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George Webster Evans George Webster Evans passed away peacefully on December 18, 2014 in Missoula, at the age of 88 years. He was surrounded by members of his family. George was born to Hilda Jacobson Evans and Daniel Webster Evans in Deer Lodge, on March 1, 1926, and was raised on the family ranch at Racetrack. He attended high school in Deer Lodge. He married Carmelita Hagen in Anaconda and they had a long life together. They traveled many places. Hawaii was their favorite and they went there several times. He worked on the Milwaukee Railroad as a fireman and was on the Deer Lodge police force. His pride and joy was his restaurant & cocktail lounge he had in the Ballard area of Seattle, Wash., “Hattie’s Hat” which he named after his mother-in law. After over 40 years, the iconic “Hattie’s Hat” is still as popular as ever. George and his wife Carmy lived in Seattle for many years, and when they decided to retire they moved back to Deer Lodge. George liked working with his horses at the ranch when he was younger, so when he returned to Deer Lodge he helped his brother, Robert in the summers cutting the hay. The last three years George lived at the Grizzly Peaks Retirement Home in Missoula. He made many friends there. George is survived by nieces, Diane Enger, Sheri Sonn (Tom), Joyce Ask (Kjartan), Laurie McGee, Linda Quilling, nephews Joe Johnston (Judy), Ben Goldie (Wanda), Gary Enger (Julie), David Enger (Goldie), Elmer McGee, many grand nieces and nephews, friend Mary Riley, and his best friend and companion, his cat “Stubby”. George was preceded in death by his father Daniel Webster Evans, mother Hilda Jacobson Evans, wife Carmelita Hagen Evans, sisters Julia Goldie, Ruth MacCalman, Elizabeth Johnston, brothers Robert Evans, Orren Evans and Joseph Evans. A celebration of George’s life will be held at Jewell Funeral Home in Deer Lodge on December 29, 2014 at 11 a.m. Memorial Contributions may be given to Rocky Mountain Hospice, Missoula or the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, Spokane, Wash.  Eugene Stanley Corley
Montana State Prison inmate Eugene Stanley Corley DOC ID: 2125297 died on Tuesday, December 16, 2014, from an extended illness. Inmate Corley was sentenced out of Lewis and Clark County for the Offense of DUI –Excess Alcohol concurrent – 4th or subsequent Offense. His discharge date was 3-24-2015 with probation to follow. Eugene Corley was born 8-21-40 and was 74 years of age. Harold Walter Ericson Harold Walter Ericson, 86, of Richland, Wash., passed away December 8, 2014. Harold was born in Butte, on June 5, 1928, the only child of Walter and Jean (Collins) Ericson. He grew up in Bozeman and graduated from Bozeman High School and University of Montana. Harold served in the U.S. Army as a decoder toward the last part of World War II and after his discharge from the Army met and married Linda Lindquist. They had three children and divorced later in life. Harold taught high school English and was the librarian for several schools around Montana and in 1968, the family moved to Deer Lodge. He taught at Powell County High School and in 1972 bought the Credit Bureau, a business he owned and operated for over 40 years. He also was a real estate broker and sold real estate in the Deer Lodge area for many years. He moved to Richland, Wash. in 2004, and was a home health caregiver for clients sometimes much younger than himself. Harold was an avid tennis player and played pool on the Deer Lodge and Butte Pool leagues for years. He prided himself in giving blood to the American Red Cross. He was honored in 2012 as a Red Cross Real Hero for the many pints of blood he donated. He was a member of the American Legion, Rotary Club, Moose Lodge, and served on the Deer Lodge City Council. His favorite place to eat lunch was at Deer Lodge Senior Citizens. Harold was preceded in death by his beloved son and friend Eric Ericson who died in 2011. Harold is survived by his daughters: Margo Ericson of Clarkston, WA, Valorie (Doug) Smith of Deer Lodge, grandchildren: Adrian Ericson of Glen Rose, Tex., Courtni (Eric) Hart of Anaconda, great-grandchildren: Emmalyn Hart and Alayna Hart and good friends: Jamie Ault of Richland, Wash. and Sue Morris of Richland, Wash. Mueller’s Tri-Cities Funeral Home is entrusted with Harold’s funeral arrangements and a graveside ceremony was Thursday, December 11, 2014, 11 a.m., at Desert Lawn Memorial Park, 1401 S. Union Street, Kennewick. The family invites you to sign their online tribute wall at www.muellersfuneralhomes.com.  Kenneth Charles Aiello Montana State Prison inmate Kenneth Charles Aiello #2047394 died on Monday, December 9, 2014 at approximately 7:02 p.m. from an extended illness. Inmate was sentenced out of Ravalli County for the crimes of Incest, Sexual Intercourse without Consent and Sexual Assault. He received a life sentence with no chance of parole. Inmate Aiello was received at Montana State Prison in June of 2003. He was born 6-11-1947 (67 years of age).  William Bergin
