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JOSEPH S. BOUCHARD
MISSOULA -- Joseph Samuel Bouchard died on March 12, 2003, at St. Patrick Hospital here. Joe was born Aug. 8, 1927, to Joseph A. and Cynthia "Toots" Bouchard in Missoula and raised in Bonner. He attended Bonner Elementary School and graduated from Missoula County High School in 1944. In August 1944, he enlisted in the Navy and served as a gunner's mate on the USS LST 810 in the Pacific during World War II. After the war, Joe converted to aviation metalsmith. From March 1948 to December 1949, he was stationed at a Navy airfield near Shanghai, China. He participated in the evacuation of Americans from Manchuria and other areas in China during the Chinese Civil War. From 1950 to 1956, Joe served in various Navy transport aircraft squadrons and participated in the Korean War. In January 1952, Joe married Grace Ellen Hanson of Redstone. From 1952 to 1957, they were stationed in Pensacola, Fla., and Hutchinson, Kan. In 1957, they were transferred to Moffett Field, Calif., where Joe was promoted to ensign as an aviation maintenance officer. From 1958 to 1967, they were stationed in Brunswick, Maine; Quonset Point, R.I.; Jacksonville, Fla.; and again in Quonset Point. During these tours, Joe served as maintenance officer in Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 11 and as officer in charge of the naval aviation radiography school. In April 1967, Joe was assigned to Helicopter Attack Squadron (light) III (the Seawolves) in Vinh Long, Vietnam. He earned a battlefield promotion to lieutenant commander and was awarded the Bronze Star medal with a combat "V" for valor during the Tet offensive in February 1968. On the first night of the Tet offensive, Joe, with only two men, defended a Catholic orphanage with 130 children and eight nuns from Viet Cong attack until they could be evacuated the next day. In June 1968, Joe returned from Vietnam to duty on the Commander Naval Air Force Pacific Fleet staff in San Diego. From 1970 to 1973, he was assigned to Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron I in Atsugi, Japan, and Agana, Guam. During this tour, he was promoted to commander. His final assignment on active duty was as aircraft maintenance officer at the Pacific Missile Test Center, Naval Air Station, Point Mugu, Calif. He retired from the Navy on May 31, 1976, with 32 years active service. Joe returned to Missoula and served from 1977 to 1982 as a Missoula County Deputy Sheriff. He later worked for several years at the Hunting Shack in Missoula. Joe was a member of the Salish and Kootenai Tribes and the Veterans Warrior Society. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion and was active in veterans affairs. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, gun and cartridge collector and reloader. He was a member of the National Rifle Association. He was a supporter of the Museum of Mountain Flying and the Fort Missoula Historical Museum. Joe is survived by his son, Joseph F. Bouchard, captain, U.S. Navy, and his wife, Rita, and daughter, Ellen (Washington, D.C.); his son, Daniel J. Bouchard, and his fiancee, Jackie, and son, Evan (Atlanta); his daughter, Cynthia Christina, and her husband, Wallace, and children, Tara and Michael (Missoula); two brothers, Charles Patrick Bouchard (Polson) and John Sandford Bouchard (West Linn, OR); and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Grace, and his brother, Michael, a Navy pilot who was shot down and declared missing in action in 1968. A graveside service was held March 15 at St. Mary's Cemetery in Missoula. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. Gifts may be made in Joe's name to the Maryknoll Fathers or the American Cancer Society.
JUNE CARSON
RONAN -- June Carson, 98, Polson, died on March 21, 2003, at the St. Luke Extended Care Facility here from natural causes. June was born on June 15, 1904, in Kalispell to Charles and Olive Caffrey. In 1913, she and her family loaded two wagons and a horse buggy and moved to Polson. June attended schools near Polson and recalled walking three miles to and from school each day. She also attended college in Chicago. On Sept. 5, 1942, she married Robert E. Carson in Kalispell. They farmed and ranched on the south shore near Polson. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Venus Mutchler, and brothers Charles, Dee and Paul Caffrey. She is survived by a brother, Jack Caffrey (Portland, OR), and numerous nieces and nephews. Graveside services were conducted on March 22 at Lakeview Cemetery.
