​Leonard J. Barnes
Leonard J. Barnes was born into the pioneer Barnes and Yuhas families of the Helena Valley. He was born on October 19, 1919 in Helena, the son of Bernard Huber and Helen Yuhas Barnes. He was raised in the Lyon’s Creek area of Wolf Creek Canyon where he attended the Wolf Creek School. In 1925, his father purchased a ranch on Silver Creek (now owned by the Wirth Family). He attended the Mitchell School near Silver Creek (now owned by Sieben Ranch Company). He attended two years of high school at Craig, then helped his father on the ranch. 
Leonard began a truck farm business, selling produce, eggs and chickens to Helena customers. He continued this until 1939 when he began working at Ft. Harrison. 
Enlisting in the Navy on October 1, 1940, he gained his nickname of “Barney,” by which he was known for the rest of his life. Barney attended Hospital Corps School in San Diego and Field Service School, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force at Camp Elliott, Calif. He transferred to Mobile Hospital #2 at Pearl Harbor in the fall of 1941, where he became a Pearl Harbor survivor on December 7. After Pearl, he was sent to serve in New Zealand until he returned to the States to serve at Oak Knoll Hospital in Oakland, Calif. He was discharged on March 22, 1945. 
On a blind date, he met a pretty red-headed student nurse in January 1941, and on July 7, 1941 he was married to her, Catherine Ellen Stinebaugh. They were married for 59 years before her death in 2000. 
After the war, Barney made use of the new G.I. Bill and attended the University of Montana in Missoula, receiving his degree in Pharmacy. He did an internship in Miles City, then returned to MSU for his Master’s Degree, graduating in 1952. 
The following years found the family moving to Oregon for several years. Their greatest adventure was working for the Eli Lilly Company and moving to Anchorage, Alaska Territory in 1957. They were always proud to have been in Alaska when it became a State in 1959. 
in 1963, they left Alaska and moved to Washington State for a short time before retirement in 1964. They spent several years traveling as full-time RVrs. Finally, in 1974, they stopped traveling and settled down in Helena. But camping, fishing and hunting were still their most favorite activities. 
Barney passed away on May 19, 2017 at the Deer Lodge Medical Center. He was 97 years old and lived in Garrison during the summer and Mesa, Ariz. during the winter. 
Barney was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, a brother, Clifford and his sister, Clara Smith. He is survived by his son, Leonard J. (Jim) Barnes (JoAnne) of Garrison; his daughter, Karen (John) Hartling of Monument, Colo.; two grandsons, Sean (Pam) Hartling of Monument, Colo., and Patrick Hartling of Palmer Lake, Colo.; his brother-in-law, Otto Smith of Helena; his special companion and caregiver, Chris Read of Garrison and Mesa; six great-grandchildren and two nephews. 
Cremation has occurred and a memorial service will be held at a later date at the Veteran’s Cemetery at Ft. Harrison in Helena. 

​Evelyn Victoria Dodge
Evelyn Victoria Dodge was born 11-13-1920 to Henry and Mabel Hemingson at Crosby N.D. Evelyn married William Dodge in 1940 and they spent their early years ranching in Bainville and Arlee. They moved to Deer Lodge in the fifties where they raised their family and worked at the Montana State Prison until retirement. They were lifetime members of Elks Lodge 1737. Evelyn enjoyed camping, fishing and casinos. 
Evelyn passed away in Lake Havasu, Ariz. where she resided with her youngest son Ron on 5-18-2017.She was preceded in death by her husband Bill and daughter Margie Alexander. She is survived by her three sons Warren, Dale and Ron, seven grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
Evelyn was a strong feisty lady who cared deeply about her family.

