Tuesday, March 9, 2004; William 'Bill' Schneider, Jed Eldon Wilson, Mary Frances Dickerman, Timothy James Stoner, James E. 'Jim' Baustadt, Harry Lloyd Miller, Dorothy K. Stupca, Frank Theodore Jacobsen, Janis A. Lancaster, J. Harold 'Dutch' Lentz

William 'Bill' Schneider

Bill was born May 1, 1926, and attended schools in Philipsburg and Butte. He enlisted in the Navy in 1944 and was recalled in 1951 to serve during the Korean War.

Although his high school education was cut short by military service, he took great pride in returning to school much later in life to earn his GED. An avid reader, Bill enjoyed reading about history and politics.

Bill married the love of his life, Joyce Bellm, in Philipsburg on June 21, 1947. Together they raised five children and Bill's younger brother, Bob.

Bill worked in the mines around Philipsburg most of his life. He was a "miner's miner," and his veins ran high-grade silver, lead, zinc and manganese. Over a period of 25 years, he performed nearly every mining-related job available.

The mines provided fodder for tall tales and true stories alike - mostly about the characters who occupied them. He eschewed "day's pay" and sought out contract and lease opportunities instead. Each day, Joyce sent him off to work with a kiss, a heartfelt admonition to be careful, and a lunch bucket full of delectable goodies - his bucket was the envy of many a fellow miner.

He loved to fly fish and hunt the wily bull elk. Wild game and "cotton" fish - fish he had caught - filled the Schneiders' locker at Huffman Grocery. Annual hunting trips to the Powell had ritual status, first with "the boys" and later with his sons, Tom and Dan. Camping and fishing at Rock Creek with his family was Bill's idea of a perfect vacation, and it's an annual summer tradition that is carried on to this day.

In his youth, Bill enjoyed playing baseball, football and softball, and later in life he became an enthusiastic golfer. He coached Little League and Babe Ruth for eight years when his sons were playing, and attended local high school sporting events for many years after.

Bill retired from the Granite County road crew in 1988. He and Joyce took a trip to Maui (which did not compare favorably with Rock Creek). For their 50th anniversary, the kids gave them a trip to Washington, D.C., where the highlight was a Yankees-Orioles game at Camden Yard. To their delight, Bill and Joyce's anniversary date and Montana roots were flashed across the big screen to 50,000 fans.

After retiring, Bill also enjoyed working on the well-received mining operation exhibit in the Granite County Museum. He had great appreciation and respect for the people who made the museum a success. In recent years, Bill was Joyce's constant companion at Big Sky Care Center in Helena and made many good friends both there and at Hunter's Pointe.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents Jake Schneider and Edna Haines; parents-in-law Earl and Esther Bellm; his beloved son Dan Schneider in 2002; brother Bob Schneider; and sister Jean Taborski.

He is survived by his loving wife Joyce; son Tom (Nancy Lee) Schneider; daughters Robbie (Denny) House, Lorri Schneider, and Tammy (Joe) Olk; grandchildren Krista (Jay) Partridge, Kim (Oliver) Schwabe, Kerri Schneider, Travis (Kristine) House, Adam (Melissa) House, Marni Olk, Cal (Maureen) Boyle and Jackie Boyle; great-grandchildren Rebecca House, David House, April Botsch and Vallie Botsch; and his sisters Karen (Joe) Olszewski and Fran (Ivan) Bushman.

We are sure that Bill and Dan are in heaven having a brewsky together. Dan's will be a Corona or a fine microbrew; Bill's will be a Budweiser.

The family suggests memorial donations to Big Sky Care Center-Resident Council, 2475 Winne Ave., Helena, MT 59601; or the Granite County Museum and Cultural Center, Philipsburg, MT 59858.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Philip's Catholic Church on Thursday, March 11, at 11 a.m. with Father Herbert Pins as celebrant. Interment will follow at Philipsburg Cemetery. No evening wake or vigil service will be held.

Services are under the care of the KT Riddle Funeral Homes, Philipsburg.

Jed Eldon Wilson

He was born May 4, 1930, in Salmon to William M. and Adele (Kingsbury) Wilson. Jed attended schools in the Idaho communities of Gibbonsville, Challis and Salmon, and in Missoula. Because his father was an outfitter and guide and ranched in the backcountry of the Middle Fork, Jed often attended one-room schools.

After Jed graduated from Salmon High School in 1949, he attended Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho. He married his high school sweetheart, Donna Lee, in the Idaho Falls Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Temple on May 16, 1950. They are the parents of five children.

