Obituaries

POLSON — Mary Janet Swanson Vail, on Sunday, June 16, 2024, slipped peacefully into the loving arms of her Heavenly Father, at the age of 91. She was born on Dec. 15, 1932, on a snowy day, to Frank and Rachel Swanson at Mason County General Hospital in Shelton, Washington.  Janet graduated from Irene S. Reed High School in Shelton with many of the same students she had attended school all her life. Life in a small logging town was fun and at five years of age she insisted that she wanted to take piano lessons, which started her musical career that lasted nearly 80 of her years.  Starting in junior high and high school, then into college and as a church pianist starting...

TUCSON, ARIZONA — Richard “Dick” Flagg Ayres, Jr. passed away peacefully on June 19, 2024, surrounded by his family in Tucson, Arizona. He is predeceased by his father, Richard Flagg Ayres, Sr.; mother, Sarah Ayres; stepmother, Jane Ayres; sister, Susanne Graves; brother, Robert Ayres; and ...

KALISPELL — Tait William Humble passed away June 11, 2024, at his home in Kalispell. Tait was thriving and healthy, which makes his death of natural cause a complete shock. He was born on Oct. 27, 1977, in Missoula, one minute after his twin sister, Cassie Ann Cooper. Her beating him in the race to sta...

RONAN — Sally Deane Bailey Cook, born July 18, 1938, passed away May 19, 2024, at the age of 85, in Missoula, of natural causes. Sally was the daughter of Art and Blanche (Noble) Bailey. She grew up in Valley View. She shared her home with three older sisters and one younger brother. JoAnne Bailey Finc...

AMARILLO, TEXAS — Joseph Elden Cullen peacefully passed away on February 12, 2024, in Amarillo, Texas. He was born on Feb. 24, 1940, to Laurence ‘Tut’ and Edna Cullen in Ronan. He graduated from high school in 1958 and married Linda Heppner in Polson on Aug. 26, 1961. After high school, Joe...

POLSON — Elsie Mae (Funk) Brown, age 95, passed away at her home in Polson on Feb. 6, 2024. She was born on Aug. 14, 1928, in Joplin, Montana, to Waldo and Verna (Sauer) Funk. She attended schools in Joplin. Elsie met Deane Brown in Whitefish while he was serving in the U.S. Navy. Deane and Elsie we...

VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON — Marnee Kieckbush passed away in Vancouver, Washington on June 10, 2024. She was born on Oct. 19, 1932, in Helena. She lived in Ronan from 1982-1999 and co-owned the K-Klub in Pablo with her father and sister from 1982-1986. She was a huge Montana Griz fan. She then moved to Vanc...

RONAN — William C. Hocker passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family on May 29, 2024, at 7:43 a.m. of natural causes at 100 years of age. He was born on March 23, 1924, in Helena. His parents were Almon Hocker and Mamie Marie Hocker of Ronan. William graduated from Ronan High School in 194...

LIBBY — After a two-year crusade against esophageal cancer, Bruce Timothy Moog was called to be with Christ on April 9, 2024, at home with daughter, Andrea D. Moog and wife, Sandra L. Moog by his side. Bruce joined his five siblings, Robert, Gary, Daren, Mick, and Shila to become the sixth blessing ...

RONAN — JoAnn Hall, age 88, passed away from natural causes on May 27, 2024, at St Luke Extended Care.  JoAnn was born on Dec. 6, 1935, to Dale and Alma (Johnson) Greenland in Kalispell. JoAnn married Anthony Olson on July 14, 1951. They soon brought their first daughter, Linda into the world, ...