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Charles William Ward
Charles William Ward was born June 18, 1916. Chuck was almost exclusively a Bitterroot product. He was born on the family ranch in the Rye Creek area and made an even dozen dependents for the Ward family. He graduated from Darby High School in 1935. He passed away on May 11, 2004, at the home of his daughter, Ardith, in Polson.
He was connected prominently with the history of the Bitterroot Valley, being the fourth son of Bill and Alice Hawker Ward. His grandfather George Washington Ward was an ardent booster of the valley and was elected as one of the representatives from Missoula County in 1892. While in the Legislature he wrote the bill that created Ravalli County from a portion of Missoula County. Chuck's father also had a brief career in valley politics, being chosen as a delegate at the state convention and then returned to the Bitterroot to serve two terms in the sheriff's office.
Chuck was adept at any job he tried as long as it was close to water where he could fish. His work was diverse starting as a butcher working his way toward heavy duty machine operator, to finally working for the city of Seal Beach, Calif., where he retired and moved back to Montana. Fishing was an important part in Charles' life and he fished with his brothers, brothers-in-law, children, grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
He was a storyteller extraordinaire and it was hard to decide if he had more fun actually fishing or telling of the adventure afterwards. After a full day he loved to relax with is family over a "toddy" and a rousing game of cards.
He loved music and was well versed in all methods of dance, having been the baby boy of the family with eight older sisters. He often told stories of his mother putting him in the car with a sister and her date as a third party to go to the dance. He came from a strong loving family of 14 siblings and kept a close touch with the members of each generation. He was loved by all of the lives he crossed in his life.
He married
Elnora Herrin Baldwin of Helena on Nov. 23, 1946. They had three children, Ardith Lynn, Lemont Paul, and Rory Charles. Elnora (Betty) passed away in 1968 and Chuck later married
her sister, Lena.
His mother and father, nine sisters, three brothers and one son, Rory, preceded Charles in death. He is survived by his wife, Lena; daughter, Ardith; son, Lemont (Monty); his sister, Glenrose Wylie; grandchildren, Rory and Gina; great-grandchildren, Sarah, Rachael, Gina, Alex, Gitone, Ginae; and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Family was very important to Chuck and we are most grateful for the memories of love and laughter he has left us.
Arrangements are being made by Daly-Leach mortuary in Hamilton. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service is planned for Aug. 14 at 1 p.m. at Daly-Leach with reception to follow at the Catholic community center.
Robert W. Ferguson
Robert W. "Bill" Ferguson went to be with his Lord and Savior May 18, 2004. He was born May 23, 1928, in Forsyth to Wallace M. and Margaret Hanrahan Ferguson.
Bill grew up on Sarpy Creek with three brothers and one sister. He was schooled at Sarpy and in Hysham, graduating from high school in 1945. On Aug. 14, 1948, Bill married
his life mate, Erma H. Evarts in Hardin. He ranched until 1966 on the family ranch in the Bitterroot. He loved training horses and cow dogs but in 1968, his passion for flying brought him to Big Timer where he had purchased Yellowstone Air Service.
Bill earned his private license in 1946 and went on to earn his commercial license with instrument, flight instructor and multi-engine ratings. He shared his passion with others, teaching many, including his three sons, in south central Montana to fly. Bill accumulated more than 20, 000 hours of flight time in his 50 years of flying. Spraying, charters, selling spray planes, hunting coyotes, transporting fish and game biologists, trappers and the "The Lockheed" were his fondest memories.
Bill also loved his family, raising six children with Erma. He always looked forward to family get-togethers with is brothers, sister, nieces and nephews.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Leo and George, sister, Helen; and sister-in-law Ruth.
He is survived by his wife, Erma; brother, Gerald (Betty) of Hysham; sister-in-laws, Juanita of Hamilton and Eleanor of Huntley; sons and their wives, Russell and JoAnn of Livingston, Justin and Yumiko of Big Timber, Doug of Big Timber and Scott and Evelyn of Colorado; daughters, Mary Helen Ferguson-Pope of Idaho and Linda (Russ) Mayer of Colorado. Bill leaves behind 18 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren along with several nieces and nephews.
Memorial services to celebrate Bill's life will be Friday, May 21, at the Boulder Valley Baptist Church, East Fifth and Busha in Big Timber at 2 p.m., with Pastor Tommy Price officiating.
The family requests that memorial gifts be directed to the Big Timber Volunteer Fire Dept., P.O. Box 264, Big Timber, Mont. 59011 or the charity of the donor's choice.
