DaryLynne Hellekson Day
On January 14, 1983, a hurricane was born into this world. This hurricane, DaryLynne Hellekson Day, would turn the world her way no matter what the objective.  This hurricane was only with us for a short portion of life.  She was taken at the early age of 36, but believe me, that 36 years was full of life from artwork, drawing, music and learning to play and master any instrument she came across. She mastered 21 different musical instruments.  She had a pure love of music and singing. She dearly loved singing with Grandma Jen and singing the National Anthem for many Minor League Sports Teams, along with many local and regional events, especially for her brother’s wrestling meets and football games.  One of the most recent talents was putting her artwork on skin by tattooing.
She was a graduate of Anaconda High Class of 2001.  She continued her education at the University of Great Falls majoring in Art and Criminal Justice.  Her drive in life was family and helping others especially those that were challenged in life.  She worked at New Day Ranch by Billings then went on to work for AWARE in Billings.  She then wanted to come back home to Anaconda, transferring with AWARE.  Seeking more challenge, she went to work for the Warm Springs State Hospital as a Psych Tech and then as a Recreational Rehabilitation Aide.  Still having a desire to help others further, she became an EMT, following in the steps of her grandparents Daryll and Jennifer Dye and her mom and dad.  She started working with the Powell County Ambulance. She loved her job and had a special camaraderie with her co-workers.  That is where her life story ended. She was part of the ambulance crew working the demolition derby for the Powell County Fair.  She saved many lives that fateful night.  Seeing danger coming, she was pushing a crowd of people out of harms way without regard for herself when she was hit by a derby car that was out of control. But her legacy and heroic deeds will be remembered forever.  If you need to see the definition of a real-life hero, look up her name DaryLynne Hellekson Day.
Dary is survived by her husband, Zachary Day, children, Zion and Ember Day, her parents, Darin and Tina Hellekson, Rod and Kim Day, siblings, Seth (Rachel) Hellekson, Dylon (Heavenly) Hellekson, Chris Easton and brother in heart and soul Robert Coffey.  By many adopted kids throughout the years along with DaryLynn’s self-adopted family from the heart and soul throughout the years.
Dary was preceded in death by Great Grandparents, Walter and Elane Dye, Oscar and Sylvia Funell, Great-Grama Lowell, Grandparents, Daryll and Jennifer Dye and Jim and Deanna Funell.  
A Celebration of Life was held at the Washoe Theatre on Sunday, August 25, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. There was one hour of visitation prior to the service at the Theatre. A reception followed the service at Beaverdam Park in Opportunity.
RIP Bum, D.
Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral & Cremation Service is entrusted with Dary’s funeral arrangements. You may pay your condolences at www.longfellowfinneganriddle.com.

​Nina Senecal Johnson
Nina Senecal Johnson died peacefully in her room at the Deer Lodge Care and Rehab at about 4 am on Sunday the 18th of August, at the age of 85. She was admitted there March 26,2015.
She enjoyed great care from the staff, and many visits from family and friends. She had not been cognizant for some months at the end and her final days were made comfortable by Compasses Hospice Care of Butte.
Nina was born February 1, 1934 to John and Mildred Senecal of Avon. She was the sixth child of nine. Her siblings from oldest to youngest were Jack, Don, Pete, Bob, George, Margie, Jim, and Johnny. Nina was raised on the family ranch on Snowshoe Creek Road, where her youngest brother Johnny and his wife Margarette still reside. Nina’s brother Jim and his wife Jeanie also live near by in Avon. All other siblings have passed on.
Nina received her eighth grade education, along with all her brothers and sister, by walking, and sometimes riding horseback, some distance from their home to the historic Snowshoe school, which has since been relocated and is now on display at the Deer Lodge Museum and Arts Foundation. Nina received her high school diploma at Powell County High School in the spring of 1952, during which time she met and dated Billy Johnson, son of Helmer and Clara Johnson. Nina and Billy were married June 7, 1953.
In July of 1954, Billy and Nina purchased their first property together, the Milford Moore Homestead east of Deer Lodge. 
In 1957 Nina gave birth to me, Doug Johnson, and in 1960 she lost son Dace at birth.
Billy and Nina pursued their career in agriculture on the home ranch that his parents purchased in 1918. In March 1965 Billy and Nina bought the ranch from his mother.
