Community Obituaries
Darryl Thomas McKenzie, 81, of Lewistown, MT passed September 7, 2021 at the Central Montana Medical Center in Lewistown.
Darrylwas born on March 5, 1940, the third of six children born to Clarence and Marcella (Raker) McKenzie of Austin, Minnesota. He attended Austin Catholic Schools through high school and then went to Austin Vocational Tech. The entire class, with instructor, were offered positions by Boeing Aircraft. Darryl was part of a traveling group of electrical engineers who wired Minuteman Missiles around the country, including Lewistown. Darryl honorably served in the U.S. Army in the early 1960’s.
When Darryl arrived in Montana, he fell in love with the state and decided he would never live anywhere else. He enjoyed exploring the people and the state. He eventually left Boeing and started his entrepreneurial enterprise in the 1970’s when he bought the Bar-19.He was also instrumental in bringing telecommunication to the rural areas. Darryl totally embraced Lewistown, serving the community at any opportunity. He was a member of many boards, including the Elks, American Legion, Friendship Masonic Lodge #37 AF and AM (Past Master), Airport Board and the Lewistown City Council. He was also a fundraiser for the Blue and Gold Softball Complex and a member of the Al Bedoo Shrine and AAH-OOGA Patrol.
Darryl remained young throughout his life, he was always “in the moment” and ready for the next adventure and the next story it inspired. Darryl had a great, distinct laugh that will be remembered by his friends and family.
He is preceded in death by his parents; older brother, Bill and sister-in-law, Joyce, Austin, MN. He leaves behind sisters, Elizabeth Weber, White Plains, NY, Cheryl (Jerold) Baum, Wabash, MN, Charlotte McKenzie, Parkton, NC; and brother, Donald (Darla) McKenzie, Spring Branch, TX and many adoring nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be at the Creel Funeral Home Chapel, Wednesday, September 15, from 5-8 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Leo Catholic Church, Thursday, September 16 at 10:30 with Rite of Committal to follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the care of Creel Funeral Home. Darryl’s family and friends may share memories and condolences at www.creelfuneralhome.com
Michael “Mike” F. Chamberlain, 75, of Lewistown, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021 after a long battle with the after-effects of radiation for cancer treatment. Mike was born June 26, 1946 in Great Falls to Lawrence and Leona (Doering) Chamberlain. He was the youngest of 4 children. The family moved to the Augusta area for a time, then moved to Twin Bridges before landing in Heath where they owned a ranch. Mike attended school in Heath through 7th grade when the family decided to move to Lewistown where Mike then graduated from Fergus High School in 1964.
He married Barbara Walraven and they had a son, Cory, in 1965. After Barbara’s passing in 1966, Mike was drafted into the Army, serving for 2 years. He returned to Lewistown where he met Ramona "Monie" Kucera in April, 1969. She became the love of his life and best friend. They married May 24, 1969. After their daughter, Rhonda, was born in 1970 the family moved to Kansas for a short time where Mike worked as a long-haul truck driver. They returned to Lewistown permanently, adding to their family when their son, Doran, was born in 1974.
Mike worked numerous jobs through his lifetime. He worked for Mayflower, Peavey, drove grain trucks for his brother, did road construction, was a long-haul truck driver, and a logger for Roger Smith, Jim Cooper, and Berg Lumber, among others. Some have said he was the best skidder operator they have ever worked with. In 1980, he was involved in a logging accident that nearly killed him. Needing to find a new line of work led him to become a small business owner, successfully running 3 businesses, 2 of which he started.
Having already launched Chamberlain Chip Repair a year before his logging accident, he purchased a septic tank pumping business naming it Chamberlain Septic Service. After a few years, he and his wife then started Chamberlain Portables and sold the septic service business. Becoming busy enough with Chamberlain Portables they hired 2 excellent employees:first, Jim Dunnington and then Roger Thomas. With their help, and his wife’s, outstanding portable toilet service was provided to central Montana for 25 years. He was well known for his excellent customer service with Chamberlain Portables and Chamberlain Chip Repair.
In 2007, Mike was diagnosed with Stage 4 tonsillar cancer. He survived, beating the cancer, and continued working his 2 businesses. By 2013 he was ready to semi-retire, sold Chamberlain Portables but continued to repair windshields when needed.
He was a member of the American Legion, the support group Men Surviving Cancer, and GTOAA (GTO Association of America). He loved cars, building 4 Pontiac GTOs in his shop, teaching his sons a lot of what he knew about mechanics. He had a reputation for his well-maintained vehicles. He also loved music, traveling, visiting his children and grandchildren, and working with his hands. He could have been an engineer in any field he chose with his innate understanding of how things worked and his attention to detail.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Leona Chamberlain; sister, Lorraine Riddle; 2 brothers, Larry Chamberlain and Dorn Chamberlain; his first wife, Barbara (Walraven) Chamberlain; son, Cory Chamberlain; a granddaughter, Ashley Chamberlain; and 2 grandsons, Aaron and AJ Ince.
