Obituaries

John Jacob Bircher

On November 26, 2017, John Jacob Bircher passed away at the Powhatan Nursing Home in Falls Church, Virginia, due to complications arising after being admitted for a diabetic condition.

John was born in Missoula, Montana on February 27, 1938, to Jacob and Alice (Batson) Bircher.

Wayne Elmer Toepke

Wayne Elmer Toepke, age 74, passed away peacefully at his home on November 28, 2017.

Russell (Rusty) Lee Stuart

Russell (Rusty) Lee Stuart, 56, passed away at Holy Rosary Extended Care on November 24, 2017 surrounded by his family after an extended battle with cancer.

Raymond ‘Jack’ Shawver

Raymond “Jack” Shawver, 73, of Jordan, died Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017, at Holy Rosary Healthcare in Miles City with loved ones by his side.

Mr. Shawver was born on Aug. 7, 1944, to Ray and Jessie Saylor Shawver.

Clarence ‘Clancy’ Edgar Rich

Captain Clarence “Clancy” Edgar Rich, USN (Retired) died peacefully on the afternoon of Friday, Nov. 17, 2017, at his oldest daughter’s house in Davidsonville, Maryland. 

He was born on Dec. 12, 1920, in Melstone, the second child, and first son, of Agnes Janet and Lawrence Eugene Rich.

Gerald Ralph Irion

Known to family and friends as “Jerry”, Gerald Ralph Irion was born to Ralph & Nellie Irion in Miles City, Montana on September 30, 1926, the same birthday as his father. Growing up as a member of the large  Irion family of ranchers in Powder River County, horseback travel was the only transportation he knew as a youngster. He attended the Cactus Patch School, followed by the Irion School, both located along Mizpah Creek, through eighth grade. 

W. A. Mitchell, Jr.

Wilmer Ashford Mitchell, Jr., died of a heart attack on November 20, 2017 in Green Valley, Arizona, where he had spent the winter months for the last several years. 

David E. Heuck

Beloved husband of Jenny, beloved father of Sam, Mathers, and Sarah Jo, David E. Heuck died on Tuesday, November 21, 2017, in Sheridan, WY.

Leon Rathbun

Leon Rathbun, age 75, of Terry, Montana, died on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017, at the Prairie Community Hospital in Terry. 

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017, at the Presbyterian Community Church in Terry with retired Reverend Neva Rathbun officiating. 

Neva Crawford

Neva Crawford was born June 29, 1935 at the family farm on Sweeney Creek to her parents J.W. and Georgia McIntosh. She attended school in Rosebud until her junior year when her parents retired and moved to Forsyth, where she graduated high school in 1953. She then attended Northern Montana State College and she earned a degree in Practical Nursing.