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Lester Charlton Reynolds
100 years of life.
Surrounded by his family, centenarian Lester C. Reynolds passed from this life on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2003 - six months past his 100th birthday. A magnet on the Reynolds' refrigerator displays the slogan, "Old age is not for sissies".
He was a living testimony to its validity. He was still active and an avid reader of history. Reynolds' longevity was based on his love for his wife of 56 years, Phyllis, his three children, three grandchildren, a family rich in heritage and Christian values, teaching, hunting, fishing and history. Plus a great sense of humor! "Yes sir, I was born in 1903, but might not have made 100, " said Reynolds. "There was the time in Craig County Virginia, when I was squirrel hunting, fell over a log and accidentally shot myself in the leg. Was I embarrassed."
Born in Bluefield, W.Va., June 28, 1903, Lester Charlton Reynolds was the fourth of nine children born to the Rev. John Charlton Reynolds and Elizabeth Holland Shawver, and lovingly nicknamed "Chief No Brains". His siblings were: Irene, Ralph, Lois, Ruth, Virginia, Mary, Madeline and John. Of these only Madeline, numerous nieces and nephews and Prairie Wildflower survive him. He grew up with a strong faith in God and was baptized by his father. He attended school in Sinking Creek, Va. In 1923 he graduated from Maywood High School as valedictorian of his class. He went on to Lynchburg College, Lynchburg, Va., and then obtained a bachelor's degree from Milligan College in Milligan, Tenn. He attended summer school in 1933 in Greeley, Colo., where he did graduate study in botany and went on to do further study in botany at the University of Montana. In 1960 he received a master's degree in education from Western Montana College of Education, Dillon.
In 1925 he entered the National Guard and spent the following year as a supply sergeant in Company C, 117th Tennessee Infantry. He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1935 until 1941 in camps from South Port, on the Carolina coast to Mount Mitchell, and on to Cape Hatteras. He was a camp commander in South Carolina when war broke out with Japan. In 1941 he was transferred to the Ordinance Department in Nebraska doing inspection work for the U.S. Army. Until 1941 he was assistant chief inspector on all four bomb lines at the plant. From 1943 to 1944 he and his older brother, Ralph, worked on the construction of an air base in British Columbia, Canada, for Metcalf Hamilton Kansas City Bridge Co.
His love of hunting and fishing brought Reynolds to Twin Bridges in September 1944, where he met Montana native Phyllis Margaret McCoy, also a lover of the outdoor life, as well as a teacher of English and home economics. They were married
at the McCoy family home in Lonepine, on June 15, 1945. Reynolds took a position in Twin Bridges as coach and taught math and science. He went on to become principal and later superintendent of schools. He was active in Rotarians, the Madison County Fair Board plus numerous civic organizations. He and Phyllis were active in the Methodist Church, where he loved to sing in the choir. His hobbies included: hunting, fishing, amateur photography, collecting Indian artifacts and fossils. His garden was his specialty and greatly admired by all.
After his retirement in 1968, Lester and Phyllis moved to Columbia Falls, where they lived until 1993. They were very active in the First Christian Church and later in the United Methodist Church, and their two youngest graduated high school there. Lester's brother, John and his family also lived in the Flathead Valley at the time and they spent many hours hunting and fishing together. After that, Les and Phyllis moved to her old stomping grounds in Hot Springs, where they lived near her family until three years ago when they moved to Helena where they have enjoyed seeing their three grandchildren as often as possible.
Lester is survived by his wife and three children: Dr. Rick Reynolds, of Great Falls; Steven Reynolds, and wife Karen of Butte, Peggy Tobin and husband Mike of Helena; and daughter-in-law Linda Reynolds of Great Falls; grandchildren: Jason Reynolds of Butte, Michelle Tobin of Moscow, Idaho, and Airman Megan Tobin of Keesler AFB in Biloxi, Miss.
Memorial services will be held Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 2 p.m., at the First Presbyterian Church of Helena corner of 11th and Rodney. Burial of ashes will take place in the spring of 2004 at the Murray Memorial cemetery in Lonepine, MT. The family suggests memorials in lieu of flowers to the John C. McCoy Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 8, Lonepine, MT 59848 or the American Diabetes Association.
