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CLIFFORD G. “CLIFF” KOBER
ROBERTS – Clifford Kober, 69, passed away Sunday morning, January 11, 2004 at his home in Roberts after a courageous year-long battle.
Clifford Kober was born in Fromberg to Emil and Emily Kober on September 20, 1934. Cliff attended school in Bridger until the sixth grade when the family moved to Roberts. There he graduated and became a life long resident.
Cliff was a working man. He loved construction work and was an expert heavy equipment operator. He was known as ‘Blue Topper’ to his co-workers.
Cliff married Joyce Marshall, his high school sweetheart on September 13, 1953, and they recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. This union was blessed with 4 children, 7 grandchildren, and 2 great granddaughters, plus 4 step grandchildren.
Cliff was a skilled craftsman. He loved working with wood and created some amazing projects for his home and for others. He loved tending his garden greenhouse and sharing his fresh vegetables with family and friends. Cliff loved classic country music. He loved reading, crosswords, jigsaw puzzles and auctions. He was especially fond of children telling him stories or hearing others tell cute things the grandchildren were doing. Always busy with a new idea or something new to work on, he was rarely idle. Cliff was a sincere friend, a kind man with integrity and a huge heart.
Cliff was preceded in death by his father, Emil.
Survivors include his wife Joyce of Roberts; his mother Emily of Las Vegas; daughter Lorene (Marty) Harmala, of Billings, daughter Karla Kober of Red Lodge, son Keith (Cindy) Kober of Billings, daughter Rhonda Kober of Shepherd; grandchildren Jeremy (Amy) Harmala of Billings, Eric Harmala of Billings, Kevin Harmala of Belfair, Wash., Nathan Harmala of Benton City, Wash., Devin and Kiara Kober of Billings, and Lindsey Kokkeler of Billings; great-granddaughters Teya Harmala and Sofia Harmala; step grandchildren, Melissa (Jeremy) Aszia, Rynzi Hernandez and Octavia Hatch. Clifford is also survived by his two sisters; Marlene (Gordon) Forster of Billings and Loretta (Ira) Dutton of Las Vegas; several aunts and an uncle, many wonderful in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
We will miss you so very much!
Cremation has taken place. A service in Cliff’s memory was held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, January 14 at the Smith-Olcott Funeral Chapel in Red Lodge.
Memorials may be made to the Roberts Community Foundation, Beartooth Hospice, or charity of one’s choice.
MALCOM R. (MAC) MCPHAIL
After a long and courageous battle, Mac McPhail, 69, of Billings, died peacefully at his home on Tuesday, January 6, 2004. Mac was born May 19, 1934, the son of Walter C. and Vernice (Cline) McPhail. Mac lived in Byron, Wyo. until he graduated from high school in 1952. He then served in the U.S. Navy and received an honorable discharge. Continuing his education, Mac earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern Montana College (now MSU-Billings) in 1961 and went on to pursue his Master’s from MSU-Bozeman. On June 11, 1960, Mac was united in marriage to Marguerite Gillen in Red Lodge, Mont. Upon graduating from college, Mac taught high school in Sidney from 1961-1970. In 1970, he went to work for Northern School supply until 1973; from 1973 to 1997 when he retired, Mac worked for Colborn School Supply.
Mac was a lifetime member of the Elks Club; made his Cum Christo weekend in 1999; and cherished his friendships and involvement in the Renew Group, Cursillo Group and his church. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, wood working, gardening, coaching, directing high school plays, and all sports. Mac loved dogs, especially his golden retrievers.
Preceding Mac in death were his wife Marg in 1998; parents; brothers Doug and Bill.
Survivors include his daughters: Laura (Steve) Peterson of Boise, ID; Maureen (David) Culbertson of Absarokee; Cindy (Terry) Hampton; Heather McPhail all of Billings; grandchildren: Kelsey and Anne ; Megan and Colleen Culbertson; Trevor and Trenton Hampton; brother Bob McPhail of Billings and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral Mass was held Saturday, Jan. 10 at St. Pius X Catholic Church. Mac was laid to rest in the Red Lodge Cemetery next to Marg. Memorials may be made to the St. Pius Building Fund, the MSU Foundation-Bozeman or the American Cancer Society, 550 N. 31, Suite 103, Billings 59101. Dahl Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
JAMES F. RICHESON
James F. Richeson, age 74, of Red Lodge and Merritt Island, Fla., passed away in his Florida home Sunday, Jan. 4, 2004. A memorial service will be held in Red Lodge at a later date.
