RAVALLI COUNTY OBITUARIES

W
CHARLES W. WADDELL
Waddell Dies From Accident Injuries
     Funeral services are pending for Charles W. Waddell, 61, retired assistant Hamilton postmaster, who died at Daly hospital after being critically injured when his car was struck by a Northern Pacfic freight train Tuesday morning.
    Mr. Waddell suffered a crushed chest, several broken ribs and other internal injuries, however, hope was held out for his recovery until his condition grew grave early last night.
     He retired from postal service in June 1952, and since May had been working at the Medicine Hot Springs swimming pool. He was born at Murray, Idaho, April 12, 1893, attended public schools there, then came to Hamilton with his family about 1907.  After
graduating from Hamilton High School he began work as a carrier at the post office in 1912 and became assistant postmaster two years later.  He was a member of Ionic Lodge No,. 38, AF and AM, as well as the Crusade Commandery and Royal Arch Masons.  He also belonged to the Shrine Temple in Butte.
     Survivors include the widow, Hettie; a son, Robert; mother, Mrs. Mary Waddell; sisters, Miss Olive Waddell, Mrs. Hazel McMahon and Mrs. Ruth Phillips, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, Hamilton, and an uncle, Charles Waddell, Billings.
Ravalli Republican, Hamilton, MT, September 2, 1954, Front Page column 1
Contributed by Gloria McGough

CHARLES W. WADDELL
Photo captioned:  SUCCUMBS TO INJURY RECEIVED IN WRECK
Waddell Passes; Sustains Injury in Car-Train Collision Tuesday
    Charles W. Waddell, retired assistant postmaster, died at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday night at Daly hospital from injuries received in a car-train collision shortly after noon Tuesday.  His right chest was crushed and he had internal injuries.
    Charles Waddell was born April 12, 1893 at Murray, Idaho in Shosone county. He was 16 years old when he came to Hamilton with his family. A student at Hamilton high school, Charles graduated in 1911. He began his postal career as one of the first city carriers, progressed to night shift and clerking responsibilities and became assistant postmaster in 1918.  Charles worked under four postmasters, C. C. Chaffin, George R. Fisk, A. C. Baker and C. A. Smithey. He retired July 1, 1952. He married Hettie Millis May 18, 1926. The couple made its home in the Nicol addition. Charles was affiliated with the Ionic lodge AF &AM. One of the most popular men who met the public, he was noted for his amiable disposition and courtesy. 
    Survivors include the widow, one son, Robert, the mother, Mrs. Mary Waddell, three sisters, Mrs. Hazel McMahon, Miss Olive Waddell and Mrs. Ruth Phillips, all of Hamilton; an uncle, Charles Waddell of Billings, and several cousins in the valley.
    Several persons witnessed the collision. Wayne Stromme and Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth White who live west of the tracks were in their front yards at the time. Stromme and White ran to Waddell’s aide and Mrs. White called Sheriff Raymond. Mr. and Mrs. Mike Lepetich had parked across the road from the White house to see their cattle and also saw the accident. Eyewitness C. W. McKenna reports he heard the train whistle for the crossing near the Glenn Shults home on Highway 93, and went out to his back yard to wave at the engineer, an old friend of McKenna’s. A neighbor, Charles Sebeling was talking to McKenna and the two heard the train whistle approaching the crossing on the lane running east of Highway 93 from the Fred Lewis home. “Before I knew it,” McKenna reports, “the car and train reached the crossing at the same time. The engine pushed the car ahead of it down the tracks past us.  I could see the man sitting in the front seat when it went by, so I figured he might be hurt when it stopped.  I ran in and called the sheriff and a doctor.”
    Sheriff Lloyd Raymond reports he received McKenna’s call at 11:40, and fixes the time of the accident a few minutes before that.  Raymond tells the WN the crew of the train eased Waddell from under the steering wheel and laid him beside the track. An ambulance took him to Daly hospital. Raymond measured the distance Waddell’s car was pushed at 693 feet. The car was caught broadside on the right by the engine as Waddell was driving east, and the train traveling north. Furrows were dug on each side of the tracks by the car’s wheels. A pile of weeds and dirt pushed by the tires marks the spot where the engine stopped.  McKenna, a retired railroad man, describes the engine as having a solid steel pilot on front. This pilot kept the car from rolling under the engine. The car did not turn over, but is badly damaged. All tires are intact. The frame is bent, and the right side completely wrecked.
The Western News, Hamilton, MT, September 2, 1954, Front Page column 2 & 3
Contributed by Gloria McGough

CHARLES WADDELL
May 1, 1880 - October 30, 1961
Charles Waddell, 81, Died in Billings Oct. 30
    Funeral services were last week in Billings for Charles Waddell, 81, who died there Oct 30 after an illness of about three years. Charles Alfred Waddell was born May 1, 1880 at Ft. Scott, Bourbon county, Kan., the son of Alfred and Sarah Lowe Waddell. He came to the valley and was married at Hamilton on Jan 8, 1908 to Inez Marie Grover, the daughter of Henry and Mary Elizabeth McMurray Grover. They lived here ten years, moving to Billings in 1918 where he was associated with the S(unreadable)Hardware until retiring.  He worked in the old Valley
Mercantile hardware department here and also operated the Grover Waddell hardware sore when they lived here.  The store was located in the present Sanderson hardware location.
    Surviving beside the widow are sons Stanley, Seattle, Charles, Billings, daughters Mrs. Victor (Charlotte) Multz, Yakima, Wash.; Mrs. Philip (Inez) Marsh, Whittier, Calif., Mrs. K. G. (Loretta) Balsam, Miles City, 18 grandchildren; four great grandchildren. A son Glen was a casualty of WWII. Mr. Waddell was an uncle of Olive Waddell, a brother-in-law of Mrs. Mary Waddell, both of Hamilton. A brother-in-law of the deceased is Leland
Grover, Sr., of Hamilton.  Mr. Waddell was the last of a family of ten children.
The Western News, Hamilton, MT, November 8, 1961
Contributed by Gloria McGough 

CLARA WADDELL
MRS. J. WADDELL DEAD
Pioneer Resident Who Came to the Bitter Root Valley Forty-six Years Ago to Reside
Darby – March 21 – Death claimed Mrs. John F. Waddell, aged 76 years, Saturday night at the family residence north of Darby. Mrs. Waddell was a Montana pioneer, coming to the part of the state before the site of Darby was selected.  Como at that time was their postoffice (sic). She was married in Mapleton, Kans. And came to Montana in 1878 and resided at Dillon two years. They moved to the original homestead in 1881, where they continued to
live since. 
    Besides her husband she is survived by six daughters and one son.  They are Mrs. J. A. Halder, Mrs. C. W. Gilmore, Mrs. J. L.
Benson, Mrs. R. L. Powell, of Darby; Mrs. H. J. St. John of Stevensville, Mrs. Irby Lamnard (sic) of Bagdad, Fla., and Frank Waddell of Darby.
    Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the home and were in charge of Leona chapter of Eastern Star with burial in Lone Pine cemetery at Darby by the side of a son who died during the flu epidemic.
Ravalli Republican, Hamilton, MT, Thursday, March 22, 1928, Page 3 column 4
Contributed by Gloria McGough
CLARA D. COLLINS WADDELL
March 4, 1914 - September 1, 1989
Clara D. Waddell, 75 of Hamilton, died Friday, Sept. 1, in Hamilton at the Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital. She was born March 4, 1914, in Victor, the daughter of Alex and Lavinna Davis Collins.  She was raised and educated in Victor, graduating from high school there.
    She worked for the dehydrator plant in Hamilton for several years. On Sept. 19, 1950, she married Howard Waddell in Couer D’Alene, Idaho. She worked several years for the Bitterroot Laundry retiring in 1979. The couple made their home in Hamilton with the exception of a few year’s spent in Anaconda and later Kent, Wash. She enjoyed her children and grandchildren, working in her garden and crocheting.
    Survivors include her husband, Howard of the family home in Hamilton; three sons, John Peters of of Sandpoint, Idaho, Donald Peters of Opportunity, Mont., Edward Peters of Spokane, Wash., one daughter, Violet Kraft of Grantsdale; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, one son Robert and her brother, Clarence Collins.
    Services were held Monday, 11 a.m. at the Daly-Lench Chapel in Hamilton with Pastor Muriel Gooder officiating. Private family interment will take place later in the week at the Victor cemetery. Pallbearers will be Donnie, Kevin, Steven Peters, Michael and Craig Kraft and Fred Miller. The family suggests memorials to the Grantsdale Community Church or Home Health Care of Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital, or to Hospice of Hamilton.
Ravalli Republic, Tuesday, Sept 5, 1989, Page 10
Contributed by Gloria McGough


FRANK WADDELL
Frank Waddell Taken By Death May 20, Rites Held Today
     Funeral services were held today at the Dowling chapel for Frank Waddell, 77, of Hamilton who died Monday, May 20 at Daly hospital at 2:30 a.m.  Rev. Robert Sherwood officiated and interment was in Lone Pine cemetery.  Pallbearers were Fred Thorning, Edward Nicholson Sr., Clifford Shockley, George Mielke, Glenn Wright and Sherman Strate. John Franklin Waddell was born March 23, 1891 at Darby. 
    He was a son of John and Clara Knowles Waddell who homesteaded about two miles north of Darby.  Mr. Waddell married Ruth A. Pierce Oct 1, 1914 at Hamilton.  Rev. J. C. Irwin officiated and witnesses were Mrs. Clara Waddell and Mrs. G. W. Pierce.  Mr. Waddell spent his working life as a farmer.  He became the victim of emphysema several years ago, was seriously ill for about two years and critically ill for two weeks during which he was hospitalized.
    Surviving beside the widow is a son, Mark of Helena; granddaughter, Mrs. David (Sharon) Patten, great grandsons Bryce and Matthew Patten, Lexington KY., sisters Mrs. Henry (Martha) St. John, Mrs. Ole (Mary) Berge, both Hamilton, Mrs. Ralph (Ruth) Powell, Victor.  A brother William, died in 1918 and sisters Mrs. Joe (Maude) Halder, Mrs. J. L. (Mildred) Benson, Mrs. Irby (Hazel) Lombard, also preceded Mr. Waddell in death.
    Frank Waddell was quiet, sincere, honest, industrious and capable. He made friends who remained friends.  Those friends who survive him will always revere his memory.
The Western News, Hamilton, MT, Wednesday, May 22, 1968, Page 1, column 6
Contributed by Gloria McGough

FRANKLIN WADDELL
Waddell Services To Be Thursday
    Funeral services for John Franklin Waddell, 91, upper valley pioneer, will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Dowling chapel with the Rev. Paul Pease officiating.  Burial will be in Lone Pine cemetery, Darby, where Masonic graveside services will be held.
    Mr. Waddell was found dead in the yard of his home north of Darby late Monday afternoon.  Death was attributed to an accidental gunshot wound which it is believed he suffered while driving crows from his cherry trees. He was found by his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Ole Berg, when they returned from a trip to Hamilton. Coroner F. O. Burrell, who investigated the death, reports all evidence points to an accident.
    He was born January 2, 1856, in Council Bluff, Iowa, and came to the valley in 1883.  Mr. Waddell had always remained very active and in good health until the time of his death.  He was a member of the Hamilton Masonic lodge.
    Survivors include daughters, Mrs. Maud Halder, Mrs. Martha St. John, Mrs. Mildred Benson, Mrs. Margey Berge, Mrs. Ruth Powell; son John Franklin Waddell Jr., Hamilton; 12 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Ravalli Republican, Hamilton, MT, Tuesday August 5, 1947, Front page column 3
Contributed by Gloria McGough
 
JOHN FRANKLIN WADDELL
John F. Waddell Is Killed Accidentally
     John F. Waddel (sic), 91 years old, of the Darby locality who was accidentally killed when he went with a shotgun to shoot crows near the ranch home of his son-in-law, Ole Berg; was well know in this community. He frequently came here to visit his daughter, Mrs. H. J. St. John, and family when the St. John’s were residents of this community. There is evidence, it is reported, that Mr. Waddell stumbled and fell causing the gun to be discharged.  He was shot in the abdomen. Mr. Waddell was a native of Kansas and settled on a farm near Darby in 1882 and had since resided in that locality.
    Funeral services will be held at 2 o’clock this afternoon, Thursday, at Hamilton.
NORTHWEST TRIBUNE & Stevensville Register, Thursday August 7, 1947, Front page column 5
Contributed by Gloria McGough


JOHN F. WADDELL
Spokane Daily Chronicle (unknown date, clipping with hand written note) reads:
DEATH:  HUNTING CROWS, MAN, 91 KILLED
    Hamilton Mont., Aug 5 (printed in ink is 1947) - John F. Waddell, 91 was accidentally killed while hunting crows with a shotgun at his north Darby farm yesterday.  His death, discovered by a son-in-law, Ole Berg, was evidently caused when he stumbled as he was walking in a field.  Sheriff Coroner F. O. Burrell said.
    The old-style gun had been used by Waddell since he came to the farm in 1882 from Kansas.  Despite his years, he worked around the farm where he lived with his daughters and son-in-law. Others surviving are his son, Frank M.; four daughters, Mrs. Jasper Benson & Mrs. Ralph Powell, of Darby; Mrs. Maude Halder and Mrs. H. J. St. John, of Hamilton. Burial will be at Darby Thursday.

