Search Archived Marriage Records
Steven "Steve" Casillas
Memorial services for Steven Leonard “Steve” Casillas, 43, of Fort Smith, former Miles City resident, were held Monday morning, Nov. 27, 2006, in the Big Horn Baptist Church at Fort Smith. Burial of ashes followed at the cemetery.
Mr. Casillas died Monday, Nov. 20, 2006, at his residence.
He was born on July 10, 1963, in Billings, the son of Joe Lopez and Laura Marie Miller Casillas.
Mr. Casillas and Rebecca Holzheimer were married
in 1986. He later was married
to Mary Battin and then to Toni Grenz.
He lived and worked in various parts of Montana. Mr. Casillas recently had been working at Judy’s Cafe in Fort Smith. He also had done some ranching for the Kehler family and had worked for Eastern Montana Industries in Miles City years ago.
His survivors include his sons, Robert Casillas of Billings, Tanner and Skyler of Miles City; his daughter, Anna Casillas of Billings; his brothers, Joe (Janet) Casillas of Arizona and David of Billings; his sisters, Beverly (Louis) Lucero of Des Moines, Iowa, Karen Duran of Las Vegas, Nev., and Juanita (Jesse) Sanchez of Billings; his step-children, Bo, Drew and Ryan; as well as numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Big Horn Baptist Church, Fort Smith, MT 59035, phone 1-406-666-2294.
Arrangements are in the care of Dahl Funeral Chapels.
Mary Rebecca "Becca" Grierson Almond
Mary Rebecca “Becca” Grierson Almond, 98, of Billings, formerly of Hysham, died peacefully Monday, Nov. 20, 2006.
Born on Aug. 30, 1908, to James B. and Rosalia Duff Grierson, Mrs. Almond grew up near Hysham on the J.B. Grierson Ranch, where her heart always remained. She remembered fondly her years growing up on the ranch with her brother John, horseback riding to school, reading, cooking, and always taking an active role in the family ranching operation. She left Treasure County only briefly to attend the University of Montana in Missoula. There she pledged Kappa Delta Sorority. She graduated in 1930 with a bachelor’s degree in education with a major in history and a minor in Spanish. She returned home to the family ranch, teaching high school history and drama in Custer and later in Hysham.
Ever the pioneering spirit, Mrs. Almond pursued a fruitful full-time teaching career for several years until she married
Carl Almond in 1941. They lived on the ranch and had a son, James Richard, in 1942.
Mrs. Almond remained a devoted mother and wife, as well as part–time teacher, ranch bookkeeper, and secretary of the Froze to Death Grazing District. She was also always an active member of the Treasure County community, the Hysham Presbyterian Church, and several women’s ranching groups.
After her brother’s death in 1984, Mrs. Almond continued to operate J.B. Grierson Company with her son Jim and nephew Bob, and continued as secretary of Froze to Death Grazing District well into her 80s. When her health deteriorated she moved near her son and daughter-in-law in Billings to St. John’s Lutheran Home, where she remained until her death.
She will be fondly remembered for her independent spirit, down-to-earth nature, and willingness to work hard. She was a loving and generous mother and grandmother, and will also be remembered as a mentor to many she touched along the way as both teacher and friend.
Her survivors include her son, Jim, and his wife, Sandy, of Billings; her nephew, Bob Grierson, and his wife, Diann, of Hysham; and her grandchildren, James Almond of Forest Grove, Ore., Carl Almond and his wife Holly of Phoenix, Ariz., and their children Victoria, Lily and Finley, Beth Emter and her husband Cornel of Clancy and their children Rebecca and Michael, and Kate Sigafoos and her husband Chad of Helena and their daughter Amelia.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Carl; her brother, John Grierson and his wife, Marge; and many dear cousins and friends.
Funeral services will be Saturday, Nov. 25, 2006, at 11 a.m. at the Hysham Community Presbyterian Church, with internment to follow at the Rancher cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hysham Community Presbyterian Church, Hysham, MT 59038; the Montana CattleWomen Scholarship Fund, 420 N. California, Helena, MT. 59601; or the charity of one’s choice.