Denise Roe Welch
Townsend - Former Lewiston, Idaho, resident Denise Roe Welch died Monday, Nov. 3, 2003, of complications of renal failure at St. Peters Hospital in Helena. She was 47.
She was born March 12, 1956, to Jim and Mary Ann Roe in Coeur dAlene, Idaho. The family moved to Lewiston where she grew up and graduated from Lewiston High School in 1974. Denise rose above her many disabilities as a result of an automobile accident in 1977.
She was a gourmet cook, and she and her brother, Mike, would prepare a free Thanksgiving dinner for the people of Townsend in their restaurant The Mint. She was an avid animal lover and people lover. Over the years she traveled extensively, including Japan and Hawaii, and went on cruises. Denise married
Shane Welch May 17, 1997, at Coeur dAlene, and they made their home in Townsend.
Survivors include her husband at their home in Townsend; her mother and stepfather, Mary Ann and Harold Stelljes; a sister and brother-in-law, Sherry and Ron Lyons; a brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Rosa Roe; four stepsisters and their families, Deanna Squires, Leslie Roberts, Terri Law and Debbie Ruchert, all of Lewiston; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father. The funeral is 2 p.m. Saturday at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Townsend with Pastor Rob Gohl officiating.
Arrangements are under the direction of Connors Funeral Home in Townsend. A memorial service will be held in Lewiston at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Tri-State Dialysis Center, 1221 Highland, P.O. Box 189, Clarkston, St. Peters Hospital Dialysis in Helena or the Humane Society.
Glen Kenison
A remembrance service for Mr. Glen Kenison, age 71, will be conducted from the Anaconda Chapel of KT Riddle Funeral Homes Friday afternoon, Nov. 28, 2003, at 1:30 p.m.
Visitation will be held Friday from 1 p.m. until service time. Cremation will follow service, a graveside inurnment service with military honors will be held on a warm spring day in 2004 at the veterans section of New Hill cemetery.
Glen passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home Tuesday morning, Nov. 25, 2003, after a courageous 15-year battle against leukemia.
Glen Harold was born on Aug. 3, 1932, in Big Timber. The oldest of three children born to Harold Herbert and Alma T. (Braughton) Kenison, Glen graduated from Big Timber High School in 1951.
In December of 1951 Glen enlisted into the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Rapid City, S.D., where he met Phyllis Joy Kelley and on Feb. 2, 1954, they were married
in Rapid City. Glen was discharged on Dec. 9, 1955.
After the military, Glen and his family moved to Livingston, where he worked as a logger. In 1957 Glen went to work for the Montana employment services and later for the Department of Corrections in Deer Lodge and with his military time retired with 33 years of service.
The Kenison family first came to Anaconda in 1959. Glen owned and operated his own 18-wheeler, which he drove over the road for four years. He managed the Brentwood Apartments for several years and ran a fix-it business in Anaconda. He drove school bus for Karst Stage for many years.
Glen was very active in the Anaconda community. He was a Boy Scout leader and received the Order of the Arrow award. He was a director and served on the Deer Lodge County Planning Board for 12 years. He was on the board of directors for the Southwest Credit Union and served as a member on the supervisory committee. He helped in organizing and served as fire chief and a volunteer fireman for the West Valley Volunteer Fire Department. He served on the tax appeal board.
He was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and served on the church board in Anaconda and Butte. Glen was very active in the Anaconda American Legion Post # 21; he was a past commander, the commander and chaplain of American Legion District #6 and also served three terms as chaplain of the Department of Montana Veterans Affairs. He belonged to the West Valley Community Club and helped with the creation of the West Valley Park.
Glen enjoyed his garden, he took up woodworking when he was in his 60s. He snow skied and water skied and was always there when anybody needed a hand.
Memorials are requested to Pintler Hospice and/or to the donors choice.
