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David "Lee" Bell
David "Lee" Bell, 64, of Hamilton, died at a friend's home in Stevensville, Wednesday, March 26, 1997.
He was born on December 4, 1932 at Oklahoma City, 0K to Arthur Bivie and Viola Dolly Fanning Bell.
He received his education at Turlock, CA. David moved to the Bitterroot from Modesto, CA in 1975. He started the Montana Barber College on Main Street in Missoula in 1976. (This was the first Barber College in the state.) He graduated 65 students in 5-1/2 years. Some of the best barbers in the state graduated from this college. He married Jennifer Arnold in July, 1978, at Missoula. The couple opened a Barber Shop (Shear Perfection) in Stevensville and ran it from 1979-1982. They moved to Alaska where they lived 4-1/2 years. While in Alaska they attended Bible School and graduated in 1986. Because of David's poor health they moved back to Stevensville and later to Hamilton. David enjoyed raising animals, was a pilot, and enjoyed cooking for friends. He was a volunteer at Village Health Care Center.
He was a member of the Algerian Shrine Club.
Survivors include his ex-wife Jennifer of Hamilton; one son, David Be Żll and his wife Teresa of Turlock, CA; his parents, "A. B." and Vi Bell of Hamilton; two grandchildren, Jason and Shannon Bell of Turlock, CA; a brother, Tom Bell of Wenton, CA, and one sister, Willow Dean Fratus of Hamilton.
Funeral services were conducted at Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville on Saturday, March 29 with Pastor Al Grissom officiating. Private interment has taken place at the Riverview Cemetery in Hamilton.
Johnnie V. Higgins
Johnnie Violet Higgins, 80, of Stevensville died at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital in Hamilton, on Saturday, June 6, 1998.
She was born on September 24, 1917 at Stevensville. Johnnie was a true native of Stevensville, where her father was born in 1891. Being the third girl baby born to her father and mother, her dad named her Johnnie. A little better than a year later, her brother was born and was named after the grandfather. Johnnie was always "her daddy's little girl."
She graduated from Stevensville High School in May, 1935. On weekends during her high school years, she worked as a "soda jerk" at St. John's Drug in Stevensville as well as part time in her senior year as a clerk at J. C. Penney's. She attended the University of Montana for one year, did night school at Washington University, Seattle; several overseas correspondence courses with the University of Maryland and training schools with the U. S. Government. She married her childhood sweetheart, J. F. Wemple in June, 1936.
Johnnie had an interesting and rewarding career starting with secretarial work for C. H. McLeod at the Missoula Mercantile Grain Depot, then almost 10 years at the Rocky Mountain Division of Northern Pacific Railroad as a Cargo Supervisor working frigid Montana winters checking rail car cargo manifests. Then on to a career with the U. S. Government starting at the U. S. Public Health Service, Rocky Mountain Laboratory in Hamilton, the US Forest Service Region 1, Lolo Ranger District Office in Missoula and finally with the U. S. Army. After her three children were married, she decided to apply for overseas work. She worked in the Far East and Europe for ten years as the personal secretary of the Commanding General of the Communications Forces of Europe and then returned to Alaska to finish out her career. Receiving many accommodations, she retired from government service as a GS-13 Administrative Officer in 1978.
She spent her retirement years in the Bitterroot Valley with family and friends close-by. Johnnie loved to play cards; gin rummy and cribbage were her specialties. She was an avid fisherman and loved to bake cookies for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She would spend hours and hours crocheting afghans for family members; doing yard work and enjoying her many flower beds. For several years she traveled to Yuma, Arizona in her motorhome, along with her little dog "Mein Schatz" as her companion, and spend the winters.
Johnnie was preceded in death by her parents, John Parker Higgins and Glee Madden Higgins, two sisters, Bonnie Higgins Baldwin and Eloise Higgins Bailey, her brother James Duard Higgins who was her best friend and confidant, and one granddaughter.
She is survived by two sons and their wives, Jack and Shirley Wemple of Victor, Duard and Linda Wemple of Hamilton, one daughter and her husband, Bonnie Marilynn and Charles Hash of Bozeman, a sister-in-law, Rose Higgins of Stevensville, 11 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She loved them all. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were her pride and joy throughout her retirement years.
Cremation has taken place and the urn will be interred at Riverside Cemetery in Stevensville. Memorial services will be held on Thursday, June 11, at 2 pm at the Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville with Pastor Ted Crandell officiating.
Should friends desire, the family suggests memorials be made to the American Lung Association of Montana, 340 Evans, Missoula, MT 59801.