James was known to both relatives and friends as “Jim.” He was born Aug. 7, 1929 in Sacramento, Calif., the son of Mrs. Walter (Hilda Schneider Richeson) Columbus and Sanford Richeson. He was married to Marlene Richeson Reed and had three children, Steve and Jon Richeson of Orlando, Fla, and Lorrie Richeson Sanderson of Billings. He had two half-sisters, Mrs. Bruce (Anne Columbus) Dobney of Anaconda and Susan Richeson Harmon of New York City, an aunt, Edna Van Dyke Loughney with children James Van Dyke and Carol Van Dyke Sholander, with daughters Barbara Kaiser and Elizabeth Sholander; cousins, Roger Peters of Louisville, Ky., Mrs. John (Caroline) Peters of Los Altos, Calif.; cousins Wally Nordstrom of Red Lodge and Jerry Nordstrom of Barrow, Alaksa, and Don Nordstrom of Colorado. Jim had one niece, Erica Dobney of Berkeley, Calif., and two nephews, Warren Dobney of Missoula and Russell Harmon of New York City.
James Richeson graduated from Carbon County High School in 1935. He had held many jobs and gave his all to each one; he was a cowboy on the Frank Clark ranch, a slaughter house worker, meat cutter and sausage maker for the Red Lodge Star Meat Company. His main occupation and retirement was long haul truck driving, most of the time with Consolidated Freightways.
He assisted lifelong friend Chief “Smokey” Owen for a short time as a reserve police officer for the Red Lodge Police Department. He did mining and construction work in West Virginia and other sites, and certainly no one will ever forget the talent he had for putting a razor’s edge on a knife. He was a talented musician, playing the tenor saxophone and clarinet with such orchestras as the Nite Owls, Red Devils, and Tex Williams, and had played in bands that accompanied Barbara McNair, Barbara Mandrell and Marty Robbins, but he was most pleased to play in a small band that played every week in a Red Lodge nursing home; he also took time out to dance with those residents who were able.
Besides dancing and playing his instruments, his main love was fishing. He was well known for his love of fly fishing in Montana, and he became quite the professional surf fisherman in Florida, and went on many fishing expeditions throughout the country. While pursuing this wonderful hobby, he made fishing friends all over the United States, most importantly good friends Ed Snow and Tom Winar.
He was a member of the Red Lodge Elks Club, the Teamsters and Musicians unions, and a distinctive contributor to the Red Lodge Festival of Nations by taking part in dancing, singing and playing in several of the Festival bands.
Jim will be remembered for his ready smile, his love of life, his willingness to help whoever he could whenever he could, and his sincere belief in giving, never taking. He fought a courageous battle against multiple cancers and emphysema for several months, and wanted any memorials to go to Makoshika State Park in Glendive, where he loved the time spent there with is Aunt Edna and Cousin Carol. He will truly be missed by the family and friends who loved him dearly.
JAMES F. RICHESON
A memorial service for James F. Richeson of Red Lodge will be held Saturday, June 19, 2004 at 2 p.m. at the Elks Lodge in Red Lodge. Anyone wishing to say a few words about Jim may do so. Cake and coffee will be served following the service.
Memorials can be sent to Makoshika State Park, Glendive, MT, 59330.
LARRY NEIL MAXWELL
Larry Neil Maxwell, 65, of Cascade, died at his home Jan. 19, 2004 of cancer. At his request, no services will be held. Cremation has taken place, with private interment to be scheduled at a later date.
Larry was born March 25, 1938 in Concrete, N.D. to Neil H. and Ethel McKay Maxwell. Following the death of his mother, he was raised by his father, Neil, and Neil’s wife, Shirley Maxwell. He was educated in North Dakota, where he served in the Army National Guard from 1954-1957, when he moved to Cascade.
