June 14th, 2017

Patty Jo Coughlin
Our beautiful mom, aunt, cousin, grandma and great-grandma, Patty Jo Coughlin, peacefully danced her way through into heaven’s gate on May 14, 2017 at the age of 84.  She was surrounded by her six children, grandchildren and family, as she would have wanted, always by her side while being attended to at the River Stone Hospice House, Billings,  shortly after suffering a major stroke. 
Mom was the second child, and only daughter, born to the union of Lionel and Thora Young on March 7, 1933, in Idaho Falls, Idaho.  She survived a sometimes difficult, yet colorful childhood, always by the side of her brothers Curtis, Jack and Bob Young.  Mom lived part of her young life at her grandparents’ home in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and some orphanages between Idaho, Oregon and Montana.  She eventually was enrolled at the St. Mary’s Academy Boarding School in Deer Lodge. Her mom, Thora, met and married Harold Scott while mom was a pre-teen.  It was then that she finally felt like she truly had a dad that cared for her, Jack and Bob, where she enjoyed her teenage years, Powell County High School and where her lifelong friends remained throughout her life.  Patty Jo was a vivacious, beautiful person, with a joyous heart, who enjoyed being a member of the high school chorus, cheerleader, dancer extraordinaire, and later involved with the singing group called the Sweet Adelines.  She even had the extraordinary privilege and honor of performing at Carnegie Hall which was always a dream of hers.
In 1950, mom met and married William Gerald (Gerry) Coughlin beginning their family together and settling in Deer Lodge. There they raised six amazing children.  She was a member of the Womans Club Chorus, loved playing bridge with her friends, was an active member of the Immaculate Conception Parish, attended countless sporting events and school programs of all six kids.  After our dad (Gerry) passed away in 1975, mom took a part-time job working as a teacher’s aid in the Deer Lodge school system.  It was a job that fit her well.  She loved working with the children and teachers and had a true heart for kids who were less fortunate.    
To say that mom loved and adored her family was an understatement.  She enjoyed holiday dinners, barbeques and family events and spending time with each of her children, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She adored her brothers Curtis and Bob, but was especially fond of her brother Jack.  Mom had a very special relationship with her niece Sandy (Young) Jacke.  
Patty Jo was an avid reader and was known to read up to five different books at a time.  She frequented the Billings library so often she was even given her own parking place!  Mom was a very active person enjoying her volunteer time at the Billings Senior Center, pursuing her nephew, Jeff Young, to go dancing, working in her special “she shed”, shopping for her next “iron skillet dinner”, and dreaming of all the things she was going to do next.  
Patty Jo is survived by sons, Mike (Vickie) Coughlin of Anaconda, Eric Coughlin from Woodenville, Wash., and Conn Coughlin of Deer Lodge.  Daughters Marcy (Cora) Coughlin, Sherry Coughlin of Billings and Meg (Mike) Springer of Bozeman.  She had 10 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren with one on the way, many nieces & nephews,  a number of other relatives and close friends.
Rosary will be said on Friday, June 23 at 7 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception Parish in Deer Lodge. A  Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday June 24 at 11 a.m. followed by a luncheon at the St. Mary’s Center with graveside services to follow at 2 p.m.  The family requests that memorial donations can be sent in Patty Jo’s name to River Stone Hospice House, 123 S 27th St, Billings, MT 59101.
Mom, it’s time for you to get ready and “boogie to town”!  We love you and will miss you!

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Stephen Andrew Pearson
We mourn the loss of our brother, Stephen Andrew Pearson, who passed away May 24, 2017 in Billings. 
Steve was born November 12, 1971 in Helena, while his family lived in Townsend. When he was a toddler, his family moved to Deer Lodge, where he attended grade school and junior high. The family moved to Billings in 1986. Steve attended Will James Junior High and West High School in Billings. He played multiple sports at West High and was captain of several teams. Steve was also the voice of the Bears for a couple years at West High. Steve earned athletic scholarships to Rocky Mountain College where he majored in English and played both football and basketball, earning captain positions there as well. Steve then went on to attend the University of Arizona. He stayed on in Arizona for a number of years before returning to Montana a decade ago, living in Helena and Billings.  
Steve was an incredibly talented man; a gifted athlete, a wonderful writer, a beautiful singer, and an engaging actor. He loved playing, coaching, and watching sports; football in particular. He sang at many a wedding and was often asked to sing his spot-on imitations of Elvis. He wrote a play while attending Rocky that the theater department put on. In recent years, Steve shined as an actor and singer in several plays and musicals at the Grandstreet Theatre in Helena. If you feel led, please make donations in his honor to the Grandstreet Theatre.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Gary L. and Barbara J. (Lenington) Pearson, his brother, Ben Pearson, his brother-in-law, Jim Knudson, and his nephew, Trevor Brown. Steve is survived by his sisters, Jan Knudson of Billings and Laura Pearson of Helena, and his brothers, Gary and Elizabeth (Harmon) Pearson of Enid, Okla. and Tim and Susan (Sewell) Pearson of Maple Valley, Wash. Steve has many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews that he loved dearly.
A memorial service will be held August 26, 2017 in Billings.

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David Alex Williamson
Montana State Prison inmate Williamson, David Alex died on June 6, 2017 at St. Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death. Mr. Williamson was 67 years old. 
Mr. Williamson was sentenced out of Yellowstone County in 2002 on two counts of Sexual Assault. Mr. Williamson was sentenced to 35 years, with a 20 year restriction on parole. The crime that Mr. Williamson was sentenced for occurred prior to 1997, therefore he was eligible for good time and would have had a prison release date of 1/13/2021.