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Robert Bob Vish
Robert Bob Vish, 54, passed away at his home in Kalispell on March 5, 2010. He was born Sept. 24, 1955, in the small town of Vulcan, located in the upper peninsula of Michigan. Bob s family moved to Montana in 1960. He was raised in Whitefish and enjoyed all of his school years there. He was a history buff, an all-star baseball pitcher and also enjoyed playing football as a proud Bulldog. When Bob was 18 years old, he entered the U.S. Air Force, serving as a security specialist in Minot, N.D. He additionally served a four-year term in the Navy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kittyhawk, as an air traffic controller. Bob had many happy memories of his West-Pac cruises, especially the initiation he experienced when they crossed the equator. Returning to the Flathead, Bob was employed at Plum Creek Timber Co., for several years and then accepted a position with Semitool when it was a very young company in the valley. He grew with its strides and enjoyed his final position with Semitool as the Asian sales support manager where his responsibilities covered Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and China. Loving history as much as Bob did, he loved the travel aspect of this position, marveling at many discoveries, including the Great Wall of China. He opened his home to many of his foreign clients who had never experienced a backyard campfire, venison steaks and a starlit Montana sky. Through the years Bob s career continued in sales and marketing with Craftsman in Wood, Artisans Custom Doors, Century Tel, Snow Creek Tractor Co., and Montana Rifle Co. To describe Bob as an avid outdoorsman would be an understatement. Hunting, fishing, trapping, camping, snowshoeing, canoeing, cutting firewood ... these loves defined him and offered him his greatest peace of mind. He also loved wood working and had made several beautiful pieces of furniture for his family. Bob had an wonderful sense of humor and truly enjoyed creative cooking ... we never knew what his turkeys would be stuffed with at Thanksgiving. Other interests included gardening, canning, smoking fish, and listening and dancing to all types of music, but old classic country was his favorite. Bob was a great father, brother and friend. He loved people, wanted happiness for everyone and always said, Today s going to be a good day ... Bob was blessed with two beautiful children whom he loved with all his heart, Adam Vish, 14 years old, of Kalispell, and Nicole Vish, 24 years old, of Milwaukee. He was preceded in death by his father, Frank Vish; mother, Alice Marston; and brothers, Chuck and Leo Vish. He is survived by his brother, Gary Rabey, and wife, Connie, of Wellsburg, N.Y.; his sister, Lyn Root, and husband, Stan, of Choteau; and brother, Shane Marston, of Kenosha, Wis. A memorial service for Bob and his family will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 13, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Main Street in Kalispell. A reception will follow at the church. The family requests that memorial contributions toward an educational fund for his son, Adam, can be sent c/o his mother, Carol Vish, to 1236 Fifth Avenue East, Kalispell, MT 59901.
Colleen Mary Cluka-Gordon, 57
Colleen Gordon, 57, left to be with her lord and savior Jesus Christ on Feb. 17, 2010, in Las Vegas, with her loving family in attendance at her side. Colleen was born July 19, 1953, in Bertha, Minn., to Robert and Mary Cluka. Her family, including her two brothers and three sisters, spent time living in both Chester and Conrad before settling in Columbia Falls around 1965. Colleen graduated from Columbia Falls High School in 1971. In 1976 she married
Richard Gordon of Whitefish. In 1977, Colleen gave birth to her son and only child, Jesse. Colleen relocated to Salt Lake City in 1978. During her time in Salt Lake, she briefly remarried
, attained an associate-level business degree and became a small-business owner. In the early 1990s, Colleen and her partner, Dennis David, moved to Lake Havasu City, Ariz., to start a new business of their own. Colleen and Dennis were the owner-operators of Petrossi s Pizza in Lake Havasu for nearly 18 years and in that time made many friends with both the locals and the seasonal snowbirds who visited every year. Colleen loved spending her time with friends and family and was an incredibly social person. She was an avid wine connoisseur and enjoyed planting flowers year round, reading and music. One of Colleen s greatest joys was the time spent with her niece Jamie and Jamie s son Ayden. Although Colleen was Ayden s great-aunt, in Ayden s eyes she was like a grandmother, and she showered him with both the love and affection afforded a grandson. She will be missed in ways that cannot be expressed in words. Colleen was preceded in death by her parents, William Bob Cluka and Mary Cluka, and brother-in-law Larry Brown. Colleen is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Jesse and Jamison Gordon of Olympia, Wash.; siblings Yvonne Corbett and Jim Corbett, Donald and Cozy Cluka and Ben Cluka and Michelle Price, all of Kalispell, Donna Hasson and Wayne Wick of Whitefish, and Carol Cluka-Long of Lake Havasu City; partner Dennis David of Lake Havasu City; as well as 10 nephews and nieces and nine grand-nephews and grand-nieces. Colleen s ashes will be interred at Woodlawn cemetery in Columbia Falls at a future date.
Elaine Bracken Gregory
Elaine Bracken Gregory, 89, died Friday July 31, 2009, in a Billings hospital after a short bout with cancer.
