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ROBERTA THICK
POLSON -- Roberta Marie Sanderson Thick was born on Oct. 29, 1939, in Hamilton, the daughter of Evelyn Saurey Beatty and Ed Beatty. Roberta died on Nov. 28, 2005, at her home here surrounded by her family members. She died after a long battle with a rare form of cancer. Roberta was raised in the Flathead Valley, a great-granddaughter of Robert and Mary Saurey, Swiss pioneers who homesteaded in Columbia Falls in the late 1800s, and the granddaughter of Dan and Wilma Saurey. Roberta attended elementary school in West Glacier, where her parents worked for the National Park Service. She graduated from Columbia Falls High School in 1957. Roberta married Richard G. Smith in 1957 and they raised three children, Evonne, Dan and Darryl Smith, in Columbia Falls. Roberta was very active in civic affairs. She served as the director of her Sunday school and the junior choir. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star. Roberta was a trustee of the Columbia Falls School Board for many years and a past president of the State of Montana School Boards Association. Roberta was also active in the Columbia Falls Jaycees and served as the state president and national secretary for the organization. She attended nearly all of her children's many athletic events and in her positions on the local and state school boards was an avid supporter of girls' high school sports in the '70s. In 1979 Roberta was named the Outstanding Young Woman of Montana. Roberta was divorced in 1975 and moved to Missoula to advance her career with the U.S. Postal Service. Roberta started as a distribution clerk with the post office in Columbia Falls. After moving to Missoula, Roberta took advantage of all opportunities that the Postal Service provided, including stints as the officer in charge of post offices in Libby and American Fork, Utah. She was the customer service representative in Missoula and manager of the Hellgate Station Post Office. While in Missoula she met the love of her life, Ray Thick, who was also an employee of the Postal Service. Together they moved to Polson. Ray became the postmaster at Ronan and Roberta was named the postmaster at Polson. Ray and Roberta were married Aug. 25, 1990. After working several years in Ronan and Polson, they opted for an early retirement. Roberta did not slow down in retirement. She enjoyed hosting large family vacations at their home in Polson, and golfing with Ray, her children, grandchildren and friends. Ray and Roberta frequently traveled to Idaho, Oregon, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Canada and the East Coast to play golf and visit family members. Roberta also found time to learn quilting, finding this to be an unexpected connection to her ancestors. She made beautiful quilts for her family and numerous items for charitable events. She was an active member of the Polson Soroptimists and for several years Ray and Roberta sponsored the Polson Wine Festival. Roberta served as a Polson City Council member until illness forced her to resign. She loved her work with the Polson Golf Association and was a passionate supporter of the Polson Library, serving on its board. Roberta is survived by her husband Ray Thick (Polson); her children and their families, Evonne and Ed Wells (R.J. and Jackie) of Missoula, Dan and Karen Smith (Adam, James, Danine, Lindsey and Ryan) of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Darryl and Caron Smith, (Luke, Ashley, Seth and Kyle) of Madras, Ore.; a brother and his wife, Sandy and Patti Sanderson of Kalispell; a brother, Ben Beatty of Green River, Ariz.; and a sister, Myrna Nicholas of Hawaii. A memorial service for Roberta was held at the First United Methodist Church in Polson on Dec. 3. In lieu of flowers, Roberta would have appreciated memorials to the Polson Junior Golf program, Polson Library or St. Joseph Hospital, especially its Home Health Care program.
MYRTLE WHITTLE
SEATTLE, Wash. -- Myrtle Whittle, 89, formerly of Polson, died here on Nov. 18, 2005, from natural causes. Myrtle was born on Feb. 4, 1916, to Mary Rose Morigeau Clairmont and John Clairmont. She is survived by her children Jacqueline Doiron, Alan Homestead, Jana Clairmont, and Patricia Higginbotham; a sister, Ruth Hall (Ronan); and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Myrtle was preceded in death by her parents Mary Rose and John Clairmont; brothers Lawrence Clairmont, Eugene Clairmont, Harold Clairmont, Phillip Clairmont; and sisters Alice Sly, Lillian Thomas, and Bernice Bryant. A memorial service is planned for Myrtle on July 1, 2006, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
OPAL BONES
RONAN -- Opal Leona Bones, 79, of Ronan, formerly of Polson, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2005, at St. Luke Community Hospital in Ronan from natural causes. She was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by her husband, Oliver (Ronan); a son, Stan, and wife Janet Bones (Bigfork); two grandchildren; a daughter, Gwen Nelda (Ronan); and two sisters, Lela Varnum (Lake Havasu City, AZ) and Dorothy Rose (Colorado Springs, CO). Memorials may be made in Opal's name to the Mission Valley Animal Shelter. No services are planned at this time and cremation has taken place.
