Sheila Keirnes - March 11, 1947 - May 5, 2021
Sheila Keirnes was born to Guy & Helen (Wood) Keirnes in Missoula, MT, on March 11, 1947. Sheila was warmly welcomed by two big brothers, Bill & Gary and numerous cousins. Sheila was a beautiful, bright light addition to the family. Sheila lived with her family in Hall, MT. Helen loved to dress Sheila up in frilly dresses and entered her in many beautiful baby contests and later in pageants. Sheila won first place in two of the beauty pageants. She attended grade school in Hall. Sheila was a very headstrong, stubborn, outdoorsy girl and spent her childhood sledding, swimming, boating, bicycling, roller-skating, ice skating, horseback riding and dancing with her brothers and the Hunt and Olsson children in Hall. Later, Sheila and her family moved to Richland, WA where she attended high school.
Sheila met Homer Blackburn in Richland. Homer and Sheila got married and moved back to Granite County, where they resided at the Stone house. From this marriage, Sheila was blessed with three boys: Wayne, Daren and Shawn.
In the early 1970s, Sheila and Helen went in as partners and bought the Turf Bar in Drummond. After the Turf closed in 1986, Sheila worked various jobs including bartending, cooking & waiting tables in a local restaurant. In the late 1990s Sheila went to work for Helen at Stockman’s Bar in Hall after her mom broke her hip. Sheila eventually took over the bar due to her mother’s declining health issues. Sheila loved Stockman’s. She loved to visit with her customers, getting to know all the new ones, each of them by name. She loved watching the school children play outside at recess from the bar window. 
She loved to visit with the school children when they came over for a Roy Rogers or Shirley Temple. They gave her such delight. Sheila supported all the many activities the Hall school children participated in. Sheila also liked to watch the dog agility competitions at the Hall school. Sheila was an avid horsewoman. She spent many years riding out for several local ranchers helping gather and move cows with her horses. Sheila loved to read and kept up on all the news.
Sheila had a passion for all animals. Throughout her life, she had lots of pets including a unique monkey named Margie, a donkey named Elwood (that ended up in a delightful article in the Missoulian newspaper), several horses, several precious dogs - including her most recent dog, her beloved Gypsy - along with many cats as her furry friends. Any stray animal always found a place in her heart and home. 
Sheila had lots of friends and strategically placed a few good friends in her life. Since she has passed, we have found each one of us had a specific purpose that she leaned on us for. Her family had the assurance she was being looked after by good friends.
Although she was extremely private about her personal life, Sheila was a cancer survivor. She encountered many injustices through her life’s path, but with a forgiving heart, she and her spirit persevered. Sheila dared to be her own person and make a difference in the world. Sheila was a compassionate, kind and loving soul. Her grandson Ben stated that there were not enough words to honestly describe her. She would do anything she could for anyone, unless you got on her bad side! And if you did, she would let you know how she felt. At times, Sheila could be a bit of a rebel!! We were blessed to have had her in our lives.
Sheila is proceeded in death by her parents, ns Wayne Blackburn, Daren Blackburn, Shawn Blackburn and brother Bill Powell.
Sheila is survived by her brother Gary (Sandy) Powell, niece Sarah Powell, daughter-in-law Martha Blackburn, grandsons Inez (Amber) Blackburn, Shawn (Adriana) Blackburn, grandson Benjamin (Leah) Schechtman, granddaughter Brandi (Stephan) Seamons, great-grandchildren Jon, Alina, Caden, Nevaeh, Forrest, Sadi, and Mattis, dear cousin Sandy Opp and her many close friends. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday July 3, 2021, at Stockman’s Bar in Hall at 5pm, potluck dinner.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Bitterroot Humane Association, 262 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, MT 59840 or to an animal rescue of your choice.

Summer Johnson - September17, 1999 - October 1, 2020
Summer was born in Belcourt, ND and was a proud member of Turtle Mountain Tribe. 
After struggling with the death of her sister, Summer passed away in the early hours of October on the anniversary of her sister’s death.
Summer loved music and playing guitar. She loved animals, and helping people when she could.
She is survived by her mother Wanda VanGilder.

Jack Anthony Hurst, M.D.
Jack Anthony Hurst, M.D. passed away on Sunday, June 13, 2021 surrounded by family at home in Folsom, LA. He was born on April 14, 1946 in Lafayette, Louisiana to Bernice Dupuis and Carl Hurst, who both preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, John Hurst and Jerry Hurst. He is survived by one sister, Karlene Hurst Nolan.
Jack was the loving father of two daughters who adored him, Hilary Hurst Landry (Mickey) and Calais Hurst Waring (Patrick). Jack was the proud grandfather of four grandchildren, Sophia Landry, Miriam “Mae Mae” Landry, Patrick Landry, and Gabriel Coulon.
Following his graduation from Lafayette High School, Jack attended ULL, formerly known as the University of Southwestern Louisiana, where he graduated with a degree in English Literature and Chemical engineering. He later obtained a master’s degree in English literature. After working abroad for several years, he married and moved to Beirut, Lebanon to continue his education. He obtained a doctorate of neuroanatomy from the American University in Beirut, before being evacuated in 1976 by the United States Navy along with other Americans, because of the ongoing civil war. He returned to New Orleans and began medical school at Louisiana State University. Following graduation he pursued a residency in neurosurgery, serving as Chief Resident of the program at Charity Hospital. He went on to practice briefly in Fayetteville, Arkansas, returning to Lafayette, Louisiana to practice in 1987. Recently, Jack moved to Deer Lodge, Montana where he continued practicing medicine until the day he was admitted to the hospital.
A Memorial Service will be held privately by the family at a later date. In lieu of gifts or flowers, the family asks that donations be made in the name of Jack A. Hurst, M.D. to the LSU Foundation with a designation that the gift is for the James L. Dennis Law Clinic at the LSU Law Center. Please Share a Memory on the Tribute Wall at www.ejfieldingfh.com.

