Lyle Gillette
Lyle Gillette left this world on August 20, 2015, to be with his Heavenly Father.
Lyle was born on October 18, 1932, in Anacortes, Wash., to Ollie Mae Allen and Lyle Gillette, Sr. He was the oldest of three boys.
Lyle grew up in the Anacortes and Everett areas north of Seattle. He had many grand adventures as a child.
In 1952 he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served in Korea. His love of the Corps lasted to the very end of his days.
He was honorably discharged from active duty in 1955, and resumed his college education in January, 1956, at Eastern Washington University. He went to a dance that month and met the love of his life there, Virginia Fish. They married six months later on June 8 in Rice, Wash. 
Lyle graduated from Eastern in March, 1959, moved to Montana, and began his teaching career.
After two years in Rudyard, and four years in Baker,  he took his wife and seven children to Deer Lodge in the summer of 1965. He would teach there for the next two decades before retiring in 1987.
During his teaching career, Lyle worked as a coach in football, basketball, and track. He also refereed basketball games. Lyle was also one of the people involved in bringing Legion baseball to Deer Lodge in the late 1970s. He was a diehard UM Grizzly fan.
Lyle continued his military service with a stint in the Naval Reserves, switching over to the Montana National Guard in 1980. He retired from military service in 1992 with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. He was a long-time member of the American Legion and the VFW where he held numerous offices. In his heart, although he served in three branches of the military, he always considered himself a Marine first and foremost. He was active in the Marine Corps League in Butte almost to the day he died.
Not only being involved in the military and in school athletics, Lyle also served his community as a City Councilman from the 1980s to just a few years ago, including a term as Mayor from 1996 to 2000. He did volunteer work for the Legion baseball program, donated blood, was Scoutmaster for the Boy Scout troop 33 in the 1970s, and worked as a volunteer tour guide at the Old Prison Museum.
Lyle is survived by his wife of 59 years, Virginia, and their seven children: Kelly (Jonelle) Gillette; Nikki (Kirk) Smith; Bobbi (Dean) Rognrud; Kyle Gillette; Jeff (Angie) Gillette; Marika (Dennis) Tice; and Danelle (Mark) Cease. Lyle and Virginia have 20 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren. His brothers Steve and Carl are also survived, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and in-laws.
He was preceded in death by his mother Ollie Mae Allen, his father Lyle E. Gillette, Sr., and one great-granddaughter, Addie.
He will be missed by those  whose lives he touched as a teacher and coach, and by a multitude of friends.
A private family service will be held at Fort Harrison on Wednesday the 26, 2015, for the internment of his remains.
A community service in celebration of his life will be held Saturday, August 29, at 10 a.m. in the PCHS Gymnasium. No reception is planned.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to your favorite charity.

Verner Laurits Bertelsen
Verner Laurits Bertelsen died on the evening of August 18, 2015 at the age of 97.  He had been diagnosed with cancer in January of 2014.  Verner spent the last six weeks of his life at Touchmark in Helena, but prior to that had been vigorously caring for his home and garden, making great cookies, and remaining active in governmental concerns for senior citizens and all Montanans. Verner testified at the Capitol even into 2015 to help preserve the Montana Coal Trust for future Montana generations.  
Verner was born in Froid, July 19, 1918. He attended grade school and high school in Froid and graduated from Northern Montana College in Havre,  in 1938.  
Verner has lived in Helena, for the past 38 years, having moved from Ovando. He was an elementary school teacher, in Helmville and then Ovando, from 1938 – 1969, a rancher from 1947 – 1977, the Powell County Commissioner from 1951 – 1957, and a Montana House of Representative from 1975 – 1984 where he served on many committees, being the chairman of Local Government and Revenue Oversight.  He was appointed Secretary of State by Governor Ted Schwinden and served from April 21, 1988 until December of 1988.  Verner served as Chairman of the of the Developmental Disabilities Planning and Advisory Council, was appointed to serve on the Governor’s Council for Tobacco Use Prevention, was appointed by Secretary of State Mike Cooney to the Election Advisory Council, President of the Montana Advocacy Program, and was a Montana Senior representative to the White House Conference on Aging.  He was President of the Golden Nuggets senior citizen club and was a Lobbyist for the Montana Senior Citizens Association.  Verner was Chairman of the Montana Coal Trust for many years. 