Survivors include his loving wife, Phyllis, at the West Valley home. Also surviving are three children and spouses: Debra and Dean Glass of Artisan, N.M., Dan and Linda Kenison of Vancouver, Wash., and Bob and Barb Kenison of Montana City; eight grandchildren, Menolly and Phillip Cates, Desiree and Dana Kenison, Jeremy, and Chris, Lance and Bryan Kenison; sister Kay and husband Roger Wilkerson of Redmond, Ore.; brother Bob Kenison and wife Dee of Laramie, Wyo.; three aunts, Alice Vandervoort of Livingston, and Edith Lomeland and Ruby Pearson of Big Timber; an uncle, Lloyd Braughton and wife Irene of McLeod; three sisters-in-law, Mavis Burdick of Molbridge, S.D., Martina Christenson of Miller, S.D., and Sherry Giesel of Fargo, N.D.; along with numerous nieces and nephews and many dear friends.
Glen is preceded in death by his parents.
Services and cremation are under the care of the KT Riddle Funeral Homes, Anaconda.
George Randolph Spangrude
George Randolph Spangrude, 91, of Peoria, Arizona passed away in the early morning hours of March 31, 2003, one day after his wife Lilas 89th birthday. George and Lila had resided in Sun City, Arizona, since 1983.
George was the seventh of eight children, born to Henry and Olive Spangrude on February 6, 1912 in Kennedy, Minnesota. George grew up as the second youngest child in a large farm community family, where most of the farm work was the responsibility of the older brothers.
George left home after graduating from high school, and worked as a night cook in a hotel owned by his aunt and uncle. It was here that he met Lila, who worked as a waitress. They were married
on July 11, 1936, in St. Paul, Minn. Their first son, George Henry, was born in 1937 in St. Paul. The young family spent time in Minnesota, Portland, Ore., and San Diego before returning to Minnesota in 1945.
George managed grocery stores before moving into wholesale selling, and eventually owned and operated his own grocery store. He was transferred to Great Falls and later moved to Helena, where he and Lila spent over 30 years. Many Helena residents will remember George as the Fuller Brush Man.
George and Lila, along with their sons, Gene and Jerry, operated Spangrude Texaco in Helena from 1962 until 1972. After retiring to their lakeside home at Canyon Ferry, George and Lila continued to work for several years cleaning state government buildings. They retired to Sun City in 1983.
George was a craftsman and woodworker. He loved to build and fix things, and was especially proud of the spinning wheels he built.
George is survived by his wife, Lila; sons George, Gene and Jerry; four grandchildren and two siblings, Luella and Emma. In addition, he is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial services were held on April 3, 2003, in Sun City. A graveside service will be held in Helena at Sunset Memorial Gardens on Tuesday, April 8, at 11 a.m. Memorial donations may be sent to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014; Good Shepherd Retirement Center, 10323 W. Olive Ave., Peoria, AZ 85345; or to Shepherd of the Desert Luthern Church, 11025 N. 111th Ave, Sun City, AZ 85351.
William Homer Hughes
LEWISTOWN - William Homer Hughes fell in love with the community of Lewistown the moment he arrived in 1940. It was his home for nearly 50 years. He always considered Lewistown the best place on Earth to live.
Homer was born in Douglas, Wyo., on Oct. 16, 1908. He was the grandson of early Wyoming pioneers who emigrated from England. He grew up on a ranch in Wyoming and rode his favorite horse, Dolly, 20 miles round-trip every day to a small country school.
Early on, Homer was determined to complete his high school education. Accomplishing that goal necessitated moving to town and supporting himself. Throughout high school, he arose at 5 a.m. to go to work before leaving for school. His jobs included sweeping out the pool hall, emptying the spittoons, washing dishes in a cafe and starting the fire each day in the schoolhouse before class.
During his high school years, Homer starred in both track and football, excelling in both because he was fast and winning many awards. He graduated from high school in Lusk, Wyo., in 1929. The local Lions Club purchased his first suit for the graduation ceremonies.
On March 12, 1939, he married
his beloved wife, Charlene. They had been married
nearly 55 years when Charlene passed away Jan. 1, 1994. Homer and Charlene were active members of the Lewistown community. Homer belonged to many organizations, such as the Elks, Eagles and the Shrine. Homer and Charlene loved adventure and enjoyed trips to Hawaii, Hong Kong and Australia. Perhaps their greatest fun together was dancing; every Saturday night would find them dancing the night away.
