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Gerald (Jere) Buckley
Forsyth – Gerald (Jere) Buckley, 52 of Forsyth, died Friday, April 7, 2000, at the Rosebud Health Care Center in Forsyth following a massive heart attack.
Jere was born Feb. 14, 1948, in Forsyth, the son of Ray and Helen Blackman Buckley. He grew up in Hysham and Myers, moving to Forsyth in 1959, where he attended schools, graduating from Forsyth High School in 1966. Jere attended Miles Community College in 1966-67 on a basketball scholarship. In 1967, Jere joined the United States Army where he served with the Green Berets Special Forces in Vietnam. Following his honorable discharge, Jere returned to Forsyth where he began working for the Northern Pacific Railroad, which later became the Burlington Northern Railroad, working 33 years as a conductor.
Jere married
Pat Muller in Billings, Mont. They continued to live in Forsyth where he raised his family that he loved so dearly. Jere was a devoted family man who will be remembered most for the great love for his wife, children and the rest of his family. Jere had said, “You are not whole until you find your soul mate, and Pat is mine”. With Jere’s unselfish love for his family and friends, Pat shared the same feelings with her great love for Jere.
In 1994, Jere and Pat purchased the Forsyth Liquor Store, renaming it B & B Liquor. Jere and Pat enjoyed sharing and working the business together. Jere was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church, presently serving as an elder. Jere’s faith was very important to him.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia of Forsyth; his daughter, Lisa (Ron) Yazzie of Forsyth and children, Sara and Justine; his son, Zach Buckley of Forsyth; his mother, Helen Buckley of Laurel; seven brothers and sisters, Dona (Bob) Boschee of Missoula, John Buckley of Billings, Cindy (George) Sherman of Anchorage, Alaska, Steve (Tana) Buckley of Glendive, Lisa (Jeff) Greenwood of Laurel, Tracey Buckley of New York, and Raymond “Criss” Buckley of Billings; his mother-in-law, Margaret Muller of Billings; his sister-in-law, Karen (Gary) Helvik of Billings, brother-in-law, Lewis (Sandi) Muller of Billings; his grandmother, Julia Blackman of Hardin; his aunts, Leota (Bob) Williams of Billings, Cecile (Ed) Hoenke of Frenchtown, Teresa Blackman of Hysham, Lorraine Blackman of Forsyth; his uncle, Mark (Lou) Buckley of Hysham; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends. Jere was preceded in death by his father, grandfather, two uncles, two aunts, and his father-in-law.
Memorial services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 11, at the Concordia Lutheran Church in Forsyth with Military Honors to follow. Cremation has taken place. Memorials may be made to the Disabled Veterans of Foreign Wars if so desired. Beals Mortuary of Forsyth is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Chester L. Corr
Chester L. Corr, 85 of Billings, passed away Saturday evening, April 8, 2000, at Valley Health Care Center. The son of William and Laura (DeBuske) Corr, he was born in Taylor, Neb., Jan. 23, 1915.
Chester was raised and educated in Nebraska. On Jan. 3, 1941, he married
Sally Thomas in Oakland, Calif. He later enlisted in the army and served during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged in 1954 and began working for McDonald Douglas in Long Beach, Calif. Chester retired in the early 1970s.
In 1996, he and Sally moved to Billings to be near their family. Chester was a past worthy president of the F.O.E. in Bellflower, Calif., and a member of the V.F.W. and the American Legion in Billings. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, and fishing. He was preceded in death by one son, Richard Alan Corr, five brothers and one grandson.
Survivors include his wife, Sally of Billings; his daughters, Charlotte Vicars (Bill) of Huntley and Shirley Maibauer of Billings; five grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
Cremation has taken place. Due to construction at St. Patrick’s Church, a Memorial Mass will be celebrated 2 p.m. Thursday, April 13, at Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist. Private interment will be in the Veteran’s Section of Mountview cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Big Sky Hospice, P.O. Box 35033, Billings, MT 59107-5033.
Laurence ‘Larry’ Cox
Laurence “Larry” Cox, 76 of Billings, passed away Saturday, April 8, 2000, at St. Vincent’s Hospital. The only son of Leslie Lyle Cox and Beulah Mae Kidwell, he was born May 21, 1923, in Melstone, Mont.
He graduated from Ingomar High School and entered the army in 1941. Serving his country during WWII, Larry was stationed in Germany, France, and Belgium. He was very proud to attend the 50th year reunion at Normandy Beach.
