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John Stockhill
John Barton Stockhill passed away Wednesday, January 3, 2007 at Chino Valley, AZ of cancer.
He was born November 20, 1917 in Miles City, Montana, the third of four children, to George A. and Mary Ann (Theade) Stockhill. He was reared and schooled in Miles City, graduating from Custer County High School in 1934. He attended design school in Los Angeles, CA and received his training as a jeweler and watchmaker at Bradley College in Peoria, IL.
He married
Hazel Hedges on November 25, 1940, prior to entering the Army. He served four years during World War II in New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, New Guinea and the Philippines. Upon his return, he was hired by Dale’s Jewelry in Miles City. Two years later, he moved his small family to Sidney to manage a jewelry store for Lisle Hawkins.
In 1952, he and his family returned to Miles City after he purchased both the Miles City and Sidney stores from Mr. Hawkins. He operated both stores under the name of John Stockhill Jewelers, until his retirement, adding a store in Tempe, AZ for a number of years. He worked hard to see that his stores represented quality and integrity and the volume of loyal customers was testament to his success in that regard.
In 1994, he and his wife moved to Prescott, AZ, where they enjoyed many wonderful times with their son, Johnnie and with Hazel’s brother and sister and their families.
Hazel passed away October 25, 2004 and eventually John moved to Chino Valley to be near Johnnie and his wife, Sue.
He was a member of many civic organizations, including the Elks, Eagles, Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs. He enjoyed his memberships in the Masonic Lodge, the Miles City Club and the Town and Country Club. He served on the Board of Directors for Holy Rosary Hospital and was a member of the First United Methodist Church.
A strong supporter of the business district of Miles City, he inspired several local entrepreneurs to start their own small businesses. He loved to entertain his friends at daily coffee klatches downtown and was the clever originator of many practical jokes, which were always reciprocated. He was a loving and devoted husband and father, whose quick wit and lively humor will be missed by his family and friends. He was cracking jokes and making corny puns right up until a week before his death, and was a favorite with the caregivers at his retirement homes.
On Christmas Eve, he enjoyed a wonderful dinner with a gathering of friends and family, where he opened gifts and shared laughter and memories. True to his independent spirit, he defied the predictions of his doctors and lived to usher in the New Year.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Margaret Perkins, and his beloved wife, Hazel.
He is survived by a brother, Larry Stockhill (Linda) of Kalispell; his children, John Stockhill, Jr. (Sue) of Chino Valley, Arizona, Mary Ann Liles (Jim) of Miles City, Pamela Kirch (Steve) of Zumbrota, Minnesota and Debra Stockhill Wilson (Doug) of Woodbury, Minnesota; grandchildren Waide (Jennifer) Stockhill and Benjamin Stockhill all of Phoenix, Arizona, Nathan (Wendy) Liles of Sedona, Arizona, Ryan (Mandy) Liles of Atascadero, California, Kacey Byers and Drew Kirch of Zumbrota, Minnestoa, Katy Wilson of Woodbury, Minnesota and one great-granddaughter, Savannah Liles of Sedona.
Cremation has taken place in Prescott, Arizona, with private burial in the family plot in Miles City. Joint celebration of life services for both John and Hazel will be held locally at a date to be announced.
Should friends desire, memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church’s “To Dress A Child” ministry, or the Miles City Public Library.
Condolences may be sent to the family care of Jim and Mary Ann Liles, 43 Balsam Dr., Miles City, MT 59301.
Betty Diane Huskinson
Betty Diane Huskinson, 57, of Glendive, former Miles City resident, died Saturday, Dec. 30, 2006, at the Glendive Medical Center in Glendive.
Mrs. Huskinson was born July 20, 1949, in Glendive, the daughter of Frank Allen and Naoma Frances Glasscock Eaton. She attended rural Clear Creek School, Washington School in Glendive and graduated from Dawson County High School in Glendive with the class of 1968.
She then attended the Miles City School of Cosmetology in Miles City, graduating from there in 1971.
On July 1, 1978, she and Gene Huskinson were united in marriage at the United Methodist Church in Glendive. They resided in Glendive where she worked as a hairdresser for Ida Mae Knapp in the basement of the Jordan Hotel. She later started her own shop, called the Isle of Beauty, which she operated until 1990.
