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Gary F. Kibble
ROUNDUP - Gary F. Kibble, 68, of Roundup, passed away on Dec. 30, 1999, at his home of natural causes.
Gary was born Nov. 18, 1931, on his aunt's farm in Ohio Station, Ill. He lived his early years on another "grandma's" farm out of Princeton, Ill., and in Princeton also. In 1946 he moved to Roundup, Mont., with his mother and sister to start a new life with his stepfather Earl W. Kibble. Gary was very active in sports and drama in high school. In 1949 after graduation, he started to Eastern Montana College where he was on the football team. In November of 1949 he joined the Marines. He served in the Korean conflict until 1953. He was a sergeant in the Marines. He played in the Marine Corps band and was also an MP for a short time. Gary moved to Seattle, Wash., in 1954 and started school at the University of Washington. He was studying to be an engineer so he could build bridges. He was unable to complete his education due to financial difficulties and took a job as a bartender in the University District. He eventually got work on the "docks" in Seattle, and became one of the bosses in the office where they loaded and unloaded ships from around the world. He worked there until his retirement in 1991 due to emphysema from smoking. He moved back to Montana at that time to live in his mother's home.
Gary loved his family and especially his nieces and nephews and their children. He had been an avid fisherman and hunter and had a special rapport with horses and other animals. After moving back to Montana, he got a "pug" dog who was his constant companion. Gary called him "Bud" and so he became to all who knew Gary. Gary enjoyed painting, and had also self-educated himself by reading every book he could find, putting everything to practical use. He had done so many interesting and exciting things and enjoyed relating some of his "tall tales" from horse racing to music, to movies, to his life on the farm.
Gary was preceded in death by his father, his mother, his step-father and his niece Rebecca Bray. He is survived by his sister Nancy (Wright "Red") Anderson, his nephew Daniel Brewer, his nieces Linda Graham and Dana Chase, his great-nephews Matthew Molloy, Kellen Brewer, Justice Graham, his great-nieces Shalmai Molloy, Holly Cather, Rachael Despain, Danielle Brewer, Liberty Graham and Abbey Brewer. He is also survived by six great-great nephews and nieces.
Gary was respected and loved by all his family and friends and will be missed by us all. He has at last found peace and joy through His Savior Jesus Christ.
He was my brother and my confidante and friend, and he made me laugh and have hope in my heart for a better life here and in God's heaven.
Memorials may be given to charity of choice.
Visitation will be Monday, Jan. 3, 2000, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Wier Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2000, at the First United Methodist Church. Interment with military honors will follow at the Roundup City cemetery. Wier Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Irvin Howard 'Hebe' Lee
CUPERTINO, Calif. - Mr. Lee, former commander of Billings Naval Reserve Training Center, was born in San Francisco Feb. 1, 1924, and died at his home in Cupertino, Calif., Dec. 21, 1999, of cancer.
Hebe was one of a select group of naval aviators pioneering night carrier aviation. These original nighttime aviators were invaluable in protecting the U.S. Navy Fleet in the Pacific Theatre. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his skill flying F-6 Hellcats off the carrier U.S. Independence with the WWII Squadron, Air Group 41.
After WWII Hebe moved his family to the Kenai Peninsula. He built the Lee homestead cabin that doubled as a site for the area's first Post Office and named the growing community of Soldatna. The log structure still stands as an historic landmark and museum.
Hebe returned to Navy service during the Korean conflict; afterward marrying his second wife, Bettie. In 1964 he moved to Billings as Commanding Officer at the NRTC during the Vietnam War era. As C.O., he was responsible for starting the now-traditional annual Navy Ball. After retirement, he purchased a Tahiti ketch, leaving Montana for a life of sailing. His wife of 27 years, Bettie, died an untimely death in 1979, and Hebe returned to Northern California.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 18 years, June; his son Michael (Debbie) Lee and their daughters Katie and Autumn of Helena; a daughter, Karen Davis of Billings, her daughter, Alice Graveley, and great-granddaughter Alexandra Graveley of Salt Lake City. Hebe was loved and admired by all who knew him.
Albert Merkel
Albert Merkel, 75, of Billings, formerly of Great Falls, passed away Thursday, Dec. 30, 1999, at his home of heart failure.