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Forsyth has been entrusted with the arrangements and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com
Wesley "Wes" Meissner
Funeral services for Wesley Charles “Wes” Meissner, 57, of Circle were Friday afternoon, Nov. 24, 2006, at the First Lutheran Church in Circle. Interment was in the Riverview cemetery in Circle.
Mr. Meissner died Friday, Nov. 17, 2006, at his home north of Circle.
He was born to Harold “Zib” and Myrtle Knutson Meissner on April 25, 1949, in Glendive. He was baptized and confirmed at the First Lutheran Church in Circle. He graduated from the Circle High School in 1967, participating in sports, music and rodeo.
Mr. Meissner went on to attend college in Havre and competed as a PRCA Cowboy riding bareback horses. He later joined the National Guard for six years.
On July 31, 1976, he and Sonja Severtson were married
in Brocket N.D. They were blessed with a son, Cameron Wesley Meissner.
Mr. Meissner farmed and ranched north of Circle on the family farm for more than 30 years. He enjoyed rodeos, horses and working cattle with friends, family, and neighbors.
He was exceptionally proud of his son, Cameron, and his accomplishments, following him through football, baseball, basketball, track, music, and most recently horse shows. He sat through many concerts and was his wife’s strongest supporter and “in-house” critic.
The last six years he found his true passion, which was trucking cattle and hay. Mr. Meissner never knew a stranger. If you sat with him long enough, he would know everything there was to know about you except maybe your name.
His survivors include his wife, Sonja; his son, Cameron and fiancée Karly Idland; his mother, Myrtle; his sister, Helen (Bim) Murphy; his nephew, Josh (Amanda) Murphy; his niece, Mandy Murphy; and his wife’s brothers, sisters and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, “Zib;” his grandparents, Henry and Emma Meissner, M.J. and Hilda Knutson.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Steven Leonard Casillas
Word has been received of the death of Steven Leonard Casillas, 43, of Fort Smith.
Among his survivors are his children, his sons, Robert Casillas of Billings, Tanner and Skyler of Miles City, and his daughter, Anna Casillas of Billings.
Memorial services for Mr. Casillas will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 27, 2006, in the Big Horn Baptist Church in Fort Smith.
Burial of ashes will follow in the cemetery.
Dahl Funeral Chapels is in charge of arrangements.
Duane Pinkham
Duane Pinkham, 73, of Glendive, formerly of Miles City, died Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2006, at the Glendive Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Glendive.
Mr. Pinkham was born in Haynes, N.D., on June 11, 1933, the son of Ray and Leona Niehs Pinkham. They moved to Hettinger, N.D., and then to Miles City where he attended local schools, graduating from Custer County High School in 1953. After graduation, he moved to Casper, Wyo., to be near his family.
He was drafted into the Army on Aug. 6, 1953, and went to boot camp at Fort Ord, Calif. Mr. Pinkham then went to Fort Lewis, Wash., where he was in the 106th battalion. He was honorably discharged with an early release due to the end of the Korean War in 1955.
Following his discharge, he moved back to Casper where he worked for the State Highway Department. He then moved back to Miles City where he attended Miles City Junior College.
Mr. Pinkham worked for Clark’s Upholstery, learning the trade from Sam Clark.
He and Marian Wacker McKiernan were married
on Sept. 7, 1957. Mr. Pinkham then moved to Billings where he attended Eastern Montana College and worked at Yellowstone Tent and Awning, then Harold’s Upholstery. He moved back to Miles City in 1960 and started Duane’s Custom Upholstery, which he ran until his retirement in 1997.
After being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, his family moved him to an assisted care home in Williston, N.D. In 2000, he was moved to Eastern Montana Veteran’s Home in Glendive where he resided until his death.
