September 26th, 2018

​Henry Joseph (Joe) Hukill
​Henry Joseph (Joe) Hukill, 70, passed away Sunday, September 16, 2018 in Lewistown of natural causes. He was born in Deer Lodge on October 14, 1947 to Henry John and Kathryn (Dye) Hukill.  Joe grew up in Deer Lodge and graduated from Powell County High School in 1968.  He enlisted with the United States Air Force, serving his country as the officer in charge of helicopter maintenance and turn-around and jet loading and turn-around in Viet Nam and Thailand. Upon returning from Viet Nam, the Air Force deployed him to Alaska for his final tour. Joe earned an honorable discharge and worked for Bell Helicopter when he returned from the service. Throughout Joe focused his interests and skill sets in mechanical engineering, obtaining certifications in both Automotive and Diesel Tractor operation and maintenance in Colorado.
Joe’s heart was forever at home in Montana and he was happy to return to Missoula. He is remembered by his friends and family for the loving care he provided for his parents, for his generous spirit and for his compassion and eagerness to help others. Joe stayed in constant contact with friends and family, primarily to ensure that everyone was in good health.  To some extent, Joe was the conduit between our geographically disparate family and our Montana friends. Joe was a gentle man and he was a man who would give the shirt off his back without hesitation.  He brought his gifts of love and laughter to all who knew him. His sense of humor always earned him points. He liked to joke with friends, and he delighted in devising tricks that brought smiles all around, as well as entertainment for his young nephews. 
Joe is survived by his brother, John Dye Hukill of Lothian, Md.; his sister, Carol Rives of Salem, Ore.; several nieces and nephews who are scattered across the country.   
Joe was buried on Thursday, September 20, 2018 at 11 in Hillcrest Cemetery in Deer Lodge with Mount Powell and all its splendor in the foreground.  A memorial service for friends and family will be scheduled in June 2019.   The Cloyd Funeral Home of Lewistown is assisting the family.
Friends who wish to honor Joe’s memory, the family would suggest a donation to your Humane Society, being ever mindful of Joe’s well-loved and pampered kitties and they may be left at the Cloyd Funeral Home, PO Box 595 Lewistown, MT  59457. Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.cloydfuneralhome.com.

---

​Lawrence W. “Larry” Keele
Lawrence W. “Larry” Keele passed away peacefully on September 19, surrounded by family after a long battle with multiple health issues.
Larry was born in Salmon, Idaho on January 20, 1943 to Leroy and Linnie Keele.  Larry was the second of four children, joining sister Riva. Sister Rosie and brother Rod would come later.
After high school Larry joined the Navy and was always proud of his status as a veteran.
Larry’s first marriage was blessed with three daughters; Pam, Becky, and Kathy.  They also adopted three kids; LD, Peggy, and Janita. Some of the kids’ earliest memories are of riding in a log-truck with their dad and going camping and hunting for sapphires and garnets on the Skalkaho.
In 1981 Larry married Toni Mattila.  It was also the second marriage for Toni and she came with four kids of her own; Dale, Tana, Bambi, and Penni.  Larry welcomed the step-children with open arms and always treated them like his own.
Larry spent 33 years as a truck driver, from log trucks to long-haul over-the-road hauling.
From childhood on, Larry was an avid hunter and fisherman.  Some of his biggest joys were taking friends and family on his boat for fishing outings and weekends spent at the hunting cabin.  Larry was always up for a game of cribbage (or 20) and his skills were feared far and wide. There were few things worse than being left in the “stink-hole” by Larry.
Larry liked a cold beer, a fat steak, a tall whiskey, and a good read.  He had a great sense of humor and infectious smile. He was a man of great faith.  He was a proud and loving grandfather, never letting his grandkids leave without one of his famous bear-hugs.  
Larry was preceded in death by his parents Leroy and Linnie, sisters Riva and Rosie, and daughter Peggy.  He is survived by his wife Toni, brother Rod (Shirley), children Pam Carlson, Becky Snyder (Bob Bierhaus), Kathy (Mark) Peterson, LD Keele, Janita (Doyle) Van Heeder, Dale Mattila, Tana (John) Bignell, Bambi Mattila, and Penni (Joe) Gray, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Services will be Wednesday, September 26 at 11 at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Helena.

---