It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Gary Robert Young on December 19, 2021. Gary, 77, was born in Salinas, Kan., on July 30, 1943, to Hartzel (Doc) and Clara Young.
Gary was the oldest of seven children who grew up in Avon.
Preceding him in death were his wife, soulmate and best friend, Beverly Young and one son. He is survived by two sons, two daughters, 14 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Gary served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and continued to serve and protect his country for nearly 30 years as a U.S. Border Patrol Agent, retiring as the Assistant Patrol Agent in Charge of the Campo, Calif. Border Patrol Station in 1997.
He is remembered as a loving husband, dedicated father, loyal friend and doting grandfather who lived a full and bountiful life that will not soon be forgotten, but forever celebrated by those he left behind.
A service will be held at St. Theodore Church in Avon, Mont. at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 29, for family and close friends.
A celebration of life will be held for all friends and family at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 30, at 441 Old Corral Road in Elliston.

Jeanette Ingraham, 79, of Deer Lodge, MT and formerly of Anaconda, MT died on Saturday, July 2, 2022, at the Deer Lodge Medical Center in Deer Lodge. Services are pending.

Stephen Edward Denty, born August 1, 1981, in Ogden, Utah, died unexpectedly at the age of 40 in Deer Lodge, Mont., on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022. Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Deer Lodge at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 2. After mass, all are welcome to a brunch at the First Christian Church at 600 Fourth St.
Stephen is survived by his mother, Debbie Jackson; father, Tim Denty; three brothers, a sister, a daughter, and many nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles and cousins.
In his youth, Steve loved complex puzzles and delighted in finding old machines that he could dismantle to figure out how they worked. He delivered papers and mowed lawns so he could build his own forge. He enjoyed camping, backpacking, snow skiing, scuba diving and rappelling.
In 4-H he earned purple ribbons for his demonstrations; in scouts he achieved Eagle.
At the age of 18, Steve was involved in a serious car accident which left him in a coma and fighting for his life. After his recovery, he served for five years as a volunteer with the Franciscan Friars in New York City.
The blue skies, fresh air and open space lured Steve back to Montana in 2006. The following year, while working construction, Steve fell 18 feet from a roof. He broke his back and shattered his heel. Prescription medications for the chronic pain offered some relief, but they often altered his easygoing demeanor.
Despite his chronic pain, Steve was still passionate about helping others. At the time of his death, he had plans to build shelters for homeless vets. Steve had a trusting, forgiving heart and was always willing to see the good in people, even those who took advantage of his generous nature. In his journey, Steve touched the lives and hearts of many people, and he is dearly missed.
A memorial fund has been opened at Pioneer Federal Savings and Loan, 401 Milwaukee, in Deer Lodge, to help his mom pay for funeral expenses.

Owen, 85, was born Walter Owen Girven on September 22, 1936, to Don and Mae Hallford Girven. He grew up in Bozeman where he attended school. When he was a junior in Bozeman Senior High School, he met his future wife, Laura Covey. They married on Sept. 18, 1954, and had four children - two boys, Alan, wife Sheri of Deer Lodge and Chris of Buckeye, Ariz.; and two girls, Anita, husband Brad Pederson of Spokane, Wash., and Cody Blaine of Oldtown, Idaho.
Owen served in the National Guard and the Army Reserves. He enjoyed life to the fullest. They ranched and then he worked construction for years. They moved to Spokane where he drove truck for many years when he came off the road. Owen and Laura started a construction company, mainly concrete.
They finally moved back to Montana at Condon for 30 years before selling out and moving to Deer Lodge. Both of them enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating and traveling. Most of all, he loved digging for gold.
Owen died on June 4 at home with Laura and his kids by his side. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, one grandchild and one great-grandchild.
He is survived by his wife, Laura, four children, eight grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
Cremation has taken place, and grave side service will be held at Hillcrest Cemetery at 1 p.m. on July 9, followed by a celebration of life at home, 57 Powell View Lane.
Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral & Cremation Service is entrusted with Owen’s funeral arrangements. You may pay your condolences at www.longfellowfinneganriddle.com.

