May 11th, 2016

Henry Earl Cooper (Hank)
Deer Lodge resident, Henry Earl Cooper (Hank), 69, passed away on Wednesday, May 4, 2016 in Missoula.  
Born on July 18, 1946 in Deer Lodge, Hank was the 13th of 15 children born to Walter and Audrey Cooper.  
Shortly after graduating high school, Hank joined the National Guard.  He married Bernadine (Pritchard) Cooper on June 12, 1967 in the Idaho Falls Temple.
They moved to Alaska in June of 1974 with their two small children, Jay and Julie.
Hank served in the National Guard and was stationed in Seward, where his daughter Jennifer was born, Anchorage, and then finally Kenai.  His youngest son Corey was born in Soldotna.
After serving in the National Guard Hank worked oilfield jobs in the central peninsula until his retirement.
Shortly after retiring, Hank moved back to Deer Lodge and lived with his sister Gwen Allen.
Hank was an outdoors man who loved hunting and fishing and did them whenever he could.  He purposely planned his trips back to Alaska to coincide with the July salmon runs.  He spent his last visit fishing almost every day with his grandson on the Kenai River.  He also loved going four wheeling.  
Hank was an avid reader and could finish a novel in just a few days and remember the details.
Hank was generous and always willing to help others.  He never wanted any special recognition for his kindness.  Hank was a very friendly person.  Going anywhere with him always took much longer than expected because he was always stopping to talk with people.
Hank loved his family very much and was much loved in return.  He enjoyed family activities especially barbecues and picnics with good people and good food.  His favorite food was ice cream, and he often treated his young children, grandchildren, and nieces and nephews to ice cream, especially without telling their parents. 
Hank was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He believed that families are eternal and his family looks forward to when they will be with him once again.
Hank was predeceased by his parents Walter and Audrey Cooper and 13 of his brothers and sisters.
He is survived by his children: son, Jay Cooper of Kenai, Alaska; daughter Julie (John) Saltz of Soldotna, Alaska; daughter Jennifer (Chesney) Nash of Kenai, Alaska; and son Corey (Malinda) Cooper of Puyallup, Wash.  He is also survived by his grandchildren Makenzey Saltz of Anchorage, Alaska, Joseph Saltz of Soldotna, Alaska, Johnathan Nash, Brooke Nash, and Ruth Ann Nash of Kenai, Alaska and many special nieces and nephews whom he loved very much. He is also survived by his former wife Bernadine (Toni) Cooper of Soldotna, Alaska and his sister Gwen Allen of Deer Lodge.  
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Deer Lodge, Bishop Spears officiating, with graveside services immediately afterwards.

​Michael George McGillis
Michael George McGillis, 76, peacefully went to heaven on Sunday May 8, 2016 with his family by his side. 
Mike was born January 6, 1940 in Deer Lodge to George and Ethel McGillis. He leaves his wife of 52 years Terry (Strong) McGillis; his two daughters: Cindy McGillis Hiner (husband Matt) and Eileen McGillis; his four grandchildren: Jessica (fiancé Colby), Matison, Tyler, and Ashley; his companion Molly; and many close relatives and friends.  
Mike lived a very fulfilling life.  He worked as the Culligan Man for 48 years and was known for his kindness. 
Mike loved cheering on his favorite Irish team Notre Dame, bowling, hunting, fishing, and the great outdoors in his Chevy truck.  His greatest enjoyment came from spending time with his loving wife, children, and grandchildren at Coopers Lake and the McGillis Ranch.  
Mike is preceded in death by father George, mother Ethel, brother Pat, and grandson Bryan.
A funeral service is scheduled for Friday May 13, 2016 11 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church in Deer Lodge.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Frontier Hospice 1940 Blvd of Butte, MT 59701.  

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Donald Dubray
Montana State Prison inmate Donald Dubray died on Wednesday, May 4, 2016. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death. Mr. Dubray was 55 years old. 
Mr. Dubray was sentenced out of Cascade County in 1999 for the crimes of Deliberate Homicide, Robbery, and Theft. Mr. Dubray was sentenced to Montana State Prison for the terms of 150 years, 40 years, and 10 years with no time suspended.