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Jim Tillotson
BALLANTINE - Jim was born Dec. 4, 1946, in Hot Springs, S.D., to Virt and Betty Tillotson. He grew up mining, hunting, fishing, surveying, and reading. There was a wild and wooly time to be had on occasion in those days around Lincoln and Helena.
He graduated from high school in Helena, and got his degrees in Economics and Law from the University of Montana in Missoula. There, the wild and wooly times that didn't include a growing family did include the yards-long tab that he ran in the revolving card games in the cubes. And yes, he did study.
Jim went into private and corporate practice in Missoula, and worked for the State of Montana in Helena. We moved to Billings in 1984, where he was City Attorney until his death from esophageal cancer, diagnosed only 39 days before. He learned to love Billings, in spite of missing the mountains, and continued to enjoy golf, hunting, fishing, puttering, and Fort Peck Reservoir, and always had at least two books going at once. He loved nothing better than spending time with the kids and the various critters that have accompanied them over the years.
Jim was preceded in death by his mother, Betty, and his brothers, Bob and Joe. He is survived by his wife, Patty; his sons, Jeff and Cullen of Portland, Ore.; his daughter, Jessie of Rapid City, S.D.; his brother, Claude of Frenchtown, with whom he was particularly close; and his father, Virt of Clancy.
Jim was tough and graceful throughout, during life, illness, and death. Thanks God it was such a short ordeal, but thanks as well that we had the time, as a family, to visit friends and each other during his "good time." It was great time.
A celebration of Jim's life will take place at 5 p.m. Friday, July 10, 1998, at the Turf Club, Metra Park. All friends are invited. Cremation has taken place at Cremation or Funeral Gallery, and a private family memorial will be held at a later date. The family suggests that memorials be sent to the Nature Conservancy, 32 S. Ewing, Helena, MT 59601 or Big Sky Hospice, P.O. Box 1049, Billings, MT 59103.
Elmer Babcock
MILES CITY - Elmer Babcock, 86, died Tuesday, July 7, 1998, at the Holy Rosary Health Center in Miles City.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 11, in the chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City with interment in the family lot in the Custer County cemetery, also in Miles City.
Henry Zier Jr.
GARRYOWEN - Henry Zier Jr., 65, passed away July 6, 1998, at his home in Garryowen.
He was born May 19, 1933, in Hardin, a son of Henry and Katherine Kern Zier Sr. He grew up in the Lodge Grass and Hardin areas and attended schools in Hardin. Following his education, he enlisted in the Army in 1953 and received his honorable discharge in 1954.
Henry helped with the construction of the Busby school and then engaged in farming and ranching with his father in the Lodge Grass area until 1965, when he moved to Garryowen to operate his own farm.
On March 10, 1967, he married
Hazel Miller in Sheridan, Wyo. The couple made their home near Garryowen, where they farmed and ranched. Farming and ranching was a big part of his life as was his favorite hobbies of reading, watching TV and playing with his granddaughters.
Henry was preceded in death by his parents; one granddaughter, Angle Marie Zier; four brothers, Roy, William, Robert and Wilbert; three sisters, Doris, Betty and Janet.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Hazel; two daughters, Nancy (Gaylan) Largent of Pineville, Mo., and Linda of Garryowen; one son, Daniel (Ruby) Zier of Garryowen; three granddaughters (his pride and joy), Amanda Kay Largent of Pineville, Misty Rae and Miranda Lynn Zier of Garryowen; two brothers, Jake of Hardin and Ronald of Lodge Grass; four sisters, Millie Nelson of Jordan, Shirley Cathy of Sheridan, Wyo., Margaret Howe and Marilyn Peterson of Hardin; many nieces and nephews.
"Thank you Dad for always being there for us. You gave us far more than what money could buy. You gave us all the love you had and guidance we needed but yet you never held us back. You always let us fly with our wings. When life got tough you were there to give us a reassuring word to let us know things would get better.
We love you dad and we're going to miss you. So until next time!"
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Friday in the Bullis Funeral Chapel. Interment with military honors will follow in the Fairview cemetery. Bullis Mortuary of Hardin has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Crohn's Disease and Cancer Fund.
Bruce Warren Barrett
HELENA - On July 7, 1998, Bruce Warren Barrett fought his last battle and has now gone on to a better place with Our Lord. He'd won many previous battles due to kidney disease, never losing his grace or contagious humor. Bruce was a ranch kid who was willing to meet any challenges life presented and throughout his life he focused not on his handicaps but on his strengths. He had the rare gift of being able to find not only contentment, but joy in all aspects of life and although his life was not long in years, it was rich and full.
