John Samuel “Jack” McClure
1925-2013
John Samuel McClure, “in a twinkling of an eye, passed from mortality to immortality,” on January 10, 2013, at his home.
“Jack” was born January 19, 1925, in Springfield, MO. His parents–father Samuel Aldridge McClure and mother Elinor Fergus McClure–were native Montanans.
At the age of 8 months, Jack returned with his the family to Montana, where Jack, in time, attended schools in Sand Coulee, Moccasin, Lewistown and Great Falls. He graduated from Great Falls High School in 1943.
Jack joined the US Navy in June 1943, as an enlisted seaman. He was commissioned an ensign in Sept. 1955 and pinned on his gold dolphins in Oct. 1956.
He served in the Atlantic and Pacific theatres during WWII and in the Pacific during the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. He was promoted to commander in 1968 and retired from the US Navy on July 31, 1973, after serving in submarine duties ashore and at sea for 30 years, 1 month and 20 days. Upon discharge from the military, he attended Montana Western and graduated with a BS in business/finance.
In 1945, Jack married Dixie Doris McBlain. They became parents of three children: George (Ursula), John (June), and Verlayne (Kelly).
Jack was active in the Elks Lodge and the Kiwanis and enjoyed hunting, fishing, jeep riding and a bit of imbibing with friends on special occasions!
In 2006, he married Ellie S. Miller. If asked how long they were married, either would answer, “126 years–60 for her/him, 60 for me, and 6 years together.”
Jack is survived by his wife, Ellie, his children and their families, including a great grandson born on Halloween and called “Spook,” as well as five sisters: Joyce, Jane, Beth, Ruthann and Cathy.
A celebration of Jack’s life will be held on Friday, Jan. 18, at 2 p.m. in Brundage Funeral Home, followed by a birthday party in Jack’s honor at the Elk’s Lodge in Dillon.
If so desired, memorial contributions may be given to Dillon Kiwanis, Dillon Elks Lodge, the YMCA of Dillon, the Humane Society of Dillon or a charity of your choice, God Bless!
Lloyd John Maphies
1927-2013
Lloyd J. Maphies passed away on January 10, 2013, at Barrett Hospital in Dillon, Montana, after a short illness. He was surrounded by his four loving children, whom he was so deeply devoted to.
John was born to Hattie Mae and Charles William Maphies on December 8, 1927, in Stockton, MO. He spent his childhood in Augusta, MT. He always said he was proud to be the Augusta Elks quarterback.
On October 7, 1952, John was called to active duty in the United States Army. He was assigned to Camp Roberts, CA, for eight weeks of basic military infantry training. He then was assigned to Co. H 4th Infantry Regiment as a 1st gunner, 4.2 Mortar Platoon Charlie Company at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska for the next 16 months.
After being discharged from the Army, John married Alice Mae Maxwell on May 21, 1953, in Fairfield, MT, where they raised four children. John and Alice Mae later divorced, but to her family members he will always be remembered as "Uncle Johnny."
John's idea of camping and getting the annual Christmas tree with his family usually involved the old Ford station wagon. He was involved in constructing the original American Legion baseball field; he was involved in helping every year with the Swim Day activities. He was an excellent carpenter and successfully remodeled the Fairfield home. John was employed by Sun River Electric Cooperative in Fairfield, retiring after 34 years of service.
He then moved to Dillon, MT to be closer to his family. He became a devoted Dillon Beavers/Dillon Cubs fan. Johnny continued his lifelong love of fishing and woodworking; various remodeling (actually fixing messes of daughters') projects and attended sporting events for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his four children: Cheryl Rae Maphies-Swanson, Marshall, MI; Laurie Joan Fowler-Shearer, husband Ray, Moses Lake, WA; Mary Kathryn Maphies, Dillon, MT; and son Paul John Maphies and his wife Debbie, Post Falls, ID. Grandchildren include: Robert Swanson; Jackie (Fowler) Pitman and husband Dan; Becky (Fowler) Valdez and husband Roy; Jacob Fowler and wife Sarah; Chance Christopher John and Jordan Mary Plutt.