In his earliest years, Jed began collecting and trading. He loved hunting arrowheads, and developed a passion for collecting old guns and Indian artifacts. Jed not only collected guns, artifacts, and antiques, he also collected stories, histories, and friends - many gained by listening to those "old-timers" who could tell him of days gone by.

He loved the Old West, family history, retelling stories of his ancestors, and he had great appreciation for his heritage. He preserved old journals, boxes of photos, many heirlooms, and the stories behind them. Jed loved the Native Americans and knew much about their old ways. Many people assumed Jed was part Indian. He never corrected them.

His knowledge of history was a resource often used by others. Through the years people would visit him to listen to his stories and see his remarkable collection.

Historians in Washington working on a study of Lewis and Clark spent hours interviewing Jed, reading histories he had compiled, studying photos he had taken, and looking at collected artifacts for background on a historical work on the explorers. Shortly before Jed became ill this past winter, historians from Boise sought him out for an article being published on Sacagawea and the Lemhi Indians. His knowledge, artifacts and information were vital to their work.

He was a talented photographer and never went anywhere without his camera.

Jed ranched for many years near Salmon and Drummond. He worked as chief of police and deputy sheriff in Salmon, and worked as a guard and photographer at Morton-Thiokol in Promontory, Utah.

Jed studied deeply, remembered details, and was very organized. He enjoyed going to estate sales, flea markets, gun shows, and visiting with friends. He followed politics closely. Jed loved to go into the desert and up into the mountains. He had a great sense of humor and deep sensitivity. Jed was forever in pursuit of "the good deal."

He loved his family. He was proud of their accomplishments and appreciated their love for him. Jed had great faith in God.

He was a member of the National Rifle Association. He was a high priest in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

After his retirement, he and Donna maintained homes in Hyrum, Utah, and Sun City, Ariz.

Preceding him in death were his son Philip William Wilson, parents Bill and Adele Wilson, and brother Robert Owen Wilson.

He is survived by his wife of almost 54 years, Donna; his children, Robert Jed Wilson and wife Elizabeth of Spicewood, Texas, Teri Dinnell and husband Michael of St. Ignatius, Sandra Forsey and husband Kent of Peoria, Ariz., and David Lee Wilson and wife Teresa of Ogden, Utah; 25 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; sister Elaine Parke of Drummond; and brother Don Wilson and wife Alice of Chubbock, Idaho, who are currently serving a mission in Winslow, Ariz.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 12, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Salmon Stake Center, 400 S. Daisy St., with Bishop Larry Weeks conducting. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the Relief Society room. Burial will be at Salmon Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to a hospice program of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Jones & Casey Funeral Home in Salmon.

Mary Frances Dickerman

Mary was born on Nov. 5, 1918, in Butte; her parents were Frank "Bunny" and Minnie Rose Warren. Butte family and friends know Mary by "Bunny," nicknamed for her father. Two sisters followed Mary: June Garlington and Margaret Evankovich.

Mary graduated from Butte High School in 1940, and then attended St. Patrick School of Nursing in Missoula, graduating in January 1945. She passed her nursing board in March 1945 as a registered nurse and was employed by St. Patrick Hospital in the maternity ward.

While attending school in Missoula, Mary met Clarence E. "Buster" Dickerman; they were married on Feb. 10, 1945. Three children were born of this union: Mary Margaret, Frank E. and Jay Dee. Mary left nursing to attend to her priority, raising her children.

She was preceded in death by parents Frank and Minnie Warren, husband Buster Dickerman, sister June Garlington, and infant grandson Randy Dickerman.

Mary is survived by her sister Margaret Evankovich of Butte; daughter Margaret Simoneau (Bob) of Helena; son Frank Dickerman of Phoenix; and son Jay Dickerman (Suzan Crandall) of Henderson, Nev. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Stacy Lynn Morton of Lynnwood, Wash., Kyle Joseph (Renee) Simoneau of Seattle, Nicole Marie Simoneau of Helena and Kelly James (Kassee) Simoneau of East Helena. Three great-grandchildren were her most recent joy: Dylan Morton of Lynnwood, and Tristyn and Huntington Simoneau of East Helena.

Mary was a devoted member of Holy Family Catholic Parish in Missoula since it was formed in the rectory house. She was active there in several work groups and prayer groups, forming a close friendship with many in the parish. Mary was a zealous Montana Grizzly fan for many years, sometimes changing her soft demeanor in strong support of her team.

Mary moved to Helena in 2000 to be closer to her daughter and family. She attended the St. Helena Cathedral parish there.

