Frances E. Kerttula
Frances E. Kerttula entered heaven to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for eternity on May 12, 2016 at the age of 87. Fran was born in Sunnyside, Wash. August 12, 1928 to Luther and Esther Meyer. She along with her five siblings attended grade school in Outlook and later high school in Sunnyside. After high school she attended Multnomah School of the Bible in Portland, Ore.
Fran came to Avon with village missions in 1955 to help conduct Bible studies, youth groups and children’s Bible clubs in both Avon and Elliston.  In July 1960 Fran married Toivo Kerttula and became a ranch wife raising two sons Walt and Hank. Fran continued to be involved in Avon Community Church and the Avon Get Together Club. On August 1, 1975 Toi suffered a fatal heart attack leaving Fran with the care of two young sons and a ranch. Fran leased out the ranch and moved into Avon with her sons.
She attended Carroll College in Helena, receiving her degree in social work in May 1984.  She then spent several years as a live-in caregiver. She began work with Montana Independent Living in 1989, retiring in 1999. In retirement she enjoyed quilting, her flower gardens, her many friends and spending time with her grandchildren. Fran loved the Lord Jesus Christ and was active in her local church in Helena, Community Bible Fellowship. She spent much time studying and memorizing the Bible and loved singing hymns. When asked what her favorite hymn was she replied “all of them.”
She is survived by her sons Walt (Marilyn)Kerttula of Helena, Hank Kerttula of Avon, grandchildren TJ, Shana, Marissa, Emma, Andrew and Seth of Helena, her sisters Mary Ellen Juhola and Anna Loucks, her brothers Bill Meyer and Bob (Sherry) Meyer, sister-in-law Helen and numerous  nieces and nephews. 
Memorial services will be May 27, 2016 at 2 p.m. at the Avon Club House with internment following at the Avon Cemetery. Cremation has taken place. Donations may be sent to the Gideons International or a charity of your choice.

George “Blondy” Rainville
The funeral Mass for longtime Deer Lodge resident, George “Blondy” Rainville will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Deer Lodge, on Friday, May 27, 2016, at 11 a.m. The family will greet guests after the Mass; burial will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery in Deer Lodge. A gathering for family members and friends at the home of Blondy’s sister, Cleo Seaman, will take place later that day in Missoula.

Veronica Anne Rogers Rabel
Veronica Anne Rogers Rabel was born in Gold Creek on July 26, 1921, to John and Marguerite Rogers. She was third in a family of eight children. She attended grade school at the Pioneer Wallace school and attended and graduated from high school in Helena. She passed away from natural causes on May 7, 2016.
She married Howard Rabel on March 26, 1940. They divorced in 1974 and then re-married in 1993. She was mother to seven children. Veronica drove school bus some in the 50s and 60s and then drove bus and was an aide at the school in Gold Creek from 1977 until her retirement in 1990. She lived in Gold Creek her entire life until 1992 when she moved to Gallatin Gateway, and in 2007 she moved to Belgrade. She has been living at Open Arms Elder Care since 2013.
Mom worked hard on the ranch raising seven children and a very large garden. In the 60s and 70s they had guest “dudes” come to the ranch to spend their vacation on a working ranch. People from all over the U.S. would come and help with chores and visit over desserts after supper.
Mom started to paint pictures after her family was raised, and all of her children and many family and friends have her paintings and will treasure them forever. She loved to read and play pinochle and raise flowers. She worked in her flower gardens until she was 86 years old.
Veronica is survived by her seven children, Margaret Hoagland (Tony Frey), Edna (Gary) Adams, Suzanne (Dale) Osborne, Joyce Millerbernd, John (Linda) Rabel, George (Debbie) Rabel and Robert Rabel. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; as well as one sister and brother-in-law, Teresa and Wayland Smith; and two sisters-in-law, Helen and Mel Rogers.
Veronica was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Howard, in 2000, and her sisters and brothers and their spouses, Josephine and Paul Mehr, Albert and Vi Rogers, George Rogers, Vincent and Marion Rogers, Frances and Duane Lange and Anthony Rogers, her son-in-law Michael Millerbernd and infant grandson, Will Rabel.
Thanks to Faith and Rod Vanover, Faith’s mother, Honey, and all the staff of Open Arms Elder Care in Belgrade, Rhonda, Tammy, Barb, Kathy, Tiffany, Kelly, Sara, Jen and Holly for their care and companionship of our mother for nearly three years. Thanks also to the staff of Hospice of Bozeman Deaconess. A very special thanks to Hospice nurse, Chelsa.
 Donations, if desired, may be made in mom’s name to the Gallatin Gateway Community Center, Willing Worker Ladies Aid, Box 329, Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730 or Hospice of Bozeman Health Foundation (memo line: Hospice), 931 Highland Blvd, Ste. 3200, Bozeman, MT 59715.
 There was a Mass at Holy Rosary Parish in Bozeman at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 13, 2016, followed by a luncheon in Gallatin Gateway at the Community Center.  lnurnment was Saturday, May 14, at Hillcrest Cemetery in Deer Lodge.  Following inurnment, coffee and cookies were served at the First Baptist Church, 140 Sam Beck Road, Deer Lodge, MT.
 Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service.  www.dokkennelson.com.