Walter “Owen” Girven, 85 of Deer Lodge, Mont., died on Saturday, June 4, 2022, at his residence in Deer Lodge. Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral & Cremation Service is entrusted with Owen’s funeral arrangements.
You may pay your condolences at www.longfellowfinneganriddle.com.

​Mary Lou Walsh Newman, 86, peacefully left this world to be with her Lord on May 16. She died while at St. Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula, Mont. Mary Lou was born Aug. 21, 1935, in Butte, Mont., to John S. and Lucille (Severtson) Walsh.
She was the youngest of three children, and she attended school in Butte and graduated from Girls Central High School in the class of ‘53.
Mary Lou married her first husband Richard Rowe in June 1953. From this marriage, five sons and one daughter were born. She was divorced from her first husband in 1971. In 1974, Mary Lou married Robert (Bob) Newman, and from that marriage, she gained three daughters. Mom would often say, “A smile isn’t a smile until you give it away.” Perhaps this was her version of the old saying, “Love isn’t love until you give it away.”
In Mark 12:30 we are told to “love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our mind, with all our soul, and with all our strength.” We learned by our Mother’s example that love is a commitment of our entire being without exception and that nothing will overpower our devotion, respect, loyalty or commitment that we have toward God, and to share this love is our purpose.
She waved with a smile and said hi to everyone who passed by. She was generous in every way, always ready with a hug and always had time to listen.
She enjoyed the outdoors, hiking, skiing, family picnics, yard work and gardening. She would often spend hours picking weeds by hand. She did many things with loyalty to all and yet maintained the balance needed to be a loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and Friend.
May she be eternally secure at the right hand of our Father, and may the seeds of love she planted in our hearts continue to grow and bloom.
Mary Lou is preceded in death by her husband Robert Newman, parents and brothers. Her survivors include children: Rick (Irene) Rowe, Brenda (Adrian) Keene, Ron (Suzanne) Rowe, Randy (Robin) Rowe, Ray (Laurie) Rowe, Roger Rowe and stepdaughters Margie (Gordon) Edsall, Gerri (Harvey) and Jean Thoma; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jo Etta Slayton (Jodi), 73, of Elliston, Mont., died in her home with her husband by her side on May 14, 2022.
Jodi was born June 24, 1948, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Donald and Virginia Joslyn. Jodi met the love of her life, her husband Jim, at age 16. Jodi and Jim had a love that everyone admired.
Jodi was an artist in Native American art. She loved riding her horses and playing with her dogs. Jodi was an avid hunter and loved shooting her guns. There wasn’t anything she couldn’t do. Jodi was a loving wife, mother and friend. She was loved by everyone.
Jodi is survived by her husband Jim Slayton of Elliston, son JD Slayton (wife Tammy), daughter Kim Cornelius of Elliston, grandson Brandon Ramsey of Missoula, grandson Dannie Slayton (wife Taren), granddaughter Mandi Cornelius of Crosby, Texas, granddaughter Cede Stimmel of Great Falls, brother Steven, sister Rita, sister Patty, sister Judith and six great-grandchildren.
Jodi was preceded in death by her son Daniel Charles Slayton, father Donald Joslyn, mother Virginia Garcia and her brother Wayne.
No services are scheduled at this time. Shine on Shining Eagle
Simple Cremation Montana has assisted the family.

Lee William McElwain, 66, of Deer Lodge, Mont., died May 21, 2022. Private services are being held by the family. Visit axelsonsfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a story of Lee.

