Local Obituaries for Families in Beaverhead County

Walter John VanDeren

May 18, 2024

Walter Van Deren, 89

Walter was born on August 3, 1934, in Flagstaff Arizona at the Butler home, to Earl and Leah (Seip) Van Deren. He passed away at Renaissance Southside in Dillon, MT on May 18, 2024, surrounded by his family. At Walter's request, he was cremated, and his ashes will be spread in a private ceremony on the...

Ruth Helen Barnes

May 17, 2024

Ruth Helen (Sproul) Barnes, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully with her husband and children by her side on Friday, May 17, 2024. Ruthie was born on December 19, 1951, in Whitefish, Montana, to Frank and Florence Sproul, joining her older brother Richard and later welcoming sisters Jenny and Jolene.

The Sproul family made their home at...

Steven Ross Miller

May 14, 2024

Steven Ross Miller

Feb 10, 1945 - May 14, 2024

     Steve danced his last dance at his ranch, "The Last Dance" in Dillon Montana. In his final days he was surrounded by love and spent a glorious day under the sunny Montana sky, with music, flowers and family.

     Born in Tremonton, Utah to Boyd Ross and Leone Oyler Miller....

Margaret Mary Woodard

May 13, 2024

Beloved wife, mother, and grandmother Margaret "Margy" Woodard passed away Monday, May 13, 2024 at her home in Dillon, Montana.

Margaret was born on October 6, 1947 in Long Beach, California. The first child of Robert and Patricia Schuveiller, she grew up in Long Beach with her eight brothers and sisters. After graduating from St. Anthony's High School, she received a...

Frank Austin Fowler

May 13, 2024

Frank Fowler was embraced by family and friends as he passed away on May 13, 2024, at Barrett Hospital in Dillon, Montana. He was 92 years old.

Frank was born on May 5,1932 in Washington D.C. to Wallace William Fowler and Helen Peabody Marsh. Frank was the youngest of eight, preceded by Bruce, Ella, Earl, Hazel, Daniel, William, and...

Joyce Kathleen Britton

May 6, 2024

Joy Noel Britton

July 20, 1947 - May 6, 2024

Joy Britton, 76, died Monday, May 6, 2024 in Dillon, Montana. She was home with her daughter and husband. A memorial service will be held in her honor Saturday, July 20, 2024, 11AM at Big Sky Missionary Baptist Church, 3148 MT HWY-91, Dillon, MT 59725. Pastor Ken Gilchrist officiating.

Joy was born July...

Clyde William Hayden

April 11, 2024

Clyde "Philo" Hayden Sr. (62) went home on April 11, 2024. He was born in Dillon Montana on October 10, 1961 to Glenn and Mildred Hayden.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his niece Millie Rose and his nephew Bobby. He is survived by his partner Sabrina Saylor, sister Elizabeth (Dave) Williams, twin sisters Virgilee and Virginia Sheldon, brother...

Elsie (Elsita) Angelica Lawlor

April 4, 2024

Elsie (Elsita) Angelica Lawlor

1931 - 2024

Elsita Lawlor passed away April 4th at her home in the comfort of her own bed with her daughter Viki by her side holding her hand. She succumbed to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Heart Failure.

Elsita was born in Anaconda on October 30, 1931 to Lt. Robert Donald and Maria...

Karen Helen (Javurek) Simon

March 31, 2024

It is with great sadness that the Simon kids announce the passing of our mother, Karen Helen Javurek Simon. As some of you may know, Mom had been suffering from an unusual dementia for many years, and we are all so grateful that we were able to keep her in our lives for so long.

Mom was a devout Christian, and...

Richard Alan Champlin

March 29, 2024

Richard Alan Champlin

10/29/54 – 3/29/24

 

Richard “Rich” Champlin, 69, formerly of Hanford, California and recently residing in Dillon, Montana passed away on Friday, March 29, 2024, from an unexpected health issue.   

 

Rich was born on October 29th 1954 to Calvin “Bud” and Mary Champlin in Hanford, California. From an early age, Rich fell in love with the sport of Baseball, pack...