He is survived by his wife, Ramona Chamberlain; their daughter, Rhonda (Clarence) Ince of Oak Harbor, WA; their son, Doran (Monika) Chamberlain; 7 grandchildren: Jessica (Ryan) Solberg, Candice (Tyler) Christensen, Brittney (Sloan) McCluskey, Breanna Chamberlain, Logan Ince, Elisabeth Ince, and Eleanor Chamberlain; 8 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Mike will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
A Celebration of Life for Mike will be held Friday, Sept, 17, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Creel Funeral Home. Memorial donations are requested to the Sletton Cancer Institute, CMMC Hospice, Prevent Cancer Foundation or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the care of Creel Funeral Home. Mike’s family and friends can share memories and condolences at www.creelfuneralhome.com
Memorial Services for Milo Aasved will be Friday September 3rd, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. in the Zion Lutheran Church in Lewistown with reception to follow at the Pine Meadows(Elks Lodge). Cremation has taken place and committal will be held later in the Lewistown City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Montana Highway Patrol Hope Project @ P. O. Box 5927 Helena, MT 59604, or, Pine Meadows Golf Course @ 320 Country Club Ln. Lewistown, MT 59457, where a concrete bench will be placed in Milo’s memory, or, Shriners Children’s Hospital Office of Development 2900 Rocky Point Drive Tampa, FL 33607 or they may be left with the Cloyd Funeral Home. Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.cloydfuneralhome.com
Julie Anne Peevey of Hobson, MT passed away at home on September 9, 2021 surrounded by family. Julie was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.
Born on April 29, 1951 to Ken and Anne Turner in Lewistown, MT, she grew up on the family ranch on the Ross Fork of the Judith River. She spent her days riding her bike and helping out in the kitchen. Julie graduated from Moore School in 1969 and went on to college, graduating from Montana State University in 1973.
Julie started teaching Business in Stanford, MT before marrying her former spouse and then having two children: Kaycee and Cody. After staying home with them during their early years, Julie worked for the MSU Extension Office before becoming the Hobson School Secretary for 16 years. She then went on to being elected as the Clerk of District Court of Judith Basin County for 16 years before retirement.
In 2002, Julie married Ron Peevey, and they created a beautiful life together. Their adventures took them to Hawaii, Mexico, Oklahoma, California, and Washington. But their favorite place to go, by far, was their cabin in the Little Belt Mountains. They could be found there year-round enjoying the sunshine or snow, relaxing by the fireplace, sledding with the grandkids, hiking in the mountains, or enjoying homemade ice cream with friends and neighbors.
Julie was a very active member of the Hobson United Methodist Church, and she was also a member of the Utica Women’s Club and a lifetime member of Eastern Star. She was always willing to lend a hand and help out when and where she was needed in her community. Strength, grace, love, and compassion are the words that best describe Julie.
Playing the piano was truly a gift and a passion of Julie’s, and she enjoyed sharing her gift with others as the pianist at the Church for years. She was also a bit of an old soul who loved classic hymns, Lawrence Welk, and her electric typewriter (the computer just didn’t work as well, according to her). Family was everything to Julie, especially her grandchildren. She would drop anything just to spend time with them. Julie had a gentle heart, always thinking of others and never wanting to be a burden, even close to the end. She was the epitome of selflessness, and she will be greatly missed by those who loved her.
Julie was preceded in death by her parents, Ken and Anne Turner, and her brother, Ron Turner. Julie is survived by her husband, Ron; children, Kaycee (Rob) Beall and Cody (Elisia) Anderson; step-children Ed Peevey and Diana Conley; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at 11 AM at the Hobson United Methodist Church. In addition to loving the Methodist Church, Julie was an avid supporter of Angel Flight West after all they did to assist her over the last few months. Any donations can be made to Angel Flight West or the Hobson United Methodist Church in her honor.
Arrangements are under the care of Creel Funeral Home. Julie’s family and friends can share memories and condolences at www.creelfuneralhome.com
Katie J Walter, 94 of Spring Creek Colony died of natural causes Wednesday morning, September 8th, 2021 at her home. Grandma Katie, left thisEarth and went toHeaven to be with Jesus with her family by her side.
Katie was born September 20, 1926 to John and Anna (Hofer) Stahl. Katie spent her childhood near James River in Huron, South Dakota on the Beatle Colony. In 1945 Katie’s family moved to the Ayers Colony. Katie met the love of her life,Joe Walter, and on December 14, 1947 Katie and Joe were married. A year later they welcomed their first of six children.
Katie was a people person! She loved people and people loved her. She never met a stranger who did not become a friend. Katie had a zest for life and always saw the good in everything and everyone around her. Katie loved her family with all of her heart. If you ever visited Katie, you never left empty handed. Katie loved to knit, crochet, write and recite poems. Everyone who visited had the pleasure of hearing one of her poems. Katie loved herLord and her favorite book was her Bible.
Katie is survived by her children Katherine (Joe) Stahl and Bertha (Sam) Stahl both of Surprise Creek Colony, Joe (Annie) Walter, James (Kathy) Walter, Tom (Judy) Walter all of Spring Creek Colony andJake (Ruth) Walter of Judith Gap, MT; 4 brothers, 3 sisters, 24 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren.
Katie is preceded in death by her husband Joe Walter, her parents, 2 brothers and 1 sister.
Services for grandma Katie Walter will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 11th, 2021 at the Spring Creek Colony with committal to follow in the Spring Creek Colony Cemetery. The Cloyd Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Friends are asked to make memorials to the charity of their choice and they may be left with the Cloyd Funeral Home. Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.cloydfuneralhome.com.