NORMAN F. CHARETTE
RONAN -- Norman Francis Charette died on March 14, 2003, at his home near here. Norman was born in St. Ignatius on June 11, 1940, to John Wheeler and Georgiana (Meyers) Wheeler. Raised on the Flathead Reservation and in Federal Way, WA, by his mother and stepfather, Frank Charette, he graduated from high school in Federal Way in 1958. Norman then served in the Army, stationed in Fort Chaffee, Ark., from 1958 to 1960. Norman and his family lived in Mont., Wash., and Colo. Norman was a lifelong sheet-metal worker except for a brief time he spent logging in Montana and when he went mining to become a gold baron in British Columbia. He later owned his own shops where he specialized in heating and air conditioner installation and repair. Norman also had his ranch in Ronan, the CXC Ranch, where he was able to pursue his love of cattle and the outdoors and where he would often go hunting, fishing and camping. He was an avid flower gardener, having his own greenhouse where he made hanging baskets, and he enjoyed his coin collection and his fish tanks. He especially enjoyed traveling with his wife, Teddi, and would do it as often as possible. As a member of the Sheet Metal Workers Union in Colorado and Washington and a member of the Conf. Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Norm was well known and dearly loved. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Georgiana; his brothers, John and George Wheeler; and his grandparents, Sophie and Archie McDonald. He is survived by Teddi, his wife of 32 years (Ronan); his children and their spouses, Lance Norman and Penny Charette (Indianapolis), John Carl and Margo Charette (Tucson, AZ), Lori Charette (Jacksonville, FL), Wayde Aaron and Dani Charette (Denver) and Charles David Charette (Ronan); a daughter whom he regarded as his own, Roberta Roullier Haynes (Arlee); 13 grandchildren Sara, Justin, Pamela, Krista, Marissa, Amanda, Kayliegh, Jake, Christian Andrew and Twilynn Rachelle Charette, Cheyenne Haynes, Matt Finley and Brayden Cut Finger; his stepfather, Frank Charette (St. Ignatius); brothers Laurel "Babe" Charette and his wife Lori (St. Ignatius) and Matt Wheeler (Alaska); three sisters, Arlene Wheeler Gripper (Polson), Vickie Wheeler (Oregon) and Judy Carol and her husband Richard Hansford (Graham, WA); as well as his uncle, Bill Wheeler; aunts Cassie, Dorothy and Blanche; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. A traditional wake was held at the Longhouse in St. Ignatius. Mass was celebrated on March 17 at the St. Ignatius Catholic Mission. Interment followed at the St. Ignatius Catholic Cemetery, where military honors were presented.
ESTHER CORNETT
POLSON -- Esther June Cornett, 76, formerly of Thompson Falls, died on March 24, 2003, at St. Luke Community Hospital in Ronan from natural causes. She was preceded in death her husband, Robert. She is survived by her daughter, Lynda Edwards (Polson); two sons, Robert Cornett (Heath, TX) and Guy Cornett (Austin, TX); three grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and one sister, Mary McCandlish (Seattle). Funeral services were held on March 28 at the Community Congregational Church in Thompson Falls. Interment followed at the City Cemetery in Thompson Falls.
VERNITA J. COUTURE
MISSOULA -- Memorial services for Vernita Josephine Evans Couture were held on May 24 in the public cemetery in Curlew, WA, where she was laid to rest with her mother. Vernita died at her home in Ronan on March 5, 2003. She was born in Missoula and was an enrolled member of the Salish-Kootenai Tribes. She grew up in the Mission Valley and also attended boarding schools in Oregon. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence; a son, Don; and a brother, Vernon. Vernita is survived by three sons, Norbert (Unk), Jim (Ronan) and Mike (Arlee); a daughter, Edith (Helena); a sister, Wanda (Curlew); many grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
ANTHONY CUT FINGER
ARLEE -- Anthony 'Tone' Curtis Cut Finger died of from injuries sustained in an auto accident on March 14, 2003. Anthony was born to Ernest Cut Finger Sr. and Lee Ann (Sheridan) Nicolai on Oct. 11, 1973, in Missoula. He was raised in Arlee, a member of the Blackfeet Nation. He graduated from Arlee in 1993. He will be remembered for his athletic ability, carpentry and mechanics skills, and love of the outdoors. He is survived by his parents, Ernest and Dawn Cut Finger, Lee Ann and Wendall Nicolai, Harry Lozeau and Rusty Whitworth; brothers and their spouses, Ernest Jr. and Cheryl, Jesse and Leandria, Harley Cut Finger, Isaac Lozeau, Chris Standing Rock, Jonathan Whitworth, and Jeremiah James; sisters and their spouses, Adeline and Elijah, Caroline Lozeau, Misty and Carrie Whitworth, Tamara and Kimberly Standing Rock, and Nicole and Sarah James; grandparents -- Yaya Frances Vanderburg, Katie Nick, Joe and Theola Old Chief, Edna Rose, Florentino and Dorothy Flores, and Ursula Thomas; and dozens of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. A traditional Salish wake was held at the Arlee Indian Elderly Center. Services were held in the Arlee gym on March 18. Internment followed in the Sheridan Family Cemetery.