Bruce was born Dec. 8, 1947, in Great Falls and grew up in Augusta. He graduated from Augusta High School in 1966 and then attended the Montana Institute of the Bible in Billings in 1967. He worked many different jobs and later went to Helena Vo-tech and graduated in 1978. Since then he worked for USWest in Billings and Helena until his retirement due to his disability in 1993.
He married
Anita Rae Whitman on Nov. 24, 1977, and shared a wonderful life together. Bruce is survived by his parents, Warren and Phyllis Barrett of Augusta; his sister, Nancy Kay Zelenka of Conrad and his brother, Daniel Eugene Barrett of Augusta; and his nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Stephen Ray Barrett.
Burial was July 8, 1998, at the Augusta cemetery and a memorial service will be held July 10, 1998, at Retz Funeral Home at 4 p.m. Memorials are suggested to St. Peter's Hospital Dialysis Center or the National Rifle Association.
L. June Cook
LEMONT, Pa. - L. June Cook, age 82, formerly of Billings, Mont., passed away Monday, July 6, 1998, at her residence in Lemont. She was born June 20, 1916, on a ranch near Piniele, Mont., to the late Bert and Effie Roberts Maple. She married
E. George Cook on Oct. 27, 1934.
Survivors include a daughter, Judy A. Myrick of Lemont; a sister, Margaret Fuller of Redwood City, Calif.; and two grandchildren.
She was a beauty school graduate, and a bookkeeper for the family businesses, which included ranching and trucking. She was a Christian Scientist.
She was a loving mother and grandmother. She enjoyed painting and latch hooking.
Visitation will be at the convenience of the family. A memorial service will be held at Koch Funeral Home in State College, Saturday, July 11, 1998, at 10 a.m. Interment will be held in Valley View cemetery in Broadus, Mont.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, Centre Unit, 123 S. Sparks St., State College, Pa. 16801.
Helen Louise Sloniger
SHERIDAN, Wyo. - Helen Louise Sloniger, 82, died Friday, July 3, 1998, at Sheridan Memorial Hospital of cancer.
Services will be at 9:30 a.m. Friday, July 10, at Champion Funeral Home in Sheridan with interment in the Elks Section of Riverside cemetery in Cody.
Jack Daniel Brogan
MALTA - Jack Daniel Brogan, 16, died Saturday, July 4, from injuries received in an automobile accident near Malta. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, July 9, at the Old Malta High School Gymnasium. Burial will be in the Malta cemetery. Adams Funeral Home of Malta is in charge of arrangements.
Jack was born Aug. 23, 1981, in Billings, the son of Jim and Chick (Korsbeck) Brogan. He would have been a junior at Malta High School. Jack was employed by the KMMR Radio Station in Malta. Last May he participated in the State Golf Tournament and was an avid golfer and participated in track. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and playing the drums.
Survivors include his parents, Jim and Chick Brogan of Malta; sister, Jami Brogan of Malta; a maternal grandmother, Ellen Korsbeck of Malta; and a paternal grandfather, Thomas D. Brogan of Wilsall.
Mary Etta Hillner
Mary Etta Hillner, 57, of Billings, went home to be with the Lord, Wednesday, July 8, 1998, surrounded by family and friends after a brief courageous battle with leukemia.
The daughter of Dan and Etta Copps, Mary was born Aug. 26, 1940, in Kadoka, S.D. She was raised and educated in Miles City, graduating from Sacred Heart High School in 1958. She received a degree in communications from Eastern Montana College.
Mary married
Oaklin Jay Hillner in Miles City, June 22, 1963. They had lived in Spokane, Wash., for 12 years before moving to Joliet to start O.J. Electric. Mary was currently president of O.J. Electric Sales in Billings. She has also served as activities director and consultant in Billings area nursing homes.
Family, friends, being active in the church, and community service were her greatest joys. A member of St. Patrick's Co-Cathedral, she ministered to the home bound and served as an Eucharistic minister.
Survivors include her children, Kelly Weber and her husband, Ken of Boulder, Mont., Deanna Hillner Mydland and Dan Hillner of Billings; grandchildren, Stephan, Mary Margaret, Ryan, and Luke Weber and Darin and Dillon Mydland; her parents, Dan and Etta Copps of Miles City; brothers and sisters, DiAnn and Don Keller of Chicago, Mike and Marty Copps of Broadus, Teresa and Jim Drakos of Missoula, Edward and Jana Copps of Billings, Kay and Bob Balmer of Portland, Ore., and Gail Nottingham and Steve of Colorado; as well as several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, July 5, 1993.
