Juanita Browne Juanita Browne of Deer Lodge passed away on Thursday, August 21, 2014. She was born October 5, 1933 and spent most of her childhood in Twin Bridges and Dillon. Orphaned as an infant, but adopted by Jim and Vivian Womack at the age of 15, they would forever be her mom and dad! After graduating from Beaverhead County High School, Dillon, she went on to Western Montana College in Dillon and earned her Associate of Teaching degree. One of her first teaching positions brought her to Ringling, a small railroad community in central Montana. It was in Ringling where she met the love of her life, Bill Browne. They were married May 24, 1957. In August of 1958 their first son, Don, was born. Those first few years they moved around with Bill as his job with the Milwaukee Railroad required him to travel. The small family lived in a little box car converted into a house. As the family grew with two more boys, Dale and Dan (Boone), they decided it was time to settle down. They planted their roots in Deer Lodge. The boys grew up in Deer Lodge as Bill continued to work for the railroad. Juanita did some school teaching and took care of the boys. She was a talented artist and seamstress, and later in life, after the boys had grown, she worked doing alterations, painting and drawing. After Bill retired they loved to keep in touch with their railroad family and looked forward to the annual Milwaukee picnics every year. She loved the Lord and St. John’s Lutheran Church in Deer Lodge, her and Bill were active members, she loved the congregation and taking part in the church activities. Juanita was blessed with five grandchildren and she was proud of them and their accomplishments; she always wanted to know how they were doing in school/college. Their education was important to her. Juanita will be dearly missed, but we know our Savior wrapped his arms around her and she was very happily reunited with Bill and Don. Juanita was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, who passed away in 2010; son, Don, daughter-in-law, Gretchen, and her adopted father, Jim Womack. She is survived by her sons, Dale, and Dan (Kim) of Salmon, Idaho; grandchildren, Cody, Tanner, Emily, Dan, and David and her adoptive mother, Vivian Womack of Dillon. At Juanita’s request she was cremated and no services are planned. Memorial donations may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Deer Lodge. Robert William Gangl Robert William Gangl, born in Devil’s Lake, N. D., on August 29, 1942, passed away on May 5, 2014 in Prince George, Canada. A Canadian by choice and a long term resident of Prince George, looking for a piece of the northern wilderness, he immigrated to Canada in 1969 with his wife Betty (Chaffin) and two children. Robert started the first fox farm in northern B.C., and operated a small manufacturing business until retiring in 2006. Prior to moving to Canada he made his home in Montana, Oklahoma and North Dakota. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, in 2013, his parents, Joe and Mary (Neussendorfer) Gangl; brothers, Wilfred and Frank Gangl. He is survived by his son, Rob (Deb), and daughter, Kris (Gord), and five grandchildren, all of Canada; sisters, Helen (Fritz) Roberts and Julia (Robert) Hutchison; sister-in-law, Sharon Gangl, all of Deer Lodge, and brother, Albert (Dorothy) Gangl of Kingfisher, Okla. Robert is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins in the United States. He may have moved to Canada, but he was never forgotten. James Lee Hiltz “Jim” James Lee Hiltz “Jim,” age 69, of Elliston, passed away at his home peacefully on August 22, 2014 after a two and half year battle with cancer. Jim was born to Ruby and Chris Hiltz on December 11, 1944 in Deer Lodge. He attended school in Garrison and Deer Lodge. Jim joined the Army on January 9, 1964 and was enlisted until January 21, 1966. He married, Sue Thomas, his childhood sweetheart, on December 8, 1973 in Avon. Jim worked at the Stillwater Mine in Absarokee, from 1987-1994, a job where he met a lot of great guys he enjoyed working with. Jim was a carpenter and spent the last 20 years of his life in construction with his son, Dan. His favorite activities included hunting, fishing, horseshoes and camping and his favorite days were spent antler hunting on the Cobb Ranch with his sons and friends. Jim attended St. Theodore’s Catholic Church of Avon and St. Helena’s Cathedral of Helena. He had a strong faith which was very comforting in his life’s trials and important part of his life. Jim was a member of the Elliston Cemetery Committee, Men’s Monday night golf in Elliston, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and