HETTIE M. MILLS WADDELL
January 20, 1892 - December 21, 1981
     Hettie M. Waddell, 89, died early Monday morning at the Mrcus Daly Memorial Hospital. She was born in Belmond, Iowa on Jan 20, 1892, to the late Myron and Ada Johnson Millis.  She was raised in Iowa and following graduation from high school, her family moved to Montana. She graduated from the Great Falls Business College.
    On May 18, 1926 she married Charles Worthy Waddell in Billings.  The couple moved to Hamilton a short time thereafter, where her husband was assistant postmaster. She worked for a short time as a secretary for the State Representative to the Forest Service.  She also worked for sometime for Montana Power.
    She was preceded in death by her husband on Sept 1, 1954. She was a member of the Methodist-Baptist Federated church.  She has belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star since March 3, 1927, and was a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. She is survived by her son Robert of Hamilton and one sister, Mrs. H. A. “Zoe” Leckey of troy.
    Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Dowling Chapel with Rev. Robert Barnes officiating, with O. E. S. services following.  Interment will be at the Riverview cemetery. Friends may call at the Dowling Chapel, Tuesday evening from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. The family suggest memorials to the Methodist-Baptist Federated Church.
Ravalli Republic, Hamilton, MT, Tuesday, Dec 22, 1981, Page 2 OBITUARIES
Contributed by Gloria McGough

HOWARD FRANKLIN WADDELL
Howard Franklin Waddell, 88, passed in the morning Wednesday Nov 19, 2003 at the Valley View Estates Health Care Center in Hamilton. Service arrangements are pending.
    Ronald Brothers of Dowling Funeral Home and Crematory, 415 S. Second ST. in Hamilton is caring for the family.
Ravalli Republic, Thursday, Nov 20, 2003, Page 3
Contributed by Gloria McGough

INEZ WADDELL
Mrs. Inez Waddell Taken By Death In Billings On Monday, June 29
     Funeral services were Thursday in Billings for Mrs. Charles Waddell, 78, of that city who died at her home June 29. Inez Grover was a native of this valley and married Charles Waddell, former Hamilton businessman who died in Billings Oct 30, 1961.
    Survivors are sons Stanley, Seattle, Charles, Billings; daughters Charlotte Multz, Yakima, Inez Marsh, Bellflower, Cal., Loretta Balsan (sic), Miles City; sister Alvah Ross, Kirkland, Wash.
The Western News, Hamilton, MT, July 8, 1964
Contributed by Gloria McGough 

JESSE W. WADDELL
OLD TIMER DEAD
Jesse W. Waddell Resident Since Early Eighties
Funeral Services Held Tuesday Afternoon for West Side Rancher By Odd Fellows’ Lodge
    Jesse W. Waddell, a resident of the Hamilton community since the early eighties, died Sunday night at the Daly hospital after a protracted illness. He had been a patient at the hospital about ten days.  Mr. Waddell was a rancher of the west side neighborhood and a member of the Hamilton Odd Fellows lodge. He was unmarried and one of a family of ten.
    The surviving relatives are three sisters, Mrs. Lulu Payton of Long Beach, Cal., Mrs. Addie Hilger and Mrs. Emma Parker of Fort Scott, Kan.; and four brothers, Ed Waddell of Deer Park, Wash., Albert of Sedalia, MO., George of Hollywood, Cal., and Charles of Billings. The latter attended the funeral. Charles W. Waddell, assistant postmaster, is a nephew.
    Funeral services were held at the Dowling chapel Tuesday afternoon under the auspices of the Odd Fellows’ lodge.  Rev. H. h. Longenecker delivered the service and burial was in Riverview cemetery, where the ritual of the lodge was given. Mr. Waddell was known as a quiet, kindly neighbor among the west side residents.  He was 67 years of age.
Ravalli Republican, Hamilton, MT, Thursday, July 7, 1932, Front page, column 4;
Contributed by Gloria McGough

JOHN F. WADDELL, Sr.
Spokane Daily Chronicle (unknown date, clipping with hand written note) reads:
DEATH:    HUNTING CROWS, MAN, 91 KILLED   
Hamilton Mont., Aug 5 (printed in ink is 1947) - John F. Waddell, 91 was accidentally killed while hunting crows with a shotgun at his north Darby farm yesterday.  His death, discovered by a son-in-law, Ole Berg, was evidently caused when he stumbled as he was walking in a field.  Sheriff Coroner F. O. Burrell said.  The old-style gun had been used by Waddell since he came to the farm in 1882 from Kansas.  Despite his years, he worked around the farm where he lived with his daughters and son-in-law. Others surviving are his son, Frank M.; four daughters, Mrs. Jasper Benson & Mrs. Ralph Powell, of Darby; Mrs. Maude Halder and Mrs. H. J. St. John, of Hamilton. Burial will be at Darby Thursday.
Spokane Daily Chronicle, August 1947

JOHN FRANKLIN WADDELL
John F. Waddell, Pioneer of Bitter Root, is no more - Funeral Today
     Friends from many parts of the Bitter Root Valley gathered this afternoon at Dowling Chapel, Hamilton to pay their respect to the memory of John Franklin Waddell - one of the last few remaining pioneers of this valley - who was found dead at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Ole Berge, north of Darby Monday afternoon.  Rev Paul Pease officiated at the rites and the Masonic Order conducted graveside ritual at graveside in Lone Pine Cemetery where interment was made. 
    Mr. Waddell had been a member of the Masonic fraternity for about 50 years. John Franklin Waddell was bourn at Council Bluffs, Iowa Jan 2, 1856.  He came to the Bitter Root valley in 1883 and this district remained his home for the remainder of his life, even though he spent several winters in Alabama in recent years. Upon arriving in the valley he purchased homestead rights north of Darby from the late G. F. Shook. Mr. Waddell farmed this property, constructed ditches to irrigate it, and generally improved the place until he decided to divide it among his children and retire.
    Mr. Waddell was a sterling citizen, fine father, a good friend and a true builder in every sense of the word.  He enjoyed life right up to the last and only a few days prior to his passing remarked to family members that he expected to live to be 100 years of age.
Physically he was in fine condition for a man 91 years of age. Recently he recited a poem his mother had taught him 86 years before and the recitation was letter perfect.  Only his eyes proved poor and in recent years he experienced difficulty in reading.
    Death came to Mr. Waddell in an unexpected manner. Crows had been busy robbing the cherry trees on the Berge place where Mr. Waddell was living with his daughter and son-in-law. While the Berges were in Hamilton Monday, Mr. Waddell took a double-barreled hammer shotgun and sat upon a seat where he could watch the trees. In some manner unknown the gun exploded, and the charge struck the pioneer in the lower abdomen, killing him instantly. From the evidence on the scene it appeared Mr. Waddell had seen a crow light in the cherry trees, reached for the gun and it had slipped with the trigger striking some object to explode the charge into his body.
    Mr. Waddell's wife preceded him from this world, passing away in 1928. She is also at rest in Lone Pine Cemetery.  Those who survive the deceased are the following children:  Mrs. Maude Halder, Mrs. Martha St. John, Mrs. Mildred Benson, Mrs. Mary Berge, John Franklin Waddell, Jr., and Mrs. Ruth Powell. There are also twelve grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Friends who acted as pallbearers at the funeral this afternoon were Floyd R. Neill, Elmer L. Sargent, George S. Durland, C. H. Raymond, B. W. Reimel and C. A. Smithey.
The Western News, 7 Aug 1947, front page
Contributed by Gloria McGough

MARK WADDELL
Valley Native Mark Waddell, 53, Helena, Died March 8
     Mark Waddell, 53, of Helena died March 8 en route to a great falls hospital after suffering a heart attack and stroke at his home.  Funeral services were held Tuesday at Helena with cremation following in Spokane.
    Mr. Waddell was a native of the Bitter Root, born July 23, 1915 in Hamilton, the only child of Frank and Ruth Waddell.  Frank was an early settler of the valley.  Mark attended Darby school and the university at Missoula. He married Margaret Moles of Darby Sept. , 1934 in Missoula. They lived there while he finished at the university and then moved to Broadus, Billings and to Helena.  For many hears he worked for the telephone company and was a member of the Telephone Pioneers. 
    Survivors beside the widow include a daughter, Mrs. David Patten, Lexington, KY; his mother, Mrs. Frank Waddell, Hamilton and threegrandchildren, aunts and uncles.
The Western News, Hamilton, MT, Wednesday, March 12, 1969, Page 1, column 4
Contributed by Gloria McGough

MARY BELL WARD WADDELL
Mrs. W. H. Waddell Taken By Death; Lived Here Since 1885
    Funeral services will be Thursday morning at ten o’clock at the Dowling chapel for Mrs. W. H. Waddell, who would have noted her 95th birthday Friday. Mrs. Waddell had failed in health the past few months but was fortunate in being able to enjoy comparatively good health for her advanced age and was able to be up and around until death claimed her Sunday evening at her homeon North Third street where she resided with her daughter, Olive.  Interment will be in Riverview cemetery and pallbearers will be Adolph Olson, Orvie Mace, Ira Mace, William Stoll, William and Donald Fullerton.
    Mary Bell Ward was born April 2, 1870 in Crawford county, Kan., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. Marion Ward.  The father and family, when Mary was 13, tarted west from Missouri with two spans of mules. Somewhere long the way he sold the mules and wagon and they came by emigrant train to Deer Lodge.  There he hired a man, for the sum of $100, to bring the family to the Bitter Root by covered wagon. Mrs. Waddell had many interesting memories of coming to the valley. She recalled that they rented a log cabin on land which later became part of Hamilton townsite, she had a playhouse under a pine tree near where the old Ravalli hotel was later built. The father subsequently homesteaded 160 acres along the river and was working in the grain field when he died in August 1884. The mother continued to reside here with the rest of the family and Mary Bell attended school in the old Skalkaho school house and played on the land where Fort Skalkaho had been built and which is now the Paul Kurtz place. The George Ward in the Way Back When column in this issue was Mary Bell’s cousin.
    Miss ward married William Henry Waddell in Hamilton on Dec. 2, 1888 with the Rev. William Lewis officiating.  In 1892 they went to Idaho where he worked in the Murray mine for 16 years.  After coming back to Hamilton they lived on the west side.  He died Dec. 17, 1913. Surviving Mrs. Ward (sic) beside the daughter Olive are daughters, Mrs. Leo (Hazel) McMahon, Mrs. Earl (Ruth) Phillips, also of Hamilton; eight grandchildren; 18 grandchildren (sic).  A son, Charles, was killed Sept. 1, 1954 by a train at the crossing southeast of Hamilton. Grandson Dr. Leo (Pat) McMahon, arrived yesterday from Fort Washakle, Wyo., and family members are uncertain whether grandson Dr. Charles McMahon will be able to come here form Ft. Lejune, N. C. Rev. William Tapscott will officiate at the services.
The Western News, Hamilton, MT, March 31, 1965, Page 4, column 4
Contributed by Gloria McGough

OLIVE A. WADDELL
Olive Waddell, Retired Teacher, Passes Sunday
    Miss Olive A. Waddell, a former longtime teacher in the valley, died Sunday at Marcus Daly Hospital at the age of 82. The woman was born Sept 7, 1889, in Hamilton. She attended schools in Wallace, Idaho and obtained a teaching degree. She taught school in eastern Montana and throughout the Bitter Root for more than 40 years, retiring several years ago.  She made her home in
Hamilton since that time.
    Survivors include two sisters, Mrs. Ruth Phillips and Mrs. Hazel McMahon of Hamilton; sister-in-law, Hettie Waddell also of Hamilton, and numerous nieces and nephews.  She was a member of the Methodist Church and the local Retired Teachers
Assn. Funeral rites tentatively are planned Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Dowling Mortuary.
Ravalli Republican of 6 March 6, 1972, Front page column 3 & 4
Contributed by Gloria McGough