Verner was married first to Ellen Bentsen, his childhood sweetheart, who died shortly after the birth of their son, Allen Verner Bertelsen.  Allen was born November 13, 1939 and died after a surgery in March of 2009.  Allen’s wife, Jan, moved from Bozeman last year to San Diego, with their youngest daughter Julie, to reside near their other daughter, Beth Ellen Bertelsen-Purtirka. Beth is married to Sandy, and they have two children, James and Jamie.  Mark Bertelsen with his wife, Lisa, live in Selah, Wash., and have a son, Brandon, who attends the University of Utah.  
Verner’s second wife was Marjorie Wendt who died in 1975.  Two children, David Laurits Bertelsen and Annette Elizabeth Bertelsen were born to them.   David and his wife, Karen, live in Wibaux.  They have two sons, Jeffrey and Gregg.  Jeff lives with his wife Tina and daughter Shantel in Wibaux.  Jeff’s oldest son, Travis, lives in Wibaux with his wife Jonna.  Jeff’s other son Chase is attending Rocky Mountain College in Billings.  Gregg lives with his wife Jessica in Dickinson, N. D. with their son Trenten.  Annette lives in Helena.  Annette’s son Jason lives with his wife Vicki and children, Ben and Adelle, in St Augustine, Fla. Annette’s oldest son, Dustin, died in Seattle, Wash. at the age of 35. 
Verner wed his third wife, Judy Edwards, in 1975.  She died in 2001.  Judy’s son, Jim Nelson, with his wife Fay, live in Helena.  Their daughter Jennifer and husband, Sam Cummins, live with their daughter Caroline in Missoula.
Verner’s fourth, and last wife, was Dorothea Cool.  They wed in 1993, both the ages of 75.  This was Dorothea’s first and only marriage.  She and Verner had been engaged briefly at the ages of 18 and then rekindled their romance after the death of Verner’s third wife.  They enjoyed 10 years of marriage prior to her death in 2003.
Verner’s current love of the last 11 years has been Betty Barraugh.  They have loved, honored, and cherished each other with the great respect and admiration of Verner’s other family members.  Betty resides in Helena with her son, Eric, and daughter Terri.  
Verner was a member of the Presbyterian Church since 1954, where he was an Elder, on the Nominating Committee, and an Usher.  He even served as a Pastor for the occasional need in Ovando.  Verner attended the Catholic Church jointly in respect to his wife Judy.  And he attended the Assembly of God Church jointly in respect to his wife Dorothea. 
Funeral Services will be at 10 a.m. on Sunday, September 6, 2015. His service will be held in conjunction with the regular Church Services at The First Presbyterian Church of Helena, 535 North Ewing Street.  Refreshments will be served after.  A graveside service will be held at the Ovando Cemetery at approximately 3:30 p.m.  We, the family, are so appreciative of the many superb people who have worked with, supported, enjoyed, loved, and enhanced the life of our fine father, partner, husband, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather.  He will be soulfully missed but is trusted to be with us through spirit and gene. 

Jane Cozzens Young
Jane Cozzens Young, 82.
Jane Cozzens Young passed Friday, August 14, 2015 in Butte in her son’s home with family by her side. 
She was born in a small hotel in Cawley, Wyo. on September 15, 1932.  She grew up on the prairies of Cawley, Wyo. and Red Lodge. Because her parents were away working, she was expected to herd the family sheep and take care of her five siblings. When she was 10 or 11 she would hitch the horses and wagon and would take all of her siblings to school.  
At age 15 she married James Whittington and had four children.  They moved to Anaconda and later divorced.   When she was 24 she married Frank Buel and the family moved to Deer Lodge.  They divorced and in 1964 Jane met Henry Ernest Young and on March 25, 1965 they married and three years later had one daughter.  Together they built a business known as Ernie’s Auto Clinic which they ran until his death on March 14, 1996.  Once he passed, she sold the business and retired.  
She was preceded in death by her late husband Henry Ernest Young, son Steven Hanham Whittington, sisters, Bonnie Baldwin, Ruth McCumber, brothers, Larry and Kimbal Cozzens and parents Lois Eyre and Lawrence Cozzens.  
