Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Valley News at a Glance

MDMH Medical Staff Scholarship awarded

Entrepreneurs club forming

Foster Care and Adoption Program

Obituaries

In cooperation with the Greater Ravalli Foundation, the Medical Staff at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital selected Emily Olsen, Ravalli County resident and second year medical student at the University of Washington, as their recipient for the 2007 MDMH Medical Staff Scholarship. The $4,000 scholarship can be used for tuition, fees, books and supplies.

Emily began her college career at the age of 17 when she entered Valdosta State University in southern Georgia. In 2004 Emily completed her undergraduate degree at the top of her class and was also chosen most outstanding graduate. After graduation Emily began a fellowship at Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton where she worked with Dr. Byron Caughey investigating prion and neurodegenerative diseases. During her fellowship she found that although she enjoyed basic research, she missed interacting with patients and desired a more direct approach involving treatment and prevention.

In 2006 she was one of twenty Montana students accepted into the WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho) program through the University of Washington. The program allows students to spend the first year of medical school in their respective states, the second year on the University of Washington Seattle campus and the third and fourth year in clinical rotation throughout the WWAMI region. As a medical student, Emily is interested in pursuing a career as a Neurologist or an Infectious Disease specialist and intends to return to Montana to begin her practice.

Do you want help with an idea for a new product? Anyone in the Bitterroot who has ever thought about doing something with a new idea but needed help to get started may want to think about joining a local club being proposed here. The purpose is assist in getting new product and business ideas off the ground by networking with each other and bringing free professional advice and information to the group. If you are interested or just curious, call 544-0758.

Foster Care and Adoption Program

Ravalli County Child and Family Services is seeking Foster Parents and Adoptive Parents. Stable families or individuals are needed who are willing to open their homes and hearts to children needing a temporary or permanent home. The children that the agency works with are ages 0-18 and are placed in foster care due to abuse or neglect or the parent being unable to care for them due to incarceration or illness. Families are needed in all areas of Ravalli County. An orientation will be held on October 26 at 6:30 p.m. in Hamilton. To learn more about the foster care and adoption program, contact Brenda Fisher at 363-1513.

Lee Gene Beeler
1930-2007

Lee Gene Beeler, 77, of Stevensville, died at his home on Tuesday, September 11, 2007.

He was born on August 17, 1930 in Biddle, Montana and was the son of Lloyd and Lelta (Jones) Beeler. He and his wife Marlene moved to Stevensville 22 years ago.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sons Michael and Gary Beeler.

Survivors include his wife Marlene of 35 years; three sons: Daniel, Richard and Robert Beeler; six step-grandchildren: Douglas and Russell Valline, Becky Statczar, Deb Wetherelt, Richard Borg, Sr. and Sherry Olson, many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers, Corky of Auburn, WA and Wayne of Miles City, and a sister Merna Martelle, also of Miles City.

No formal services will be held. The Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville is in charge of arrangements.

Alice Rose Severson
1931-2007

Alice Rose Severson, 76, Bitterroot Valley resident, died at Kathy's Place in Florence on Tuesday, September 11, 2007.

She was born on February 6, 1931 at Cowley, Wyoming to Joe and Bessie (Lucey) Pehon.

Alice and Gene Severson were married on August 27, 1950. The couple lived all of their lives in Montana and have resided in Billings, Huntley, Missoula, East Missoula, Lolo, Sidney, Helena, Stevensville and Hamilton.

Alice was an excellent horsewoman, she spent time every summer in the Bob Marshall, Bitterroot Selway and Pintlar plus dozens of trail rides with the St. Mary's Saddle Club. She wintered with her husband for 30 years in Old Mexico. She enjoyed the beach and especially clamming and the friends encountered along the way. She was an avid fly fisher, outfishing her husband most days.

She was diagnosed with Alzheimers in 2000 and has lived at Kathy's Place in Florence since April, 2005.

She is survived by her husband, Gene; sons Chris (Linda) of Sidney, Curt and (Nancy) of Cartwright, ND and a sister Mary Lou Bieford, five grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

No formal services will be held, but her ashes will be left at her two favorite spots, the Bob Marshall and the beach in Mexico.

The Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville is in charge of arrangements.

Pat M. Legg
1944-2007

Pat M. Legg, 63, of Victor, died at the Denver VA Hospital in Denver, CO on Saturday, September15, 2007.

He was born on January 24, 1944 in Salem, Oregon and was the son of Pat and Jane Marie (Mann) Legg, Sr.

He graduated from Kingman High School in Kingman, AZ in 1962 and later attended the College of the Desert in Palm Desert, CA, where he earned an AA Degree. Pat served in the National Guard and proudly served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam as a Staff SGT during 1966-1968, returning with several medals.

Pat worked as an insurance agent for 30 years. He was a member of the local Vietnam Veterans of America and a member of Light of the Valley Church in Stevensville.

