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NELLIE M. WITCHER
Nellie M. Witcher, 86, passed away November 26, 2002, at Evergreen Laurel Health and Rehabilitation Center, of natural causes. She was born January 31, 1916 to Dick and Grace Shandy of Silesia, and was raised on the Shandy homestead north of Joliet until she married Ray Moore on September 10, 1933. They had a son, Leroy. On June 2, 1939 Nellie married Ray L. Witcher and they had a daughter, Maybelle, and a son, Kenneth. Nellie resided in Joliet and worked at the Laurel Nursing Home and the Joliet Christian Church. Ray and Nellie also managed the café at the Horseshoe Night Club in Fromberg.
Nellie is survived by two sons, Leroy (Esther) Moore of Billings and Kenneth (Lena) Witcher of Joliet, and a daughter Maybelle (Darrell) Magnus of Laurel; two sisters, Helen Brown of Forsyth and June Regnier of Billings, ten grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
Nellie was preceded in death by two husbands, Ray Moore and Ray Witcher, five brothers and one sister.
Nellie was an active life member of the VFW and Rebekah Lodge in Joliet. When she was able, she enjoyed gardening, flowers, dancing to the fiddle of Ray Witcher and her children.
Memorial services were held Wednesday, Dec. 4 at the Joliet Christian Church. Inurnment was in Rockvale Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Joliet Christian Church or the Rebecca Lodge.
Smith Funeral Chapel-Laurel was in charge of cremation.
DONALD J. TUNNICLIFF
Donald J. Tunnicliff, 81 of Billings, passed away Friday evening, November 22, 2002 at Eagle Cliff Manor.
The son of John and Sis Tunnicliff, Don was born December 16,1920 at the family ranch near Roberts. Following his graduation from Roberts High School, he served in the Marine Corps during WWII. Don married Marian Ekle in Red Lodge, December 5, 1945. They made their home on the family ranch where Don worked rodeo stock with his father and grandfather. In 1948 they moved to Billings where he worked for the Exxon Refinery until retiring in 1978.
Family was always the center of Don’s life. They would spend time at their trailer at Camp at the Boulder where he enjoyed the mountains and fishing. In 1990 the family purchased a ranch near Hardin where he would ride horse, herd cows, build corrals and fix fence.
Survivors include his wife Marian, daughter Connie Dunn and her husband Robert, and son Darell and his wife Robin all of Billings, grandchildren, Kaylean Lee and her husband Greg, Lynell Dunn and her two sons, Tyler and Klae.
Funeral services were held at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary with interment in Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to the Red Lodge Home of Champions Rodeo or the charity of one’s choice.
WALTER PAPEZ
BRIDGER – Walter Papez, 89, of Bridger, passed away at his home on Wednesday, December 4, 2002.
Walt was born on February 14, 1913 on the Papez family homestead west of Red Lodge, a son of Frank and Mary Papez. He received his education at the Draper School, then worked on area ranches and in the Butte mines during the winter of 1941 and 1942.
On May 7, 1942 Walter joined the U.S. Army and served his country during World War II in Normandy, Northern France and was in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium.
Walt was united in marriage to Marie Kathleen Rouane on February 18, 1943 in Watertown, New York. Walt and Marie were together for fifty-nine years.
After the war, they farmed on Bear Creek and on Dry Creek. In 1951 they purchased a ranch north of Big Timber, and ranched there until retiring to Laurel in 1977. During this stay Walt built a new home from logs he cut from the Papez homestead. In 1992 they moved to Bridger, and Walt continued sharing his ranching skills with his son, Wally. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Parish of Bridger and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Walt was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Mary and Julia; brother Frank Papez, Jr. and an infant brother; half-brother, Martin Sansheck; and half-sister, Amalia Sansheck.
Survivors include his wife, Marie Papez of Bridger; his son, Wally (Rett) Papez of Bridger and their children, Jacqueline of Missoula and J.W. of Helena; his daughter, Mary Ann (William) Ballard of Billings and their children, Rebecca (Rick) Anderson of Billings, and Rochelle Ballard of Oakland, CA; and his only great-grandchild, Jack Richard Anderson. Also surviving are 3 sisters, Rose Noll of Salinas, Calif., Sophia (Bob) Ball of Portland, Ore., and Gayle Sullivan of Billings; 3 brothers, John (Thresa) of Bridger, Joe (Dorreen) of Red Lodge, and Tony (Lorena) of Roberts; one sister-in-law, Carrie Papez of Wenatchee, Wash.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral mass was celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 in Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bridger. Rite of Committal was in the Red Lodge Cemetery.
Smith-Olcott Funeral Chapel of Red Lodge is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be given to the charity of one’s choice.
