Richard J. Maney
MISSOULA — Richard Joseph Maney, 73, of Arlee died of natural causes on Friday, Sept. 21st at his home. At his side was his loving wife, Deanna Maney, and daughter and son-in-law, Leanna and Scott Frazier.
He was born Sept. 9, 1934, in Chinook to William and Harriet Maney. He was raised in Chinook where he attended school. He enlisted in the Army and served nine years where he also received his GED. He received an honorable discharge in May 1962 as a Staff Sergeant.
He met his loving wife, Deanna Sisson, in Havre and married on Jan. 18, 1963. He attended Northern Montana College, Havre, and University of Montana, Missoula, majoring in Business Management.
For the next 25 years he worked for Firestone. During that time he worked in many stores in Washington and Oregon as a store manager and owner bringing each store to a profitable status. He retired from Firestone in January 1989.
In 1994 he and Deanna moved back to Montana and found his beautiful home near Arlee. There he raised cattle, sheep and fish. He enjoyed riding his 4-wheeler, visiting his neighbors and watching the PBR. He enjoyed time on his computer communicating with friends and family, editing home movies and experimenting with various software programs.
He loved watching FOX News, CNN, C-Span and was a Conservative Republican who loved to debate politics. He was a very patriotic person who loved his country and supported the military and had a great interest in our government and its proceedings.
Richard was preceded in death by his daughter, Sharla Giese; son, Randy McLeslie; parents William and Harriet Maney; sister, JoAnn Jones, and brother, Dave Maney.
Survivors include his wife, Deanna Maney; daughter and son-in-law, Leanna and Scott Frazier; three grandsons and one great-granddaughter; brothers, Patrick and Robert Maney; a very close cousin, James Cowan, along with many other family members.
A memorial service for his friends and neighbors was held Sept. 27 at the Jocko Church.
Funeral services will be held at Edwards Funeral Home, Chinook, on Tuesday, Oct. 9 at 2 p.m. Final interment will be at Kuper Memorial Cemetery in Chinook with full military honors.
The family suggests memorials to the Salvation Army, VFW, Disabled Vets or one of your own choosing. Garden City Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
Jo Joyce Dratz
MISSOULA — Former Polson resident Jo Joyce Dratz, 79, left this earth on the wings of angels Sept. 10, 2007. She died of natural causes at Hillside Manor.
Jo Joyce was born Feb. 20, 1928, in York, Neb., to Dr. Cornelius B. Philip and Gladys (Hill) Philip. In January 1930, the family moved to Hamilton. Jo Joyce went through the school system, graduating from Hamilton High School in 1947.
She entered the University of Montana in 1947, where she met and married William Dratz, Sr., a forestry student who subsequently became a smokejumper and timber cruiser. The young couple resided in Missoula and Polson.
They raised five sons in Polson while living on Yellow Bay on Flathead Lake. She later went back to UM, studying abroad in London and graduating with an English degree.
Jo Joyce worked as a substitute teacher and librarian at various high schools. She enjoyed gardening, and loved discussing politics and religion. She also enjoyed listening to late-night radio host Art Bell.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband William Dratz Sr.; son William Dratz Jr.; brother Gordon; and sister Bonnie Dee.
The family thanks her caregivers Natasha Stevens, Chandra Higginbottom, the nursing staff at St. Patrick Hospital, Hillside Manor, and her favorite doctor, Dr. Trauscht. Her neighbors at Creekside Apartments were a great joy to her, Jerry, Dawn and her dog, Joey, and Lucky. Jan Salmonson and Bob Atkinson were always there for her. She enjoyed their Thanksgiving dinners at the 4B's Restaurant.
Survivors include her brother, Dr. Bob (Shirley) Philip; sons Richard (Bev) Dratz of Hendersonville, N.C., and Stuart, Timothy and Steve (Maggie) all of Missoula; grandson Chris Dratz of Hendersonville; nieces and nephews.
At Jo Joyce's request, no funeral services will be held presently. A celebration of life service will be held in the spring, when her sons can gather to spread her ashes in the Bitterroot Mountains, which she loved. She will be missed greatly by all who knew her. We love you, Mom. Rest in peace.
Mary Louise Berg
LIBBY — Mary Louise Isch DeYoung More Berg, 90, died of natural causes Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007, at her son's home in Libby.
She was born April 9, 1917, in Kalispell to Herman and Hattie Isch. She grew up on a farm in the Fairview area east of Kalispell. She graduated from Flathead High School in 1934. She came from a musical family and played the piano at many dances and nightclubs around the valley.
She loved camping, flowers and crocheting and owned a cherry orchard on the east shore of Flathead Lake. She lived in Whitefish until 1959. She also resided at West Glacier, Hungry Horse and Kalispell. In later years she wintered in Arizona.
Her husbands John Wesley DeYoung in 1969, Glen More and Leroy Berg preceded her in death.
