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Jonathon Adam Black
Jonathon Adam Black of Worland, Wyo., age 46, passed away March 8, 2004 surrounded by his family.
John was born Oct. 19, 1957, to Adam and Ada Black in Mendenhall, Miss. John married
Pamela Hand in 1977. They divorced in 1979. John moved to Helena as a child where he was raised and graduated from Helena High School in 1976. He briefly worked in Helena.
Following his graduation he moved to Texas to work in construction. In 1981 he moved to Worland, where he was self-employed as a contractor and carpenter.
His hobbies included playing football and fast pitch softball, fishing, motorcycle riding and playing pool.
He is survived by his parents, Adam and Ada Black of Rugby, N.D.; his daughter, Jennifer (Jim) Shurtliff of Helena; his brothers, Harold Black of Butte, Roger Black of Anaheim, Calif., Ronald Black of Helena, Rod Black of Puyallup, Wash., and Jimmy Black of California; sisters, Ann Black, Donna Hubert, Betty Dalin, all of East Helena, Shirley Kelly of Puyallup, and Tammy Liable of Helena, six grandchildren and 19 nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., today, Thursday, March 11, at Helena Funeral Chapel.
Terence J. Allen
Terence J. Allen, 75, of Three Forks, passed away at his residence surrounded by his living and devoted family.
Born in Lewistown on Aug. 9, 1928, to Jerry and Millicent (Terry) Allen, Terry moved with his family as six months old to Logan and then to Three Forks attending and graduating from Three Forks High School. He worked with his parents operating Home Laundry from 1950 until 1964. By trade, Terry was a carpenter and a painter. He loved to garden, sharing his knowledge and the fruits of his success with many friends and family. Hunting and fishing was a passion handed down to his children. He was a great provider for his family, a patient listener, and friend to many. Terry was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge No. 88 and the Rebekah Lodge No. 74.
He is survived by his wife, Madeline (Bridell) Allen of Nevis, Minn.; son Rod (Sue) Allen of Three Forks; daughter Phyllis (Pat) Livengood of Belgrade; son Bruce (Dawn) Allen of Helena; 15 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren and a sister Eileen Allen of Three Forks. Terry was preceded in death by is parents and a son, Jeffrey Allen.
Funeral services will be held in the Three Forks United Methodist Church on Tuesday, March 9, 2004, at 2 p.m. Interment will follow in the Fairview cemetery in Three Forks. Memorial contributions may be made to the Three Forks United Methodist Church Elevator Fund. K & L Mortuary Chapel in Three Forks is handling arrangements.
Scott B. Romine
Scott B. Romine, age 44, passed away at his home in Sacramento, Calif., on Feb. 24, 2004.
Scott was born on Jan. 19, 1960, in Las Vegas, and later, with his family, moved to Helena. Scott graduated from Capital High School in 1978. Scott earned a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from Montana State University in Bozeman. Scott was a licensed professional engineer and was studying to earn his civil engineering license at the time of his death.
Scott was an avid runner and completed many marathons in Montana and California as well as belonging to the Buffalo Chips Running Club of Sacramento. Scott also enjoyed snow skiing, hiking and camping with his friends from Sacramento, but Scotts greatest treasure was his children.
Scott is survived by his children, Gregory and Audrey of Helena; mother and stepfather, Pat and Ken Wilkenson of Las Vegas; father and stepmother, William and Teresa of Helena; stepmother, Virginia Seil of Helena; brother, James of Las Vegas; brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Jennifer of Helena and their children, Troy, Heather, Abigail and Emilee; uncle and aunt, Michael and Mary Baldwin of Sebastopol, Calif., and their children April, Alexander and Casey.
The celebration of Scotts life was held Feb. 28, in Sacramento, with his family, friends and coworkers in attendance.
The family suggests memorials be made in Scotts name to the Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California, 1624 Franklin St., Oakland CA, 94612. Donations to his childrens college fund are welcome by Pat Romine, 4021 Meadows Lane, Las Vegas, NV 89107.
Ruby Faye Blalock
Ruby Faye Blalock, 75, a retired licensed vocational nurse, passed away Thursday, March 4, 2004, in Hurst, Texas.
Ruby Faye Blalock was born Jan. 23, 1929, in Fort Worth, Texas. Ruby was a member of Canyon Ferry Baptist Church and was also a member of the American Red Cross, where she devoted time as a volunteer.
Survivors include her son, Glenn Dee Blalock; daughter, Linda Gail Blalock Farley Dittmaier; sisters, Colleen Hodges, Wanda Lou Waddle, Martha Ann Cauthen and Lavon Jeter; brother, Buddy Joe Strickland; grandchildren, Teressa, Julie, Jason and Jack; and great-grandchildren, Nicole, Chelby, Cheyenne, Colton, April, Zachary, Emily, Sara, Peter and McKayla.