Nina has approximately 20 nieces and nephews from the Senecal side and much family on the Johnson side.
Throughout the following 30 years Nina enjoyed successful sheep and cattle ranching, always going along on high mountain pack trips and weekend drives. Artwork was one of her dearest passions. She always had her camera handy to take photos of a scene that she would later put to a painting. She loved the holidays and all the family gatherings. 
Nina was the best mother anyone could ask for. As I followed her through the sheep pens and rode with her moving cattle, every day was an important but happy lesson in life. There was something about her that drew people to her, something that was very comfortable to be around.  One day, in my early teen years, I was having lunch with my grandparents, John and Mildred Senecal, when it all came to light. It was a very quiet strength and wisdom and the solid set of core values that my grandparents passed down to Nina. They were extraordinary people and their life was the same because of that strength and wisdom and values. 
Nina used this all through her life. Her strength was never more apparent than when she suffered a stroke in July of 1995, permanently losing the use of her left arm and leg. The experts told us that she would need total nursing care from then on. I wasn’t sure, but my dad, Bill, knew they were wrong, and after 16 months of rehab, she returned home to the ranch. She learned to climb stairs, she reorganized her kitchen, and resumed cooking meals, and we modified her car for trips to the store. Best of all, she got back on her horse, Paint, and enjoyed riding, and continued her artwork for the next eight years. She never lost her wonderful smile and the ability to enjoy every day, despite her disability. We would all be lucky to have even a small portion of her strength and fortitude. 
In 2008, as her care needs increased and her husband’s health declining, Nina decided to move to town.  It wasn’t as good as ranch life, but she was comforted by more available care and closer to family and friends. Nina lost her husband, Bill, after he contracted pneumonia in June of 2009. He stuck by her side throughout their entire life together. He was her main caregiver for 13 years after her stroke. They were a great team and had many great accomplishments.
She continued a peaceful, quiet life at 201 Beaumont St. in Deer Lodge, with good care and company, until she decided on nursing care at Deer Lodge Care and Rehab. She was a very special person in many people’s lives, and I truly believe that my greatest honor and accomplishment that I will ever have achieved is being Nina Johnson’s son. 
A luncheon will be held, to celebrate her life, at 2 pm, Saturday, September 21 at Doug Johnson residence at 100 Emery Rd. in Deer Lodge, for all Nina’s family and friends.

Shirley Ann Nadeau Matosich
​Shirley Matosich  passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 24, 2019, at the age of 91 at her home on Swan Lake after a brief and blessed relatively pain-free battle with pancreatic cancer.  
Family and friends will be remembering her life and honoring her memory at a Catholic vigil (wake) at Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home 107 Oak St, Anaconda, MT 59711 at 6:30 p.m. on the evening of August 29, 2019. Viewing begins 5 pm.  A Catholic funeral mass will be held the following morning at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 401 Alder St, Anaconda, MT 59711. Viewing begins 9:30 am. Burial will follow immediately after the mass at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Anaconda.  
Shirley was born on September 14, 1927, in Butte, to Emile and Alma Nadeau, the third of their four children.  Shirley spent her early years in Butte, and after the death of her mother when Shirley was 10 years old, the family moved to Anaconda, where she attended junior high and high school.  
On April 3, 1948, she married Steve Matosich, who had recently returned from World War II and was attending the University of Montana.  The two had met years before in Anaconda while attending high school together. 
Over their 59 years of marriage, Shirley and Steve lived in Missoula, Grass Range, Lewistown, Whitefish, and Deer Lodge before retiring in 1981 to the home they built with their own hands on Swan Lake in northwest Montana.  Steve and Shirley enjoyed 26 years of retirement there together before Steve passed away in 2007.  
Steve and Shirley were blessed with seven children, two boys and five girls, one of whom died tragically shortly after birth in the hospital in Whitefish.  Shirley was an enthusiastic, devoted, and caring mother and homemaker.  She generously gave to those in need, liberally blessing others through her gift of hospitality.  She enjoyed crafts, sewing, and baking, and — in the days before the internet — traced and documented her ancestry back to 15th century France. She was active in each town and faith community in which she and Steve lived.  She was president of the Deanery and Women’s Guild in Whitefish.  She was an active civic participant, teacher’s aide, and religious education teacher in Deer Lodge, and she was a devoted neighborhood organizer on Swan Lake.  She was also very active in each Catholic parish in each community.  
