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Gerald Paul Sherman
BALLANTINE - Gerald Paul Sherman, 81, of Ballantine, passed away Sunday morning, Oct. 3, 1999, of natural causes.
Born on Aug. 17, 1918, to homesteaders Paul and Eva Cummings Sherman, he attended Garnsey School and graduated from Huntley Project School, class of 1937. Gerald married
Johannah Schneider on Dec. 6, 1947, in Worden, and they raised eight children on the family farm.
Gerald was an engineer at Great Western Sugar Factory until the steam engine was retired. He took pride in his work, his livestock, his garden and his family.
Mr. Sherman was preceded in death by his wife, Johannah; two children, Gary and Linda; his brother, Alvin; three sisters: Mildred Wells, Elaine Supola and Dolores Johnson; and two grandchildren, John Paul and Gail Renee. Survivors include his sisters, Oma Reinke of Billings and Neva Howell of Washington; his children, Debbie and Gary Stenulson of Warden; Clayton Sherman of Huntley; Phyllis and Joseph Rapp of Shepherd; Robin and Marcy Sherman, and Delbert and Melissa Sherman, both of Ballantine; Penny and James Lyon of Colstrip; 20 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Visitations will begin Wednesday morning at the Smith Downtown Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 7, at the Bethlehem Congregational Church in Worden with interment to follow at the Pleasantview cemetery in Ballantine. Smith Downtown Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
James Frank Sparks
PLEVNA - James Frank Sparks, age 72 of Plevna, died Sunday, Oct. 3, 1999, in Glendive of complications from Parkinson's Disease.
He was born Aug. 21, 1927, at the family homestead near Lame Jones Creek. The seventh of eight children born to G.W. and Bernetta Sparks, he had perfect attendance for eight years at the Lame Jones School. These years of formal education were the basis for a lifetime of reading, research and experiments. In 1947 he bought a small ranch. On Sept. 8, 1948, Frank was married
to Goldie Collie at Baker. To this union, three sons were born: James, Thomas and Donald.
A pioneer in performance testing for beef cattle, he was the charter president for the Montana Beef Performance Association. Frank was a lifelong advocate for the Horned Hereford breed and sound range management. He practiced performance testing "the fittest of the survivors." Frank sponsored many youth groups for range and livestock activities. Many tours were hosted for local, state and national visitors and groups. He designed, built and promoted the use of a most successful interseeder for rangeland. He pioneered the research work of barometric pressure as it affects estrus and onset of labor in cattle. Many compensations for his presentations on performance testing, contour furrowing and improvement of range and cattle have been donated to the Yellowstone Boys Ranch at Billings, Home on the Range for boys at Sentinel Butte, N.D., or Sky Ranch for Boys, Camp Crook, S.D. He also served as an instructor for the Environmental Education Workshop and served on the State RAD Range Committee. He appeared in two films on range activity by the Old West Regional Commission and a videotape on contour furrowing by Dr. Don Ryerson at Montana State University.
Frank was a member and served as a trustee of the Baker Community Church; member of the school boards for Lame Jones and Plevna; 4-H Club organizer and leader of the Red Butte Ramblers; member of the Montana State Livestock Sanitary Board; member of the Montana Stockgrowers, Society of Range Management, National Cattleman's Association and the Fallon Historical Society. He was a graduate of the Graham School in Kansas and received one of the first AI certificates in Montana.
Frank's hobbies were reading and the ability to design and build anything from scratch materials. Frank was the recipient of the Ford Foundation Beef Efficiency Award in 1961. The grant that went with this award was designated for beef carcass work (an ultrasound machine) at the Livestock and Range Experiment Station in Miles City. In 1965 he received the State 4-H Alumni award. In 1973 Frank was recognized by Montana Fish and Game for contributing to understanding between landowners and sportsmen. The State of Montana RAD committee honored Frank as Rangeman of the Year in 1974. The 1980 Little I at MSU was dedicated to him for outstanding involvement in livestock education and productivity. In 1990 the Livestock and Range Experiment Station honored him with a producer recognition award.
Frank's greatest love was for his wife of 51 years and his children and grandchildren. Survivors include his wife, Goldie of Plevna; three sons: James J. Sparks of Glendive, Thomas L. Sparks and his wife, Carol of Plevna and Donald R. Sparks and his wife, Judy of Bowman; a brother, Ernest T. Sparks of Miles City; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: George, Alfred and Robert; and three sisters: Melvina, Pearl and Mary.
A Funeral Service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, 1999, at the Baker Community Church. Burial will follow in the family lot of the Lame Jones cemetery. Stevenson Funeral Home of Baker is in charge of the arrangements.
Sylvia Stoddard
Sylvia Stoddard was born in Billings on Aug. 25, 1933, the third child of James and Annie Patterson. She died Sunday morning, Oct. 3, 1999, at the Evergreen Health and Rehab Center.
