Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Obituaries 03-24-2010

Shirlee Marleen Fowler

1942 - 2010

Shirlee Marleen Fowler, 67, of Dillon, passed away at Barrett Hospital on March 15, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born March 21, 1942, to Leo Henry Hole, 1903 - 1987, and Ami Joyice Green Hole, 1913 – 1998, in Butte.
She is survived by her children, Janice L. Warren Dorman, 1958 (Matt Ellingson – April 2009); Henrey L. Crane, 1961; Willma M. Cook Klundt, 1962 (Rodney J., married 2006); Jimmy R. Cook, 1963; Zenas (Tammy) R. Cook Jr., 1964; Rozell R. Cook, 1966; Robert R. Cook, 1967; Johnny J. Sharp, 1976; grandchildren, Heather Bowles, 1976; Jayson L. Dorman, 1991; Ronny L. Cook, 1986; Michell L. Cook, 1990; great-grandchildren, Brittany, 1995; brothers and sisters, Ray Henry Hole, 1933; Charles Edward Hole, 1935 – 1998, Robert James Hole, 1939; Betsy James Hole Hilderman, 1943; Donna Joyice Hole Dunn, 1946; Donald Royice Hole, 1946; Mrna Hole; Roger Kenny Hole, 1954-2000; numerous nieces and nephews.
Shirlee was buried at Mountain View Cemetery with services at the LDS Church, Dillon, Wednesday, March 17, at 4:30 p.m.



Charles William Baker

1944 - 2010

Charles William Baker, 65, passed away surrounded by loved ones March 19, at Barrett Memorial Hospital after a long battle with lung disease.
He was born in Galion, Ohio, Sept. 10, 1944, to Lee and Marjorie (Wertz) Baker. He moved to Montana in 1958. The family lived on a small ranch in Pipestone where they raised and sold Appaloosa horses.
Charlie graduated from Whitehall High School in 1964. He married his high school sweetheart, Anne (Pehl), Nov. 26, 1968.
Charlie built their family home in Pipestone where he and Anne raised their three children, Kea, Hope and C.J. In the early 1970s he and nine other men started the Montana Feeder Pig Association. He worked for numerous companies doing construction throughout several western states.
His hobbies included rodeo, gold mining, building wood furniture, hunting, trapping, spending time with family and friends, especially his grandkids.
Charlie was preceded in death by an infant son, his parents, and an infant sister, Carol Baker.
Charlie is survived by an uncle, Fleet Baker; brothers Pat (Bev) and Mike Baker; sisters Barb (John) Schai, and Nancy (Don) Hall; daughters, Kea (Matt) Greemore, and Hope (Todd) Earp; son, Fleet C.J. (Nichole) Baker; grandchildren Carson Baker, Hunter Sager, Merrit Earp, Addie Baker, Reese Earp and Mavrick Greemore; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family prefers memorials be sent to the Barrett Memorial Hospice.
Our beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, will be greatly missed and always thought of.
Memorial services were held Tuesday, March 23, at 2 p.m., at the Trinity United Methodist Church, Whitehall, with Rev. Waveland King officiating.
K&L Mortuaries & Crematory of Whitehall assisted with arrangements.