A funeral service was held Saturday at Forest Ridge Funeral Home in Hurst. A graveside service will be held 1 p.m. on Monday, March 15, 2004 at Sunset Memorial Gardens cemetery in Helena under the direction of Retz Funeral Home.
Bonnie May Briggs
We are diminished as we mourn the loss of our beloved Bonnie M. Briggs. Our mother, grandmother, mentor and friend died peacefully at home in Helena with family on Jan. 16, 2004.
Bonnie was born Bonnie May Kratz in Oklahoma Territory, on June 12, 1909. She was raised with four siblings by Sam and Ida May Snow in Okeene, Okla. Childhood was lived on farm and frontier, on horse and buggy. She shared her life through wonderful stories, including the "Dalton Gang" stopping for a meal and rest in the barn, riding to school on her horse, outsmarting the tarantulas and "rattlers", and her grandfather, the "Pony Express" rider.
Bonnie attended "Normal School" at Phillips University in Enid, Okla., and taught in Hennessey, Okla. She met the love of her life, Edwin Wesley Briggs in Stillwater, Okla., and they were married
on June 19, 1932. Bonnie and Edwin moved to Boston where Edwin attended Harvard Law School. They were blessed with one daughter while in Boston and three sons after the family moved to Missoula shortly after Beths birth. Edwin took a position as associate professor of law at Montana State University (now the University of Montana) and later became full professor until his retirement in 1971. Bonnie and Edwin lived in Missoula throughout their remaining married
life.
She is survived by her sons, Dr. Edwin Manley (and Sally) Briggs of Boise, Idaho, Samuel Thomas (and Sharon) Briggs of Juneau, Alaska, and Charles Wesley (and Christie) Briggs of Helena; 14 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by husband, Edwin, in 1989, and her daughter, Beth, in 1969.
Bonnie was an active member of P.E.O., initiated in 1928. Bonnie was foremost the loving mother and grandmother of her family, dedicating her life to her husband and their families.
There will be a celebration of her life at the University Congregational Church in Missoula at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 6. The service will be followed by a reception for family and friends at the family home on Daly Avenue.
Memorials in Bonnies name can be given to the Edwin W. Briggs Memorial Scholarship at the University of Montana Law School or to the Missoula Chapter H of P.E.O.
Gene A. Picotte
Helena attorney Gene A. Picotte died of natural causes at Big Sky Care Center on March 1, 2004. He was born Oct. 11, 1924, in Whitehall, to Telesphore and Lela Blanche (Hurt) Picotte, both of whom preceded him in death, as did his brothers, Robert W. and Wyman, and his sister, Yvonne Marie Johnson and infant son, Aaron Bryan Dolezal. He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Eris and Roger Williams, of Sequim, Wash., and by his son and daughter-in-law, Carter N. and Shelley (Mahan) Picotte, son Mark A. Picotte and son Adam Ryan Dolezal, all of Helena. He is also survived by his good friend and ex-wife, Kathleen Dolezal, of Helena.
After attending Carroll College for three years, and he attended Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago for one and one-half years, receiving the degree of bachelor of science in Law. His professional education was completed at the University of Montana School of Law, Missoula, where he attained the degrees of bachelor of laws and juris doctor, graduating in December 1949. He engaged in the private practice of law in Helena from 1950 until 2003, a space of 53 years.
Gene enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 and was honorably discharged in 1946 with the rank of lieutenant, junior grade. In 1954 he was elected to the Montana House of Representatives from Lewis & Clark County, serving in the 1955 session. He was chairman of the Montana Supreme Court's Committee on Rules of Civil Procedure for over 20 years, and was elected and served as president of the Montana Bar Association in 1962-63.
Gene had tremendous affection for horses, and kept and rode a string of Tennessee Walkers for many years. He and his good friend Lyle B. Chamberlain of Townsend, co-authored a book, "You Can Break Your Own Horse, " published by Longhorn Press of Cisco, Texas, espousing Mr. Chamberlain's personal method of training saddle horses, a method suitable, they said, for use by "dudes." For over 50 years, Gene was a member of Helena Lodge 639, Loyal Order of the Moose, serving during the 1950s as governor of that Lodge and also as deputy supreme governor for Montana. He loved poetry, and composed many poems for his own enjoyment and that of his friends.
Cremation has taken place. Memorials in Gene's name are suggested to the Mikal Kellner Foundation for Animals, P.O. Box 389, Helena, MT 59624. Retz Funeral Home is caring for arrangements.
Joseph J. Tillo
Joseph J. Tillo, age 80, of East Helena passed away on Thursday, March 4, 2004.