BILLEE J. BRABENDER
LAKEWOOD, Wash. -- Billee Jo "B.J." Brabender, 22, died on Dec. 6, 2005, at Madigan Army Hospital in Ft. Lewis, WA, of complications related to schizencephaly. She was born at Madigan Hospital on June 15, 1983, to Dixie (Trahan) and Bill Brabender. B.J. will be remembered for her big beautiful smile and delightful laughter. She loved to listen to music and her nature sounds. She loved the rain and the warmth of the sun on her face. She is survived by her parents; two sisters, Jacquie Brabender (at the family home) and Marilee Trahan (Thane, WY); a biological brother, Joseph E. Olson (WI); her maternal grandmother, Mary Trahan (Tacoma, WA); paternal grandfather, Jack Brabender (Kalispell); aunts and uncles: Ron and Violet Trahan (St. Ignatius), Art and Gloria Trahan (Elmo), Mike and Caro Trahan (Ronan), Bob and Barb Hunt (Kalispell), and Willis Brabender (Anchorage); one niece, Lacey Mackie, and three nephews, Damian J-Luke Mackie, Nico Lyman and Dony Peterson, and a future brother-in-law, Grant Peterson (all of Thane). She also has numerous cousins and relatives throughout Montana. A special mention of her respite provider, Kathy Dawson, and her daughter, Linda, who spent many hours entertaining B.J. when she was at their home. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Lyman Luke Trahan; maternal great-grandparents, Philomene (Chic) Ducharme Trahan, Agnes Standing Bear Pichette, and James Pichette; paternal great-grandparents, Marlin and Alice Ream and Earl and Pearl Brabender; uncles Dale and Kim Brabender; and numerous other relatives. A wake was conducted in the Longhouse in St. Ignatius. Mass was celebrated on Dec. 11 in the St. Ignatius Catholic Church.
DONALD P. BRADY
CHARLO -- Donald P. Brady, 76, died Dec. 22, 2005, in his sleep at home here. Donald was born to Bill Brady Sr. and Flossie Gullickson Brady in Great Falls on Jan. 11, 1929. He attended schools in Havre and Great Falls, graduating from Big Sandy High School in 1947. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War for four years. He worked for Three Rivers Electric Co-op in Fairfield for several years. He and relatives bought a farm at St. Ignatius. In 1984, they moved to Charlo to retire. He belonged to the Charlo Senior Citizens and served as the president. He loved woodworking and fishing. His parents preceded him in death, as well as two brothers, Tom and Bill, and a sister, Shirley Bond. He is survived by a sister, Coralie Allison (Charlo); several other nieces and nephews; and his many friends at coffee time. Cremation has taken place and memorial services will be held at a later date.
HOWARD J. BUCK
HOT SPRINGS -- Howard J. Buck, 89, of Hot Springs, died on Dec. 31, 2005, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula. He was born on July 16, 1916, at Camas Hot Springs and graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1936. He married Ruth Gardiner in 1955. He was an avid sportsman. Howard enlisted in the Army in 1940, serving in the Medical Corps during World War II. He was a staff sergeant and honorably discharged in 1945. He and relatives purchased and operated a sawmill. He and his brother, Eddie, took over the operation of the family grocery store, Buck's Grocery, in Hot Springs, until his retirement in 1978. Howard served the community as a 65-year charter member of the Hot Springs Lions Club, fire chief of the Hot Springs Volunteer Fire Dept. and was involved with youth as a Boy Scout leader. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth; one brother, Eddie; two sisters, Margie Fortner and Velma Roe. He is survived by his daughters, Claire Massey and husband Bill (Hot Springs), Kathy Andrews and husband Colin (Kalispell), Donna Andrews and husband Steve (Kalispell); one brother, Lonnie Buck (Missoula); one sister, Helen Pilgeram (San Jose, CA); nine grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial services were held on Jan. 5 in the Presbyterian Church in Hot Springs. Military graveside services followed at the Lonepine Murray Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Ruth Buck's Education Scholarship Fund, c/o P.O. Box 603, Hot Springs, MT 59845. Condolences may be sent to the family online here.
TROY BURGESS
MAYER, Ariz. -- Troy Lee Burgess, 36, died here on Dec. 20, 2005. He was a former resident of the Arlee area. Funeral services were held Jan. 4 at Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home in Prescott, AZ. nterment with military honors was held on Jan. 7 in the Pleasant View Cemetery in St. Ignatius, were he was laid to rest beside his mother, Vera.
