Obituaries
Patricia Ann Wallace
Patricia Ann Wallace, age 85, of Ronan passed away on Sunday, June 8 at the Polson Health and Rehabilitation Center from natural causes. Cremation has taken place and no services are planned at this time.
Faye Abrahamson
Faye Abrahamson, age 74, of Ronan passed away at her home on Sunday, June 8 from natural causes. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 12 at 1 p.m. in the Pablo Church of the Nazarene. Burial will follow at the Ronan Cemetery.
John B. Wheeler
John B. Wheeler, 71, formerly of St. Ignatius passed away at his home in Chiniak, Alaska, on Sunday, April 20.
He was born September 16, 1943, in Missoula to Thomas A. and Edna Wheeler.
John grew up and attended school in St. Ignatius. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed the mountains, hunting, and fishing. He especially enjoyed his moose hunting trips in Alaska with friends and family. Big John was a “jack of all trades”. He was an expert carpenter, fabricator & mechanic. There wasn’t anything that he couldn’t make or fix! John had a strong work ethic and started working in the timber industry at the young age of 15. He worked at the Wheeler Saw Mill up St. Mary’s for many years. The mill eventually moved to Pablo and later became known as Plum Creek. John also owned his own logging business and had his boys, John and Mike, packing chain saws and working for him as youngsters. John traveled all over the country logging which eventually took him to Alaska. John also worked for Bristol Environmental working throughout Alaska and North Carolina. He retired in the fall of 2009.
John married Rosalie Reum in 1962, and to that marriage, they had three children (John, Mike and Jolene). They divorced in 1984. Rosalie passed away in 1992. John married Audrey Snodgrass in 1992 and to that marriage, they had Shane. They divorced 1996. John met his current wife, Jane, in Kodiak, Alaska, and they married July 12, 2002, and settled in Chiniak, Alaska.
He is survived by his wife, Jane and mother-in-law Betty Williams of the family home in Chiniak, Alaska; sons, John (Cindy) of Arlee. Michael of Pablo Shane of Ashland; daughter, Jolene Lilly (Allan) of Williston, ND; sisters, Jeannine (J.C.) of Fairbanks, Alaska, Mary Ann Weingart (Bob) of St. Ignatius. Connie Sutten (Galen) of Fairbanks, Alaska; brothers, Tom Wheeler and Dennis Wheeler of St. Ignatius; 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents Thomas A. and Edna, and his sister, June Marie Orr.
John would like to thank the many family members and friends who helped ease the burden of his illness.
A rosary will be held Friday June 13, at 7 pm at the St. Ignatius Catholic Church. Memorial services will be held Saturday, June 14, at 11 am at the St. Ignatius Catholic Church with burial following at the St. Ignatius Catholic Cemetery. A reception will be provided by the Catholic Women’s Guild in the church rectory after the services.
Norma R. “Honey” Higgins
Norma R. “Honey” Higgins, age 92, passed away on Thursday, June 5 at Polson Health and Rehab.
She was born on January 25, 1922 in Midland, Arkansas the daughter of Luther Cornelius and Mattie Alice (Vickery) Higgins.
Her lifework was caring for people. She worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse in hospitals and convalescent homes.
She loved music and dancing and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by grandsons, Daren and Billy and three sisters and two brothers.
She was the mother of three daughters, Sonia Cubero and husband John; Susan Craft and husband Don and Tara Leherer and husband Todd; and had six grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.
Memorial services for Norma will be held on Tuesday, June 10 at 2:00 P.M. at Grogan Funeral Home.
Arrangements are under the direction of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory. Memories of condolence may be sent to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com.
Dorette M. Martoglio
Dorette M. Martoglio, born Feb. 16, 1932 and died May 31, was one of fourteen children born to Fred and Lilly Anhorn. She and her twin, Doreen, grew up to the teens, what mischief one didn’t think of the other one did. Dorette was a great cook, famous for her Italian spaghetti, which was the best. She and her twin started working in a café at the age of 15, they worked in cafes, including the Quicklunch, for many years. After, she worked as a custodian for the Ronan School District until she retired. During her life she provided for her mother, who preceded her in death along with 11 of her siblings. She is survived by her sisters Blanche and Marcy, brother Charlie, and many of her nieces, nephews, and stepchildren, who loved her dearly.