B4 Monday, June 23, 2014 State and area deaths BILLINGS: Christa Andersen, 56 Stephanie Lunder, 50 Alta Ruth Sumida, 92 Michael Sample, 66 AREA DEATHS Froid: Phillis McNeil, 96 Laurel: Herta Frank, 89 Poplar: Sherry McClammy, 27 Wolf Point: Margaret Eggebrecht, 90; Dakota St. Germaine, 22 FORMERLY OF: Red Lodge: Gladys Ronning Clark, 98, Miles City John R. Smith BRIDGER — John R. Smith, 63, of Bridger, died Friday, June 20, 2014, at his home. John was born on Sept. 25, 1950, a son of Harold and Jane Smith. He was raised in Bridger and graduated from Bridger High School in 1970. He worked for Burlington Northern Railroad in Livingston and Laurel, and later for Bridger Public Schools. John leaves behind his wife of 38 years, Jan; a sister Diana; and two children, Scott and Kim. He was preceded in death by his parents. Graveside memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, June 27, at the Bridger Cemetery. SmithOlcott Funeral Chapel is assisting with arrangements. CREMATION & FUNERAL GALLERY Cremation & Burial Society of Montana 29 8th St. W. • Billings • 254-2414 www.cfgbillings.com Absaroka Beartooth Columbarium WITT — Lois. Funeral service 10am Tuesday Westside Baptist church. Interment will follow at Bridger Cemetery. 21 Exclusive Provider Cremation with Confidence Guarantee 1 Phillis McNeil FROID — Phillis McNeil, 96, of Froid, passed away on June 15, 2014, at the Sheridan Memorial Nursing Home in Plentywood. A wake begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday with the funeral service at 11 a.m. Thursday, both at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Culbertson. Fulkerson Funeral Home of Plentywood is assisting the family. Howard A. Pulver Born Dec. 12, 1936, to Louis and Eleanor Pulver in Billings. Howard was 77. He served in the U.S. Navy for four years. He married Meridith and they had two daughters and one son. They later divorced. Howard married Beverly in 1972. He acquired three sons and three daughters through this marriage. Howard was an electric motor repairman and worked for Tree and Weber Electric in Billings and later in Arizona at Equipment Maintenance Service until his retirement. Howard and Beverly moved back to Billings and lived in the Heights at 34 Prince Charles Drive, 59105. Howard loved gardening, hunting, fishing and collecting coins. Preceding in death are his parents, sister Marlene, daughters Pam, Darla and Debbie; sisters-in-law Gloria and Jeanette and nephew Mark. Surviving is his wife Beverly; daughter Laurie (Cory) Crow; sons Phil (Laura) Pulver, Bob (Judy) Brodston, Scott (Ellen) Brodston, Rick (Heidi) Brodston; daughter Vaunda Thibault; brothers Louis (Peg) Pulver and Clifford Pulver; brothers-in-law, Jerry(Neita) Butkay, Ray Kannegaard and Ernie Bigelow; sister-in-law Kay (Hod) O’Donnell; 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Smith Funeral Chapel performed cremation. No services. There will be a memorial at a later date. Dakota St. Germaine and Crematory Serving Billings Area for 110 Years Complete Funeral, Crematory and Cemetery Pre-Arrangements with Cremation Niches, Lawn Crypts and Mausoleum. Reception Facilities Available TWO CONVENIENT LOCATIONS IN BILLINGS www.smithfuneralchapels.com SMITH WEST CHAPEL Adjacent to Terrace Gardens Cemetery 304 34TH ST. W 245-6427 4 Blocks N. of Central on 34th St. W. FRIED — Bonnie E., 74, of Billings. Memorial service 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 24 at New Life Church, 3950 Temple Place.(6/24) SMITH DOWNTOWN CHAPEL 925 S. 27th 245-6427 WEBER — Mildred Marie “Millie,” 86, Billings. As per Millie’s request there will not be any services.(6/23) HANDLEY — I. Lorraine, 75, of Billings. Cremation. No services scheduled.(6/23) REITER KARELL — Helen, 82, of Billings. Casket is closed. Graveside service 11 a.m. Saturday, June 28 at Sunset Memorial Gardens.(6/28) SMITH FUNERAL CHAPEL LAUREL 315 E. 3rd. 628-6858 FRANK — Herta, 89 of Laurel. Cremation has taken place. Memorial service 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 25, Smith Funeral Chapel, Laurel. (6/25) SMITH OLCOTT CHAPEL RED LODGE 201 N. Broadway 446-1121 SMITH — John R., 63, of Bridger. Cremation. Graveside memorial service 1 p.m. Friday, June 27 at the Bridger Cemetery. (6/27) SMITH FUNERALCHAPEL COLUMBUS 35 N. Diamond St. 628-6858 WOLF POINT — Dakota St. Germaine, 22, of Wolf Point, passed away June 20, 2014, in Wolf Point. A wake will begin at 7 p.m. Monday, June 23, at the Silver Wolf Casino. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 24, at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel with interment in King Memorial Cemetery. How to submit For obituary information, call 406-657-1241 or 800-543-2505. The deadline is 3 p.m. for next day publication. Obituaries can be e-mailed to [email protected], mailed to Obituary Dept., Billings Gazette, PO Box 36300, Billings, MT 59107, faxed to 406-657-1208 or brought to the Billings Gazette. Mortuary and Crematory Serving All Faiths With Dignity since 1956 Here for you Before, During and After Services 1001 Alderson Ave. 406-252-3417 SUMIDA — Alta Ruth, 92, of Billings. Funeral services are pending. (6/23) SAMPLE — Michael, 66, of Billings. Informal public gathering, Thursday, June 26, at the Yellowstone Country Club from 3 to 5 p.m. The family encourages guests to bring a typed or handwritten story or memory of Michael to share in a memorial book.