Raymond George Jursnick
Oct. 24, 1930 — May 4, 2017.
Raymond George Jursnick, 86, died May 4, 2017 at The Springs of Butte after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Dementia.
Ray was born in Butte on Oct. 24, 1930, to George and Ann (Plute) Jursnick.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Edward Jursnick of Davis, Calif.; and his niece, Victoria Carhartt of San Diego, Calif. Ray is survived by his wife, Sue Starford-Jursnick of Deer Lodge and Anaconda and Tampa, Fla.; his sister-in-law, Janet Jursnick; niece, Ludi Zarick; and nephew, Ray (Shelley) Jursnick, all of Calif. He is also survived by his stepsons, Bruce Starford and Brian Starford, both of Florida, and several grandchildren.
Ray graduated from Butte High School and was a member of BPOE for 64 years and the Butte Sports Hall of Fame. He loved fishing, hunting, skiing, piloting his plane in Alaska, and anything Montana, especially Butte.
At Ray’s request there will be no burial nor memorial services. Cremation was handled by Axelson Alternative Cremation.

Anna May Micu Koudelka
Anna May Micu Koudelka left this world on May 16, 2017 to join her beloved Edward to dance together again, for eternity.  Ann was born on May, 26, 1932 in Deer Lodge to Laurinda and Jim Micu.  She graduated from Powell County High School in May, 1950.  She married Charles Skewes on October 20, 1951.  To this union were born four children, Charlene, Charles Jay (CJ), John and Lauri.  They later divorced.  She worked for the Milwaukee Railroad when she met the love of her life, Edward R. Koudelka.  They were married on Valentines Day, 1976 and were inseparable for 35 years when her love passed away on January 10, 2011.
Ann and Ed traveled the world starting their life together and marrying in Coeur d`Alene, Idaho and honeymooning in Palm Beach, Calif.  Their adventures took them to Jamaica, New Orleans, Washington D.C., Sarasota, San Francisco,, Europe, Iceland, Alaska, Hawaii, Boston, Cancun, a cruise on the Mexican Riviera, Cabo San Lucas, with many trips to Las Vegas and Jackpot.  
They made their home in Libertyville, Ill., then moved to Sun City, Ariz., Bozeman, Deer Lodge and then Butte.  After Ed’s passing, Ann moved back to her hometown of Deer Lodge,  where she resided until her death.  
Ann’s favorite past time was dancing with her husband every Saturday night at either Fairmont, Anaconda Elks, the Broken Arrow and the Arena.  She also enjoyed knitting and spending time with her family.  They were well known in the area for their dancing skills and often found themselves on a cleared dance floor with all eyes on them.
Ann was preceded in death by her brothers Jim Micu and John Micu.
Ann is survived by her children Charlene Anderson (Bill), Charles Jay Skewes (Carole), John Skewes, and Lauri Rowe (Ray).  Stepchildren Chris Robbins (Earl), Bob Koudelka (Linda).  Grandchildren Jason (Amanda), Gabe (Sara), Adam, Martin (KimJae),  Patti (Danny), Ashley and Kelsey, Ryan, Katie (Nacoma), Kristle (Matthew), Shane, and Andy. Great-grandchildren Megan & Kennedy, Jordan, Finn, Acen, Adara, Ryan Jr., Spencer, Chase, Remy, Kairi, Leahanna, Vera and Hope.
Private family services are planned.   There was a celebration of Ann’s life  at the Broken Arrow on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at 2 p.m. In Lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Deer Lodge Food Pantry, a charity close to Ann’s heart.