PAUL EVANS
MALTA -- Paul Delwin Evans, 74, of Polson, passed away on Dec. 27, 2005, in Malta, MT, from natural causes. He was born April 20, 1931, to Jack and Edwina Wilkinson Evans. He was married to Linda Morsette, who preceded him in death, and he later married Rose Dupuis in 1977, who also preceded him in death, along with his parents and a daughter, Julia Marie Greene. He is survived by his son, John, and wife Heather Evans (Malta); three stepsons David, Don and Darryl Cline (all of Polson); two stepdaughters, Dayle Cline (Riverside, CA) and Diane Cline Johnson (Polson); a sister, Delores P. Anderson (Myrtle Creek, OR); numerous nieces and nephews; two step-grandsons, Kary Comeslast (Polson) and Michael Campbell (Missoula); two step-granddaughters, Brandi Ramesar (Polson), Tisha Hutchison (Somers); and two great-step-grandchildren Funeral services were held on Dec. 30 at the Grogan Funeral Home. Interment with military honors followed at Lakeview Cemetery.
GEORGE EVERSON
CHARLO -- George Clarence Everson died on Dec. 14, 2005, at St. Luke Community Hospital in Ronan. George was born in St. Ignatius on May 1, 1918, to Samuel Clark Everson and Bertha Affia Johnson. George lived his entire life in western Montana. He married Veda Mae Decker, in 1946. They had one child, Cynthia. George retired after 30 years of service with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. After retirement, he continued to be a successful rancher and was active in the Charlo Methodist Church. Survivors include his wife Veda Mae (Charlo), and daughter Cynthia, son-in-law Karl Gabriel and grandchildren Arlyn and Cody Gabriel (all of Kennewick, WA). Funeral services were held on Dec. 17 at the Mission Valley United Methodist Church in Charlo. Interment followed at Calvary Cemetery in Ronan. Memorial donations may be made to the Mission Valley United Methodist Church or to St. Luke Community Hospital in Ronan.
MELANIE GUN HAMMER
MISSOULA -- Melanie MacCauley Gun Hammer died on Dec. 29, 2005, of cancer. Melanie touched many lives before and during her illness, because of her trust and faith in God and her absolute positive attitude. The day she first heard the diagnosis and the seriousness of it, she told everyone no tears just prayers. Melanie was born on Nov. 3, 1961, in Ronan. She attended grade school in Polson and part of high school in Ronan, and then returned to Polson to graduate. Mel was an avid sports player, playing basketball, tennis, softball and bowling. She also enjoyed fishing. After graduation from high school, she further pursued her education by attending and graduating from DeVry Institute of Technology in Phoenix, AZ. Upon returning back home she met and married Wes Carpentier. The marriage later ended in divorce. On June 19, 1994, she met John Gun Hammer III, and they were married on March 14, 1999. Melanie worked her adult life in the medical field as a physician's receptionist and was also a licensed x-ray technician. She was last employed by Dr. John Smith in Missoula. Close relatives that preceded her in death were her grandparents Vince Hageboeck, Clyde and Stella McCauley, and August Ashley; and father-in-law John Gun Hammer, Jr. She is survived at the family home by her husband; son Logan Carpentier; daughter Selah Carpentier; step-daughters Ashley and Angelina Gun Hammer; mother Barbara Conley (Charlo); parents Wayne and Jeanie McCauley (Pablo); brothers Mike McCauley and Bob McCauley (Nevada), sisters Debbie McCauley (Pablo) and Teresa Nelson (Polson), a special "Lil" sister Daisy Gun Hammer (St. Ignatius); Grandma Georgia Benson (St. Ignatius) and Grandma Pearl Ashley (Polson). Wake services started Dec. 30 afternoon in the Longhouse in St. Ignatius. Closing services were Jan. 2 in the Longhouse. Burial followed in Snyelmn Sntmtmne.
ORVILLE HALL
VALLEY CREEK -- Orville Charles Hall, 47, died on Dec. 14, 2005, at the family home near Arlee. Orville was born on July 20, 1958, in Owyhee, NV, to Delphine (Cleveland) and Clarence Hall, Sr. A member of the Shoshone Paiute Tribe of the Duck Valley Reservation, Orville had worked as heating/cooling sheet metal worker, as a firefighter for 17 years and as a traditional hide tanner. Living several places, Orville and his wife returned to the area 12 years ago to live on her family's place. He is survived locally by his wife, Roxanna Whitworth (Arlee) and a large family in Nevada. Traditional wake and services were held in Owyhee, NV.
