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Kay McKelvey Eckhardt
Having lived a life of extraordinary generosity and kindness, Kay McKelvey Eckhardt, 74, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Aug. 8, 2010.
Born in 1936 to Russell and Florence Mason McKelvey, Kay grew up in Estes Park, Colorado at the Fall River Lodge surrounded by the beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park. There, she "rode like the wind" on her horses Clipper and Copper and began a life-long appreciation of nature's beauty.
While at the Lodge she met the love of her life, John Eckhardt, and they lived a wonderful life managing guest ranches across the West and raising their four children. "Special Kay" was mother, friend, and hostess to many, many employees and guests who she counted dear over the years. Each friend was precious to her and she has stayed in touch with a remarkable number of these friends.
Her family was her passion and mom will be remembered with a smile by her children: Kathy and Rodney Campbell; Tricia Browning;, Bob and Mandy Eckhardt; and Jean and Lee Watson. She was extremely proud of her grandchildren Bree and Brian Boothe; Orry, Taw and Reina Browning; West, Caroline, and Brooke Eckhardt; and Orion Watson; and she looked forward to meeting her great-grandson, Kelwyn Boothe.
Kay had a deep personal faith in Jesus Christ and her love of the Lord was reflected in all that she did and said. In recent years Kay enjoyed volunteering at Grace Bible Church, ISI (International Students, Inc.), BSF (Bible Study Fellowship). Her church family at Grace has been such a joy to her and she spoke often of her many friendships.
The missionary work of the church was a special concern and, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to missionary friends, the Cavons, who were especially dear to her or a cause of your choosing. Donations should be sent to Christar-Cavon, PO Box 14866, Reading, PA 19612-4866.
Kay is loved for her caring spirit and joyful outlook. Every day was a good day. Every person was a good person. And though nothing was more important than family and friends Kay was also known for her adventurous horseback rides, her knowledge of birds and wildflowers, her love of history, her "Greetings from Montana" letters, and her welcoming home.
The family will hold a private memorial service this fall. Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service
Michael Joseph Seim
WEST YELLOWSTONE — Michael Joseph Seim passed away suddenly on Aug. 18, 2010.
Michael was born on Sept. 30, 1972 in Derry, N. Ireland. Michael moved to Dayton, Ohio with his parents, Floyd L. Seim and Hester Concannon Allison when Michael was three months old.
He attended high school in Oakwood (Dayton) Ohio where he participated in soccer and wrestling. He was captain of the wrestling team and took third at state. Michael also wrestled for Ohio University and the U.S. Navy Military National team, where he was an All American in Greco-Roman wrestling.
Having a passion for fishing and the great outdoors, Michael settled in Montana after he visited the state for a fishing trip. Mike worked, doing what he loved, guiding fly fishing trips and designing snowmobiles. Mike spent his most recent years designing mountain sleds for Arctic Cat. This job challenged his body and his mind and he was happy developing his creative side.
Mike was Montana. He can be seen in the rivers that he fished and the land that he hunted. His life and heart were invested in the mountains of Yellowstone Country and he will be remembered in every sunrise and sunset.
He married the love of his life and sister of his best friend Mike Montgomery in West Yellowstone in October, 1999. Michael's survivors include his wife Kate Montgomery Seim and, his joy, their two sons Kerrigan, 7, and Cormac, 2.
He is also survived by his mother Hester Allison, stepfather Rick Allison; his father Floyd Seim, stepmother Kathleen Seim, brother Paul Seim and sister-in-law Sarah Seim; his niece Hadley Seim and nephew Keaton Seim; as well as two stepbrothers, Ricky Allison and David Brinkman, and stepsister Judy Allison; grandmother Ethel Allison; aunts and uncles Fred and Liz Allison, and Rob and Rhonda Allison; and many aunts, uncles and cousins throughout Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, England and Ireland.
Mike is survived in marriage by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Blair and Sue Montgomery; his brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Paige Montgomery; and niece and nephew, Sara and Nathan Montgomery.
A celebration of Mike's life will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 25, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Community Protestant Church in West Yellowstone, Mont.
An additional memorial service will be held for Michael in the Dayton, Ohio area in the near future.
Chester B. Chennault
WEST YELLOWSTONE — Chester B. Chennault, 101, died on June 28, 2010 at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
He was born Oct. 1, 1908 in Spring Town, Texas. He spent 101 years, 270 days on this earth enjoying his family and friends.