Jalia Marie (Williams) Henderson
Jalia Marie (Williams) Henderson, 78, of Missoula died Sunday May 16, 2004, at her home. She was born Sept. 10, 1925, to Rex and Pauline (Hoagland) Williams near Frazer.
Survivors include three children, Ralph Henderson and wife, Cheryl, of Columbia Falls, Sandra Olson and husband, Don, of Helena, Susan Henderson of Missoula and a son-in-law, Bob Miller, of Ridgecrest; brother, Jerry Williams, and wife, Peggy, of Lolo; grandchildren, Steve Olson of Seattle, Dora Lee Peltier of Lolo, Danny Olson of Helena, Tony Miller of Tacoma, Krista Miller of Tacoma, Kerri Miller of San Diego, Scott Henderson of Kalispell, and Jennifer Henderson of Kalispell; five great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. A private graveside service will be held on a later date at the Missoula cemetery.
Ronald Brothers of Dowling Funeral Home and Crematory, 415 S. Second St. in Hamilton, is caring for the family.
Gerald Bryant
Gerald Bryant passed away Monday, May 17, 2004, in Billings.
Born on March 24, 1944, in Pendelton, Ore. to Jack and Helen Bryant, Gerald moved with his family to Darby in 1946. He grew up in Darby and Billings spending many summers with his grandmother in Darby. He went to school in Darby and in the Billings area.
Gerald was in the Navy for a short time and lived and worked in California until an illness and failing health brought him back to Montana.
He died in a care facility in Billings and is survived by his mother, Helen Schleper, of Darby, and a sister, Jeannie Wilson. His ashes will be scattered in the Billings area.
Donald Clarence King
Donald Clarence King, 59, of Hamilton passed away, Wednesday, May 26, in Hamilton at the Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital Center for Hospice and Palliative Care following a courageous battle with cancer.
Don was born on Nov. 7, 1944, in Glasgow to Clarence and Lois Kettleson King.
As a child Don lived and worked on the family ranch and was educated in Glasgow public schools.
In 1965 the King family moved to the Charlos Heights area. Don spent several years logging and operating heavy equipment for Champion International and Emil Skraw prior to beginning a career with the U.S. Forest Service. Don's multi faceted Forest Service career ended with his retirement in 2000 after 36 years of service.
Don served in the National Guard and was a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church where he served as a youth leader for a number of years. Don was an avid and skilled outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting with his beloved bird dog Toby. He also spent a great deal of time fishing, horseback riding, snowmobiling and enjoyed all that the Bitterroot Mountains had to offer.
On Oct. 28, 2003, Don married
Kathryn Sargent. He was a dedicated and loving husband, father and grandfather. Don will always be remembered for his sense of humor, wonderful smile and seemingly endless repertoire of entertaining stories. Don touched the lives of many with his genuinely warm and generous spirit. He will be greatly missed by those who knew him.
Don is survived by his wife, Kathryn of the family home in Hamilton; son, Erik, and his wife, Mandy King, of Stevensville; daughter Dawna Lee and husband, Brian, of Boise, Idaho; stepson Christopher Johnson and wife, Angelina, of Moses Lake, Wash.; four grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Don was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, David King and Ronald King.
In celebration of Don's life, a memorial service will be held, Tuesday, June 1, at 2 p.m. at the Hamilton Seventh Day Adventist Church with Pastor Barry Curtis officiating. Private family urn placement will take place at a later date. The family suggests memorials be made in Don's name to Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Endowment Fund, 1200 Westwood Dr., Hamilton, MT 59840.
Arrangements are under the care of the Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton.
Dennis L. Raymond
Dennis L. Raymond, 66, of Hamilton, a lifetime valley resident, went to be with our Lord on Wednesday, May 26, 2004, when he died peacefully in his sleep at his residence.
Dennis was born on March 24, 1938, in Hamilton, the fifth child of Lloyd and Louise Tew Raymond.
After schooling in Hamilton he served a tour with the National Guard. He returned to the valley and worked 23 years for the Stoltz Lumber Company, formerly Del Conner Lumber.
On May 8, 1960, Dennis married
Virginia Barker in Darby, and they have four children.
Survivors include his wife, Virginia, of 44 years; children, Julie and Ken Colley of Hamilton, Mary and Len Clark of Kent, Wash., Robert and Janet Raymond and David Raymond, all of Corvallis. Grandchildren, Krystal, Shane and Autumn Colley, Lindsay and Mathew Raymond. Sisters, Loydene Arnold of Hamilton, Tracy and Monique Raymond of MaKay, Australia; brothers and sisters-in-law, Don and Monika Raymond of Granger, Wash., Ron and Jeannete Raymond of Eagle River, Alaska, and Albert Raymond of Vancouver, Wash.; amd several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Louise, his sister, Carol Head, and grandson, Robert Warren Colley.