Joe was born on Oct. 28, 1923, in Helena where he lived all of his life. He was a proud military man who served his country in the Navy during WWII on the U.S.S. Colahan. He later continued his military career in the Montana Army National Guard where he retired as a chief warrant officer four after 38 years of service.
Not one to slow down, Joe worked during his retirement as a certified water operator for the state of Montana where he serviced local subdivisions. Joe was always the gentleman and always put his family first. He prided himself on being able to repair just about anything. And, if he needed to, didn't hesitate to "soup it up" or just redesign and build a new one.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Marie and Julius Tillo as well as a sister, Rosemary and brother, George.
He leaves behind a devoted wife, Hilda, of 62 years; and five children, Joseph Jr. (Nan) of East Helena, Theresa (Hoss) Morris of Helena, Carolyn (Roy) Alvstad, Barbara (Steve) Moore and Lisa (Jon) Sellers of Vancouver, Wash. Grandpa or Papa as he was affectionately called, also leaves behind his 12 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held on Monday, March 8, at 11 a.m. at the Montana State Veterans cemetery with the Rev. Tom O'Donnell officiating and the Montana National Guard handling the military honors. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to Hospice of St. Peter's, 201 S. California, Helena, MT 59601 in Joe Tillo's name. Helena Funeral Chapel has completed the funeral arrangements.
Carl Edward Clinton
Carl Edward Clinton, age 70, of Helena, passed away on Sunday, March 7, 2004.
Carl was born June 10, 1933, in Helena, to J. Henry and Lillian (Hoselton) Clinton. After graduating from Helena Senior High School, Carl enlisted in the United States Army and served in Mannheim, Germany. He then began his career in the Montana Army National Guard retiring with the rank of chief warrant officer 4 (CW4) on June 30, 1993.
Carl was active in many service organizations including Morning Star #5 Masonic Lodge, Helena Scottish Rite Bodies, Algeria Shrine, Eastern Star Miriam Chapter 1, Algeria Patrol and Drum Corps (past president), VFW Post #1116 (life member), FOE #16 (past president), American Legion Post #2, 40&8, American Legion Baseball Committee, Montana Officials Association, Montana National Guard Officers Association, Class of 1953 50th Reunion Committee.
In addition to his parents, Carl was preceded in death by his sister, Leona Clinton Branning and his aunt and uncle, Jennie and John Owens.
He is survived by his loving sister Lucile Clinton Hamlin and brother Henry "Hank" DeWitt Clinton of Portland; his niece, Betty Branning (Marion) Sickich; and nephews, John and Dean (Mona) Branning. He is also survived by his wife of 50 years, Roberta Spaulding Clinton; his three children, Michael Joseph (Debra) of Spokane, Wash., Laura Morrow of Helena, and J. Henry (Christine) of Steilacomb, Wash.; four grandchildren, Geneva Eileen Freeman, Michael Morrow, Ian Christopher and Chelsea Diana Clinton; and two great-grandsons, Dakotah Lee Tuss and Caden Jaycob Freeman.
Carl will also be greatly missed by other special family friends, including Barbara Chapman, his sister-in-law, Mona Spaulding, Ted and Jane Wood, Frank and Millie Tillo, friends and families of his military career, his class of 1953 schoolmates, his neighbors of many years, the Richard McEwan family, the Billie Rule family, Kim Clouse, and Marge Thronson. Also, his Little Blackfoot neighbors, Toby and Carlene Armstrong, Grace Senseney, and the Tillo families.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the charity of the donor's choice. Cremation has taken place. Retz Funeral Home is caring for arrangements and will announce church services at a later date, followed by graveside services at the Montana State Veterans cemetery, Fort Harrison, Mont.
Lillian Violet Bailey
Lillian Violet Bailey, 87, passed away in Missoula on March 1, 2004.
Lillian was born Oct. 23, 1916, to John and Bessie Walker in the mining camp of Elkhorn. She was raised in the mining town of Marysville near Helena. Lillian and her sister, Babe, had many colorful stories to tell of growing up in Marysville, and until 1985 Lillian kept her familys home there for everyone to enjoy. She was an original member of the Marysville Pioneers.
Lillian attended grade school in Marysville, high school in Helena and college in Dillon. She worked as a telephone operator in Helena when phone calls were manually connected by the operator and wires were going in every direction. She also worked as a sales lady at the Missoula Mercantile and in several other Missoula stores.
In 1936, Lillian married
Dean Edward Bailey and they were married
63 years until Dean died in 1999. They lived the first 23 years in Marysville, and later in Butte and Helena. Dean was an engineer for Burlington Northern and the family moved to Missoula in 1959. Thereafter, they lived in the home they loved at 910 Como Drive in Orchard Homes.