One of her greatest joys was gathering her family and friends around her large dining table for a home-cooked meal, at which it was almost mandatory to discuss the issues of the day, share memories, laugh, and make new memories.  She was a devoted woman of prayer and possessed a life-long love of reading and a passionate interest in self-improvement.  She was always quick to assist others in the excitement of discovery.  Music was a daily enjoyment for Shirley.  She loved dancing with her husband, and together they could often be found on a Friday or Saturday night dancing at the Bigfork Inn in nearby Bigfork.  
Shirley loved to travel by car throughout the western United States with her husband Steve, visiting friends and family.  She and Steve were also fortunate to visit Great Britain, France, Yugoslavia, and, in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary in 1998, Italy.  
Shirley was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Stephanie, her husband, Steve, her older sisters, Rose and Eileen, and her younger brother “Junior”.  
A loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, she is survived by her four daughters, Linda Himsl, Michele Crowley, Nanice Sago, and Paula Zimmerman, by her two sons, Mike and Andrew, by 18 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.  
The family thanks the staff of Frontier Hospice for their kind support and requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Ferndale Volunteer Fire Department QRU by mail to 100 Ferndale Drive, Bigfork, MT 59911.

​Travis James Pierson
​Travis James Pierson, 43.
Travis James Pierson, born in Deer Lodge on April 20, 1976 to Gordon and Myra Pierson, passed on July 27, 2019 at the age of 43.   He leaves behind his parents, wife Amy, his son Brandon, older brother Gordon Sr., nephew Andrew, younger brother Brandt and wife Heidi, and nieces Skyla and Ilayna
Always quick to bond with people, the many friends that Travis made throughout the years he thought of as family.
He attended school in Deer Lodge and graduated in 1994, spending the years between them and now in Deer Lodge, and eventually moved to Meridian, Idaho in 2011.
Travis loved riding his motorcycle and finally got to ride it to the Oregon coast, as he had always wished to do.   Camping, hiking, duck hunting, being outdoors, and working on cars were his passions, but anything with his family and friends by his side made him fulfilled and happy.
His favorite holiday was Thanksgiving because he got to just hang around with those he loved and, most of all, got to eat good food!   And of course the pie!
He was always able to make you smile no matter what day you were having.   Always willing to stop and help, whether it was a friend or random stranger.   If you needed him, he was there.   He was known for telling the same stories over and over again, just to relive his fun memories with you.   He was an amazing man all around, who loved so many people and impacted so many lives.   He will be sadly missed and forever remembered.
Services will be Friday, August 30 at 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church.   Luncheon to follow at the Elks.   Donations can be made to donor’s choice.

​Fred Baker
​Fred Baker was a WWII baby born in Pensacola, Fla. and has been living in Deer Lodge.   He was born November 7, 1943 and died in a one vehicle rollover on August 12, 2019.   He was the son of Elvin M. Baker and Lucy Howe Baker and raised on a ranch near Drummond.   He stated that he was “ranch raised and rodeo bred.”   He was high school valedictorian and held degrees in psychology, auto mechanics, and auctioneering, but he felt his most valuable education came from “the college of hard knocks.”   He served in the U.S. Army after high school.   He held more than 100 jobs in a dozen career fields ranging from professional rodeo to roughnecking in the oil fields to social work and underground mining.
Fred is survived by his wife: Pamela Miller Baker, Hereford, Ariz.; two sisters: Donna (William) McLean, Philipsburg, and Harriet (Calvin) Mentzer, Drummond; two beautiful daughters: Kim (Sean) Jackson, Deer Lodge, and Kari Beagley, Nampa, Idaho; plus 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.   He was preceded in death by his parents, one niece, and three grandchildren.
When Fred could, he would often help people in need.   He had a kind heart and will be missed by many.

​Kathleen Anne Shea
​Kathleen Anne Shea, 67. August 2, 1952 - May 29, 2019.