Mom was born Ruth Elaine Bracken on December 2, 1919, in St. Cloud, MN to Clara and Elmer Bracken. After graduation from high school she worked for the telephone company in St. Cloud. She met and married
Ward Gregory on Oct 25, 1941, in St Cloud, after receiving a diamond ring in a box of chocolates. She worked until her family began to grow and from then on worked raising her six children, Doug Gregory of Townsend, Lee (Joanne) Gregory of Seattle, WA, Bob (Dee) Gregory of Dillon, Mary Jo Gregory of Billings, Tom (Deb) Gregory of Belgrade, Lorna Gregory (Steve Larson) of Butte; all of whom survive her. Also surviving are 13 grandchildren and 12 great grand children, her sister Lavonne (Bunny) Wegler of St Cloud, MN and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and brother Armond.
The Great Northern Railroad moved the Gregory family from St. Cloud, MN to Havre, MT in the winter of 1953. They loaded all their worldly possessions in a box car and ended up on 3rd St. in Havre. Mom was very active in the Methodist Church, Scouting, Home Demonstration and other child-related and community activities until Dad’s retirement in 1977. Then they traveled, spending their winters in Casa Grande, AZ and their summers in Montana, eventually landing in Townsend, MT. Mom and Dad had a wonderful retirement together until Dad died in 1999. Mom went back to Arizona that winter, but said it just wasn’t the same. She moved to Butte in 2001 and lived there until moving to Billings in May of this year.
Mom dedicated her life to raising us six (6) kids and volunteering her time whenever she could. She was an avid seamstress and knitter, making lots of clothes, hats, scarves, and afghans for us and others over the years. She loved playing cards and was actively playing Bridge, Pinochle, and Cribbage until the end. Mom was the neighborhood Mom with all our friends, and the neighbor kids seemed to gather at our home for cookies and play. As the family grew, Mom loved spending time with the Grandkids and Great Grandkids.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held in the Townsend United Methodist Church at 200 North Cedar Street on Saturday, August 15, 2009, at 11:00 AM. A reception will be held immediately following the service. Then interment will be in the Deep Creek cemetery in Townsend next to the love of her life, Ward.
The entire Gregory clan will be camping at the Hellgate campground on Canyon Ferry Lake where the family is gathering for a family reunion. Anyone is welcome to come and camp with us and share in Mom’s celebration of life. Mom will be greatly missed, but we know she and Daddy are dancing among the stars.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society, The Relay for Life, or the charity of the donor’s choice.
Bob Crowell, Sr.
Bob Crowell, Sr., 85 of Billings, passed away, Monday, August 3, 2009 at St. John’s Lutheran Nursing Home.
The son of Vernon and Jennie Crowell, Bob was born June 20, 1924 in Omaha, NE, where he was raised and educated. He was one of nine children.
Bob traveled the world with the Merchant Marines before moving to Los Angeles where he operated a hot asphalt roofing business.
He married
Doris Nielsen in Great Falls in 1954. They moved to Billings in 1967 and Bob sold insurance and worked at Pierce Packing before working in the maintenance department at St. Vincent Hospital. Bob and Doris divorced in 1975. In 1977 he married
Virginia Stevenson and they divorced in 2003.
Bob enjoyed woodworking, building redwood furniture and clocks, he also liked to fish and golf.
He is survived by three children, Linda Crowell-Berry and her husband Frank of Billings, Bob Crowell, Jr., of Billings and Steve Crowell and his wife Sandy of Sacramento, CA., 3 grandchildren, 1 great-granddaughter, and his special friend, Laurel Reinholz of Billings.
Cremation has taken place and private family services are planned.
Memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Nursing Home.
Kalin Steven Stone
Kalin Steven Stone died unexpectedly, Friday, July 31, 2009. He was born on September 16, 1994 in Billings, Montana to Joel and Terry Stone.
Kalin will be deeply missed by his family, fellow students and many friends. He loved people, enjoyed music, animals, reading and learning. His warm and caring character touched many lives.
In addition to his parents, Joel Stone and Terry Roberts, Kalin is survived by his paternal grandparents Merrill and Sonja Stone of Buffalo, WY; maternal grandparents Esther and Gordon Mason of Las Vegas, NV and Fred and Judy Roberts of Wyoming. Kalin’s paternal aunts and uncles are Randy Stone of San Diego, CA, Vonnie and Mike McClain of Saratoga, WY, Jeff Stone of Saratoga, WY, Tad and Wendy Stone of Santee, Ca and Debra and Robert Crichton of the Dominican Republic; as well as numerous cousins. Kalin’s maternal aunts and uncles are Fred and Karen Roberts of Las Vegas, NV, Julie Roberts of New Mexico, Cindy Roberts of Orange County, CA, Cathy and Mark Huft of Denver, CO, and Jerry and Lisa Roberts of Huntington Beach, CA.
