Obituaries, July 16
Cole, Kimmel, Bishop, Black, Seablom, Hogge, Cheff
John M. Cole
John M. Cole Jr., 90, of Dixon, passed away on April 12 in Jacksonville, Fla. Born on Dec. 29, 1918, in Oklahoma, he lived the majority of his life in Montana. John served in the Coast Guard during WWII. He retired from the Missoula School District where he worked in the maintenance department. He was also a member of the Dixon Baptist Church.
John is preceded in death by his daughter, Patty Cole, and his first wife Edna Cole.
John leaves behind his wife, Allene Cole; children: LeRoy (Bobbie) Cole and Karen Cole; step-daughters, Martha Swonson, Betty Chenette and Sally Whiffen; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Shenna Green and her daughter Erica Green, Corey (Erin), their child Tyler, and Natasha, with her children, Dylan, Bryan and Jordan.
A memorial service honoring John’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, at Dixon Community Baptist Church, in Dixon.
Arrangements by: Hardage-Giddens Mandarin Chapel, 11801 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL (904) 288-0025. Visit www.mem.com to leave a written tribute.
Evin Ray Kimmel
A true world traveler and avid adventurer, Evin began the greatest adventure of all when he went to join his ancestors on July 8 in Missoula. Evin fought a valiant fight with cancer, winning the battle once only to have it come back 10 years later to the day on June 1.
Evin started out life in Missoula on Sept. 5, 1955, as the first born of Ronald and Maxine Kimmel. At the age of 18, Evin enlisted in the Air Force making a career out of it, becoming a veteran of three wars.
In 1976, Juiling Chen joined Evin’s adventure as his beloved wife, best friend and co-adventurer. Together they raised five children: Chai –Wei of Taiwan, Chai- Wen Oliver of Dallas Texas, Rebecca McGregor of Oregon, Meiling Kimmel of Oregon, and John Kimmel of Missoula. He was blessed with five beautiful grandchildren: Eric and Erica Oliver of Dallas Texas, Kallisti and Nausicca McGregor of Oregon, and Mykel Kimmel of Missoula.
Evin is survived by his wife Juiling, his children and grandchildren, his parents Ronald and Maxine Kimmel of Ronan, sisters Kathy Kimmel of Ronan, Linda Haydon of Pablo, and Shirley (Craig) Pablo of Arlee along with several uncles, aunts and cousins. He was preceded in death by his great-grandparents J.O. and Mary Heath; grandparents O.E. and Luella Kimmel and the Rev. Elmer and Clara Robison; daughter Jennifer Kimmel; nephew Terje Pablo, and uncles Heath, Gale, Dale Kimmel and Paul Robison.Viewing began last Wednesday and continued through Saturday when cremation will take place. Honoring Evin’s wishes no formal services will be held. A celebration of his life was held on Saturday, July 11 at the National Bison Range picnic area.
Harry C. Bishop
Harry C. “Pete” Bishop, 64, passed away at the VA Medical Center in Reno, Nev., on Oct. 24, 2008, from an acute infection of the gallbladder. Pete had been battling several heath issues for a number of years.
Pete was born in Elko, Nev. on Aug. 5, 1944, to Harry C. and Enid K. Bishop. He was raised at the Goldacres Mine in Lander County. He graduated from Battle Mountain High School in 1961 and went on to the University of Nevada-Reno. In 1965, he was drafted into the Army and served two years in Berlin, Germany.
In 1967, Pete married Angele Bloud in Paris, France, and they returned to Nevada, making their home in Winnemucca, Nev. Pete worked for the Nevada State Highway Department and on the construction of the Valmy Power Plant. They had two children: Christopher and Therese.
In 1985, Pete moved to Polson where he met and married Royalee Wilson. They had two children: Nicholas and Lyncee. In 2000, Pete started his own construction company, Bishop Builders and was able to enjoy the benefits of a rapidly growing area. He had the honor of sharing his knowledge of the trade with the many young people he employed. Pete had a great love of the outdoors. If life had allowed, he would have preferred to spend his time at the family cabin on Flathead Lake where he could fish and boat. Pete also enjoyed hunting every fall, as well as cutting and gathering firewood in the mountains.
There was a special place in Pete’s heart for his children, and to his children’s friends he was “Papa Pete.” This extended his family by many children and grandchildren. His grandson Dustyn was fortunate in being able to spend a lot of time with his Papa. Every little person should have someone like Pete in their lives. His generous spirit was always willing to help young people when they were down on their luck. He was always available to help the people in his life whether it was fixing things around their house or just being there to listen and lift everyone’s spirits with a laugh. Even through the toughest of times personally, he kept a positive attitude and was always the first to crack a joke and lighten the mood.
He had a great knowledge of carpentry but was also your classic handyman who knew a little about many things: plumbing, electrical, and mechanics. He was a honey-do husband in spirit, and offered his skills to those who needed them. As he supported and helped others, he received a tremendous amount of support from those around him. Life would not have been nearly as much fun without his friends.
Following the death of his son, he returned to Nevada with the hope of finding a new life and reconnecting with family and friends.
