July 01st, 2020

Bernard (Bernie) K. Barton Jr.
Bernard (Bernie) K. Barton Jr. passed away on June 25, 2020.  He was born October 18, 1967 in Butte, and joined the Barton family with his dad, Bernard K. Sr., mother, Mary K., and sister, Kimberly in Libby.
In 1971, Bernie’s dad was transferred to Deer Lodge with the Montana Highway Patrol where he completed his schooling in Powell County, graduating in 1987.  While in school, Bernie was President of his FFA Chapter and 4-H club, and was always proud of coming home with his accomplishments. He joined the Navy Reserve and attended Boot Camp during his junior and senior year. He also received his private pilot’s license during this time. After graduation, Bernie attended Aircraft Mechanics School in Helena where he met his future wife, Kathy Knoles, who was attending Nurses Training.  They were married in 1989. They have a son, Gregory, from this union. While residing in Helena, Bernie worked at the Lewis & Clark County Sheriff’s office as a Detention Officer and a Reserve Deputy.  Bernie and Kathy moved to Deer Lodge in 1996 where he worked at the Powell County Sheriff’s Office as a Deputy and at the Browns School until its closing.  Bernie attended Rocky Mountain Bible Mission where became a Pastor and ministered at a church in Wolf Creek. He also managed the Northern Energy Plant in Helena. Bernie took a disability retirement after being diagnosed with Primary Progressive MS. His passions were flying, hiking, camping, kayaking, scuba diving, hunting, and doing things with his family.
Bernie was preceded in death by his mother, Mary K. Barton, grandparents Lester and Alma Barton, and Clarence and Mary Burton.
He is survived by his wife, Kathy, son, Gregory (Tiko), grandchildren, Teddy and Samari of Helena, his parents, Bernard and Marion Barton of Deer Lodge, sister, Kim (Matt) Griffin of Prineville, Ore., stepbrother Jim (Alissa) Yaskulski of Great Falls, and stepsister, Suzann (Chris) Smaldone of Port St. Lucie, Fla. He had many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews, a special friend, Leona Lombard, and his loving dog, “Oakley.”  Donations may be made to the Powell County Medical Foundation Playground or the donors’ choice.  A gathering time to remember Bernie will be planned for a later date.

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Paul Howard Bissonette
On June 20 while on his afternoon walk in Pendleton, Ore., Paul joined his daughter, Mary Margaret, who passed 33 years ago. Paul was born on September 2, 1931 in Deer Lodge, to Howard and Hattie (Petersen) Bissonette. He is survived by his wife Patricia, his twin sons, Robert Howard and William Paul and his stepchildren Eric and Dena. At the time of his passing, Paul had eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Raised on a farm/ranch in Hall, Paul worked hard and came to respect the land and the people around him. He did well in school and joined the Navy during the Korean conflict. After his discharge, he attended MSU and WSU on the GI bill to become a Veterinarian. He married Carol Ann in 1957 in Pullman, Wash. and fathered his twin sons (with two and a half years of schooling remaining). In 1959 he moved with his wife and twins to the Deer Lodge Valley where he started his vet practice and soon Mary came along. He went into business with Fred Metcalf in Drummond, and in 1961 started the Clark Fork Veterinary Clinic in Deer Lodge. Fred and Paul were partners for some 30 years and great friends.
In 1976, Paul found himself single and coincidently so had his soul mate, Patricia, who he had met during a team roping at the fairgrounds in Deer Lodge. Paul, Bob Cowan and Pete McQueary got together and started the Mt. Powell Roping Club and for many years had a great time. Paul and Pat were married in 1978 and lived in Deer Lodge and Garrison until 2016 when they moved to Pendleton, Ore. They were married for 42 years until his passing, they even built a home together and never had one single fight or heated decision.
Paul was the kind of person who everyone enjoyed spending time with. He always greeted everyone with a smile and humor. Because of his practice, there was not an adult in Powell County that didn’t know “Dr. Paul.” He was a cowboy at heart, and as such he had a simple philosophy: Work hard, play hard, be honest and spend more time listening than talking. Paul’s description of heaven was “What people think of you when you are gone,” so live life with honor, dignity and respect. He was a true veterinarian, patients and clients came first. He held them on the highest pedestal and nothing came between him and them when in need, he dropped everything when a call came in, gave up family gatherings or even a night out on the town for the animals. He was so dedicated to his profession and will greatly be missed by so many.
Due to the pandemic, memorial services will not be held. A private celebration of Paul’s life will be held by family members at a later date. To honor Paul, we ask that you hold a warm thought, a fond memory and may be tip a glass to the kind man he was.
In lieu of flowers, we request donations be made to charity of donors’ preference.
Funeral Home https://www.pioneerchapel.com/obits/obituary.php?id=683341

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