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John Emmett Murphy
Butte — John Emmett Murphy died of heart failure Dec. 31, 2001, surrounded by his children. He celebrated his 85th birthday two weeks ago with family and friends. Emmett was born in Butte to John Emmett and Margaret Sullivan Murphy, also Butte natives. He attended St. Patrick's, Boys' Central and Carroll College. World War II interrupted his education. He enlisted in the Army, and while he attended Officer Candidates School near Washington, D.C., he became re-acquainted with Rita Kelley, a classmate from St. Patrick's. Rita was in the Navy, stationed near the Potomac, and they were glad to find each other in Washington. On Dec. 15, 1945, Emmett's birthday, he received his commission as lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers and married Rita at Fort Belvoir, Va.
He served in Germany, and after his discharge from the Army, he and Rita settled in Butte where they raised five children. Emmett earned a degree in mining and metallurgy from the Montana School of Mines and received an honorary degree in professional mining in 1971. He retired after 38 years with the Anaconda Co.
Emmett worked in most of the Butte mines. He was the last foreman of the Travonia and worked at the Berkeley Pit from its beginning. Eventually, he became superintendent of the Pit. Men frequently called his home, "rustling" a job, and he tried to give everyone a chance.
In the early days, mining at the Pit never stopped, so Emmett worked long hours with little time off. To spend time with his kids, he used to give them hard hats and take them on quick trips into the Pit. If he had a weekend off, the family often packed up and headed for Yellowstone, stopping for Mass along the way, of course. He was a man of faith and a member of St. Ann Parish for 50 years.
Until his last breath, Emmett loved to tell the history of Butte. His stories were accurate and fascinating. He seldom forgot anything and would remember dates, faces and how Butte families were related. He loved to entertain visitors with a tour of his beloved Butte, followed by one of Rita's pasty dinners. Visiting with Emmett was always an uplifting experience because of his happy and optimistic view of life. He was always a gentleman, and his hospitality was legendary.
Emmett served 30 years in Butte Rotary, spearheading many committees and projects. He was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship and became the first "Member Emeritus." He was past president of the Montana Tech and the Butte Central alumni associations, served on the St. James Hospital Advisory Board for 20 years and volunteered at the Butte Food Bank for six years. His hobbies included gardening, collecting and tumbling rocks, fishing, and traveling with Rita all over the country until her death in 1986, after 40 years of marriage.
Everyone who knew Emmett loved him, and he will be greatly missed. Survivors include his children, John and Judy Murphy of Clancy, Jeanette Murphy of Seattle, Patrice and Lenny Luzzi of Bothell, Wash., Dennis and Marie Murphy of Montana City, and Walter Murphy and Scott Dixon of Seattle; beloved grandchildren, Annette (Doug) Compton, Kevin (Leann) Murphy, Erin, Daniel, and Caitlyn Murphy, and John and Joe Luzzi; brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Etta Murphy of Joliet, Ill.; sister, Margaret Carroll of Capay, Calif.; Rita's family, Walt and Barbara Kelley, Isabel Van Swearingen, Lenore Karsted, and Winnie Vine, and numerous cherished nieces and nephews.
Emmett thoroughly enjoyed the care of Highlands Hospice, as well as the staff and his friends at Prestige Assisted Living. The new phone number at the family home is 782-2570. Emmett's remains are in Wayrynen-Richards Funeral Home where friends may call beginning today, Thursday, Jan. 3, at 2 p.m. Parish Vigil services will be today, Jan. 3, at 7 p.m. Prayers will be recited Friday, Jan. 4, at 9:30 a.m., proceeding to St. Ann's Catholic Church where Liturgy of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Highlands Hospice.
Kory Lynn Ring
Deer Lodge — Kory Ring, 21, beloved son, brother and friend, went to join his grandfather on Dec. 31, 2001, due to a snowmobile accident west of Deer Lodge.