OLIVE ADELINE WADDELL
Olive Waddell, Retired Teacher, Taken By Death Here March 4
    Funeral services were held yesterday afternoon at the Dowling chapel for Miss Olive Waddell, 82, former longtime Hamilton teacher who died March 4 at 7:1? p.m., at Daly hospital.  Her health was not robust but death was unexpected. Rev., Eugene Bartels officiated at the rites and interment was in Riverview cemetery. Pallbearers were Dr. Charles McMahon, Don Phillips, Earl Phillips, William Phillips, Phil Stoll and Bill Fullerton.
    Olive Adeline Waddell was born in Hamilton Sept 7, 1889, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William (Mary Ward) Waddell who came to the valley in 1883 from Fort Scott, Kan. The family moved to Wallace, Idaho during Olive’s youth and she was graduated from the Wallace high school. She attended college at Cheney, Wash., to become a teacher. She taught for the first time at the Dutch Hill Fairplay school, later at Hamilton, Domonic, Warf and Carlos Heights, at Darby and at Hamilton again. She retired in 1951.
    Surviving sisters are Mrs. Leo (Hazel) McMahon, Mrs. Earl (Ruth) Phillips, both of Hamilton, several nephews.
Miss Waddell was of the Methodist faith and was a member of national, state and local teachers associations.  Many of Miss Waddell’s former students visited with her over the years, and kept in touch otherwise.
The Western News, Hamilton, MT,  Wednesday, March 8, 1972, Front page column 7
Contributed by Gloria McGough

ROBERT A. WADDELL
    Robert A. Waddell, 47, died at his home in Hamilton early Tuesday following a lenghty illness. He was born, Oct 5, 1934 in Hamilton to the late Charles and Hettie Millis Waddell. He was raised and graduated from Hamilton High School.  He lived all his
life in Hamilton.
    He is survived by three aunts; Joe Leckey of Troy, Ruth Phillips of Hamilton, Hazel McMahon of Lander, Wyo and several cousins.
    Graveside services will be conducted Thurday, 2 p.m. at the Riverview Cemetery in Hamilton with the Rev Robert Barnes officiating.  Memorials may be contributed to the Hamilton Baptist-Methodist Federated Church. Friends may call at the Dowling Chapel in Hamilton on Wednesday evening from 7 to 9 p.m.
Ravalli Republic, Hamilton, MT, July 21, 1982, page 2, columns 6, 7 & 8
Contributed by Gloria McGough

RUTH WADDELL
Ruth Waddell passes away in Hamilton
Darby-Long-time Darby resident Ruth Waddell died Thursday in Hamilton. She was 83.
    Born Sept 9, 1894 at Big Foot Prarie, Wisc., she moved to Texas with her parents in 1905. She moved to the Bitter Root in 1914. On Oct 1, 1914, she married Frank Waddell. The Waddell family are pioneer residents of the valley. In 1961, Mr. Waddell retired from the ranch near Darby and the couple moved to Hamilton.
    Mrs. Waddell was preceded in death by her husband in 1968 and a son, Mark, in 1969. Survivors include a granddaughter, Sharon Waddell Patten of Missoula, and three great-grandsons; Bryce, Matthew and Nicholas, all of Missoula.
    Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday in the Lone Pine Cemetery at Darby.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Lone Pine Cemetery Association.   Dowling Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Ravalli Republic, Hamilton, MT, December 2, 1977, page 7, col 4 &5
Contributed by Gloria McGough
 
WILLIAM DELBERT WADDELL
W. D. WADDELL IS LAID TO REST
    Rev. Roy Barrett conducted services from the Dowling chapel Monday afternoon for William Delbert Waddell, 39, former resident, who died at Lewiston, Idaho, Friday evening.  The American Legion was in charge of graveside ceremonies at Riverview cemetery where the deceased was laid to rest.
    Mr. Waddell came to the valley when he was a boy of 12, and with the exception of his service with the American forces during the World War and a year’s residence in Idaho, had made Hamilton his home.  He is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Leo McMahon, and Miss Olive Waddell, (copy of article cut-off)
The Western News, Hamilton, MT, Thursday September 13, 1934, Front page column 4
Contributed by Gloria McGough
 
RITES FOR VETERAN
Delbert Waddell Died at Lewiston, Idaho.
Military Honors Accorded Memory of World War Soldier at Riverview Cemetery Monday.
    William Delbert Waddell, veteran of St. Mihiel and Chateau Thierry conflicts in the World War, died suddenly at Lewiston, Idaho, Friday following a brief illness. He had gone to that section a few months ago to work on a ranch and had expected to return to Hamilton soon. The body was brought here Monday for burial beside the grave of his father, the late William H. Waddell, in Riverview cemetery. Military honors were accorded at the funeral by a firing squad from Ravalli Post of the American Legion.  The double notes of “Taps” and the echo were sounded by the legion buglers, Elmer Blood and Roland Vinacke, and a rifle volley fired in farewell to the departed soldier.  Members of the firing squad were W. G. Chambers, William McFee, H. H. Longenecker, George Robertson, William Young and Earl Malone, who acted as pallbearers, and Olvier Sharp, Letster McRae, Wallace McCrackin, R. O. Young, J. W. Ford and H. B. Fehrenkamp.
    The funeral sermon was given by Rev. R. H. Barrett at the Dowling chapel at 3 o’clock Monday afternoon and many friends of the family were in attendance as the flag-draped casket was lowered into the grave.
    Delbert Waddell was born at Murphy, Idaho, March 16, 1896.  He came to Hamilton with his parents when he was 12 years of age. Except for his years of service in the army much of his life was spent here.  He served for the entire period of the war with the A. E. F. in France and was twice wounded in action.
    Those to survive him are his mother, Mrs. Mary B. Waddell; a brother, Charles Waddell, assistant postmaster here, and
his sisters, Mr.s Leo McMahon of Phillpsburg, Mrs. Earl Phillips of Anaconda and Miss Olive Waddell, a teacher near Billings.  Miss Waddell and Mrs. McMahon came to Hamilton for the rites.  Mrs. Philips was unable to be present.
Ravalli Republican, Hamilton, MT, Thursday September 13, 1934, Front page column 3
Contributed by Gloria McGough

WILLIAM C. WADDELL
Two Deaths At Darby
    William C. Waddell died at his home, about four miles southeast of Darby, at 7 o’clock Friday evening Dec 13.  He was 34 years old and leaves a young wife and a little son about three years old, besides his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John W. Waddell, six sisters, Mrs. Joseph A. Halder, Mrs. Claire Gilmore, Mrs. J. L. Benson, and Miss Ruth Waddell of Darby.  Mrs. H. J. St. John, and Mrs. Irby Lambard of Victor, and one brother, Frank Waddell of Darby, and other relatives. Mr. Waddell is the third of Darby’s young married men to succumb to influenza. 
    He was a native of the Bitter Root, a prosperous farmer and a very promising young man and will be greatly missed by the whole community as well as his family and many relatives who have the sympathy of the whole valley in their bereavement. 
    The funeral was held Sunday afternoon and burial was made in Darby Cemetery. Mrs. Dora Simmons died about 7 o’clock Friday evening Dec 13, of influenza, surviving her husband, (sic) Warner Simmons only 40 hours. She was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Grant McKinney, was about 30 years old and was born and raised in the Bitter Root valley, where she has a host of friends who sympathize with the bereaved realtives (sic) and especially with the four little boys who are bereft of both father and mother.
The Western News, Hamilton, Ravalli, Montana, Thursday, December 19, 1918, Front Page, Column 6
Contributed by Gloria McGough

WILLIAM WADDELL
Death Summons Two Old Timers
William Waddell died Wednesday of consumption - Willis M. Watson Called
     Death Wednesday claimed William Waddell, who for months has declined rapidly under the fatal blight of miner's consumption.  It was not unexpected by the family and friends of the deceased, who have long known that at their hall on Second street north.
Funeral services over the remains were held this afternoon at 1:30 and were conducted by the Odd Fellows at there (sic) hall on Second street north.  Rev. O. W. Jones, pastor of the Christian church, preached the funeral sermon. Interment in Riverview cemetery followed.
    Mr. Waddell was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, Jan 26, 1863.  He came west to the Bitter Root in 1881.  For about 15 years he worked in the mines in the Coeur d'Alen (sic) district. At different periods he spent about 10 years in the Bitter Root valley.  He returned from the Coeur d'Alenes (sic) the last time about four years ago.
    Mr. Waddell is survived by a wife and five children. The children are Olive, Charles W., Delbert, Hazel and Ruth.  In addition, he is survived by his father, five brothers and four sisters. Three of the brothers, Charles and Jess of Hamilton, and Edward of Spokane, reside in the west.The last named arrived yesterday to attend the funeral.  The other
members of the family reside in the east.
    Mr. Waddell possessed all the qualities of good citizenship and was universally respected.
The Western News, 19 Dec 1913, Front page
Contributed by Gloria McGough

WILBUR WAGONER
Wagoner Boy Dies Hit By Automobile
    Wilbur Wagoner, eight year old son of Mr. and Mrs. George Wagoner of Florence, who was visiting at the home of his grandparents, mr. and Mrs. Bentham of Lolo, was hit by an auto driving by W.M. Hay of Missoula, Wednesday, and died half an hour later. The lad was playing on the Lolo Springs road with some other children about a half mile from Lolo when he ran in front of the passing car. When the car passed over him, he got up but only walked a few steps when he fell. The driver stopped and carried the lad to the house of his grandfather. The Coroner's inquest exonerated Hay from any blame in the accident. The body was taken to the undertaking parlors at Missoula and brought to Lolo for burial Saturday.
Northwest Tribune, Thursday, July 11, 1929

ABRAHAM WAGY
April 7, 1836  - August 31, 1918
    A. Wagy, aged 82, succumbed to the infirmities of old age Saturday evening at the home of his daughter, Mrs. G.N. Whitesitt. Until six days before his death, Mr. Wagy was apparently the possessor of good health. He attended all sessions of the Chautauqua at Hamilton and has done light work all summer.
    He is survived by seven children, Mrs. McVey of Kansas; Mrs. Sedgewick of Idaho; Mrs. Ramsey of Sand Point, Idaho; Sherman Wagy of Hamilton; Mrs. Chapman of Wisdom; and Mrs. Whitesitt. A brother resides in Illinois and there are a number of grandchildren.