Cremation has taken place. The Memorial Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Patrick's Co-Cathedral.
Memorials may be made to St. Patrick's Co-Cathedral or Big Sky Hospice.
Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist had charge of cremation.
Earl L. Brost
COWLEY, Wyo. - Earl L. Brost, 72, of Cowley, died Tuesday, July 21, 1998, at the North Big Horn Hospital in Lovell of natural causes.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 25, at the LDS Stake Center in Lovell. Cremation or Funeral Gallery of Billings, Mont., is in charge.
Raymond E. Strelow
SHERIDAN, Wyo. - Raymond E. Strelow, 75, died Tuesday, July 21, 1998, east of Sheridan.
Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 25, at Sheltered Acres Park in Sheridan. Ferries Funeral Home of Sheridan is in charge.
Agnes M. Kiever
SHERIDAN, Wyo. - Agnes M. Kiever, 95, formerly of Buffalo, died Wednesday, July 22, 1998, at Sheridan Manor.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 28, at Memorial Gardens cemetery in Casper. Champion Funeral Home of Sheridan is in charge.
George Herstein
WORLAND, Wyo. - George Herstein, 67, of Worland, died Wednesday, July 22, 1998, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minn., after a short illness.
Visitation will be 7-9 p.m. Monday, July 27, at Bryant Funeral Home in Worland. Services will be at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, at St. Luke's Lutheran Church with graveside services in Riverview Memorial Gardens, both in Worland.
Geraldine M. Eder
WOLF POINT - Geraldine M. Eder, 63, daughter of Frank Eagle and Mary White Hawk, passed away on July 21, 1998, at the Faith Home in Wolf Point, after suffering a long illness.
Geraldine was born Nov. 13, 1934, in Poplar, and lived there and the Wolf Point area most all of her life. She attended schools in the area.
In 1970, she married
Jack Eder. Jack preceded her in death in 1978. She also was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter and a son.
Survivors include a daughter, Kathie Forrest, and a son, Lewellen Eagle, both of Wolf Point; two sisters, Darlene Youpee of Poplar and Salley Sood of Oakland, Calif.; grandchildren, Lisa, Cassandra, Lewellen Eagle Jr., and Theresa, Curtis, and Jordan Forrest, all of Wolf Point, and grandson, Joel Adams, and great-granddaughter, Shoshonne Adams of Missoula.
Visitations will be at the Clayton Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point on Sunday, July 26, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. A vigil service will be held at 7:30 p.m. at Clayton Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 27, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Poplar with Rev. Fr. Michael Schneider officiating. Interment will be in the Riverside cemetery at Brockton. Clayton Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
David Morris
David J. Morris, 71 of Billings, died Monday, July 20, at the Fort Harrison Veterans Medical Center.
The son of Thomas and Flora Morris, David was born Sept. 1, 1926, in Pompey's Pillar. He grew up at Pompey's Pillar and Pryor Creek.
David married
Bertha Kipp in Hardin, Sept. 9, 1942. They later divorced. He was inducted into the Army in June, 1945, transferred to the Army Reserve, July 21, 1952, and was honorably discharged, May 23, 1956. David had worked at Billings Livestock for many years before venturing to White Sulphur Springs where he did ranch work for Roger and Elmer Hanson. He also did fence work with Doug Johnson and Harley Wildman. He returned to the Billings area where he worked for Roods and Roods Construction Co, and various other jobs before retiring.
Survivors include his companion, Tyke McGarry of Billings; a son, George Morris of Billings; four daughters, Sandra Heiser and Paula Morris of Billings, Trudy Will (Terry) of Gillette, Wyo., and Debbie Miller of Livingston; a sister, Dorothy Lebrun (Frank) of Reed Point; his brother, Harry Dawson (Gloria) of Cottage Grove, Ore.; 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother and father; an infant daughter, Judy Lee; and a son, David Daniel.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Monday at Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist, Alderson Chapel. Interment with military honors will be at Mountview cemetery. Following the services a potluck gathering will be held at 1107 Island Park Road. Please join the family and share memories.
Memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.