Kathleen Anne Shea, 67, passed away peacefully on May 29, 2019 at Deer Lodge Medical Center in Deer Lodge.   She was born in Denver, Colo. to William and Mary Shea, being the sixth child out of 13 children.   Her remaining 12 siblings include: Jerry, Bill, Mary, Richard, Paul, Nancy, Helen, Bea, Barbara, Tom, Robert, and Jo Anne.
She was educated in primary school in Denver at St. Rose of Lima.   There are many words to celebrate her personality and talents.   The following examples were compiled by her loving siblings.   They include: compassion for the suffering, rebus puzzles - Kath’s life a puzzling player, music lover with a melodious voice, playful, a passion for nature, a cheerleader, a beautiful free spirit taken too soon, stubborn, lively and life of the party, an eager smile, pensive, love for children, family and friends.
A memorial and luncheon were held on August 2.   The memorial at Castle Rock in Northern Calif., luncheon at her sister Barbara’s house in Vacaville, Calif. All 12 siblings and some extended family gathered in love and gratitude for Kathy.   She joins her parents in our Eternal Home.

Joe Neville
Joe was born to Earl and Virginia (Davis) Neville in Roswell, N.M. on September 18, 1944. After an almost four year battle with the Big C, he passed away at his home on August 11, 2019 in Billings.
Joe had a strong work ethic, beginning when as a junior high student; he tagged along with a good friend (Doug Crichton) to Doug’s job at the East Side Dairy in Deer Lodge. After a while, the owner (Walt Hansen) started paying Joe as well ($3 a week, $5 after that)! When he was a junior in high school, he went to work for Jens Hansen at both the Rialto Theatre in Deer Lodge and the Rustic Drive-In Theater, which was located about two miles south of Deer Lodge on the east side of what is now the Interstate 90 highway.
Joe attended elementary school grades 1-3 in the one-room schoolhouse on the Warm Springs campus, where his mother was employed as an RN. He attended fourth grade in Rupert, Idaho, but the draw to Montana brought the family back to Deer Lodge where he completed his elementary and high school education, graduating from Powell County High School in 1962.
He married Dena Ahl of Elliston  in 1963, and from this union, two children, Theresa and Chuck were born. Joe and Dena later divorced.
He worked at the Montana Phosphate and Reylea Mines near Garrison in Powell County as well as at sawmills in Deer Lodge and Libby.
Joe joined the Navy in November of 1964 and served for six years. He was particularly proud of his service on the nuclear-powered carrier, USS Enterprise CVAN-65, as well as his time in Idaho Falls as an instructor at the Naval Nuclear Power Prototype site. He was discharged in November of 1970, and subsequently completed a two-year course study in Industrial Electronics from Helena Vo-Tech.
Joe and Kathy met at the home of Howard and Irene Wells of Elliston in 1971 and were married at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in East Helena on May 20, 1972.
In 1972, he went to work for Western Microwave, a division of TCI (Telecommunications Inc.), a position which afforded him the opportunity to share his talents around the world, including helping install a telephone system in Saudi Arabia, attending many historic events to facilitate uplink of TV signals to satellites, such as some of the Space Shuttle launches, the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, professional tennis tournaments, baseball games and other events. When he wasn’t globetrotting, he spent many hours in the beautiful mountains of Montana and Idaho tending to microwave sites so that we all could enjoy our favorite TV programs. He retired in 2002.
After retirement, Joe became an accomplished woodworker, and received many blue ribbons and other awards for his entries into MontanaFair. He also enjoyed his Harley, family get togethers, and movies.
Joe is survived by his wife of 47 years, Kathy, and their daughters: Tonna Neville, of Bozeman; Nikki Neville (Faron Running Crane); and Trina Weston (former son-in-law Seth Weston III) of Billings. He is also survived by his oldest daughter Theresa Lauri (Randy) of Boise, Idaho; and his son Chuck Neville of Aurora, Colo. (former daughters-in-law Angelia Zipplies of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and Becky Foster of Firestone, Colo.); nine grandchildren: Melanie Renk (Andy) of Seattle, Wash.; Megan Fox (Tim) of Boise, Idaho; Tom Lauri (Katelynn) of Boise, Idaho; CJ Neville (Joycelyn) of Highland Park, Ill.; Paul Neville (Julie) of Chesapeake, Va.; Jett Neville of Aurora, Colo.; Brayden, Ashton, and Emma Running Crane, and Olivia Weston, all of Billings; and five great-grandchildren: Josiah and Jazmaya Neville of Highland Park, Ill.; Evelyn (Evie) and Gwendolyn (Gigi)  of Chesapeake, Va.; and Tiegan Fox of Boise, Idaho.