He was born at McLaughlin, S.D., the son of Gust and Louise Heimbuch Merkel on March 30, 1924. Al was raised and schooled near McLaughlin, working on the family farm until marrying Del-ores Mundfrom on June 19, 1954. They lived in South Dakota, Wyoming and Great Falls, Mont., before moving to Billings. He had worked as a custodian for the Great Falls School System. Al retired in 1977 and later moved to Billings. He loved to garden and enjoyed fishing and playing cards with friends.
Survivors include his wife Delores, two daughters, Sandy (Bryan) Meyers and Donna (Fred) Charette, a son, Albert Allen (Renae) Merkel, all of Billings; four grandchildren, Jason and Lindsey Meyers and Holly and Kirby Charette.
Al was the oldest of 13 children. He is survived by his stepmother, Hilda; four sisters, Alma, Leola, Louise and Mary; six brother, Bernie, Eddie, Ervin, Eugene, Jimmy and Milton. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Lorraine and brother Leo.
Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 2336 St. Johns Ave. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Big Sky Hospice, Box 35033, Billings, MT 59102 or Mount Olive.
Arrangements are by Cremation or Funeral Gallery.
Bonnie M. Noel
SUPERIOR - Bonnie M. Noel, 87, of Superior, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 30, 1999, at Mineral Community Hospital in Superior.
She was born on Oct. 20, 1912, at Fromberg, Mont., the daughter of Murray and Juanita Wilson Reigle. She grew up and attended school in Fromberg. On June 7, 1931, she married
Philip E. Noel in Cody, Wyo. The couple made their home in Laurel and the surrounding area for 60 years. Bonnie worked as a home health provider for many years. She was also active in the Senior Citizens and as a 4-H leader.
She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Nita and Roger Hearst of Superior and Phyllis and Jay Anderson of Pocatello, Idaho; one sister, Marjorie Minucci of Fernley, Nev.; four grandsons, six great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Philip in 1982, her son George Murray Noel in 1955 and her sister, Emily Fellows.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 7, 2000, at the United Methodist Church of Laurel with Rev. Dick Storment officiating.
Memorials may be made to the Montana 4-H Foundation, c/o State 4-H office, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, 59715.
Coffelt-Bunch Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
Kermit Welty
CASPER, Wyo. - Kermit Welty, 85, died in Casper.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 4, at Fulkerson Funeral Home in Sidney, Mont. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5, at the Fairview cemetery in Fairview, Mont. Friends may gather at the funeral home to go to the cemetery for the service.
Curtis Robert Allen
Curtis Robert Allen, 76, of Billings, passed away Saturday, Oct. 23, 1999, at his home following a long illness.
He was born June 13, 1923, in Detroit, the son of Barney and Elizabeth Allen. He was raised in Michigan and married
Constance Mildred Smart on Dec. 12, 1943, in Lake Forest Ill.
Curtis loved fishing with his friends at Deadman's Basin and Cooney Dam. He came to Montana in 1955 and worked for Holman Diesel where he retired after 35 years.
He was a member of the American Legion and Moose Lodge.
Survivors include his first wife, Constance Allen and their four children: Barbara (Hans) Bredius of Michigan; Robert Curtis (Grace) Allen of California; Darcy (Dale) Moody of Michigan; Rick (Nancy) Allen of Michigan. He is also survived by his second wife, Doris Gates of Montana and her children Dorrell (Janice) Gates of Billings; Kay Tucker of Williston, N.D.; and by dear friends Don (Tami) Olson of Shepherd; nine grandchildren; a great-grandchild; his sister, Lois Fetchdinger of Largo, Fla.; and many special friends.
His sister, Eunice, preceded him in death.
Edna Rose Whitbeck Allen
MILES CITY - Edna Rose (Whitbeck) Allen, age 86, of Miles City, Mont., passed away Wednesday, Dec. 29, 1999, at the Deaconess Medical Center in Billings.
Edna was born on Jan. 20, 1913, in Miles City, the daughter of Edward and Rosa (Loesch) Whitbeck. She attended grade school and lived at the Ursuline Convent in Miles City and graduated from Custer County High School. Edna married
Elmer "Nibs" Allen in Miles City on June 1, 1935. They moved to the Allen family ranch at Volborg, Mont., where they raised cattle and sheep until the death of her husband Nibs in 1990. Edna moved into Miles City and in 1996 moved to Billings.