the NRA. Jim is survived by his wife, Sue Hiltz of Elliston; his children, Alan Antila of Bellingham, Wash., Rich Antila and Gabby Isaacson of Green River, Wyo., Wayne and Nila Antila of Bellingham, Wash., Shawn and Kendra Antila of Lebanon, Ore., Dan and Luanne Antila of Elliston; his former daughter-in-laws, Christy Antila and Paula Antila; his siblings, Chris and Lee Hiltz, Ed Sanderson, Chuck and Opal Sanderson; grandchildren, Zack, Katlyn, Tanner, Tiffany, Preston, Tim, Seth, Slade, Kaycee, Shane, Kenzie, Kayla, Brandon and Bo; his great-grandchildren, Krypton and Camdon; and brother-in-laws, Bill and Marilyn Thomas, Bob and Sherry Thomas, Bruce and Cheryl Thomas, nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Chris Hiltz; mother, Ruby Sanderson; step-father, Woody Sanderson; sister, Jean Sanderson; and son, Wylie Antila. Jim left us too soon; he was the “rock” of the family. He was said to be a legend when it came to hunting. He will be missed more than words can say. A vigil service and celebration of Jim’s life will be held at 6 p.m., Wednesday, August 27, 2014 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave, Helena, Montana 59602. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Helena, 530 N. Ewing, Helena, at 12 p.m. on Thursday, August 28, 2014. Burial will take place at the Elliston Cemetery, Elliston, MT 59728 immediately following the funeral Mass with a potluck reception to follow at the Elliston Gymnasium. In lieu of flowers please make memorials in Jim’s name to a charity of your choice. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Jim. Verna Joyce Mooney Kennedy September 1, 1922, Verna Joyce Mooney was one of 13 children born to Pete and Hazel Mooney. Their children were born at home in Rock Lake, N.D., which was a small farm town on the prairie located 10 miles from the Canadian border in the northeastern part of the state. Joyce attended school in Rock Lake and helped support her family by working during the “Great Depression” years. Joyce met and later married her husband, Ivan G. Kennedy, in Rock Lake. They were blessed with three boys, Jerry, Barry and Ronald. In 1953, Ivan moved to Montana for work. He found employment at the Anaconda Copper Company working at the “Smelter” in Anaconda. He then sent for Joyce and their three small sons. The family settled in and made their home in Deer Lodge. Joyce didn’t have any hobbies. Her life was taking care of her husband and raising their three boys. Through the years her home was filled with laughter, talking and eating because her home was a place for all the boys and their friends to congregate. No one was unwelcome in their home. It was noted that she would bake a cake every day to feed them, but save one piece for dad! As the years went by later, she always said she missed all the kids, their laughter, and the noise. Joyce had a wonderful sense of humor, which was prevalent until the end of her life. She never liked anyone making a fuss over her. Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Ivan. She is survived by her three sons: Jerry (Jackie) Kennedy, Barry Kennedy and Ron Kennedy; grandchildren, Stephanie Rief, Roberta (Ben) Cestnik, Matthew Kennedy, Heather (Jeremy) Orban; great-grandchildren, Julius and Rylie Kennedy, Lakotah Erickson, Cheyanne Erickson, Riley Cestnik and Shelbee Rief. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, August 29, at Hillcrest Cemetery. Special thank you to Frontier Hospice, Gwen Brott and nurses Michelle, Rebecca and Susan. A very special thanks to caregivers Pam Bromley, Jane Collins and Kathy Green. Memorials may be made to the Deer Lodge Humane Society, St. Jude’s Hospital, or of the donor’s choice. Michael “Mike” and Regina “Regi” Johnson Mannix Michael “Mike” Mannix was born in San Francisco, Calif. on November 26, 1942. He grew up in Avon and died in Long Beach, Calif. on September 3, 2007. Regina “Regi” Johnson Mannix was born in San Diego, Calif. on April 17, 1944. She grew up in South Dakota and died in South Dakota on June 5, 2014. Mike and Regi were married in Englewood, Calif., March 30, 1968. They lived most of their married life in Long Beach, Calif. Mike attended MSU for two years, served in Vietnam as a helicopter crew chief for two years and graduated from Northup Institute of Technology. He worked as a helicopter pilot for the Los Angeles Police Department and then as a field representative for Hughes Aircraft and Boeing. Regi earned her Certified Professional Secretarial certification and had many interesting positions, including working at Hollywood Park. Together they also worked in the real estate field. They liked to