Kalin was preceded in death by two uncles, Willy Stone and Justin Stone, both of Buffalo, WY.
Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, August 5, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Avenue.
Michael David Guelff
Michael David Guelff, an accomplished scholar-athlete, respected friend and teammate, and admired and loved son and brother, died Saturday August 1 of wounds sustained in an automobile accident near Dillon.
Michael was born in Billings March 17, 1987 to Steve and Michelle. He attended elementary and middle school in Billings before graduating from Billings West High in 2005 where he earned All-State football honors as a part of the Golden Bears football team. He then went to the University of Montana-Western where he played football, once earning All-Conference recognition as a wide receiver; he was scheduled to graduate following the 2009 fall semester. Throughout his athletic career, Michael was always a student first, caring deeply about his education. At West High he graduated with Honors, while at UM-Western he was consistently on the Dean’s List for academic excellence. His high priority on education was made unfailingly evident this past school term when he earned a prestigious National Football Federation scholarship.
Among Michael’s many loves and interests, travel rated near the top. He enjoyed family trips with Steve, Michelle, and younger brother Isaac as well as a special trip to New York with his mom. He dreamed to continue his travels in the future to, among other places, Rome and Ireland. He was also an avid Notre Dame football fan, often citing Fighting Irish stats and records with fellow fans. As a youngster he enjoyed a trip to a game in South Bend, Indiana, and returned years later for a high school football camp.
Michael was a spontaneous spirit, evident by a cheerful “I’d be up for that” and followed by an “It was a blast” response to any activity. He was not one to sit idly by while life went on around him. He welcomed new challenges and adventures, whether duck hunting on the Yellowstone or taking a four-day float trip down the Smith River. And as his many friends would testify, “any activity was automatically better when Michael was along for the ride.” He was an avid skier and was great on the slopes.
But throughout life, the locker room, gym floor, or football field was where Michael was most at home, and where he was happiest. He brought out the best in his friends and teammates, and was completely unselfish as an athlete, always placing the goals of the team above his own accomplishments. His hard work, self-discipline, and determination were the traits that helped him in all he achieved, and he proved that the size of his heart was all that mattered. He chose not to be the center of attention on the gridiron, but rather to lead by example.
His love of the game of football could be epitomized in the many memories of Michael following his father to football practices and camps starting at age five. By the age of seven Michael was climbing into the booth trying to tell his father which plays to call. Even as an elementary-aged boy Michael knew the intricacies of the game, often telling the high school players he tagged along after which route to run. It was this passion that made him an ideal character to be a coach, and he loved working West High’s summer football camps and looked forward to working in a coaching capacity this fall at UM-Western. He was proud to be a West High Bear and proud to be a Western Bulldog. He believed he was lucky to play for coaches like Tommy Lee, Rich Ferris, and Paul Klaboe and felt that throughout his high school and college career he was coached by the greatest guys in the world.
Still, what friends and family admire and will miss most about Michael is the character of the person. He was loyal, humble, content in his life, and never had a bad word to say about anyone. Always smiling, accepting of everyone, he simply embraced life and all it had to offer. Though he was a fierce competitor, he had a gentle and kind side to him that many, many people got to see firsthand. He was the ideal person to be around, and was an unselfish, giving person. To that end, Michael gave the ultimate gift as an organ and tissue donor, ensuring that he may continue to help people less fortunate than himself.
Michael also had a great sense of humor which made him a fun person to be around. At this time, a constant comment among friends and relatives is how they would love to hear Michael’s infectious laugh one more time. That sense of humor served him among friends and family, and he could always make his mom laugh.
Michael formed tight bonds with many of his high school and college teammates, often commenting that football to him was about so much more than the wins and losses, but about the camaraderie shared by teammates and friends. He always had a special closeness with the Klaboe brothers (John, Kevin, Paul, and Casey) as well as Matt Pancich, Colton Woods, Chris Bechtold, Devin Hoiness, Deryk Van Zee, Stewart Petersen, and Jordan Clary. Those close friends, along with his cousin Ryan Guelff, will serve as pallbearers for their friend and teammate. All Billings West and UM-Western football players will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Michael was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Barbara Guelff, and his maternal grandfather, Douglas McLean. He is survived by his parents, Steve and Michelle; younger brother Isaac, Chris Wells; uncles Rock McLean, Rory McLean, Craig (Amy) Guelff, Brian Guelff; aunts Robin (Lon) Sibley, Cheryl (Jimmy) Lovisome, Rachelle (Jeremy) Aldrich; grandmother Jackie McLean; grandfather Don Guelff; and numerous cousins.
Visitation will begin 1pm Tuesday and the family will greet friends from 6-9pm Wednesday at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary. Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 6 at 10:00 a.m. in the Billings West High gymnasium. Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary has charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Michael Guelff Memorial Scholarship at UM-Western in Dillon, Montana.
We will all miss Michael terribly and regret that we won’t have an opportunity to create more memories with him though we are grateful for the ones we do have. We are all better off for having known Michael Guelff
