Obituaries, Jan. 28
Hawkins, Cherry, Malatare, Dowdall, Knight
Joan L. Hawkins
Joan L. Hawkins, 74, of Polson, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 17, at St. Joseph Hospital in Polson.
Born on May 29, 1935, on the Flathead Indian Reservation, she was a daughter of the late Clifford and Alice Lozeau Courville.
Joan was a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. She married Charles E. Hawkins and became a military wife. After moving to several different locations, they returned to Montana in 1978. Joan strongly believed in education and served the CSKT as the JOM Coordinator for several years. She received an award from the CSKT for her efforts in the education system.
Anyone who truly knew Joan knew of her kindness and generosity and they way she challenged everyone to become a better person. She is known as a dear mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, but most of all, a friend.
Besides her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Charles E. Hawkins, who passed away in 2007; a brother, George Mitchell; her adoptive parents, Joe and Bess Felsman; a granddaughter, Shelby Lynn Hawkins and a great-grandson, Brayden Damon.
Those left with cherished memories are her children: Lori (Joe) Sebestin of Polson, Regina Ely of Pablo, Tammi Jo (Francis) Plante of Dayton, Kevin Aldrich of Great Falls, Cindi McPhearson of Utah, Dawn Scott of Las Vegas, Nev., Keith Hawkins of Polson and Corey Hawkins also of Polson; a sister, Nadine Alison of St. Ignatius; 23 grandchildren: Mike, Toby, Jeremy, Uriah, Candace, Charity, Dani Lee, Hope, Adam, Justin, Stormy, Amy, Timothy, Ryan, Skye, Zach, Alexis, Zane, Kenna, Kendall, Bailey, Jana, and Cassie and 24 great-grandchildren.
Visitation for friends and family was held on Wednesday, Jan. 20, at Grogan Funeral Home, 101 Sixth Ave. E., Polson. A Rosary service was at 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Thursday, Jan. 21, at St. Ignatius Mission Church, St. Ignatius with Father Drew Maddock officiating. Burial followed at St. Ignatius Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Joan’s family suggests a donation to the charity of one’s choice or to the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, 9480 North Demazenod Drive, Belleville, IL 62223-1160. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff at Grogan Funeral Home, Polson, considers it a privilege to care for Mrs. Hawkins’ family.
Stark O. Cherry
Stark O. “David” Cherry, 84, of Ronan, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 19, at St. Luke Community Hospital in Ronan.
David was born on June 26, 1925, in Pittsburgh, Pa., and named after his father, Stark O. Cherry Sr. His mother, however wanted him named David, and it stuck. He attended the Oakwood Academy in Huntsville, Ala. and the University of Pittsburgh.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1944 until 1946 where he was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific campaign medal with a Bronze Star. He also received a Good Conduct and Victory medal, the WWII Army Occupation medal, the WWII Japanese Clasp and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon.
David went on to work for the railroad as a purchasing agent and in retirement, became a bartender in Las Vegas. He has enjoyed trips to Nova Scotia, Florida, California and Old Mexico. His favorite car was his Cadillac. David loved Italian food and Russian classical music. He was a very optimistic person and truly believed in never giving up hope no matter what the situation may be.
Those left with cherished memories are: three sisters: Fannie Cherry, Louise Cherry and Gladdys Cherry: two step-sons: David Clairmont of Polson and Corky Clairmont of Pablo; a niece, Genne Umstead of Washington, DC; a nephew, James Lyons of Lexington, Ky. and David’s best friend, Alf Salway of Ronan and Winogene of Pablo.
The family wishes to express their appreciation to all the staff of the St. Luke Extended Care Facility where David resided for the last several years.
Visitation for friends and family was held on Thursday, Jan. 21, at Grogan Funeral Home, 101 Sixth Ave. E., Polson. A memorial service was conducted on Friday, Jan. 22, at Grogan Funeral Home with Rev. Dick Widerholdt officiating. Graveside services with military honors were then held at the Ronan Cemetery in Ronan following the memorial service on Friday.
Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff at Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson, considers it a privilege to care for Mr. Cherry’s family.
Sherry Malatare
ARLEE – Sherry LaMoine Couture Malatare, 61, longtime resident of Arlee passed away at home with family by her side, on the 23rd day of January, ending a courageous battle with cancer.
She was the fourth of six children born to Gene and Jeanette Couture in St. Ignatius on December 5, 1948. She was raised and attended school in Arlee and the Seattle, Wash., area. She graduated high school from Arlee High. Sherry also attended and graduated from Griffen Business College in Seattle with a degree in business.