Throughout his life, Homer made his living as a salesman, selling cars for Cooley Chevrolet in Lewistown for many years. During his final year in sales there, Homer sold 350 new and used vehicles - nearly one car per day. He left Cooley Chevrolet to begin selling mutual funds and quickly became one of the top salespeople in his company, earning many awards. After several years, he decided to begin selling real estate. He was very successful and retired at age 82 because his wife needed him at home to provide her care.
All his life, Homer was an avid sportsman. He was one of the founding members of the local trap club. His passion was hunting; he enjoyed both bird and big game hunting. He trained many dogs to hunt and kept a dog most of his life. He was once featured in a major sports magazine because of his hunting prowess. As his grandsons grew older, he shared his passion with them, and they became his favorite hunting partners. The times he shared with them were the happiest of his life. When he became too old to hunt, he still rode along with them.
On April 1, 2003, at age 94 1/2, Homer passed away peacefully in Helena. It is believed he went to join his dancing partner once again. Sadly bidding him farewell are his family and friends.
He is survived by his son, Howard Hughes, and his wife, Marilyn; their children, Jennifer Hughes and Dr. Joel and Kathryn Hughes; great-granddaughter Morgan; his daughter, Jan Silberling, and her husband, Bob; their children, Mike and Julie Swingley; great-grandchildren Kirsten and Kellen; Scott and Moreen Swingley, great-granddaughters Hannah and Sarah; Jeff and Roxanne Swingley, great-grandchildren Brandi, Brooke, Mariah and Christian; Brian Swingley, great-grandson Brian Swingley; Amy Rodriguez, and great-grandchildren Jacob, Athena and Isabella.
He was preceded in death by infant twin daughters, Rose and Laura.
Homer will be remembered by all those who love him as an enthusiastic, passionate, adventurous and loving human being who always had a joke to tell. He made us laugh! He loved life and lived it to the fullest. His wife used to say, "When God made Homer Hughes, He broke the mold!" He was truly one of a kind.
A celebration of his life is 2 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at St. James Episcopal Church, with burial in Lewistown City cemetery. Creel Funeral Home of Lewistown is in charge of arrangements.
Dr. Robert D. Painter
Dr. Robert Day Painter, 72, died peacefully Nov. 22, 2003, after a lengthy illness. He was born Nov. 8, 1931, in Helena to Mildred and Quay Painter. He attended Hawthorne Grade School and graduated from Helena High School in 1949.
He attended Carroll College for one year before entering Montana State College, where he graduated in 1953 with a BS degree in animal industry. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity.
He joined the U.S. Navy and served with the Seventh Fleet as a radarman aboard the destroyer USS Cunningham. While home on leave in the summer of 1955, he met his wife, Grace Webb, of Montevideo, Minn., who always said, "Id come west looking for a cowboy but found a sailor on leave instead."
They were married
in Montevideo, Minn., on Sept. 8, 1956.
Bob attended Washington State College of Veterinary Medicine and received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1960. He and Dr. Hal Sheets purchased Valley Veterinary Service from the widow of Dr. Bob Jones and established Helena Veterinary Service in 1960.
After Dr. Sheets moved to Miles City in 1963, Bob ran the practice alone and treated "all creatures great and small." At one point, lasting over a year, Dr. Painter was the only practicing vet in town.
He often reminisced, "I loved my profession and had a lot of fun practicing it."
For 32 years he enjoyed the opportunity of not only working on domestic animals, but orphaned wildlife, circus animals and other exotics.
He took special joy in helping pets in need from the Humane Society. He helped establish horse racing in Helena and was Last Chance Stampede and horse racing track veterinarian for many years.
He was a lifelong member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and of the Montana Veterinary Medical Association where he served as president. He served on the Montana Board of Veterinarians and on a national committee of the AVMA. He was also recognized by Washington State Universitys College of Veterinary Medicine as a Distinguished Alumnus.
In 1987 his family purchased Capital Engine, which later became Dr. Zooms Auto Parts. Poor health led him to sell Helena Veterinary Service in 1992, but he continued working at Dr. Zooms until recently. He was proud to have become a certified parts counterman in his second career.
His grandfather, Cecil Day, mentored him during his childhood in the crafts of hunting and fishing. He enjoyed these activities throughout his life and passed these skills on to his sons and grandchildren.
The family cabins, Willow Lodge, outside of Helena, provided lifelong pleasure and served as a gathering point for family and friends over the years. They continue to be a source of recreation for the fifth generation of his family.