Henry Earl Cooper (Hank)
Deer Lodge resident, Henry Earl Cooper (Hank), 69, passed away on Wednesday, May 4, 2016 in Missoula.  
Born on July 18, 1946 in Deer Lodge, Hank was the 13th of 15 children born to Walter and Audrey Cooper.  
Shortly after graduating high school, Hank joined the National Guard.  He married Bernadine (Pritchard) Cooper on June 12, 1967 in the Idaho Falls Temple.
They moved to Alaska in June of 1974 with their two small children, Jay and Julie.
Hank served in the National Guard and was stationed in Seward, where his daughter Jennifer was born, Anchorage, and then finally Kenai.  His youngest son Corey was born in Soldotna.
After serving in the National Guard Hank worked oilfield jobs in the central peninsula until his retirement.
Shortly after retiring, Hank moved back to Deer Lodge and lived with his sister Gwen Allen.
Hank was an outdoors man who loved hunting and fishing and did them whenever he could.  He purposely planned his trips back to Alaska to coincide with the July salmon runs.  He spent his last visit fishing almost every day with his grandson on the Kenai River.  He also loved going four wheeling.  
Hank was an avid reader and could finish a novel in just a few days and remember the details.
Hank was generous and always willing to help others.  He never wanted any special recognition for his kindness.  Hank was a very friendly person.  Going anywhere with him always took much longer than expected because he was always stopping to talk with people.
Hank loved his family very much and was much loved in return.  He enjoyed family activities especially barbecues and picnics with good people and good food.  His favorite food was ice cream, and he often treated his young children, grandchildren, and nieces and nephews to ice cream, especially without telling their parents. 
Hank was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He believed that families are eternal and his family looks forward to when they will be with him once again.
Hank was predeceased by his parents Walter and Audrey Cooper and 13 of his brothers and sisters.
He is survived by his children: son, Jay Cooper of Kenai, Alaska; daughter Julie (John) Saltz of Soldotna, Alaska; daughter Jennifer (Chesney) Nash of Kenai, Alaska; and son Corey (Malinda) Cooper of Puyallup, Wash.  He is also survived by his grandchildren Makenzey Saltz of Anchorage, Alaska, Joseph Saltz of Soldotna, Alaska, Johnathan Nash, Brooke Nash, and Ruth Ann Nash of Kenai, Alaska and many special nieces and nephews whom he loved very much. He is also survived by his former wife Bernadine (Toni) Cooper of Soldotna, Alaska and his sister Gwen Allen of Deer Lodge.  
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Deer Lodge, Bishop Spears officiating, with graveside services immediately afterwards.