Kory was born Feb. 16, 1980, in Helena. He was currently working at his father's business Xpress Lube of Deer Lodge.
Kory enjoyed doing many things including snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, riding horses, the family cabin, and spending time with his family and friends. He has touched many lives in his short time with us and will be greatly missed.
His grandfather, Richard Wallace, preceded Kory in death. Survivors include his parents Randy Ping and JoAnn Wallace of Deer Lodge; two brothers Russell Ring of Helena, and Kalvin Sharette of Deer Lodge; grandparents Bill and Helen Ring of Iowa, and June Wallace of Deer Lodge; many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be Sunday, Jan. 6, at 1 p.m. at he Jewell Funeral Home with Claudia Eastmark officiating. Memorial contributions can be made to the donor's choice. Jewell Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Joe Irving
M.R. "Joe" Irving, 61, of Helena died Dec. 22, 2001, in Phoenix of cancer. He was born Sept. 8, 1940, in Portland, Ore. to Mac and Ruby (Johnston) Irving.
Joe attended schools in Tooele, Utah and Portland, graduating from Park Rose High School in Portland in 1959. He was in the 75th infantry of the U.S. Army Airborne Rangers at Fort Benning, Ga., serving 10 years. In 1994, Joe moved to the Helena area, where he worked as a carpenter. He married Janey Campbell on Dec. 20, 1995.
Survivors include his wife Janey of Helena; a brother, Steve of Oregon; numerous children and grandchildren.
Services have been held in Portland with burial in the Willamette National Cemetery on Dec. 28, 2001.
Frank Ripplinger,
age 88, of Helena, formerly of Harvey, N.D., went to be with the Lord on Dec. 31, 2001. Frank was born Sept. 28, 1913, in Esmond, N.D. to John and Frances (Leier) Ripplinger.
Frank attended schools in North Dakota and fared in the Balta, N.D. area until he moved to Harvey and was employed with the railroad. He later became employed at the Farmers Union Oil Company until his retirement in 1974.
He married Frances Lesmeister Sept. 7, 1933, in Balta. Frank and Frances were married 65 years. Together they had one son and three daughters. Frank and Frances moved to Helena in 1991 to be near their daughters. Frank was a member of the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Helena.
Frank was preceded in death by his wife Frances in 1999, son Duane in 1965, his parents and all his brothers and sisters.
Survivors are his daughters Bernie (Tony) Martian, Shirley McIntosh, Millie (Jim) Leibhan all of Helena; nine grandchildren Antoinette Mee, Denise Martian, Rick, Tracy and Mike McIntosh, Susie Leidle, Scott Ripplinger and Tim Ripplinger; seven great-grandchildren Hannah and Tanner Mee, Josie Martian, Alissha McIntosh, Ashley McIntosh, David McIntosh and Christopher Leidle.
Family and friends may pay their respects from noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, at Retz Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday Jan. 5, at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.
ROY L. ROWSEY...
Roy L. Rowsey, 56, of the Deer Lodge Valley passed away on Feb. 22, 2001, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula.
Roy was born on April 11, 1944, in Havre to Glenn and Dorothy (Porter) Rowsey. Roy grew up ranching, hunting, fishing and trapping in the Big Hole Valley.
On Nov. 2, 1962, Roy married Peggy J. Smallwood in Anaconda. Roy worked as a sheet metal worker in Anaconda, Butte, Missoula and Bozeman before settling in Helena in 1968. Roy worked at American Sheet Metal and Roofing Inc. as a sheet metal worker prior to purchasing the business in 1976. In 1995 Roy and Peg moved to a small ranch in the Deer Lodge valley.
Roy enjoyed life to the fullest and could do anything. He was a pilot and had his own airstrip at his home in Helena and the ranch in Deer Lodge. Roy loved the ranching life, taking care of horses and cows. He was a creative man and always liked building projects and helping family and friends. In 1994 he and his family built a cabin in the Big Hole Valley. Roy enjoyed hunting, fly fishing and teaching his grandchildren to love the outdoors. He enjoyed playing cards and games with family and friends.
