Community Obituaries (2)
Jeanette (Wilhelmi) Harrison
Katherine Jeanette (Wilhelmi) Harrison passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family, on October 1, 2026.
Jeanette was born in Starkweather, North Dakota, on December 19, 1939, to Louis John Wilhelmi and Katherine Mildred (Tooke) Wilhelmi. She attended school in Roundup, Montana. She married James Robbins in Haynesville, Louisiana, and together they had three sons. On September 25, 1971, she married Delmer Harrison and moved to Roy, Montana, where they worked the family ranch. Del and Jeanette welcomed a son together, completing their family of four boys.
Del and Jeanette operated Quality Seed south of Lewistown for several years and enjoyed that time serving the farming community. They were active supporters of the Roy Pirates and Fergus Eagles, enjoyed playing cards, and cherished time spent socializing with many good friends. They were very proud of the fine men their sons grew to become. Following Delmer's passing, Jeanette moved to Billings, Montana.
Jeanette loved spending time with her family, playing cards, watching her sons and grandchildren participate in sports and other activities, and especially loved dancing. She cherished gatherings with family and friends and enjoyed celebrating life's special moments with those she loved.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Delmer Harrison; her son, Mark Robbins; and her parents.
Richard Michael “Mike” Tyler
Richard Michael “Mike” Tyler, 84, passed away Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Services for Mike are pending and will be announced along with an obituary.
Arrangements are under the care of Creel Funeral Home. Mike’s family and friends can share memories and condolences at www.creelfuneralhome.com
Jeanette is survived by her sons, Marty (Theresa) Robbins, parents of Kristin (Steven) Peterman and Josh (Melanie) Robbins; Michael Robbins, father of Kirk (Bailey) Robbins; and Monte (Dona) Harrison, parents of Matthew Harrison, Mason Harrison, Victoria (Steve) Ball, and Carson (Alli) Feller. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Deanna Robbins, mother of Liam (Delayne) Robbins and Lance Robbins; fourteen great-grandchildren; her brother, Gregory (Cheryl) Wilhelmi; her sisters, Joanne (Gene) Wegner, Janice (Jerry) Stewart, Joyce (Ray) Erbe, and Jackie (Ron) Sealey; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A private graveside service for family will be held at Lewistown City Cemetery on Monday, October 12, 2026. The family requests that memorials in Jeanette's honor be made to the Roy Fire and Ambulance Service or to the charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the care of Creel Funeral Home. Jeanette’s family and friends can share memories and condolences at www.creelfuneralhome.com
William “Bill” Haugen
William “Bill” John Haugen, 82, passed away September 22, 2026, in Lewistown of natural causes with underlying health conditions. He was born September 21, 1944 to Trig and Mary Fran Haugen.
Bill’s youth was spent playing sports with his buddies, hunting the Missouri Breaks and fishing Spring Creek every chance he got.
Bill graduated from Fergus County High School in 1963. After a year in college, he returned home to work in the family business, Haugen Construction. He then married Candy Clegg, and to this union, Tracey in 1965 and Trig in 1967 were born. Bill and Candy later divorced.
Bill was a master craftsman and carpenter. In the late 70’s he took over the family business, which he proudly ran for 45 years. With his brother Mike by his side, they built beautiful homes and commercial businesses in and around the Lewistown area.
Bill loved fly fishing and the art of the cast and always had a rod ready.
Throughout his life, he won several golf club championships at the Elks Club and loved “taking” money from his friends on the golf course. Bill never missed a tee time.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Trig and Mary Fran; sister, Mary Kay; and brother, Tom. He is survived by his daughter, Tracey of Lewistown; son, Trig and granddaughter, Olivia of Yarnell, Arizona; sister, Patti (Tom) Bryson of Billings; brother, Mike (Jeri Lynn) of Lewistown; and several special nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Bill’s life will be held on October 23, 2026, from 2-5 p.m. at the Elks Pine Meadows.
Donald “Don” Norman McKinlay
Donald “Don” Norman McKinlay passed away Friday, September 25, 2026 due to complications from a stroke. There is not an easy way to sum up 87 years of life.
Don was born on the homestead ranch near Buffalo, Montana, February 25, 1939 to Howard and Frances (Nemec) McKinlay. He received his education at the Buffalo School before serving his country in the U.S. Army.
After his discharge, Don was united in marriage to Helen Jean. They chose to get married in Idaho as there was less red tape. They lived in several places but always found their way back to the ranch. Don had many occupations, from running construction jobs, to realtor, to rancher.
Don was a collector of free anything, cars, guns, art, artifacts, and trash to treasure. He loved to learn, build, and take another man’s junk and turn it into something useful again; part of the waste not want not generation. Don loved to travel and it was always on the top of his list. He would just get the itch “to go.” He was boon docking before it was even a thing and would advise that spending the night under an overpass is not peaceful; thunk-thunk thunk-thunk as every vehicle would pass over. He traveled to Turkey, Belize, New York, Mexico and many other locations.
Don was a proud husband, father, grandfather and friend. He taught you can do hard things in life. Don’t be afraid of it, just get after it!! Don will be missed.
