February 11th, 2015

Elmer E. Funk
Elmer E. Funk, a long-time resident of Deer Lodge, passed away in the comfort of his home on Tuesday, January 20.  A family memorial and interment will take place at a later date in the veterans section at Hillcrest Cemetery, Deer Lodge.  
Elmer was born in Montevallo, Miss. on October 4, 1923.  His family relocated to Wyoming where he completed eighth grade, before he had to drop out to help on the family farm. Elmer married his sweetheart, Gloria Chapman, in Billings, just five days before he left to serve with the Army during WWII from 1944-1946.  Elmer trained at Camp Callen, Calif., as an anti-aircraft gunner.  He was stationed in England and converted to an infantryman in the infantry division of “The Big Red One” in preparation for D Day.  Elmer landed in Normandy and walked through France and Belgium to Germany.  As a part of his service, Elmer was chosen as a member of the Honor Guard for General Patton’s funeral and served as a courier at the Nuremburg Trials until his return stateside and final discharge. Military honors included Combat Infantry Badge, European Theater Service, Meritorious Unit Citation, and the Cross of Lorraine.
Throughout his lifetime, Elmer was a hardworking family man.  The list of his employment included working on farms, in oil fields, truck driving, mining, and laboring at local phosphate plants.  An industrial accident in 1968 provided Elmer with the opportunity to fulfill his life-long dream of earning his High School Equivalency.  Always a firm believer in education, he continued studying during his recuperation, receiving a certification in drafting from MT Tech.  Upon his recovery, Elmer began a new career as a correctional officer at Montana State Prison.  He retired from his Sergeant’s position in 1988.
Elmer was an active and patriotic community member.  Among the many projects for which Elmer happily volunteered were the building of the Senior Citizen building, installing the Veterans’ Memorial at the Powell County Courthouse, attending every military funeral as a member of the Honor Guard, performing duties as a Commander of American Legion Post #10, speaking at area schools on flag etiquette, and grilling burgers for the Deer Lodge Wranglers Legion baseball games.
Dad liked to ice skate and roller skate.  In his later years, snowmobiling became a favorite pastime.  He loved to build, care for his yard, and play with his kids and grandkids.
Elmer is survived by his wife of 70 years, Gloria, son Terrance Funk and his wife Jean of Billings, daughter Gloria Jean Albers of Soda Springs, Idaho, sister-in-law Georgetta Flyr of Casper, Wyo., grandchildren Kristie, Jennifer, and Shannon, and six precious great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Esther Funk, brother Eugene, sisters Maxine Weiser and Lois Jennings.
In his youth, Elmer had dreamed of becoming a pilot. Dad, you finally have your wings.
The family wishes to thank the staffs at Frontier Home Health and Hospice, the Powell County Sheriff’s Department and Deer Lodge City Police, the Powell County Council on Aging, and the Deer Lodge Medical Center for their dedicated care, compassion and assistance to Elmer and Gloria.  We would also like to thank Joe and Kim Lombardi, Jim and Roni Wangerin, Dodie Rennfield, and all our wonderful neighbors and friends for their loving kindness and support throughout Elmer’s time of need. 
Memorials, if desired, may be sent to Friends of Hospice, 1940 Dewey Blvd, Butte, MT 59701 or American Legion Post #10, 744 Conestoga Lane, Deer Lodge, MT 59722.

