​Lucille Ingred Witt
Lucille Ingred Witt passed away at The Ivy of Deer Lodge on Oct. 17, 2021, at the age of 90.
Lucille was born on April 25, 1931, in Canton, South Dakota. The family later moved to Minnesota before finally settled in Hamilton, Montana. Lucille met the love of her life Fred Witt while working for the phone company in Missoula, Montana. They were married on Oct. 3, 1954, and shared 63 wonderful years before Fred’s passing in 2017. Fred and Lucille were blessed with three children, Carol and the twins Darrell and Duane.
For two and a half years, they all lived in Avery, Idaho, and then later moved to Deer Lodge for Fred’s work. While in Deer Lodge, Lucille worked for several years at the register’s office. Later, she and Fred owned and operated the Sears store.
Lucille loved her family very much and enjoyed cross-stitching, fishing, snowmobiling, camping and traveling. She especially loved their trips to Jackpot, Nevada. Lucille was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church in Deer Lodge.
Lucille is survived by her children Carol Abbott (Dennis), Darrell Witt (Tricia) and Duane Witt (Sandi), as well as her sister Janice Buckler (Wilber); her sister-in-law Donna Enebo; and her brothers Gene Enebo (Chris) and Harold Enebo.
She is also survived by grandchildren Heidi Abbott (Dan), Wendi Larson (Lafe), Brian Witt (Shannon), Jessica Kostoff (Lauren), Taryn Witt and Brett Witt; and great-grandchildren Dace, Corynn, Dakota, Clayton, Kyzer, Tyzen, Anders and Shelby.
Lucille was preceded in death by her husband Fred, her brother Dale and her parents.
A private graveside service will be held for the family. Donations can be made to St. John Lutheran Church, the Powell County Senior Center or a charity of your choice. Grandma Lou will be missed by all.
Please visit www.buttefuneralhome.com to offer a condolence or share a memory of Lucille.

​Lyle Robert Havens
Lyle Robert Havens, 49 of Deer Lodge, died Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021, at The Ivy at Deer Lodge. Services will be held at a later date. You may pay your condolences at www.longfellowfinneganriddle.com.

​Jim Cearley
Jim Cearley, a young 80, passed away unexpectedly Oct. 10, 2021. He was born to James and Hazel Cearley in Morton, Washington, on July 6, 1941. After the passing of his father, Hazel married Pat McGillvray and they relocated to Avon, Montana.
Jim and his sister Eleanor attended Powell County High School, where Jim met his future wife, Lois Gilbert. The two had just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Aug. 14, 2021.
Jim served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Snohomish County (LST). After his service, he returned to Montana and worked in the Luke Mine. He then worked 17 years for the Mount Powell Service station, followed by 23 years at the Montana Department of Transportation where he eventually retired as the shop superintendent in Butte, Montana.
Upon retiring, Jim and Lois moved to Seeley Lake, where they were residing at the time of his death. He was a member of the Seeley Lake Lions Club and was a chairman on the wood committee. Jim spent many hours cutting, splitting and delivery cords of wood to assist those who needed help with winter heat.
In fact, if anyone needed help, Jim was always willing and ready to give a hand in any way he could — especially for his children and grandchildren. He would receive calls from hundreds of miles away asking, “What do you think is wrong? Listen to this, Papa.” Many times, he would diagnose the problem and get them on their way.
He not only helped with vehicles but was a jack of all trades helping with many, many projects. His helping hand also extended to the Seeley Lake Senior Center, unloading trucks, assisting with the annual bazaar, hunters’ breakfast and any other projects that came along. Jim loved the outdoors whether he was boating, fishing, skiing (in his younger days), snowmobiling or, most recently, his new hobby of four wheeling in his tracker.
Jim is survived by his wife Lois; daughters Joni Pauly (Ed), Lindi Ryan (Joe), Eileen Asbury (Rob) and Patti Bignell (Joe); and son Jim Cearley, III (Nancy). He is also survived by his grandchildren Michael Cearley (Brandy), Angelena Pauly, Christopher Pauly (Olivia), Erin Ryan, Patrick Ryan (Sarah), Jessica Versaw (Ryan), Julie Asbury, Parker Bignell (Donica), Nate Bignell, Maclane Bignell, Frankie Bignell, Brannon Cearley and Colin Cearley; his four great-grandchildren Ada Versaw, Anika and Laken Bignell and Brooks Ryan; his sister Eleanor Price (Jack); brothers John McGillvray (Debra), Tom McGillvray (Margaret) and Dan McGillvray (Aileen); as well as many aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends. Jim was extremely close to his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
He was preceded in death by his granddaughter Taylor Cearley; parents Jim Cearley, Sr., Pat and Hazel McGillvray; and parents-in-law Clifford and Marie Gilbert.
Services will be held Oct. 23 at 2 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Deer Lodge. Interment at the Hillcrest Cemetery will be followed by a reception at the Deer Lodge Elks hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Seeley Lake Lions Club (P.O. Box 215, Seeley Lake, Montana, 59868), the Helmville Quick Response Unit, or donor’s choice.