Sylvia worked for 27 years at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center. She loved to be around her family, co-workers, neighbors and friends. Her favorite pastimes were knitting afghans for others, and doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles.
Ms. Stoddard was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Margery Woods; one niece and three nephews. She is survived by two sons, Rodney and Rodger Stoddard; three daughters: Barbara Ferris, Deanna Caudill and Lynda Anton; 16 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Hubert and Norman Patterson.
Visitations will begin Tuesday morning at Smith Downtown Chapel and conclude at 9 am. on Wednesday. The casket will be closed at the church. Funeral services will be held at 11 am. on Wednesday, Oct. 6, at the Evangelical United Methodist Church with interment to follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Smith Downtown Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Jack Waddell
SILESIA - Jack Waddell, 76, of Silesia, died Saturday, Oct. 2, 1999. Jack was born in Forsyth to Mabel and Max Waddell. He later moved with his family to Joliet, where he attended and graduated as valedictorian from Joliet High School.
He received a degree in engineering physics from Montana State University. He served four years as a Navy pilot in the South Pacific during World War II. He worked at his career of being an experimental test pilot at the Boeing Aircraft Company in Seattle where he made many first flights on new aircraft, including the Boeing 747. He retired as chief test pilot and director of flight training, and returned to his beloved Montana to raise thoroughbred race horses.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Audrey; his son, John; his daughter, Maxine; and his grandchildren.
Memorials can be made to the Joliet Ambulance Service, 129 N. Main, Joliet, MT 59041, or the charity of choice.
Funeral services will be held at the Joliet Lutheran Church, 1st and Central, Joliet, at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 9.
Carl Wegner
Carl Wegner, of Billings, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 3, 1999, at Eagle Cliff Manor. He was 93.
Carl was born on Aug. 30, 1906, to Edward and Wilhelmina Wegner in the village of Susannental, Russia. In 1913, he immigrated with his family to America, settling in the Billings area. In February of 1930, he married
Ella Nauman. They moved to Absarokee where they ranched until 1936, at which time they moved back to Billings. Carl spent time farming and then worked as a truck driver for Sweetheart and Sawyer's.
After retiring, Carl enjoyed traveling with his wife and dachshund in their trailer to visit their children and grandchildren. He enjoyed playing cards and reminiscing about the old days. Also, every Saturday night, Carl loved to spend the evening dancing the polka.
Carl is survived by his four children and their spouses: Doris McClure and Cecil of Eureka, Mo., Ralph Wegner and Joanne of Tracy, Calif., Kenneth Wegner and Judy of Maple Valley, Wash., and Marvin Wegner and Marianne of Billings. He is also survived by his brothers, Earl Wegner of Bremerton, Wash., Solomon Wegner of Powell, Wyo., and Edward Wegner of Billings, and his sisters, Amelia Nauman of Billings, and Mary Knuettal of New London, Wis. He has 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ella in 1998, his parents; and his sisters, Dorothy Ottolino, Minnie Chapman, and Rose Ennis.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 1999, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 537 Grand Ave., Billings. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. The family suggests that memorial gifts be given to Trinity Lutheran Church or to the charity of the donor's choice. Smith Downtown Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Visitation will begin at noon Monday.
Verna L. Wilhelm
CIRCLE - Verna L. (Pardis) Wilhelm, 87, died Sunday, Oct. 3, 1999, at the Glendive Medical Center.
Viewing will be 5-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8, at the Clayton Memorial Chapel. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, at the United Christian Church with interment at Riverview cemetery.
Ervin 'Ert' Bermes
MOLT - Ervin "Ert" Bermes, 74, of Molt, died Sunday, Oct. 3, 1999.
Ervin R. Bermes was born to his loving parents, Leonard and Laura Bermes, on Dec. 24, 1924, in Naperville, Ill. After moving to Montana and settling in Molt, he attended grade school at Two Pine Elementary, and at the age of 20, started his own farming operation in 1944. Ert was united in marriage to Donna Schultz on Dec. 3, 1945. Ert and Donna spent the next 53 years of their lives together while raising their five children: Bev, Barb, Ken, Erlene, and Karen. Ert was most proud of his family, his farming skills, and the buildings on his farm that he had built with his own hands.
When Ert was not working hard on the farm he could always be found dancing with his family, or as a member of the Knights of Columbus, Moose Lodge No. 558, and the Big Sky Polka Club. Though Ert truly loved his family, farming, and dancing, his greatest love and devotion was for God at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.
