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Othel Bell
1916-2007
If ever a man loved the Lord, it was Othel Bell - Dad, Grampa and Grandpa-Grandpa.
This quiet man with the glass eye passed on April 16, 2007 into the arms of his Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.
He was the fifth of eight children born to Thomas and Julia Bell, near Mustang, Oklahoma on January 2, 1916.
His family were sharecroppers and moved around a lot in his early years but he spent a majority of his childhood in Oklahoma.
He'd often recall fond memories of growing up in the Midwest and how his family had survived tornados, the Depression and even the loss of his eye when he was ten, due to a thistle.
Going to school meant walking long distances but sometimes he would ride a pony while his older brothers walked.
He skipped the 6th grade but graduated from high school in 1934, and began looking for a job which was far and few between in those days.
He moved to California by way of Arizona and wound up a sheet metal worker in Riverside, California.
He worked at the Food Machinery Corporation during the war years making "ducks."
His entire work life was sheet metal and he enjoyed working and creating with his hands.
In the mid-fifties he searched out his high school sweetheart with a classified ad in the local paper back in Oklahoma, never imagining she would ever see it.
Her best friend did, and he ended up marrying the love of his life, Viola.
After living in San Bernadino, California for some time, they decided to move to Montana and bought a motel.
Hamilton's Ravalli Motel became their grubstake.
Later they retired and settled in Stevensville in 1972.
His passions were God, gardening and stained glass.
He and Viola were very active in the Light of the Valley Assembly of God Church in Stevensville.
He made the stained glass for the new building and helped whenever needed.
Most people remember Othel for the glorious garden he tended with such care just off Main Street in Stevensville.
One thing you could always count on with Othel was his good nature and sense of humor.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Viola in 1998; his seven brothers and one sister; and his son Marvin Lee.
Also lost before him were granddaughters, Shannon Marie Hayworth and Terri Bell.
Survivors include a son, Virgil Bell, and many loved nieces and nephews.
He became a father to Viola's two boys who became like sons to him, Roy (Rita) and Marvin (Linda) Hayworth.
He is also survived by his grandchildren, Holly Olson, Kit Hayworth, Jeff Hayworth and Alice and Jennie and many great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at Whitesitt Funeral Home on Friday, April 20, with Pastor Arthur Huwe officiating.
Private internment was at the Riverside cemetery.
Shel McLain
1970-2007
Shel A. McLain, 36, of Stevensville, died on Thursday, April 19, 2007 in Havre, Montana as a result of injuries in an auto accident.
He was born on December 31, 1970 at Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada and was the son of Charles Bruce and Ada McLain.
Shel spent his early childhood in eastern Montana, where his father taught school.
His father died when he was 9 years old.
He and his brother George went to live with Delvin and Patty Mitchell.
Shel enjoyed playing basketball and coaching.
He set himself a practice schedule and was determined to get a basketball scholarship.
He graduated from Kellogg High School in Kellogg, ID in 1989.
He attended the Masters College in California on a full basketball scholarship, later transferring to Northwest Nazarene, graduating in 1995.
While there, he played in the National Tournament.
He went on to play basketball professionally in Germany.
Shel was lead coach and helped direct camps for NBC.
He lived and attended community college in Spokane, WA, later attending graduate school at the University of Montana where he received a multi-disciplinary degree in psychology and business.
Shel worked in sales for Western Heritage Insurance Marketing Group out of Great Falls.
Shel and Paula Pesch were married
on June 18, 2006 at Bird Point in Alaska.
Shel was passionate about his family and loved spending time with them. He loved to sing and play his guitar.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. He made 19 trips to Alaska.
He was always involved with basketball, coaching, playing or watching.
He was preceded in death by his father.
Survivors include his wife, Paula, daughter Shilo Grace and stepson, Damon all of Stevensville; and daughter Faith of Missoula.
He is also survived by his parents, Ada Metchewis in Canada and Delvin and Patty Mitchell, Coeur d'Alene; brothers Kim McLain of Raleigh, NC, Luther McLain of Calgary, Alberta, George McLain of Liberty Lake, WA, Mark Mitchell of Kearneyville, WV and Keith Mitchell of Coeur d'Alene, and a sister Leslie Mitchell, U.A.E. Dubai.
Also surviving are nieces Sadie and Macy.
Memorial services will be held on Friday, April 27, at 2 p.m. at Cornerstone Bible Church in Hamilton with Pastor Ted Jolley officiating.
Shel's ashes will be spread in the Bob Marshall Wilderness.
The Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville is in charge of arrangements.
Angelina Larson
1928-2007
Angelina Gonzalez Larson, 78, of Stevensville died of a hemorrhage at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula on Wednesday, April 18, 2007.
With her daughters at her bedside, she began a new journey.
She was born on August 8, 1928 at Bellflower, California to Refugio and Librada (Lopez) Gonzalez.
Following Angelina's birth her family settled in the Bitterroot Valley.