Larry met and married the love of his life, Barbara Murphy, in 1960 in Cascade, where they lived and raised their family. During this time he worked as a mechanic at Wally’s Gas Station and as a bartender at the Sportsman’s Bar in Cascade, and at the Elk’s Club in Great Falls. He later worked as a maintenance supervisor for the Town of Cascade from 1969-1972, and as a construction worker for Falls Construction and Hilde Construction in Great Falls. He then worked for High Country Equipment in Red Lodge until his retirement in July, 2003.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara Maxwell; sons, Robert Maxwell of Cascade and Scott (Lisa) Maxwell of Great Falls; daughters, Judy (Joe) Voss and Jean (Tom) Kohn, all of Cascade; and seven grandchildren, Shane, Travis and Andrea Voss, Tracie and Taylor Kohn of Cascade, and Dylan and Lane Maxwell of Great Falls. Additional survivors include brothers, Robert (Dennise) Maxwell, Yakima, Wash.; Lavern (Judy) Maxwell, Frazee, Minn., Ronald (Candy) Maxwell and Howard (Mary Pat) Maxwell, both of Cascade; sisters, Vivian (Melvin) Gorshke, Munich, N.D., Janet (Roger) Rohrer, Lead, S.D., Carol (Tom) Klock, Cascade, Catherine Evans, Spokane, Wash., Margaret (Randy) Maxwell-Ferres, Great Falls, Phyllis Bickers, Littleton, Colo., and Susan Maxwell Bohmer of Cascade. Also, his dear friends, Mark and Loretta Moore of Red Lodge, and numerous nieces and nephews survive him. His parents, Neil and Shirley Maxwell and Ethel McKay Maxwell preceded him in death.
His love and devotion to his family and his pride and joy in his grandchildren was immeasurable. He enjoyed working crossword puzzles and had a love for words. We will remember his smile, his laugh, his generosity and his love and concern for others. To his brothers and sisters, Larry was the heart, soul and light in our family. His presence in the lives of his family and friends will be deeply missed. Memorials are suggested to the Town of Cascade Park Fund, P.O. Box 314, Cascade, MT 59421.
REV. DONALD A. SCANLIN
RED LODGE - Donald A. Scanlin, of Red Lodge, retired minister, civic leader, teacher and outdoorsman, passed away in Red Lodge on January 20, 2004. He was 89.
Donald Alexander Scanlin was born August 4, 1914 in Bangor, Maine, the oldest of three sons to Ira Waldron Scanlin and Della Fox Scanlin. He married Millicent Caroline Preissel in New Britain, Connecticut on November 24, 1938. He graduated from the University of Maine and Bangor Theological Seminary, and served as a minister to Congregational and United Church of Christ parishes in Ellsworth and Kennebunk, Maine; New Ulm, Minn.; Goshen, Ind.; and Circle and Red Lodge, Mont.
Upon retirement from the ministry, he obtained a teaching degree from Rocky Mountain College and taught adult education at Garfield School in Billings. His civics students there encouraged him to run for the 1972.
Montana Constitutional Convention, and their campaigning for him resulted in his election to that body. He was particularly proud of his role in seeing that unique constitutional provisions were made for Native Americans, a state Bill of Rights, and the environment. Subsequent to the Convention, he served as Sergeant at Arms for the Montana House of Representatives, and was a member of the Red Lodge City Council. He was a lifelong ardent civil libertarian, participated extensively in the Christian Rural Oversees Program (C.R.O.P.), and headed the Red Cross in the Red Lodge area. He was a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge, was Worshipful Master of Star in the West Masonic Lodge #32, and served as Worthy Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star in Red Lodge.
A 50-year member of Rotary International, he was honored by the Red Lodge chapter as a Paul Harris Fellow. His contributions to the Boy Scouts of America were recognized with his receipt of the Silver Beaver Award, scouting’s highest honor, from the national organization.
He was chairman of the Red Lodge Carnegie Library Board and on the advisory board of the Southcentral Federation of Libraries. He enjoyed years of participation in Inquiry Club. A founder of the Red Lodge Festival of Nations in 1951, he was proud of his Irish and Scottish heritage, and acted as master of ceremonies for Festival performances for more than 40 years. An avid outdoorsman, he was a hunter and golfer, and greatly enjoyed assisting parishioners with farming and ranching. During his retirement, he was best known as a firewood producer in the area, providing employment and companionship for many young assistants over the years. His love of wood is best preserved by the sets of altar pieces, a Christian cross and candle holders made from native juniper from his beloved Beartooth Mountains, which are in use in Congregational and U.C.C. Churches throughout the region. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Millicent, of Red Lodge; son Thomas J. Scanlin, of Earlysville, VA; son Steven F. Scanlin and children Katelyn and Patrick Andrew, of Boise, ID; daughter Carolyn (Sam) Powell and children Chris (Julie), Jeff and Megan, of Bozeman; and daughter Elizabeth Scanlin (Jeff Anderson) and children Jessamin and Jasper, of Red Lodge. He also leaves two great-grandchildren, Quinn and Payton Powell, of Bozeman, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by brothers Ira W. Scanlin, Jr., and Merlin Thomas Scanlin. Memorial services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 24, 2004 at the Community Church of Red Lodge, with a luncheon following at the church. Interment of remains will be held at a later date at the Red Lodge Cemetery.
