December 10th, 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.

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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.

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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.