Mary was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt. She cherished her family, her Irish heritage, her nursing experience, her sports and her many close friends. She was a friend to many; any stranger would soon become a friend.

A vigil service will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church in Missoula at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 10.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Thursday, March 11, at Holy Family Church. Private family burial will take place later at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Missoula.

Memorials may be sent to Camp Mak-A-Dream, Children's Oncology Camp Foundation, P.O. Box 1450, Missoula, MT 59806-1450; or Partners Hospice & Palliative Care Service, 2687 Palmer St., Suite B, Missoula, MT 59808.

Retz Funeral Home of Helena is caring for arrangements.

Timothy James Stoner

A memorial service will be 1 p.m. Thursday at the Cherry Lane Christian Church in Meridian.

Arrangements are by Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel.

James E. 'Jim' Baustadt

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home.

A complete obituary will follow.

Harry Lloyd Miller

He was born Nov. 9, 1909, to Don L. and Julia Wood Miller in Perry, Kan. In 1913 he moved to the Miller family ranch, Burnt Fork Ranch, near Stevensville. Harry attended and graduated from Stevensville High School. At age 16 he received a two-year scholarship to the University of Montana, where he earned a B.S. in chemistry.

He rode his 1926 Harley Davidson motorcycle east to seek his fortune. In Washington, D.C., Lloyd gained employment in the Department of Agriculture as a laboratory assistant. The U.S. Air Force at Pensacola, Fla., was beginning a student cadet flight training program and he was one of the original flying cadets.

Returning to civilian life, he was employed by Western Electric Co. in Washington, D.C., as an electrical engineer. In 1972 after 35 years, he retired as a senior staff electrical engineer.

Lloyd was also affiliated with Bell Telephone Laboratories as a designing engineer and has several electronic patents to his credit. He was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America.

Lloyd and his artist wife Josephine arrived in Polson from Maryland on July 4, 1981. Several years ago at the age of 90, he acquired his first computer and became knowledgeable in today's computer technology. He was a soft-spoken person with a subtle sense of humor.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son Earl L. Miller and brothers Lewis, Junius and John. He is survived by his wife Josephine "Jo" Miller and several nephews.

Cremation has taken place and no services are planned. Private inurnment of his cremains will be held at Maplewood Cemetery in Stevensville.

Cremation and arrangements are under the direction of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson.

Dorothy K. Stupca

She was born March 29, 1929, to Frank and Katherine "Kay" Stupca. Dorothy attended local schools, graduating from Anaconda High School. She then went into the family business working at the Washoe Market, one of Anaconda's leading institutions, through the mid-1900s.

She started washing dishes in the back room for the meat department and advanced to being assistant manager with her parents. She retired with Frank and Kay in 1977. Dorothy loved to garden and enjoyed spending time in the yard, and in later years with her houseplants.

Dorothy had a great heart and contributed much to the community. She loved working with people. She was always quick to lend a helping hand and to encourage those in need, or to brighten people's days with a quick story. She loved jokes and was a great storyteller.

She loved sports, being an avid supporter of local schools and teams. Her passion was golfing with her dad and playing in local tournaments. She was a longtime member of the Anaconda Country Club and won the Women's Club championship numerous times. In 1953 she was the Montana State Women's Champion, winning the title in Missoula. She was the state runner-up in 1955. In 1994 she was inducted into the Montana Women's Golf Association's "Hall of Fame."

She was a member of the Anaconda Catholic Community, serving on various committees. She drew her comfort and strength from her regular participation in this community.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Katherine Stupca.

She is survived by her sister Mary Lou O'Neill and her children Tom O'Neill and Sally (Greg) Tich; her sister Fran (Sam) Lowman and their children James (Carole), Kenneth (Shelley) and Keith (Jody); and aunt Kay Stupca and her daughters Mary Jo (Brad) Templeman and Marilyn (Jack) Connor.

Dorothy also is survived by many cousins including Father Ed Stupca, Mim Derzay, Cleo Seaman, Bob Rainville, Jeanette Atkinson, George Rainville, Tom Rainville, Marguerite Beatty, Joe Sestrich, Bob Martens, Rosemary Ekstrom, Johanna Hanson, Mary Jo Templeman, Marilyn Connor, Jim Darsey, Eileen Dickerson and Deborah Harris. She also has one grandniece and two grandnephews. Dorothy will be missed by her many friends and neighbors.