AARON S. DODGSON
RONAN -- Aaron Scott Dodgson, 28, died on March 13, 2003. He was born Aug. 12, 1974, to Jeffrey E. Dodgson and Audrey E. Combs Whitting in Polson. Aaron loved the outdoors -- fishing, hunting, mud-bogging and camping, to name a few of his favorites. He was very artistic and loved to write poetry. He graduated from Polson High School in 1992. Aaron had been employed at the Country Foods Co. in Polson, where he worked as a supervisor. He met his beloved partner and love of his life, Tawnie Freeman, in Ronan, where they resided for the past five years. On May 19, 1999, Aaron and Tawnie had their beautiful baby girl, Trinity Nicole Dodgson. Aaron is survived by his wife, daughter and parents; mother Audrey E. Combs Whittig of Ronan; a sister, Ann Marie Dodgson; a brother-in-law Jason Erickson; a brother, William Bradley Dodgson; two nieces; maternal grandparents, Bayne and Marie Hunter (Cedar City, UT); paternal grandparents Gilbert and Caryl Dodgson (Wise River); and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Anyone wishing to remember Aaron is welcome to make donations to Ronan State Bank, where a college savings fund will be started for his daughter. Aaron was preceded in death by his stepson, Tyler Freeman; maternal grandparents LaVern and Edith Combs; paternal grandparents William and Mary Dodgson, and stepfather Vern Whittig. Funeral services were March 18 in Pablo. Interment was at the Ronan Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers were William Bradley Dodgson, Jason Erickson, Rocky Lichano Sr., Kimo Jackson, Dino Combs, Albert Drebes and James Partida.
JOHN A. DOWDALL
TUCSON, AZ -- John A. Dowdall, a former banker in Polson, died of heart failure on March 30. He was born in Anaconda to Michael and Katherine Dowdall. In 1942, he graduated from St. Peter's High School, where he was an avid baseball, basketball and football player. He served in the Navy from 1942 until 1945. He graduated from the University of Montana in 1950. Prior to entering banking, he was a high school teacher and coach in Virginia City, Dillon and Anaconda. He began his banking career at the then-Daly Bank. From 1969 until 1973, he was the state banking commissioner under Gov. Forrest Andersen. Following that, he founded First Citizens Bank in Polson, where he was president until his retirement in 2001. Dowdall was active in civic and fraternal affairs, serving on and presiding over a host of governmental bodies and organizations. In addition to several affiliations while living in Anaconda, he was elected and served as mayor of Polson in the early 1980s. He was the force behind a number of economic development initiatives in Polson, including establishing the Polson Community Development Association. He was a tireless advocate for the location of a convention center in Polson. He founded, with Larry Barsness of the Virginia City Players, the Port Polson Players. Through the sponsorship of the First Citizens Bank, he organized and participated in the multi-mile Fun Run in Polson. Shortly before his retirement, he undertook chairmanship of the capital campaign for the St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson. In addition to his civic activities, he had two other passions ‹ his Irish heritage and his golf game. He was a longtime member of the Polson Golf Club. He is survived by his wife, Marie; a brother, Joseph (Anaconda); a sister, Margaret (Helena); four children, Patrick (Wellesley, MA), Mary Ann Bucy and Colleen Dowdall (both of Missoula) and Karen Sandford (Seattle); seven stepchildren, Joseph (Polson), Sean, Michael, James, Katherine, Rosemary and Michelle; 20 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces. A funeral Mass was celebrated on April 5 in Polson. Burial with military honors followed at Lakeview Cemetery in Polson.