Adelina C. Munoz Loomis
Oct. 13, 1934 — May 15, 2017.
On May 15, 2017, Adelina C. Munoz Loomis took her last breath surrounded by all four of her children, sending her off with love, song and gratitude.
Adelina Colette Munoz Loomis was born at home on Oct. 13, 1934, in Corvallis. Her parents were Paxedes “Peggy” and Joseph Manuel Munoz. She grew up in Stevensville surrounded by love and fun of a large extended family that meant the world to her. She had two brothers, Pepe and Carlos Munoz. 
Adelina graduated from Stevensville High School in 1952. She attended nursing school at St. Patrick’s in Missoula. She never completed school but opted to leave nursing to marry the love of her life, Harold Loomis on June 24, 1954. This was a decision she never regretted. 
Adelina and Harold have been married for over 62 years. Together they had five children. Their first son, Michael Dean was born in 1955. Michael passed away at the tender age of two. She and Harold had four more children, Lori Mashek of Portland, Ore.; Stephen Loomis and his wife Shelly of Butte; Teresa Peterson and Mick Kennedy of Billings; and Augusta Bennett and Bill Moodry of Billings. 
Lenie was an avid reader and loved to work in her flower gardens. Dad and mom did a great deal of traveling -- first by car and then later on in their motorhome. She loved her dogs, Angel, K-T, Noah, and Coco.
Our mother was never afraid to share her thoughts or opinions even if you did not ask! She was strong willed and fierce and we loved her.
Along with her husband and children, she is survived by seven grandchildren, Andi, Jacob, Alex, Josh, Becca, Nathaniel and Noah and five great-grandchildren, Reece, Chloe, Kelbey, Liam and Miles.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Peggy; son, Michael; and twin grandsons, Peter and Paul Loomis.
To quote our mother “I have had a long life and a lot of fun. I have had a good life and I have loved my family. I have read many good books.”
A Funeral Mass was held in Celebration of her life at the Immaculate Conception Church in Deer Lodge, on Saturday, May 20, at 11 a.m. Interment of ashes followed at Riverside Cemetery in Stevensville, at 4:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that you please donate to the Third World Children’s Fund.
“Vaya Con Dios” Mama.
Axelson Alternative Cremation is privileged to serve the Loomis family.

William Cameron Sr.
Montana State Prison inmate William Cameron Sr., age 66, died on Monday, May 15, 2017 at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula following an extended illness. 
Mr. Cameron was sentenced out of Cascade County in 2003 for the crime of Sexual Assault. Mr. Cameron was sentenced to 40 years with 20 years suspended. Mr. Cameron was parole eligible since 2012. His prison discharge date was 3/01/2022. 

​Jennie Tidball Comer
​Jennie Tidball Comer’s life spanned a century; and, curious as she was about the world around her, she appreciated that she had witnessed astounding transformative events. Jennie was born October 26, 1915, in Faith, South Dakota. She was the fourth oldest of Denver and Jennie Tidball’s 10 children, raised on their sheep ranch in the northwest corner of the state. She came to Montana, first to Butte and then to Pony to help with her older sister’s young family. In Pony she met Sidney Comer, one of its native sons, whom she married on October 16, 1939.
Living first on the Revenue Flats near Norris, they spent the war years at a phosphate mine, the Luke, outside of Avon. Jennie wrangled three daughters in that remote setting, often the only woman at the “camp.”  When the war was over, the family moved to Deer Lodge where Jennie was a homemaker before taking a job at the telephone office.  She was on duty when the 1959 prison riot erupted, and she loved to tell the story of those events in vivid and dramatic detail. In 1966 Sid and Jennie moved to Billings and retired to Hamilton in 1972.
For the next 20 years, Sid and Jennie cultivated beautiful and productive vegetable and rose gardens as well as numerous friendships. They often hosted or were guests for dinners and card parties. Jennie helped tend the garden and enjoyed ‘putting up’ the produce each fall. She took pride in the tidy rows of canned fruits and vegetables that lined the walls of their root cellar. Jennie was active in the Golden Age Club, Good Sam, Eagles’ Drill Team, and Rebekahs. Dancing, camping, picnics, rides in the mountains, trips to Oregon, and time with family filled Jennie’s life, and she recorded it all with meticulous detail in albums, scrapbooks, and her daily diaries.
Jennie was the family historian and her legacy is several bound volumes with labeled photos, clippings, and announcements that chronicle generations. She read and kept up on current events until the last few months, using her magnifier and listening to talking books as her eyesight failed. She was the last surviving member of her high school graduating class in Isabel, South Dakota, and to the very end could recite poems she memorized during her school days.
The family is grateful for the care Jennie received at Bee Hive Homes when her health began to deteriorate and to all the caregivers at The Springs, Home Instead, and Partners’ Hospice for walking with her and us on the last leg of her journey. 
Jennie was preceded in death by her husband, two brothers, and four sisters. She is survived by her daughters and sons-in- law, Sylvia and Leaman Sullivan, Martha and Reinhart Kurtz, and Mae Hassman, sister Bess Franzen, brothers Bert and Doris Tidball and Bennett Tidball and Wanda French, seven grandchildren, eleven great- grandchildren, and four great-great grandsons.
Cremation has taken place. The family will host a reception celebrating Jennie’s life at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 19, at the Garden City Funeral Home in Missoula and a memorial service at Valley View Cemetery in Pony in September.