​Michael George McGillis
Michael George McGillis, 76, peacefully went to heaven on Sunday May 8, 2016 with his family by his side. 
Mike was born January 6, 1940 in Deer Lodge to George and Ethel McGillis. He leaves his wife of 52 years Terry (Strong) McGillis; his two daughters: Cindy McGillis Hiner (husband Matt) and Eileen McGillis; his four grandchildren: Jessica (fiancé Colby), Matison, Tyler, and Ashley; his companion Molly; and many close relatives and friends.  
Mike lived a very fulfilling life.  He worked as the Culligan Man for 48 years and was known for his kindness. 
Mike loved cheering on his favorite Irish team Notre Dame, bowling, hunting, fishing, and the great outdoors in his Chevy truck.  His greatest enjoyment came from spending time with his loving wife, children, and grandchildren at Coopers Lake and the McGillis Ranch.  
Mike is preceded in death by father George, mother Ethel, brother Pat, and grandson Bryan.
A funeral service is scheduled for Friday May 13, 2016 11 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church in Deer Lodge.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Frontier Hospice 1940 Blvd of Butte, MT 59701.  

Donald Dubray
Montana State Prison inmate Donald Dubray died on Wednesday, May 4, 2016. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death. Mr. Dubray was 55 years old. 
Mr. Dubray was sentenced out of Cascade County in 1999 for the crimes of Deliberate Homicide, Robbery, and Theft. Mr. Dubray was sentenced to Montana State Prison for the terms of 150 years, 40 years, and 10 years with no time suspended. 

​​Charles (Charlie) Edward Sutherland
Charles (Charlie) Edward Sutherland died Friday, April 29.
He was born to Stanley Sutherland and Ruth (Eliason) Sutherland on Oct. 31, 1955 in Deer Lodge.
Survivors include his wife Mary Sutherland, children and spouses, Kylea Palmer and Travis, Silas and Marsha Sutherland; sisters and spouses, Stanette and Jim Hall, Barb and Greg Collier and his favorite sister, Dorothy and Jim Cissell. Charlie has one granddaughter whom he dearly loved, Abigail Palmer.
His parents Stanley and Ruth Sutherland preceded him in death.
Services are 11 a.m. Saturday, May 7 in the Community of Christ Church, 5th and California streets in Deer Lodge. Meal to follow.

​James Richard Teachman
James Richard Teachman was born on October 27, 1927 to Floyd Gates Teachman and Louise Pearl Avery Teachman.
The third of three siblings, Jim was loved and cherished by his siblings. At a very early age they discovered he was a talented young man. He could sing and play any instrument he could get his hands on.  
He was raised on a dairy farm and attended Bow Elementary School then on to Burlington High School.
Jim served three years in the US Army in Korea in the Medic MASH unit.
He tried a good many things during his life, farming, long haul and even logging briefly, as a lark a brief stint along with his older brother Joe, singing over the radio. Later in years he married a woman with six children and moved to Montana. Later he married Trena Belgarde where they both resided for both their lives in Deer Lodge.
Jim is preceded in death by both his wives, parents and his brother Joe.  He is survived by his sister Genevee Schloemer and by three nephews, Gene Schloemer of Bow, LeRoy Schloemer of Mount Vernon, Don Teachman of Alger and two nieces Marcella Schloemer-Voolich of Bow, and Janet Jungert of Clarkston and many grand-nieces and nephews.
Graveside services, with military honors, will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Hillcrest Cemetery. Memorials: Powell County Senior Center.

William Patton
Montana State Prison inmate William Patton died on Friday, April 29, 2016 at the Lewistown Infirmary in Lewistown, of an extended illness. He was 56 years old. 
Mr. Patton was sentenced out of Jefferson County in 1995 for the crime of Deliberate Homicide. Mr. Patton was sentenced to Montana State Prison for 75 years. He would have been parole eligible in 2019.