The Valley Journal

Obituary guidelines

Obituaries of Lake County residents will be published in the Valley Journal each Thursday, space permitting and if they are received no later than 1 p.m. on Monday.
    Obituaries and death notices of 100 words or less are printed free of charge. Obituaries of children younger than 18 years of age are also published free of charge. A fee is charged beyond 100 words at a rate of 35 cents per word. There is also a charge of $10 per half-column photograph. Obituaries are subject to editing for style and content.
    Submit obituaries and photograph(s) by e-mail to news@valleyjournal.net or through funeral homes or by fax at 676-8990. Color or black and white photographs may be submitted.
    Display obituaries may also be purchased, which may include a variety of graphic displays.
    For more information, email news@valleyjournal.net or call 676-8989.

RONAN – Taylor Rose Skare, infant daughter of Tara Branson and Eric Skare, became an angel on June 24 at St. Joseph Hospital in Polson.
In addition to her parents, she also leaves behind her sisters Emily and Lillian, maternal grandmother Georgia Vizzo of Ronan, and paternal grandparents Frances Skare of Pablo and Michael Skare of Polson.
A graveside service will be held June 27 at the Snyelmn Sntmtmne in St. Ignatius with Fr. Andrew Maddock officiating.

POLSON — Walter Lyle Jones, 84, passed away June 23, 2010 at his home in Polson.
His parents Harry and Jeanette Mills Jones; sisters Janice Heise, Ada Leach, and Dorothy Yeager; along with brothers Gary, Don, Dick, and Roy Jones preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife Winnifred (Winnie) Jones; daughter Julie (Rich) Paul; sons Jeffery (Debbie) Jones, Randy (Monica) Jones, and Kevin (Cheryl) Jones; brothers Harry, Rex, and Ron; nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held July 3 at 3 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Polson. A reception will follow the services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Walter’s memory to the Miracle of America Museum or to Lake County Home Health and Hospice. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com.

POLSON — L. Fern (Swope) Merritt, 72, of Polson, passed away June 25, 2010.
Fern is preceded in death by her parents, Fredric and Ellen Green Swope, and a sister, Bertha Goettlich.
She is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, Rex Merritt; their children, Patti, Bill, Polly, Rose, Barb, Heather, Carolyn, Mike, and their spouses; 15 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; sisters, Kathleen and Evelene; brothers, Chuck, Clarence, John, Lee, and Ronnie, and their spouses and families.
Funeral services were held June 30 in Lonepine, Mont. with burial following at Murray Memorial Cemetery. The family has suggested memorials to the Special Olympics, the Lonepine Hall, or a charity of choice.
Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com.