Juanita Potter
POLSON — Juanita Potter, 76, of Polson died of natural causes on Saturday, May 5, 2007, at St. Joseph Hospital.
Juanita was born May 27, 1930, in Kalispell.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Kelly Potter, son Micheal Potter and daughter, Melody Potter; her parents, Robert and Luzzell Hill; brothers, Leroy Gene Hill, Clifford Hill, Harry Hill, Bob Hill, Ralph Hill and Melvin Hill; and a sister, Darlene Thorsrud.
Surviving are daughter Judy Gregg; sons, Roger and Kelly Potter; six grandkids, and seven great-grandkids; brothers Raymond Hill, Leonard Hill and John Hill; and three sisters, Nola Bradbury, Vivian Shaw and Jeani Linn.
Cremation has taken place. No funeral service is planned. Grogan Funeral Home & Crematory assisted the family.
Edward Thayer Hendrix
Sept. 30, 1913-May 10, 2007
POLSON — Ed Hendrix, loving husband, father, and grandfather, died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, May 10, after 93 years of a wonderful life. He was born in New York City on Sept. 30, 1913, married Mildred Paolillo on April 11, 1948, and moved to Highland Mills, N.Y., in 1954 where he raised four great children. In 2004 Ed and Mil moved to Montana to be near family.
He was a faithful member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church since 1954, a member of the American Legion, Woodbury Post #779 and owned a taxi service in New York for 35 years before working for Monroe-Woodbury School District.
Ed leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Mildred, and four children, Edward and wife “Jil” of Polson, Marianne Hendrix of Charlotte, N.C., John and wife “Susan” of Chandler, Ariz., Philip and wife “Carrie” of Phoenix.
His pride and joy, his grandchildren, Daniel, Thomas, Kelly, Molly, Sean, Katherine, Joseph, Lauren and Natalie, also survive him. As God has blessed him in this life, may he find peace and joy as part of God’s eternal family.
A memorial service will be held today (Thursday, May 17, 2007) at 10 a.m. in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with Father James Connor officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Lakeview Cemetery. Arrangements and service are by Grogan Funeral Home, Polson. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com
Joan Olson Griffith
CHARLO — Joan Olson Griffith, 72, died May 11, 2007, after her battle with pancreatic cancer with her family by her side.
Joan lived in Charlo. Three brothers, Chuck, Don, Floyd, and two sisters, Jerry and Donna, preceded her in death.
Three daughters — Debra Highfill, Laurie Thorsheim, and Susan Smith; seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren survive Joan.
Joan attended school in Ronan. In 1956 Joan, her husband and three daughters moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. She owned a carpet and design studio.
She devoted much of her time to volunteer work within her communities. While in Las Vegas, she lobbied for the Women’s Federation of Nevada coalition, which formed the guideline for many State child protection laws and keeping the Pledge of Allegiance in the public schools.
Education was an important part of her life. Joan had over 25 years history with the Republican Women and worked as a professional fundraiser for the March of Dimes.
Joan moved to Corvallis, Ore., in 1988 to retire but quickly became involved in reactivating the Benton County Republican Women. It has been nearly 35 years since returning to Montana.
Joan was a member of the Mission View Garden Club and served as president of Leon Community Club for three years, and she was actively involved as a board member on the recently constructed Polson Community Church.
Joan had a huge love for family, God and her country. Corinthians 1:3: “I thank my God for every memory of you.”
Services will be on Saturday, May 19, at 1 p.m. in the Polson Community Church, 1814 First St. East, Polson.
Memorial donations may be sent to “Leon Grange Hall” General Delivery, Charlo, MT 59824.
Eldon Alexander
Eldon Alexander, 82, of Pablo died May 15, 2007, at St. Joseph Hospital in Polson. Arrangements are pending and will be announced by Grogan Funeral Home of Polson.
Kenneth Leroy Miller
DAYTON — Kenneth Leroy Miller, 78, died May 9, 2007, at his residence in Dayton after a long illness of COPD, heart failure and cancer.
He was born March 13, 1929, in Aredale, Iowa, the son of George Harry and Martha (Timmer) Miller.
He joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Fairchild AFB, Spokane. While in Spokane he met Elaine Harms. After a tour of duty in Guam and Japan, he returned to Spokane and he and Elaine were married on Aug. 5, 1950.
Ken started his career as a desk salesman for North Robbins Plywood, which later merged with George Pacific Corporation. Ken was an outside salesman for Georgia Pacific in the Washington Tri-Cities area, branch manager in Great Falls, and retired from Georgia Pacific after 25 years in Spokane.
Upon retirement he and Elaine moved to Kalispell and oversaw construction of their home on their lot on Flathead Lake, doing all of the interior work. He also enjoyed fishing and boating.
In 1980, Ken purchased the Yary Sports Photography franchise for this area and later built his own business, Crown Sports Photography, selling it and retiring again and returning to the lake in 1998.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Holda Dolaney and Grace Miller and brothers Wilbur, Archie and Harold Miller.
He is survived by is wife of 57 years, Elaine M. Miller of Dayton, and a brother Clarence Miller of Lusby, Md.
Graveside services were held May 14 in the Conrad Memorial Cemetery with Pastor Dave Anson officiating. Military honors were accorded by the United Veterans of the Flathead.
Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Kenneth’s family. You are invited to go to johnsonmortuary.com and sign Kenneth’s guest book.
Priscilla M. Yellow Owl
BROWNING — Priscilla M. Yellow Owl, 33, of Ronan died Wednesday, May 9, 2007, at St. Luke Hospital in Ronan.
A wake began Thursday at the Foster & Durgeloh Chapel in St. Ignatius, and continued through Friday at 6 p.m. when she was taken back to the Blackfeet Reservation where the wake continued under the direction of Foster & Spotted Eagle Tribal Wake Center of Browning.