Mrs. Huskinson then went to work for the Hair Station in Glendive. Following her retirement, she continued to fix hair at the Heritage, the Eastern Montana Veterans Home and the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home.
She enjoyed doing crafts of all kinds, including knitting and crocheting. She made many craft items for her family members — they each have a special item in their homes that Betty made especially for them. She enjoyed Ham radio.
Mrs. Huskinson was a past member of the Women of the Moose. She was a member of the Lower Yellowstone Radio Club and the Theodore Roosevelt Amateur Radio Club.
Her survivors include her husband, Gene Huskinson of Glendive; her sisters, Lorraine Haggerty, Gayle Richey Schaffel and her husband Ralph, all of Glendive and Janice Krausz and her husband Clarence of Miles City; her brothers, James Eaton and his wife Ros of Covington, Wash., and Jack Eaton and his wife, Sue of Billings; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Ora Westrom, Francze Nordin and Patricia Travis; and her brothers, Frank Cecil Eaton and Robert Colby.
Memorial services will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007, in the Chapel of the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home with Pastor Avis Anderson officiating.
LaVonne D. Ulmer
LaVonne D. Ulmer, 85 of Stevensville, former Miles City resident, died on Monday, December 25, 2006 at Marcus Daly Pallative Care Center in Hamilton.
She was born on August 21, 1921 in O’Brien County, Iowa to Glen and Grace (Anderson) Watters.
She was preceded in death by her husband Walter Ulmer.
LaVonne is survived by her daughter Judy (Bill) Burke of Stevensville and a son Gregory L. (Kathy) Ulmer of Gainesville, Florida. Also surviving is a granddaughter Rebecca Burke of Greenville, North Carolina and grandsons, Tyson (Anita) Ulmer and Leland Ulmer.
Memorial Services will be held on Friday, December 29, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Stevensville with Father Michael Smith officiating. A reception will follow services.
The Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville is in charge of cremation arrangements.
Paula Bradley Scheuering
Paula Bradley Scheuering slipped quietly away just at dawn on Christmas Eve, after a long, courageous, and dignified battle with an insidious disease — Inclusion Body Myositis.
She was born on Sept. 5, 1943, in Oak Park, Ill., the oldest of seven children of Thomas and Margaret Bradley. She grew up in the Chicago area and later in the north suburban Chicago area. She graduated from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Ill., and began teaching in the gold coast area of Chicago.
Mrs. Scheuering set out on an adventure to teach on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation at Busby. There she met John Scheuering and six months later they were married
at the mission church. Daughter Amy was born during this time. After two years the family moved to Denver where son Eric was born. The family returned to Montana, teaching in Dupuyer, Colstrip and finally settling in Miles City 30 years ago. Here, she became the godmother of Stephanie Laney and Brian Laney.
She turned innumerable students into avid readers at Washington Middle School, until her illness forced her to retire in 2002. Not willing to give up, she tutored at the Discovery Pond Learning Center, until again her illness forced her to stop. She remained a valuable partner and consultant at Discovery Pond until the time of her death.
Mrs. Scheuering was a charter member of the Rosebud Audubon Society. She supported many other organizations that monitor the health of our planet. She devoted part of each and every day to make the world a safer place for her children and grandchildren in which to live.
Survivors include her husband John; her daughter, Amy (James) Dicker; her son, Eric Scheuering; her god-children Stephanie and Brian Laney; her loving grandsons, Miles Scheuering, Chaz and Tyson Dicker, and Keon Laney; her mother, Margaret Bradley of Grays Lake, Ill; two brothers, David (Terri) and Patrick (Ann) Bradley of the Chicago area; and three sisters, Sheila (Ron) Densmore of San Diego, Calif., Donna (Bill) Lind of Montello, Wis., and Laura (Randy) Link of San Antonio, Texas; two aunts; an uncle; and numerous nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her father, Thomas Bradley; a brother, Michael Bradley; and her grandparents.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial reception will be held in January.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Miles City Public Library, Custer County Art and Heritage Center, or the charity of one’s choice.
