Miscellaneous Custer County, Montana obits:
Carl Whittmayer
Carl Whittmayer, 90, of Glendive, formerly of Terry, died Saturday, Oct. 8, 2005, at the Glendive Medical Center.
Mr. Whittmayer had many friends in Terry, as his home was there from the early 1970s. He grew up in western part of the state and came to Prairie County Manor in Terry as one of its first residents.
Mr. Whittmayer did lots of puzzles, large puzzles - 1,000 to 1,500 pieces - while he lived at the manor. He also liked to wear lots of pins on his clothing.
He lived at the Glendive Medical Center for short time between living at the manor and Terry Nursing Home. He attended the Community Church until moving to Glendive.
Mr. Whittmayer loved to go to the senior citizen center for coffee and parties. He really liked the church's Christmas celebration. His favorite holiday seemed to be the one for which someone would give him candy.
He walked every day for years and was a recognizable part of the community. Mr. Whittmayer liked to rise early in the morning and have a cup of coffee.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2005, at 2 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church in Terry. Interment will follow in the Prairie County Cemetery in Terry.
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Terry is in charge of arrangements.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.
Berneil 'Bernie' Anderson
Berneil "Bernie" L. Anderson, 82, of Glendive died at his home on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2005.
Mr. Anderson was born Feb. 25, 1923, in Larson, N.D., the son of Matt and Lottie Anderson. He was raised and educated in Larson.
He and Loraine Young were married on Jan. 12, 1950, in Minot, N.D. They moved to Glendive in 1959 where he was employed by GTA Elevator for 25 years until his retirement at age 62. Following his retirement, Mr. Anderson continued to work for Cenex as a clerk at a local convenience store. When Mrs. Anderson became ill, Mr. Anderson left his employment to be a care provider for her. She preceded him in death in 1993.
Mr. Anderson served on the board of directors for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program from January 1997 until December 1999. He enjoyed doing home projects and especially enjoyed traveling to see his daughter and spending time with her family.
His survivors include his daughter, Cathy Abbenhaus, and her husband, Ralf, of Gillette, Wyo.; four grandchildren, LaRae McKee, and her husband, David, of Estes Park, Colo., Dionne Abbenhaus and Michael Abbenhaus, both of Gillette, and Jennifer Abbenhaus of Denver, Colo.; one sister, Donna Lawrence, and her husband, Morris, of Minot, N.D.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Anderson was preceded in death by three brothers and one sister.
A Life Tribute Service will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2005, in the Chapel of the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Glendive with celebrant Sandy Silha officiating. Interment will follow in Dawson Memorial Cemetery in Glendive.
Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silvernale-silhafuneralhome.com.
Robert Michaels
Robert H. Michaels passed away September 26, 2005, at Arizona Medical Center, Tucson, AZ. His loving wife of 43 years, Elaine, was with him.
Bob was born September 20, 1925, at the Darcy Hospital in Miles City, to R.H. and Kathryn Greisheimer Michaels.
Bob went to the public schools in Miles City, graduating from Custer County High School in 1937. He then enrolled at Montana State College in Bozeman (now Montana State University) and completed one quarter before being called into the service during the occupation in Japan.
He was discharged on his birthday in 1950. He graduated from MSU-Bozeman in 1953 as a Civil Engineer and went back to work for the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad in the Engineering Department until he retired in 1985.
Bob was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Miles City where he served as an Elder, Sunday School teacher and Co-Leader with Bob Rask of the Presbyterian Boy Scout Troop.
Bob married Elaine Urbaczka on February 24, 1962 in Miles City. They began their long association with the railroad in many positions along the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific line, ending in the Chicago offices. He retired as Vice President in Charge of Lines in 1985.
From there they retired to Green Valley, AZ where they enjoyed a happy life and many friends. He was also a Lifetime Member of the Elks Lodge of Miles City.
He is survived by his loving wife, Elaine; his sister, Margaret Blum of Miles City; his sisters-in-law, Beverly (Bob) James and Mary Darleen (Marvin) Speier; his nephews, Bill (Linda), Michael (Jacki) and Dick (Barbara) Blum; his great-nieces Jean James, Abigail and Natalie Blum; great-nephew, Charles Blum; and an "adopted" son from Santiago, Chile, Gonzalo Valensuela.
