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WILHO E. TIMONEN
RED LODGE — Wilho E. Timonen, 94, of Red Lodge, died Thursday evening, Feb. 3, 2000 in Cedar Wood Villa.
He was born Sept. 15, 1905 in Red Lodge, a son of Isaac and Maria (Jalokoski) Timonen. In 1924 he graduated from Carbon County High School, where he played basketball. Wilho worked in Longview, Wash., before moving to the Los Angeles area, where he worked various jobs until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in March of 1942. He served with the 640th Tank Destroyer Battalion in Luzon and the Philippines.
After his discharge in 1945, Wilho began his 24-year career with the U.S. Postal Service in Culver City, Calif. In 1984 he returned to Red Lodge.
Wilho always kept busy, and he enjoyed walking and visiting with friends. He was a 50-year member of Branch #24 of the National Association of Letter Carriers.
Survivors include four sisters, Sigrid S. Timonen of Red Lodge, Mae Lillian (Steve M.) Karina of Harwood Heights, Ill., Lila Mildred (Clarence L.) Tucker of Midland, Tex., and Clara T. Jarvi of Red Lodge; one brother, Heimo H. Timonen of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho; one sister-in-law, Ollie Pederson Timonen of Billings; three nieces, Verna Ahola Ward Herbert of Red Lodge, April Tucker (Curtis) Grabowski of Arlington, Tex., and Holly Marie Tucker of Crowley, Tex.; four nephews, Stephen J. Karina of Annandale, Va., Dennis M. (Debra) Karina of Crystal Lake, Ill., Dr. Robert M. (Patricia) Timonen of Edmonds, Wash., and Wayne B. Timonen of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho; six grandnieces and three grandnephews, and many other loved relatives.
He was preceded in death by four brothers, Waino “Kitty,” John “Bunny,” Walter and Oliver Timonen, and one sister, Tyyne Ahola Paavola.
Memorial services will be held during the summer of 2000, and will be announced when scheduled. Cremation has taken place, with the Olcott Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be given to the charity of one’s choice.
BAPTISTE L. (BATT) OBERT
ROBERTS — Batiste L. (Batt) Obert, 100, of Roberts, died Friday morning, Feb. 4, 2000 in Cedar Wood Villa in Red Lodge, where he resided the past two years.
Born in Red Lodge’s Little Italy on March 20, 1899, he was a son of Joseph and Maria (Deviona) Obert. He celebrated his Baptism, First Holy Communion and Confirmation at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Red Lodge. He attended school in Red Lodge through grade five. His family then moved to Roberts, where his father homesteaded what is now the John Obert, Jr. ranch. He attended Roberts School through eighth grade.
On Nov. 16, 1920, Baptiste married Evelyn Kisinger. They raised three daughters, Lorena, Jean and Elvina. He loved farming and ranching. His place, the BLO Ranch, is presently owned by Tony and Lorena Papez.
As a young man he greatly enjoyed playing baseball, and was a catcher on area teams during the 1920s and 1930s. He remained a fan of the game throughout his life. He was a life member of the Elks and Eagles Lodges, and a charter member of the Italian Society. Batt was known for his homemade salami and wine.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn Obert in 1974; daughter, Jean Karina Koski, son, Raymond, grandson, Andrew Jordan; brothers, Pete, Bert, Dominic, Joe and John, and a sister, Edith Hatten.
Survivors include two daughters, Lorena (Tony) Papez of Roberts and Elvina (Lewis) Jordan of Roberts and Lovell, Wyo.; one sister, Rose Ward of Boyd, and grandchildren, Sheryl (Conrad) Hale, Julie (Gary) Harmala, Evelyn (Richard) Smith, Gayle (Mike) Loughney, Kandace (David) Leslie, Ken (Jewel) Karina, Joe (Diane) Karina, Rick (Connie) Waples, Tom (Susan) Jordan, Dan (Debbie) Jordan and Peggy Jordan Horne; many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Vigil services were held Feb. 6 in St. Agnes Catholic Church. Funeral Mass was celebrated Feb. 7 in the Church. Interment was in the Roberts Cemetery, with the Olcott Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be given to the Roberts Community Foundation, Box 284, Roberts, MT 59070.
GLADYS BOWMAN FOX
RED LODGE — Gladys Bowman Fox, 97, of Red Lodge, passed away Friday afternoon, Feb. 4, 2000 in Beartooth Nursing Home.
She was born April 23, 1902 in Red Lodge, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Maddox) Bowman. Her father was a Pony Express rider who homesteaded on Dry Creek.
Gladys graduated from Carbon County High School, South Dakota Teachers College, and received a master’s degree from the University of Montana at Missoula. She taught elementary school in Carbon County schools for over 40 years.
On Oct. 23, 1968 she married J.L. (Roy) Fox.
A true pioneer, Gladys was an independent and concerned citizen who was always learning and teaching. A good friend known for her baking and catering, she was active in many organizations, including Eastern Star and Rebekah Lodges, the Library Board, Festival of Nations, Carbon County Memorial Hospital Guild, Garden Club, Carbon County Historical Society, Community Church Women’s Fellowship, Business and Professional Women and Alpha Delta Kappa. Gladys was a longtime member of the Calvary Episcopal Church. In addition, she established the Gladys Bowman Fox Scholarship for women graduates of Red Lodge High School.