Friends may call to pay their respects at the Longfellow Finnegan Funeral Home, where a parish vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

The funeral will begin at 10:15 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home and proceed to Holy Family Church, where Dorothy's cousin, Father Ed Stupca, will celebrate the funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to the Anaconda Catholic Community Funeral Luncheon Fund.

Frank Theodore Jacobsen

He was born Feb. 16, 1921, in Missoula to Peter and Martha (Hanzel) Jacobsen. Frank attended school in Ovando. In 1942 he enlisted in the U.S. Army, and served until being honorably discharged in 1946.

On April 18, 1947, he married Loretta Kuhl.

In 1946 he began working at the White Pine Sash mill and retired in March 1983.

Frank served as president of Orchard Homes Country Life Club and was a life member of VFW Post 209.

Dad enjoyed his animated toys - gifts from his family. They put a smile on his face.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Don and Bob Jacobsen.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Loretta Jacobsen; sons Jim and wife Sue of Boise, Idaho, and Ted and wife Mary Ann of Spokane; daughters Cindy Kost and husband Jim, Marcy Pyron and husband Bob, all of Missoula, and Rosy Case and husband Toby of Prineville, Ore.; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Ebany and Nick Stacker and Payton of Spokane, Joe and Jesse Kost of Missoula, Patrick Jacobsen of Spokane, Darrell and Tera Pyron and Emma, Ethan, Mason and Carson of Huson, Kiley and Kathy Pyron and Kameron, Tori and Christopher of Savannah, Ga., Tracy and Joel Lee and Joel Jr. of Columbus, Ohio, and Eric Case, Corey and Addie Case and Kevin Case, all of Prineville; brothers and sisters-in-law, Peter and Adeline Jacobsen, Joe and DelRose Jacobsen, Dean and Yvonne Jacobsen and Tony Jacobsen, all of Missoula; sisters Lucille James of Missoula, Betty Touchette of Frenchtown and Isabelle Schreckendgust of Victor; mother-in-law Emma Kuhl; and numerous nieces and nephews.

At Frank's request, no services will be held.

The family suggests memorials to Camp Mak-A-Dream, P.O. Box 1450, Missoula, MT 59806.

Arrangements are under the care of Garden City Funeral Home and Crematory.

Janis A. Lancaster

Janis was born Oct. 12, 1926, in West Palm Beach, Fla.

She was preceded in death by her father Wilbur B. Harper, husband Arthur Lancaster in January 1983 and brother Nelson Moehle in July 1995.

She is survived by her mother Mary L. Crow at St. Luke Extended Care Facility in Ronan; sister Judith Moehle of St. Ignatius; brothers Terry Moehle of Gold Hill, Ore., and Mark Moehle of Eugene, Ore.; stepdaughters Virginia Dubas of Northeast, Md., and Karen Sexton of Panama City, Fla.; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

She was a member and treasurer of St. Ignatius United Methodist Church. Janis was loved very much and will be greatly missed.

No services are planned, at her request. Cremation has taken place.

Memorials are requested to the St. Ignatius Methodist Church or the Ronan City Library.

Shrider's Mortuary of Ronan assisted with arrangements.

J. Harold 'Dutch' Lentz

Dutch was born on Aug. 31, 1918, in Viking, Alberta, Canada, the son of Pat and Alphonse Lentz. He came to St. Ignatius in 1937 with his family and in 1945 became a U.S. citizen. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during World War II.

In 1946 he married Elsie Nuse and the couple made their home in Thompson Falls, where they raised three children.

Harold worked for the Montana Highway Department until 1955 when he went to work for Oliver and Oliver until his retirement. He also owned and managed Lentz's Trailer Court from 1974 until the present.

Dutch enjoyed playing poker and cribbage and talking with his pal and grandson, Kelly. He often said that if he knew how much fun his grandchildren would be, he would have had them first.

He enjoyed a good conversation although it was well known that getting a word in first was often "difficult with that Frenchman." His last days were spent peacefully at home with the care of Hospice and his three children, with special loving care from Jerry.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Lou; three brothers, Gary, George "Jiggs" and Arnold; and his wife Elsie in 1999.

He is survived by sister Betty McBroom of Nevada; sons Jim and Jerry Lentz of Thompson Falls; daughter and son-in-law Pat and Ron Hamel of Thompson Falls; five grandsons, Mike, Matt, Kelly, Justin and Jessie; a granddaughter, Angie; and two great-granddaughters, Karissa and Hailey.

A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Friday at St. William's Catholic Church with the Rev. Kenneth Fortney officiating. Burial of the cremated remains will follow at Thompson Falls Cemetery.

Coffelt-Bunch Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

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