Obituaries 12-30-2009

Billie Lynne LaTray

1943-2009

Billie Lynne Latray died in Dillon Dec. 26, 2009 after a long battle with leukemia and emphysema.

She was born Oct. 30, 1943 in Hamilton to Henry(Slim) and Dorothy Lawson. Billie attended local schools, mostly in Beaverhead County. In 1962, Billie married Ed Acquin and to this union was born their son, Michael Acquin. They later parted. Billie met and married Donald LaTray and they remained buddies until Don’s death in 2003.

Billie will always be remembered for her fantastic cooking abilities and many have been warmed using her crocheted afghans. Billie was an avid reader and could hold her own in any conversation, and she was a mean Scrabble player.

Billie is survived by her son Michael (Judy) Brunswick, Me.; grandchildren Joshua Acquin of Las Vegas, Nev., Casey Acquin of Brunswick, Me., and Tom Bennett of Brunswick, Me.; sister Carol Hildreth of Dillon; brothers Allen (Tona) Lawson of Dillon and Rich (Renny) of Wisdom; two great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Billie was preceded in death by her parents, husband Don, brother and sister-in-law Bob and Shirley Johnson, and nephew Jay Johnson. (Personal message note: Lump Lump, we love you and will cherish your memory always. Thank you for letting us share your life with you and we’ll see you on the other side.) A memorial service and reception to celebrate Billie’s life will be announced at a later date. A guest book is available on line at www.brundagefuneralhome.com.

Lawrence Davies

1935-2009

Lawrence E. Davies, 74 of Dillon died Dec. 26, 2009, at his home, surrounded by his family.

He was born Dec. 14, 1935, in Santa Monica, Calif., to Larry and Nellie Davies. He served our country in the United States Marine Corps and retired, having 33 years as a colonel. He is survived by his wife, Elaine Davies; daughter Julie (Kevin) Davies-Cannell; and two grandsons, Kegan and Kyle.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Barrett Memorial Hospital, Barrett Hospice or Deaconess Cancer Center in Bozeman. A memorial service is being planned for a future date. Condolences may be expressed at www.brundagefuneralhome.com.

Obituaries 12-23-2009

Frances E. Klein

1914-2009

Beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother Frances E. Klein died in her sleep Dec. 16, 2009, at Parkview Acres Nursing Home in Dillon, at the ripe old age of 95.

Born on March 6 1914, she was a true “Rosy Riveter” in World War II at McClellan Air Force Base at Sacramento, Calif., helping to build and repair Bell P-39 Airacobra fighter airplanes for the South Pacific campaign.

She was also for many years a professional cat fancier. Frances enjoyed showing and breeding champion Siamese cats that were sought after throughout the United States in the 1960s and 1970s.

Frances was also the best fisherman in her family, continually beating all others for first limit and biggest fish.

She is survived by her sister, Pat Stapleton in Sacramento; her daughter, Elizabeth Duffy, in Dillon; grandchildren Charles and Norma Duffy, also of Dillon; great-grandchildren Micol and Lando Leyva in California, Martin Moses Bell in California, and Brandi Cheyenne Echols in Texas; and great-great-grandchildren Montana and Alexandra Leyva, Vada Echols, and Caon Terrell. Missing her also will be numerous nieces, and nephews, and friends in Montana, California and elsewhere in the United States who knew and loved her.

Services will be private. In lieu of sending flowers to the family, persons are asked to make donations to the local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, as Frances was a great lover of animals. A guest book is available online at www.brundagefuneralhome.com.

Lois Merrell

1929-2009

Lois Marie Merrell died Dec. 7 at Barrett Hospital and HealthCare. She was born in Butte on Oct. 7, 1929, to Ray and Grace Martinell.

Lois was a lifelong resident of Beaverhead County, going to elementary school in Dell and high school in Lima where she met her high school sweetheart Don Merrell. She attended a year of college in Missoula. Lois married Don and they raised three children.

Lois worked at the Merrell Store in Lima until it closed and then went to work for the City of Lima as the city clerk.

She was an active member of the Order of the Eastern Star and was initiated into Elva Boardman Chapter and later held the office of secretary for 33 years. She was a member of Mizpah Chapter No. 13. She held membership in Eastern Star for 62 years and was recently given an honorary membership in Liberty Chapter in Shelly, Idaho. She was the treasurer of the Swimming Pool Board for more than 35 years and a member of the Ladies’ Aid of the Community Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Grace Martinell, her husband Don and two grandchildren. She is survived by her mother-in-law, Bonnie Merrell of Lima; children Donna (Rich) Lukesh of Boise, Idaho, Paul (Sheila) Merrell of Saratoga, Calif., and Gladys Merrell of Idaho Falls, Idaho; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; a brother, Wendell (Carol) Martinell of Great Falls and a nephew that she held close to her heart, Douglas Martinell of Beaverton, Ore.

Funeral services were held Dec. 11 at the Community Church in Lima, under the direction of Brundage Funeral Home. Persons may make memorials to the Lima School Library, Lima Swimming Pool or a charity of choice. A guest book is available at www.brundagefuneralhome.com.

Clifford May

1915-2009

Clifford W. May, 94, died Dec. 13, 2009, of natural causes.

Mr. May was born Oct. 19, 1915, in Honeyville, Utah, to Ira and Adelle May. He was raised in Sheridan, where he attended school. He joined the U.S. Army in 1934 and served through World War II and Korea, and was a member of the Montana Army National Guard. He earned a teaching degree at Western Montana college and taught junior high school for 19 years at Parkview Junior High School in Dillon.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois L. May; a son, Kevan L. May; and a granddaughter, Anna L. May. He is survived by his sons, Walter B. May and Jaymes D. May, as well as his grandchildren, Nathan May, Dwight C. May, Krysta R. May, Clifford M. May, Timothy May and Diana May, and great-grandchildren Julian May, Kuilani May, Kelsi May, Milana May and Kaelun May.

Funeral services were held Dec. 19 at Brundage Funeral home, Dillon.