Evelyn 'Ruth' Arlint

RONAN — Evelyn "Ruth" Arlint, 85, died peacefully at St. Luke Extended Care on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008.

Ruth was born Oct. 7, 1922, in Kimball, Neb., to Frank and Olive Lockwood. She attended school in Ronan, graduating in 1941. She married Howard Ivan Arlint on June 4, 1941, and they raised eight children.

Ruth was always giving of herself. She taught Sunday school and Bible school for many years at Ronan and Pablo Christian churches.

She also decorated beautiful wedding and birthday cakes until losing her eyesight in 1984. Even after losing her sight, Ruth baked bread every week and continued with her cooking and crafts. She was an inspiration to all who knew her.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Howard; grandson, Joseph "Jody" Arlint; her brothers, George, Frank, Floyd, Marvin, Leo, Lawrence and Clyde; her sisters, Melva, Luella, Arvelene, Verda and Eileen Lockwood.

She is survived by her children, Frank and Jan Arlint of Pablo and family JayDee (LaShell) and Jeanie (Jim) Siragusa; Bonnie and Mel Shay of Park City and family Kraig (Shelley) Abbey, Michael (Ashley) Abbey, Stuart Shay, Amy (Matt) Queen and Ivy (Nathan) Harris; Tom and Cee Arlint of Springfield, Ore., and family Tonya Cundy, Tiffany (Randy) Castaneda and Mitchell Sweat; Charles Arlint of St. Ignatius and family Cha (Kaci) and Chad (Amy); Rod and Brenda Arlint of St. Ignatius and family Dara (Rowan) Wilson, Greg (Rachelle), Tyler (Wendy), Cort, Trent, Austin, Mariah, Josh Bowers and Sarah Bowers; Becky and Lester Lundeen of Polson and family Katrina (Jason) Jones, Nathan (Mariah), Kendall, Kacy (Skylar) Perry, Kari, Terry and Janell; Debra and Kris Klein of Polson and family Andrea (Carlos) Fernandez, Alysa (Jim) Pearston, Bonnie and Logan; Nancy and Kelvin Jones of Louisville, Neb., and family Isiah, Amber, Elijah, Kendra, Micah, Jeremiah, Hosea and Elisha. Ruth is also survived by 27 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Also surviving are brothers Richard of Missoula, Don of Ronan, and sister, Audrey Koble of Charlo.

Funeral services were Jan. 28 at the Pablo Christian Church. Burial was in the Ronan Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Luke Extended Care, Ronan.

Shrider-Thompson Funeral Services, Ronan, assisted the family with arrangements.

Robert 'Bob' L. Middlemist

DIXON — Robert "Bob" L. Middlemist, 79, of Dixon, died of natural causes at 't. Luke Hospital in Ronan on Jan. 27, 2008. Visitation is Jan. 31, 4-7 p.m. at Shrider-Thompson Funeral ome. The funeral is Feb. 1 at 2 p.m. in the Dixon Gym. Burial will be in the St. Ignatius cemetery, followed by gathering of family and friends in the Dixon Senior Center.

Sidney J. Whiting

POLSON — Sidney J. Whiting, 83, died peacefully of natural causes Monday evening, Jan. 21, 2008, at his home in Polson.

Sid was one of the few babies born in Missoula General Hospital where his mother was hospitalized for German measles when he was born on Nov. 26, 1924, to Leah and Jim Whiting.

Raised in Missoula, he graduated from Missoula County High School before joining the Merchant Marine in 1943. He served aboard the J.A. Chenikof out of Seattle to Aleutian Islands and the USAHS Marigold sailing from Seattle to Charleston, S.C. to Naples, Italy, and southern France and back to South Carolina; to New Guinea and the Philippine Islands several times and back to San Pedro, Calif., and back to New Guinea, the Philippines to Okinawa, Japan, and back to San Pedro, where he took his final discharge in 1945. He then married Frances Deering and to this union a son Jim was born. In 1954 he married Ruth Miles of Hot Springs and started work in the brewery before working for the railroad.

Railroading was in his blood as his grandfather and father were engineers, just as he was for 45 years. His grandfather is credited with bringing the last train out of the 1910 Wallace fire. Sid was the engineer selected to bring the steam engine to its final stop in front of the Missoula depot.

A lifelong Democrat, he taught his girls to be vocal Democrats and to have a passion for Democratic causes. He was a strong support for the union fight. He was an avid reader, reading a book a day even when his eyesight deterioated and then he listened to books on tape.

He was preceded in death by his wife Ruth and daughter Cheryl.

He leaves behind his children Jim (Patti) Whiting of Phoenix, Rhonda Whiting of Missoula, Anna (Gene) Sorrell of Ronan and Terry (Greg Swinger) Whiting of Polson; grandchildren Shawn, Joe, Jesse, Gwen, Shoni, Amy Jo, Gena and Katy and nine great-grandchildren.