travel and ride motorcycles in the desert. They are survived by Michael’s siblings, Tim Mannix of Spokane, Colleen Arthur of San Francisco, and Mary Pat (Joe) Kasperick of Butte; and Regi’s siblings, Eric Johnson of New York City and Janet (Randy) Albers of Rapid City, S. D., and several nieces and nephews. They were preceded in death by their parents, Norbert and Teresa Mannix of Avon, and Alta and Jesse Johnson of Rapid City. A burial service will be held at the Avon Cemetery at 11 a.m., August 22, 2014 followed by a reception at the Avon Community Center. Patrick James Kluesner Pat died unexpectedly on July 27, 2014 in Elliston. A gathering of family and friends was held in Elliston at the Elliston School Gym on Monday, August 4, 2014 at 4 p.m. He is survived by his wife Vicky, stepchildren Lathan (Michelle) DeLeo, Sabrina Stewart, grandchildren Caleb, Shylee, Gabriel, Carson, Trevin and Tristan, parents Lou and Diane Kluesner of Lima, brother Chris (Denise) Kluesner of South Carolina, sister Megan (John) Keller of Wisconsin, half brothers Calvin Kluesner of Alabama, Lloyd (Betsy)Kluesner of California, Allan Kluesner of Florence, half sister Cindy (Dave) Brown of Missoula and numerous nieces and nephews. Special friends Ross and Shawn. Pat was born in Missoula on November 3, 1963 and attended grade school and middle school in Whitefish and High School in Lima. Pat and Vicky met in 2008 and Pat proposed to her the first time he met her. She finally consented after many, many proposals and they were wed on April 1, 2010. Pat loved hunting, fishing, David Alan Coe, Merle Haggard, his family and friends -not necessarily in that order. He was proud to be an employee of Montana Rail Link and loved his job. He was also a member of the Elliston Volunteer Fire Department and was involved with the Annual “Duck Days” in Elliston. Memorial may be made to Avon QRU in Avon- 59713, or Elliston EMS in Elliston- 59728. We look forward to hearing “Pat” stories from all of his friends. Phillip Earl Pomeroy Born May 25, 1939, a Thursday in St. James Hospital, Butte. Parents Earl (Bill) and Venita (Vance) Pomeroy, were residents at Melrose, located just south of Butte. 1945 - Family moved to Deer Lodge, where Phillip attended his first year of schooling and then shortly to Brock Creek located at the confluence of the creek and the Clark Fork River, the site of Janney Trucking Co. where Phillip’s dad was employed. There Phillip enrolled as second grader in the two room schoolhouse at Garrison. Upon completing his fifth grade there, then began his junior high grades in Deer Lodge at the Trask Hall school. Finished that phase in 1953 and the following year began high school years at Powell County High School in Deer Lodge. In high school Phillip was an excellent student, participated in many extracurricular activities, and lettered in varsity football. Following his graduation in 1957, Phillip took a working year from studies to put aside some funding for college. He worked as a truck driver for Janney Trucking during his high school years and then later began college at Western Montana College, originally known in Montana as “the Normal” school, now known as University of Montana Western Campus. Phillip majored in mathematics with his goals being to teach high school level math and coach high school sports. Later received his masters degree from Whitworth University in Spokane. While attending college Phillip and Judith Mae Burke, daughter of Kenneth and Irene (Segraves) Burke were married in Deer Lodge, on June 10, 1961. Their family grew to include Steven, Teresa, Renee and Michele. 1963-1969 - did student teaching at Powell County High School and followed with a permanent teaching contract for math and an assistant coaching position for varsity football and track. With the assistance of then head football coach Dick Pitman, presented and got accepted by the school board a proposal to initiate Powell County High Schools first high school wrestling program. 