Mr. Pinkham was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He enjoyed his upholstery work and took great pride in it. He also enjoyed dancing and spending time with his granddaughters.
His survivors include a son, Rod Pinkham, and Young Boudinot of Las Vegas, Nev.; two daughters, Doreen Richardson and Johnny Womack of Midland, Texas, and Pam Griffin and her husband Don of Ismay; three granddaughters, Nicole, Brooke and Callie Griffin; and a life-long friend, Joe Lee of Aurora, Colo.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and three sisters.
Funeral services will be Friday, Nov. 24, 2006, at 2 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Miles City. Interment will follow at the Eastern Montana State Veterans cemetery with full military honors provided by post No. 1579.
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
If desired, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the charity of one’s choice.
Frank Schmalz
Frank J. Schmalz died Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2007, at the Friendship Villa Care Center in Miles City.
Mr. Schmalz was born June 10, 1920, the fourth child of nine born to Joseph Sr. and Juliana Neiss Schmalz, of which he has one surviving sister, Bridget in Milwaukee, Wis. He was born and raised in Karlsruhe, N.D.
After graduating from high school, he was offered a chance at Cincinnati Reds’ training camp as a catcher, but instead he joined the Civilian Conservation Corp. (CCCs) and was assigned to camps at Mohall, N.D., Ekalaka and Boyes as a Senior Leader. While at the camps he enjoyed baseball games, but it was while at the Boyes Camp he met the love of his life, Nina Joslyn.
After a little over two years in the CCCs he moved to Milwaukee, Wis., to work as a machinist for the Falk Corp. It was there he married
Nina on Sept. 13, 1941, and his daughter, ArLynn was born. He remained as foreman there until he felt it was his duty to join the United States Navy. After training in Hershey, Pa., and Farragut, Idaho, he shipped out of San Francisco to Oahu, Hawaii, in 1945 in anticipation of the naval support on the attack of Japan. He spent a number of months in Oahu, Hawaii, even accidentally meeting up with his brother, Paul, a Marine and together they were able to celebrate Christmas together.
In 1946, he returned to the U.S. and was released from the Navy to return to the Broadus area to assist his father-in-law in ranching and also work at John Traub’s Standard Station in Broadus. It was during this time he was taken ill and nearly died of Undulant Fever, the newly discovered use of whole blood transfusion as treatment saved his life and he was able to make a slow recovery. He continued his dream of ranching by purchasing cows, but he and his wife eventually realized that was not to be.
In the early 1950s he purchased a dry cleaning business in Broadus, but his eyes could not stand the chemicals. After the sale of the dry cleaning business, he was employed by the Town of Broadus as a maintenance worker and then went to work for the Federal Soil Conservation Service where he met and enjoyed many friends. As an engineer tech he first worked in Powder River County. In 1971 he moved to the SCS Sidney office, in 1980 he worked in Safford, Ariz., on a Gila River Project and then retired out of the SCS area office in Miles City in 1983.
He was the happiest when he spent time with his grandchildren. He and his wife, along with his much loved poodle, Peaches, also traveled the western United States for a number of years seeing sights and visiting friends.
Mr. Schmalz had many hobbies, building miniature windmills, magnetic signs for vehicles, miniature branding iron plaques and miniature scenes of ghost town buildings. In 1991, he and his wife celebrated 50 years of marriage with a trip to Scotland to visit their grandson Mark. In failing health he moved to the Eagles Manor in 2000 and then to Friendship Villa in 2005.
He loved a good joke or prank, board games, card games, even making cookies and German recipes. But his biggest joy in life was his daughter, ArLynn and husband Walter, his grandchildren, Mark (Lourdes) Borla, Melanie (Mark) Butorac, Collin (Elizabeth) Borla, and Quinn (Amy) Borla and his six great-grandchildren, Stephanie Borla, Jase Butorac, Brooke, Monet, Julia, Natalie Borla and a baby boy on the way in April.