A service to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, May 29, at 2 p.m. at the Daly-Leach Chapel with Pastor David Bedey officiating. Interment will follow at the Riverview cemetery in Hamilton.
Visitation for family and friends will be Friday from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Chapel.
The family suggests memorials to the Ravalli County Search and Rescue.
Mildred M. Aylsworth
Mildred M. Aylsworth, 99, of Hamilton, passed away Wednesday, May 26, 2004, in Hamilton at the Discovery Care Centre.
Mildred was born Dec. 17, 1904, in Wadena, Minn., the daughter of Albert and Caledonia Nelson, the fourth child of 11.
She moved with her family to Bonetrail when 2 years old and grew up on a farm in the area.
In 1926 she married
Everett Aylsworth and they had four children, Corma Lou, Rollo, Lila and Steven.
After farming for 20 years they moved into Williston, N.D., for health reasons and in 1959 moved to Missoula, living there for 10 years, and then moved to Grangeville, Idaho, for 17 years where her husband passed away in 1977. She then moved to Whitefish to be near her children. Four years later she moved to Hamilton. Then due to health problems, Mildred moved to Discovery Care Center in 1999.
Mildred had been a school teacher for many years in western North Dakota. In 1932 she was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses and thus began more than 70 years of Bible teaching on her part. She was well known in her teaching activities which brought her great joy and she will be missed by her associates in spreading the good news of the kingdom of Jehovah God.
Mildred is survived by her two sons, Rollo Aylsworth of Hamilton and Steven Aylsworth of Lacey, Wash.; daughter, Lila and husband, Dale Eikom, of Williston, N.D.; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, May 31, at 1 p.m. at the Hamilton Jehovah Witness Kingdom Hall, 301 Nicol Lane, conducted by Richard Fitzsimmons.
Family urn placement will take place later in Williams County, N.D.
Local arrangements are under the direction of the Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton.
Mary Phyllis Boebel
Mary Phyllis Boebel, 86, of Stevensville died at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital Hospice and Pallative Care Center in Hamilton on Friday, May 28, 2004.
She was born on March 28, 1918, at West Lebanon, Ind.
She was preceded in death by a son, Graydon Terrel Ward, in 1990.
Survivors include her four children, Mary Elizabeth Ward of Los Angeles, Barbara Ellen Ward of Poway, Calif., and John C. Ward of Florence as well as 13 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be at the Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville on Tuesday, June 1, from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Funeral services will follow with Pastor Will Zeiler officiating. Burial will occur at the Victor cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Marcus Daly hospice, 1200 Westwood Drive, Hamilton, Mont. 59840
Verna M. Thompson
Verna M. Thompson, 88, of Superior passed away in the evening Sunday, May 30, 2004, at the Mineral County Hospital and Nursing Home in Superior Service arrangements are pending.
Ronald Brothers of Dowling Funeral Home and Crematory, 415 S. Second St. in Hamilton, is caring for the family.
Florence Ruth Osborne
Florence Ruth Osborne, 85, of Hamilton was reunited with the Lord on Friday, May 14, 2004, after a full life! She was born in Lincoln, Neb., in 1918.
Her early years were spent in Juneau, Alaska. Florence was a small business owner in Cordova, Alaska, and later worked as a real estate broker in Seattle. At the age of 58, she graduated from the University of Washington with three degrees. Florence returned to Alaska to teach in the Arctic.
A recognized Alaskan artist, she received numerous awards for her work. She enjoyed working with under-privileged children after her retirement to Washington state.
Florence enjoyed creating both decorative and fine art. She was an active supporter of the Christian Church and enjoyed helping the less fortunate. Florence was a member of Grace Lutheran Church.
She also loved to travel. The beauty of Montana called to her and she moved here in 2002. Florence was a resident of Willow Court in Hamilton and resided at Bee Hive Homes in Missoula during her battle with cancer.
She is survived by three daughters, Catherine Smith of Coupeville, Wash., Margery Thomason of Kailua Kona, Hawaii, and Janet Wing of Slidell, La.; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 17, 2004, at 2 p.m. at the Grace Lutheran Church in Hamilton with burial to follow at Riverview cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Hospice of Missoula (800 Kensington Ave., Missoula, Mont. 59801). Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Daly-Leach Chapel.