Montana State Prison inmate William Bergin #32407 died on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at approximately 8:25 p.m. Inmate Bergin was 72 years of age. He was sentenced out of Yellowstone and Cascade counties beginning in April 1992. Inmate Bergin died of natural causes. He was eligible for discharge on 12-14-2014.  Donald F. (Fred) Johnson Donald F. (Fred) Johnson passed away on December 4, 2014. He was born June 6, 1922 the eldest of four children of Helmar and Clara Johnson. He was a long term resident of Deer Lodge starting out as a farmer and later going into business for himself and being a carpenter for most of his life. He served in WW2 with the 66th Airborne Squadron, enlisting October 15, 1942 and was honorably discharged November 2, 1945. He married Rolande Culevette July 25, 1945 in France and they were divorced in 1977. He met Gail Miller at a dance and they danced the rest of their lives together after marrying on September 19, 1992. Don is survived by his wife Gail Johnson of the family home, his son Russell Johnson of Arkansas, stepdaughter Cindy Fisher, stepson Denis Brandon, four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and a future great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Lois Stefello and Lilly Johnson, his brother William Johnson, both sons Gerald and Phillip Johnson, and grandson Lance Fisher. A memorial service was planned for December 9, 2014 at the First Presbyterian Church in Deer Lodge, at 11 a.m. with a luncheon served afterwards. If desired, memorials can be made to either the church or the Elks Lodge.  Robert “Bob” Joseph Rainville Robert “Bob” Joseph Rainville passed away peacefully in his sleep Sunday, November 30, 2014 at the age of 89 years old. Bob was born to Hector Eugene and Margaret (Sestrich) Rainville in Deer Lodge, on June 22, 1925 and subsequently raised there. He married Betty Shepherd (deceased) in 1957, they later divorced. They had two children. In 1985 he married Arlou Trisko and accepted her family as his own, as she did his. During WWII Bob joined the US Navy at age 17 and attended training at Farragut Naval Training Station in Idaho before his assignment. He was a decorated Radarman aboard the aircraft carrier USS Marcus Island from her launch in Washington State serving in the South Pacific until the end of the war. His military service awards included the Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal, American Area Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and the Philippine Liberation Medal. Upon his discharge from the Navy he used his GI Bill to attend Watch Makers School. Prior to his first marriage Bob was a member of the Elks Lodge where he served as the Grand Exalted Ruler in Deer Lodge. Bob then worked in jewelry stores in Deer Lodge, Anaconda and Bozeman before settling in Conrad. He was the jeweler at Pondera Drug and Jewelers until the mid 1970s when he went to work as a boiler operator at the Pondera County Courthouse (Conrad) where he remained until his retirement. During his time in Conrad, he was a member of the American Legion, Conrad Chapter, for many years. Bob and Arlou moved to Helena in 2008 to be closer to family and VA medical facilities. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and golf with his children and friends. He also served an officer of the Pondera Golf Club. Bob took great pride in caring for his gardens and yards. He enjoyed wood working and completing larger projects. Bob was a fan of John Wayne and western movies and books along with enjoying word puzzles and picture puzzles. He was always up for a dare or good joke. He is survived by his wife Arlou and his children Guy (C.J. Lassila) Rainville and Gail (Jay) Mullennax. He is also survived by his siblings, Cleo Seaman, Jeanette (Wally) Atkinson, Tom “Pal” (Davis) Rainville, and George “Blondie” Rainville. He was fortunate enough to have three grandchildren: Kathryn Rainville, Alexandra “Lexie” Edwards and Ryan Rainville. He had five great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews that will miss him. Additionally, Bob is survived by three step-daughters: Sharon (Rod) Hallsten, Donna (Joe) Arrotta, and Linda Walker, as well as their children and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and many close friends including Jack Baumann, brother-in-law George Cody, sister-in-law Marge Rainville, brother-in-law Dean Johnson, Jay Castle, Hank Aline, John Leys and other friends. Arrangements are pending with Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home and a memorial service and interment, with full military honors, at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery of Fort Harrison in Helena will be held in late spring. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Bob. Wynona Mae “Wynne” Geary
April 4, 1928 – November 29, 2014. Wynona Mae “Wynne” Geary, 86, of Helmville, died peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014, in Billings. She was born April 4, 1928, in Sioux City, Iowa, the oldest daughter of Dale Carroll and Mary Alice (McGee) McColley. She grew up with one brother, Ted, and one sister, Joan. Wynne’s high school annual stated she had a “sweet personality full of rascality.” She was also an adventurer: following graduation in Sioux City, she and a friend took off for sunny California, where Wynne met her first husband, John K. Kerr. They were married 23 years and had six children. Through the years she sold real estate in California, owned a resort in Minnesota, and finally, a bowling alley in North Dakota, where she met Daniel Geary, a rancher. They married on Dec. 28, 1978, in Helmville, and lived there together until his death last year on Sept. 15, 2013. Wynne was an avid and very talented painter who won several awards for her art over the years. She also enjoyed music, reading, checking out garage sales and being a member of the Red Hat Society. Wynne was a wonderful wife, sister, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She is survived by her sister, Joan Gustavson of Sioux City; children: Steve (Nancy) Kerr of Billings, Mary (David) Abbott of Billings, Peggy (Dave) Sheets of Deer Lodge, and Julie Redfern of Billings; daughter-in-law Ann Kerr of Mesa, Ariz.; 19 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild; sisters-in-law: Patricia Geary and Maureen Geary; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother; son and daughter-in-law John D. and Monica Kerr; son Kelly Kerr; and two grandsons. Funeral services were held Saturday, Dec. 6, at 1 p.m. at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Helmville, with burial at the Helmville Catholic Cemetery. A reception followed at the Helmville Community Center. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her name to the Helmville Community Scholarship, P.O. Box 88, Helmville, MT 59843. Cremation & Funeral Gallery of Billings is handling funeral arrangements. Wynne was witty, kind and loved by many.  Bill Ohrmann Bill Ohrmann once wrote in a letter to a friend, “I will be pretty well satisfied if the spirits of my faithful dogs will remember me.” Without speaking for those creatures, it’s certain that Bill’s humor, creativity, energy and kindness will be remembered by the humans who were fortunate enough to know him. William Robert Ohrmann was born January 2, 1919, in a farmhouse outside Philipsburg. Soon after, his parents, August and Flora, moved the family to Ovando, where Bill’s first memories formed: Nights by kerosene lamp light, entertaining himself with toys his father carved out of wood from apple boxes; days of school and labor on the ranches his parents leased. In 1933, the family purchased a ranch two miles south of Drummond, where Bill lived the rest of his life. His parents died of separate illnesses in 1938, leaving Bill in charge of the ranch. During World War II he served in the Army Air Corps, primarily stationed in Northern Australia and Port Moresby in New Guinea. In 1944, Bill met Phyllis Sliter, a schoolteacher from Minnesota. The two married in 1948 and settled back into life on the ranch, where they raised three children, Susan, Jane and John, and ran registered black Angus cattle until Bill “retired” in 1996. All along, Bill quietly explored his creativity, producing hundreds of woodcarvings, bronze sculptures and other three-dimensional works. After he stopped ranching, Bill immersed himself in painting, ultimately producing more than 250 canvases that explored his deep-seated beliefs about justice and spirituality, his views on history and his visions of the future, and his impassioned