DeLoss Vallance
DeLoss Vallance, 83, of Stevensville died at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital in Hamilton on Friday, June 5, 1998.
He was born on August 23, 1914, at Hamilton and was the son of Fred J. and Hazel (Schanek) Vallance.
De was raised in the Hamilton area and graduated from Hamilton High School. On July 4, 1938, he married Adele Tawney. The couple moved to Stevensville in 1944, where they have since resided De was employed by Missoula Sawmills until his retirement in 1977. He was a member of Stevensville Masonic Lodge and Stevensville United Methodist Church. He enjoyed camping and fishing with his friends.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Adele of Stevensville, a son Darrell and daughter-in-law, Sharon of Helena. a sister Persus Gebhard of Miami, Florida; 2 grandsons, Douglas and his wife Sandy of Helena and their children Erica, Brandon and Devon also of Helena. and Bradley and his wife Michelle and great granddaughter Brooke. Also surviving are aunts, cousins in the Hamilton area.
Visitation will be held at the Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville on Sunday, June 7, from 2 - 8 pm.
Funeral services were conducted at the funeral home on Monday, June 8, with Rev. Robert Varker officiating. Masonic ritualistic services will conclude at the funeral home. Burial was at the Hamilton Riverview Cemetery.
Wilma Franklin
Wilma Naomi Franklin, 82, of Corvallis died at the home of her granddaughter in Victor on Saturday, June 6, 1998.
She was born on July 24, 1915, at Hanford, California to Richard LuAllen and Ethel Maude (Pinkston) Dunkenson. She received her education and was raised in Oklahoma. She worked as a caregiver-nurse and cooked at cafes, restaurants and for a professional food service. She was famous for her "fried chicken and apple pie". She was the world's greatest mother, grandmother, and great grandmother and friend.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Betty Marie Guerrero of Fremont, California. Survivors include a sister Ruth Johnson of Collinsville, Oklahoma; brother Frank Dunkenson of Michigan; 3 grandchildren; Janette Briggs of Fremont, California, James Joseph Guerrero of Florence and Katherine Marshall of Victor and 7 great grandchildren.
Funeral services were conducted at the Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville on Monday, June 8, at 3 pm with Pastor Ted Crandell officiating. Burial followed at the Carlton Cemetery in Florence.
Joseph P. Durso
Joseph P. Durso, Jr., 52, of Victor died of natural causes Friday, July 24, at his home in Victor.
He was born Oct. 19, 1945, the son of Elsie and Joseph P. Durso. After receiving his bachelor's degree in biology at Cornell University, and his master's degree in journalism at Columbia, he served in the U.S. Army as a test officer at the Arctic Test Center at Fort Greeley, Alaska. He then pursued his love of journalism as a news broadcaster and executive for CBS Radio in New York, Washington, and Chicago.
In 1984, he moved to the Bitterroot Valley with his wife Maureen and daughter Joanna. For many years he was Chair of the Department of Radio/Television at the University of Montana. Most recently, he was interim dean of journalism, as well as faculty adviser to the UM rodeo team. His accomplishments in both areas are numerous. He loved "Big Sky Country" and enjoyed fishing, hunting and the improvement of a mini-farm, near Victor, he called home.
He was preceded in death by his mother Elsie Durso.
He is survived by his wife Maureen at the family home in Victor; daughter Joanna Christine of Las Vegas; father Joseph P Durso of Long Island, N.Y.; brothers Peter, David and Christopher, all of Long Island.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 29, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Stevensville. The Whitesitt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Heart Association or the Victor Ambulance Service, in care of the Victor Volunteer Fire Department.
GARY CASTLIO
POLSON -- Gary Russell Castlio, 67, died on Jan. 24, 2005, at Evergreen Health & Rehabilitation Center here.Gary was born on Feb. 18, 1937, in Plains, to Norris and Gerry Castlio. He attended Powell County High School and graduated from Shattuck Military Academy in Fairbault, MN, and attended the University of Montana. He co-owned the Toggery (later named Castlio's) in Deer Lodge from 1958-1970. Norma and Gary purchased The Ranch in Polson in 1970 and operated it until 1975. He worked in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, from 1975-1977. He started Castlio Drilling Co. in 1977 which he operated with his son Kelly until he retired in 2000. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Dennis and Norris; and a brother, Keith. He is survived by his children, Colleen Anderson and Shannon Castlio (both of Kalispell), and his son, Kelly Castlio (Polson); a sister, Mary Kit (Ed) Lynam (Coeur d'Alene, ID); and four grandchildren, Christopher Anderson, Brita Brat Castlio, Jesse Castlio and Danny Castlio; two great-grandchildren; and his dog "Molly." No services are planned and cremation has taken place.
