Steve Rodriguez Jr.

HOT SPRINGS - Steve Rodriguez Jr., "Junior," 53, went to be with his ancestors who left before him on June 22, 2004, in Missoula.

He was born May 28, 1951, in St. Ignatius to Estavan (Steve) Rodriguez and Louise (Plouffe) Rodriguez. Steve was a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

On Nov. 26, 1970, Steve married his high school sweetheart, Lynda Farra, in St. Ignatius. They later divorced on Dec. 30, 1982.

He attended grade school in Idaho and Montana, and went to high school at Hellgate. In 1972, he attended Southwestern Indian Polytech Institute in Albuquerque, where he graduated with a degree in architectural drafting. He also attended Salish Kootenai College in Pablo, where he studied general courses and carpentry from 1981-1986.

On Jan. 20, 1970, he enlisted in the Navy and did his tour of duty in the Mediterranean Sea aboard the USS Forrestal. After two years in the Navy he enlisted in the 19th Special Forces Airborne Division at Fort Missoula and later transferred into the 1063rd Engineers Unit. He received an honorable discharge. In 1975, he attended the Montana Military Academy and graduated from NCO school.

Steve was always a hard worker, and during his lifetime worked in many states and had various occupations, ranging from mechanic, carpenter, sider, draftsman, machine lathe operator, construction worker, railroad worker and heavy equipment operator. Steve was also a member of the Local 400 Union of Operating Engineers in Helena. Before his death, he worked in Hot Springs at the Hot Springs city shop.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his grandparents, Miguel and Maria Rodriguez and Annie and Leroy Manning; his brothers, Joseph and Arthur; uncles, Lalo and Rodolofo Rodriguez and Bernard and Ernie Plouffe; aunts, Judy Sandburg and Agnes Plouffe; niece, Dianna DeBoard; and brother-in-law, Jesse Aldana.

Surviving family are Steven Manyhides of Browning, Steve (Theora) of Polson; Michael Rodriguez of Pablo; Anthony (Laurie) of Helena; and ex-wife, Lynda Hammer of Pablo; sisters, Ruby (Gregg) Gillham of Little Rock, Ark., Sandra Aldana of Little Rock, Delores (Sammy) Valles of San Antonio and Roberta Morigeau of Hot Springs; brothers, Gilbert of Orlando, Fla., Ernest (Abbey) Rodriguez of San Antonio, Larry of Dalton, Ga., Stanley of Elmo and Charles of Lumberton, S.C.; eight grandchildren; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews; and four great-grandnephews; aunts, Elsie (Joe) Mallach of Missoula, Olga Rodriguez of Orlando, Lillian Brown of Tacoma, Wash., and Leona Plouffe of Polson, and all their families; uncles, Gilbert (Mary) Rodriguez of Missoula, Roy (Sandy) of Frenchtown, Robert (Shirley) of Missoula and Frank of Missoula, and all their families.

Funeral services were held Wednesday of last week at the St. Ignatius Catholic Mission. Interment was at the St. Ignatius Catholic Cemetery.

Foster and Durgeloh assisted the family with arrangements.