Throughout his marriage to Ruth, he made sure all her Reservation family had a home and hot meal when they traveled to Missoula.

Graveside services were held at Jan. 24 in the St. Ignatius Catholic Cemetery where military honors were presented. A memorial service was also held at the Polson VFW Thursday.

The family asks that memorials be made to Montana Talking Book Library, 1515 East 6th Ave., P.O. Box 201800, Helena, MT 59620-1800.

Alma Bernice "Butch" Goode

Alma Bernice "Butch" Goode, 78, died Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008. Because of the love and special care of her family, she was at her home in Ronan.

She was born Jan. 21, 1930, at the family home in Camas Hot Springs and was one of five children born to William and Judith (Cluzen) Markle. She attended schools in Hot Springs and graduated in 1949 and was voted best "legs," athlete and dancer. Bernice was a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

On Nov. 5, 1949, she married Harold S. Goode in Rapid City, S.D. The couple lived in Hot Springs where they raised their two sons, Ralph and Gary, and a niece, Sue. Besides being a wife, mother, and Cub Scout den mother, she also worked as a bookkeeper for Fisher Logging, at the Hot Springs Post Office, and The Hot Springs Citizen, the local newspaper.

Bernice had a special gift of conversation and could make anyone feel special. She loved and spoiled her pets, was a great cook who was excited to pass on her recipes to the next generation, but playing cards with her family and friends was a favorite pastime. She enjoyed bridge, pinochle, Scrabble and other board games and was always eager to share her skills with anyone who would dare to challenge her.

She also loved helping her grandkids, nieces, and nephews with their math in a game or two of crib. If anyone wanted to play Bingo or Keno, you could always talk her into going and most times she came out a winner. There was hardly a garage sale she would miss or a special deal she could pass up in order to get that "special Granny Gift."

She was preceded in death by her husband Harold, an infant daughter, son Gary Goode, her parents Bill and Judith Markle, brothers Ted and Jasper and her sisters Jean and Frances Snyder.

She is survived by son Ralph Goode (Janice) of Charlo; daughter-n-law Maggie Goode of Niarada; and niece Sue Woods (Dave), Helena. She was Gramma to her grandchildren Rory (Terrance), Todd (Macy), Sue (Suny), Stan (Michele), Becky (Paul), Craig (Kay), Keeley, and Shayla; and MeMa to her great-grandchildren Suny J, Jed, Faith, Wyatt, Boston, Saray, Ryan and Brenna.

She is also survived by her wonderful extended family and friends who called, stopped by to visit, or just sent a note or card — a very special thank you to her daughter-in-law Maggie Goode, and nieces Raelynne Peterson and Christy Rhine for their kindness, care and love for her these past few months.

It is no secret that family was important to her, she was so proud of the accomplishments of her sons, grandchildren, and the many nieces, nephews and other relatives that she has left behind.

Cremation has taken place at Grogan Funeral Home and a service and celebration of her life will be held in the spring. The date and time of the celebration will be announced by the family. Memorials are suggested to Lake County Hospice, or your choice of cancer societies or youth programs.

Condolences may also be sent to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com

Thelma Wright

EDMONDS, Wash. — Thelma Goranson Wright, Jan. 11, 2008. Thelma was born in 1915 to Anton and Marie Earlandson Goranson in Ronan, and grew up in the Round Butte farming community. Thelma loved her horses, Prince and Daisy, and held the memory of riding the country roads and fields with joy.

She also loved music, and played and sang on the Missoula radio station as a young girl. She continued to sing until her last days. Her love of Montana was intense and she shared her memories of that magic place with us all.

She moved to Seattle in 1935 to attend business school after graduating from Ronan High School, and worked for Frederick and Nelson before marrying her husband, Wilbur Wright, who died in 1954. After working for Boeing in their insurance department for 30 years, she retired in 1985.

Our beloved Auntie's rich and full life included a love of travel that took her all over the world, writing poetry and photography. She was an avid bowler, whose team made it all the way to the state tournament.

She spent her last years near her family in the Edmonds area. She is survived by her niece Billie Lockwood Noe, and great nieces and nephews Steve (Jan) Noe, Jon Noe, Melisande Noe, Lisa (Aaron) Gaines, Luann Lockwood and Laura (Tracy) Asbell. No service is planned. Inurnment will be in Montana at a later date.

Loved by all. Missed by all. Have a great ride, Bucko.

William G. Barba

POLSON — William G. Barba, 80, of Polson died of natural causes on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008, at St. Joseph Hospital. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 5, at 1 p.m. at the New Life Christian Center with Shawn Madsen officiating. A reception in the church hall will follow the services.

A full obituary will be printed next week.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com