Ellwood (Al) Stratton

1916 - 2010

Our husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend, Ellwood (Al) Stratton, left us peacefully at Heritage Homes in Kalispell, March 12.
Though of average height, he cast a tall shadow with his strong, yet gentle guidance and support of family, friends and even strangers, whose lives he touched.
He was born the sixth of eight children to Frank and Minnie (Geery) Stratton, Dec. 29, 1916, in Unionville, Mo.
When he was six months old, the family moved to eastern Montana, where they lived in Chinook, Havre, and Landusky, before settling in the Flathead Valley.
As a young boy, Ellwood drove a team of horses delivering wood in the Kalispell area, and later joined his father and brothers in the woods as a logger.
In 1942, in Seattle, Ellwood married "his girl" from Kalispell, Frankie Hillis. He worked as a welder in the Seattle shipyards and later joined the Army, serving stateside during WWII.
After the war they returned to the Flathead where he supported his family as owner of a sawmill, and as a master welder, working on the building of Hungry Horse Dam. He also worked at Westmont Tractor and on road construction.
Al was a self-taught handyman, and always eager to offer a helping hand to anyone.
In 1961 Al and Frankie moved to Dillon, to work on the Clark Canyon Dam project, leaving in 1964 to follow road construction before settling in Missoula.
Al officially retired, then moved to Dillon in 1977, and began a second career as a self employed welder, doing custom work until the age of 85.
He and Frankie worked side by side for 67 years, raising their two daughters. He was active in the Presbyterian Church in Dillon. Keenly aware of those in need, they formed Helping Hands, quietly gathering goods, funds and emotional support for countless people.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Boyd, Jed, Buck and Eugene; and sisters, Audrey and Orminta.
The memories of Ellwood will be forever cherished by those who survive him; his wife; brother Donald, The Dalles, Ore.; daughters, Susie (Fred) Rebish, Dillon; Mary (John) Semmens, Polson; grandchildren, Tracey (Kendra) Rebish, Kathey (Bob) Hupp, Jason (Andrea) Semmens, Rachael (Myles) Heivilin; six great- grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved, including Jean (Ron) Levang, Norma Williams and Sandy Loveall, who were able to spend the last few years near him; and by a former neighbor, considered family, Donn Bolog, Bothel, Wash.
Al was a gentle man, a gifted teacher, a loving husband, father and grandfather, and we, his family, are honored to have been a part of his long and faithful life.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Memorials may be made to the “Helping Hands Fund” % First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 526, Dillon, MT, 59725.



Barbara Anne Boyce

1943 - 2010

Barbara Anne (Ballestro) Boyce, 67, was called to rest in peace with our heavenly Father March 19, after a short illness.
She was born March 15, 1943, in Oak Park, Ill. to Maurice Hepton and Hazel Belle Ballestro. She grew up in Chicago.
She married the love of her life, Robert, May 30, 1964 in Chicago. From that union two beautiful children were born.
After relocating to Dillon in 1970, they started the optometry practice where she was the office manager. She was a member of the altar guild at St. James for many years. She was a vestry member, and senior warden for several years. She dedicated 20 years to the community basement at St. Rose Church. She was active in the Lions Club, and for several years served as the chairmen of the school vision screening program.
She also was a member of the Lady Elks, the American Legion Auxiliary, and the Montana Optometric Association Auxiliary.
She enjoyed quilting and donating her time helping to make beautiful quilts for Camp Marshall, a church youth camp on Flathead Lake. She was always ready to be a helping hand, and loved donating her time to help others.
Barbara and Robert spent their summers at Georgetown Lake visiting with family and friends, fishing and enjoying the outdoors.
Barb, as she was affectionately known to her close friends, and G-Ma or Grandma to her grandchildren, and loving mother and wife, is survived by her husband of 45 years; son David (Keisha) Boyce; daughter Brenda (Brian) Hartbank; grandchildren Kyle, Kateland, and Klint Malkovich; Rozland, Connor, Clancy, and Natausha Boyce; Brayden and Brianna Hartbank; brother Donald (Sandra) Ballestro, Ill.; numerous brothers-and sisters- in-law; nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her loving parents, and parents- in-law, Eugene and Anna Boyce; brother-in-law James Boyce; nephew, John Wright; and close cherished and loving friend, Georgeann Harwood.
Services were held at St. James Episcopal Church, Dillon, at 2:30 p.m., March 23, with Father John Toles officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. James Episcopal Church, The Dillon Food Bank, or a charity of the donor's choice.
A guest book is available on line at www.brundagefuneralhome.com.




Trevor Kohn

1975 - 2010

Trevor Kohn, 34, passed away in Townsend March 18. Trevor was born in Beloit, Wis. on May 27, 1975, to Marjorie (Schmid) Kohn and Earl Kohn.
Trevor attended Rossiter Elementary and Montana City School. He graduated from Helena High School in 1994. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Western Montana College in 1999.
Trevor loved deeply and without reserve. He always wore a smile that would light up a room. His sense of humor and infectious laughter was reflected in his drawing of favorite cartoon characters, and the striking pottery he created and shared with those he loved.
Trevor is survived by his parents; daughter, Cheyenne Allen, Butte; brothers, Jared Kohn, Denver, Colo., and Andy (Mindy) Kohn, Billings; sister, Aaron (Alden) Cashmore, Dillon. He was a cherished and favorite uncle to Taylor Cashmore, Spencer, Carlo, and Alexa Kohn.
There was a vigil service held for Trevor Tuesday, March 23, at 7 p.m., at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Townsend. The funeral service will take place today at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 101 South Walnut, Townsend, at 10 a.m.
Connors Funeral Home assisted the family with the services.