January 17th, 2018

​Clifton Eugene Erickson
Clifton Eugene Erickson was born in Great Falls, on March 4, 1932 and died December 28, 2017 at Northwest Hospital in Seattle, Wash. His parents moved to Deer Lodge, where Clif lived until he graduated from Powell County High School. During high school he was known as “Geno” and was one of the “Milwaukee Boys” who serviced passenger trains before and after school and on weekends. After high school, he attended college in Wisconsin where he had an NROTC Scholarship. Clif was inducted into the Army as the Korean Police Action wound down. After an honorable discharge from Fort Lewis, Wash. in 1954, he spent many years in the Seattle area working in various capacities with Burlington Northern and Union Pacific Railroads. He and Lois Virginia (Favro) Egan were married in August 1966; they enjoyed travel and casinos. After retirement, Clif volunteered with SOUND Generations and spent 14 years serving seniors as a volunteer driver. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Emil Erickson, his sister Dorene, his brother Martin, and his stepson Dennis Egan. He is survived by his brother Glenn and sister-in-law Pat, Lois’s children Jackie Egan Holmes, Gary Egan, and Brian Egan, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He requested no services and his ashes will be strewn at a later date.

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Joseph W. Johnston
Joe Johnston, 80.
Joseph W. Johnston passed away January 7, 2018 in Deer Lodge.  He was 80 years old.
Joe was born on August 10, 1937 to Joseph and Elizabeth (Evans) Johnston.  Joe grew up in the Deer Lodge Valley and was raised at the Evan’s family ranch near Racetrack after his father’s death.
Upon graduation from Powell County High School in 1956,  Joe attended Graceland College in Iowa and then graduated from his beloved University of Montana where he was a member of the Grizzly basketball team in 1957-58.  He then went on to receive his Masters in Counseling from Western Montana College in Dillon.
In the summer of 1960, Joe finally noticed the young woman that he had crossed paths with for many years. Then on December 30, 1960, Joe and Judy (Larson) were married and embarked on a 57- year journey together.
Joe spent 13 years teaching and coaching in Fromberg, Drummond and Baker.  In Baker, a lifetime goal was achieved when his team won the 1970 State Class B Boys Basketball Championship.  That year, Joe was honored to be named Class B Coach of the Year.  The players and many students from that time have stayed in contact with “Coach” over the past 40 some years. They always held a very special place in Joe’s heart.  
In 1973 Joe moved back to Deer Lodge with his family to work on the family ranch.   There he spent the remainder of his years until retirement working alongside his uncle Robert Evans and his son Evan Johnston raising Simmental cattle.  Joe’s love of the land and animals continues with Evan and his family being the fourth and fifth generations running the Two Bar Simmental Ranch. 
The greatest joy for Joe was his family. Along with his wife Judy, they enjoyed watching their family grow and one could see the extra sparkle in Joe’s eyes with each grandchild born.   Spending time traveling to watch his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren participate in a wide variety of activities kept Joe busy and forever the coach! Family dinners were never complete without one (or 37) of Joe’s stories from his mischievous childhood, time with his buddies from the class of 1956, and his time playing and coaching basketball.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents and son-in-law Paul Sliter (Elaine).  He  is survived by his wife, Judy; children: Kari (Allan) Labbe of Superior, Janet (Ed) Janney of Butte, Evan (Dana) Johnston of Deer Lodge and Elaine (Mark) Taylor of Montana City, 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Memorials reflecting Joe’s life may be made to the following: Powell County Community Foundation - PO Box 834, Deer Lodge, MT 59722; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Montana - 1520 S. Russell, Missoula, MT 59801; Rialto Theatre P.O. Box 874, Deer Lodge 59722. 
Respecting Joe’s wishes no services were held and internment at Hillcrest Cemetery has been held.

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Death Notice: Hazel Frankie Turner
Hazel Frankie Turner passed on Sunday, January 14, 2018. Services will be held at the First Baptist Church in Deer Lodge on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 11 a.m., with interment at the Hillcrest Cemetery. A gathering of friends and family will follow at the First Baptist Church.