concern for the plight of oppressed creatures and cultures of the earth. He drew inspiration from poetry by his friend, John Haines, and other great thinkers of history, from Buddha to Blake, Thoreau to Twain. In 1999, 40 of Bill’s paintings were celebrated in a touring exhibition organized by the Missoula Art Museum. Since then, his life and work have been honored in a documentary film, “Be Thou Always As a Guest,” by Shawn O’Brien; a coffee table art book, “Tainted Revelations,” by Joe Ashbrook Nickell; and many newspaper and magazine articles. Bill’s gallery and museum at his home on Highway 1 south of Drummond — recognizable by the menagerie of welded steel animal sculptures in the yard and the “Usually Open” sign on the barn — remains a popular stop for locals and visitors alike. Bill passed away on November 19. He is preceded in death by his parents; his three sisters, Jerry Hollar, Anita Shawen and Marjorie Benander; his daughter Jane Hultman; and dozens of beloved dogs, cats, horses, and Molly the mule deer. He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Phyllis; daughter Susan (Randy) Peterson of Drummond; son John and his partner, Myrlin Rasmussen, of Drummond; grandchildren Callie (Peter) Klempay of Stafford, Va., and Ty Hultman of Philipsburg; and great-grandchildren Joey Klempay, Reagan Klempay, Haylee Hultman and Hanna Hultman. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation in Bill’s name to Five Valleys Land Trust (P.O. Box 8953, Missoula 59807; [email protected]) or Footloose Montana (P.O. Box 8884 Missoula 59807; [email protected]) or a charity of the donor’s choice. No funeral will be held; instead, the family suggests sitting by a quiet stream or having a conversation with friends in Bill’s honor. You could talk about wild places, your favorite art or a good dog you once knew. Bill would like that.  Michael William Denty Michael William Denty, born October 22, 1941 in Deer Lodge, died in his winter home in Palm Desert, Calif. on November 22, 2014 with his partner, Suzanne Lintz Ives and family bedside. He managed Chronic Lymphatic Leukemia for 20 years which was later severely complicated by an acute bone marrow mutation. He was hospitalized for several months following a broken hip. A 1959 graduate of Powell County High School in Deer Lodge, Mike went on to join the National Guard. He attended Montana State University and entered a Lafayette Oregon Trappist monastery where he was a monk for two years. He received his BS in philosophy at The University of San Francisco in 1970 and achieved a PhD from Notre Dame in 1975 where he also served as a teaching and graduate assistant. Mike was a Professor of Philosophy Emeritus at a small church-related liberal arts college, Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Mich. from 1976 to 2003. He was most proud of his achievement in creating and implementing a three-year program of cultural immersion at the De La Salle Blackfeet School in Browning, where Aquinas students spent a fall semester with the native Blackfeet tribe. Admired by his brother Blackfeet, they named him “oohkotok,” or rock because of his fascination with the earth and his stable nature. He was a member of Medical Ethics Committee at Spectrum Health Grand Rapids from 1992 to 2002, and since the early 70s, he was a member of the Sierra Club, promoting protection of the wilderness, protecting nuclear power, disputing and arguing with mining, logging and other special interests who polluted water and land. He favored forest growth protection and animal management. Post doctoral studies included years of involvement in the Institute for Deep Ecology. Mike and his wife, Charlotte, raised two sons, Sean and Devin, while Mike built his first house in Michigan. He retired to his native Montana where he acquired land and built his second home near Philipsburg. Mike was a Renaissance Man, a devout questioner of all things; a book collector; wood worker, furniture builder and carver; fly fisherman; Irish dancer; arms trained specialist; historian; explorer; philosopher; loyal friend and exemplary family man. He is survived by his love partner, Suzanne Lintz Ives of Deer Lodge and Palm Desert; the mother of his sons, Charlotte Stewart; Sean and his son, Gabriel; Devin, his wife, Darla, and sons, Evander and Logan. His only surviving brother, Tim and wife Francine and their family make their home in Deer Lodge. Mike also leaves many relatives in the West and East and devoted and loyal friends. A memorial service will be held at the end of July