    The funeral of A. Wagy, who died Saturday at his home the A.N. Whitesitt ranch on Willow creek, was held Wednesday at the residence, Rev. F.J. Salsman of Hamilton officiating. Interment was in the Corvallis cemetery Mr. Wagy was born in Ohio, 82 years ago last April. For twenty years he had been a resident of the valley, owning a ranch home, three miles north of Corvallis. He was a conscientious Christian and a regular church goer up to the last Sunday before his illness. He had been unusually blessed with good health and until six days previous to his death, had been able to drive out alone. Since the death of his wife, six years ago, he had divided his time between his children going to Kansas to be with his daughter, Mrs. McVey, to Sand Point to visit another daughter, Mrs. Ramsey, and here with Mrs. Whitesitt or at Hamilton with his only son, Sherman Wagy. Other daughters are Mrs. Sedgewick of Ada, and Mrs. Chapman of Wisdom. A brother lives in Illinois and there survives also numerous grandchildren and several great grandchildren.
The Western News, September 5, 1918

MARY ELIZABETH WAGY
December 8, 1839 - July 8, 1910
Mrs. Wagy Dead
Died at Corvallis Last Friday Afternoon.
Had Not Been in Good Health for Two Years and Passed Away at the Age of 71.
Corvallis, July 14—Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Wagy died at her home in Corvallis Friday, July 8, after a protracted illness of two years.  Mrs. Wagy was born December 8, 1839 and was married September 6, 1860 to Mr. Wagy, with whom she would have celebrated the golden wedding anniversary had she been spared until September, and who lives to mourn her loss.  To this union were born ten children, seven of whom are still living.  Those present at the funeral were Mrs. A. N. Whitsitt, Miss Debora Wagy and Miss Mabel Wagy of Corvallis; Mrs. J. W. Ramsey of Sandpoint, Idaho; Mrs. J. W. Leming of Fort Benton; and W. S. Wagy of Hamilton. Mrs. J. S. McBay of Fort Scott, Kansas, was unable to attend.
    The deceased was a woman of strong Christian character, who had led a life of unselfishness, always thinking of comfort and welfare of others before that of herself.  She will be greatly missed by her many friends as well as by her family. The bereaved ones have the love and sympathy of the entire community.
Ravalli Republican, August 15, 1910

MRS. A. WAGY LAID TO REST.
    Corvallis, July 13 - Mrs. Elizabeth Wagy died at her home here Friday, July 8, after a protracted illness of two years. Dropsy was the cause of her death.
    Mrs. Wagy was born in Virginia, December 8, 1839 and had reached the age of 70 years and seven months at the time of her death. On September 6, 1860, she was united in marriage to A. Wagy and if she had been spared until September would have celebrated her golden wedding anniversary on September 6.
    To this union were born ten children, seven of whom are still living. Following are the surviving children: Mrs. J.S. McBay, Ft. Scott, Kansas; Mrs. A.N. Whitesitt, Corvallis; Mr. W.S. Wagy, Hamilton; Mrs. J.W. Ramsey, Sandpoint, Idaho; Mrs. J.W. Lenning, Ft. Benton, Montana; Miss Debora Wagy, Corvallis; Miss Mabel Wagy, Missoula; and a devoted husband, A. Wagy of Corvallis. The surviving children were all present at the funeral with the exception of Mrs. McBay of Kansas.
    The funeral was held from the home here Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. F.J. Salsman officiating and the remains laid to rest in the cemetery east of town.
    The deceased was a woman of strong Christian character and lived a life of usefulness and was absolutely patient during her entire sickness, thinking of everyone but herself. She was a member of the Baptist church, becoming connected with it at a tender age and was always a devout member. She will be greatly missed by her many friends as well as by her family. The bereaved ones have the sympathy of the entire community.
Northwest Tribune, July 15, 1910
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
ANNIE LAURIE WALKER
August 20, 1871 - November 28, 1933
LONG ILLNESS ENDED. DEATH CAME MONDAY TO MRS. GEORGE WALKER; FUNERAL SERVICES HELD YESTERDAY AT CHAPEL.
    Mrs. Annie Laurie Walker, wife of George Walker, died at her home three miles north of Hamilton Monday morning following an extended illness. Her husband, a rancher of the district, and two sisters, Mrs. A.L. Bourke of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Mrs. Frank Gossett of Allison, Iowa, survive. Mr. and Mrs. Walker came to the Hamilton community about 12 years ago from Livingston.
    Funeral services were held yesterday afternoon at the Dowling Funeral Home, Christian Science rites being conducted by Mrs. A.C. Walbridge. Burial was in the Corvallis cemetery. The pallbearers were: H.H. Spaulding, W.L. Gray, John Wilkerson, A.C. Walbridge, Andrew Anderson, and John Hauswirth. Mrs. Walker was born at Macon, Missouri August 20, 1871. She had been ill for several months.
Ravalli Republican, November 30, 1933

EVA LEONA ANDERSON WALKER
June 6, 1911 - March 2, 1975
Mrs. Al Walker, 63, Taken By Death March 2; Rites Were Today
    Funeral services were held this afternoon at Dowling chapel for Mrs. Alfred Walker, 63, Hamilton native who died March 2 at her home on No. 7th St. Death was due to cancer. She had been ill about three years. Pastor Charles Alloway and Rev. Robert Nickell of the Seventh-day Adventist Church officiated. Interment was in Riverview Cemetery. Pallbearers were Kenneth Glassford, Carl Held, John Ketcham, Delwin Jenkins, Ronald Smith, John Leibe.
    Eva Leona Anderson was born June 6, 1911 in Hamilton, daughter of Andrew and Bertha Tucker Anderson. She grew up here, attended Hamilton schools, then moved to Darby where she resided with an uncle and aunt Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Lear and was a 1930 graduate of DHS. She worked in Hamilton stores for several years at the Associated See Growers plant here. Her marriage to Alfred Walker of Butte took place June 29, 1935 in Missoula at the Methodist parsonage with Rev. Van De Mark officiating. It wa a double marriage, Miss Anderson and Mr. Walker having as witnesses her sister Floris and John Martin. The latter then had their marriage witnessed by Mr. and Mrs. Walker. Floris died May 22, 1949.
    The Walkers made their home on Geneva Avenue for many years. Mrs. Walker was a devoted worker in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. She was an accomplished organist and pianist, a lover of nature and the outdoors, though the later was restricted as to hiking or great physical exercise because she suffered polio as a small girl. She held many offices in the church and was particularly fond of helping in the childrens departments. She was an immaculate housekeeper. Her pleasing personality won her many friends through the years and her memory to them will be precious.
    Mrs. Walker is survived by her hustand; aunts, Mrs. Lear and Miss Altha Tucker; brother, Cecil Anderson, Darby; sisters, Mrs. Raymond (Geraldine) Cote, Butte; Mrs. Marvin (Justina) Brown, Folsom, Calif; uncles, Sherman Tucker, Darby; Kenneth Tucker, Baxter Springs, Kansas; nieces and nephews. Mrs. Walker was also preceded in death by her father January 20, 1939 and her mother, Mrs. Bertha Sandell July 10, 1966.
The Western News, March 5, 1975

 
CAROLYN TENNESSEE BELL WAN
January 5, 1831 - October 23, 1914
MRS. CAROLYN WAN PASSED AWAY AT CORVALLIS
Eight Grandsons of the Deceased Acted as Pallbearers at Funeral Sunday.
    Corvallis, October 20 - The funeral service of Carolyn T. Wan was conducted from the family residence Sunday afternoon by Rev. W.D. Lear. Interment was made in the Corvallis Cemetery, eight grandsons of the deceased acting as pallbearers. Carolyn Tennessee Wan was born in Tennessee in 1831. In 1850, she was married to W.C. Wan, and to this union eight daughters were born, all of whom were present at their mother's funeral. The Wans came to the Bitter Root in 1884, and were widely known and a highly respected family. Since the death of her husband, nine years ago, Mrs. Wan had been an invalid and death came as a blessed release. The daughters are Mrs. G.W. Ward of Charlos, Mrs. W.W. Hunt of Grangeville, Idaho, Mrs. P.C. Nicholson of Pawtaha, Washington, Mrs. H.M. Butler of Simms, and Mrs. John Watts, Mrs. J.W. Morris, Mrs. P.M. Flugstand, and Mrs. R.D. Stanley all of Corvallis.
Ravalli Republican, October 30, 1914

WILLIAM CLAYTON WAN
December 25, 1829 - July 16, 1905
W.C. WAN CALLED BY DEATH. An Aged Resident of the Bitter Root Valley Passed Away at Corvallis Sunday.
    William Clayton Wan, an old and much respected resident of the Bitter Root Valley, died at his home near Corvallis, Sunday. Death came as a merciful release from a lingering illness. He was seventy-six years old and a native of Tennessee, and with his parents moved to Lawrence County, Missouri, where he grew to manhood. Here, on May 3, 1850, he was married to Miss Caroline Tennessee Bell, who survives him. While in the service of the Confederate Army, he was wounded and soon thereafter left for Oregon and Washington.
    Mr. Wan has been a resident of this valley twenty-one years, coming here from the coast in 1884. He was a member of the Baptist Church, with which denomination he united some thirty years ago. He was a loving husband and father, an industrious and thrifty man, and a worthy citizen.
    The funeral services were conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock by Rev. L.L. Kneeland, pastor of the Baptist Church, assisted by Rev. W.D. Lear of the Christian Church, and Rev. T.B. Reagan of the Methodist Church South, at the family residence. The services were attended by a large gathering of the older residents of the Bitter Root Valley. The pallbearers on this sad occasion were B.F. Strange, Thomas Burroughs, C.E. Julitt, Robert Smithey, E.W. Odell, and Thomas Randolph.
Ravalli Republican, July 21, 1905

LOUIS JOHN WANDLER
November 28, 1946 - January 21, 1967
Stevensville Young Man Dies In Iron Triangle Engagement
    The war in Viet Nam claimed its fourth Ravalli County victim Saturday with the death of Specialist Fourth Class Louis J. Wandler of Stevensville. The 20-year old soldier was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ludwig Wandler, who reside in the Three Mile area.
    According to war department reports, Sp. Wandler was hit by small arms fire and died Saturday while on a combat mission in the Iron Triangle area northwest of Saigon, South Viet Nam. The young man had been stationed in the combat zone since last September.
    He was born November 28, 1946 at Corpus Christi, Texas. He attended Corvallis and Stevensville schools and entered the US Army in December of 1965.
    Surviving include the parents; two sisters, Mrs. Jeanetta Applebury of Missoula and Joetta at the family home; four brothers, Bernard, Eugene, Ronald, and Cletus, all of Stevensville, and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Cyriak Wandler and Mrs. Mary Kern, all of Corvallis.
    Funeral arrangements are pending at the Whitesitt Mortuary in Stevensville.
Ironically, all of the Ravalli County victims of the Viet Nam conflict have been associated with the Stevensville area. Killed November 19, 1965 was LaGrande Nelson of Stevensville, Sgt. Carl Munsey, late husband of the former Barbara Lockridge of Stevensville, died in action March 29, 1966. Killed December 28, 1966 was Walter Wannacott, grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Mace of Stevensville.
Ravalli Republic, January 23, 1967


RALPH WANDERER, Jr
August 19, 1917 - April 15, 1985
    Retired Air Force Col. Ralph M. Wanderer, Jr., 67, formerly of Hamilton, died of heart failure April 15 in Novato, California. He was born August 19, 1917 in Clancy. He graduated from Hamilton High School and attended the University of Montana graduating in 1939. Shortly after graduation, he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and attended flight training school at Randolph AFB, San Antonio, Texas. He completed advanced flight school at Kelly AFB in Texas and was assigned to Hickam Field in Honolulu in 1940.
    He married Margaret Burns in San Francisco on June 23, 1940. They arrived in Hawaii in July 1940 and were there when Pearl Harbor was attacked in December 1941.
    He was a graduate of the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and the Air Command Staff School at Maxwell AFB in Alabama. He had a degree from the University of Omaha and attended graduate school at George Washington University and Harvard. He was a 1954 graduate of the Harvard Advanced Management program. 
    His wife Margaret preceded him in death in 19769. He had resided in Novato since then.
    Memorial services were held in Novato earlier this month. The family suggests memorials to the American Cancer Society or to the Heart Fund.
Abstract from: Ravalli Republic, April 29, 1985


GEORGE W. WARD
September 28, 1844 - March 28, 1916
WELL KNOWN PERSON DIED TUESDAY NIGHT
George W. Ward Was a Civil War Veteran Universally Liked and Respected, Who Came Here From Missouri in Territorial Days and at One Time Owned Land Now Belonging to the Daly Estate Before the Town of Hamilton Was Started.
    George W. Ward, one of the oldest and most honored residents of the Bitter Root valley, died at his home at Charlos Tuesday evening. Although it was known that his health was failing for some time, his demise was a great shock to the community. George Ward was known to every resident of western Montana. He was a typical pioneer, good-hearted and saw good in everything. Although of a retiring disposition, he never was backward where duty called. He came to the bitter Root valley in July 1881, in a covered wagon, traveling half way across the continent. His first look at the Bitter Root valley settled his future destiny, and he sent for his family and made his home here.
    Mr. Ward was a native of Indiana being born near Vincennes September 28, 1844. At the age of two years, he went with his parents to Lawrence County, Missouri, where he was married to Miss Hannah Wahan April 14, 1869. Behind a span of mules, he left Missouri April 18 to make his home in the west. He reached here July 22. Although he left home alone, it was at a time when many were headed for this western country and before the end of his journey, he composed a cavalcade which passed through Kansas into Nebraska and up the Platte, along the route of the Union Pacific into Wyoming and out of Wyoming by way of Cheyenne and Laramie City. By way of Rollins over Pacific Springs, he reached Mount Peller and by way of Soda Springs - now in Idaho - he came to Fort Hall and Eagle Rock, now Idaho Falls. By way of Market Lake and through Campbell Station on the Utah Northern, he passed through Beaver Canyon over the divide into the Red Rock country and from there by way of Bannock on into the Big Hole into Ross' Hole and finally into the Bitter Root.
    When the Civil war was raging, he enlisted with the Union forces from a state in which sentiment was strong for the south. He is a member of the Missoula Grand Army post and always took an active interest in gatherings of the old veterans. He was a member of the state legislative assembly in 1893 from Missoula county. It was during this session that Ravalli County was formed. When Marcus Daly came here to purchase his large estate and establish the town of Hamilton, his first holdings were secured from Mr. Ward. He took a prominent part in all movements to benefit the country, being identified with several irrigation projects.
    The funeral was held yesterday morning at 11 o'clock in his home at Charlos, and was attended by many residents of Ravalli and Missoula counties. The members of the Grand Army of the Republic were present and the sermon was delivered by Rev. J.C. Irwin of the Presbyterian church. The interment was made in the Corvallis Cemetery where the Masonic rites were said. The deceased is survived by a widow; C.W. Ward, a former sheriff and county commissioner, of Darby, and Sidney M. Ward of Charlos.
Ravalli Republican, March 31, 1916

