​Harold James LaTray, age 90, gained his wings on Feb. 21 in Deer Lodge. He was born in Fort Belknap, Mont., on Oct. 4, 1933, to William and Jenny Gardipee LaTray.
Harold joined the US Army at the age of 21 and received his honorable discharge in 1957. He was an underground miner for Cominco American until his retirement in 1993.
Harold enjoyed anything to do with sports, including coaching his own kids on a softball team and taking his dogs, Dino and Trapper on rides. Harold’s family was his life.
Harold was a proud member of the American Legion and represented over 200 funerals. He was your infamous bugle player.
Harold and Pat were married on Sept. 15, 1956, and of this 47-year union had seven children: Sheila, Lila, Sandy, Harold (Butch) Dale, Jimmy and Jennifer.
Harold is survived by his wife, Shirley; daughters, Sheila (Larry) Zachary, Lila Roberts, Jennifer LaTray; sons, Harold (Butch), Dale (Debbie) and Jimmy.
Harold was preceded in death by wife Pat; daughter, Sandy; son-in-law, Donald; daughter-in-law, Wanda; great-grandson, Dalton Conat; and grandson; Derek; and all 12 of his siblings.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 2, at the First Baptist Church in Deer Lodge, 127 Sam Beck Road.
Graveside services will follow immediately at Hillcrest Cemetery with a luncheon to follow back at the Baptist Church.

​Walter Joseph (Joey) Dillon passed away Feb. 1, 2024, in Deer Lodge, after a brief but hard-fought battle with cancer. Joey was born Oct. 4, 1957, in Great Falls, Mont., at Malmstrom Air Force Base to Joseph and Shirley (Cooper) Dillon. He was later joined by two siblings, Marsha and Patrick (PJ).
As a young boy, Joey’s father’s military career moved the family to Tucson, Ariz., where they lived for many years. While in Tucson, Joey excelled at football and baseball, and played baseball on the All-City All-Star League for three years – he was scouted by the pros at that time.
In his work life, Joey was a jack of all trades; there wasn’t a task or job that he couldn’t or wouldn’t do.
Joey was most proud of his job as a seismographer and often shared stories related to those adventures; he most recently worked at the Broken Arrow and Corner Bar in Deer Lodge. Joey worked hard and played hard, and was always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. He had many friends from many walks of life and will truly be missed by all.
Joey was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Shirley Dillon, as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
He is survived by his son, Joe Dillon (Angela), and grandchildren Cy, Pyrrha, Attis and Helah J.; sister Marsha Dillon; brother PJ Dillon (Janel); nieces Katy, Jennifer (Adam) and Jessica Carter (Clay); nephews Josh and Brad; as well as many cousins and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24, at the Corner Bar, 402 Main Street. Lunch will be provided by the Broken Arrow and the Corner Bar.

On the evening of Jan. 16, Anne (Annabelle) Friend Bogut, 82, was sent to Heaven. She passed away peacefully at her home with her dog, Daisy, by her side and her son, Jon, close by.
Anne was born in Butte on June 24, 1941, the only daughter of Jeannette Rankin Poston and George Kneuper Friend.
The family lived in Morel, Mont., and Anne attended Anaconda schools through the eighth grade. They then moved to Deer Lodge where Anne went to high school. She graduated from Powell County High School in 1959. After high school Anne attended Western Montana College. During this time she met David Robert Bogut, and they were married on July 15, 1962. They had two sons, David and Jon. On June 5, 1967, both Anne and her mother, Jeannette, graduated from Western Montana College with bachelor’s degrees in Elementary Education. Anne taught school in Garrison, Gold Creek and Deer Lodge, and she retired from teaching in July of 1999.
Anne loved to travel with her friends and family. She was involved in many organizations, including Eastern Star, Delta Kappa Gamma and Daughters of the Nile. She also volunteered for many events, loved to read and enjoyed playing cards. And despite being retired, Anne still enjoyed substitute teaching very much.
She is survived by her sons, David (Jennifer) Bogut of Moscow, Idaho, and Jon Bogut of Deer Lodge. She leaves behind two grandchildren, Elise and Iain, both of Moscow, as well as many loving family members.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Anne will be put to rest with her parents at Hillcrest Cemetery in Deer Lodge. Eastern Star services will be held at the gravesite, and there will be a luncheon for friends and family, both at a later date. Donations may be made in Anne’s name to the donor’s charity of choice.
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A woman who walks in purpose doesn’t have to chase people or opportunities...
Her light causes people and opportunities to pursue her!

Joe was born in Anaconda and brought home to the Deer Lodge Valley by his parents Glenn and Dorthy Launderville. He spent his days on the family ranch doing Cowboy shit, with his sisters Patricia and Sandy. He was active in 4-H and FFA and graduated from Powell County High School. He loved the valley where he resided and spent his entire life.
He married a Deer Lodge Valley girl, Marlene Strickland in 1960, and together they raised four daughters. Joe was a man of many talents, but being a rancher was where his heart was. He raised cattle, sheep, horses and a short stint with pigs, hay and potatoes. He was a successful brand inspector for many years and was recognized for his dedication with the award of Brand Inspector of the Year.
Rodeo was his passion, as evidenced by the hours he spent either producing, planning for or watching a rodeo. In raising his kids he was a 4-H leader, started the Racetrack Rodeo Club, was a founding member in the Montana Junior Rodeo Association and was President of the Montana State High School Rodeo Association for many years. He was instrumental in getting the National High School Rodeo finals to Helena. Joe started team roping in local jackpots and was a member of the Big 5 Rodeo Association. He spent many summers hauling his daughters throughout Montana to junior and high school rodeos, where he met many lifelong friends. His greatest joy was being able to watch his kids and grandkids in all their endeavors. We spent the last two days before he passed watching Fort Worth, and his eyes lit up when a Montana kid made a good ride.
Joe met Teresa in 1991 and they married in 1997, gaining a daughter and later two more grandsons. They enjoyed going to rodeos and going on their yearly Valentine’s Day trip to Jackson Hole to watch Paul Greaney compete in the chariot races. They spent many weekends at the cabin, one of their favorite getaways, cooking with the Dutch oven. They traveled around visiting family and chasing the grandkids from one event to another. They enjoyed spending time with family and friends, and enjoyed their time together.
He was a champion for all kids, often having extra kids either on rodeo trips or helping out at the ranch. After Joe “retired” from high school rodeo, he found much success traveling the state competing in pulling competitions with his team of Belgians; Pat and Mike.
Joe never knew a stranger and would run into someone he knew wherever he went. His eyes always had a twinkle, and usually a “fun” comment to everyone he saw. The friendships he made during his time were enduring, except when it came to the water fights. There was no way he was getting wet! Many wrecked pick-ups were testament to that.
Survivors include wife Teresa, daughters Jonelle (Jay Kyle), Tawni (Stan), Patti (Poncho), Darci (Jerry), stepdaughter Tammy (Jerry). Grandkids: Houston (Rosette), Jessee, Jansyn, Bridger, Baylee, Halli, Cameron, Roy and Parker. Sister Sandy, and several nieces and nephews. Brothers in law, Randy and Ronnie; sisters in law, Janice, Karen and Pam.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents Glenn and Dorthy, sister Pat, brothers in law Rip, Gary, and Rod, sister in law Virginia along with many cousins and lifelong friends.
Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m., Feb. 7 at The Elks Lodge in Deer Lodge.
Memorials can be made to Montana High School Rodeo Association to 901 Kentucky St., Deer Lodge, MT 59722 or Draft Horse Expo in Deer Lodge, P.O. Box 23 Deer Lodge, MT 59722.