DARREL LOYD ROYAL
RED LODGE – Darrel Royal, 84, of Red Lodge, died early Saturday morning, December 7, 2002 in Beartooth Hospital Long Term Care Unit.
Darrel was born on August 12, 1918, near Chugwater, Wyoming, a son of Fred and Sophie Blum Royal. When Darrel was two years old, his father was killed in an accident. His mother moved to Big Horn, Wyoming where Darrel graduated from high school. He worked for various ranches in the vicinity, including caring for the Earl of Portsmouth’s polo ponies.
In 1938 he was hired by Birney Kempton’s Dude Ranch at Terry, Montana to break horses and “wrangle dudes.” In 1940 he married Helen Hauck at Miles City. They had two children, Alan in 1942 and Loyd in 1944.
In 1942 he attended a mechanic’s school in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and then went to work for Peter Kiewit, repairing and maintaining heavy equipment used in road building.
He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1944. Darrel went overseas to the European Theater of Operations where he served with General Patton’s Army in the Battle of the Bulge. After his discharge in 1945 he returned to Terry where he worked for Patterson-Turnbull Garage. In the spring of 1946 he came to Red Lodge as service manager for the Chevrolet Garage.
On July 4, 1946 Darrel and Mary Elizabeth Shreve were married in Red Lodge, and they celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary in 2002.
Darrel bought a repair garage from Erwin Draper in 1949, which he operated as Royal’s Repair until retiring in 1983.
He was active in Boy Scouts, serving as Scout Master. He initiated and organized the first Junior Rifle Club in Red Lodge, and was its chief instructor for many years. One of his hobbies was braiding rawhide bridles. For many years he donated a bridle to the 4-H County Fair to be given as a prize.
Darrel owned a small acreage on Willow Creek where he raised and trained horses. His great love was the mountains and hunting. He always had a dog for a faithful companion. During his stay at the Beartooth Long Care Unit, his Border Collie, Benji, would often visit him, and became the pet of all the residents.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Beth Royal of Red Lodge; two sons, Alan L. Royal of Billings, and Loyd L. Royal of Bozeman; two nieces, Betty Ash of Wheatland, Wyo., and Helen Dunning of Lander, Wyo.; and one sister-in-law, Gertrude Royal of Wheatland.
Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 10 in Smith-Olcott Funeral Chapel. Cremation followed services. Memorials may be given to Beartooth Hospital & Health Center Hospice, P.O. Box 590, Red Lodge, MT 59069.
ROY BUECHLER
Roy Buechler, 80, of Joliet, died Saturday, Dec. 7, 2002 at his home.
Roy was born August 12, 1922 in Linton, N.D., a son of Ludwig and Mary Buechler.
He was a Naval Veteran of WW II and was proud of his service to his country. Roy planned to retire on Dec. 31, 2002 after 25 years of service in general maintenance for the town of Joliet. Roy enjoyed taking family and friends to the Pryors to look for arrowheads and at pictographs throughout the area.
Roy is survived by his wife Agnes, a daughter, Debbie (Bob) Hull, two sons, Charlie and Shane (Vickie) Buechler, grandchildren, Tom, Dan, Samantha and Cassidy, two sisters, Mary Meinhardt and Deanna (Pete) Stoltz and two brothers, Ole and Tony, numerous nieces and nephews, and a sister and brother-in-law Les and Christin Linn.
Cremation has taken place at Smith Crematory. No memorial service will be held per Roy’s request. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Joliet EMS, Joliet Fire Dept. or a charity of one’s choice.
ROBERTA S. PARKER
Roberta S. Parker, age 70, passed away Wednesday, December 18, 2002 at Highland Manor in Mesquite, Nev. She was born October 25, 1932 in Billings, Mont. to Jay and Jean Candeaux Stevens.
In June of 1953, she married David Joy Parker in Fort Bragg, Calif. Roberta was educated in Billings, graduating from Billings High in the class of 1950. After graduation, she was employed by Miles City Bank. Shortly after her marriage, the couple moved back to Billings. She was instrumental in the founding and operations of Parker Livestock Supply, acting as bookkeeper and auditor.
She was active in the formation of a large subdivision on Alkali Creek in Billings. She was also active in several ranch operations around Montana. She was instrumental in the formation of the Registry of Spotted Asses (Donkeys).
She was a loyal, long time member of the Zonta Club, even being honored as Zonta of the Year. She enjoyed traveling, especially in an RV. Roberta and her companion of nearly 50 years, David, stayed in many, many trailer parks around the US. In 1999, they settled in Mesquite, Nev. for the winter months.