WARD PASSES AT RIPE OLD AGE
Bitter Root Pioneer Succumbs to Infirmities of Old Age
    George W. Ward died at 8:15 Tuesday evening at his ranch home on Camas prairie. He had been in feeble health for several years past, finally succumbing to the infirmities of old age. The funeral was held yesterday from the family home, interment being made in Corvallis Cemetery. The service was conducted by Rev. J.C. Iirwin and was held under the auspices of the Masonic fraternity and Grand Army post of Hamilton.
    George W. Ward emigrated to Montana from Lawrence County, Missouri, arriving in the Bitter Root valley in July 1881. He made the trip by wagon drawn by a pair of mules via the old "Overland Trail," entering the Bitter Root valley by way of the Big Hold road. His family followed within the year.
    Mr. Ward located a homestead on the North Gird's creek bench, three miles east of Hamilton. The late James A. Hedge had previously located a homestead on the bench immediately east of Hamilton and had demonstrated the feasibility of watering such lands by bringing a ditch from Skalkaho creek. Mr. Ward gradually acquired a tract of nearly a thousand acres and completed another irrigating canal from Skalkaho, one of the biggest undertakings of the kind in western Montana in those days. This land and project was purchased by Marcus Daly in 1893.
    Mr. Ward was elected to the house of representatives of the state legislature in 1892 and was one of the seven adherents of Marcus Daly who all through the session deadlocked the legislature and prevented the election of W.A. Clark to the United States senate in 1893. He was also an ardent supporter of Mr. Daly's project to located the state capital in Anaconda. During that session the county of Ravalli was created through the efforts of Mr. Daly. The next year Mr. Ward purchased the big ranch on Camas prairie where he dug another canal. This ranch was subdivided into several tracts during the apple boom. He also organized a company to develop the Hughes creek placers.
    Mr. Ward was active in development work and public affairs. He was a strong partisan, loyal to whatever cause he espoused and exerted a definite influence among his associates.
    Mr. Ward was 71 years of age. He is survived by the widow and two sons, Charles William and Sidney and two daughters, Mrs. D.T. Grush of Anaconda and Miss Dale and numerous other relatives, including grandchildren.
The Western News, Friday, March 31, 1916
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
HANNAH WARD
January 24, 1851 - September 7, 1939
MRS. WARD GONE. PIONEER BITTER ROOT VALLEY WOMAN DIES SUDDENLY.
    Death claimed a pioneer of the Hamilton community last Thursday afternoon, Mrs. Hannah Ward, who had lived in the Bitter Root valley since 1881 when she came here with her late husband, George Ward. She was one of the valley's most remarkable women and had lived alone at her Charlos Heights home most of the time since her husband passed away in 1916. A slight illness had come to her Thursday morning and as a consequence, her daughter, Mrs. E.A. Hassett, had spent much of the day in the mother's home. Leaving the aged woman for a short time in the late afternoon, Mrs. Hassett asked Mrs. Charles Stewart, who occupied a part of the Ward house, to look after Mrs. Ward. The end came somewhat suddenly as Mrs. Ward drifted into sleep shortly before 6 o'clock. During the afternoon, she had made plans to move to her daughter's home.
    Mrs. Ward was born at Halltown, Missouri, January 24, 1851, and she was in her 89th year. She came to Montana with her husband and young family in 1881 and the journey was made by train to the old town of Silver Bow. From that point they came to the Bitter Root valley by covered wagon and settled on land in the Gird's creek district. In 1891, the Ward homestead and other land they had acquired in their ten years residence here, was sold to Marcus Daly. This included the acres that eventually became the Hamilton townsite. More ranch land in the locality that was then known as Camas Prairie was acquired by Mr. Ward and the home has since been in the community, which later was called Charlos Heights. Self reliance marked Mrs. Ward's entire life and her alert mentality never deserted her.
    Another daughter, Mrs. Ruth Grush of Anaconda, and the sons, S. M. Ward of Clinton and C.W. Ward of Darby are others of her family. Sisters are Mrs. R.D. Stanley and Mrs. Cora Morris of Corvallis, Mrs. H.M. Butler of Charlos Heights, Mrs. P.C. Nicholson of Pomeroy, Washington; and Mrs. William Hunt of Clarkston, Washington.
    The Dowling chapel was filled with friends of the old-time lade for the funeral Monday afternoon. Rev. E.T. Thorn of Darby gave the last service and young relatives served as pallbearers. They were Ray and Dan Morris and Max Stanley of Corvallis, A.E. Robbins and Paul Ward of Darby and Theodore LaChambre of Hamilton. Interment was in the Corvallis cemetery beside the grave of Mr. Ward.
Ravalli Republican, September 14, 1939

ZOE WARD
1914 - 1915
INFANT DROWNED
Tragic Death of infant Daughter of S.M. Ward
While Parents Were at Missoula Child Fell Into Irrigation Ditch Near Ward Home
    The entire community was shocked Monday forenoon when it became known that Zoe Ward, the eighteen month old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sidney M. Ward of Camas, had been drowned in an irrigation ditch near the Ward home. The funeral was held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. J.W. Heyward conducting the services. Interment was made in the Corvallis Cemetery.
    The little girl had been left in the care of a family employed at the Ward ranch when Mr. and Mrs. Ward went to the celebration at Missoula. The child had been out of sight but a few minutes when she was found in the ditch. Drs. George McGrath and R.L. Owens were immediately summoned to the Ward ranch, but their efforts were without avail. Word was communicated to Missoula and as soon as Mr. and Mrs. Ward were located they left by automobile for their home, arriving shortly after 3 o'clock. Mrs. Ward was prevailed upon to leave the baby at home, on account of the great crowd at Missoula. The bereaved parents have the sympathy of the entire community.
Ravalli Republican, Friday, July 9, 1915

RUTH WARREN
July 3, 1883 - July 24, 1967
Mrs. G. Warren, Former Bitter Root Resident, Died In Seattle
    Mrs. Gilbert (Ruth R.S.) Warren, 84, of Seattle died in the West Shoshone General Hospital at Kellogg, Idaho July 24. She had been visiting a daughter at Cataldo, Idaho when she became ill and died four days later. Mrs. Warren, a former valley resident, had been in poor health for some time after suffering several strokes. Memorial services were held at the Fauntleroy church in Seattle July 28. Cremation took place in Spokane and the ashes will be brought to Corvallis cemetery for interment later beside the grave of her husband.
    Mrs. Warren, a native of New York, was born July 3, 1883. She was a graduate of Pratt Institute, New York City ad was graduated in 1950 from the University of Washington in Seattle. She was well known in art circles and was a former teacher. She lived in Hamilton until 1942 when she moved to Seattle. Mr. Warren died at Hamilton in 1927.
    Surviving is a son, Gilbert W. Warren, West Barrington, R.I.; a daughter Mrs. Rupert (Mary Louise) Rex, Cataldo; five grandchildren.
The Western News, July 26, 1967

DAVID OSCAR WASHBURN
1880 - 1922
D. WASHBURN DEAD
Died at Hamilton and Was Buried at CorvallisWell Known at Corvallis, Where He Lived at Intervals for the Past Fifteen Years
Corvallis, August 18 - The remains of David Oscar Washburn, whose death occurred last Friday night at Hamilton, were brought from Hamilton Sunday to the Adventist Church, where the last rites were attended by many sorrowing friends. Elder Livingston ws in charge and he used for his scripture lesson Ecclesiastes 12:1-7, and his address was, as he stated, for the living rather than for the dead. A choir of mixed voices rendered three hymns. Interment was in the Corvallis Cemetery.Mr. Washburn was well known in Corvallis, where he had lived at intervals for 15 years and where for the last three years he had been associated in the lumber business with Frank Printz. He was a native of Ohio and was 42 years of age. He is survived by the widow and one son, Charles, whose home is in Chicago.
The Ravalli Republican, Friday, August 18, 1922


ROSE CHAFFIN WATTS
August 14, 1866 - January 29, 1916
FUNERAL OF MRS. WATTS YESTERDAY AT CORVALLIS
    The funeral of Mrs. J.D. watts was held yesterday from the Federated Church, Corvallis, and interment was made in Corvallis Cemetery. There was a very large attendance despite the inclement weather and almost unprecedented depth of snow, attesting the high esteem felt for the deceased who was born ad reared in the community.
    Rose Chaffin Watts was born August 14, 1866 at the old Elijah Chaffin homestead just north of Corvallis. She married J.D. Watts in 1884. A son and daughter blessed this union. In 1894 Mr. and Mrs. Watts removed to Portland where they have since resided. The husband, a son and daughter, an adopted son, two sisters, Mrs. Nancy Simmons and Mrs. Judith Summers and five brothers, B.S., Alex, M.L., Frank and Campbell C. Survive.
The Western News, Friday, February 4, 1916

JACOB GEORGE WEBER
August 4, 1887- June 2, 1972
J.G. Weber, 84, Claimed By Death June 2; Rites Monday
    Funeral services were held on Monday afternoon at the Dowling chapel for Jacob G. Weber, 84, longtime valley resident who died June 2, Rev. Eugene Bartels officiated and interment was made in Riverview cemetery. Pallbearers were Jack Beavers, James Sculley, Sam Hieronymus, Fay Burrell, Vern Chaffin and Miles Romney.
    Jacob George Weber was born August 4, 1887 at Aberdeen, So. Dak. His marriage to Elizabeth Blum took place May 28,1911 in Cater, Alberta. Before moving to the Bitter Root, Mr. Weber was a farmer in North Dakota and then became a mill worker  here. For a time he was a guard at the prison in Deer Lodge. Many friend join the family in morning Mr. Weber for his acquaintanceship during an active life here was wide and his friendships enduring.
    Surviving beside the widow are sons Robert and Jake of Hamilton’ Lawrence, Helena; sister, Mrs. Sam (Dora) Dallman, Hamilton; brother, William, Windsor, Calif; three grandsons and two great grandchildren.
    All members of his family were present for the rites except his brother William.
The Western News, June 7, 1972

KATHRYN F. WEBER
April 18, 1901 - February 22, 1993
    Kathryn F. Weber, 91, of Corvallis, died Monday at the North Valley Nursing Home in Stevensville. Born on April 18, 1901, in Grampian, PA, she was the daughter of James and Nellie Arbuckle Weber. Moving to the Bitter Root Valley with her family in 1907, she graduated from high school in Corvallis, and graduated from Montana State Normal College at Dillon.
    She taught school for 38 1/2 years, all spent in the Corvallis school system with the exception of two years in Twin Bridges.
    Surviving are three brothers, Fred of Hermiston, Oregon, Bill of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and John of San Rafael, California; two sisters, Leland Frost of Hamilton and Jessie Lovely of Helena; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by four brothers and two sisters.
    Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Corvallis Cemetery with Rev. David Donkle officiating.
Abstract from the Ravalli Republic, February 25, 1993

JULIAN G. WELLIVER
October 27, 1898 - September 28, 1958
Julian Welliver Taken By Death Grew To Manhood In Hamilton
    The WN has received word of the death in Seattle of Julian G. Welliver. Details are at present lacking. Private funeral services have been held in the Washington metropolis.
    Julian G. Welliver was aged about 59 years. He was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. E.M. Welliver. His father for a number of years was manager of the furniture department of the old Valley Mercantile store. Julian and his late brother, Earl, grew up in Hamilton and attended the local school.
    After leaving Hamilton, Julian Welliver served his country during both World War I and World War II. In between, he was employed in the service of the nation as an officer working on suppression of the Illicit trade in narcotics. He had been retired for a number of years. Since leaving Hamilton to make his home elsewhere, he often visited here with friends.
    Those who survive Mr. Welliver are his widow, Marguerite and his brothers Edwin M. of Seattle and Frank H. and Harrison F. of Helena.
The Western News, September 5, 1958