(6/26) www.michelottisawyers.com 10 Yellowstone Ave. — 406-248-8807 WARREN — Gary, 56, of Billings. Arrangements pending.(23) DECKER — Peter E., 88. Memorial Service 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 24, First Congregational Church, 310 N. 27th.(24) ANDERSEN — Christa, 56, of Billings. Service information pending. (25) LUNDER — Stephanie, 50, of Billings. No service information at this time. (25) RICHARDSON — Nuowahhghis, 36. Funeral Service 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at Dahl Chapel. Interment in Canton, OK. 25 OBITUARIES Michael Scanlon Sample Michael Scanlon Sample, born July 4, 1947, died tragically on June 19, 2014, in Billings. He was 66 years old. Michael was predeceased by his mother, Patricia Halterman and his stepmother, Miriam Sample; he is survived by his father, Joseph Sample, wife Barbara Sample, two brothers David and Patrick Sample, four children James (Joanne), Kate (Mike), John (Claire) and Ryan (Dana), and 10 grandchildren. Michael was born in New Haven, Conn., was educated at Philips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire and then Trinity College in Connecticut, and served in the United States Marine Corps Reserves. In July of 1954, Michael came to Montana and an endless love affair began. While exploring the state, deepening his affection for it and practicing his photographic artistry, Michael met Barbara Maronick, a Great Falls native, and on Dec. 28, 1971, they were married. The next year he published his first “Montana Calendar”; he would publish 43 more, including a 2015 one, released just prior to his death. During his career, Michael contributed to countless magazines and published a number of coffee table books, including “Montana on My Mind” in 1987. Each year, Michael was honored to mentor younger photographers at the annual convention of the North American Nature Photographers Association. His life and work were interrupted before the completion of what he believed to be his final book, a memoir in images that he intended to title “Montana from the Heart.” In addition to his work as a photographer, Michael co-founded Falcon Press, a publishing house specifically for western authors and artists like himself. Launched by his “Anglers Guide to Montana,” the Falcon Guide series remains the definitive source in the state and now much of the country for outdoor enthusiasts. Michael served on the board for the Yellowstone Association, and he supported countless other local and national organizations both privately and in his role as Vice President of the Sample Foundation. Michael treasured the natural world, and he did everything in his power to preserve it through both his photography and his philanthropy. Michael loved others, especially his family, the same way he loved the state of Montana, by giving them every thing he had to share: his resources, his seem ingly i nex haustible supply of MICHAEL fine chocoSAMPLE late, his aesthetic vision, his exquisitely detailed and often remarkably lyrical stories of his photographic adventures, and his quirky, pure-hearted sense of fun. Around Montana or traveling, at social gatherings or in his home, Michael could generally be found behind his camera, truly the lens through which he saw the world. He loved front-yard Frisbee, family slide shows, delicate wildflowers and really bad puns; he loved attending Billings Rotary meetings, coaching youth soccer and cheering for the Denver Broncos, the St. Louis Cardinals and all of his sports teams, each of which he believed was invariably the underdog and often the victim of a league-wide officiating conspiracy. He loved the names for different types of clouds, the magic of moving water captured in a still frame and what he called “storm light.” While Michael never lost his sense of awe beneath a Montana sky and could often be heard exclaiming about the majesty of Montana’s mountain ranges, he also found beauty in less grand and otherwise unnoticed parts of the landscape he so loved. In general, Michael listened more than he spoke and gave more than he received. He was patient, generous and unfailingly kind. His family and friends loved him dearly and will miss him desperately. Following a private memorial service, an informal public gathering will be held on Thursday, June 26, at the Yellowstone Country Club from 3 to 5 p.m. The family encourages guests to bring a typed or hand-written story or memory of Michael to share in a memorial book. In lieu of flowers, Michael’s family invites contributions in his honor to a few of the organizations Michael supported and served: The Yellowstone Association, The Nature Conservancy and Yellowstone Public Radio. Alvin Ray Blakley Today we celebrate the life of Alvin Ray