Smith-Olcott Funeral Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Alzheimer’s Research, N.D.R.I., 1628 JFK Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19103; A.C.L.U. of Montana, P.O. Box 3017, Helena 59624; City of Red Lodge Park Fund, P.O. Box 9, Red Lodge, MT 59068; or Carbon County Historical Society, P.O. Box 881, Red Lodge, MT 59068.
MARGE ARTHUN
BOYD – Margaret Catherine (Marge) Arthun, 82, of Boyd, passed away Saturday, January 17, 2004 in Hurricane, Utah. Born on May 16, 1921 in Red Lodge, she was the youngest of three children born to Joseph and Maria Giachetto.
Marge graduated from Carbon County High School in Red Lodge, and later obtained her Associate Degree in Business from Butte Business College. She frequently shared the fond memories of life at Blue Bay on Flathead Lake while working with Native Americans in 1940.
In 1941 she moved to Absarokee where she worked as a bookkeeper for Almen Torgison at the mercantile. She met her future life’s companion, Wraal Arthun, that same year. World War II took them in different directions; Marge moved to Portland to work in the shipyards as a sheetmetal burner building ships. Marge and Wraal were married on March 25, 1945 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Absarokee while Wraal was on furlough. The couple settled on their ranch south of Absarokee in 1946.
Raising four children, keeping the household together and working alongside her husband on the ranch was an important part of her life. She was active in the Lutheran Church teaching Sunday school and as a member of the ladies aid. In 1995 the ranch was sold and the couple moved to Boyd to retire. Her last year was spent in Hurricane, Utah, but her heart remained in Montana.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Tony, and a sister Lucy.
Survivors include her husband, Wraal Arthun, Box 653, Hurricane UT 84737; three daughters, Linda of Wasilla, Alaska, Judith of Boise, Idaho, and Margit of Absarokee; one son, Daniel of Boyd; one niece, JoAnn Bell of Colusa, CA; six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, all whom she loved unconditionally.
Cremation has taken place. In accordance with her wishes, memorial services are scheduled during Passover, and will be held on Good Friday, April 9, 2004 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Absarokee. Smith-Olcott Funeral Chapel is in charge of local arrangements. Memorials may be given to Immanuel Lutheran Church or the charity of one’s choice.
Marge had a love for God and life that touched not only her family, but all who knew her. Her spirit and memories will be embedded in our hearts and thoughts forever. “Keep the light on, we’ll be home. We love you.”
LEOLA MAE MCCLAIN
On Jan. 20, 2004, after a wonderful life on this earth, Leola Mae McClain moved on with peace and a smile to a new life.
Leola was born on the farm at Lecoma, Mo. on Aug. 15, 1902, the first child of Alice Cornilia (Loflin) Bonebrake and Harry Evart Bonebrake. She spent her formative years in Roll and Cape Girardeau, Mo. She learned to drive her father’s Chalmers auto in a clear area around the train depot. But in that day, cruising mainstreet was about all the driving she did because there was no place to go outside the town until the road to the county seat was later completed.
After graduating from Central High School and briefly attending Normal Teacher’s College in Cape Girardeau, she married Earl Emmett McClain at her home on Sprigg Street on Aug. 28, 1921. His school administrator duties then took them to Lime, Colo., Inspiration, Ariz., and Miami, Ariz. Over the years, her life as mother and helpmate to her husband became her profession. Family summers were spent camping, fishing and hiking in the Tetons and Yellowstone country. Leola’s skills in the kitchen were greatly admired. Her apple and cherry pies never survived the night. She also enjoyed her bridge club, sewing and playing the piano. For over four decades, her indomitable spirit enabled her to cope without complaint with glaucoma, which eventually took her sight.
Leola was preceded in death by her husband, Earl; her daughter, Kathleen Van Buskirk; her brother, Matthew Bonebrake, and a sister, Margaret Davenport.
She is survived by her son, Keith, and daughter-in-law Mary Ann McClain of Luther, ten grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.
Family memorial services were held at home in Luther, with interment at Mountain View Cemetery in Basin, Wyo.