"Dr. Bob" is survived by his wife, Grace; his oldest son Dan and his wife, Bobbi, of Henderson, Nev., and their children Ashley, Chelsea and Zachary; his youngest son Greg and his wife, Janelle, of Helena and their sons, Quay and Jentry; sister Jean Bradford and her husband, William, of Billings; cousins Bruce and Paul Painter of Harlowton, and Nancy Burnham of Helena; and brothers-in-law Byron Webb, Jr. of Tucson, Ariz., and Ned Webb of Kingman, Ariz.
His family is thankful to his doctors and the nurses and staff of St.Peters Hospital for their excellent and compassionate care.
Bob requested memorials be sent to either the Lewis and Clark Humane Society (1712 E. Custer Ave.) or the Canyon Creek Rural Fire District (PO Box 464, Canyon Creek, MT 59633).
Funeral services will be held Saturday Nov. 29, 2003, at 1 p.m. at Helena Funeral Chapel with visitation being held at Helena Funeral chapel Friday noon to 5 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. prior to the service.
"Man is but a spirit temporarily housed in a human body. Jesus is my Lord and Savior:" - RDP
Alve John Thomas
Alve Thomas, age 85, of Helena, a retired educator, died Wednesday of natural causes at St. Peter's Hospital.
Alve was born in Marysville on June 19, 1918, to Jack and Elizabeth (O'Connell) Thomas. While still an infant his family moved to Butte, where he received his grade school and high school education in the mining city. While doing well in school, Alve also became an accomplished boxer and eventually won a Golden Gloves welterweight title. His college days were spent at the University of Montana where he received his B.A. in 1941. During university days, he joined Sigma Nu fraternity and became vice president and later president of that group. At that time he was drafted into the military and served from1941 through 1945. After discharge from the army, he started his career in education in Buffalo. In 1946 he began teaching in Sheridan, where he taught Montana history, government, P.E., English and coached all sports. He coached multiple teams in several sports to Class C state championships at Sheridan. Alve received his master's degree from the University of Montana in 1949 and completed his graduate program at the University of Washington in 1951.
The following year he married
Charlotte (Romee) Thomas, an elementary teacher in Sheridan. Between the years of 1954 through 1958, the couple had three children - Terry, Jack and Julie. By 1965 he attained the position of superintendent of schools in Sheridan. He accepted the superintendency in Red Lodge and stayed for one year. Then the family moved to Helena, where Alve became high school supervisor in the Office of Public Instruction. In 1970 he took the job as assistant superintendent in the Office of Public Instruction. He became deputy state superintendent in the Office of Public Instruction in 1976 and worked in that position until 1981.
Alve received many awards, including the exemplary service citation by the Montana Library Association. He received the golden apple award from Montana Education Association in 1981, and the rural education conference award from Western Montana College. Governor Ted Schwinden declared June 26 as Alve Thomas Day when Alve retired in 1981. The same year he received the Mr. Educator of Montana award given by the County Superintendents' Association. In 1997 he received the National Retired Teachers Award in Washington, DC. He served as president of the Montana Retired Teachers Association and later served as state coordinator and liaison for Retired Teachers Association in AARP.
Alve was an avid reader and was involved in varied political campaigns. He was a devoted Grizzly fan and loved talking sports with his longtime teacher friends at a local coffee shop twice a week. He was an active member of St. Mary's Church.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Charlotte Thomas; sons, Terry Thomas and Jack (Vicki) Thomas, of Helena; and daughter, Julie (Steve) Hintz of Bangor, Maine. Also surviving are six grandchildren, Nick Thomas, Shane and Amy Thomas, and Peter, Robert and Elizabeth Hintz.
Alve was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Thomas of Butte.
A Vigil service is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003, at 7 p.m. at St. Mary's Church, 1700 Missoula Ave., Helena. Mass of Christian burial will be on Monday, Dec. 15, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Church, with Reverend Jim Connor officiating. Following the service, a luncheon will be served downstairs. Internment will be later.
The family suggests memorials be sent to Lewis and Clark Retired Educators Association, Scholarship Fund, c/o 315 North Warren, Helena, 59601, or the donor's choice.
