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Vallie Ness Cooley
MUSSELSHELL - Vallie Ness Cooley, 97, of Musselshell, went to the arms of the Lord Aug. 18, 1999. She was born in 1902 in Caryville, Wis., and lived her childhood years there, graduating from Eau Claire Normal School in 1921. She went on to teach elementary school in Minnesota and Iowa for a number of years.
She married
Earl Cooley in Aberdeen, S.D., June 9, 1927, and moved to the Cooley ranch near Musselshell and lived her entire married
life there, together raising their family of three, always unselfishly giving to all - her positive attitude an inspiration. Her philosophy "If you're feeling bad for yourself, then do something good for someone else." Always supportive and active in the life of the church, with many friends and admirers, she had a great love for music and gave piano lessons to many local students. She enjoyed and shared her talent and was the church pianist for many years.
Survivors include: daughters, Carol Rowe, Earlene (Don) Davis; daughter-in-law, Mary Cooley; grandchildren: Darryl Seeley (Patty), Lea Ways (Rodger), Joni Lewis (Bill), Coral Delaplaine (Martin), Peggy McCurdy (Doug), Alan Rowe (Andrea), Scott Davis (Tammy), Skyler Davis, Dan Cooley (Connie), Brian Cooley (Gina), Darren Cooley (Stephanie), Callie Rech (Clint), and 14 great-grandchildren; sister, Fay Carey; nieces, Lois Domer (Arnold), Rita Carey; numerous cousins, and three step-grandchildren.
Her husband, two sisters, and son, John Cooley, preceded her in death.
Visitation will be held the day of service at the church from 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Services to be conducted by Pastor Lynn Rettig, Aug. 23, 1999, 1 p.m. Musselshell Community Church, Musselshell. Burial in Musselshell cemetery. If desired, memorial remembrances may be made to Musselshell Community Church, Musselshell, MT 59059.
We love you. You will be with us always.
Wier Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Maxine Cooper
TEN SLEEP, Wyo. - Maxine Cooper, 72, died Saturday, Aug. 21, 1999, at Community Care of America in Worland.
Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the United Methodist Church in Ten Sleep with burial in the Ten Sleep cemetery. Bryant Funeral Home in Worland is in charge.
Angel Rose Diserly
POPLAR - Angel Rose Diserly, was stillborn at Trinity Hospital in Wolf Point, Mont., on Aug. 19, 1999.
Angel Rose was born the daughter of Dina Rose Diserly and Emmett Buckles Jr. Angel was the baby sister of Rita Mae Menz, Daniel Wade and Chelsey Sarah Diserly, Alvira Rose and Alex Jerome Buckles, all of Poplar.
The Father Almighty sent us Angel Rose as a reminder of the great gifts he give us are on borrowed time only. He sent us Angel Rose and took her back to be amongst the angels in a kingdom full of roses.
Angel Rose is survived by her parents, Dina and Emmett; brothers and sisters; maternal grandparents, Arlie and Gloria Diserly; paternal grandfather, Emmett Buckles Sr. Angel was the niece of Marvin, Melvine and Randal Birthmark, Diana Diserly and Frank (Anita) Diserly, special niece of Lori Ross, Scott Youngman and Marvin Eagle. Angel was also the granddaughter of Irene Philbrick, Victor Fast Horse, Lawrence Fast Horse, Joan Fast Horse and Doris Lester of Phoenix, Ariz.
Angel Rose was preceded in death by great-grandparents, Frank and Sarah Diserly and George and Julia Fast Horse; grandmother, Alvira Eagle; one uncle, Kevin Alfred Birthmark, and numerous other relatives.
Angel Rose did not have the chance to be loved and held by those of us who love her, but we will hold and love her in our hearts. Angel Rose will be dearly missed and loved.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 24, 1999, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Poplar with Rev. Fr. Michael Schneider officiating. Interment will be in St. Ann's cemetery. Clayton Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Virgil L. Emmick
Virgil LaVaye Emmick, 73, of Billings, died Friday, Aug. 20, l999, in Billings. He was born Oct. 1, 1925, in Akron, Iowa, a son of Robert Lee and Pearl Pendlton Emmick. He attended school in Iowa and married
Joyce Anderson April 25, 1951, in Jackson, Neb.
Virgil had lived in Sioux City, Iowa, and worked as a carpenter and painter, and in 1979 moved to Billings. He loved woodworking, making signs and furniture. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and loved Montana outdoors. He was a member of NRA Sharp Shooters.
Survivors include his wife Joyce; one daughter Sharon (Jim) Beyer of Ponca City, Okla.; three sons, Robert (Joy) of Lakeville, Minn., and Darrol (Michelle) and Dean, both of Billings; eight grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and brother Eldon Ray Emmick, Sr. of Clear Lake, Iowa.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial will be 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 27, at First Assembly of God Life Center, 550 32nd St. W. Memorials may be made to the family. Arrangements were by Cremation or Funeral Gallery.