Roberta leaves behind her husband, David; one son, Mark and his wife Carlene Taubert; two grandchildren, Monica and Stan, all of Billings; one daughter, Beverly Parker and her husband Bruce Lubbers, one step granddaughter, April all of Red Lodge, and one sister, Rayetta and her husband, Bill Oser of Billings.
Memorial services were to be held in Billings, Mont. Contributions to Shriners Hospital in Spokane, Wash.
LISA LYN SCHEETZ
Lisa Lyn Scheetz, 25, of Red Lodge, died on December 15, 2002 with her children in an automobile accident.
Lisa was born on March 23, 1977, to Allen and Georgie (Wetherelt) Scheetz in Sidney, Mont. Throughout her short life, Lisa lived in various places in Montana, including Sidney, Billings, Miles City, Broadus and then settling in Red Lodge. She attended Elementary and High School in Red Lodge.
Lisa worked at the Red Lodge Cafe for 9 years; and was still employed there at the time of her death.
in 1996, Lisa was blessed with the birth of her daughter Lucinda; who brought so much sunshine to everyone’s life. Little Austin was born in 1998, making Lisa’s life so complete and everything she dreamed of. Lisa loved being a Mom. She devoted all of her time into loving her children. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandparents at their ranch. Lisa was always concerned about the well being of her family and friends. She would set aside her own feelings unselfishly to help anyone in need. The last addition to Lisa’s life was her fiancé Willie, her true love.
Lisa enjoyed spending time with her family & friends. She loved sewing and hoped to receive a new sewing machine for Christmas. Lisa was known for giving people a hard time, as she would joke with her family and friends and also her faithful customers at the cafe. Her memory will forever be in the hearts of everyone throughout the Red Lodge Community.
“Words cannot express our love for this special gift from God who touched everyone she met. We will forever miss you, Lisa.”
Lisa is survived by her mother, Georgie, Fiancé, Willie Hernandez, step father, Terry Handeland, sister Julie (Sonny) Stethem, brother Roy Scheetz, aunts & uncles, Wes & Deb Wetherelt, Bill & Ann Wetherelt, Allen and Laurie Wetherelt, Pam Scheetz, Sharon & Steve Iverson, Terry Scheetz, Tom Scheetz, Curt Handeland, grandparents, Hazel & Glenn Wetherelt, Clarence & Agnes Scheetz, Don Handeland, nieces, Aprillena & Keeawna Stethem and numerous cousins. She is preceded in death by her father, Allen Scheetz.
A memorial service for Lisa and her children was held Friday, December 20, 2002, at the Veterans Memorial Civic Center in Red Lodge at 1:30 p.m. A reception followed at Dahl Funeral Chapel in Red Lodge. Interment of ashes will be held at a later date in Broadus, MT. Memorials may be sent to Wells Fargo c/o The Lisa Scheetz Memorial Fund. Dahl Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
LUCINDA ROSE SCHEETZ
Lucinda Rose Scheetz, 6, of Red Lodge, died on December 15, 2002 with her mother and brother in an automobile accident.
Lucinda showed her excitement for life when she was born 2 months early on January 11, 1996 in Billings. She came into this big world weighing only one pound, nine oz. Lucinda attended Mountain View Elementary School in Red Lodge and was a first grader at the time of her death. Lucinda was a bright and vivacious little girl who brought smiles to everyone she met. She loved baking cookies for her Grandpa. Lucinda lived for school. She also was famous for giving “free hugs.” She loved reading and looked forward to seeing her classmates and teachers every day. Animals held a special place in Lucinda’s heart; especially baby bum lambs. She loved to let them suck on her finger and feed them their bottles. Lucinda was a cuddly little girl who loved to sing; and most recently glowed at her school Christmas concert.
Lucinda is survived by her grandmother, Georgie Scheetz, biological father, Jason Larson, her Daddy, Willie Hernandez, aunts & uncles, Roy Scheetz, Julie (Sonny) Stethem, Wes & Deb Wetherelt, Bill & Ann Wetherelt, Allen & Laurie Wetherelt, Pam Scheetz, Sharon & Steve Iverson, Terry Scheetz, Tom Scheetz, Curt Handeland, Delraey Owen, grandfather, Terry Handeland, grandparents, Jack & Berta Owen, and great-grand parents, Hazel & Glenn Wetherelt, Clarence and Agnes Scheetz and Don Handeland.
She is preceded in death by her grandfather, Allen Scheetz.
A memorial service for Lucinda was held Friday, December 20, 2002, at the Veteran’s Memorial Civic Center in Red Lodge. Interment of ashes will be held at a later date in Broadus. Memorials may be sent to Wells Fargo c/o The Lisa Scheetz Memorial Fund.
Dahl Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
