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Francis A. 'Frank' Schindler
HAMILTON - The family of Francis A. "Frank" Schindler would like to invite all to a celebration of life memorial service, which will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Anthony's Parish, 217 Tremont St., Missoula. A reception will follow at the Eagles Lodge, 2420 South Ave. W. in Missoula.
Frank passed away Feb. 13, 2002, at the Hospice House in Hamilton. He was 87.
Cremation has taken place. Donations may be made to the Hospice House, 1200 Westwood, Hamilton, MT 59840.
Donald Ross Merritt
HELENA - Donald Ross Merritt, of Helena, passed away on Tuesday, March 26, 2002, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
He was born Nov. 29, 1919, to Emmeline and Clifton R. Merritt. Don's family were early homesteaders in the Helena Valley.
After graduating from Tigard Union High School in Oregon, Don went to work for the Montana Department of Labor. While working in Helena, Don met Magdalene Miller. They married
after Don had enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the beginning of World War II. The couple was stationed in Billings, Plentywood, Butte and Helena before Don was sent overseas to fight in the Pacific Theater.
After World War II, Don resumed his work with the state and also operated a successful gunsmith shop. One of his biggest joys was to invent or build something in his machine shop. He served many years as the director of the Unemployment Compensation Division and retired after 37 years of service with state government.
Don and Meg and other family members also owned and operated Swan Lake Lodge. While operating the lodge, the couple began Wild Country Outfitters. They ran summer trips and hunting camps in the Scapegoat area and the Bob Marshall Wilderness.
After selling Swan Lake Lodge, Meg and Don continued their outfitting business for many more years. Don loved horses, the great outdoors and people. He had many wonderful employees and befriended many guests on his trips into the wilderness.
Don was a Mason for over 50 years and a member of Masonic Lodge, Morning Star No. 5. He also belonged to Eastern Star, Miriam Chapter No. 1.
Don is survived by his wife of 59 years, Meg; his children, Donna and Keith Hodges, Darlene Hall, Dianne McKnight, and Donald B. and Jackie Merritt; grandchildren Kirk Hodges, Michael and Tammy Marlow, Danielle Merritt, Paige Merritt, Olivia Merritt and Lauren Merritt; great-grandchildren Megan Marlow and Tanya Marlow; twin brother Clifton Merritt; brother-in-law Chuck Cunningham; sisters Audrey Gabriel and Shirley Hayes; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother Emmeline, father Clifton, sisters Betty and Bernice and stepfather Fred Gabriel.
He is loved and will be missed by many.
Church services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday from St. Paul's United Methodist Church with the Rev. George A. Harper officiating. Cremation has taken place and the interment of cremains will take place at a later date at the Montana Veteran's cemetery at Fort Harrison.
The family prefers memorials to Cancer Care Center, in care of St. Peter's Hospital, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601.
Hagler-Anderson Funeral Home has been entrusted with local arrangements.
Samuel E. Burgess
BILLINGS - Samuel E. Burgess, 84, of Billings, and former resident of the Plains area, died Friday, March 29, 2002, at Deaconess Billings Clinic.
Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Billings. Inurnment at a later date will take place in Bronson, Mich.
Cremation has taken place at Cremation or Funeral Gallery.
Wilmer R. Lunceford
KALISPELL - Wilmer R. Lunceford, 75, died Wednesday, March 27, 2002, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
He was born July 7, 1926, in Burns, Ore., to Elmer and Doris (Coho) Lunceford.
Survivors include sons Joe Lunceford of Columbia Falls and Tom Lunceford of Kalispell; daughter Kim Tuten of Arizona; grandchildren Kody, K-Lee and Kelcee Lunceford and Rashael Cozad; five brothers; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be 1 p.m. Monday at the Community Alliance Church.
Cremation and arrangements are by Johnson Mortuary and Crematory.
Frances Marie Miller
MISSOULA - Frances Miller believed in miracles. And from her spectacular entrance on June 2, 1964, to her gracious exit on March 27, 2002, she received them.
Her first and most enduring miracle has been her large and very extended family. Dad Harry and Mom Rosemary taught her about unconditional love, the vital importance of humor, the value of family and the constant guiding presence of her loving God.
They also gifted Frances with seven older siblings to teach her the basic lessons of life and a younger brother to practice them on. Leah, Mike, Jeanne, Kathy, Sheila, David, Jim and Steve each contributed richly to Frances' life with their own unique brand of talents and treasures.
Each sibling's marriage brought to Frances another new brother or sister. Don, Kathy, Bill, Gerry, Matt, Susie, Pam and Debbie brought to her new opportunities for friendship, learning and laughter. They also created for her a new and beloved identity - Auntie Fran! This new generation: Matt, Nick, Chris, Michael, Joe, Becky, Michaela, Wyatt, Emma, Jamie, Hagen, Shea, Dax, Rebecca, Rachael, Zack, Logan, Justice, Landon, Jack, Hannah (and a little boy expected in August whom Frances met via sonogram) all learned at an early age that the "magic words" with Frances weren't please and thank you - it was an enthusiastic, "I LOVE you, Frances!"
Frances experienced the amazing miracle of friendship as well. Whether it was stage managing productions at Missoula Children's Theatre, interacting with people through her 14 years with various disability services at the University of Montana, providing comfort and counsel to others with life-changing diseases, creating hand-crafted items for friends and loved ones, or making truffles and delicious baked goods for the many doctors and nurses who loved and admired her - she made true friends-of-the-heart wherever she went.
Frances loved flowers, but she loved people more. She requested that any memorials be made to the American Cancer Society or Camp Mak-A-Dream. Or just be nice to someone who needs it.
All of Frances' family and friends-of-the-heart will celebrate her miraculous life and Easter-time passing at 11 a.m. Monday at Christ the King Catholic Church in Missoula.
Frances didn't care if others believed in miracles, because she knew she was living a miracle. Not an easy miracle. Not a miracle without pain, doubt and fear, but a miracle guided by a God who formed her in His hand, a family who supported her every step and friends who hurt and laughed with her. Why? Because Frances told us to. And we always listened to Frances ... because she was right, in her humble, but accurate, opinion.
Arrangements are under the direction of Montana Cremation and Memorial Society 3035 S. Russell St.
Edward 'Ed' Mitton
KALISPELL - Edward "Ed" Mitton, 89, died Friday, March 29, 2002, in Kalispell.
He was born Feb. 11, 1913, in Kalispell to John and Gertrude Mitton. He was raised by his grandparents David and Laura Griffith.
On June 30, 1938, he married
Geraldine Lynch in Kalispell.
Survivors include his wife Geri at the family home; sons Robert of Ramona, Calif., and David of Helena; daughters Nadine Eckert of Kalispell and Donna Marie Mitton of Lakeland, Florida; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Glacier Memorial Gardens.