Survivors include sisters, Mickey Snuffer of California, Lorna (Nathaniel) Miller of Oregon, sons, James (Mary) Whittington of Butte, Rick (Kay) Whittington of Colorado, daughters, Linda Diane (Billy) Peltier of Missoula and Cynthia Lea (Chris) Heaton of Deer Lodge, 28 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
In accordance with her wishes cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 2 p.m. on Sat. August 22, 2015.  Immediately following the service she will be laid to rest at Hillcrest Cemetery with a dinner to follow at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Rusty James Rogers
Montana State Prison inmate Rusty James Rogers #2104349 died on Saturday, August 8, 2015, of an extended illness. Inmate Rogers was born June 21, 1975.  He was 40 years old.    
This offender fell out of Gallatin County and was received at Montana State Prison in February 15, 2006.  Inmate Rogers had a discharge date of 1-30-2016.  

Ronald G. (Ron) Weber
On the afternoon of August 6, 2015, Ronald G. (Ron) Weber unexpectedly passed from this world and his family and entered the Lord’s heavenly arms.  
 Ron was born in Helena on September 23, 1935 to Florence and Adam Weber. He grew up in Elliston and attended school there until the seventh grade. It was there that he met the love of his life, Donna Miller.  Ron moved to Bigfork with his family and continued his education. He also played his favorite sport, Basketball, and lettered his sophomore year.  Ron joined the Air Force in 1953 before he graduated. He was deployed to Labrador as a supply sergeant during the Korean conflict. Ron and Donna married on March 10, 1956, after returning from Labrador and was assigned to Sioux City Air Base.  Ron was discharged honorably from the Air Force in 1957 and they returned to Elliston. 
Ron was employed with Mountain Bell as a lineman. As a journeyman linemen, they relocated a lot when they were starting out and Ron and Donna traveled all over Montana installing and repairing telephone lines, having lived the longest in Great Falls. Before beginning another move, Ron and Donna decided to return to Helena and Ron began work with Mayflower moving and Tom Powers. Ron also worked at Linder Kind Lumber and eventually ended his professional career with the Helena School District. During this time he also served in the Army Reserves 396th Station Hospital with his lifelong friend, Charles Larson. Ron later enlisted with the Montana National Guard as a cook and enjoyed a long career there in the Montana Military Academy. With his Army and Air Force time Ron totaled a 26 year Career in the Armed Forces. He never regretted his time with the Military. 
Ron is survived by his wife of 59 years, Donna Marie Miller Weber, his daughter Julie of Helena, son John (Martina) of Elliston, and son Ron (Kari) of Helena. Ron took enormous pride in his grandkids Annie Waples, Eva Andreda, and Claire Waples. John’s children Tim Draper and Melissa Weber. Ronnie’s children Amber Andersen and Adam Weber along with three great-grandchildren, one that was born just eight days before Ron left us all.  He is also survived by a cousin, JoAnn Beckwith, his only living decedents from his direct family, her daughter Cindy Ward and friend Earl Johnson. Ron was preceded in death by his mother, Florence and his father Adam Weber. 
Ron and Donna enjoyed many pastimes including fishing. He owned many a fishing boat almost all of his life and got more use out of it than most would. He owned a boat before he had anything to tow it with.  Ron was hooked on bowling early on and did his entire life. Ron kept it up until injuries left him unable to continue, having participated several times in the National Bowling Tournament with family and friends.  It is estimated, that in his lifetime, he knocked down at least a million pins counting leagues and tournaments. Ron also looked forward to hunting season and getting out on those cold October mornings with a hot cup of coffee and his cherished friend Mick Liedle. He was already making hunting plans for this fall with his grandson Adam and watching him play football. Dad especially loved the Denver Broncos, and the Utah Jazz.  
Ron easily made friends anywhere he went. It was said, “You can’t take him anywhere, because he knows everyone and he starts talking and a 10 minute trip turns into a couple hours of visiting and catching up”.  We are very grateful for all of his dear friends in Helena and those in Elliston who made countless trips to visit with and help Ron and Donna, specifically the Carroll boys who helped endlessly with chores lately, as mom and dad’s mobility is limited. 
The family would especially like to thank all of the Elliston Emergency Medical Service members who have assisted Ron and his wife, Donna over these past years, in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Elliston Church or the Elliston Emergency Medical Services and Avon QRU General Delivery 59728. 
Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Wednesday August 12, 2015 at the gymnasium in Elliston. Burial, with military honors, will be at 2:30 p.m. at the Montana Veteran’s Cemetery at Fort Harrison.