Blakley. A good man who left us far too soon on June 16, 2014. Alvin was born on Feb. 14, 1959, to Alvin and Elfriede Blakley. He and his sister, Susan, grew up in Nisland, S.D., where his father ran the local grocery store. He later moved with his mother to Belle Fourche, S.D. Throughout these early years, Alvin was shaped into the man he would become by his grandparents, Ernst and Elfriede Fortak. Alvin graduated from Belle Fourche High School in 1977. In high school Alvin gained a reputation as a fine athlete and a loyal friend. The friendships he formed in those years sustained him his entire life and brought him great joy. And it was in the halls of Belle Fourche High that he met his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Rhoda. For the next 38 years they enjoyed a big life together filled with much love, a lot of adventure and more than a few fish. His life experiences included his days at Al’s Steakhouse as a cook and caterer. He also enjoyed a career as a successful commercial salmon setnetting captain in Bristol Bay, Alaska. And on the Big Horn River he was known as a river guide extraordinaire and the keeper of Cottonwood Camp, a Big Horn River tradition. Alvin also enjoyed many a journey to New Zealand, where he stalked big fish on “River #3.” And in the fall and winter you could find him spending most of his days hunting big game, birds or trapping beavers and minnows. He was at his best in the great outdoors! In June of 1994, Autumn Elizabeth was born to Alvin and Rhoda. She was his heart. She too was the love of his life. And the joy she brought to all his days was measured in moments too wonderf u l for words. To Autumn her dad was a teacher, a coach, a protector ALVIN and her “#1 BLAKLEY Fan.” He left this earth a proud, proud father and confident in the life she was making with her Ty. He loved them both. Alvin brought a lot of color to our world. He will be missed by his faithful companion “Tiggers,” his wife Rhoda, daughters Autumn and Elfie Lee, buddies Ty, Ivan and Noah, sister Susan, uncle Albert (Lori), in-laws Peggy and Corky, brother Ort, sister-in-law Holly, nieces Brandy Ray (Clayton) and Jeni Jo, nephews John (Shannie), Uriah, Kip, Auni and great nephews and nieces Brandon, Brooke and Bella as well as numerous friends that blessed his life always. Services will be held at Gateway Christian Center on June 24, at 11 a.m. with reception to follow. Bullis Mortuary has been entrusted with the arrangements. 2 grizzlies transplanted to Cabinet Mountains Associated Press KALISPELL — Two female grizzly bears have been transplanted from the Whitefish Range to the Cabinet Mountains in northwest Montana. The move is part of an ongoing effort to augment the imperiled Cabinet-Yaak grizzly bear population by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The 2-year-old siblings were captured in the Deadhorse Creek drainage on the Flathead National Forest and moved Friday to the Spar Lake area in the West Cabinets. The bears have no history of conflict with people and have never been captured before. Gladys Ronning Clark ACHIEVERS MILES CITY — Gladys Ronning Clark passed away p e a c ef u l ly on June 16, 2014, at the age of 98 surrounded by family. She was born on April 28, 1916, in her GLADYS CLARK family’s homestead cabin in Rock Springs, Mont. After graduating from Custer County High School in 1933, she obtained a provisional teaching certificate and began her 40-year teaching career in a oneroom schoolhouse on Crow Rock Sheep Ranch in 1934. She met Amos Clark in Miles City the same year when they were both 18, and they were married in Lewistown on Oct. 16, 1937, a union that lasted 67 years. Soon after marrying, they moved to Culver City, Calif., to join the fledgling aircraft industry, and their son John was born there in 1944. Gladys and Amos became charter members of Grace Lutheran Church and Gladys was selected to teach at an exclusive private school in Beverly Hills, where during a Christmas pageant Art Linkletter and Red Skelton ad-libbed in the audience prior to the child performance. Missing the small town community feel, they moved back to Montana, relocating to Red Lodge, in 1954. At first, Gladys taught multiple grades and subjects in a two-room school house in Fox, and later in Red Lodge she most enjoyed teaching the fourth grade. She taught Sunday school and served on the council of the Messiah Lutheran Church, and was a member of the Red Lodge Festival of Nations, chairing the Scandinavian group. Gladys loved people, compassionately taking care of several temporarilyadopted kids and family members throughout her years in Red Lodge, and delighting in conversations with tourists and locals while operating the Clark Guest House and coffee shop. An avid reader and budding writer, she was known to fight off the occasional bear intruder and would walk at least a mile a day well into her 90s. Gladys returned to Miles City to be among her siblings, nieces and nephews in 2013 and celebrated her 98th birthday there at Friendship Villa. She is survived by her son John (Nani) Clark; her grandchildren Jeff, Will, Shinta (Rob) Daniels, and Angie; her great-grandchildren Isis Clark and Kaleb and Lily Daniels; her brother Warren (Elizabeth) Ronning; sister Dorothy Bakken; sister-in-law Kate Ronning, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins on both the Clark and Ronning sides of her family. There will be a service celebrating her life held at Friendship Villa in Miles City at 2 p.m. on June 24 and at Messiah Lutheran Church in Red Lodge at 2 p.m. on June 27. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her name to your favored charity. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com. Sandstone PE teacher earns award VOLUNTEER The Billings Gazette is committed to promoting volunteerism as a way to build a caring community for all citizens. This listing includes opportunities registered with the United Way Volunteer Center. 1. Billings Parks and Recreation Department Call Chris at 657-8308 Spring and summer 2014 park rangers are needed. Make weekly patrols of assigned parks in pairs. Be an ambassador to the public. 2. United Way of Yellowstone County Youth Volunteer Corps Call Tari at 794-1468 Interested in working with youth and supervising volunteer projects? Team leader opportunities are available for those ages 19 and older. For more information about other volunteer opportunities or to learn how to have your volunteer opportunities listed in this column, call 252-3839 or go to www.YouCanVolunteer. org. A Billings elementary school physical education teacher has won the Dave Oberly Striving for Excellence Award from the Montana Association for Health, PE, Recreation and Dance. Todd Bertsch, of Sandstone Elementary, will receive the award at the 2014 MTAHPERD Conference, in August at Helena High School. The Dave Oberly Striving for Excellence award is given to a person who has made outstanding contributions and shown dedication to health and physical Education in Montana. Kim McCullough, of Big Timber’s Sweet Grass High School, will receive the group’s Distinguished Service Award. Family Promise elects new board members Family Promise of Yellowstone Valley has selected its 2014-2015 board of director’s executive committee and new board members. President, Shane Colton, Attorney at Law, Edmiston and Colton; Vice President, Deb Peters, MSU Billings; Secretary, Roger Williams, community volunteer; Treasurer, Spencer Smith, community volunteer; and Past President, Andy Rio, Little Horn State Bank. New board members include Kathie Todd, community volunteer; Steve Restad, St, Vincent Healthcare; Brian Brown, First Interstate Bank; and Jodie Hart, community volunteer. Family Promise of Yellowstone Valley (formerly Interfaith Hospitality Network) is a community of 26 Billings religious congregations and more than 1,400 volunteers that provide meals, shelter, and safe, nonjudgmental environments for families experiencing homelessness. Congregations rotate weekly providing hospitality and basic needs to homeless families. Concordia honor list Several students from the Gazette’s readership area have been named to the Dean’s Honor List at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn., for the 2013-14 academic year. To qualify for this designation, students must carry a minimum of 12 semester credits and have a grade point average of at least a 3.7 on a 4.0 scale. Laura Habein, senior, daughter of Theresa and Peter Habein, Billings; Lauren Lee, sophomore, daughter of Stephanie and Curtis Lee, Billings; Miles Otstot, sophomore, son of Patricia and Roger Otstot, Billings; Laura Prosinski, junior, daughter of Shelley and Steve Prosinski, Billings; Marta Prosinski, junior, daughter of Shelley and Steve Prosinski, Billings; Renee Tostengard, daughter of Kay and Tim Tostengard, Billings; Elizabeth Clapp, junior, daughter of Alan Clapp, Glendive; Derek Algaard, sophomore, son of Duane Algaard, Laurel; Tori Benders, sophomore, Laurel; Hannah Weishoff, sophomore, daughter of Shanna Weishoff of Laurel; Jonathan Sutton, junior son of Lisa and Joseph Sutton, Miles City; and Brianne Downs, senior, daughter of Lynette Downs, Molt. Organizations The Downtown Exchange Club of Billings held the election for officers and board of directors. Those elected include Brandon Berger, Big Sky Economic Development, president; Lisa Von Laven, Entre Technology Services, presidentelect; Dax Simek, Morrison Maierle, vice-president; Ron Cole, Montana Peterbilt, treasurer; Michael Lee, Mike Lee Financial Connections, LLC, secretary, and Jeff Winkler, HGFA Architects, past president. On the board of directors are: (three-year term) Racquel Kaelberer, Payne West; Susan Schloss, Underriner Motors, and Dusty Young, Copy Right; (two-year term) Ed Lawler, Billings Dental Clinic; Melodie McDermott, Buddy Dog Walk and Peacemaker Ministries, and Jens Selvig III, Jens Selvig Photography; (one-year term) Trina Besel, Mann Mortgage; Tom Krause, Rimrock Mall, and Jennifer Mercer, Billings Depot. Jerry Michels is an ad hoc board member.
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