Charles F. Femling
Charles F. Femling, 63, of Billings, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 21, 1999, at Deaconess Medical Center following a heart attack.
A memorial service will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26, at the Smith West Chapel, 304 34th St. W.
Edward J. Hogg
MANHATTAN, Nev. - Edward J. Hogg, 70, formerly of Billings, Mont., died Sunday, Aug. 15, in a Reno, Nev., hospital of heart failure.
Memorial services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26, at the Cloyd Chapel in Lewistown, Mont. Cremation has taken place.
Ashley Dawn Jackson
Our beautiful Ashley was called home to heaven on Aug. 20, 1999. She was born Nov. 20, 1983, at home in Belfry, Mont.
Ashley's high spirits and unique way of thinking and meeting life brought joy and a different perspective to her family and friends. She had a gift for the arts; her creativity found its way out in special ways like painting cartoons, vines and flowers on her bedroom walls. She loved singing, music, writing poetry and cooking new recipes.
She was active in sports, school and church. She attended early morning seminary and taught the children's class at church this summer. She was an excellent student and had her heart set on that Valedictorian trophy. Life always seemed too limiting for Ashley; she wanted to do it all.
A tragic car accident in Clark, Wyo., set her free and gave her wings to do all she ever wanted to do.
She is survived by her parents Victor and Liz Jackson of Belfry, Mont.; her siblings Lara and Luke Morris, Natalie, Brittany and Wesley. She loved playing with her only niece, Kameesha Morris. Also surviving, are her grandparents Clarence and Dora Jackson of Belfry, Bill and Pat Moore of Billings; her great grand parents, Alta Hoke of Bridger, Marianne Spencer of Phoenix, Ariz., and Mary Dumont of Casper, Wyo.; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Memorial services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Belfry, Mont., Tuesday, Aug. 24, at 11 a.m. with Dahl Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
James F. Neely
Colonel James F. Neely, age 92, died Monday, Aug. 16, 1999, at the Valley Health Care Center in Billings, where he suffered but a few years from the scourge of Alzheimer's. That was after 31 years of retirement, which included good health, friends, family, golf and travel, until he could no longer plant trees, clip grass, and climb onto the roof of his condominium to sweep off the snow, or work the calculator to do his taxes, at age 87. He was a former military officer and state administrator.
The son of Irish farmers who had nine other children, he was born on March 21, 1907, in the Border State of Kansas, at Earlton. That was the year after hot dogs got their name and hamburgers became popular, the forward pass was legalized in football, Palmolive Soap was invented and commercial train production began, and two years after the Wright Brothers flew at Kittyhawk.
Carrying but a few prejudices with him, which he never, never acted upon - except that the vote for women threw him off track for a couple of years - he rode the rails to Montana at a tender age, to Bozeman, where he eventually operated and owned the first or nearly-first Ford garage. Before that he was a State Champion wrestler, graduating from the Erie High School, and later, in Bozeman, before the War, part of a nationally-recognized softball team. He earlier drove a horse-driven wagon from Bozeman to Yellowstone Park, for wages. His hard work through his life beggar'd all description, working for a Major Utility before he left Bozeman and the farm that he dreamed of but never got.
He entered WWII as a 2nd Lieutenant and exited as a Lt. Colonel, later rising to the rank of full Colonel, active in the National Guard and with the Selective Service. With six stripes on each sleeve, the garnish on his chest had room for his Silver Star, Bronze Star and Air Medal. He was the only Montana officer to have served on the staff command of General Douglas McArthur, whom he disliked for his treatment of the non-comms, but revered and honored for his skill and courage, only liking Harry Truman better and Mrs. Roosevelt a little less, after meeting with her in Australia.
As part of the 163rd Infantry, "Sunset" Division, out of Bozeman after Pearl Harbor as the first unit shipped out, he guarded the West Coast against submarines for a time, until leaving for the South Pacific, on the Queen Mary, or was it Elizabeth? They still talk about how he committed a death-penalty offense by sneaking out of barracks at night that Winter, leading his troops to collect firewood from the beaches to heat the family barracks for their wives and children, such was the rush caused by the new War. In so serving, he knew that arms are fair, when the intent of bearing them is just, but couldn't bear to talk much about it until late in life. He wasn't interested in seeing the Viet Nam Memorial until they built one for WWII veterans.