John's great-grandchildren include: Hayden, Heidi and Chelsi Pitman; Kaylee, Paige, and Royce Valdez; and Ellis Fowler. He is also survived by sisters Martha Turner, Salem, OR; Betty (George) Ellingson, Conrad, MT and Bertie (Dick) Nagle, VA; sister-in-law Kack Maphies, Layton, UT, half-brothers Sherman (Evelyn) Maphies and Milton (Priscilla) Maphies, and special friend Kolen Knapp, all of Great Falls, MT, and godson Bobby Stewart of Tracy, MT, brother and sister-in-law Hugh (Laverne) Maxwell, Fairfield, MT, Frank Maxwell, Florida, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Alice Mae (Maxwell)-Siebert, step-mother Maxine Hensley, brothers Billy and Buster, son-in-law (Wm) Paul Raymond Fowler, brother-in-law Clem Turner, sister-in-law Peggy Maphies, brothers and sisters-in-law John (Shirley) Maxwell, Alex (Kathryn) Maxwell, Jim (Belva) Maxwell, Grace (Bradley) Crenshaw, Wallace (Jeanette) & (Delores) Maxwell, and co-workers from Sun River Electric.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Cremation has taken place by wishes of the family.
P.S. Dad, I will finally get my tools and tool box………. Yours!!!!! Love, Mary
Harold Monroe Cantrell
1923-2013
Harold Monroe Cantrell, of Swan Lake, Montana passed away on January 2, 2013. Harold will be forever loved and remembered for the wonderful stories that he told, the way he lived his life and the joy he found in every day.
Harold was born August 28, 1923 in Dillon, Montana to Everett and Ida La Rue Cantrell. The family owned and operated Cantrell Dairy in Dillon, Montana. During his early years, Harold and his older brother La Rue, delivered milk to area customers by horse-drawn wagon and later by panel truck.
Harold graduated frmo Beaverhead High School in 1942 and continued his education at Montana State College in Bozeman (MSU) and the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. He graduated from MSU with a degree in electrical engineering in 1948.
In 1943, he enlisted in the United States Navy and was commissioned as a lieutenant in 1945. He was honorably separated from active duty in 1946, yet continued to serve in the US Navy Reserve until 1956.
Harold served in many capacities during his 32 year career with the Bonneville Power Administration (B.P.A.). He began as an electrical engineer in Spokane, WA, from 1948-50, and was the B.P.A. district manager and electrical engineer in Kalispell from 1950-58, and then in 1961 was promoted to B.P.A. area manager, a position he held until his retirement in 1980.
In his early retirement years Harold was a consultant for Burns & McDonnell and the Port of Walla Walla, WA.
He was married in June 1948 in Dillon, Montana, to Patricia Ann Babcock, daughter of Howard and Gladys Babcock of Dillon. Harold and Patricia raised 3 children: Cynthia, Vickie and Mark.
In 1951, Harold and Patricia built their summer cabin in Montana on Swan Lake and spent every summer on the lake throughout his working years.
In 1992, Harold, Patricia and their son, Mark, designed and built their home on Swan Lake, incorporating their original A Frame cabin so they could enjoy their retirement waking up every day to the beauty and grandeur of Swan Lake.
Harold is survived by his wife of 64 years Patricia Babcock Cantrell of Swan Lake, daughter Cynthia Beechinor and husband Tom of Walla, Walla Washington, daughter Vickie Cantrell of Swan Lake, son Mark and wife Janie Cantrell of Swan Lake; 6 Grandchildren: Christy Druffel, Jason Beechinor, Matthew Beechinor, Austin, Carson and Ryan Cantrell and five great grandchildren: Tanner and Skylar Druffel and Kayla, Noah and Hadley Beechinor.
A celebration of Harold’s life will be held this summer.
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