ALBERT WETZSTEON
February 6, 1868 - June 17, 1955
GRAVESIDE RITES HELD FOR ALBERT WETZSTEON, WHO DIED IN OREGON.
    Albert Wetzsteon, 87, early day stockman in the Sula area, passed away Friday in St. Helens, Oregon, and graveside services were held at the Sula cemetery Tuesday afternoon. Pallbearers were Edgar, Paul, Fred, and W.R. Wetzsteon, George Vogt, and John McClintic.  Albert Wetzsteon was born February 6, 1868 at Eagle Harbor, Michigan and came to the Bitter Root with his father and brothers in 1888.
    He was married to Lily Vogt, daughter of Andrew Vogt, at Sula, August 30, 1897. She preceded him in death a number of years ago. They were parents of six children, Carl, Raymond, Katherine, Ruth, Harold, and Robert. Two of the children, Carl, Hamilton; and Katherine, Mrs. Edward Lambert, St. Helens, survive with eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren, half-brothers, Ed and George Wetzsteon of Hamilton, half sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Tiedt and Miss Mary Wetzsteon of Missoula.
Abstract from: The Western News,  June 23, 1955
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
CHARLES H. WETZSTEON
July 5, 1865 - November 10, 1946
LAST RITES HELD HERE TUESDAY FOR CHARLES WETZSTEON WHO DIED SUNDAY.
    Funeral rites were held at the Dowling Chapel in Hamilton Tuesday afternoon for Charles H. Wetzsteon, resident of the Bitter Root for more than 60 years. He had been in ill health for a long time. The services were conducted by Rev. R.L. Badgley of Missoula and interment was made in Corvallis cemetery. The pallbearers were Willie Wetzsteon, Jr., Clifford Wetzsteon, Paul Wetzsteon, Edgar Wetzsteon, Fred Wetzsteon, and George Vogt, Jr..
    Charles H. Wetzsteon was born at Central, Michigan July 5, 1865. He came to the Bitter Root with his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. John W. Wetzsteon, early-day pioneer settlers of the Ross Hole region where the deceased also resided for many years prior to moving to the Corvallis district.
    Those who survive Mr. Wetzsteon are his widow, Maude, and two daughters: Mrs. Merton Howard and Mrs. Stanley Gradner, both of Spokane; a stepson, Charles Washburn; three brothers: Jacob, William, and Albert, all of Ross Hole; three half brothers: Frank, George, and Edward, all well-know Bitter Rooters; and two half sisters: Mrs. Elizabeth Tiedt and Miss Mary Wetzsteon, both of Missoula. The pallbearers were all nephews.
The Western News, November 14, 1946

SIDNEY A. WHEELER
March 26, 1877 - December 13, 1947
Sidney A. Wheeler, Long A Businessman of Hamilton, Taken By Death Saturday
    Funeral services were held at the Dowling Chapel in Hamilton yesterday afternoon in tribute to Sidney A Wheeler, businessman of this city since 1904, who died suddenly in Spokane Saturday while visiting with his son, Leslie. The latter accompanied the body to Hamilton for burial.
    Mr. Wheeler was born in Quebec, Canada, March 26, 1977, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. D.W. Wheeler. He came with his parents to the United States while he was still a child. They located at Standish, Michigan. Mr. Wheeler came west in 1903, arriving in Whitefish in 1903 and coming to Hamilton the following year. He engaged in the meat market business in Hamilton and operated a farm northeast of the city where he built a slaughter house which he operated in conjunction with his meat market. He also shipped considerable meat from the valley for a number of years. Several years ago he turned over the operation of the market to Ray Severns. The business has been closed for the past several months but Mr. Wheeler stilled owned the business house located on Main Street in Hamilton opposite the Ravalli County Bank.
    Sid Wheeler was a member of the Hamilton Masonic Lodge, the Crusade Commandery, the Bitter Root Shrine Club, Bitter Root Aerie 1693 FOE, and the Hamilton Lodge of Elks.
    The deceased left Hamilton Thursday intending to visit with his son and family at Spokane before continuing to Seattle to visit with his daughter, Mrs. Harold Clark, and her family. He also had considered going to California to visit his sister, Mrs. Bertha Walters at Long Beach. While in Spokane, he became ill. His health had been poor for a number of months and a heart attack claimed him Saturday.
    In addition to the relatives named above, the deceased is survived by a sister, Mrs. Archie Thompson, Brimley, Michigan, and a brother, Duncan Wheeler, Lewiston, Michigan.
    Rev. C.J. Taber officiated at the rites and interment was made in Riverview Cemetery, where graveside rites of the Masonic fraternity were conducted. pallbearers were Theo. Reinbold, C.W. Waddell, L.J. Thorne, Henry See, Ray Severns, and C.E. Curry.
The Western News, December 19, 1947, page 1

NELSON WHIPPLE
March 22, 1913 - February 29, 1996
    Nelson J. Whipple, 82, died Thursday, February 29, 1996, at Hamilton. He was born March 22, 1913 in Mils City, the son of the late Albert and Cornelia Clearman Whipple. On April 16, 1938, he married Doris E. Waggoner in Seattle and they returned to Montana in 1947 to farm in the Bynum area. In 1991 they moved to Hamilton.
    He is survived by his wife, Doris, of Hamilton; a son and daughter-in-law, Greg and Rosalie Whipple of Silver city, NM; three daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Dutch Brewer of Hamilton, nancy and Ray Hall of Simms, and Terry and Ken Brown of Great Falls; four brothers, Don of Hamilton, and Dick, Lou, and Doug all of Seattle, Washington; a sister Del Crome of Seattle, Washington; and 11 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
    A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Hamilton, with Rev. Jean Collins officiating, assisted by Rev.  Gordon Read. Private family urn placement will take place at a later date.
Ravalli Republic, March 5, 1996

WELLINGTON IRVIN WHITE
August 12, 1896 - May 10, 1943
W.I. WHITE, FORMER VALLEY RESIDENT, TAKEN BY DEATH IN MICHIGAN
    Wellington Irvin White, 47, son of the late Rev. George A. White, Conner, died of a heart attack Friday night at Muskegon, Michigan, his stepmother, Mrs. Evelyn White, Conner postmistress, reported during a visit here Saturday.
    Mr. White was born August 12, 1896 at Artesian, SD. He moved to Corvallis with his parents as a child and graduated from high school there. He was the first to graduate from the school of forestry at the university. He was married to marion hayes, Missoula, April 14, 1921. He was district supervisor of the Manistee national  forest in Michigan for several years. His first forest service work was at Helena and he advanced with each move to Livingston, Kalispell, Missoula, then to Louisville, KY, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and then to Muskegon. He was an elder for many years in the Presbyterian churches in a number of the cities where he has been.
    Besides his stepmother, he is survived by his widow, son, Wellington Donald, now with the nave in electrical work at Washington, D.C.; daughter, Lucia, freshman at Lansing, Michigan teachers college; half sisters, Mrs. Dorothy Overturf of Boulder and Mrs. Winifred Blodgett of Conner.
Ravalli Republican, December 16, 1943

ELSIE ROZENA PLANTZ WHITLATCH
December 7, 1894 - August 2, 1973
Mrs. N. Whitlash, 78, of Hamilton, Died August 2; Rites Held Saturday
    Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at Dowling chapel for Mrs. Noble C. Whitlatch, 78, of Hamilton who died at Valley View Estates following a long illness. Burial was in Riverview cemetery, Pallbearers were Bruce King, Lyle Morgan, Earl Vercruyssen, Rick Roberts, Walter Nelsen, and Ernest Laws. Mrs. Whitlash became a patient at the nursing home July 23.
    Elsie Rozena Plantz was born December 7, 1894 in Bloomingdale, Ohio. Her parents were Andrew J. and Luna (Maxwell) Plantz. She attended school in Bloomingdale. Her marriage to Mr. Whitlatch took place July 4, 1936 at Billings. Mr. and Mrs. Whitlash came to Hamilton in 1960 following his retirement from work on the Noxon Rapids dam. Mrs. Whitlash was a member of VFW Auxiliary to post 1430.
    Surviving beside her widower, is a brother, George, Bloomingdale; two nieces and a nephew. The brother and wife came to Hamilton for the rites as did Dr. and Mrs. Milton P. nelson, mr. and Mrs. Ora Bodly, Blackfoot, Idaho; Arthur Moore, Bloomingdale; Gladys Jacobs, Athaleen Skinner, Ogden Utah; Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Schroeder and Lois Ramberg, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Whitlatch and two children, Chinook; Mr. and Mrs. Raleigh Welling, Spokane.
Abstract from The Western News, August 6, 1973

MINNIE RUTH PICKERILL WILKINS
June 10, 1892 - December 1974
Mrs. Wilkins Taken by Death; Funeral to be Held in Kansas
    Mrs. Minnie Ruth Wilkins, 82, died at Daly Hospital in Hamilton Sunday morning. Funeral rites will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Crawford-Miller Mortuary in Lyons, Kansas with burial to be at Geneseo, Kansas Cemetery.
    Mrs. Wilkins was born June 10, 1892 in Geneseo and grew up in that community. She and Oliver H. Wilkins were married there on March 10, 1914 and they engaged in farming for many years near Geneseo. They came to the Bitter Root in 1935 and farmed in the Hamilton Heights area until returning to Kansas three years later. Mr. Wilkins died in Geneseo on October 5, 1971. She returned to Hamilton in late 1971 and had made her home since that time with a daughter, Mrs. Jake (Elizabeth) Weber. Other survivors include a son, Cliff Wilkins, Coram; two sisters, Mrs. Clara Kimple of Wichita, Kansas and Mrs. Alice McAfee of Sedan, Kansas and a brother, Frank Pickerill, of Lyons Kansas.
    The Dowling Mortuary is in charge of local arrangements.
Ravalli Republic, December 16, 1974

BILL R. WILLIAMS
December 2, 1939 - November 16, 1991
    Bill Williams, 51, of Hamilton, died Saturday evening at his residence west of Hamilton after a long illness. He was born on December 2, 1939 in Center Point, Iowa, the son of Dillon and Helen Wickham Williams.
    Bill received his education in Iowa. On October 16, 1959 he married Leila Tuttle in Missouri. He served with the U.S. navy from 1959 to 1965 and following his discharge he returned to Iowa for a short time before moving to Oregon. He worked as a boilermaker welder.
    Surviving are his wife, Leila Williams of the family home in Hamilton; four sons and daughters-n-law, Norman and Kendra Williams of Hamilton; Travis and Kim Williams of Kent, Washington; Lonnie and Lori Williams of Elkader, Iowa; and Christopher Williams of Kirkland, Washington; his mother and stepfather, Helen and Charles Owens of Center Point, Iowa; two brothers, Donald Williams of Marion, Iowa, and David Williams of Hackensack, Minnesota; three sisters, Linda Simmons of Dover, Minnesota, Becky Fuellinng of Monona, Iowa, and Rhonda Wilhelmi of Center Point, Iowa; and six grandchildren. He wa preceded in death by his father.
    Private family services will be held. Receiving of friends will be Tuesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Daly-Leach Community Room. The family suggests memorials to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Abstract from: Ravalli Republic, November 18, 1991


LOIS JANE WILLIAMS
October 16, 1898 - January 13, 1985
    Lois Jane Williams, 86, died early Sunday morning in Hamilton at the Valley View Estates of natural causes. She was born on October 16, 1898 in Darby, the daughter of Albert and Martha Strate Whitell, and she received her education in Darby.
    Survivors include a daughter, Pauline Wolfinbarger of Hamilton; and a son, Jack Haddix of Hamilton; a sister, Louise Knudsen of Sacramento, California; three grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and a great-great granddaughter; two nieces, and a nephew; three sisters-in-law, and several cousins. She was preceded in death by twin grandsons, a great grandson, and three brothers.
    Graveside service will be held Wednesday at 2 pm at the Corvallis Cemetery with Pastor Terry Darnall officiating.
Abstract from: Ravalli Republic, January 15, 1985