1965 saw the first athletes trying out to carry PCHS first wrestling banner. Phil was named head coach for the program and continued assisting in other sports as well. During the early floundering years with the program, there were several remarkable athletes that advanced to and became state champions. Names like Humble, Wohlers and Campbell come to mind. August 25, 1967 -Following a failed marriage was divorced and later was married to Sandi Lee Strom of Billings, daughter of Donald and Muriel Joy (Norton) Strom. Their family grew to include Lisa and Joanne. August, 1969 - Coach Pomeroy was both encouraged and inspired by the leadership of coaches he worked with, namely Chuck Burgess and Dick Pitman, also Bill Clausen who was the AD at the time, prompted his decision to resign from teaching at PCHS and accept a teaching, coaching position at Lewis & Clark High School in Spokane, Wash. There he continued in the profession he loved until his retirement in 2005. He did not retire completely however, he continued then on a fulltime basis his second career as a certified crop insurance adjuster. He worked that position through many summers while teaching on a parttime basis, last being employed by the John Deere Insurance Company. While teaching math classes at Lewis & Clark High‚ he taught in the same class’ head wrestling coach at Lewis & Clark High School, Coach Pomeroy was highly successful in developing student athletes to perform at their highest potentials that resulted in an impressive legendary record in the sport for the school and for Greater Spokane Associated schools. In February of 1981, the LC Tigers won the High School AAA state wrestling championship, bringing to Spokane their first state championship ever awarded to a GSA school! Mike Dotson won his first of two consecutive championships, first in 141 division in ‘81 and followed in ‘82 in 148 division. Also on the state championship team was Paul Fascetti at 122, and Rick Ellingsen at 158. In all that team advanced six of their team with the named three winning their weight class. In February of 1982 in Tacoma - LC places fourth at State with three out of six members qualifying for individual berths. District champions that year were Pat Cody at 101; Jeff Jordan at 135 & Mike Dotson at 148. LC placed third at the Regionals in Yakima. The era of Coach Pomeroy at Lewis and Clark High School brought to his school the banner as being the “power house” program that schools state wide would target their programs. Survived by wife Constance (Laber) of Spokane; first wife Judith Wood of Garrison; second wife Sandra Pomeroy of Spokane; brothers Vern (Shelley) Pomeroy of Stevensville; Billy Pomeroy of Sheridan, Wyo.; sisters, Lorraine Watson (John) of Great Falls; Loryln Joy, of Oregon and Judi Whitney (David) of Garrison. Daughters Teresa of Butte; Michele of Rochester, Minn.; Lisa Foshee (Phillip) of Woodenville, Wash.; Joanne Schultz of Millcreek, Wash.; 15 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by daughter, Renee (Pomeroy) Ayers of Deer Lodge in April of 2000 and a younger brother Wayne Douglas Pomeroy in 1943 in Butte. Phillip is brother of Judi Whitney, clerk at City Hall; past brother-in-law of Gayle McGillis Pomeroy Mizner; uncle of Jack Pomeroy and Grace Pomeroy and numerous local grandchildren and great-grandchildren in the Deer Lodge vicinity including step-son Steven Wood spelled as such of Garrison. Rocky Dean Jones
February 1, 1956 - July 7, 2014. Rocky Dean Jones, 58, formerly of Ketchikan, Alaska, died on July 7, 2014 in Omaha, Nebr. He was born and raised in Anaconda. He graduated from Anaconda High School in 1974, and also achieved a degree from Northern Technical School of Business for court reporting in Minneapolis, Minn. While living in Minneapolis, he met a woman named Maggie, who would become a very important person in his life. He married her in 1978, and although they divorced after 19 years, they always remained close up until the day he died. The last couple years of his life, Maggie, his daughter Angie, and his granddaughter Alexa, were able to spend a considerable amount of time with him, even on the day he passed. He always wanted to move to Alaska, and was able to fulfill that dream when he moved his wife and daughter, Angie to Ketchikan in 1985. He spent a lot of time fishing, camping, or discussing sports with anyone he could. He absolutely loved baseball, and was able to attend the World Series in 1987 where he got to see his Minnesota Twins win! Many people in Ketchikan will also remember Rocky as an avid dart player and for his years of playing co-ed softball for the 49er Bar. Per Rocky’s wishes, he was cremated and his ashes will be spread in Alaska, a place he called home for more than 25 years. He did not want a service, but would request anyone grieving for him, to have a beer for him. He is preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Bernice (Grant) Jones. He is survived by his loving daughter and granddaughter, Angie (Jones) Harris and Alexa Harris, and friend and ex-wife Maggie Jones, all of Omaha, Nebr.; sisters Tami Whittington and Jackie Johnson, brother Gary Jones, several nieces and nephews, all of Montana. Condolences, memories, and stories may be sent to Angie (Jones) Harris, 347 N 35th Ave, Omaha, NE 68131. |
Archives
September 2024
|