She graduated from Stevensville High School and later attended business school in Kansas City.
She returned and married
Charles W. Larson on March 10, 1952.
Together they owned and operated Larson's IGA, and raised two daughters, Pam and Marguerite.
Following the unexpected death of her husband in 1970, she later went to work for the US Forest Service accounting department until her retirement.
Angie's greatest joys were family, home and gardening, especially flowers.
She was full of life and hope despite her many health challenges.
She was preceded in death by her husband Charles, parents Refugio and Librada Gonzalez and siblings Carmen, Catalina, Peggy, Sophia, Joe and Dolores.
She is survived by her daughters Pamela (Bruce) Lockwood of Lolo and Marguerite (Mark) Unruh of Lakeside and special grandson, Cole Lockwood, Lolo.
Also surviving are siblings Donna (Jim) Gandara, Simon (Dora) Gonzalez, Ray (Bennie) Gonzalez, brother-in-law Tom (Lois) Larson, sister-in-law Dorothy Ann (Russ) Lane and many special nieces and nephews.
A Christian Wake Service was held Sunday, April 22, at the Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville.
Mass of Christian Burial was on April 23 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Stevensville, with Father Michael Smith officiating.
Burial followed at Riverside cemetery.
A reception was held at St. Mary's Family Center.
The family suggests memorials to the Humane Society or to St. Mary's Family Center.
Esta Mae Owen
Esta Mae Owen, 82, of Stevensville, passed away Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at Community Medical Center of natural causes.
Arrangements are pending and will be announced by Whitesitt Funeral Home.
Devon ‘Smut’ Warren
Smut Warren, age 82, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 in Reno, Nevada.
He was born one of 9 children in Tyhee, Idaho to Aarus and Fern Warren.
While living in Pocatello, Idaho his career in boxing became professional with a 10-0 record, all by KO’s.
In May of 1953 he was slated to fight on two heavy weight Championship cards but his boxing career in the states was put on hold when he was called to serve his country in the Korean War.
He served in the 3rd Infantry Division and while in Special Services he was able to resume his boxing career.
He fought the Korean Middle Weight Champion and won this title on a 7th round knockout.
From there he traveled to the Philippines where he fought the Philippine Middle Weight Champion and won on a decision. Smut donated all proceeds from the fight to buy an artificial leg for a young Korean child. He enjoyed telling stories of being bodyguard for Marilyn Monroe while she was touring with the USO Groups.
Upon returning he continued boxing with success, met and married
Velda Dockham in Reno, Nevada and they started a family.
It was time to hang up the gloves and pick up the paint brush.
He started a successful business as a local painting contractor and was very involved within the community.
He looked forward to taking the boat to Pyramid Lake or Lahontan Reservoir for a weekend of waterskiing with family and friends, jeep jamborees, and of course hunting season.
In 1982 he remarried
to June Bevilacqua and they moved to Darby, Montana.
His entrepreneurship continued as they owned and operated Warrens Construction Company, and Bunky Ranch Outfitters.
They bought the Conner Post Office Building and added a grocery store which was called Smut’s Mercantile.
Smut served on the Ravalli County Planning Board, the Ravalli County Fair Board, the Hamilton Planning Board, the Montana/Idaho Outfitters Board, Human Resources and was elected to the Ravalli County Commissioners where he served a 6-year term.
He was best known in recent years as “Santa”.
He was annually given a grant from the Greater Ravalli Foundation, which allowed him to buy school clothes for needy families before the start of school and again at Christmas.
He started his “Santa Shoppe” where children could come and have a picture taken on his trusty rein-mule, an antler wearing burro named “Rudy”, get a cookie, candy cane, pick out a toy and sit on Santa’s lap to whisper their Christmas wish.
He delighted young and old alike as he also visited Marcus Daly Hospital and nursing homes, visiting patients and passing out roses.
Smut was preceded in death by his mother and father, his son, Paul, his brothers, Amos, Norris, Velton, Butch, and his sisters, Delpha, Syble and Colleen.
He is survived by his wife, June, sister, Verda Merkley of Richland, WA, three sons, Randy (Vickie) of Darby, MT, Dan (Jacqui), Gary (Stacy) Warren and daughter Julie Warren, all of Reno, stepdaughter Laura (John) Walters, stepsons, Edward II (Christine) Bevilacqua, Mark (Joy) Bevilacqua, and Bill (Myken) Bevilacqua, all of Las Vegas except for Edward’s family, who resides in Temecula, California. He has left 25 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
He was a man who never stopped giving of himself to those he loved or to a stranger on the street.
His absence will leave a void in all our hearts.
A special thanks to the staff at Manor Care and St. Mary’s Hospice.
There will be a Celebration of Life at St. Philip’s Catholic Church in Darby, MT at 11:00 am on Wednesday, April 13, 2011.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to Haven House, 316 N 3rd St, #162, Hamilton MT 59840.