At retirement, the couple spent winters in their RV in St. George, Utah, where they learned to play golf. Golf became Lillians true passion and she would drop everything if asked to play. She was a member of the Ladies League and the Couples League at Highlands Golf Course. She was also an avid bowler and for years was a member of the Ladies of the Moose bowling team, as well as an active member in the organization.
Lillian was the beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to a large family. Her four children and their spouses are: Kenneth and Elaine Bailey of Federal Way, Wash.; Kaye and Harvey Smith of Anchorage, Alaska; Diane and Phil Sheridan of Missoula; and Linda and Ed Schild of Missoula. She had 12 wonderful grandchildren and 17 beautiful great-grandchildren.
A memorial is planned in the spring when Lillians family and friends will gather in Missoula to honor, remember and celebrate her long fruitful life.
"We mourn that you have moved on, dear one, but we will always find comfort in the countless loving memories we will carry in our hearts forever."
Emily Lowry Truslow
Emily was tragically taken from us on Tuesday, March 2, 2004.
Emily was born in Salt Lake City on May 31, 1980. She was a loving and devoted mother to her two boys who were the greatest joy and light in her life. Emily was a loving daughter, the adored baby sister, and the truest friend.
She was happiest when expressing her creative talents. Emily could always see things for what they could become - for their fullest potential. Though her life held many trials, she would not allow her spirit to be broken. Her sense of humor and that beautiful light in her eyes will be sorely missed. While those of us who are left behind may not understand the Lords grand design, we find peace knowing that she has been called home for some greater purpose in Gods great plan and is reunited with her brother Jake, who preceded her in death and who she missed so much.
She is survived by her two beautiful children Jacob and Ethan, and their father, Jonothan Truslow; her father, Mike Lowry, who will always be her hero and her mother, Jeniel Lowry, her greatest and most unfailing support. She also leaves behind two brothers, Mike Jr. and Zack, who is her closest and truest friend; three sisters, Laura Pickens, Jennifer Barnard and Sara Bair, who all loved her very much. She also leaves three brothers-in-law, Mike Pickens, Jared Barnard, Justin Bair and one sister-in-law, Jennifer Lowry; five nieces, Aubry, Baylee, Jessica, Morgan and Josie; five nephews, Connor, Riley, Lucas, Ryker and Kyzer; and her Grandma Lowry; and countless aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
A private family service will be held Saturday, March 6 and for all those wishing to express their love please know that you are invited to attend the visitation from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 5 at Helena Funeral Chapel, 314 N. Rodney. She will be laid to rest next to her brother Jake at Pine Hills Retreat, Helena. For those many friends and loved ones searching for an expression of their love, a trust fund has been opened at Valley Bank of Helena for the benefit of her two boys, Jacob and Ethan.
Jack Lee Burkland
Jack Lee Burkland, 64, of Great Falls, a retired construction worker, died of heart failure Feb. 25, 2004, in Goodyear, Ariz.
Jack was born Nov. 28, 1939, to Carl and Phyllis Burkland. The Burkland family also included Jacks brother, Gene, of Great Falls, and a sister, Bonnie, of Missoula.
Jack graduated from Great Falls High School in 1957. Being talented with his hands, he worked for Burkland Builders, Boeing, Hilde Construction and the Montana Power Company, which he retired from in 1988 because of a heart condition.
In 1960, Jack married
DeEtte Simon and together they had two children, Tammy and Rich, both of whom live in Washington state. Jack and DeEtte later divorced. In 1972, he married
Janet Nahrgang Hunt and at this time he proudly took on three more children: Ron of Reno, Chuck of Helena and Lynn of Great Falls. With their five children, they lived in many different places and under many different circumstances while Jack worked construction. Jacks five children honored him with eight beautiful grandchildren, which was something he cherished very much.
Jack's hobbies included cars and more cars. Jack loved racing in his younger years and the last few years NASCAR filled in for the car bug. Jack and Janet watched the races every weekend on television and attended as many as they could. Recently, Jacks brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Pat and Kathe Dietchler of Lexington, S.C., had given Jack and Janet a vacation as a gift. This trip was to Charlotte, N.C., which included a visit to Lowes Motor Speedway and NASCAR country. This was a big thrill for Jack and Janet.
Jack and Janet spent the last six years traveling between Arizona and Montana where they met and made many good friends.
Jack was a good son, brother, husband, father, grampa, uncle and friend. In all of these roles during his lifetime, he did his job well. We will remember his incredible patience and great words of wisdom he had for us all.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service is 1 p.m. Sunday at the Moose Lodge in Black Eagle, followed by a potluck dinner celebration in honor of his life.
