June 27th, 2018

​Helen Elizabeth Steiger Kellicut
Helen Elizabeth Steiger Kellicut passed away at her home on June 16, 2018.
Helen was born February 10, 1944 in Charlette, N.C. to Dr. Howard and Elizabeth Steiger. Helen attended kindergarten through high school in Charlette, N.C. Her summers were spent at the family beach house, Madame Butterfly in Garden City, S.C. After graduating high school Helen attended college at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash. where she earned a degree in Liberal Arts. During college she met and married Seward Hale Kellicut II (Skip) in 1965. In February of 1966 Seward Hale Kellicut III (Sam) was born and then in September of 1968 Shanley Howard Kellicut was born. They remained in Tacoma, Wash. until 1974 when they moved to Townsend, so Skip could take a job at State Bank of Townsend. Helen and her family only stayed in Townsend for two years. They moved to Deer Lodge in 1976 where Skip took a job at First Security Bank. They bought a small place at Racetrack where Helen was able to have her horses and chickens as well as her vegetable garden and flowers. Once in the Deer Lodge valley Helen found great joy in riding for many area ranchers as well as being part of the local drill team. Helen often substitute taught and had a one-year position as the art teacher at the Powell County High School. Helen was also very active in Republican Woman where she served as the president of the organization of the Butte Chapter. Helen was an avid reader and enjoyed playing bridge. Helen also loved to volunteer at the Grant-Kohrs Ranch in the visitor center.  Helen was survived by her son Sam Kellicut, son Shanley (Abby) Kellicut, grandchildren Hallie Ann and Palmer David, sister Louise (Bill) Heizer, sister Edith (John) Seaman, brother Paul (Dia) Steiger, brother-in-law Warren Kellicut, and multiple nieces and nephews. Helen was proceeded in death by her husband Skip Kellicut, mother Elizabeth and father Dr. Howard Steiger. Plans are being made for a celebration at a later date. Memorials can be made in memory of Helen to PAWHS of Deer Lodge, the Rialto Theatre, and Camp Mak-A-Dream.

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​Kay Frances (O’Brien) Porter
Kay Frances (O’Brien) Porter, of Deer Lodge, passed away on June 24, 2018, of natural causes surrounded by her family.  Kay was born in Pocahontas, Iowa on February 6, 1935.  Following her high school graduation from Sacred Heart High School, she moved to Denver, Colo. where she met her future husband, John Porter, who was pursuing his Master’s Degree at the University of Northern Colorado.  Kay came to Deer Lodge as a bride in late December 1955.  Kay and John raised three daughters together, and the five of them remained loving and close.  
In 1968, when the youngest daughter, Kathy, was old enough to go to school, Kay began work at the Shaw Agency as a secretary and insurance agent. She continued in this capacity until 1983 at which time she purchased the Shaw Agency from Frank Shaw.  The agency was then merged with Solle Insurance Exchange to become the Solle-Shaw Agency.  Kay was active in this business as an agent and real estate broker until 1988.  During her years in business, she was a director of the Chamber of Commerce, member of the Powell County Hospital Board, president of P.E.O., and an officer in the Woman’s Association at the Deer Lodge Golf Club.
Kay was incredibly active in her retirement.  She enjoyed volunteering at the Pregnancy Help Center, New to You, and as a sacristan at her church. For 20 years, she and John spent their winters in Florence, Ariz. golfing and exploring the desert.  Kay also enjoyed following her grandchildren’s sports, skiing with her family, golfing, quilting, playing many hands of bridge, baking cookies and ‘Nana’ rolls, and joining the church ladies for coffee after daily mass.
She was proceeded in death by her husband, John, of 60 years, her parents Eleanor and Daniel O’Brien, and brother Patrick O’Brien.
Kay is survived by daughters Cindy Porter of Spokane, Wash.; Sue (Steve) Walther of Spokane, Wash.; Kathy (Paul) Thompson of Deer Lodge; her six grandchildren: Brad (Niki) Weston of Hamilton; Melissa (Matt) MacDonald of Bozeman; Michaela Walther (Josh) of Pasco, Wash.; Kara Walther of Portland, Ore.; and Brian and Cal Thompson of Helena; her sisters: Sue Rutherford of Longmont, Colo., Therese Bartosh of Omaha, Nebr., brother Mike (Carol) O’Brien of Sioux City, Iowa, and sister-in-law Bev Porter of Nevada City, Calif.
Services will be held at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Deer Lodge at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 14.  A reception in her remembrance will be held following the service at the St. Mary’s Center with the 2:15 internment at the Hillcrest Cemetery.
Memorials can be sent to the Immaculate Conception Church at 605 Clark Street, Deer Lodge, MT  59722.