“Courage doesn’t always roar, Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’”
Caroline Rath Spidel
Caroline Rath Spidel, age 94, of Lewistown, formerly of Brockway, died Friday, Dec. 22, 2006, at Valle Vista Manor. She had been a resident of the Lewistown area since 1990.
She was born to Jacob and Kathryn Rath on Sept. 7, 1912, in Gackle, N.D. The family moved to the Watkins community south of Brockway, where she graduated from the eighth grade.
On Dec. 30, 1933, she and Otto Spidel were married
at the Watkins Church. She was proud to be a rancher and farmer’s wife and to this union of 67 years two sons were born, Howard and Leroy.
She was a longtime member of the Lutheran Church, a Sunday School teacher, member of the Ladies Aide, Brockway Homemakers and Glendive Senior Citizens.
Her survivors include her two sons, Howard (Ingrid) of St. Ignatius and Leroy (Suzanne) of Moore; and five grandchildren, Jacki (Charlie) Morigeau, Erich (Janis) Spidel of St. Ignatius, Rhonda ( Warren) Stenseth of Lewistown, LeeAnne (Keith) Weinheimer of Moore and Steffanie (Todd) May of Boise, Idaho.
Survivors also include 16 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Helen Cummings and Kate Speidel, both of Billings; and a grandson-in-law, Ryan Pawlowski of Circle.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband, Otto; a sister, Viola; her brothers, Robert and Ervin; and her granddaughter, Jenice Pawlowski.
Memorial services will be at the Moore United Methodist Church on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2006, at 1 p.m. Cremation has taken place and private family inurnment will take place at a later date.
Creel Funeral Home of Lewistown is in charge of arrangements.
Eleen Mae Hawkinson Stanton
Funeral services for Eleen Mae Hawkinson Stanton, 79, of Miles City were Tuesday morning, Dec. 26, 2006, at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall in Jordan. Interment followed in the Butte Creek cemetery.
Mrs. Stanton died peacefully at the Holy Rosary Healthcare on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2006.
She was born on Feb. 9, 1927, in Jordan to Carl and Lucille Kinney Hawkinson. Mrs. Stanton attended the Butte Creek School and moved to Jordan with her family after the depression where she graduated from Garfield County High School in 1945. She worked for Hawkinson Insurance and the FHA.
She and J.E. Stanton were united in marriage on April 2, 1946. They moved to Brusett where they farmed until they retired and moved to Miles City. She enjoyed her new friends and neighbors, but missed her old friends and the Blackfoot Home Demonstration Club.
Mrs. Stanton loved her family and friends. She enjoyed gardening, crafts, and she was a woman who loved to work. She loved to paint and decorate. Her grandson once said, “Heaven to Grandma is a bucket of paint and fence she can’t see the end of.”
Her survivors include her husband of 60 years, J.E.; her son, Ron (Becky); her daughter, Sue; her grandchildren, Jen (Kanyon) Chamberlin of Miles City, Wendy (Ryan) Larson of Lead, S.D., Renee (Derek) Hepper of Rapid City, S.D., Josh Stanton of Miles City, and Becky Stanton of Bozeman; and two brothers, Elmer (Peggy) of Laurel and Dale (Loita) of Kirkland, Wash.
She will be missed greatly by her great-grandchildren, Devin, Alecia, and Dezirae Chamberlin and Tate and Reese Larson.
Mrs. Stanton was preceded in death by a son, Jimmy; her brother, Harold Hawkinson; her parents, Carl and Lucille Hawkinson; her daughter-in-law, Peggy Stanton; and granddogs, Rusty and Maynard.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Butte Creek cemetery, Blackfoot Home Demonstration Club or the charity of their choices.
Gonzalo "Gonzy" Gandara
A memorial service for Gonzalo G. “Gonzy” Gandara, 88, of Milwaukee, Ore., former area resident, was held Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006, in the Stehn Family Chapels Milwaukie Tribute Center.
Mr. Gandara died Sunday, Dec. 17, 2006.
He was born March 2, 1918, in Chihuahua, Mexico. He was a landscape engineer for Kaiser Permanente, moving to Portland, Ore., in 1976.
