December 05th, 2018

​David Gazzara
David Gazzara, 63, of Hamilton, passed away peacefully at his home on November 17, 2018.  He was born David Anthony Gazzara to Joseph and Shirley Archey Gazzara on September 10, 1955 in Roaring Spring, Pa.  
David was raised in Claysburg, Pa. where he received his education. Later in David’s life he became very interested in taxidermy and attended a taxidermy school.  He became quite the artist and won many awards for his taxidermy work.
David will be remembered for his love of his family and the gentle nature that he carried.  He will also be remembered for his sense of humor.  He loved the outdoors and was a lifetime member of Trout Unlimited.  David loved fly fishing and hunting where he was proud of the many trophies he had collected.  He was also a big Penn State football fan. 
David is survived by his wife Kathleen, son Nickolas (Molly) Gazzara and his brother William Gazzara.  He is preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Shirley Gazzara.
At David’s request, no formal services will be held.  Please express your condolences with the family by visiting www.dalyleachchapel.com under the obituary section. 

​Wallace Leroy (Wally) Atkinson
Wallace Leroy (Wally) Atkinson,91, passed away Monday November 26, 2018 surrounded by his loving family. 
He was born May 8, 1927 in Belt, to Wallace Stewart Atkinson and Wonita Munden Atkinson. Wally was raised in Deer Lodge until the age of 12 when the family moved to Shelby. He was an athlete at Shelby High School quarterbacking the football team, playing point guard for the basketball team and setting a Montana state high jump record in 1945. He graduated from Shelby High School in 1945. 
His summers were spent with his grandmother Clara Munden in Deer Lodge where he worked for the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific railroad fixing track. The workers were called “gandy dancers.” 
He met Jeanette Rainville in Deer Lodge in 1943. He teasingly asked her to go to “The Gandy Dancers ball.” But being from a railroad family, Jeanette knew there was no such thing. However, they continued to date and were together from that time on. 
In 1945 Wally enlisted in the Navy and was honorably discharged in 1949. He married Jeanette Rainville May 7, 1950, residing in Deer Lodge until 2013 when they moved to Hamilton. Together they had five children. 
He taught his kids to love sports, outdoor activities and especially reading. He always said you can do anything if you can read about it. He was proof of that. He taught himself all the skills he would need and together with Jeanette he built his own house, doing all the carpentry, plumbing, electrical work and everything else to make a fabulous home for his family. Wally and Jeanette purchased 80 acres in the Sapphire mountains so their descendants could always own a piece of Montana. They of course built a cabin where the family spent many happy hours. 
Wally worked for the railroad and as a truck driver, a correctional officer reaching the rank of lieutenant and as a certified watch maker, (another skill he taught himself.) After retiring, not content to be idle, he started driving school bus and soon became a maintenance man for the school. He and Jeanette also had a lawn service with 30 clients which they operated until they were in their 80s. 
Wally was active in the Catholic church. Together with Jeanette and their friends Pat and Charlotte Healy, they started serving breakfast in the parish center after Sunday mass with proceeds going to the church. They hosted a free Thanksgiving dinner for anyone who wanted to come and provided a family atmosphere for many people. They served 250 to 300 meals and also sent out 70 boxed dinners. The dinner tradition started in 1984 and continued for many years. 
Wally is survived by his wife of 68 years Jeanette and sister Rena Hyvonen. Children Carol Andersen (Kris Anderson), Cheryl Terry (Golden), Cleo Klepzig (Casey), Tim Atkinson (Morgan Taylor) and Janet Wimmer (Tom), 14 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by nieces Julia Marples (Chuck), Linda Bookout and nephew Ronald Hyvonen and their families. 
“Well done Wally, a life well lived.” Funeral services will be announced at a later time with interment at Hillcrest Cemetery in Deer Lodge. 

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​Ronald Lee “CORK” Jennings
Ronald Lee “CORK” Jennings, 76, died peacefully on November 19, 2018 in Tualatin, Ore., his home for 38 years.
Cork was born in Deer Lodge to Ayres and Edna Jennings. He graduated from Powell County High School and later married Linda Gilbert in Deer Lodge in 1977.
He is survived by wife Linda, daughter Jennifer, son Russell and his family, wife Jen and children Courtney, Hailey, Ashley, Hayden and Teagan. He is also survived by his brother, Russell, who lives in Arizona, numerous, nieces, and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Hap and Ayres, Jr.
Cork worked for the Milwaukee Railroad in Deer Lodge for many years before moving to Denver, Colo. with the US Government as a track inspector. He then moved to Oregon to work for Railco and later began his career as a Maintenance of Way Manager for TriMet Light Rail System. He loved the railroad!
A funeral was celebrated on November 30 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Oregon. A graveside celebration will take place later in Deer Lodge. 

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