Larry married
Betty Vonada on June 14, 1947, and had five children. He was a founding partner of Carbon Implement in 1957, retired in 1984, and remained a partner in OCSS investments. He later mated Norma Kirkness in 1974.
What can you say about a man who was larger than life and who loved life as a father? Everyone who ever met our father had a good and kind word to say about him. Larry was a very generous and caring person. His family came first, from his own children to his grandchildren, his great-grandson Michael Robert, and all of his great-grandchildren to come.
Our father did a lot of traveling in his life and spent quality time with his sisters, Pat and Barbara, traveling the world together. If we could say anything about our dad, we would have to say that he is our hero, our rock. We will miss his laughter, his parties, and his joy of life. Our dad would say remember me with smiles and laughter, for if you can only remember me with tears and sadness, then don’t remember me at all. We love you, Dad.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Lyle; his son-in-law, Bob Smith; his brother-in-law, Paul Man; two nieces, Barbara and Sandra Marr; his grandson, Nathan Cox; and his first wife, Betty Cox.
He is survived by his son, Michael (Pauline), his daughter, Linda Hagan (Chuck), his son, Heith (Jan), and his son, Danny (Tawni); his daughter-in-law, Nancy; two sisters, Patricia Marr of Alameda, Calif., and Barbara Mattson (Art) of Boise, Idaho; ten grandchildren, Rosalind Winchell, Melissa, David, Patrick, Kacey, Summer Lyn, Chase, Shilo, Chris, and Justine; one great-grandchild, Mikey; two great-grandchildren on the way; and his step-children, Rick Kirkness, R.D. Kirkness, and Connie Saunders.
Visitation begins 4 p.m. Monday at Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 12, at St. Pius X Church. Interment with military honors will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be sent to Big Brothers Big Sisters, 3203 Third Ave. N., Billings, MT 59101.
J. Edwin ‘Ed’ Fry
J. Edwin “Ed” Fry, 82, died April 7, 2000, at his home in Billings. He was born March 12, 1918, in Drumright, Okla., the son of the late Dr. Melvin and Hattie Fry.
Ed was a master sergeant in the Medical Corps in World War II. He graduated from what is now Oklahoma State University, with a degree in accounting, and the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science. Ed retired with 30 years of service at Conoco - Pipeline Division in 1982. He was a member of the Billings Petroleum Club. He and his wife, Joyce, recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
Survivors include his wife, Joyce; his daughter, Nan Bokeny and granddaughter, Ellen Bokeny of Fayetteville, N.C.; his sister, Suzann Biddulph of Phoenix, Ariz.; and cousins, Georgann Ferguson and Edwin Leslie of Oklahoma City, Okla.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, at Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Ronald McDonald House, 1144 N. 30th St., Billings, MT 59101.
Dorothy Virginia Popelka
Dorothy Virginia Popelka, 79, passed away Wednesday, April 5, 2000, with her husband and four children at her side. Dorothy was born March 24, 1921, in Billings, to Adolph and Amelia Walter. She attended school in the Billings area. Dorothy met her husband, Richard, at a local dance and they were united in marriage on Jan. 12, 1941, sharing 59 wonderful years together. Out of this union was born five children, Dickie, Judy, Pat, Karen and Bob.
Dorothy was a generous and loving mother and wife who gave so much of herself sewing for her family, being a 4-H, Brownie, and Boy Scout leader and room mother for each of her children. She loved gardening, sewing, playing cards, dancing, baking her famous chocolate chip cookies and especially, spending time with her family. As a devoted grandmother, she was adored by her grandchildren and touched each of their lives in her own special way.
During her lifetime she was an active member of the Billings Saddle Club, a member of NILE for many years, and a member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Richard and Dorothy lived in the same house for 28 years, raising their family in the Billings Heights area. They then moved to a beautiful ranch in Red Lodge, raising registered Shorthorn cattle and Quarter Horses for the next 22 years. They sold the ranch in May of 1992 and returned to Billings for the remainder of Dorothy’s life.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, one sister, and her son, Richard Duane Popelka. Survivors include her husband, Richard; daughters, Judy Kirkland and Pat Sanford of Billings, and Karen (Doug) Boylan of Bozeman; son, Robert (Jamie) of Billings; four brothers, Art Walter of Billings, Bob Walter of Anchorage, Alaska, Dick Walter of Shepherd and Kenny Walter of Clark, Wyo.; three sisters, Alvina Lackman of Billings, Shirley Rodgers of Laurel, and Beverly Ray of Puyallup, Wash.; 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Visitations may be made at Smith West Chapel, 304 34th Street West, from noon until 9 p.m. on Saturday, noon until 8 p.m., on Sunday and prior to the funeral Monday morning. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 10, at the Smith West Chapel with interment to follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be sent to the Williams Syndrome Assoc., P.O. Box 297, Clawson, MI 48017 or the Yellowstone 4-H Foundation, P.O. Box 35021, Billings, MT 59107.