Upon his return, when told by that Utility - in what were different times - that he must, as his work, drive a campaign bus for a Republican Governor candidate, he quit, campaigned for the Democrat who won, and migrated to Helena, where he worked for a succession of Governors: Bonner, Aronson, Nutter, Anderson, Babcock, Judge, to name a few, who knew him. Those still around will tell you of his scrupulous honesty, dislike of the insolence of office, and - for the most part - how he refrained from protocol, alcohol, and Geritol. About the only time he ever really lied was in slightly expanding his credentials, to get a better job to provide for his family, until he could - each time - prove himself anyways: Administrator of the WWII and Korean Bonus Program (where he delighted in taxing tobacco), and Executive Director of the Oil and Gas Commission.
In his work, be embraced new technology, having among the first electric typewriters and wire recorders, for meetings, in a State Office, only drawing the line at unfixable new cars and the personal computer, and secretly believing for a time that the Moon Landing was probably one more government ruse. He wasn't sure it was book-learning that a young person needed, but a stiffening of the vertebrae, to cause them to concentrate their energies and just do it. He may have been right.
He is survived by his children, Michael of Colorado Springs, Colo., Gerry of Billings, and Pat Brach, nee Neely, of Nelson, BC. Their spouses loved him too. His wife of more than 50 years (whom he often introduced as "Mary, my first wife"), pre-deceased him in 1997, and he is survived by one brother, Glen, of Kansas and a sister, Clara Showalter, of California.
Memorial Services will be held at 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 23, 1999, at the Smith Downtown Chapel.
Laura Odessa Peterson
Laura Odessa Peterson passed away on Aug. 10, 1999, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Dessa, as she was known to her friends, was born on July 27, 1918, in Pittsburgh, Pa., to John and Martha Howieson. During World War II, Dessa joined the Women's Army Corp (the WACs), and was the first WAC ashore in Europe. While in Italy, she met Sanford Peterson. They became engaged at Lake Como, and were married
on Sept. 8, 1945, in Los Angeles, Calif. After their marriage, they moved to Minnesota, where Sandy farmed and Dessa worked as a secretary in a hospital. They had two sons in Minnesota, Henry and Sanford. In 1955, they moved to Billings where they joined the First English Lutheran Church. Dessa worked for the original Billings Hardware and for several stenographic services before beginning work for Theodore Wirth & Associates, Landscape Architects, where she continued as an office manager/administrative assistant until her retirement. Dessa was a member of the Business and Professional Women's Association, American Legion, White Shrine, Daughters of the Nile and Eastern Star. She held numerous offices in Eastern Star. Dessa enjoyed gardening, especially roses, and visiting with friends.
Sandy died in 1995, several months prior to their 50th wedding anniversary. In December 1998, Dessa went to stay temporarily with her son, Henry, in Salt Lake City. Due to failing health, she was unable to return to Billings.
She is survived by her sons, Henry of Salt Lake City and Sanford of Renton, Wash.; their wives, Susan and Linda; and grandchildren, Matthew, Joshua, Jennie and Leslie.
A memorial service will be held at First English Lutheran Church, 1243 N. 31st St. in Billings, at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 23, 1999.
Ray Pierson
BUFFALO, Wyo. - Ray Pierson, 81, died Wednesday at his cabin in the Big Horn Mountains.
Visitation will be from 1 to 10 p.m. Monday and from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Adams Funeral Home Chapel. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Willow Grove cemetery.
Matthew James 'BullMatt' Shot Gunn
LAME DEER - Matthew James "BullMatt" Shot Gunn, age 14, of Lame Deer, Mont., passed away Friday, Aug. 20, 1999 as the result of a bike/car accident.
Matthew was born in Helena, Mont., on Oct. 23, 1984, the son of Francis Robert Shot Gunn and SuEllen Lyons Shot Gunn. He attended school and just graduated from eight grade at St. Labre Indian School in Ashland. He loved to play basketball, go fishing and hang with his buddies.
Matt was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood and held the office of Deacon.
Matthew is survived by his parents of Lame Deer; two brothers, Francis R. Jr. and Jesse D. Shot Gunn; his twin sisters, Starla J. and Crystal F. Shot Gunn, all of the family home; his grandparents, Harold and Mary Underwood of Lame Deer, Lawrence and Verna Bunn of Neah Bay, Wash., and Blanche Downs of Everett, Wash. He was preceded in death by an infant brother, Reuben Shot Gunn.
A Wake service will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 22, 1999, at the Shot Gnnn family home in Lame Deer. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 23, 1999, at the Lame Deer Boys and Girls Club in Lame Deer with Laurence Pitt, Branch President of the LDS Church, officiating. Burial and dedication of the grave will follow at the Lame Deer cemetery. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Forsyth is in charge of the arrangements.
Should friends desire, a memorial has been established to the Shriner's Children's Hospital.
Elynor Vicinus
PORTLAND, Ore. - Elynor Vicinus passed away peacefully in Portland, Ore., on Aug. 20, 1999.