Roy was preceded in death by his father, Glenn; brother, Ray; and mother-in-law, Betty Lou Smallwood.
Roy is survived by his wife, Peg; son, Roger of Helena, son and daughter-in-law, Russ and Patty of Helena; grandchildren, Rachael, Ross, Reid, Rick and Rylan; mother, Dorothy of Butte; sister, Darlene and husband, Jerry Harpster of Butte; sister, Glenna and husband, Don Waltee of Whitehall; brother, Ralph of Wasilla, Alaska; father-in-law, Preston Smallwood of Helena; sister-in-law, Nelda and husband, Ken Clawson of Helena; sister-in-law, Betty Jane and husband, Joe Pickett of Vacaville, Calif.; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held this summer at the family cabin in the Big Hole Valley. The family suggests memorials to the Shriner’s’ Children’s Hospitals.
Rex Gene Moore
Rex Gene Moore, 67, passed away on Saturday, April 5, 2003, after a long battle with cancer. He was born in Whitefish and raised on his grandfather's farm on the Whitefish River.
Rex attended Whitefish High School where he was a member of the ski team. He married Dona Ann Cain and they had three children, Andrew, Mikel and Jill.
Rex retired in 1995 from his career as an I.B.E.W. electrician. His electrical career spanned four decades. During his career, he worked throughout the western United States. He made many life-long friends in the electrical trade and was well-known.
Rex spent the last eight years of his life fishing, hunting and spending time with family and friends. He maintained a home in Dillon where he spent part of the spring, summer and fall. Rex spent the winters in his motor home in Lake Havasu, Ariz.
Rex was a gifted and avid fly fisherman and hunter who shared his love for the outdoors with anyone who would listen or tag along on a fishing or hunting trip. Few things made him happier than teaching someone how to fly fish or hunt.
When he was not fishing, he talked about fishing. When he was not hunting, he talked about hunting. Rex loved Montana and its people.
Rex was generous and friendly in a way that is now rare and forgotten. He deeply touched many lives. He will be missed.
Rex is survived by his younger brother, Herbert Lynn Moore of Minnesota; and his three children, Andrew M. Moore of Johannesburg, South Africa, Mikel and wife Diane Moore of Kalispell, and Jill C. Taddeo of Reno, Nev.; and his seven grandchildren.
DEWEY 'DUDE' SHANDY...
Dewey “Dude” Shandy, age 77, of Helena, died Feb. 25, 2001, from lung cancer at the Rocky Mountain Care Center.
Dewey was born on Feb. 14, 1924, in Broadview, Mont. His family later moved to Joliet when he was a child, they were engaged in farming. He attended various rural schools in the Joliet area.
As a young man he worked in the Billings area. He was drafted into the Army during the Japanese Occupation and recalled into the service during the Korean War.
When discharged, he moved to Lincoln in 1952. In Lincoln he worked as a logger for the Mixer Company. In 1953 he went to work for John A. Thompson & Son of Lincoln as a heavy equipment operator for their logging and mining operation. In 1981 Dewey went to work for Western Fuel Inc. as a fuel truck driver until the time of his death.
Dewey married Anita M. Thompson on Oct. 16, 1954, in Laurel.
His hobbies were working and visiting with his customers and collecting “stuff.”
Survivors include his wife, Anita of Lincoln; daughter, Cindy Simenson of Lincoln; three sisters, June Regnier of Billings, Nellie Witcher of Joliet, Helen Brown of Forsyth; numerous nieces and nephews and a very special friend, “Grand-Dog” Missi, his constant companion.
Dewey will be missed by all his family and friends.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date. The family would like to suggest memorials be sent to the Lincoln Ambulance Service or the Parker Medical Center in Lincoln. Retz Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