Survivors include a daughter, Nancy Tiensvold and husband Lyle of Yellow Bay; two sons, John DeYoung and wife Linda of Libby; Gary DeYoung and wife Mary of Missoula; a sister, Dorothy Lindbad and husband Jack of Spokane; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be Saturday, Oct. 6, at 2 p.m. at the Conrad Memorial Cemetery, Kalispell.
Dorothy A. Reum
POLSON — Dorothy A. Reum, 82, of Polson died of natural causes on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007, at her home.
She was born March 26, 1925, at Burwell, Neb., to Joseph and Elvia Dunn. She attended high school in Nampa, Idaho, and in 1942 Dorothy married Arthur Orville Reum at Nampa.
Dorothy worked for many years at the Hut Cafe where she earned the nicknames of "Tiny," and "Dot." She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary Polson VFW Post 2986 where her friends called her "The Mother of all Mothers." She loved crossword puzzles, going to rummage sales, telling jokes, and she loved her family very much.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Elvia Dunn; her beloved husband Arthur in 1969; son Art "Sarge" Reum; brothers Kenny and Harold,; stepfather Fred Rittmiller, and her lifelong companion Bill Zens.
She is survived by her daughters, Frances Amaya of Polson and Velva Hall of Colorado; sons Steve (Darlene) Reum of Ronan, Ron Reum of Polson, Fred (Melinda) Reum of Ronan, Doug and Mary Reum, of Polson; sister Wanda Holiday in Idaho, and brother Donald (Kaye) Dunn in Idaho; 19 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Oct. 2 in the Grogan Funeral Home with the Rev. Richard Widerholdt officiating. Interment was in Lakeview Cemetery.
Howard F. Seifert
Howard F. Seifert, 93, former Mission Valley resident, died in Spokane Sept. 25, 2005. Cremation has taken place and no services are planned. The obituary will appear next week.
William 'Bill' Ryerson Kelly
ST. IGNATIUS — Bringing his struggle with pancreatic cancer to a close, William "Bill" Ryerson Kelly, 66, died at home, in view of the mountains he loved so much, Sept. 25, 2007, with his loving wife and son at his side.
He was born at the Holy Family Hospital in St. lgnatius Jan. 14, 1941, to William R. Kelly and Muriel Goble Kelly.
After graduating high school in 1959, he headed to the University of Montana before transferring to Western Montana College in Dillon, where he received his BA in 1963.
After six years of dating, Bill married his high school sweetheart, Kathryn (Kay) Hamel, on June 29, 1963.
After teaching school in Arlee for a couple of years, he went to work as a real estate representative for Continental Oil (Conoco) in Helena, Missoula and Billings. He left Conoco to pursue a partnership with R.L. Stratford and Co., a contractor for Butler Steel Buildings in Billings.
A few years later, the name was changed to Hanson-Kelly Construction. In 1992, Bill retired from H-K Construction and fulfilled his dream to retire in the Valley with a view of the Mission Mountains from "The Homestead."
Bill was a 45-year member of the Masons Flathead Lodge 112. He also enjoyed membership with the Knights of Columbus, Al Bedoo Shrine and the Scottish Rite in Billings.
Bill was a very generous man and he enjoyed supporting worthy causes such as the yearly Local Volunteer Fire Department auction and numerous other causes so he could pledge his support, but mostly by supporting his family, friends, and neighbors with his time and talents.
Bill enjoyed being a rancher, without the responsibilities of the daily struggles. He endeared himself to local ranchers and neighbors as a helping hand, provided he wasn't going fishing that day. He enjoyed "burning brush" and took great pride in turning his Mission Creek property into a park-like setting and stocking a fish pond for kids to enjoy.
His other pleasures included numerous trips into the Bob Marshall Wilderness, float trips with his buddies from Seeley, hunting, camping and fishing wherever he could.
Bill was pleased to host a Kelly family reunion in 2006, which was attended by all 36 family members and friends who were invited. He loved small children, and in following the footsteps of his father, who was known as the "Tootsie Roll man," Bill was never far from a stash of Tootsie Roll Pops that were freely distributed to kids of all ages.
Bill is survived by his wife Kay; daughter Barbara Geatches and her husband Jeff of Alexandria, Va.; son William (Robb) Kelly and his wife Shelli of Renton, Wash.; sister Kathryn Brownlee and her husband Stu of Gildford; brother-in-law, Pat Coady of Sicamous, Canada; and five grandchildren, Kelly, Katie and Andrew Geatches and Wyatt and Madison Kelly.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents Bill and "Murm" Kelly of St. Ignatius and his sister Jude Coady of Kelowna B.C.
Special thanks to Robin, Margit and Shannon of Lake County Hospice for easing his pain, and for all the cards, calls, and concerns of Bill's many friends and family.
Services were held at the Mission Valley United Methodist Church Sept. 29. Burial was in the family plot at Pleasant View cemetery in St. Ignatius.
Ever generous, but mindful of how money is spent (and not a big fan of flowers in the first place), he requested that instead of flowers, donations be made to the Lake County Hospice, Mission Valley United Methodist Church or the organization of your choice.