She was born in Dickinson, N.D., in 1911, to Anton and Agnes Hannel. As a young woman she survived the great flu epidemic of 1919-20 in which she lost a brother and two sisters in one evening. Growing up on a farm near Dickinson, she was known as an adventurer. She was the first young woman in her hometown to take a ride in an airplane, which fueled her life long sense of adventure. She met her husband, Bill Vicinus, and they married
and moved to Billings, Mont., in the 1930s. Elynor and Bill had two daughters: Virginia and Sharon. During her life Elynor pursued her love of sales and marketing. She loved working with people and never knew a stranger. While in Billings she operated a millinery, which was known throughout Eastern Montana and Northern Wyoming for its stylish hats. In 1964, her husband Bill was killed in a tragic automobile accident. In 1965 she moved to Portland to be with her two daughters and to help raise her only grandchild. In Portland, she worked at the GNC Health Store in Mall 205 for over 26 years. Elynor was admired and respected by her co-workers and customers. She had that unique ability to remember all she came in contact with and could analyze a customer's needs after a few minutes conversation and assist them with their requirements.
Her interests included her church work, traveling, shopping but, most of all, being with her family and especially her grandson. She is survived by her two daughters, Virginia Feininger of Portland, Ore., and Sharon Takacs of San Jose, Calif.; her grandson, William Takacs of Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom; her sister, Harriet Wilson of Billings; and brother, Anthony Hannel of San Carlos, Calif.
Services will be held at 10 am. Thursday, Aug. 26, 1999, at Holy Cross cemetery in Billings.
She will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by her family and all whose lives she touched.
Diane Travis Walborn
Diane Travis Walborn passed away Friday, Aug. 20, 1999, at her home, with her family by her side, after an extended battle with cancer.
Born April 25, 1944, in New York City, Diane continued to live in New York City where she became a certified interior designer contributing to the design of corporate office buildings and condominiums. She loved the Lord and was a member of Marble Collegiate Church in New York and Unity Church of Billings.
A Christmas visit to a friend brought Diane to Montana in 1990. It was at the Cowboy Reunion that she met John Walborn, a rancher of long standing from Big Horn County. It was love at first sight, and as what friends marveled as a fairy tale romance, by the end of January, Diane had packed her belongings, her cat, Jesse, and moved to Montana. John and Diane married
Oct. 5, 1991. A wonderful wife and loving grandmother to John's grandchildren, together at the ranch, they created the family and life they both desired.
This "City Gal" from Manhattan awed us as she made the transition to ranch life. Working right beside John, she delved into all aspects of ranching. In 1995 Diane became a bit lonesome for her profession. She and John purchased a second home on Blue Creek so she could be closer to Billings to pursue her career. She immediately began decorating and remodeling her new home. Everyone that saw the home was amazed at the artistic beauty she created. As Diane began design consultations in the area, she worked with Raffia on several Parade of Homes. Continuing her pursuit for design knowledge, she attended a Feng-Shui conference in San Diego in 1997 and became one of two licensed Feng-Shui practitioners in Billings.
With John actively involved in NILE, Diane became increasingly involved in the NILE horse show and trade show committee. This year with John as the newly elected president of the NILE, she again worked by his side.
Diane's greatest joy in life, besides being John's wife, was being Grandma to Karmara (Pooh) age 8, Kyra, age 5, and while struggling with her disease, she held on to welcome in May her new grandson, Kohl. Anxious that the children have every advantage as possible, she loved spoiling her grandchildren and relished taking Pooh school shopping.
Diane was a true and special friend to all that knew her. With her New York accent she taught us the importance of being a better person. She fought her disease with amazing perseverance and strength. With no cure to be found, with her style she taught us to cope.
Diane was preceded in death by her mother, Bobby St. Clair; a very special grandmother, Jesside Werner; and her son, Keith. She is survived by her husband, John; her son and daughter-in-law, Kirby and Karmae Walborn, their children Karmara, Kyra and Kohl; her very special twin brother, Donald Travis of New York; stepdaughter, Perri Swartz of Colorado; and stepson, John T. Walborn of California; many friends, her faithful dog, Duke, and two cats, Jesse and Biscuit.
Diane, your spirit and love for life was infectious to all who knew you. Our dear friend, you will be greatly missed. Go home with our heavenly father and decorate heaven. The day will come when we will all be together again.
A Memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 23, at the Smith West Chapel, 304 34th St. W. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the NILE Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1981, Billings, 59103.
Elmer Watters
BROADUS - Elmer Watters, 83, died Friday, Aug. 20, 1999, at Deaconess Medical Center in Billings.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in the Powder River Congregational Church in Broadus with burial in the family lot in Valley View cemetery. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home is in charge.