In 1938, he and Ruth Taiko Kuwahara were married
.
His survivors include his wife, Ruth of 6465 SE Norma Circle, Milwaukee, OR 97267; his sons, Daniel, Charles, Roque and David; his sister, Rita Blanche; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Should friends desire, remembrances may be made to Kaiser Hospice.
Meta Marie Meinhardt
Meta Marie (Scheuneman) Meinhardt, 81, of Great Falls, died Wednesday, December 20, 2006, at Peace Hospice of complications from a stroke.
At her request, no services are planned. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Meta is survived by her sister, Lillie (and Buck) Reamy; a son, Jerry; daughters Donna (and Jim) Cheff and Vonnie Erickson; grandchildren Sophia, Owen, Tyler, Garrett, Cody (and Jessica) and Matt (and Pam); and great-grandchildren Steph and Gabby.
Meta Marie Meinhardt, 81, quietly slipped away to her heavenly home on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006, in the evening, after four months of failing health.
Meta was born Sept. 2, 1925, at home to German immigrants, Ernest and Anna Scheuneman in the Bridger-Belfry area. On the family sugar beet farm two miles north of Bridger, Meta and her siblings Paul, Henry, Lillie and Freddie learned to value hard work, determination and thriftiness.
Meta married
Arnold Meinhardt, another first-generation American in Bridger on Nov. 16, 1946. Children Steven, Jerry, Donna and Vonnie were born as Arnold and Meta traveled about Montana, working in various small communities in Montana and in Billings, Sidney and Miles City. Arnold worked for Mountain Bell Telephone.
When they arrived in 1976, mom was delighted with her final move to Great Falls. She lost Arnold in 1983. Mom developed lifelong companionships with friends at the Rainbow Garden Club, Sewing Club, the Nautilus Health Spa and in her residence at the Holiday Apartment.
Mom enjoyed her friendship with dinner companion Phil Anderson. She enjoyed walking in the mall.
Mom also loved fishing with her partner, Robert Markel. When she became ill, she met her illness with few complaints and much courage.
When spring winds blow the ice off a good fishing hole, we will think of you. When little girls dance about in their velvet Christmas dresses, we will think of you. When autumn turns the apples ripe and ready for harvest, we will think of you. Rest in Peace, Mom.
Orrin Jack Coffrin
Orrin Jack Coffrin, a long-time Miles City resident, died in Arizona on December 13 at age 89.
Known as “Jack‚” by family and friends, he was born in 1917 on a farm in Richland County in eastern Montana to Everett and Belvy Olive (Probasco) Coffrin. He graduated from Sidney High School in 1935 with the highest GPA of any male and served as student body president.
Jack enlisted in the US Army in early 1942. His 44 months of service included 28 months of continuous overseas duty in Hawaii, New Guinea, Philippine Islands and Japan. As a staff sergeant, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal in 1945.
Jack and Vivian Kusler were married
in 1946, and resided in Sidney, MT, where he operated a photography business.
After the birth of their son Gary in 1950, the family moved to Miles City, MT, where Jack opened Coffrin Studio. In 1964, he started Coffrin’s Old West Gallery. The business specialized in creating photographs and other printed materials from the 1000+ original negatives of renowned frontier photographer L.A. Huffman.
In 1981, Jack and Vivian retired to northern Arizona. Jack had 25 years of perfect attendance at the Prescott Valley Rotary Club, where he served as President in 1984-85. He previously served as President of the Miles City Rotary Club in 1964-65.
Jack was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Vivian, and also his step-daughter Karol Nabor and sister Vesta Ahlquist Lockrem.
He is survived by his son’s family, Gary Coffrin and Deborah St. Julien and their daughters Jessica and Claire (San Jose, CA); his brother Basil Coffrin (Sun City West, AZ); and his sisters Meurice Doran (Sidney, MT), Anita Wilford Hull (Tucson, AZ), and Jo Virginia Stansbury (Atlanta, GA).
Services are planned for June 22 at the Prescott National cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Prescott Valley Rotary Club #12066, PO Box 26456, Prescott Valley, AZ 86312.
