Obituaries 12-09-2009

Richard Later

1922-2009

Richard “Dick” Later of Dillon died Dec. 3, 2009.

He was born at Rigby, Idaho, on April 11, 1922, the first born to Harlan and Leonore Later. Dick graduated from high school and in 1940 joined the National Guard, and was active for four years of military service. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds he received in action at Putlan, Luzon, the Philippines, on March 15, 1945.

At the end of World War II he went to San Antonio, Texas, to attend watch-making school. There he met and fell in love with Essie Whatley, a cute southern young lady. They married in San Antonio on Feb. 21, 1948.

After graduation Dick and Essie moved to Dillon after a friend had mentioned a partnership with him at his jewelry store in Dillon. After one year, Dick bought out his friend and started a longtime business, Later’s Jewelry.

In 1957, he ran for justice of the peace and proudly served for 33 years. In their retirement years, Dick and Essie were led to warmer weather so they could continue golfing and enjoying themselves. They finally settled in Yuma, Ariz., for the winter months and made many friends. Dick was a 60-year member of the Dillon Elk’s Lodge 1554 and the American Legion, charter member of the Dillon Jaycees and on the Board of Directors, and past president, of the Beaverhead Golf Course.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Joel and brother-in-law LaMar Widerburg. He is survived by his wife of 61 years Essie; children Rick (Cooky) Later and Pam (Ron) Nielsen of Dillon; five grandchildren, Jeff Later, Julie Nielsen, Lori Escalera, Amanda Phillips and Daniel Nielsen; 11 great-grandchildren; a brother, Jack (Leona) Later; a sister, Molly Widerburg; sister-in-law Elaine Later, a dear friend David (Claudia) Harvey and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Tuesday morning at Brundage Funeral Home, followed by graveside military honors at Mountain View Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Beaverhead Ambulance, Elk’s Lodge No.1554 or a charity of the giver’s choice. A guest book is available on line at www.brundagefuneralhome.com.

Lester Jones

1952-2009

Dillon native Lester LaVon Jones, of Minnetonka, Minn., died peacefully at his home on Dec. 6, 2009 due to health complications.

Services will be held in Dillon at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 10 a.m. Dec. 12, 2009. Family and friends are invited to pay their respects Friday, Dec. 11, at Brundage Funeral Home, 7-9 p.m. and one hour prior to the services on Saturday.

LaVon was born Sept. 29, 1952; in Dillon. His early years were spent on the ranch riding his beloved horse, Buttons. The love of ranch life continued to grow as he took a more active role in daily operations.

At a very early age, he exhibited a natural talent for sports and continued through High School. He attended elementary, junior high and high school in Dillon.

In 1970, at age 17, he was critically injured in an automobile accident, permanently confining him to a wheelchair. Despite his debilitating injuries, he graduated with his class in 1971. After graduating, he attended the University of Utah studying communications.

In 1980, he moved to Minnetonka, continuing his studies in handicap legal law, and teaching classes for the Community Education Program. While in Minnesota, he earned his real estate and broker license, and worked for Financial Network Incorporated of Edina, Minn., for many years, until health complications limited his activities.

He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

He is survived by; his father, Lester C. Jones of Kevin, Mont.; His mother, Annie Jones of Orem, Utah; sisters Sherri Jones Weaver of Vernal, Utah, and Cynthia Jones Thayne of Highland, Utah; brother Kendal C. Jones of Plano, Texas; 19 nieces and nephews; and 11 grandnieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two infant brothers, Kelly C. Jones and Stacy Kim Jones; grandparents, Lester T. Jones and Lillith Jones Tuck, and William M. Price and Ann Price.

LaVon will always be remembered for his winning smile, indomitable spirit and his fierce courage in the face of adversity.

Obituaries 12-02-2009

Charles Schleicher

1920-2009

Charles “Charlie” Schleicher, 89, of Dillon died Friday, Nov. 27, at his home.

Graveside services will be held at Mountain View Cemetery, Dillon, at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2.

Charlie was born Feb. 17, 1920, in Dillon. When he was 5, the family moved to Seattle for several years. Upon returning to Montana, he lived in the Birch Creek area until enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1941, serving four years. He trained as a radioman in the use of Morse code, serving three years as an operator at the naval radio station on Bainbridge Island, Wash. He was transferred to Oakland, Calif., and assigned to a new ship, the U.S.S. Natrona, on which he served the remainder of his enlistment in the South Pacific during World War II. He was aboard the Natrona, just off Okinawa, when the atomic bombs were dropped on Japan, hastening the end of the war.

After being discharged from the Navy, he went to work for the local post office. He worked there for 27 years, retiring as the Supervisor of Postal Operations, or assistant postmaster.

During this time, he got interested in taxidermy as a hobby, and this turned into a fulltime job for the next 20 years. In his later years, he took up scroll sawing as a hobby. He mad many beautiful, intricate clocks and novelties, and became quite well noted for this.

A lover of the great outdoors, there were few lakes and streams in Beaverhead County that he had not fished, or areas that he had not hunted.

Charlie brought sunshine to everyone who knew him; he was always able t make the best of life. He will be missed so very much by all those who loved him.

He was a life member of the Elks Lodge, and of the American Legion, serving as chaplain for many years. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars for 60 years. His patriotism was an example of which we are all so proud.

Charlie is survived by his wife of 64 years, Virginia Piazzola Schleicher, and daughters Jerri Lynn Spotts of Coulee Dam, Wash., and Sharon (Joe) Champine of Dillon. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Dawn (Stan) Atchley of Charlo and Charles (Rachel) Miller of Idaho Falls, as well as three great-grandchildren Victoria and Lilly Jensen of Charlo and Devin Drummer of Idaho Falls.

His family is grateful for the care and support Dr. McIntyre gave for the past couple of years. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

Aspascia Clemow

1923-2009

Aspascia “Bobbi” Clemow, 86, died at home Nov. 27, 2009.

Visitation will be held at Brundage Funeral Home in Dillon on Friday Dec. 4, 5-8 p.m. Funeral services will be Saturday, Dec. 5, at 10 a.m., at the funeral home.

She was born Aug. 23, 1923 in Jamestown, N.Y.

She graduated from Boston University with a master’s degree, and moved to work at the Rocky Mountain Laboratory in Hamilton, where she met George and was married in 1962. Bobbi became one of those special few known as a Big Hole rancher, She enjoyed her flowers and grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband George; her children, Elizabeth, (Jupiter) Tilley of Florida and Christopher (Jill) Clemow of Eugene, Ore.; and her grandchildren, Samantha Clemow and Loreen Tilley.