Mom, the way you lived your life was, in itself the best example of love, compassion, and giving of yourself that could be taught by any parent. Even though God began to call you home, through your pain and suffering your concern was not for yourself but was for your loving husband and your family. You did a great job, but now it’s time we apply those lessons so wisely and tenderly taught. Thank you for instilling a part of you in each of us, so that we may continue to look through your eyes and see life as you did. You can put your worries aside about Dad; we will take good care of him as we know you would. Our comfort comes from knowing that you are now by God’s side and that you are in peace. Everyone on this earth that was touched by your life knows that you were special. Give our love to Dickie, and we will miss you until we can be with you once again. Your Loving Family.
Verlin ‘Rex’ Gebhardt
BRIDGER – Verlin “Rex” Gebhardt, 70, died on Saturday, April 8, 2000, at Western Manor in Billings.
Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 11, at Smith Funeral Chapel in Laurel. Visitation on Monday from 1-9 p.m. at the funeral home.
John L. Story
CODY, Wyo. – John L. Story, 83, died Saturday, April 8, 2000, at the West Park Long Term Care Center.
Visitations will be from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Monday, at Ballard Funeral Home and from 9 a.m. until service time at the church. Services will be at 10:30 Tuesday, April 11, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints, Wyoming Avenue Chapel. Interment will follow in Riverside cemetery.
Robert C. Neely
CODY, Wyo. – Robert C. Neely, 80, died Saturday, April 8, 2000, at his home.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, at Ballard Funeral Home. The casket will be open 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. Interment will follow in Riverside cemetery.
Dorothy Birkland
LAUREL – Dorothy Minerva Birkiand, age 86, passed away in her sleep at the Evergreen Nursing Home in Laurel on April 7, 2000. She was born on Oct. 23, 1913, in Silesia to George and Lona Noel. She was the youngest of five children.
Her mother passed away when Dorothy was very young. Her father later married
Clara Kimbel, and she had two children. Dorothy lived in the Laurel and Silesia area most of her life. She married
Thelmor Birkland in 1931. He worked on a road construction project, and they had to move a lot for several years.
Later they moved to a dryland farm south of Laurel and stayed there for 50 years. She raised a big garden, lots of flowers and a big apple orchard. She also raised four children. Dorothy was a member of the Laurel United Methodist Church. Mom and Dad moved to Laurel in 1994.
She is survived by her children, June Hood of Laurel, Trudy (Ron) McArthur of Beaverton, Ore., Ted Birkland of Peerless and Noel (Sandy) Birkland of Miles City; a brother, Harry Noel of Missoula; a sister, Celista of St. Maries, Idaho; stepbrother, Harry Kimbel of Laurel; and a stepsister, Marie Yager of Denver; 14 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandchild.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, two brothers Philip and Ashley Noel, stepmother Clara Noel and a granddaughter April Britton.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, at Laurel United Methodist Church. Interment will take place at the Laurel cemetery. Visitation is from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday at Smith Funeral Chapel in Laurel.
Jacob S. Bliler
GREAT FALLS – Jacob S. “Jake” Bliler, 89, formerly of Clyde Park and Livingston, died Friday, April 7, 2000, at Missouri River Manor.
Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Franzen-Davis Funeral Home in Livingston with a graveside committal and burial to follow in Mountain View cemetery.
Rayna Lee Bradley
Rayna Lee Bradley, 17, died Friday, April 7, 2000, in a fatal car accident.
Rayna, dau-ghter of Jean-ette Bradley, was born on Sept. 22, 1982, in Billings. She was raised in Billings and attended kindergarten at Washington School, grades 1-8 at Lockwood School and had just finished her tests at Adult Education for her G.E.D. She had participated in T-ball, Rainbow Dance and played her clarinet. Rayna loved music, reading and animals and enjoyed being with her many friends. At the time of her death she was working at O’Hara’s Restaurant.
Rayna was preceded in death by her brother, Troy; her grandpa, Roy Brush; an uncle, Larry Brush and aunt, Yvonne Brush; and her loving dog, Shadow.