MARY WINSLETT
October 15, 1852 - March 22, 1937
Miss Mary Winslett was valley's oldest pioneer.
    Death beckoned to Stevensville's oldest pioneer, here, Monday night and Mary Winslett answered the call. She passed quietly at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Dayton where she had been for the past six weeks during her final illness.
    Mary Winslett came to the Bitter Root valley 1863. That was before the town of Stevensville was founded. She was born in California, at Redwood, October 15, 1852. She was an adopted child of Mr. John W. Winslett. Her father's name was Duncan, a Scotchman, and according to the best information available, her mother was of Spanish descent. Her correct name was Mari Enyola Duncan. Mary Winslett's mother died when she was an infant. Her father was a trapper and prospector and it is stated that when away on his trips, he left the young child in the car of Mr. John Winslett. Finally, there came a time when he failed to return and when Winslett left California and came to the Bitter Root, he brought the girl with him and she was adopted as his own child.
    Funeral services for Miss Winslett will be held at 3:00 o'clock, Friday afternoon at the Methodist Church. Reverend Carl F. McConnell will be in charge. Pallbearers will be Abe Buck, Lou May, John Rees, C.L. Franks, Phil W. Wagner of Florence, and Will Cave of Missoula. The body is at the Dowling undertaking parlors.
Abstract from: Northwest Tribune, March 25, 1937

ABIGAL WILLIAMS WOLFE
February 28, 1841 - December 25, 1916
Mrs. Ad. Wolfe Pioneer Passes
Corvallis, December 28 - Mrs. Abigal Wolfe, a respected matron of Corvallis and an early Bitter Root settler, died of the grip at her home here Monday morning. The funeral service was conducted by Rev. R.B. Reagan from the residence Tuesday at 2:30 o’clock, and interment made in the Corvallis cemetery.
    The deceased was born in Ohio on February 28, 1841. While a child, she moved with her parents to Illinois. In 1863, she was one of the party that crossed the plains in oxcarts, settling at Bannack, and from there, she came with her husband, James Cowan, to the Bitter Root valley 52 years ago. The foundation of a long cabin, one-half mile south of the Boyer residence, two miles north of town, is all that remains of their first home, from which they moved later to establish a mercantile business upon the unsurveyed site of Corvallis. Mrs. Wolfe knew the time when flour was sold at 30 cents a pound; sugar at 66 1/2 cents; salt was 50 cents and tobacco at $5. She saw Butter Root soil cultivated with crude wooden instruments and potatoes that sold at $3 a bushel. She was an established resident of the valley when the first orchard was planted by Elijah Chaffin in 1875, and she was a charter member of the Christian church established here in 1881.
    In 1905, Mr. Cowan died and in 1907 she was united in marriage to Mr. Addison Wolfe who survives. A brother who resides at Quincy, Illinois, and his children are the only surviving relatives. Mrs. Wolfe was extremely hospitable and was a kind and thoughtful neighbor. The entire community was grieved at her death, and a large cortege of sorrowing friends followed the remains to the last resting place.
The Western News, December 28, 1916

FLORENCE BEATRICE GREENUP WOLFINBARGER
February 13, 1906 - September 13, 1985
    Florence Beatrice Wolfinbarger, 79, died Friday at her residence south of Darby of natural causes. She was born February 13, 1906 to Ben and Mary Laws Greenup at their hone on Chaffin Creek south of Darby. She was the youngest of 11 children. She received her education in the Baldwin and Darby schools. On June 17, 1926, she married William Wolfinbarger at her parents’ home on Chaffin Creek.
    She was preceded in death by her husband on April 15, 1976 and two daughters, Virginia and Joyce. Survivors include two daughters, Jane Stettner, Pendelton, Oregon, and Dorothy West, Darby; two sons, Thomas Wolfinbarger, Darby, and Phillip Wolfinbarger, Cotton, California; two sisters, Dora Burks, Montclair, California, and Bessie Hannon, Darby; eight grand children, five great grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
    Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Darby with Pastors Terry Darnell and W.A. Dessain officiating. Interment will follow at the Lone Pine Cemetery in Darby.
    Friends may call Monday from 3 to 9 p.m. at the Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton for visitation. The family suggests memorials to the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Darby 59829.
Abstract from: Ravalli Republic, September 16, 1985


ALBERT HUSTON WOOD
March 24, 1873 - January 4, 1945
Albert Wood, One Of The Biggest Valley Producers, Taken By Death
    Albert Wood, longtime valley resident who came across the plains via covered wagon with his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Wood, died this morning at the east Victor country store of his son, Joy. He had visited there this morning, went out to get in his car, felt a heart attack coming on, returned to the store where he expired. He had been suffering from a heart condition for the past five years. Yesterday he attended the funeral of his pioneer mother, the late Celia Frances Wood, who had passed away January 1.
    Albert Huston Wood was born March 24, 1873 at Rogersville, Missouri. He came to Butte, Montana with his parents 69 years ago and to the Bitter Root ten years later, locating at Stevensville. The family moved to the Wood ranch north of Corvallis in 1901. Meantime, Albert Wood was married January 6, 1896 at Stevensville to Miss Olive McCarty. They acquired the beginning of their extensive ranch properties which wee added to from time to time until the Wood family owned some of the best and largest acreage in the Victor east side area. In 1909, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Wood first made their home at the big residence which has been their home ever since. The deceased was a good farmer and rancher, one of the early beet growers of the valley and produced great numbers of beef cattle and grew large crops of wheat and hay. He ws probably one of the largest producing farmers in the Bitter Root valley.
    Survivors of Mr. Wood are his widow and one son, Joy, rancher and merchant of the east Victor district. Also surviving is a grandson, Clyde, who was last heard from in November from England where he is in the U.S. Army. Other survivors are his sisters: Miss Addie Wood of Corvallis and Mrs. Clarence Goff of Stevensville.
    Albert H. Wood was a member of the Victor lodge of Masons and that lodge will have charge of his funeral services which will be held at two o’clock Saturday afternoon at the Dowling Chapel in Hamilton. Interment will be made beside the graves of his parents in Corvallis Cemetery.
The Western News, Thursday, January 4, 1945, page 1

CECELIA FRANCES WATTS WOOD
October 22, 1852 - January 1, 1945
FUNERAL RITES HELD YESTERDAY FOR MRS. WOOD, VALLEY PIONEER
    Funeral services were held yesterday at the Dowling Chapel in Hamilton for one of the pioneers of Montana and the Bitter Root, a race of people who carved from the wilderness the foundations of present day life. The pioneer who was called as Mrs. Cecelia Frances Wood, who came to Montana after marrying Joshua T. Wood, in Missouri, February 11, 1872. They brought their infant son Albert with them, arriving in the Treasure State at butte 69 years ago. They came to the Bitter Root to settle at Stevensville 59 years ago, and in 1901 moved to the Corvallis district. Mrs. Wood died at this Corvallis farm home Monday, January 1 where she lived with her daughter, Miss Addie Wood. Mrs. Wood had been an invalid for the past several years but maintained a firm mental vigor and was always interested in news of the day.
    The deceased was born October 22, 1851 at Springfield, Missouri and had thus passed her 93rd birthday. She was survived by her son, Albert, of east Victor district, her daughter, Miss Addie Wood, of Corvallis, and a daughter, Mrs. Clarence Goff who lives south of Stevensville on the east side of the river. Also surviving are a grandson, Joy Wood, rancher and merchant for the east Victor district, and a great grandson, Clyde Wood, who is with the Army in France. There are also two brothers, Ross Watts of Rogersville, Missouri, and Job Watts of Weed, California.
    Rev. C.E. Smith and Rev. T.B. Reagan officiated at the services. Music was afforded by Jack Hawker and interment was made in Corvallis Cemetery beside the grave of her husband who passed away 25 years ago. The pallbearers were H.C. Groff, Henry St. John, C.E. Hogue, M.L. Chaffin, B.J. Smyth, and A.F. Cave.
The Western News, Thursday, January 4, 1945, page 1

GEORGE GILBERT WOOD
November 27, 1878 - March 24, 1952
    George Wood was born November 27, 1878 and was raised in the Bitterroot Valley. His parents Mr. and Mrs. John F. Wood came to live here in 1875, and had nine children with them. They built a small homestead, about a half a mile north of Corvallis. There they raised their nine children to become good, hard workers. While they lived there, every year they would add on to the homestead, and each year it would get more and more beautiful. George grew up being a well trained man at crop growing and became very well known for his job. He was well acquainted with the soil, dirt, and weather, as everyone said.
He never lived apart from the Bitterroot Valley, except when he went to visit his relatives in Missouri. It was in Missouri that he met his wife Alice Eddings. She had been working for the Post office, and was very charmed by Mr. Wood. She had no doubt that after their first date that they would get married and have a fun life together. Not long after that, they did marry in Ozark on December 31, 1949. As soon as they could, George brought her back to Corvallis so that they could start a family.
He lived on a large farm, not far from the local school. Their land had a large prairie just to the south of them, so they could raise lots of cattle easily. Their farm included pigs, chickens, horses, sheep, and ducks. The family house was fairly large with one big bathroom, four bedrooms, and a large dining room, so they occasionally housed guests, and people just passing through.
    In the summer time, when all of the work was done, (which was rare) the family would all go down to the Applebury Farm, and have a picnic swapping stories, and tales. That was another thing that George Wood was well known for. Whether his stories were fiction or non-fiction, he always told them with great detail, and preciseness. The Appleburys were one of their first friends when they came to the Bitterroot Valley, and have been ever since.
    As the years passed, George developed a love for the land, and got better and better at crop growing. He was kind, courageous, and always contributed to the community. Everyone knew that if you needed help with anything, George Wood was the man to ask, and what was rare in those days, was that he was honest, and his word was as good as gold. After a period of years, he began to practice growing sugar beet crops up on his acreage north of Corvallis, which he excelled in, as everyone knew he would.
    As it is said, George was very close with his brother. Alfred Wood. Since they didn’t live far apart, he and George were almost inseparable, as they had been when they were just boys.
    When his land developed, so did his family. As his daughter grew older, they had children as well. When he died, George Wood had four daughters, including seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, all of which loved him dearly. Their names were Elva Srader, Effie Robbins, Etta Simmons, and June Marie Schrader. He had no sons, but he was happy with what he had.  They were always supportive, and made sure that they always pleased him.
 Since George was one of the best farmers in the land, and always earned plenty of money to support his growing family, he had no trouble financially, but occasional drought sometimes wiped out parts of his crops. The most common problem that he had was his health. He attended the hospital on a regular basis, and even stayed there from days on end. He and his family didn’t like that his life was becoming, so he tried to act like nothing was wrong, and kept on working on his farm. When George started getting too ill to manage the farm, he gave it to his son-in-law Forbes Robbins, who was still operating it even when George Wood died. Indeed, the income of money dropped a little bit, but not enough to really make a dent in their savings. It was a big saving since George wanted his family to be well, even when he was gone.
    George wood was a part of the Corvallis Methodist Church, and even when his health became a problem, the church, and his family still stayed by his side. During a course of four years, Mr. Wood attended the Daly Memorial Hospital, and finally died at the age of 73 early one Monday morning. His community and family will remember him always as the witty, funny, generous George Wood.
Contributed by the Corvallis Community Heritage Project
Obituary also available from The Western News, March 27, 1952