Edna was a member of the First Methodist Church, Eastern Star, Daughters of the Nile, Drove of Does, director of the Range Riders Museum and secretary of the SY School Board. She was very involved in Stockman Bank, CowBelles, Custer County Art Center and promoting Miles Community College. Edna founded the Nibs and Edna Allen Foundation, a foundation which Edna set up after Nibs passed away to be used for charitable gifting in southeastern Montana.
Edna is survived by their many nieces and nephews. She was known to many as "Aunt Edna." She was proceeded in death by her parents, her husband Nibs and a sister Gladys W. Sad.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 4, in the United Methodist Church in Miles City. A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 3, , in the chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the family lot in the Custer County cemetery. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of arrangements.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Range Rider's Museum or to a charity of their choice.
Chester Anderson
PLENTYWOOD - Funeral services for Chester Anderson will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 3, 2000. Pastor Wes Aardahl will officiate the service at Nathanael Lutheran Church at Dagmar; interment will be in Nathanael cemetery. Chester, 90, died Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 29, at Sheridan Memorial Hospital in Plentywood.
Born May 29, 1909, in Palmer, Kan, Chester was the sixth child of ten born to Chris and Hanna Anderson (Slipsager). He and his family moved to Dagmar, Mont., in 1916. Chester attended Hiawatha school at Dagmar through the eighth grade. He worked for farmers in the area and later worked on the Fort Peck Dam. In 1937 Chester and a friend went to Nevada to placer-mine gold. In the spring of 1937 he returned to Dagmar to help his parents put in the crop. In July of 1937 he returned to California and worked on construction in and around Martinez for 60 cents an hour. If he could find work and was able to work every day, his pay check was $31.85 per week. It was tough going as work was hard to find.
Chester married
Cora Larsen Jan. 30, 1938, in Martinez, Calif. They made their home in Martinez, and their daughters Carole and Marilyn were born there. Chester and family returned to Dagmar in 1941 to farm with his brother Bill. He started with 19 head of cattle, but as the years went by, the herd increased. He also raised wheat, oats, barley and put up tons of hay for the increasing herd of Herefords; Chester retired from farming in 1975.
In 1976 they built a new home in Plentywood, where they have resided since. Chester was a member of the Nathanael Lutheran Church at Dagmar and was a charter member of the Dagmar gun club. He kept busy maintaining their yard in the summer months and enjoyed fishing trips to northern Canada, as well as duck and pheasant hunting. Until the last year, when weather permitted, he walked the streets of Plentywood for his daily exercise; and if he missed a day, his absence was noted by other residents.
Chester is survived by his two daughters and their families, Carole, and her husband, George Knaub, of Houston, Texas; and Marilyn and her husband Lyle Williams, of Huntsville, Ala. Also surviving are five grandchildren, Rochelle Wiley and her husband Larry; Kevin Knaub and his wife Cathy, DeeAnn Sturtevant and her husband Chuck, Kelly Williams, and Bruce Williams and his wife Shelli; five great-grandchildren, Christina Knaub, Ashley and Tony Williams, Alexandra Williams, Cortney Sturtevant; and two step great-grandsons, Joshua and Jeremy Sturtevant. One brother, Delmar Andersen and his wife Mae, of Dagmar survives. Chester was preceded in death by eight brothers and sisters: Leslie Andersen, whose wife, Marjorie, lives in Dagmar; Minnie Sampsen, James Anderson, Andrew Anderson, Wilbur "Bill" Anderson, Carrie Anderson, Eva Nustad, and Lloyd "Buck" Anderson, whose wife, Elice Nelson, lives in Plentywood. He is also survived by numerous nephews and nieces.
Fulkerson Funeral Home of Plentywood has charge of arrangements.
Cleo C. Beddes
WORLAND, Wyo. - Cleo C. Cook Beddes, 83, formerly of Lovell, died Wednesday, Dec. 29, 1999, at her daughter's home in Worland.
Visitation will be from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday at the Bryant Funeral Home Chapel in Worland and one hour prior to services in the Relief Society Room at the LDS Church in Lovell. Services will be at 1 p.m. Jan. 3 at the Lovell LDS Stake Center with burial in the Cowley cemetery.
Barbara Pool Brown
WESTMINSTER, Colo. - Barbara Pool Brown, 66, formerly of Sheridan, Wyo., died Tuesday, Dec. 28, 1999, in Westminster.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Kane Funeral Home in Sheridan, with burial in the Elks cemetery.