Earl William McRea

March 28, 2024

Earl William McRea

April 25, 1954 - March 28, 2024

Earl William McRea was born April 25, 1954, in Salmon, Idaho, to Marjorie Ellen Newton McRea and Terrence Earl McRea, joining his older sisters, Sue Ellen (Betty) and Sheila (Lockes). He later became big brother to Ralph McRea and his twin sisters, Sherri (Diaz) and Terri (Coburn). Earl grew up on the...

Jacob Lester Schield

March 19, 2024

Jacob "Jack" Lester Schield passed away peacefully on March 19 th , 2024. Jack was born on July 18th,1941, in Billings, MT, to Jack and Elizabeth Schield. Jack grew up in Billings, Montana and graduated from Billings Senior. He attended the University of Montana and was named "Bull of the Woods" at the Foresters Ball. He graduated with a degree...

Gordon Ronald "Tex" Marchesseault

March 17, 2024

Gordon Ronald "Tex" Marchesseault peacefully passed away Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Dillon.

Tex was born in Dillon, Montana, to ranchers Robert Dewey and Cora Odessa Berry Marchesseau on December 19, 1940, and grew up on the FS Ranch on Grasshopper Creek in Beaverhead County.

Tex attended elementary schools in Polaris and Dillon. When he went to the Bagley School, he would...

John Milton Giles

March 15, 2024

John M. Giles (Jack or Skip) was born to Norman and Theresa Giles in Dillon, Montana on October 4, 1937. He died at Barrett Memorial Hospital after an extended illness on March 15, 2024.

He attended Dillon schools and graduated from Beaverhead County High School in 1956. He then went to college at Oklahoma State University at Stillwater, Oklahoma. It...

Ines Louise Wheekly

February 22, 2024

Ines Wheekly, beloved wife, mother and avid conversationist, passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on February 22nd, 2024.

Born in Corsica South Dakota, Ines brought warmth and joy to everyone she met. With an infectious love for chatting on the phone, she connected deeply with friends and family near and far.

Ines...

Elizabeth Janet Reeves

February 21, 2024

Elizabeth 'Bessie" Reeves, 88, of Dillon Montana passed away on Wednesday, February 21st, 2024. Bessie was born December 8th, 1935 in Dell Montana, to parents Roy and Nellie McNinch. Bessie grew up on the family homestead in Lima. She met and married Edward Tyler shortly after graduating high school. Bessie and Edward lived their lives in Dillon, they enjoyed camping,...

Alice Elaine Knorr

February 21, 2024

Alice Elaine Knorr

Alice was born in Boise, Idaho on January 27, 1935 and lived her childhood years in Mountain Home, Idaho. She passed away on February 21, 2024 in St. James Hospital in Butte, Montana due to complications from a fall.

Alice received a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Western Montana College in Dillon, Montana, and went on...

Shirley Ann Biddinger (Smith)

February 20, 2024

Shirley Ann Biddinger (Smith) 88, of Wisdom, MT passed away in Dillon, MT on February 20, 2024. Shirley was born in Chapin, IL on July 14, 1935 to Claude and Agnes Smith. Shortly after they relocated to Seattle, WA which became home throughout her childhood. She had two younger sisters Pat and Sue. Shirley married Robert M. Biddinger in 1956....

Sharon Evelyn Wheat

February 19, 2024

With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Sharon Evelyn (Walker) Wheat at the age of 83 on February 19, 2024 at the Wheat Ranch in Dillon, Montana. She passed away peacefully after weeks of being surrounded by her family. Born on December 1, 1940 in Big Piney, Wyoming, Sharon's family soon settled on a ranch near Florence, Montana. That...

Sharon Joanne Leonaitis

February 17, 2024

Joanne Leonaitis passed away on February 17, 2024, in Dillon, MT at the age of 89. She was born September 17, 1934 in Waukegan, Illinois.

She was a Keypunch Operator for Outboard Marine Corporation. She was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Joanne is survived by her daughters Laurie (Mike )Blinn and Kerrie (Mike) Harwig, five grandchildren (Matt, Greg,...