Ert was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Laura Bermes; sisters, Esther Martin and Marcella Bermes; brother, Robert Bermes; and grandson, Nathan. He is survived by his loving wife, Donna; children, Bev and Larry Swanson of Pendroy, Barb and Larry Adams of Billings, Ken and Leann Bermes of Rapelje, Erlene and Clint Schmidt of Molt, and Karen and Mike McCord of Molt; grandchildren, Chad, Inga (Matt), Randy, Tera (Jim), Kristen, Jeff (Bonnie), Darci (Darrin), Kendra, Bethany, Kristopher, Kyle, Megan, Leah, Mindy, and Rayce; great-grandchildren, Trey, Matthew, Ty, Terryn, Taylor, and Kailee; brothers, Bernie (Helen) Bermes of Hardin, Jim (Vangie) Bermes of Molt; sister-in-law, Judy (Bob) Bermes of Billings; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Vigil and Rosary will be held 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5, 1999, at St. Thomas the Apostle. Funeral Mass will be at St. Thomas on Wednesday at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Mountview cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 2812 First Ave. N., Suite No. 216, Billings, MT 59101, or to a charity of one's choice.
Peggy Milstead Covert
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Peggy Milstead Covert, 76, formerly of Billings, passed away peacefully, of natural causes, at her home in Scottsdale on Sept. 30, 1999.
She was born April 7, 1923, in Cody, Wyo., a daughter of James G. and Nelle Collier Milstead. The family later moved to Billings, where Peggy attended and graduated from Billings High School. During World War II, she and John H. Covert married
, and they were later divorced. She moved to Arizona in 1961, where she was employed as a secretary at Arizona State University for many years. After retirement, she spent some years in San Diego, Calif., returning to Scottsdale three years ago. She was a member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Phoenix.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters and a brother. She is survived by her daughter, Susan Covert Ortiz (Manny) of Phoenix, and two sons, Doug (Kathy) Covert of Scottsdale and John M. (Mac) Covert of Tempe. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren.
A memorial service is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 5, 1999, in Scottsdale. Peggy's ashes will be distributed later, in the San Diego area she loved.
Thomas G. Coyne
DAYTON, Wyo. - Thomas G. Coyne, 60, died Friday, Oct. 1, 1999, at his home.
Viewing will be during the day until noon Thursday, Oct. 7, at Ferries Funeral Home in Sheridan. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Dayton Community Church with interment in Dayton cemetery.
Albertine Schalene W. Criger
LIVINGSTON - Schalene W. Criger, 85, died Monday, Oct. 4, 1999, at Livingston Health and Rehab Center.
Cremation has taken place and memorial services will be at a later date. Franzen-Davis Crematory was in charge.
DeAnna L. Doney
LEWISTOWN - DeAnna L. "Dee" Doney, 59, died Sunday, Oct. 3, 1999, at her home of cancer.
Vigil will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, at St. Leo's Catholic Church. Funeral Liturgy will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 8, at the church, with interment at Central Montana Memorial Gardens. Creel Funeral Home is in charge.
Sue Elizabeth Dyckman
NEWPORT, Wash. - Sue Elizabeth Dyckman, 74, formerly of Hardin, Mont., died Friday, Oct. 1, 1999, at Deaconess Medical Center in Spokane.
Inurnment services will be held in the spring in the Hardin cemetery. The Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home was in charge.
Denise Marie Edwards
Denise Marie Edwards slipped away Sunday night, near midnight, Oct. 3, 1999. She was surrounded by her family and some of her closest friends. Denise, her family and friends were shocked just two months ago, when she was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer.
Yet the grace, strength and dignity Denise exhibited, as she endured each rapid setback in her illness, was truly awe-inspiring. But, then, those traits characterized Denise and how she lived her life.
Born, tiny and premature, March 9, 1948, in Great Falls, she was the daughter of John and Iris Krsul. Throughout her high school and college years she very much enjoyed the distinction of being the only one of her friends who actually lived "in jail" - because, as Cascade County's longtime sheriff, her father, John, and his family were required to live in quarters within the stately old stone jail building located across from the Cascade County Courthouse square in Great Falls.
Denise graduated, proudly, from Great Falls Central High School in 1966. She loved her school years there, and with her classmates, remained fiercely loyal to their alma mater even after it was closed and went out of existence! Denise equally loved the years at Carroll College in Helena. She was an outstanding student in her chosen vocation of elementary education.
Denise was enormously popular with her fellow students. One of the highlights of her Carroll years was being elected 1967 Homecoming Queen - and then being escorted that night to the Homecoming Ball in a 1937 Yellowstone Park Touring Bus (opened-topped) by her date, Clifford Edwards, and his partner in that unique transportation, Marc Racicot. Campus and clergy officials were not enamored at all with that vehicle ever being on campus, but tolerated her escorts bringing it to the front door of the Commons, only because Denise was on board!
After graduation from Carroll, Denise taught third grade while putting her husband through the University of Montana Law School in Missoula. She and Cliff were married
May 15, 1971, in Great Falls. A deep and special bond between them remained to the end. Their greatest joy was their sons.