A Vigil Service will be held Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2007, at 6 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, Feb 15, 2007, at 1 p.m. in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Eastern Montana State Veterans cemetery in Miles City with full military honors provided by VFW Post No. 1579.
John Rothschiller
John Rothschiller, 92, of Miles City died peacefully on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2007, at the Veterans Affairs Nursing Home in Miles City.
Mr. Rothschiller was born on Nov. 12, 1914, in Hebron, N.D., the son of Michael and Victoria Froelich Rothschiller. The Rothschillers were a pioneering family from North Dakota and Montana. While attending school at Custer County High School, he worked on farms and ranches in the area.
After Mr. Rothschiller turned 27 he enlisted in the Army on April 10, 1941. He was in the European Theater and was part of the HQ Battery V Corps Artillery. Mr. Rothschiller earned three overseas service bars, American Defense Service Medal and World War II Victory Medal. When he was discharged he returned to Miles City and worked for Carl’s Conoco Service Station for several years.
When Carl’s closed, Mr. Rothschiller went to work as a Security Guard at the Veterans Affairs Hospital until he retired.
He was a devoted Catholic and spent his life giving to others. Mr. Rothschiller always had a large garden and would gladly share his crop with those who needed it. He was the last of the Rothschiller children to go be with his Father.
Although he never married
he enjoyed his life and always took care of his family and those in need.
His survivors include three nephews, James Marion Stone of La Junta, Colo., Robert Charles Stone of San Antonio, Texas, and Walter Mike Stone of Miles City; one niece, Romona Mae Miller Zimmer of Miles City; and numerous great- and great-great-nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by four brothers, Mike, Jacob, Pete and Anton; seven sisters, Celia, Katherine, Ann Marie (Jane), Teresa, Mary Eva, Clara and Elizabeth (Florence).
Funeral services will be Wednesday Feb. 14, 2007, at 11 a.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
John Stout
John Stout died Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2007, in Miles City following a short illness.
He was born Aug. 2, 1913, to William Andrew and Sarah Rhea Fry Stout, in his grandmother’s house, an old Victorian, located on what became the back lot of Fox Studios in Hollywood, Calif. He was a brother among sisters (Elizabeth, Lois and Lillian) as his only brother, Robert died as a young child. His mother died when he was in his teens.
Mr. Stout put himself through school at the University of California, Berkeley, graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering.
He served in the Navy during World War II, and, while working at the Joshua Hendy Ironworks, met Vida Volkhardt, an electrical engineer, whom he married
in 1942.
Following his service in the Navy, he worked as a petroleum engineer in Taft, Calif. Over time, his work for Chevron took him to Huntington Beach, Alaska and finally San Francisco.
His wife, Vida, died in 1986. Six years later he married
Elaine Johnson Noyes, and after a time they moved from San Rafael, Calif., to San Antonio, Texas, to be nearer her family. His second wife, Elaine, died in August 2006, and, at that time, he moved north to Montana, living first with his daughter, and then, later, moving to Eagles Manor in Miles City.
Mr. Stout married
artists and encouraged them to pursue their creative endeavors. His travels took him not only to Alaska (where he lived and worked, during one stint, for over a year on the moose range east of Soldotna), but also to Hawaii, China and Central America. He enjoyed his visits to Montana, where he came with his wife, Vida, to visit his daughter and her family on the Landa ranch. Hunting with Jerry Landa was one of life’s great treats for him. Between those Montana visits and his times in Alaska, he came to appreciate all the seasons had to offer.
Whether camping in the Sierras, sailing his boat, or hunting, Mr. Stout loved the outdoors and taking on new adventures. He was a guy who is fondly remember by his daughter as the dad who drove his kids around the hills outside Taft in a 1934 Ford cabrolet (that he had fitted with dual wheels on the back ) while singing songs from his childhood. He never lost the singing or whistling. Even at Eagles Manor, you could hear him singing or whistling as he went through his day.