Claudine Buckingham
CODY, Wyo. - Claudine Buckingham, age 89, of Cody, passed away on Dec. 29, 1999, at the Powell Nursing Home. Claudine Mitchum Buckingham was born on Feb. 5, 1910, in Riverton, the daughter of Claude Bell Mitchum and Julia Olga Doughty.
She lived her early life in Riverton. Her mother died at an early age and Claudine was raised by aunts and uncles. She also lived with the O.W. King family in Riverton for several years. She obtained her teaching degree from the University of Wyoming and taught in rural schools in Linwood, Utah; Dubois, Lander, Ishawooa School (near Cody) and Story, Wyo.
In Story, she met Curtis Buckingham, and they were married
in Hardin, Mont., on Jan. 7, 1939. Curtis and Claudine worked and lived on several ranches in the Buffalo, Sheridan, Douglas and Cody areas. In November 1957, they bought the D & C Texaco Service Station in Cody with their good friends, Dick and Pat Way. They operated the Texaco station until Curtis retired in June 1976. Claudine also did substitute teaching in the Cody Schools.
Her two grandsons were the joy of her life. Education, politics and her friends and family were very important to her. She was a member of the Christ Episcopal Church of Cody.
She is survived by her husband, Curtis, of Cody, son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Judi Buckingham of Powell and her two grandsons, Jeffrey and Scott Buckingham of Powell.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 3, 2000, at Christ Episcopal Church. Interment will follow in Riverside cemetery.
Francis 'Buss' Farlow
CODY, Wyo. - Francis Carl "Buss" Farlow, 89, died Thursday, Dec. 30, 1999, at his home.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Ballard Funeral Home. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Ballard Funeral Home with burial in Riverside cemetery.
Myra Faye Flying
LAME DEER - Myra Faye Flying, 40, died Wednesday, Dec. 29, 1999, in the IHS Clinic in Lame Deer.
Wake service will be at 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 2, at the St. Labre Catholic Church near Ashland. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 3, at the church. Interment will be in the St. Labre cemetery. Rausch Funeral Home of Lame Deer is in charge.
J. C. 'Jack' Hannah
MOORE - J. C. "Jack" Hannah, lifetime rancher and resident of Central Montana, died Thursday, Dec. 30, 1999, in Billings due to an extended illness. He was born the son of R.J. and Ruby (Clifford) Hannah on Feb. 6, 1918, at the Hannah ranch south of Moore. He graduated from Moore High School and Kinman Business University in Spokane, Wash.
He married
Betty Iola Sampson on June 3, 1939. Betty passed away on Jan. 3, 1976. He later married
Marian Johnston of Seattle who passed away in June of 1993.
After several years of working in Lewistown, he moved to the Hannah ranch south of Moore and purchased the ranch from his father. The ranch was established in 1883 by Jack's grandfather, Rogers Clifford. He lived there until two months before his death. Jack took great pride in caring for his land and cattle.
Jack, like his father and grandfather, was active in community affairs. He served on the Moore School Board, was on the advisory board of St. Joseph's Hospital and was elected a charter director of the new Central Montana Hospital. He also served on the new hospital's advisory board.
Jack was a stockholder in Horning Implement Company and was vice president and director for many years. He was a director of Lewistown's First National Bank for two decades and was a trustee of the Fergus Electric Cooperative for 18 years. He was a member of the Fergus County Livestock Association for over 50 years and the Montana Stockgrowers Association for over 50 years.
He was a member of the Eagles, Elks, Friendship Masonic Lodge No. 37, Al Bedoo Shrine Temple in Billings and its Black Horse Patrol.
He is survived by four children, Marge Hannah of Helena, Mont., John (Jeanne) Hannah of Torrance, Calif., Linda (John) Swanz of Judith Gap and Carol Hannah of Billings. In addition, he is survived by one sister, Marjorie Randall of Florissant, Mo.; and six grandchildren, Mike Hannah, Brian Hannah, Denise Siems, Darby Belcher, Lisa Gilbert and Jason Swanz; and one great grandson, Brock Belcher.
He was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Judith, Dorothy and Doris.
Funeral services for J.C. "Jack" Hannah will be held at the Creel Funeral Home at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 4. Burial will be at the Moore cemetery. Masonic services will be under the auspices of Friendship Masonic Lodge No. 37.
Memorials are suggested to be sent to the Montana Stockgrowers Association Research & Endowment Foundation at 420 N. California, Helena, MT, 59601.
The Creel Funeral Home of Lewistown is in charge of arrangements.