Visitation was held at Heights Family Funeral Home at 733 W. Wicks Ln, Billings, MT 59105 on Friday, August 16, 2019 from 1 to 3 p.m. Graveside services with military honors were held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 17, 2019 At Hillcrest Cemetery in Deer Lodge.
Longtime friend, Jim Walker of Belgrade will officiate at the graveside service.
Memorials are suggested to The Rialto Theatre, PO Box 874, Deer Lodge, MT 59722 (Phone: 406-846-7900); RiverStone Health Hospice, 123 South 27th Street, Billings, MT 59101 (phone: 406-651-6555) or to Friends of Montana PBS, PO Box 173340, Bozeman, MT 59717 (Phone: 1-800-426-8243). Please indicate the donation is in memory of Joe Neville; or simply enjoy a Backroads of Montana, Doc Martin, woodworking, science, history, or nature program in his memory.
Heights Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of Mr. Neville and his family.

​Dennis Patrick McEvoy
Dennis Patrick McEvoy, passed away at his home in Anaconda  on August 3, 2019 at the age of 67.  He was born September 24, 1951 to Bruce and Marion McEvoy in Lynwood, Calif.  The family moved to Flagstaff, Ariz. in 1958 where he spent his growing up years with his four siblings.  Dennis loved scouting and became an Eagle scout.  He loved sports, particularly baseball and as a left-hander pitched in the Little League Allstars.  He graduated from Flagstaff High School in 1969.  After high school he spent four years in the United States Navy where he served as a corpsman.  He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed skiing in his younger years, hunting, fishing, camping, golfing and cooking.  Dennis was an extraordinary salesman and spent his adult life in sales.  He lived in Montana for a total of 17 years.  He attended Christ Fellowship Church in Deer Lodge where he served as an elder.  He had a deep love for Jesus Christ and for people.
Dennis is survived by his wife Norene, Norene’s three children, Rene, Shane and Gary, whom he loved dearly and six grandchildren, Cory, Sadie, Megan, Jake Josh and Anna.  He is also survived by his siblings Kathy Weldon (Danny), Greg McEvoy (Hope) and Kelly Doak (Jay), several nieces and nephews and brother-in-law Chuck Godkin (Kim).
He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Jeff, son-in-law Randy and niece Becky.
In lieu of flowers, gifts can be given to Granite County Food Pantry (12 Maxwell Rd., Philipsburg, Mt. 59858) or your favorite charity.
Services will be held Saturday, August 17, 11 a.m. at Christ Fellowship Church in Deer Lodge.

Phil Wang
Our handsome talented son Phil Wang, 39, lost his short but valiant battle with liver complications on August 9, 2019.
Phil was born in Buffalo, Wyo. on Nov. 29, 1979 to Tom and Holly (Beltz) Wang.  He attended PCHS in Deer Lodge, and completed a BA degree at the University of Washington.  For several years he was a proof-editor for an ad company “The Hacker Group”.  Residing in Burien, Wash., Phil was a member of the local chapter of ABATE, lead guitarist in the Enfold Stone band, and game designer for the company Kung Fu Pencil.  As a published author Phil loved words and enjoyed sharing his knowledge and skills with others.  For pleasure Phil made chain maille and relished assorted roleplaying games. He was an avid cook who enjoyed good food.  His greatest passion, however, was his motorcycle--2015 found him in Sturgis, S.D.  
Phil will always be remembered for his wonderful smile, generous heart and his passion for writing, music, and books.  
He is survived by his parents Tom and Holly Wang of Deer Lodge, brother Mike of Bremerton, Wash., numerous uncles, aunts, cousins and his beloved pet cat, Petra.  A celebration of life service will be held on Sept. 21, 2019 at 11 a.m. at 500 Milwaukee Ave. 1st Presbyterian Church in Deer Lodge with reception to follow.  Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Rialto Theater or Wm K. Kohrs Memorial Library, both in Deer Lodge.