Pete was preceded in death by his parents, and then by his son Christopher in 2007. His surviving family members include his daughter Therese (Matt) Williams and grandchildren Kayla, Gabby, Matthew and Dominic of Reno, Nev.; his grandchildren from son Christopher, Matt, Liam and Kyra of Winnemucca, Nev.; his daughter Lyncee (Kirk) and grandsons Dustyn and Adam of Gillette, Wyo.; his son Nicholas (Kala) of Polson; brother Stephen (Ruth) Bishop of Elko, Nev.; sisters Pat Bishop of Spokane, Wash. and Kathy (George) Ancho of Battle Mountain, Nev.; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Among his family and his many friends, Pete will be remembered for his generous spirit, his wonderful humor and quick wit as well as his love of all people, especially children. Those closest to him have missed him everyday he has been gone.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21 at Lake View Cemetary.
Joseph Black Jr.
A memorial service with military honors for Joseph Arthur Black Jr. will be held on from 1-3 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22 at the Montecahto Club on Montana Highway 35 near Finley Point. Mr. Black passed away from natural causes on April 13. Arrangements under the care of Grogan Funeral Home.
Ernest Seablom
Ernest Seablom, 83, peacefully went home to be with his Lord and Savior sometime in the early morning on July 6 at home in Ronan.
Ernest was born on May 13, 1926, on a homestead ranch in Ekalaka.
After graduating from Carter County High School, Ernest served his country as a medic in the Army during WWII. After an honorable discharge, he went to Bozeman where he studied the applied sciences at Montana State College. Ernest then attended college in Portland, Ore. and graduated from Multnoma School of the Bible in 1953.
Mr. Seablom followed his calling as a missionary pastor and over the course of 40 years, went on to start and pastor four Baptist churches throughout the state of Montana. His dedication and love for the Lord was apparent to all those who knew him.
Mr. Seablom is survived by his wife, Betty; six children: Kathy, Jeannie, Nancy, Arlene, Tom and Julie; 25 grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Sybil, Marceline and Donna, along with numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his oldest son, Jon.
A viewing was hosted at the Shrider - Thompson Funeral Chapel in Ronan, on July 11. A Memorial Service in celebration of his life was held on Sunday, July 12 at the Ronan Alliance Church with a reception immediately following.
Elizabeth Lee Hogge
St. Ignatius/Salmon, Idaho — Elizabeth Lee Hogge, 91, is celebrating a reunion with her beloved family and friends who have preceded her. They include parents; two brothers, three sisters, husband, daughter, granddaughter and son in law.
Born in Woodville, Idaho on May 2, 1918, to John Earnest and Lydia Lovina Longhurst Lee, she grew up in Idaho and Montana.
She left her earthly home on July 11 at Discovery Care Center in Salmon, Idaho accompanied by Dee Ann and Beverly (daughters). She was preceded in death her husband Robert, daughter Betty Lou Gamble and granddaughter LaTesa Hogge.
She is survived by brother Joseph Lee of St. Ignatius; children Beverly (Boyd) Kreipl of Millville, Utah; DeeAnn Crofoot of Salmon, Idaho; Daniel Hogge of St. Ignatius and George (Gloria) Hogge of Mesa, Ariz.; son in law Steve (Kristy) Gamble of Kennewick, Wash.; 46 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She loved the Mission Valley, outdoors, family and adopted family and friends. She was the life of the party, loved to do readings, dancing, skits and singing. Grandchildren loved to walk with her, bake bread in tiny pans, make cookies, candies and homemade rootbeer.
She and Bob served LDS Mission in Alabama and she served many years in her church with children in Primary, Relief Society and Junior Sunday School.
Family was her greatest joy. We will remember her examples and concern for all around her.
A viewing took place on Thursday, July 16 with services beginning at noon at the LDS Church in St. Ignatius. Interment followed in the Pleasant View Cemetery in St. Ignatius.
Cherilyn Denise Cheff
Cherilyn Dense Cheff, 46, passed away at her home on Sunday, july 12 after a long battle with cancer. Cheri was bron in Santa-Maria, Calif. on Nov. 28, 1962, the beautiful daughter of Richard and Barbara Rush. She spent the part of her early childhood in Mexico, inheriting a passion for adventure and travel from her parents. Her family settled in St. Ignatius in 1973.
She graduated from Ronan High School, where she met her sweetheart, Bud Cheff III. They married on Aug. 14, 1982, and Cheri began a busy career as a ranch wife, mother and companion. The couple were blessed with two amazing sons, Buddy IV and Jesse Austin. She and her family shared a common commitment to their Christian faith, and were generous to a wide variety of charitable organizations. Cheri and Bud participated in leadership positions in Boy Scouts, and she was a proud mother of two Eagle Scouts.
Cheri received her business degree at EMC and was assistant district clerk for the St. Ignatius school system for the past several years, as well as bookkeeper for Ninepipes Lodge. Cheri loved spending time on the beach, traveling, hiking and boating with her family. Talented with her hands, she enjoyed quilting with Aileen’s Thursday Quilters Group, cross-stitch, caligraphy and crocheting.
Cheri battled the return of her cancer two years ago, much as she live her life, with determination, atsonhising courage and faith.
Cheri is survived by her husband, Vern Edmund Cheff III; her sons: Vern Edmund IV (Buddy) and Jesse Austin; her mother, Barbara Ann Rush of Pablo; her father Richard Morris Rush and step-mother Deborah of Worland, Wyo.; sister Michelle Diane Amaya of Worland, Wyo.; brother Richard Morris Rush Jr. of Arkansas; step-brother Trey Rush and their children.
A memorial service will be held at Missionary Alliance Church in Ronan at 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 16.