He was preceded in death by his parents, R.H. and Kathryn Michaels; a sister, Jean and her husband George of Missoula; and a special uncle and aunt, Frank E. and Ione Smith of Miles City.
Memorial Services will be held October 18, 2005 at Our Lady of the Valley Church. Inurnment will follow at a later date.
Richard "Johnny" Yerger
Richard J. "Johnny" Yerger, 60, of Miles City died Friday, Oct. 7, 2005, after battling a long illness.
Mr. Yerger was born on June 11, 1945, in Billings, the son of John and Elizabeth Yerger of Shepherd, where he later attended school. After graduation, he attended one year at a technical school in Denver, Colo.
He then farmed with his father and eventually purchased a small acreage near his parents. They continued to farm until the fall of 1967.
After a whirlwind courtship of one month, Mr. Yerger married his best friend's little sister, Judy Gunlock, on Dec. 13, 1967.
Mr. Yerger later worked in all phases of construction from excavation to finish work.
After hearing the gospel presented Nov. 1, 1977, he gave his heart to the Lord, which began an interesting life journey. After a mission's trip to Haiti, Mr. Yerger felt called to attend Bible school and in 1979 the moves began. He attended Bible school at Vennard College in Iowa, which led to ministering at the Reedpoint Evangelical Church in Reedpoint, the Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Hardin, and the Medicine Rocks Wesleyan Church near Ekalaka. Mr. Yerger also was on staff at Beartooth Mountain Christian Ranch of Dean and the Trail's End Ranch of Ekalaka.
After many moves, memories and new friends, Mr. and Mrs. Yerger moved to Miles City in 2003. Mr. Yerger cherished each opportunity he found to share God's love and the gift of Christ.
Favorite stories of friends and family will most often involve hunting and fishing. As an avid fly-fisherman, Mr. Yerger was frequently heard joking that "spinnin' is sinnin.'" He was talented with a coyote call, and an excellent shot. He had successfully hunted bear, loved a good sneak on an antelope herd, enjoyed elk hunting, calling turkeys, and scouting for deer. Whoever he was hunting with could expect a good time. For his children, hunting trips were very special.
Frequently the jokester in a crowd, one would often hear Mr. Yerger's wife reminding him to not tease so much, and "Johnny, be nice" was heard often. He had a love for humor, and was quick to crack a joke. When "Outdoor Life's" monthly article by Patrick McMannis was delivered, he was often breathless from laughing so hard.
Mr. Yerger's survivors include his wife, Judy; his son, John David Yerger of Minot Air Force Base; his daughter, Brenda (Jeff) Johnstone of Miles City; his grandchildren, Dylan, Morgan and Sydney Johnstone of Miles City; his sister, Doris (Stacy) Vorhes; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, John; his mother, Elizabeth; and his sister, Ella. Funeral services will be Wednesday, Oct. 12, at 10 a.m. at the Miles City Wesleyan Church, 916 Garland St. Interment will follow at 3 p.m. at the Medicine Rocks Cemetery between Ekalaka and Baker.
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences may be sent by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.
If desired, memorials may be made Men For Missions International care of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home, 1717 Main St., Miles City, MT 59301.
Robert Clayton Davis
Robert Clayton Davis, 62, died Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2005, at the Holy Rosary Healthcare of complications from cancer surgery.
Mr. Davis was born on July 16, 1943, in Jordan. He was the third son of six boys born to Wilbur Morris and Mary Lou Curtis Davis. He attended grades one through eight at Cat Creek School on Haxby Point. He then attended three years at Garfield County District High School in Jordan.
Following his schooling, he went to work for wages in the Forsyth area in 1961 on various ranches for Art Mees, Western Cattle Company and Tex Adams. In 1962, he went to GTI (General Training Institute) at Denver Colo.
In April 1964 Mr. Davis joined the United States Army with basic training at Fort Ord, Calif. He then went to Yakima, Wash., then to Dougway Proving Grounds at Twilla, Utah. He was stationed overseas at Manheim, Germany, for one year and two months. He drove truck all over Germany, part of France and Spain.