in Deer Lodge culminating with his final wish, that his ashes be spread on the Continental Divide of the United States. Jenni Dawson Jenni Dawson passed away Sunday November 23, 2014 at the Deer Lodge Care and Rehab formally known as Colonial Manor. Jenni was born to Warren and Beverly Weer in Williston, N. D. on September 24, 1954. The family later moved to Deer Lodge where Jenni graduated from Powell County High School in 1972. She later graduated from Warm Springs State Hospital School of Practical Nursing in 1976 acquiring her LPN license. Jenni worked as an LPN at the Colonial Manor for 18 years. On August 12, 1977 Jenni married Clintt Dawson and together they had two children, Beverly (Dawson) Masters and Robert Dawson. Jenni loved to read, whatever she could get her hands on she would be seen with a book in hand and a glass of ice to chomp on. She enjoyed playing cards; cribbage was her game giving up points just to have points to peg with. She loved to take care of her residents, Christmas was her favorite time for everyone she took care of, and loved to play Secret Santa. She treasured her time with her grandchildren, Chayne Masters and Channen Masters. You could walk in on her and Chayne having a intense conversation if they won the lottery what would they do and how the money would be broken down for taxes and so on. You could walk in she and Channen would be sitting drawing pictures, talking up a storm about anything and everything. She was preceded in death by her father Warren Weer, mother-in-law Jean Dawson and sister–in-law Margaret Dawson. Jenni is survived by her husband Clintt Dawson, daughter Beverly Masters and son Robert Dawson all of Deer Lodge. Mother Beverly Weer and sisters Linda Weer and Sharlene (Greg) Muller. Two grandchildren Chayne and Channen Masters and countless aunts, uncles and cousins. Per Jenni’s request there will be no services. Michael James McWright Michael passed away on November 27 after a brief illness. He was born on July 5, 1950 in Mandan, N. D. to parents Frank and Catherine McWright. Growing up he attended numerous schools and in 1968 graduated from Arvada High in Colorado. In 1969 he would move to Key West, Fla. and join the United States Navy. He served his country for four years serving on the USS Kretchmer. In 1973 he started his career in the National Park Service which would last over 32 years. He started his service in the NPS in the Denver regional office for two years before settling down in Deer Lodge where he devoted over 30 years restoring, rebuilding, and creating the National park known as Grant-Kohrs Ranch. As Facility Manager, he over saw every aspect of Grant-Kohrs. He loved the work and the people he worked with. In 1990 he married his best friend and the love of his life Suzy. Together they bought an old school house spending years working together to make it the home of their dreams. To complete that dream in 1992 they added a son Dylan. In 2005 Michael would retire from the NPS to finalize his dream of building a wood working shop. As a master Woodworker and carver in his own right he built all the homes furniture as well as restoring the home with his wife. Michael was a loving father and husband regaling his family with dinner theater as well as endless jokes and pranks. He loved his animals, opening his home to dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, fish and turtles and would frequently watch as deer, rabbits, and birds enjoyed the yard. Michael loved to laugh and make others laugh and he will be missed by all who knew him. Mike leaves behind his wife Suzy, his son Dylan, his sisters Kathy Barton McWright of Colorado and Pat (Ed) Burggraf of Washington; inlaws Tony Bosch, Marty Bosch (Kim), Dale Bosch (Lori) and Sherry Gloven (Stan) as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Kay, sister Nancy and inlaws Molly and Jerry. The Memorial Service will be held at Jewell Funeral home on Thursday, December 4 at 11 a.m.  Rory Johns
Montana State Prison officials are investigating the death of a state prison inmate Monday evening. Inmate Rory Johns #16912 was found in his cell unresponsive in a high security housing unit at approximately 7:30 p.m. Prison medical staff was immediately dispatched to the unit, but Johns was unresponsive. He was transported to Deer Lodge Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead. The incident is under investigation and an autopsy will be performed by the state medical examiner. No foul play was suspected. Rory Johns was born 8/1/1957, he was 57 years old. |