FRANK CHARETTE
ST. IGNATIUS -- Frank J. Charette, 85, died on Jan. 2, 2005, at St. Luke's Hospital in Ronan from a heart attack. Frank was born Aug. 23, 1919, in East Helena, to Francis and Laura (Sweeney) Charette. Raised in East Helena, as a young child Frank suffered injuries from a fire that eventually led to him losing an arm. However, Frank was a very resilient man who went on to become one of the best welders in the Seattle shipyards. He worked for Markey Machinery in Seattle for 30 years, retiring in 1977. At that time he moved to St. Ignatius to be by family, where he continued working for his sons until 1981. Frank enjoyed his pets and going fishing and camping. He also enjoyed his bingo and was a member of the Dixon and St. Ignatius senior citizens groups. Frank came from a large family and was preceded in death by his son Norman and several brothers and sisters including Curley, Eli, Rosanna and Ada. He married Janet McLeod Anderson Merrill in 1969 and she survives him. He also leaves behind his children, Laurel "Babe" (Lori) Charette of St. Ignatius, and Judy (Richard Hansford) Charette of Graham, WA; daughter-in-law Teddi Charette of Ronan; stepchildren Jim, Joan, Jack and John; sister Violet Dickson of Washington; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held on Jan. 5 in the Longhouse. Burial followed in the St. Ignatius Catholic Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the St. Ignatius or Dixon senior citizens groups.
LOUISE CHURCH
POLSON -- Louise Ellen Church of Polson died on Jan. 10, 2005, at St. Luke's Extended Care in Ronan. Louise was born on May 6, 1917, in Sherrill, MO, to Hosea and Zaddie Ward. She grew up and attended schools in Licking, MO. Louise married Richard Nathaniel Church on March 29, 1942. They moved to Tulsa, OK, and later to Longview, WA, where she worked in the Troy Laundry & Dry Cleaning for 24 years. They moved back to St. Louis after she retired. Louise eventually moved to Polson in 1994. Louise loved crossword puzzles, reading and was a good homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband and numerous brothers and sisters. She is survived by one daughter, Claudia Hughes (Pablo); four grandchildren; siblings Berniece Cassidy and Shirley Webber (CA), Murlin Ward (WA), Wayne Ward (VA) and Sharon Camp (AZ); stepchildren Louise Casey (St. Louis), Leon Church (AZ) and Modena Francis (WA); and numerous other relatives including a niece, Debby Jones (Polson). A graveside funeral service took place on Jan. 18 at the Lakeview Cemetery in Polson.
PHYLLIS CLAIRMONT
POLSON -- Phyllis Yvonne Clairmont of Polson died on Jan. 12, 2005, at St. Luke Extended Care Facility in Ronan. Phyllis was born on March 18, 1939, to Homer and Anna Courville in St. Ignatius. She grew up and attended schools in the Mission Valley. On Jan. 16, 1957, Phyllis married Richard Dillon "Tiny" Clairmont in Coeur d'Alene, ID. She worked for St. Joseph Convalescent Center, St. Luke Extended Care Facility, and the Salish and Kootenai Housing Authority. She enjoyed times with her family, times at the lake lot, yard sales and auctions, camping, huckleberry picking, cards, Yahtzee, puzzles and computers. Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and a brother, Marvin Courville. She is survived by children Greg and Gwen Clairmont (Ronan), Kevin and Liane Clairmont (Pablo), Jeff and Patti Clairmont (Pablo), Val and Howard Roberts (Pablo), Shawn and Leah Clairmont (Polson), Kelly and Carla Clairmont (Pablo) and Shannon and Effie Clairmont (Pablo); 22 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings, Barbara Durglo and Homer Courville (both of St. Ignatius), Patsy Doyle (Anchor Point, AK), and Edwin Courville, Gloria Rost, Dennis Courville and Tim Courville (all of Pablo); her sisters-in-law, Kay Neiss and Rhonda Clairmont Swaney (both of Polson), and Delma Clairmont (Libby); and numerous other relatives. Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated on Jan. 19. Interment followed at Lakeview Cemetery in Polson.
SARAH COLLINS
FRENCHTOWN -- Sarah Elizabeth Ann Collins, 79, widow of Frank William Collins (deceased), died on Jan. 29, 2005, at Lily of The Valley in Pablo.
Private family services were held at Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Missoula.