Don is survived by his daughter, Tammy Kline; grandsons, Tyler Brown and Ian Kline; great-grandchildren, Jackson Brown, Emma Jean Kline, Ravena Taylor, and the twins Samuel and Stetson Kline; and sister, Hazel McKinlay. He is preceded in death by his wife, Jean McKinlay; companion, Fanny Parker; his parents; and brothers, Raymond and John.
A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, October 3rd, 2:00 p.m. at the Creel Funeral Home Chapel with viewing from 12:00 to 2:00. Interment will follow at the Buffalo-Straw Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to St. Labre Indian School or any Native American cause.
Arrangements are under the care of Creel Funeral Home. Don’s family and friends can share memories and condolences at www.creelfuneralhome.com
William “Bill” George Thomas
William “Bill” Thomas, age 90, went home to spend eternity with his Lord and Savior on September 21, 2026.
Bill was born November 9, 1935, in Missoula, MT. He spent his first six years in Butte then moving to Helena, where he built fond memories running his paper route, living a block from the Capital, playing around the capitol grounds and enjoying the adventures of high school life.
Bill went on to attend Montana State University before completing his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at Northwestern University Chicago. It was there that he met the love of his life, Janet Mae Lewis. The two were married in Park Ridge, Illinois, on August 23, 1958. Their first son Jeff was born while living in Chicago.
Following their marriage, Bill and Jan spent two years serving with the U.S. Public Health Service in Winslow, AZ, providing dental care to the Hopi, Laguna, and Navajo people – a season that gave them lifelong friendships.
The family returned to Montana, where their son Mark and daughter Sheri were born. Bill and Jan made their home in Billings raising their family. Along with his dental partners Bill established Plaza West Dental Group. One of the endeavors of the group was to open The Spaghetti Depot restaurant in Billings.
In 1982 Bill and Jan semi-retired and moved to the family ranch west of Hobson, where they would often say they spent “the best years of our lives.” Bill and Jan opened the Hobson Dental Center and worked side by side for 14 years. Bill the dentist and Janet the hygienist. They always referred to their patients as family.
Bill took great pride in his Angus herd, and one of his proudest moments was a set of triplets born and that all survived!
Bill lived out his faith alongside Janet through their leadership of the Hobson Community Youth Group, sharing the love of Jesus with young people who remained dear friends for years to come. Bill’s faith in his Lord Jesus Christ defined his commitment to marriage, family, and relationships, which he lived out through the Eddies Corner Men’s Bible Study and through teaching Sunday School. Having lost a son, Compassionate Friends was a very dear group of friends to them.
As the father of two Eagle Scouts and grandfather to three Eagle scouts, Bill was himself honored with Scouting’s Silver Beaver Award. He devoted himself to community service throughout his life, serving in leadership roles with the Montana Board of Dentistry, founding member of the Community Health Center, now One Health in Lewistown and the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch board. Bill also served the people of Central Montana in the Montana House of Representatives. While serving he carried the bill that established the Dental Hygiene School in Great Falls.
Bill’s love of the outdoors took root early, working college summers on the trail maintenance crew for the Lewis and Clark National Forest. The family spent summers and winters camping and backpacking in Montana’s wilderness. He was also an avid runner, completing the Boston Marathon at age 45 with a time of 2 hours 58 minutes.
Downhill skiing was Bill’s greatest lifelong passion, especially at his favorite ski area, Showdown. Before he reluctantly hung up his skis at age 82, he skied alongside his great grandchildren. At age 89 and 90 he was once again back on the ski hill with the help of Eagle Mount Adaptive Ski Program; this opportunity lit a spark in him and gave him joy beyond words.
Bill was an accomplished wood worker building his home in Hobson, making wagons, desks, cradles, and toys for his grandchildren…always with more projects underway than time allowed.
Well done good and faithful servant, you have run the race and now you are home.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Janet; and their son, Jeff Thomas.
Bill is survived by his brother, Chuck (Karen) Thomas of Hobson; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dick and Cleo Lewis of Billings; son, Mark (Karen) Thomas of Billings and their children and grandchildren, Austin (Nicole) Thomas, MacAllister, Dawson and Grady of Billings and Taylor (Joe) Fortier and soon to be child of Santa Monica; daughter Sheri (Keith) Derks of Hobson and their children and grandchildren, Cole (Michelle) Derks Collins, Seeley, Hayes and Wells of Billings, Whitney (Joe) Mitchell Archer, Monte and Poppy of Helena, Evan (Emily) Derks, Kelby, Callen, Avery and Ella of Hobson; several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Graveside services will be held Wednesday, October 14th, 1:00 p.m., at Philbrook Cemetery, 1658 Hobson-Philbrook Road, Hobson, MT. A reception will follow at the Hobson Senior Center.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to one of the following: Eagle Mount, PO Box 2866, Great Falls, MT 59403, CMMC Fitness Center or Council on Aging Bus, c/o Central Montana Foundation, PO Box 334, Lewistown, MT 59457, or St. John’s United Hospice, 502 N 30th St., Billings, MT 59101.
Arrangements are under the care of Creel Funeral Home. Bill’s family and friends can share memories and condolences at www.creelfuneralhome.com