Mr. Davis was honorably discharged from the service In 1964 and returned home. On June 24, 1966, he and Mary Jane Gregg were married in Jordan.
He worked for Irions (Ralph) in the Broadus area and for Delbert Hanson on Pumpkin Creek. Mr. Davis also worked for Schlumberger and Compton Chemical. He was part owner of Regal Signs and drove truck for Lantis Trucking.
On Nov. 4, 1978, Mr. Davis and Mary Seabolt were married and they owned and operated B & M Transfer and Storage.
Mr. Davis hauled US Mail for eight years. He attended and graduated from the University of North Dakota at Williston, N.D. He worked at FSA for several years and also hauled the Billings Gazette for several years.
He and Kay Fourtner Gilbert were married Dec. 31, 1995, in Miles City.
At the time of his death, Mr. Davis was working for E.H. Oftedal as a heavy hauler and transport driver.
His survivors include his wife, Kay of Miles City; his daughters, Tammy (Wade) Olson and their children, Dannon and Traven, of Miles City and Jackie Davis, and her daughter, Sherri, of Great Falls; a step-son, Wade Gilbert, and his son, Jacob, of Forsyth; a step-daughter, Jonnie Kay Gilbert of Great Falls; his mother, Mary Lou Davis of Miles City; his brothers, Lorn (Dawn) and Mike (Patsy), all of Miles City, Lester (Yvonne) of West Plains, Mo., and Bruce (Linda) of Escondido, Calif.; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, Wilbur M. "Heavy" Davis, and a brother, Pat.
Funeral services will be Monday, Oct. 10, 2005, at 10 a.m. at Grace Bible Church in Miles City. Interment, with full military honors provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1579, will follow in the Custer County Cemetery.
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.
Irene "Reenie" Wilhelm
Irene C. "Reenie" Wilhelm, 70, of Miles City died Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2005, at Holy Rosary Healthcare in Miles City.
Born in a sod house on the original Howard family homestead in Bayard, Neb., on July 19, 1935, she was the daughter of Clarence and Ada Howard Curtis.
The family moved to Seattle, Wash., where her father worked in the shipyards for some years. He then owned a welding and salvage business in Redmond, Wash., and later moved to Parma, Idaho, where Mrs. Wilhelm graduated from high school.
In 1952, she married Richard W. Beyl, and they had three children, Jody, Randy and Tammy.
Following their divorce in 1979, she moved to Miles City where she worked as a receptionist at the Beauty College and opened her own shop, the Cutt & Curl Beauty Salon. She later worked for Rita's Travel Service and Sayre Fire Equipment. In 1988, she and Robert S. Wilhelm where married.
Mrs. Wilhelm was a member of the Sacred Heart Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, the Moose Lodge Auxiliary at Harlowton, and the Miles City Eagles Auxiliary.
She enjoyed her ceramics and made many pieces that will be treasured mementos for her friends and family. Mrs. Wilhelm had learned to enjoy the computer and spent many hours conversing via email and researching the Internet.
Summer's favorite pastime was working with her flower gardens and traveling. She visited 14 countries in Europe, traveled the Caribbean and visited every state in the union except three.
Her survivors include her husband, Robert of Miles City; two daughters, Jody Schaibley, and her husband, David, of Lena, Ill., and Tammy Corbitt of Eugene, Ore.; one son, Randy Beyl, and his wife, Rae Ellen, of Gillette, Wyo.
Survivors also include two brothers, Donald, and his wife, Cindy, of Nampa, Idaho, and Billy, and his wife, Rena, of Portland, Ore.; her brother-in-law, Danny Doersch of Fruitland, Idaho; and five grandchildren, Ryan Beyl, Dillon and Miles Schaibley, Alison and Tabitha Corbitt.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two grandsons, Justin and Joey; one sister, Linda Doersch; and a brother, Harvey Curtis.
A vigil service will be at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, 2005, in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be Saturday, Oct. 8, 2005, at 2 p.m. in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City. Interment will be held at a later date, with private family services, in Parma, Idaho.
To send condolences to the family, visit www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 519 N. Center Ave., Miles City, MT 59301.