Renée Lynn Knievel-Slaughter
On Sept. 26, our beloved Renée passed peacefully in the morning surrounded by the love of her family.
Renée was born in Richmond, California, on May 29, 1951. In 1957, she moved to Butte with her parents and sisters to be closer to her grandparents and brothers.
She led an active life growing up, including being nominated as president of her class, serving as editor of the Butte High School Mountaineer and being a member of the singing group Top 16, which performed at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C.
After moving to Bozeman, Renée met her husband, former Gallatin County Sheriff and Head of Corrections for the State of Montana, Bill Slaughter, and had her son, Cascade County Sheriff Jesse Slaughter.
Renée excelled at so many things professionally — being a small business owner and entrepreneur (opened two restaurants, a gift shop and a salon), radio sales, waiting tables and bartending. She had a passion for the service industry — cooking, baking, and making everyone feel welcome.
Renée was a treasured wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She was determined, hard-working and had a vivacious laugh, along with an extremely generous heart and spirit. Her home was always open to family, friends or someone with nowhere to go. She adored time with her family — reminiscing and laughing; taking care of their pets; and their ranch in Hall, Montana.
She will be greatly missed by her husband Bill; her son Jesse; daughter-in-law Christie; her grandchildren Jacob, Annie and Sammie Jo; her mother Jeanne Knievel; her sisters Kristy Knievel-Lawrence (married to Hugh Lawrence) and Robin Knievel-Dick (married to John Dick); her sisters-in-law Rusty Knievel, Linda Knievel and Jo Lee Scheidecker (married to Gary Scheidecker); her nieces and nephews; all the members of her extended family; and friends.
Renée was predeceased by her grandparents Roy and Clara Buis, Alice Buis, and Ignatius and Emma Knievel; her father Robert Knievel; her in-laws Glen and Jo Slaughter; and her brothers Robert and Nick Knievel.
A family celebration of her life will be held Sunday, Oct. 17.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to the following charities may be made in her memory: Granite County Spay/Neuter Project (contact Audrey Zahn at (406) 559-7501); or Toby’s House Crisis Nursery at 421 5th Street N, Great Falls, MT 59403 and (406) 770-3191.

Emma Pauline Benson
Emma Pauline Benson was born July 2, 1937, in Missoula, Montana, to Sam and Ella Bignell. She died at home on Sept. 29, 2021, surrounded by family and friends.
Pauline graduated from Powell County High School in Deer Lodge in 1955. She stayed in Deer Lodge while attending high school, returning home to Helmville on the weekends — quite an adventure for a gal from a small town. She was FFA Queen in 1955.
After high school, Pauline attended business college for a year in Missoula and she worked for Vocational Rehabilitation in Helena.
On Sept. 20, 1958, she married Bruce Benson at St. Thomas Catholic church in Helmville. Pauline met Bruce while roller skating in Ovando with her older brother Sam. 
In 1960, Pauline started a Birthday Club in Avon, which is still going today. 
Pauline was known for raking hay with a team of horses. She did this for many years while raising her girls, and she also cooked for the hay crew.
Pauline had many interests: From being a good shot with a .22, taking care of her share of the gopher and woodchuck population, to playing pinochle with the ladies. She enjoyed traveling: taking a pilgrimage and seeing seven countries, a cruise on the Columbia River, and to the San Juan Islands. She also enjoyed celebrating holidays, often hosting get-togethers with family and friends. 
She was a devoted member of the St. Theodore Catholic church in Avon. Pauline had a wonderful sense of humor. 
Pauline is survived by her husband of 63 years, Bruce Benson, as well as her daughters Ev Benson and Val Benson of Avon; grandchildren Sarah Parks, Laurel, Beth (Noah) Carpenter and Leigh Parks (Kevin Boucher fiancée) of Billings; sisters-in-law Lou (Bignell) Tavenner, Avon and Eva Browning of Great Falls; and Georgia Bignell of Helmville. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and many good friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers Sam and Gerald Bignell; her sister and brother-in-law Betty Lou and Gerald Fleming; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Fred and Dot Benson, Cliff and Doris Benson, and Betty and Jim Monroe; and brother-in-law Telford Browning.
The family would like to thank the Avon Ambulance QRU for their repeated care and support of Pauline these past few months. Memorials may be sent to Avon Ambulance QRU or the Avon Cemetery Association.
A viewing is set for 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Deer Lodge, followed by a funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at the church. Burial will be held at the Avon Cemetery followed by a reception at the Avon Clubhouse.
Pall bearers are Tim Quinn, Sean Logan, Bruce Kleinschmidt, Leo Fleming, Jerry Fleming and Larry Fleming. Honorary pall bearers are Jim Quigley, Jeff Janke, and Dan and Josh Senecal. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Pauline. 

​Loy Marie Hart
Loy Marie Hart, age 78, of Deer Lodge, Montana passed away on Sept. 24, 2021, at home in the comfort of her loving husband. She is now with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She died from complications of Huntington’s disease.
Loy was born on Aug. 5, 1943, in Boise, Idaho, to Lloyd and Vera (Hack) McClanahan. Her parents were of Cut Bank, Montana, and this is where Loy spent much of her life. Loy graduated from Cut Bank High School where she was a varsity cheer leader. She went on to graduate from Kinman Business College in Spokane, Washington. She started her career as a dental assistant and then progressed to dental office manager for several dentists in Montana and Idaho. She spent the last 20 years of her professional career as a supervisor at the DMV in Deer Lodge.
Loy had two children, Wade and Wendy, from her first marriage. When she was in her early 40s, she reconnected with an old friend, Larry Hart, and they were married within four months.
Her favorite pastimes included snowmobiles, motorcycles, hot rods and corvettes. She even rode her own Harleys. Loy was a member of the Frontier Bible of Gold Creek. She enjoyed these pastimes with Larry by her side. 
Loy is preceded in death by her parents and a baby sibling. She is survived by her loving husband, Larry; her children Wade Berkram and Wendy Woolstenhulme; Larry’s daughter Heather Lansky; several grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a twin sister, two more sisters and several nieces and nephews.
No services are planned. She will be laid to rest in Cut Bank at Crown Hill Cemetery at a later date. Please visit www.buttefuneralhome.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Loy.