Death Notice: Ed Mathison
Ed Mathison, born May 26, 1935, died Saturday, May 13, 2017. No services as requested. Memorials can be made to the Powell County Senior Center.

Odyssey Ardene
Montana State Prison inmate Odyssey Ardene died on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at St. Patricks Hospital in Missoula. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death. He was 28 years old. 
Mr. Ardene was sentenced out of Orange County, Florida on 11/03/2014 for the crimes of Manslaughter by Culpable Negligence, two counts of Drug Charges, and Possession of Firearm. Mr. Ardene was serving four concurrent 10 year sentences. 
Mr. Ardene was a Florida state inmate who was housed at Montana State Prison as an Interstate Compact Transfer. He was received at Montana State Prison on 7/21/2015. 

William Joseph “Punk” Ryan
William Joseph Ryan, Deer Lodge.
William Joseph “Punk” Ryan of Deer Lodge died Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at the age of 78.
Born Dec. 28, 1938, in Deer Lodge to Joe and Mary Ann Petersen Ryan, Bill married Annette Lescantz Ryan on May 7, 1960.
A Deer Lodge resident almost his entire life, Bill graduated from Powell County High School in 1956. He rodeoed, played football, and ran track for the Wardens. In 1960, he began his plumbing apprenticeship at the Galen State Hospital, riding bulls on the weekends. While at Galen, he met the love of his life, Annette. In 1975, he started Ryan Plumbing and Heating. For four decades, Bill worked tirelessly to keep the heat on and the water running, morning and night, weekends and holidays. He never told anyone “no.” At times he fixed furnaces mid-winter for local retirees for free. Bill loved his community and enjoyed a good conversation.
In addition to his kindness and generosity, Bill will be remembered as a world-class storyteller who especially loved to regale his grandchildren with stories of his many adventures. An avid outdoorsman, Bill enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing and trapping, and passed on that appreciation to his sons and grandchildren. After retiring, Bill spent his free time visiting with family, working in his garden and greenhouse, watching westerns, and cheering on his beloved New York Yankees and Kansas City Chiefs. 
Bill is survived by his wife Annette and their two sons, Joe and his wife Lindi of Deer Lodge, and Mike and his wife Shelly of Billings; his brothers Jerry Ryan and his wife Kitty of Arizona City, Ariz., and Danny Ryan and his wife Connie of Manhattan; his five grandchildren, John Ryan and his wife Lori of Wheat Ridge, Colo., Anne Ryan and her fiancée Sam Honeyman of La Grange, Ga., Erin Ryan of Bozeman, Katherine Ryan of Billings, and Patrick Ryan and his wife Sarah of Billings; and his two great-grandchildren, Jacob and Logan Ryan of Wheat Ridge, Colo.
Bill’s memorial service was held this past Saturday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Deer Lodge. It was officiated by Fr. Joe Fleming.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Deer Lodge Elks. B.P.O.E Lodge 1737.