Joetta Lee Larsen
POWELL, Wyo. - Memorial services will be Friday at 10 a.m. at Union Presbyterian Church for longtime Powell pharmacist Joetta Lee Larsen, 62, who died Tuesday, July 21, at Craig Hospital in Denver, Colo., after a two-year illness.
The Rev. David Hunter will officiate at memorial services. Cremation has taken place.
She was Powell's first woman pharmacist and practiced her profession at Powell Drug and Fryer's Pharmacy over some 38 years, retiring in 1996.
She was born Dec. 11, 1935, at Roxanna, Texas, daughter of Berry Lee Barnes and Lillie Ruth Barnes. She moved with her family to Powell in 1944 and was raised and schooled in the community. She was graduated from Powell High School in 1954.
She went on to the University of Wyoming where she earned her pharmacy degree in 1958. While a student in Laramie, she met Charles W. (Buzz) Larsen, and they were married
in Powell on July 23, 1958. She died just two days before their 40th wedding anniversary.
In addition to her work as a pharmacist, she was a partner with her husband in the ownership of Larsen's Bicycle shop for 23 years, with stores in Powell and Worland.
Survivors include her husband, Buzz of Powell; a daughter, Laurie Larsen of Powell; a son, Scott Larsen and his wife, Justine of Powell; her mother, Lillie Dixon of Powell; a sister, Dorothy Lenehan of Oakland, Calif.; and three grandchildren, Tyler, Ben and Alex.
Her father and a brother, Berry Lee Barnes, preceded her in death.
For those who wish, the family would appreciate memorial contributions to the Northwest College Foundation to encourage women in pharmacy.
Duane W. Gagle
Duane W. Gagle, 85 of Billings, died Wednesday evening, July 22, 1998, at his home. Mr. Gagle, a retired executive of Phillips Petroleum Company in Bartlesville, Okla., was recognized worldwide for contributions he made in the advancement of petroleum and asphalt technologies. He held more than 40 patents related to petroleum products. Many of these led to the development of processes now considered to be standards in the industry.
Mr. Gagle was a longtime member and past Chairman of the Board of the Asphalt Institute, the international trade association representing the asphalt industry. Mr. Gagle served on some 25 committees and boards in his field, including the Advisory Committee on Asphalt Research of the U.S. Bureau of Mines. In 1950, he was a member of the Highway Research Board, whose members were responsible for planning the interstate highway system. In 1978, he was elected to the Asphalt Institute's distinguished Roll of Honor.
Mr. Gagle authored numerous published articles and lectured in more than 50 universities, colleges, and state highway meetings. Many of these lectures and presentations contained cartoon illustrations drawn by Mr. Gagle, who was also an accomplished artist. As a young boy in Great Falls, he was a neighbor of the great American painter, Charles Russell, and was inspired by drawing tips that Mr. Russell occasionally volunteered.
The son of Will and Mamie Gagle, he was born Aug. 9, 1912, in Colfax, Iowa, and moved at the age of 3 to Hobson. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Great Falls. He studied chemistry at Intermountain Union College at Helena. Mr. Gagle married
the late Erma Elizabeth Young of Choteau in 1938, and in the same year, joined Home Oil and Refining Co. in Great Falls as its chief chemist. After Phillips Petroleum acquired this company, he was transferred to their headquarters in Bartlesville, in 1950, as a consulting engineer. He was active in the Bartlesville community and was a member of the Legion of Honor DeMolay. Mr. Gagle was a 50-year life member of the Masonic Blue Lodge and a member of York Rite. He was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church. He retired from Phillips in 1977 and returned to Montana in 1989. He was preceded in death by his brother, Roy Gagle of Helena and his sister, Clara Haight of Great Falls.
Survivors include his wife, Eloise Hopkins Dean Gagle; his four children and three stepchildren, Jeanne Gagle Thornhill and her husband, William of Lexington, Ky., Daune William Gagle Jr. and his wife, Karen of Tulsa, Okla., Merry Beth Gagle Poore and her husband, William of Charlotte, N.C., Richard L. Gagle and his wife, Karen of Bartlesville, James Dean and his wife, Heather of Eureka, Mont., George Dean and his wife, Peggy of Great Falls, and Paula Dean of Santa Rosa, Calif.; 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Monday, July 27, at the Arnold Moore Funeral Home in Bartlesville. Interment will follow in the Memorial Park cemetery. Memorials may be sent to Big Sky Hospice, P.O. Box 35033, Billings, MT 59107-5033. Michelotti, Sawyers & Nordquist Alderson Chapel has charge of local arrangements.