Sherry used her education to work in various jobs including Seattle Indian Health and many facets of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, where she retired.
She enjoyed spending time with her family, going on picnics and joyrides through the mountains. She was a huge supporter and staple on the sidelines of her grandkids’ sporting events and watching her grandkids dance at pow wows. She loved to garden and decorate her lawn.
Sherry met the love of her life in Arlee at the age of 18. She went on to marry her high school sweetheart Jim Malatare at the age of 20 in January 1968. They enjoyed many things and places together over the last 42 years and Jim will carry her memory on to many more adventures.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother Gene & Jeanette Couture, daughter Shelly Malatare, sister Audrey Guardipee, brother Kenny Couture and son-in-law Trace Mesteth.
Sherry is survived by her husband Jim Malatare, daughter Kelly (Allen) Pierre, son Clayton (Terri) Malatare, grandkids William (Ashley) Mesteth, Sean (Miranda) Mesteth, Tashina Malatare, Clayton Malatare, Trey Malatare and Theresa Malatare all of Arlee and Alyssa Malatare of Seattle, Wash.; Her great grandkids William Mesteth Jr., Leah Mesteth and Trace Mesteth II all of Arlee, brothers Carl Couture and Ron Couture, sister Sandy Shocker and great aunt Penny Jolly.
A wake began Sunday at the Arlee Community Center with the Rosary held on Monday, Jan. 25, in the Arlee Community Center. Wake closing began on Tuesday, Jan. 26 at the Arlee Community Center with Mass being celebrated on Tuesday in the St. Ignatius Catholic Mission in St. Ignatius, MT. Burial will follow Snyelmn Sntmtmne in St. Ignatius with a dinner following the burial at the Arlee Community Center immediately following the burial.
The family would ask all who knew Sherry in any way to join the family in celebrating her life, at the services as well as dinner.
Linda Raye Heppner Cullen
Linda Raye Heppner Cullen, 69, of Wichita Falls, Tex., passed away on Saturday, Jan. 23, in Wichita Falls. A memorial service took place on Jan. 26, at First Christian Church in Archer City officiated by Dr. Dave Hartman. Services were under the direction of Hampton Vaughan Funeral Home.
Linda was born on Oct. 19, 1940, in St. Ignatius, to L.G. “Bill” and Estelle (Brower) Baertsch. She was raised in Polson and attended Ronan High School where she met Joe in 1957. She graduated from Ronan in 1958 and then attended St. Patrick’s School of Nursing from 1958-61. Upon graduation, she and Joe were married in Polson on Aug. 26, 1961.
Linda was primarily a devoted wife and homemaker and also worked as a registered nurse when she wasn’t caring for her children. She loved to travel and see her grandchildren whenever she could. She was artistic and creative and was especially skilled at making beautiful and decorative cakes as well as an accomplished seamstress making clothes and costumes for her family. She also loved painting and drawing and making occasional cards. She was originally a member of the Mormon Church and after marriage she was a lifelong member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), serving as deacon and Sunday School teacher of the younger children. Her Christian legacy lives on in her family.
Mrs. Cullen is preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Estelle Baertsch.
Survivors include her loving husband of 48 years, Joseph Elden Cullen; children: Jodie Lynn White and husband Steven White of Wichita Falls, Tex., Laureen Kim Cullen and her partner Michelle Draper of Seattle, Wash., Tamara Jean Cullen and her husband Loren Evans of Seattle, Wash., Shawn Elden Cullen and his wife Rebecca Cullen of Okinawa, Japan; grandchildren, Nicholas, Hannah, Emma and Lydia White, Max Cullen Taylor and Nash Evans, Tyler and Abby Tidwell, and Noah Elden Cullen; sister, Carole Erichsen; and brother, Daniel Heppner.
Donations in honor of her life may be sent to The Earle W. Crawford House of Hope in Wichita Falls, Tex., an exceptional Alzheimer’s care facility, as well as Hospice of Wichita Falls, TX, both of which cared for Linda like she was family.
Marie L Dowdall
Longtime Polson resident, Marie Dowdall, passed away peacefully at home in Cainsville, Mo., on Dec. 29, 2009, at the age of 84. Marie was the wife of the late John Dowdall, who was a Polson banker and civic leader. She lived her last years under the loving care of her daughter Rosemary McLain.