JOHN FRANKLIN WOOD
May 12, 1842 - August 27, 1923
REMAINS OF JOHN WOOD AND MISS SUSAHANNA ALFORD WERE INTERRED THE SAME DAY AT CORVALLIS.
Corvallis, August 30 - Funeral services over the remains of the late John Wood were held jointly with those of Miss Susahanna Alford at the Corvallis Methodist Church Wednesday morning. Officiating ministers were Rev. T.B. Reagan, Rev. E.P. Wilso, and Rev. S.E. Powell. Mrs. J. Marti and Mrs. H.E. Elliott were in charge of the music. The service was largely attended, friends coming from all parts of the valley to witness the last rites. Interment was in the Corvallis cemetery beside the grave of the late Mrs. John Wood, who was a sister of Miss Alford.
    John Franklin Wood was born at Nashville, Tennessee, 81 years ago last May 12. At the age of 12 years, he accompanied his parents to Missouri and there he was married to Miss Mary Alford. To them were born nine children. In 1975, the family crossed the plains by oxen team coming to the Bitter Root valley, where they homesteaded ranches six miles north of Corvallis. Under Mr. Wood's skilled management, his property became one of the most widely known in the state from point of production and the products took prizes at state and county fairs for many years. Mr. Wood was a moon farmer and he attributed his success in agricultural achievements to his observance of moon phases, and to his strict keeping of the Sabbath.
    Until the death of his wife two years ago last April, he had been actively engaged in the management of his ranch. Since that time, he has been in failing health although retaining his faculties to the last. Death was due to heart trouble and took place at 8 o'clock Monday evening at the home of his son, Benjamin Wood, at Stevensville.
    He is survived by seven children, Henry, Benjamin, George, and Alfred, all ranchers of the valley, and Mrs. E.H. Sheldon of Napa, Idaho; Mrs. L.N. Brooks of Corvallis and Mrs. Rilla Blodgett of Victor. More than 50 grandchildren and a number of great grandchildren also survive.
    Mr. Wood was a man who loved his God, his home and the things of nature above all else. Up to the last days of his life, he enjoyned visiting with old friends and was always ready to discuss agriculture and his moon farming methods. He was a respected citizen of this place and will be missed.
    SUSAHANNA ALFORD was born at Nashville, Tennessee, in March 72 years ago. A part of her life was spent in Missouri and in 1892, she came west to keep house for her brother. At his death, she made her home with her sister, Mrs. John Wood, and since Mrs. Wood's death, she had lived with Mrs. John Treece, another sister. Her life was one of service and her good nature and willingness to do for others won her the devotion of all her relatives. She is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Treece and Mrs. John Hendricks of Washington, and four brothers, John, Milton, Oliver, and Monroe, all of whom survive her.
The Western News, August 31, 1923

JUDGE VAN R. WOODMANCY
August 4, 1834 - May 23, 1912
Victor, May 26 - Another one of the old-timers of the Bitter Root Valley crossed the great divide this week. Judge Woodmancy came to Montana in 1863 and was one of the very first who came to Alder Gulch in the great stampede and was one of the men who first laid out the present site of Virginia City. He came to Stevensville in 1874 and soon afterward settled near Victor. Judge Woodmancy's home was for years the stopping place of the ministers that came to the Bitter Root. He was a charter member of the Presbyterian Church at Victor and was elected to eldership in the church.
    About nine years ago, Judge Woodmancy had a stroke of paralysis that left him partially paralyzed and this caused him a great deal of suffering. He was attended in his last illness by Dr. Reed, but nothing could be done for him to check the march of the grim visitor. J.C. Osborn preached his funeral at Victor Sunday. There was a large attendance of friends and neighbors. He was laid to rest in the Victor Cemetery and loving hands covered the grave with beautiful flowers. There were a number of distinguished visitors among whom was Judge Sloane of Missoula, who built the first house in Victor.
The Western News, May 28, 1912

LAURA T. CUMLEY WOODSON
December 27, 1869 - July 21, 1957
Rites Tomorrow at Chapel for Mrs. Woodson
    Mrs. Laura T. Woodson, 88, died Sunday. The funeral was held Tuesday at Dowling Chapel with burial in Riverview Cemetery.
She was born December 27, 1869 (to Bradford Thomas and Mary Pauline  Noonan Cumley) in Shelbina, MO.  She married George W. Woodson September 28, 1895 in  Paris, MO. They lived in Missouri and Iowa before arriving in Montana in 1923  from Moberly, MO. George died 1942 after retiring in 1938 from farming.
    Survivors are:  daughter, Mrs. Grace Irene (Clarence) Thompson,  granddaughter Lilly M. (Don) Waugh, grandson,, George D. Thompson,  brother-in-law Sam Barton, Shelbina and Motie Cumley, sister-in-law as well as nieces and nephews.
Extract from Daily Ravalli Republican
Hamilton, MT
July 22, 1957
Contributed by Debra Branigan
Saint Inigoes, MD

FLORA A. McDONALD WOOLAGHAN
May 10, 1866 - July 12, 1945
Death Claims Mrs. Flora A. Woolaghan, Burial Rites Were Held On Tuesday.
    Services at graveside in Riverview Cemetery were conducted Tuesday afternoon for Mrs. Flora A. Woolaghan. Rev. W.H. Sanderson officiated at these rites. The cemetery services Tuesday followed Saturday services at Dowling Chapel in Hamilton by Rev. C.J. Taber. At the chapel services, R.J. Barrett sang accompanied by Mrs. Lloyd Goodman at the organ. Pallbearers at both services were Clarence Humble, L.E. Downing, W.L. Gray, E.M. Tucker, S.A. Wheeler, and Miles Romney. The second services were necessitated in order to permit a daughter, Mrs. George Barnes, to come from California to attend interment rites.
    Flora A. Woolaghan was born May 10, 1866 at Pine River, Michigan. Prior to coming to Butte in 1899, she resided in Michigan and Illinois. She was married to John Woolaghan at Salt Lake City, Utah in 1900. The couple made their home in Butte until 1906 when they came to the Bitter Root Valley to located at Victor. It was at Victor that Mr. Woolaghan passed away in 1910. Thereafter, Mrs. Woolaghan and her four daughters, Mrs. Lawrence Humble, Hamilton; Mrs. Fred Nelson, Jackson; Mrs. George Barnes, Ridgecrest, California; and Mrs. Ralph Barnes, Missoula, moved to Hamilton to make their home. All of the daughters were in this city with their mother at the time of her last illness and death except Mrs. George Barnes. Death came to Mrs. Woolaghan late last Thursday night, July 12, at Daly hospital. Also surviving the deceased are seven grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and a sister, Mrs. T.J. Wyatt, Standish, Michigan.
    Mrs. Woolaghan was a devoted mother, an industrious and conscientious citizen. Her passing will be noted with deep regret by the many residents of the Bitter Root Valley who knew her.
The Western News, July 19, 1945, page 1

BERTIE LEE WREN
July 3, 1893 - October 4, 1973
Mrs. Wren Funeral Service Set Saturday at Whitesitt's
    Mrs. Bertie Lee Wren, 80, a resident of Stevensville for most of her adult life, died at North Valley Nursing Home Thursday. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Whitesitt Chapel. Rev. E.J. Ruff will officiate and burial will be in Riverview Cemetery.
    She was born July 3, 1893 in Santa Fe, Missouri and married Edward Wren at Santa Fe in 1909. The family moved to the Stevensville area.
    Her husband and three daughters, Edwina, Alberta, and Alta, preceded her in death. Survivors area  daughter, Mrs. Edna Davis, Townsend; sister, Mrs. Marie Kirkland, living in Missouri, 7 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
Abstract from the Ravalli Republic, October 5, 1973, page 1

EDWARD WREN
February 11, 1887 - September 12, 1947
Funeral Services Held Monday for Ed Wren in Stevensville
Stevensville - Funeral services for Ed Wren, 60, resident of the Stevensville district for 38 years, were conducted Monday afternoon in the Dowling Chapel. Burial was in Riverview Cemetery.
    Mr. Wren died Friday in a Missoula hospital following an extended illness. He was born February 11, 1887 in Illinois and married there 38 years ago to Bertie Homa and four years later they came to the Bitter Root.
    Survivors include his widow; daughters, Alberta Wren, Korea; Mrs. Alta McCormick, Townsend; Mrs. Edwina Thompson, Stevensville; Edna Wren, Helena; sisters, Mrs. Ed Sims, Stevensville; Mrs. George Simpson, Livingston; five grandchildren.
Abstract from the Ravalli Republican, September 15, 1947, page 1

JOHN HOWARD WRIGHT
July 24, 1911 - February 1940
Body of John Wright, Truck Driver at West Fork Project, Forwarded to Rupert, Idaho
    Injuries incurred in an accident at the Little Boulder dam project on the West Fork November 3 caused the death of John Howard Wright at the Daly hospital early Tuesday morning. Wright was hurt when he truck he was driving at the project was struck by another machine, but his injuries were not considered serious. He did not enter the hospital until January 16, however. Complications caused by other illness made his condition grave from that time. His wife, a professional nurse, arrived from Carey, Idaho, Friday to care for him.
    Born July 24, 1911 at Rogersville, Tennessee, Mr. Wright was 28 years of age. He came to the project as a truck driver in September of last year from Idaho. Three brothers, Earl, Millard and Willard, reside at Rupert, Idaho. The parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Wright reside at Whitmore, S.C. and there are two sisters and a brother there.
    The  body was forwarded from the Wright Funeral Home yesterday for interment at Rupert.
Ravalli Republican, February 25, 1940


BESSIE E. GREEN WYLIE
June 18, 1866 - April 19, 1930
MRS. ISAAC WYLIE CLAIMED BY DEATH
    Death claimed Mrs. Isaac Wylie, long time resident of Hamilton and Ravalli County, when after an illness which had been critical for the past two weeks, she succumbed to cancer Saturday. Death came at the family home on Hamilton Heights. Mrs. Wylie had not enjoyed good health for about one year.
    Funeral services were held from St. Paul's Episcopal Church yesterday afternoon at two o'clock and burial was made in Riverview Cemetery. Rev. W. H. Mitchell was in charge of the services. Pallbearers were Lawrence Wanderer, J.O. Lagerquist, A.C. Baker, John Cole, William Grimes, and S.A. Wheeler.
    The deceased was a native of Meadowville, Ontario and was born June 18, 1866. She came to the Bitter Root to make her home 29 years ago. Mrs. Wylie is survived by her husband, wartime sheriff of Ravalli County, and for many years a blacksmith in Hamilton, three sons, Archie, Isaac Jr, and Hugh, and two daughters, Bessie, and Mrs. Ethel Scott. The Western News joins the very wide circle of friends in tendering sympathy during their hours of sadness.
The Western News, April 24, 1930, page 1

ISAAC M. WYLE
November 1860 - April 29, 1932
Isaac Wylie Passes At Local Hospital Friday
    Isaac M. Wylie, 71, and a resident of the Hamilton community for 30 years, died Friday night at the hospital where he had been a patient for a week. Mr. Wylie had been ill for several months.
    Known throughout the Bitter Root Valley as an industrious, substantial citizen, Mr. Wylie's years here represent a life of service. Until recent years, he operated a blacksmith business in town. Later, he bought a ranch east of Hamilton and was active until the past year. He served Ravalli County as Sheriff from 1916 to 1919 being elected on the Democrat ticket.
    His wife died two years ago. His daughters, Mrs. George Scott of Missoula and Miss Bessie Wylie, a teacher at Elmo, and his sons, Archie of Missoula; Hugh and Isaac Jr of Hamilton, survive him. There are several grandchildren. Mr. Wylie was born at Kingston, Ontario, and he came to the United States 39 years ago. He was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge.
    Funeral services were held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock by Rev. W.H. Mitchell and burial will be made beside his wife's grave in Riverview Cemetery.
The Western News, May 5, 1932, page 1    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
ISAAC (IKE) WYLIE
April 24, 1899 - January  23, 1974
RESPECTED AND WELL-LIKED LOCAL MAN, IKE WYLIE, TAKEN BY DEATH
    Death claimed Isaac Wyle this morning from a heart attack at 3:15 in the VA hospital at Sheridan, Wyoming, where he was a patient since August 1972.  Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2 pm at Dowling chapel with Rev. Robert Shervnod officiating. Interment will be in Riverview cemetery. Pallbearers will be Lloyd Rockafellow, Mac Tilton, Clarence Linster, Dick Keniston, George Scott, and Robert Savage.
    Isaac Wylie was born April 24, 1899 in Missoula, son of Isaac and Bessie Green Wylie. Before graduation from high school, he enlisted in the Navy in 1913 at Salt Lake City and received his honorable discharge in January 1919 at San Francisco. His marriage to Alpha Willard took place December 6, 1929 in Hamilton at the First Baptist church with Rev. H.H. Longenecker officiating. Witnesses were Harlow Stordock, Fred A. and Helen Willard.
    Surviving beside the widow is a son, Willard, Missoula; grandchildren Gordon and Roger Willard, high school students in Missoula; sisters Mrs George (Ethel) Scott, Missoula; Mrs Boyd (Bessie) Horn, Irvine, CA; nephews Johnny Horn, Annette Simms Irvine and Whittier, CA, respectively, George Scott, Mary Redmond, Missoula; Betty Weher, San Rafael, CA; Jack Wylie, Dana Point, CA. His brother Hugh died October 29, 1948.
    Mr. Wylie will be remembered with fondness by all who knew him.
Abstract from: The Western News, January 23, 1974