Enjoying life to the end, Mr. Stout was most disappointed that the stroke was going to keep him from a dance that was to be held that day at Eagles Manor. Fortunately, he was able to learn that the dance was canceled because the music couldn’t come. But he never made it home to hang up the set of tails he had hung out (to wear to the dance).
His survivors include his son, Bill (Sallie) and Bill’s children, Macy and Vida Madison of Los Alamitos, Calif.; his daughter, Vida, of Miles City, and her children, John Joseph (Cathy) of Boyes, Robert William of Seattle, and Vida Carisa Rose, of Missoula; his nieces, Marsha Smith of Montgomery, Texas, and Joyce Oxley (Ray) of Bakersfield, Calif., as well as his nieces, Sarah Kennington (Keith), Lisa Vance (Frank Simms), Lorelle Damolin, and Greta Brodsky (Chuck), sister- and brother-in-law, Betty Marie and Fred Vance all Texas; and numerous other nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
While many of his family and friends have preceded him in death, there are many who remain who will miss him greatly.
Those wishing to make memorial donations, may send them in his name to the charity or organization of their choices or to the Eagles Manor Memorial Fund, 1000 Palmer St., Miles City, MT 59301 or to Custer County Art and Heritage Center, Box 1284, Miles City, MT 59301. One will benefit those who have been part of his wonderful experience at this last best place ... the other will help with the expansion/renovations at the art and heritage center as a recognition of his support and appreciation of the arts and artists in his life.
Eva Henley
Funeral Service for Eva Henley, 88, of Baker, MT formerly of Billings, MT was at 9:00 a.m. Monday, February 12, 2007 in the Chapel of Stevenson Funeral Home in Baker, MT with Rev. Howard D. Schreibeis officiating. Interment followed at 3:00 p.m. in the family lot in Terrace Gardens cemetery at Billings, MT. Visitation was 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday, February 11, 2007 in the Chapel of Stevenson Funeral Home with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m.
Eva passed away Thursday, February 8, 2007 at Fallon Medical Complex in Baker, MT with Chris and Shirley at her side.
Eva Henley was born on March 7, 1918 to John and Mary (Trian) Kosty at the family homestead in Olive, MT. She attended schools in Miles City, MT.
Eva worked with her parents helping them with their truck farming business. It was in Miles City that she met and married
Harry Sakelaris. The two united in marriage on September 1, 1940 in Miles City. To this union was born a son, Chris.
Throughout the years, Eva worked in Miles City at the Miles City Cleaners, the Range Café and the 600 Café.
It was later that she met and married
Oliver Henley. The couple married
on December 25, 1951 in Billings, MT.
Eva and Oliver lived in various communities throughout eastern MT where Oliver was employed by the MT State Highway Department. They later moved to Billings, MT where Eva worked as a waitress at the Custer Inn, the Muzzleloader and a few others. In February 1978, she retired from working due to an injury.
After Oliver passed away on October 21, 1988, Eva continued to make Billings her home. She stayed there until she entered the Fallon Medical Center Nursing Home in November 1999.
Eva loved crocheting things such as “The Lords Prayer, ” The Good Shepherd and The Last Supper. More than anything, she loved her family, especially her grandchildren. Eva was a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, The Order of the Eastern Star, and Daughters of the Nile.
Eva Henley is survived by her son Chris (Shirley) Sakelaris, Baker, MT; two sisters, Emma Zawada, Billings, MT and Kathryn Kalianov, Waterloo, IA; two sisters- in- law, Alex Kosty, Miles City, MT and Thelma Kosty, Sun City, AZ; two grandchildren, Jerry (Paige) Sakelaris, Yorbalinda, CA and Heidi (Mitch) Reinertson, Big Timber, MT; and two great-grandchildren, Joey and Josh Reinertson, Sartell, MN.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Oliver, three brothers Chris Kosty, Vic Kosty and Ernest Kosty, two sisters Georgia Kosty and Jonna Kosty and her grandson Mark Anthony Sakelaris on April 10, 1990.