Marie was born in La Porte City, Iowa, to Monte and Louise Bedard Foss. Raised on a farm, Marie attended the University of Iowa, Iowa City, and later Fresno City College, ultimately becoming a nurse. She met her first husband, Michael Dowdall, during World War II in Iowa City. They had seven children together in California, first living in Watsonville from 1946 to 1963 and then in Fresno. Michael was a union leader in California who passed away in 1967, at the age of 45. Following his untimely death, Marie raised her children with the help of her oldest son Jim of Fresno, Calif., and her oldest daughters, Michele Pecina of Madera, Calif. and Katherine Ireland of Oroville, Calif. To support her family, she worked as a nurse at St. Agnes Hospital in Fresno.
Marie married John Dowdall, Michael’s brother, in 1973 and relocated from Fresno to Polson. John founded First Citizens Bank of Polson, where he remained as president until his retirement in 2001. John and Marie were partners in founding the Port Polson Players along with Larry and Pat Barsness in 1975. She also supported John in his civic endeavors, including becoming mayor of Polson, establishing the Polson Community Development Association, chairing the capital campaign to expand St. Joseph’s Medical center and a number of other civic projects. They both were active members of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Marie loved and studied painting and music; she played the piano as well as an antique accordion. John and Marie retired to Tucson, Ariz. After his passing in 2003, Marie relocated first to California, then, Polson and then to Missouri to live with her daughter Rosemary.
In addition to Michele, Jim, Katherine and Rosemary, Marie is survived by her sons Michael of Ripon, Calif., Joe of Polson and Sean of San Francisco, Calif. She leaves behind 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. A private memorial service will be held in California in the spring. Donations honoring Marie are requested to be made to the Mission Valley Friends of the Arts, which supports the Port Polson Players at P.O. Box 1156, Polson, MT 59860. We will miss you, dear Marie: you taught us how to see the world through artistic eyes.
Ford Wesley Knight
Ford went to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on Saturday, Jan. 16, in Kalispell. Ford was born on Sept. 18, 1929, in Butte, to Jack and Blanche (Dickson) Knight. He was followed by brother Rutherford and sister Geraldine. He went to grade school in Bannack and graduated from Beaverhead High School where he played in the East-West Shrine Football game. During the summer, he spent time in the “Big Hole” haying on the Jardine ranch. He received his BS and MS degrees in Metallurgical Engineering and Graduate Fellowship from the Montana School of Mines while working in several of the Butte mines. During his extensive international career, Ford performed duties as Manager and Project Engineer for the Anaconda Copper Mining Co in Anaconda; E.I. Dupont, Savannah River Plane, Aiken, S.C.; Los Alamos Scientific lab, K Division, Los Alamos, N.M.; Atomic Power Development Association (Detroit Edison) and FERMI lab, Detroit, MI; United Kingdom Atomic Energy authority, Dounreay Fast Reactor facility, Thurso, Scotland, Westinghouse Electric, France; General Electric in Richland, Wash.; San Jose and Vallecitos, Calif., and Tokyo, Japan, Westinghouse Nuclear Fuel Division, Pittsburgh, Penn., Westinghouse Electric, Advanced Energy Systems/Waste Management/Environmental Remediation Divisions, Pittsburgh, Penn., and Westinghouse Hanford Co., Richland, Wash. Ford’s professional affiliations included: Westinghouse Electric’s representative on and charter member of the committee on Nuclear Quality Assurance, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and an early and catalyzing member of the ASQC working group on ASQC E-4, Environmental Quality Assurance. Ford was published many times in major publications between 1960 and 1991. One of these publications titled, Acubic Expansion of PU and PU-FE Eutectic Between Room Temperature and 700 to 800 degrees Celsius, which was presented at the 2nd International Conference on Plutonium Metallurgy, Grenoble, France. While in Pittsburgh, Penn., Ford met and married his wife Nancy Fried Knight. They together raised sons John and Matthew on a farm in Saxonburg, Penn. Ford was a well respected farmer raising corn and soybeans along with hogs and black angus cattle. All of this was to “show my sons good work ethic.” Ford and his family returned to his beloved Montana in 1991. He and his family have enjoyed many years in the Flathead Valley where both sons have met and married their wives, Carrie Griffin Knight and daughter Tia and Heather Broeder Knight and daughter Tiffany and son Cody. Ford is survived by his loving wife Nancy; his sons John and Matthew; daughter Leslie Smail and husband Eric Hunley; nephew and niece Jarrod and Atari Faust and countless friends. Ford was a patriot and loved the free United States of America. The most important thing in Ford’s life was his relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Throughout his entire life he credited and honored our Heavenly Father. This was his most cherished legacy. Amen. The celebration of Ford’s life will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 30, at Cornerstone Community Church, 1970 Hwy 93 N, Kalispell. “Now go strait home and no bar hopping”. Friends are encouraged to visit our website at www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolences for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home caring for the family.