Chester had the best of both worlds. He spent his summers in West Yellowstone, Mont., and his winters in Ft. Worth, Texas.
He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. He was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. Chester was a mason in the Masonic Lodge.
Chester was a Lt. Commander and Navy pilot in World War II. He also taught aeronautics at the University of Georgia during the war. After the war he was a flight instructor, homebuilder, and motel owner and operator. He built one of the first motels in West Yellowstone to have indoor plumbing (Pinecrest Lodge).
He was an avid fisherman and hunter. He also enjoyed reading stories of the wild west, which he was part of as he joined the United States Cavalry at the young age of 17.
He always enjoyed having a good time and an element of danger made it even better.
He was preceded in death by his parents, David Oscar and Eva Chennault; his brother, Hurley Chennault; and his two wives, Margaret Bell Chennault and LaVenyle Chennault.
He is survived by his two daughters, Mrs. William J. Wagner (June), Mrs. Jerry Alexander (Jane); his granddaughter, Kelli B. Crom; and his nephew, Max Chennault.
He was buried in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Chester will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Scott Clewell
WEST YELLOWSTONE — Scott Clewell, 61, passed away at his home in West Yellowstone on July 18, 2010.
Scott was born in Bethlehem, Pa. on June 14, 1949 to Virginia and Earl Clewell. He attended and graduated from Penn State University. Scott worked in Yellowstone National Park and was an avid reader and historian of the park — he loved Yellowstone.
Scott was a member of the West Yellowstone Police Department and served as the Police Chief at one time.
He married June Christiansen Ward on March 24, 1990 and she was the love of his life. In 1990 the couple started a bookstore in West Yellowstone, the Bookworm, that has been a part of the community for 20 years. They had repeat visitors from all over the country that came just to visit the Bookworm. Scott stocked the store with rare volumes of first edition books and Yellowstone Park antiques.
Scott is survived by his wife, June; his brother, Jeff; his stepdaughter, Laurie Ward-Bailey of Sheridan, Wyo.; his step-grandson, Charles Bailey of Billings; and step-granddaughter, Rosanne Bailey of Billings.
Scott was dearly loved and will be missed by his family and at the store he began.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will follow when business slows down a bit this fall.
God bless you and keep you Scott.
Garnet Hunter
WEST YELLOWSTONE — Garnet Hunter, 29, died July 9, 2010, of a brain aneurysm at South Lake Tahoe, Calif.
He was born Nov. 17, 1980, in Sun Valley, Idaho to R. Kip Hunter of West Yellowstone, Mont., and Martha Ewart Armstrong of South Lake Tahoe.
He loved the outdoors, snowboarding, skateboarding, music and art. He owned a window washing business and had been a private DJ for dance clubs. He was an entrepreneur by heart and was always thinking of new business opportunities.
He is survived by his fiancé, Keilgh Smith; parents; stepfather, Mark Armstrong; stepbrother, John Jay (Melissa) Armstrong; grandparents, Ralph and Shirlee Hunter of Swan Valley, Idaho; and uncles Barry, Scott and Dan Hunter.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Harold and Martha Ewart; and uncle Jack Ewart.
He had changed his name to Garnet Hunter-Armstrong. Garnet was a compassionate person and a beautiful spirit.
A memorial was held for him in Swan Valley, Idaho, Sunday, July 25. A memorial will be held for him at Fir Ridge in West Yellowstone at a later date to be determined.
Condolences may be sent to PO Box 1529, West Yellowstone, MT 59758
Agnes O'Brien
1926 - 2010
A celebration of life for Agnes L. O'Brien was held in Yuma, Ariz. Saturday, May 1.
Agnes passed peacefully into God's arms Monday, April 26, 2010, after a long struggle with congestive heart failure. She was born March 30, 1926.
Agnes is survived by her husband Bob O'Brien of Yuma, eight children, nine grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Agnes and Bob hosted in Yellowstone National Park at Norris Campground for eight summers and enjoyed square dancing and camping in Mont., Idaho and Wyo. They also hosted in Forest Service Parks in Ariz., New Mexico and Alaska. For the past six summers Agnes & Bob lived in West Yellowstone by son and daughter-in-law O'B and Joan.
They entertained many friends and family with tours of their favorite national park, going to the Playmill Theatre and shopping in the many local shops.
Agnes belonged to the ladies Bible Study at the Community Protestant Church in West, which gave her so much inspiration and lovely friends. We will miss Agnes; a truly great, loving Christian lady.
When I see purple or eagles soaring, I will see Agnes!