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​Carolyn Mae (Paull) Aker
Carolyn Mae (Paull) Aker, 2/19/44 - 6/19/18.
On Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at 9:16 a.m., Carol went to join the Lord with her mom, dad, and many other family members. Her husband and loving family were at her side during these final moments.
Carol was born Feb. 19, 1944 in Ramsay to George and Edith Paull. She attended school in Butte to include Butte High. She later got her GED in 1962, finishing her schooling as a LPN, which she received in Anaconda.
She met her husband and best friend Butch (Roland) Aker in 1967. They later married Nov. 4, 1969. They moved to Livingston, where Butch worked on Hay Hook Ranch. Carol worked as a nurse at the Livingston Hospital. They moved to the Deer Lodge Valley in 1976 with their four children; Theresa, Debbie, Jim and Chris. Carol became one of the first female Correctional Officers for the Montana State Prison in 1983. After serving at MSP they later moved to Jasper, Tex. from 1990-1991, returning to Deer Lodge due to health issues, where she lived out the rest of her beautiful life.
Carol is survived by her husband Butch (Roland) Aker, daughters Theresa (Tom) Yockim, Debbie (Mark) Gallant, sons Jim (Betty) Aker, Chris (Kim) Aker, June (Sam) Ankeny, Kellen and Phillip Courchene, Michael Yockin, Brandon (Kathryn) Yockim, Brandon (Amber) Aker, Mellissa (Chad) Wenz, Shandra (Marcus) Aker-Crichlow, Samantha Richie, Whitney Richie, Tyler Worthley; Ashile, Andrew and Alex Aker, 19 great-grandchildren and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Carol is proceeded in death by dad George W. Paull, mom Edith O. Paull, brothers Tommy and Donald Paull, mother-in-law Ursula Aker, brother-in-law Dennis Aker, sister-in-law Audry Kamps and Edith Paull, son-in-law Michael (Tony) Richie, and grandson Josh Ehlert.
Services will be held at First Baptist Church, 140 Sam Beck Rd., Deer Lodge, MT, 59722 at 1 p.m. on June 30. Luncheon to follow after services.

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​James (Jim) Earl Gilman
James (Jim) Earl Gilman passed away at the age of 80, on May 5, 2018 at the Ray Hicky House in Vancouver, Wash. James was born 7/22/37 in Dillon to parents Francis and Mary Gilman. He grew up in Garrison and attended high school at Powell County High School.
Jim joined the Army at a young age. He moved to Deer Lodge and married Diane Webster of Deer Lodge for 28 years, where they raised their two boys Randy Gilman of Billings and Rick Gilman of Phoenix, Ariz.
Jim worked for Union Carbide and transferred to Vancouver, Wash. with Prax Air where he met his wife of 30 years, Bonnie Gilman. They lived in Vancouver, Wash. for 15 years, then they moved to Kalama, Wash. for the last 15 years.
Jim loved camping, fishing, and hunting and following grandchildren’s sporting events in Kalama, Wash. When he wasn’t doing that he enjoyed working in his yard and gardening. Jim was very proud of family and always gave advice.
James Earl Gilman was proceeded in death by his parents Francis and Mary Gilman, first wife of 28 years, Diane Webster; sister Pauline Kopecky and grandson Chase Gilman. Left behind wife of 30 years Bonnie Gilman of Kalama, Wash., sister Joan Schymtzik of Nampa, Idaho, son Randy Gilman of Billings, Rick and Lisa Gilman of Phoenix, Ariz., three grandchildren, one great-grandchild, four stepchildren, Angela and Dave Moudy of Kalama, Wash., Brian Clausen of Kalama, Wash., Gerald Clausen of Vancouver, Wash., Terry Sweaney of Vancouver, Wash., nine step-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
James Earl Gilman will be truly missed by all who knew him.