Pat touched so many lives there is not enough room to list them and he witnessed to so many. If he were here, he would ask you, "How is your relationship with the Lord, Judgment Day is coming soon."

He was preceded in death by his father, Pat Legg, Sr., faternal grandparents, Marcus and Lena Legg, and maternal grandparents, Wells and Mary Mann.

Survivors include his sweetheart and wife for over 20 years, Brenda; his mother Jane Legg and sister Patti Ferry, all of Victor; his daughters, Kimberly (David) Erickson of Burbank, CA, Melissa (Rob) McNabb of Bakersfield, CA; stepdaughter Kristen (Jeff) Snavely and stepson Brian Peltier of Darby. Also surviving are three grandchildren: Ashley Peltier, Darby, Samantha Hemingway, Bakersfield and Taylor Erickson of Burbank.

Funeral services were conducted at the Light of the Valley Assembly of God Church in Stevensville on Friday, September 21, 2007, with Pastor Art Huwe officiating. Interment was at the Victor Cemetery with VFW Post #1507 and American Legion Post #94 providing Military Honors.

The Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville is in charge of arrangements.

Viola Mae Painter
1922-2007

Viola Mae Painter, 85, of Missoula, and former Stevensville resident, died at her home on Monday, September 17, 2007.

She was born on January 27, 1922 in Evansville, Illinois and was the daughter of Herman and Cora (Hahn) Miller.

Mae and James Painter were married on July 20, 1947 in Peoria, Illinois. The couple moved to Butte in July, 1950 where they raised their four children. Mae worked as a waitress in various supper clubs in the area until Fairmont Hot Springs opened and she was hired as their head waitress. She held that position until 1979 when Jim retired and they moved to Stevensville.

Once established in Stevensville, Mae shared her smile and waitress skills with the customers at Donna's Place for years. She also became active in the Stevensville Senior Center, serving lunch, playing cards and bingo, lending a helping hand wherever and whenever it was needed.

Mae's kindness, sense of humor, and generosity were appreciated by many in this small community, and by her friends and family, but most of all by her grandchildren. We will miss you, Gram!

Mae was preceded in death by her husband, Jim in 1990, her parents, five brothers and a sister.

She is survived by her brother Al (Joyce) Miller, Red Lodge; sister Linda (Lynn) Williams, Rockville, Indiana; twi daughters, Judi (Gene) Klapperich, Redmond, OR and Lynne (Dan) Milliken, Ennis; two sons, Jim (Bobbie) Painter, Billings, and Jeff (Jeannie) Painter, Missoula; nine grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Memorial services were held on Saturday, September 22, 2007 at the Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville with Chaplain Mark Hawes officiating. Following the service, a reception honoring Mae was held at the Stevensville Senior Center.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Stevensville Senior Center.

Jane Shaw Heman
1920-2007

Jane Shaw Heman, 87, of Stevensville, died at her home on Sunday, September 16, 2007.

She was born on March 22, 1920 in Indianapolis, Indiana and was the daughter of Maxwell and Vera (Hensley) Shaw.

She attended Butler University and graduated from Stetson University in De Land, Florida with a degree in English. She taught high school English in Indiana and in military schools in Germany.

Jane and her husband, Howard W. Heman, moved to Vista, CA for a short time after his retirement from the Air Force. The couple then moved to Stevensville in 1978 where she had since resided. Mr. Heman preceded her in 1980.

She was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Hamilton. Mrs. Heman was a generous contributor to various charities in the Bitterroot Valley. She was particularly interested in the schools and contributed handsomely to various major projects designed to enhance educational opportunity for students within the Bitterroot Valley. Her generosity will live on through the Heman Foundation designed to continue her good works while she was alive. May her soul rest in peace.

Her parents as well as her husband preceded her in death.

Jane is survived by stepchildren: Andrew J. (Fran) Heman of Greer, South Carolina, Diana Heman (Rich) Morrison of Orlando, Florida and Victor (Eden) Heman of Encinitas, CA. Step-grandchildren include Chris, Aaron, Jessica and Isaac Morrison and Matt and Justin Heman.

Memorial services were held on Sunday, September 23 at the Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville with Pastor John Kinzel officiating..

Mrs. Heman will be buried next to her beloved husband Howard at Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Memorials are asked to a charity of donor's choice.

Mary Hiney
1916-2007

Mary Hiney, 90, of Corvallis, died at Valley View Nursing Home in Hamilton on Thursday, September 20, 2007.

She was born on October 27, 1916 at Corona, Kansas. On October 8, 1941 she married Jess Hiney. Jess preceded her in 2003.

Survivors include her children, Joan (Johney) Higgins, Marian Faulkner, Doris Wilhelm, Judy Giglio, Nancy (Dennis) Cranston, Max (Young Hui) Hiney and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A celebration of Mary's life will be held at a later date. The Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville is in charge of arrangements.