​Conrad Charles Martinz Jr.
Conrad Charles Martinz Jr. - died April 26, 2021 peacefully at his home in Wenatchee, Wa. Conrad was born December 11, 1931 in Garrison, MT and is survived by his daughter Tammy Curtis (Martinz), Tonga range, 10 grandchildren and  16 great grandchildren. 
He was preceded in death by his sister Mary Jean price and son Kenny Martinz, great grandson Jax.  

Death Notice: ​ Cleo Neckels Strickland
Cleo Neckels Strickland passed into eternity on July 7, 2020. Because of the pandemic we were unable to honor her memory at that time. All family and friends are invited to join us for a Celebration of Life in Cleo’s honor on June 26, 2021 at 2pm at the Elks Lodge on Main Street in Deer Lodge.

David Harrington
David Harrington, local musician, died at home May 13, 2021. Dave was born August 19, 1951, at Hamilton Air Force Base in California to Van and Jean (Greenwalt) Harrington. The family returned to Deer Lodge in 1952 where Dave attended local schools. He graduated from Powell County High School where he developed a passion for theatre and for music that he kept all his life. He attended Montana Tech for a time, then abandoned school for a varied career which included snake wrangler for the Portland Zoo and gandydancer for the Milwaukee Railroad. He loved outdoor pursuits - skiing, hang gliding, hiking, and mountain climbing. He climbed Grand Teton and other peaks in the Rocky Mountains and in New Zealand.  But his main focus was music. He could play any instrument; he built and sold dulcimers, lutes, and Irish harps, and was known for impromptu concerts at the library, bookstore, or any sunny patch of grass.
Dave was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Lois Bergeson.
He is survived by his sister, Sue Harrington, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Private family services will be held. Memorials may be made to Grant-Kohrs Library, PAWHS of Deer Lodge, or Montana Mental Health of Butte. Please visit www.buttefuneralhome.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of David. Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for David and his family.

​Conrad Charles Martinz Jr.
Conrad Charles Martinz Jr. - died April 26, 2021 peacefully at his home in Palisades, Wa. Conrad was born December 11, 1931 in Garrison, MT and is survived by his daughter Tammy Curtis (Martinz), Tonga range, 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister Mary Jean price and son Kenny Martinz, great-grandson Jax.

Funeral Notice - Alan Arthur
Please join us for a Memorial Service to celebrate the life of our Dad, Alan Arthur, on June 8th at 2 p.m. at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Deer Lodge.  Following the Memorial Service, there will be a reception at the Elks Lodge on main street in Deer Lodge beginning at 2:15.

 Beverly (Campbell/Fox) Smith
It is with great sadness that the family of Beverly (Campbell/Fox) Smith announces her passing on May 14, 2021 at the age of 71. Bev had persevered through numerous heart-related surgeries, all the while never losing her positive spirit and desire to love and appreciate those around her and we were all fortunate to have her as long as we did. 
Bev lived in Twin Falls, Idaho for nearly 30 years and worked many of those years at the Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Department, while raising her two daughters, Stephanie and Melanie. She met and married Brent Smith in 1995 and they moved to Deer Lodge, Montana in 2006 to be closer to Brent’s daughter, Leslie, and her family. Bev worked at the Powell County Courthouse, sharing her knowledge and spirit until her retirement in early 2015. All the while, she and Brent enjoyed raising sheep and all the excitement that goes along with livestock (like taking bummer lambs to the office because they have to be bottle fed on a schedule)! Bev loved to grow a garden, puzzles and traveling to see her family. She also enjoyed spending time in her kitchen, creating delicious meals for her family (made with love) and friends that stopped by. 
Bev was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend and will be lovingly remembered by her family and friends. 
She is survived by her husband, Brent Smith, daughters Melanie (Ben Moritz) Fox, Stephanie Fox, Leslie (Alan) Boomer, granddaughters Téa Moritz and Ashley (Willow) Wehr and grandson Alex Boomer and great granddaughter Jordan Wehr.
At this time, no funeral service is scheduled. Cards may be sent to Brent Smith c/o Ashley Wehr, 47 Tristan River Lane, Deer Lodge, Montana, 59722. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to Powell County Medical Foundation, In Loving Memory of Bev Smith, 1100 Hollenback Lane, Deer Lodge, Montana, 59722.

Allen D. Vaira -- 1941-2019
Allen D. Vaira passed away on July 2, 2019 in Deer Lodge, Montana.
Allen was born in Richland County, Montana in 1941.
He was a marine, a magistrate in Tok, Alaska, a park ranger at Grant Kohrs Ranch in Deer Lodge, Montana and he was a Christian.
Allen was the oldest son of Adolphus and Lilly Vaira, brother to Darlene Wells, Dianne
Thompson, Donna (Rich) Arca, and Arlen (Karen) Vaira. Allen is buried in the Veteran Cemetery.

Correction: William Arthur Rush
In the May 19 issue of the Silver State Post, the obit for William Arthur Rush listed his lifespan as “June 9, 1930 - April 30, 1921.” 
The correct dates were June 9, 1930 to April 30, 2021.