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Lance Newman
Lance Newman, age 54, of Elliston died from a snowmobile accident Saturday morning February 7, 2015. 
Lance Michael Newman was born on March 6, 1960, in Helena to Dan Newman and Deanna Mack Newman.  In 1978 he graduated from Capital High School.  
In 1979 he served as assistant pro at Green Meadow Golf Club under Ron Mendicino where he worked to establish a Junior Golf League.  The following year he began an apprenticeship with the PGA under Mike Stoltz, while teaching beginning golf at Carroll College.  Continuing his work with the PGA he was transferred to the Great Falls Country Club.  During the winter months he gained several certificates in sports marketing, golf course management and golf course business administration.  In 1983, Lance worked as an assistant pro in Seattle, Wash. and a short time later, Lance went to Red Bluff, Calif. to further his career in the PGA.  Upon his certification as a Class A teaching pro with the PGA, he began as a club professional in Carmel, Calif., at the 36 hold Rancho Granada course located along the famous “17-mile” drive.  With a desire to return to Montana, lance was hired as the first pro at the Fox Ridge Golf Course in Helena.  After a 10 year career with the PGA, Lance retired from professional golf, although until his passing it remained one of his favorite pastimes.
Later he followed his family’s footsteps joining the Montana labor movement where he served as a field coordinator for the Montana State AFL-CIO’s dislocated worker program in Glasgow, Great Falls, Missoula and Butte.  Lance was an active member of Local 1686 Laborers International Union.  In the last years of Lance’s life, he worked on various pipeline and public works projects throughout the state.  He held his union brothers and sisters in the highest regard and gave the cause of the labor movement one of his utmost respect and loyalty.  
Lance enjoyed hunting, fishing and played golf any chance he got.  His happiest times were outdoors on skis, riding a snowmobile or working on a cabin built on his family’s mining claim south of Elliston. He also treasured a very special relationship with his mother, Deanna. Her happiness and wellbeing were always at the forefront of his thoughts.  Lance spent his last night at this place where he found his greatest peace and happiness under a full moon with his closest friends doing what he loved:  riding a snowmobile as fast as the engine would allow and getting one last great chance to push the envelope.  
Lance is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents John and Andre Mack, Butte, and paternal grandparents Dave and Elve Newman, Elliston.
Lance is survived by his mother, Deanna Andre Mack, of Helena, father, Dan Newman (Lisa) of Elliston, brothers Brad Newman (Darla) and River Newman of Butte and sister  Dava Newman (Gui Trotti) of Cambridge, Mass. along with nieces Caitlin Newman, Michaela Newman (Ian Hochstein), nephew Joe Newman and great-niece Clara Hochstein. 
A memorial service celebrating Lance’s life will be 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at the Elliston Gymnasium. Burial of his cremated remains will follow in the Elliston Cemetery. A reception will then follow in the Gymnasium. In lieu of flowers memorials in Lance’s name are suggested to the Helena Snow Drifters Club or the Elliston Cemetery Association. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Lance.

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Chris Hiltz
Chris Hiltz passed peacefully away from an on going illness, Monday, February 2, 2015, surrounded by the love of his children, grandchildren and wife.
Chris was born April 11, 1941 to Edward and Alvina Hiltz.  He grew up in Whitehall, where he attended school.
In 1963, Chris enlisted in the United States Army and received an honorable discharge in 1967.
On December 14, 1968, Chris married his sweetheart, Judy Sinerius.  They settled in Deer Lodge calling Powell County home for 46 years.  Together they raised their five children.
Chris worked for Cominco American as a miner for more than 24 years until its closing.  Then he went to work for Northern Energy Propane until he retired in 2004.
Chris loved life and was eager to help or give support to family or friends when it was needed, but most of all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were often the focus of his enthusiasm and joy.  His heart was often lifted when they would make their presence and he saw to it that they, too, always had a smile.  He was often adopted as grandpa by so many others outside the family and he always stated the, “I’m grandpa to all these kids, if they need one.”  And he loved the part!
Chris is preceded in death by his son, Brian Hiltz, his parents and four brothers and one sister.  
He is survived by his wife, Judy Hiltz, and his children, Jeff and Silvia Hiltz of Heber Springs, Ark.; Jim and Corina Hiltz, Francine and Tim Denty, Lorna Mollenberg, all of Deer Lodge; grandchildren, Jonathan Hiltz, Jessica Meagher, Ashley Lagasse, Logan Denty Hiltz, Bryant Hiltz, Mathew Denty, Dan Denty, Jeremy Tate, Georgia Hiltz, Keith Hiltz, Frank Hiltz and Jordan Mollenberg, and six great-grandchildren.

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