rank of lieutenant and as a certified watch maker, (another skill he taught himself.) After retiring, not content to be idle, he started driving school bus and soon became a maintenance man for the school. He and Jeanette also had a lawn service with 30 clients which they operated until they were in their 80s. 
Wally was active in the Catholic church. Together with Jeanette and their friends Pat and Charlotte Healy, they started serving breakfast in the parish center after Sunday mass with proceeds going to the church. They hosted a free Thanksgiving dinner for anyone who wanted to come and provided a family atmosphere for many people. They served 250 to 300 meals and also sent out 70 boxed dinners. The dinner tradition started in 1984 and continued for many years. 
Wally is survived by his wife of 68 years Jeanette and sister Rena Hyvonen. Children Carol Andersen (Kris Anderson), Cheryl Terry (Golden), Cleo Klepzig (Casey), Tim Atkinson (Morgan Taylor) and Janet Wimmer (Tom), 14 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by nieces Julia Marples (Chuck), Linda Bookout and nephew Ronald Hyvonen and their families. 
“Well done Wally, a life well lived.” Funeral services will be announced at a later time with interment at Hillcrest Cemetery in Deer Lodge. 

​Ronald Lee “CORK” Jennings
Ronald Lee “CORK” Jennings, 76, died peacefully on November 19, 2018 in Tualatin, Ore., his home for 38 years.
Cork was born in Deer Lodge to Ayres and Edna Jennings. He graduated from Powell County High School and later married Linda Gilbert in Deer Lodge in 1977.
He is survived by wife Linda, daughter Jennifer, son Russell and his family, wife Jen and children Courtney, Hailey, Ashley, Hayden and Teagan. He is also survived by his brother, Russell, who lives in Arizona, numerous, nieces, and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Hap and Ayres, Jr.
Cork worked for the Milwaukee Railroad in Deer Lodge for many years before moving to Denver, Colo. with the US Government as a track inspector. He then moved to Oregon to work for Railco and later began his career as a Maintenance of Way Manager for TriMet Light Rail System. He loved the railroad!
A funeral was celebrated on November 30 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Oregon. A graveside celebration will take place later in Deer Lodge.