When they moved to Billings in 1974, Denise relinquished her teaching career, which she loved, for what was the guiding and enduring center of the rest of her life - the two sons she adored and cherished. Alexander Christopher and John William had the full and undivided attention of their mother from the moment of their birth until the moment of her death.
Whatever school or athletic activity Chris and John were ever involved in, there could be found no more loyal nor enthusiastic volunteer parent for those activities. Chris' Billings Redwing hockey team traveled all over North America (or so it seems!) and Denise thrived on wearing out several Suburbans while driving he and his teammates and watching them play everywhere from small steel hut arenas in Saskatchewan, Canada, to the beautiful state-of-the-art hockey arena in metropolitan Denver when the Redwings competed for Western United States Regional honors while Chris was in high school.
When John began his three-year stint as the quarterback for the West High Bears, Denise as supportive and enthusiastic a "Bear Mom" when he was a sophomore (enduring some negative total yardage games!) as when he was a junior with his team in the playoffs, and then as a Senior, together with his teammates, putting together a thrilling come from behind first ever State Title for West High. Her joy in her sons and being around their teammates and their friends, radiated to all those around her.
Denise's favorite spot on earth was the Cedar Bay of Swan Lake, and the cabin that she and Cliff bought and restored starting in 1987. She spent hundreds of hours watching sunrises, sunsets, birds, fish and animals on and around Cedar Bay, and together with her family and their many friends who visited and stayed at Cedar Bay, made it, as she often said, "Heaven on Earth."
Denise was preceded in death by her beloved father, John, in 1981. She is survived by Clifford, Christopher and Dub. Getting the two boys settled in their new living quarters in Missoula, where they both attend the University of Montana, was a highlight of this summer and she completed it just before being stricken with the cancer. She is also survived by her cherished mother, Iris of Great Falls; her brother, John (Betsy) Krsul of Idaho Falls and nephews, Mike, Tim and Mark Krsul; her mother-in-law, Margaret Edwards of Denton; her brother-in-law, Wayne (Lorinda) Edwards, nieces, Sarah, Kelley and Katie of Denton; and sister-in-law, Colleen (Bob) Murphy, niece, Jessica and nephew, Shane of Minneapolis; and dear friend from grade school and for the rest of her life, Kathy Koppang Warhank of Great Falls. Additionally, Denise is survived by the close-knit group of wonderful girlfriends that she had in Billings. Their strength, love and support sustained her in her illness. All of them must know how much they meant to her, not only before, but after her disease.
A Rosary will be recited Wednesday evening, Oct. 6, at 7 p.m. at Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave., Billings. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, Oct. 7, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 2210 Colton Blvd., Billings. The casket will be closed for the Rosary and the Mass. The Rite of Committal will be at Hillcrest cemetery in Denton. Memorials may be directed to the Denise M. Edwards Memorial Fund, c/o First Interstate Bank West, P.O. Box 31317, Billings, MT 59107.
Harrold 'Bud' Elliott
LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. - Harrold "Bud" Elliott, 77, passed away Saturday, Oct. 2, 1999, at his home.
Harrold was born Nov. 7, 1921 in Chinook, Mont. He served in the Army Air Corp during WWII. He married
Velma Mary Zent in Billings on Sept. 8, 1951, at St. Patrick's Cathedral. He retired from the Montana State Highway Department in Havre in 1978 and lived in Havre and Billings for many years before making his home in Lake Havasu City in 1990.
He was a life member of the BPOE and active in the Lions club for many years. He enjoyed golf at the London Bridge Golf Club where he has been a member for 14 years.
Bud was an avid fisherman and enjoyed his time on the lake with Canadian friends, and taking his granddaughters to Site Six. He was a member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church and previously active in the Knights of the Round Table.
He is survived by his wife, Vel; a son, Dean and wife, Julie, Bozeman, Mont.; a daughter, Robin Ebert and husband, Rob, London, England; and two grandchildren, Crystal Anne Ebert and Marina Deanne Elliott, who gave him so much joy.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and two sisters.
Cremation is planned and a Memorial Mass will be held at Our Lady of The Lake Catholic Church in Lake Havasu City on Wednesday, Oct. 6, 1 p.m.
Mary Erlenbusch
COHAGEN - Mary Emma Lou Erlenbusch, 61, of Cohagen, died Monday, Oct. 4, 1999, at the Garfield County Health Center in Jordan.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, in the Chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home with interment in the Custer County cemetery, both in Miles City.
John David Grooms
SHERIDAN, Wyo. - John David Grooms, 57, died Wednesday, Sept. 29, 1999, at the VA Medical Center.
Cremation has taken place and services will be at a later date in Florida. Kane Funeral Home is in charge.
