October 26th, 2016

​John Willard Ford
John Willard Ford was born Oct. 28, 1930 in a rural setting near the St. Francis River in Arkansas to Price and Molly L. (Huckabee) Ford. At the age of five he moved with his family to California and grew up in the town of Gilroy. He married Claire Griffith in March of 1952 after serving a short term in the USAF during the Korean War. The couple had three children, all sons, Michael, Jeffrey, and Ted. John (also known by his nickname, Dean) worked for Westinghouse Corp. in San Jose, Calif. before moving to the town of Hollister which is about 50 mi. south of there in 1959 where his sons were raised. He operated a shoe repair shop there and also worked as a long-haul, and cement truck driver. He moved with his wife and family to the Deer Lodge Valley in 1973 and operated Dean’s Leather shop on Main St., for a number of years. He also managed his own rental properties for several years afterwards. Dean, as he was known locally, enjoyed fishing and hunting and in his later years spent his winters with his wife Claire in Mexico. He was preceded in death by his wife, Claire and virtually all of his brothers and sisters. He is survived by his son Michael, in Montana, Jeffrey in Oregon, Ted in Alaska, and two granddaughters, Christina and Jennifer who both live in Washington. He died on Wednesday, October 19 in Helena but will be interred with a graveside service at the local Deer Lodge cemetery. 

Ralph Dean Davis
On Oct. 3, 2016 Ralph Dean Davis passed away at his daughter’s home surrounded by family.  Ralph was born in Bozeman and grew up in Deer Lodge where his father was a conductor on the railroad and his mother was a school teacher.  After high school he went onto serve in the military as an Aircraft Engine Mechanic Crew Chief where he earned a medal for code of conduct.  After serving he moved back to Deer Lodge where he met the love of his life Ruth Dawn Theriault.  They married shortly after and had eight children.  Ralph worked at the Kerr Dam in Polson when he was given an opportunity to transfer to Ennis to work for The Montana Power Company down the Bear Trap Canyon at the power plant.  After several years Ralph retired and enjoyed it with his wife.  Many people have told us our father was a “One of A Kind” man. He could make anyone laugh with his humor and quick wit.  He had stories of his past that he enjoyed telling people and people enjoyed hearing it even more. The stories and quick wit will be greatly missed.  He is preceded in death by his wife Ruth, son Kenneth, his father Ralph and mother Lucille and brother Vince Davis.  He is survived by his children Guy, Joel, Monte, Colette Davis and Brenda (Cameron) Funke of Ennis, Barbara (Kevin) Davis of Peyton, Colo. and Keith of Wyoming.  As well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  There will be no services until spring where we will lay Ralph and Ruth to rest in Deer Lodge.  
In lieu of flowers please give donations to the Wounded Warriors or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.  

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​Susan Marie Roberts
Susan Marie Roberts, 67, of Deer Lodge, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, October 18, 2016 after a brief illness at St. Pats Hospital with her family by her side.  Susan was born January 7, 1949 in Devil’s Lake, N.D. to Elden and Helen Roberts.  She was the eldest of seven children.  
Susan spent 47 years of her life working for the Title and Registration Bureau in Deer Lodge.  During this time, she also spent 13 years helping her good friend run a Karaoke business, traveling around and enjoying the people she met along the way.
Susan enjoyed reading, doing cross-stitch, taking drives and spending time with family.  She looked forward to her Sunday visits at her brother Donald’s house.
Susan was an excellent sister, aunt and friend.  She had a special place in her heart for all of her nieces and nephews.  The thing Tisha Harding loved the most about Susan was the way she smelled.  
After retiring two years ago, she spent most of her time with her nephew Cody Mitchell, running errands and keeping him company.  Cody loved her and looked forward to seeing her everyday.  She also spent time helping her mother Helen when she needed her.
Susan was a selfless person and truly loved giving to others.  She was loved by many and would do anything for anyone. She had a heart of gold.  Her warm hugs and beautiful smile will be missed by many.  Heaven has a new angel.
Preceded in death by her father, Eldon Roberts, her brother Ray Roberts and her nephew Jacob Roberts.
Survived by her mother, Helen Roberts, her brothers Daniel (Tori) Roberts of Saratoga, Wyo., David Roberts of Missoula, Donald (Lila) Roberts and Duane (Nicky) Roberts, sisters Kathy Mitchell, Debbie (Jerry) Persons and Kathy Cornell (KC), along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral Mass and Vigil services were held at the Catholic Church at 11 am on Saturday, October, 22, 2016 with a luncheon to follow.  Her vigil was Friday, October 21, 2016 at 6 p.m.

