February 21st, 2018

Frederick (Fred) W. Balkovetz
Frederick William Balkovetz, (October 15, 1936 - February 15, 2018).
Frederick  (Fred) W. Balkovetz, age 81, died at his home in Hoover, Ala., surrounded by his family.  Fred was preceded in death by his parents George and Sally (Fullwood) Balkovetz, sister Virginia Maxine Balkovetz Schaub, daughter Virginia Marie Balkovetz and grandson Thomas Daniel Balkovetz.  Fred is survived by his wife of 58 years, Dorothy Pfohl Balkovetz, sons Lt. Colonel (ret) William Russell Balkovetz and Dr. Daniel Frederick Balkovetz (Mary), and grandchildren Amy, Carolyn, Ann and David Balkovetz.
Fred was born in Sheridan and raised in Twin Bridges.  He graduated, with honors, from Montana State University on a ROTC scholarship.  Following graduation, he entered the United States Army to begin an honorable 25-year career achieving the rank of Lt. Colonel.  
During Fred’s distinguished military career, he served two tours of duty during the Vietnam War and one overseas tour as an advisor to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. During his first tour in Vietnam, he served with the Military Assistance Command Vietnam.      In his second tour he was the operations officer for the military base at Long Binh.    His heroic service during the Vietnam War earned him the coveted Combat Infantryman’s Badge, two Bronze Star Medals, the Soldier’s Medal, and the Air Medal.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014) or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105).

---

​Joshua A. Ehlert
Joshua A. Ehlert grew his wings February 5, and spent his final moments in the arms of his loving wife Samantha.
They first met in 2000 and were later married December 18, 2004. It was love at first sight, they found their soulmates in each other. Together they brought three boys into the world, Maximus, Michael and Malachi. Josh always said his life was competed the day his boys were born. He was always jumping at the chance to teach them something new.
He loved being outdoors and was often off on an adventure with his best friend Chad Wenz. He shared that love with his boys, he taught them to hunt, fish, and enjoy nature. His greatest passion was his family, he always did everything he could to make sure they were loved, happy, and well cared for. When Josh spoke of his wife and boys you could always see the love in his eyes and hear it in his voice.
He was a perfectionist and it showed in everything he did, especially his work. He started construction when he was 14 years old and worked many years at the Beck ranch, he loved his cows. He was also an avid animal rescuer and passed that onto his boys, they rescued many animals over the years.
He will be deeply missed and never forgotten, forever in our hearts.
He is survived by his wife Samantha Richie/Ehlert, his boys Maximus Ehlert, Michael Ehlert, and Malachi Ehlert. His mother Kristine Ehlert, his father Frank Johnson, stepmother Amy Johnson, and brother Frankie Johnson. Also numerous other relatives.
He is proceeded in death by his grandfather Duane Ehlert, uncle Hugh Ehlert, grandmother Karen Ehlert, and grandmother Clare.
His funeral will be held at First Baptist Church on Sam Beck Road in Deer Lodge, February 23 at 1 p.m.

---

Death Notice: John D. Coates
John D. Coates passed away on February 15, 2018 at home in Bend, Ore.
John was born on November 23, 1930 in Deer Lodge. He was a graduate of PCHS in 1948.
He is survived by his wife Nancy of Bend, Ore. and son Dan of Gilbert, Ariz.
Services will be held in Bend in March and burial will be sometime this summer at Hillcrest Cemetery in Deer Lodge.