Survivors include her mom; a sister, Kim Bradley; brother, John Bradley and wife Carol; grandma, Ida Brush; aunt, Marilyn Brush; cousin, Randi Brush; three nephews, Matt Reynard, Zachary Bradley and Dalton Bradley; a niece, Katherine Bradley; her best friend, Carolyn Wright; and her chameleon, Vinnie.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, at the Smith Downtown Chapel. Cremation will follow the services.
Rayna, we are all so proud of you for working so hard to start achieving your goals and making your dreams come true. We all love you and enjoyed the 17 years you gave us. You will be greatly missed by your family and many friends, but you will always remain in our hearts. Love Ya!!
David ‘Gene’ Bricker
MOORE – David Eugene “Gene” Bricker, 86, died Saturday, April 8, 2000, at the Central Montana Medical Center in Lewistown.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 11, at the Creel Funeral Home with burial in the Moore cemetery.
Gerald ‘Jere’ Buckley
FORSYTH – Gerald “Jere” Buckley, 52, died Friday, April 7, 2000, at the Rosebud Health Care Center following a massive heart attack.
Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 11, at Concordia Lutheran Church. Cremation has taken place. Beals Mortuary is in charge.
Florence Elizabeth (Stockton) Cooper
Florence Elizabeth (Stockton) Cooper, 71, of Billings, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 4, 2000, at her home. She was born in New Plymouth, Idaho, on Oct. 13, 1928.
Florence graduated from the College of Idaho in 1951 with a degree in biology and certification in laboratory technology. She moved to Billings shortly thereafter, working at St. Vincent Hospital. Florence married
Richard Wayne Cooper of Huntley in 1952. She and Richard had five children between 1954 and 1964. In 1967, Richard passed away and Florence returned to college at Eastern Montana College, receiving a second degree in art history and a teaching certificate. Florence independently raised five children, while continuing to work in the teaching and medical fields until her retirement in 1993.
She was an avid reader with a strong commitment to lifelong learning. She had a keen interest in nature and the environment and supported various environmental causes and organizations. She also enjoyed politics, the arts, and painting in both watercolor and oil. Florence was an enthusiastic bird watcher and was active in the local chapter of the Audubon Society.
She is survived by her mother, Helen Stockton of New Plymouth, Idaho; her children, David Cooper of Santa Rosa, Calif.; Jim Cooper of Lake Forest Park, Wash.; Cathy Tomac of Highlands Ranch, Colo.; Steve Cooper of Lake Stevens, Wash.; Alice Strand of Port Orchard, Wash.; and nine grandchildren.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 10, at Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist, 1001 Alderson Ave.
Sandra Loftsgaard Dohl
LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. – Sandra Loftsgaard Dohl died suddenly from a cerebral aneurysm on April 2. She was born on June 5, 1950, in Glasgow, Mont., to Bjarne and Katherine Loftsgaard and spent her childhood on the family farm three miles from the Canadian border north of Richland.
She entered school in Richland and graduated co-valedictorian of her class at age 16 from Opheim High School. Sandy received her elementary education degree from Montana State University-Bozeman in 1971 and began teaching at Annette (island), Alaska, and then had a two-year teaching position in New South Wales, Australia. The wanderlust settled when she returned to Billings where she worked as director of the Youth Services Center. Sandy also owned Bathtub Ginny’s, a sandwich shop.
Sandy married
her soulmate, Wayne Dohl, on Jan. 6, 1984, and they made their home in Wise River and later Cardwell. She ran a cafe in Wise River and then worked with Family Outreach Inc. in Butte, a program for families with children with developmental disabilities. During this period she was also instrumental in making Dillon schools handicapped accessible.
Due to health reasons, Sandy and Wayne moved to Lake Havasu City in 1996 and Sandy joined the Mohave Mental Health Clinic as a vocational coordinator. She supervised job coaches and a day treatment program in Lake Havasu, Kingman and Bullhead, Ariz. Together Wayne and Sandy enjoyed gardening, boating, fishing, camping and their pets.
Sandy and Wayne have two “kids”: Thumper, their cat, and Boomer, their yellow lab. Sandy’s other kids also include those babies and children whom she helped while in Billings and the Butte area and her special nephews and nieces, Thor, Adam, Garth and Ashlee and Richard and Katherine. She is also survived by her husband, Wayne; brother, Tom Loftsgaard and wife Kay; sister, Thora Aldrich and husband Greg. She lives on in our hearts and also in the recipients of her organs through the organ donor program.
Memorials may be made to a humane society, a children welfare agency or charity of choice.
Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. April 22 at Peerless Lutheran Church.
