Obituaries

RONAN — Surrounded by his family, on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, Vern Leroy Clairmont passed away after a yearlong battle with pancreatic cancer. While he had the strongest of hearts for his family, friends, community, and tribe, he had an even stronger heart, which refused to give up in his final hours. He was a kind, generous and loving husband, father, and papa. He will forever be remembered for his patience, generosity, kindness, humor, and larger-than-life smile. Vern was born in St. Ignatius and raised on the original Clairmont allotment. Growing up he helped his grandpa and dad on their cattle ranch. Vern graduated from Ronan High School in 1972 where he met his wife, Cyndy. The...

SUN CITY, ARIZONA — Bill K. Jones, 85, passed away peacefully at The Surprise Health and Rehabilitation Center on July 04, 2023.  He was born in Norfolk, Nebraska, on Aug. 29, 1937, to Orlen and Evelyn Jones.  The family moved to Missoula where Bill (age 6) attended school. In his early ad...

KALISPELL — Gordon Floyd “Duff” Gerrish, 92, of Kalispell passed away June 25, 2023, in Kalispell. He is survived by his wife, Marian Gerrish. No services are being held at this time. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.  

BILLINGS — Geraldine Swainston Maughan was born in Afton, Wyoming, on Dec. 5, 1934. She returned to her Heavenly Father on July 10, 2023, in Billings, Montana. She was preceded in death by her husband Wayne (2004), and son Dale (1983). She is survived by her children: Pam Darnell, Ramona Smith, Lora...

ST. IGNATIUS — LaVonne Olmsted, 78, returned home to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, after battling pancreatic cancer. LaVonne was born and raised in St. Ignatius and attended college at Concordia College in Portland, Oregon. After marrying her husband Ron in Chicago ...

RONAN — Patricia Roark Sheumaker was called home after a major stroke on June 27, 2023. She was born in Charlo on Aug. 22, 1940, to Rommie and Helen Roark. She attended school in Charlo and Missoula, then obtained her GED and graduated from beautician school in Missoula. She opened her shop, Pat’...

STANWOOD, WASHINGTON — Leslie Anne Gilbert was born on July 2, 1946, to Glen and Ruth Vergeront in Denver, Colorado. Anne passed into heaven at the age of 76, on April 13, 2023, in Stanwood, Washington. Anne is survived by her sons, Will and Jeremy Gilbert and grandson, Jacob Gilbert; her brother, C...

RONAN — John Delaurenti, lifetime resident of Lake County, passed away at his home on June 23, 2023. John was born in Polson on Jan. 17, 1944, to Italian immigrants, Joseph Delaurenti and Rosie Zan Delaurenti. He was the youngest of three and was preceded in birth by two older sisters, Pauline Bolton a...

POLSON — Marcella “Marcy” Bishop, age 96, passed away June 23, 2023, at Polson Health and Rehab. Services will be held in September and will be announced. Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.

RONAN — Judy D. Lockwood Jackson Collins, age 75, beloved wife, mother, grandma, sister, aunt, died surrounded by loved ones, on June 12, 2023, in Seattle, Washington, due to strokes that happened directly after surgery to remove a tumor in her inner ear and against her brain.  Judy was born on...