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Genevieve (Jerri) Lynn Graveley-Quartey, 79, of Missoula, died peacefully on Tuesday, May 10, from natural causes with her family by her side.
She was born in Deer Lodge, Mont., on Sept. 23, 1942, the second of three children, to Arnold and Elizabeth (Betty) Graveley. Jerri grew up on the family ranch while attending school in Avon. She later attended Powell County High School after the family sold their ranch and moved to Deer Lodge.
On Jan. 19, 1960, Jerri married Robert (Bob) Townsley in Deer Lodge. After brief stays in Deer Lodge, Livingston and Great Falls, the young couple settled in Missoula where they raised their four children.
As the children got older, Jerri ventured into the working world and began to make her mark. In 1973, she found herself as host of a local talk show called “Coffee Break,” interviewing local personalities covering various topics. Three years later she founded Jerri Townsley Employment Agency.
Her entrepreneur spirit became a staple of her life, owning several businesses, not only in Montana, but also the Seattle area. She purchased a fulfillment business from her former employer in the late 1980s and proudly called it the Timmus Company and began a 23 year business relationship with Choices Education Group, a non-profit organization headquartered in Seattle.
Known for her exquisite flair in fashion, she enjoyed trying new things and seeing new places, including escapades to Uzbekistan and West Africa.
She loved spending time with family and friends. She was a terrific mom, and she treasured the tight bonds she had with her children as they were her life. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchild alike, there was never a day that went by that she did not brag about all her beautiful babies.
Jerri is preceded in death by her parents Arn and Betty Gravely; and sister, Sharon Tamke. She is survived by sister, Linda (Dave) Treadwell, Boise, Idaho; daughter, Tracy Knight-Missoula; sons, Bob Townsley, Bozeman, Wayne Townsley, Missoula, and Todd (Donna) Townsley-Missoula, along with 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
A celebration of her life will be held on June 25 in Missoula. A special thanks to Mary and all of the wonderful people from Riverside Health & Rehabilitation, and the folks with hospice, who helped take care of our Mom during her final days.


Death Notice
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Jo Etta Slayton, 73, of Elliston, Mont., died Saturday, May 14, 2022. Simple Cremation Montana has assisted the family. To view the obituary and share remembrances, visit: www.SimpleCremationMT.com.

A horse walks into a bar, and the bartender says, “hey buddy, why the long face?”
Dale’s favorite joke would normally bring giggles and maybe some eye rolls, but our long faces come from the great loss of Dale Alan Foster, 78, on May 12, 2022. Dale died peacefully, surrounded by family, at the hospital in Spokane, Wash.
He was born March 12, 1944, in Grants Pass, Ore., to Elaine (Holland) Foster and Alan Hunt, and was later adopted by his stepfather, George Foster. He was preceded in death by his parents.
He shared more than 20 years of partnership with his wife, Dot (Hareland Swanson) Foster. They had an enduring love for each other rooted in faith, devotion and chocolate. Together they nurtured a big, wild blended family with 12 children: Nichole (Glen) Wyant, Bryan Foster, Aaron Foster, Hannah Foster, Michelle (Tyler) Bryant, Kevin Foster, Jennifer Foster, Cheri Hersh (Ted Piche’), Paul (Tondra) Swanson, Lori Swanson (Jim Harrington), Shelly (Rodney) Harding and Mark (Bonnie) Swanson.
They have more grandchildren and great-grandchildren than could be practically noted here, and it’s okay if you don’t remember everyone’s names; Dale often didn’t. Many times, he’d go through at least a couple of names to land on the right one, sometimes even calling out one of the dogs’ names.
Dale served honorably in the United States Air Force as a jet engine mechanic from 1962 to 1966 and was an avid supporter of service members. He frequented war memorials and museums wherever he went, and cried at every single one. He was never afraid to show emotion. He was an ordinary man who lived extraordinarily in the way he loved and cared for those around him.
Dale gave space for his children to flourish, make mistakes, even the big ones, embrace joy, be afraid, be excited, be loud, be quiet, be themselves, and he was always ready to welcome them home when ready. He practiced compassion and loved unconditionally. He didn’t try to fit people into a mold, and he didn’t believe that one thing made up all of a person. He believed in community and communion. He treated everyone with kindness and gratitude.
In his final days at the hospital, he even thanked the doctor for his hospitality. He loved the ocean, playing Rummy, all the dogs, going for a drive, movies, traveling and spending time with loved ones. Dale had a strong conviction and enjoyed a good breakfast.
We will be celebrating Dale at Hope Lutheran Church in Anaconda, Mont., at 1 p.m. on June 24, 2022. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to Hope Lutheran Church or Save-A-Vet (www.save-a-vet.org). If you would like to share pictures or stories, please email his daughter Michelle at michelle.mk.bryant@gmail.com. ​