Gladys was preceded in death by her husband in 1988, two brothers, Sam and Frank, and one sister, Doris.
Survivors include a step-daughter, Mary Ann Fox Bowman, a step-son, J.L. Fox, Jr., a cousin, Isla Klopcich of Billings, and their families.
Memorial services will be announced later in February. Cremation has taken place, with the Olcott Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be given to the Red Lodge Carnegie Library.
SARAH PHILLIPS BELL
PASCO, Wash. — Sarah Phillips Bell, formerly of Red Lodge, passed away Jan. 30, 2000.
No services were held.
VALDA SKORUPA
CONRAD — Valda Jean Sumner Skorupa, 71, passed away Jan. 30, 2000 at the Pondera Medical Center following complications of a stroke.
She was born in Swift Current, Sask., on March 2, 1928 to Oris and Edith Sumner. She moved to Oilmont with her parents in 1932. She received her education in Oilmont, Sunburst and Big Fork schools, graduating in 1945.
She married Charles Skorupa of Conrad in Shelby on July 18, 1963. The resided at their farm east of Conrad.
She was involved with a variety of organizations and enjoyed fishing, camping, travel, gardening and her many pets on the farm. She loved spending time with her family and friends. She was a longtime member of the Moose, the Tri-County Cowbelles and was a member of the Pondera Valley Lutheran Church.
Survivors include her husband, Charles Skorupa of Conrad; two sons, Robert Skorupa of Conrad and Dennis Hicks of Conrad; a daughter, Diana Childers of Ventura, Calif.; a brother, Howard Sumner of Sumter, S.C.; a sister, Dolores Nesbo of Shelby; a grandson, Dennis Hicks and great-grandson, Tyler, of Loveland, Colo., and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a grandson and a sister.
Funeral services were held Feb. 2, 2000 at the Pondera Valley Lutheran Church. Burial followed in the Sunburst Cemetery. The Pondera Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
CLAYTON M. LAING
BELGRADE — Clayton Millard Laing, 79, of Belgrade, passed away Feb. 11, 2000 at his home due to natural causes. He was born Nov. 26, 1921 in Sisseton, S.D., the son of Edson Sherman and Selma Cora (Pederson) Laing.
Clayton was raised on the family farm in Sisseton. As a young adult, he moved to California at the start of World War II to work for the North American Aircraft Factory. His childhood sweetheart, Mildred Louise Loessin, joined him. The couple married June 28, 1942 in Yuma, Ariz. Their daughter, Sharon, was born in 1944.
They moved back to Sisseton, where he worked construction for many years as a heavy equipment operator, working in several states and building many miles of roads.
After retirement in 1984, Clayton and Mildred settled in Fromberg. In 1996 they moved to Belgrade to be near their daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Skip Shields.
Clayton was a member of the Operating Engineers Union. His hobbies included tinkering with engines from old cars to lawn mowers. He also enjoyed taking care of his yard, gardening, playing cards, fishing and hunting.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and a sister.
Survivors include his wife, Mildred, his daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Skip Shields of Belgrade; four grandchildren, Nichole (Shields) Roffler, Clatyon Shields, Angela (Shields) Pierce and Clinton Shields; five great-grandchildren and a sister, Viola Swemumson.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 11 a.m. at Dahl Funeral Chapel in Bozeman. Interment of urn to follow at Meadowview Cemetery in Manhattan.
DUGAL MARKS
RED LODGE — At the age of 77, Dugal died peacefully at the Beartooth Nursing Home in Red Lodge, where he lived since December, 1999.
Dugal was born the son of Peter Dugal and Mary (McDermott) Marks on May 2, 1922. He was born in Mecaha, northeast of Winnett, at Ft. Musselshell, attending school there until the eighth grade. He ranched with his parents and later with the Town Brothers at an early age.
On Aug. 23, 1947, Dugal was united in marriage to Anna Rukavina in Malta. In 1959, they moved to Bridger, where they had the Town & Marks Ranch on Bluewater.
Dugal had a pilot’s license and flew a Piper Cub plane, which was used for spotting cows in the bogs along the river, and for his recreation. After his retirement, he worked for Phoenix Production and Petroleum Engineering. He was a volunteer fireman for the Bridger Volunteer Fire Department for several years. Dugal loved fishing in Yellowtail Dam, having coffee with the guys and visiting with his many good friends. Dugal and his wife, Anna, were very hospitable people, who quietly and generously helped many people.
Survivors include his brothers, Pete Marks of Winnett, Kern (Evelyn) Marks of Helena, Jack (Jerry) Marks of Missoula, and Bob Marks of Winnett; sisters, Dorothy (Jerry) Weingart of Williams Lake, B.C., Canada, Inda Mosby of Lewistown and numerous nieces and nephews.
His parents, his beloved wife, Anna, brothers, Ed, Albert and George Marks, and sisters, Elizabeth Kettle and Agnes Bierlie, all preceded him in death.
A funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 14, 2000 at Dahl Funeral Chapel in Billings. Cremation will take place later, and his ashes will be scattered. A reception followed the service at Dahl Funeral Hospitality Room.
Memorials may be made to the Bridger Volunteer Fire Department