Shrider-Thompson Funeral Services was in charge of arrangements.
Anna Ruth Barnier
RONAN — Anna Ruth Barnier, 89, of Missoula died Thursday, Sept. 27, 2007, at Riverside Health Care Center, Missoula, with her husband of 68 years by her side.
Anna was born in Scobey on July 4, 1918, to William and Ruth Miller. Anna married Albert Barnier on Nov. 26, 1938.
Anna will be remembered as a gentle, loving and caring soul whose life gave joy and comfort to all she met.
She is survived by her husband Albert and two sons, Lynn Barnier and his wife Yvette of Helena, and Cecil Barnier and his wife Merna of Missoula; five grandchildren, Shawn Barnier of Helena, Thane Barnier of Sioux Falls, S.D., Stacie Barnier of Seattle, Rochelle Loveland of Billings, and Lynette Barnier of Seattle; six great-grandchildren; one sister, Della Wipplinger of Polson; four nieces, two nephews and numerous loved ones and friends.
Friends may pay their respects on Friday, Oct. 5, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Shrider-Thompson Chapel in Ronan. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Oct. 6, at 3 p.m. in the Faith Lutheran Church in Ronan. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery, Ronan.
Shrider-Thompson Funeral and Cremation Services of Ronan is assisting with arrangements.
Virginia Jane Peek
POLSON — Virginia Jane Peek, 84, of Polson died at her home on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2007.
Virginia was born on March 1, 1923, in Polson to Ole and Margaret Oie. She grew up and attended schools in Polson. Virginia married Dewell Peek in July of 1939 in Polson.
She enjoyed flowers, sewing and quilting. She loved life and her family and she will be dearly missed by all of her family.
Virginia was preceded in death by her husband Dewell, grandson Gregory Peek, and two great- granddaughters, Angela Beavers and Kadence McCrea.
She is survived by her seven children and their spouses, Virgil and Anita Peek of Polson, Beverly and Gene Doty of Spokane, Jeannie and Dan Beavers of Great Falls, Lindy and Joy Dell Peek of Polson, Margaret and Dwight Felton of St. Ignatius, Karol and Royce Bird of Polson, Sherrie and Jim Lookabaugh of Roseburg, Ore.; 16 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren, and a brother, Robert Oie of Polson.
A graveside service was held on Oct. 3 at Lakeview Cemetery.
Arrangements were by Grogan Funeral Home of Polson.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com
Doris Roylance
CHARLO — Doris Roylance, 76, of Charlo died of natural causes Wednesday Sept. 19, 2007, at St. Luke Hospital.
Doris was born Feb. 6, 1931, to Eric and Grace Steindorf in Ronan. She was the second of five children.
She grew up milking cows on the ranch with her brothers and sister, always sharing the ranch duties and enjoying the country living.
She was quite outgoing and social.
Doris loved playing high school basketball when the girls could not cross half court. They had to choose offense or defense. She graduated from Charlo High School in 1949. The same year she met and married her lifetime love, Vern Roylance.
In the early years, she participated in rodeos, barrel racing, and women's bareback bronc riding. Doris and Vern worked very hard all their lives to build a wonderful cattle ranch and raise their children. Doris is remembered for her work in the fields all day and still have time to cook great meals for all the crew.
She was a very good horseback rider. In her younger years she seldom drove. She would jump on her favorite horse and ride to town or out to the field.
Doris was foremost a devoted wife and mother. She was hard-working and strong of will. She loved people, sports, horses and cattle.
She was a self-taught veterinarian, doing all the Roylance work for many years and also for many neighbors and friends.
She bowled for more than 30 years with good friends for Tiny's Tavern.
She rode in the Charlo parade for more than 30 years, carrying the American flag to lead the parade.
Doris was extremely involved in the Methodist Church. She taught Sunday school for more than 30 years and always helped with the Christmas pageant, making costumes.
Preceding her in death were her parents; brother, Conrad Steindorf; husband, Vern Roylance; sons, Michael, Richard, and Rob Roylance.
Doris is survived by her brothers, Albert (Sondra) Steindorf, Jim (Betty) Steindorf, David (Tamara) Steindorf, Danny (Gena) Steindorf; sister, Edith Keller; sons, Jerry (Tommy) Roylance, John (Lisa) Roylance and Jim Roylance; daughter, Kristy (Gary) Cordis; 14 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and an entire community that loved her.
A memorial Service was held Sept. 24, at the Mission Valley United Methodist Church.
Arle 'Swede' Johnson
POLSON — Arle "Swede" Johnson, 95, of Polson died of natural causes on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula. Grogan Funeral Home will announce arrangements.
A full obituary will run next week.
Joseph W. Payne
POLSON — Joseph W. Payne, 91, of Polson died at St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson on Sept. 30, 2007. Arrangements will be announced by Grogan Funeral Home of Polson.
An obituary will follow at a later date.