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​Dale Alfred Lowery
Dale Alfred Lowery, age 61 went to be with Jesus on Oct. 18, 2016.  He passed away at his home in Missoula.  Dale was the oldest of eight children, born Nov. 18, 1954 to Alfred and Mary Lowery of Deer Lodge.  Dale graduated from Powell County High School in 1973.  He was a true outdoorsman and at a young age began enjoying the adventures of  trapping, hunting, hiking, living life to its fullest.  Dale followed in his father’s footsteps and became a bricklayer, working beside his dad and brother, Dave.  When Dale was just 23, he suffered a traumatic brain injury in a motorcycle accident.  From that day forward Dale’s path of life was changed.  He remained a bright light to his family and continued to bring joy with his sense of humor and loving personality.
Dale is survived by his seven siblings: Diane (Lowery) Benz & Larry Benz, Dave & Patty Lowery, Dan & Deb Lowery, Dean & Naomi Lowery, Don Lowery, Donna (Lowery) Klette & Dan Klettte, Doug & Judy Lowery, 30 nephews and nieces and 13 great-nephews and nieces.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred & Mary Lowery, nephew John Lowery and grandparents Gerald & Elsie Lowery and Catherine Anderson.
A memorial service and celebration of life ceremony is planned for November 25.  In honor of Dale, contributions can be made to Deer Lodge Rialto Theater.

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Dennis Robert Herrick
Our beloved brother, son, and uncle is now with the Lord. Dennis Robert Herrick was born in Westwood, Calif. on December 29, 1951. He was preceded in death by his father Charles Andrew Herrick (Jim), his grandparents Joe Herrick Sr. and Mary Herrick, and Joe and Ethel Striplin. And nephew Benito Herrick. 
He is survived by his mother Patricia Herrick, brothers Mike Herrick and James Herrick. His sisters Carole Defoe, Julie Hoyt, Andrea Albery, and many nieces and nephews. Including Tiana Albery, Drue Loreque, Sage Defoe, Sean Herrick, Melissa Herrick, Rachel Kassabian, Michelle Armstrong, Emily Ascher and Sarah English, and many cousins. 
He worked in Sonoma, California as a dietician at Sonoma State Hospital. He worked at Juanita’s and Mary’s restaurants. He loved to cook and was good at it. He worked for many years with the family business M. Herrick Enterprises. He was an entrepreneur. His many ventures included building motorized bicycles called Gassickle Scudderia. He renewed patents on classic boats and sold the plans calling the business Gunfighter Boats. He had another business he called Sea Of Green Thoroughbred Genetics doing hydroponic gardening. He made 1957 Ferrarri Testerosa kit cars. He sold the business to Excaliber. At the time of his death he was working on solar energy projects and wanted to build a small mall with a food court. He was also a member of the Guardian Angels.
He was a generous person and always willing to share what he had. 
He graduated from Agua Caliente High School in Sonoma in 1971. 
He lived in Montana for 22 years. For the last 15 years he took care of his mother after the death of his father. He loved nature and being outdoors and watching wildlife. He use to say “nature is my church.” He had many pets including a herd of Saanen goats that he took care of. 
He died at his home in Gold Creek of natural causes on October 17, 2016. 
Services will be held at Immaculate Conception church in Deer Lodge on Saturday, October 29 at 11 a.m. Luncheon to follow at Saint Mary’s Center 

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