The Missoulian from Missoula, Montana • 15

Missoulian, Wednesday, April 23, 2014 B3 MONTANA OBITUARIES K. 'Magoo' Vessey Ill CLINTON James K. "Magoo" Vessey III of Clinton, passed away Tuesday, April 15, 2014, at home from a longtime illness. He worked at Liberty Lanes and Five Valleys bowling centers, and enjoyed Vessey coaching junior bowlers, fishing and hunting. He is survived by wife, Maria; son, James Vessey IV; daughter, Christina Hodges; foster daughter, Heather Hern; seven granddaughters; and four grandsons.

A velebration of life will be held at Ruby's Reserve Street Inn, 4825 N. Reserve St. in Missoula, on Sunday, April 27, at 4 p.m. Rita Hazel Couture Cannon RONAN Rita Hazel Couture Cannon passed away Sunday, April 20, 2014, at her home in Ronan. She came into this world on Jan.

13, 1939. Rita was born to Joseph E. Couture and Susie Andrew; she was raised in the Elmo area. Rita went to Ursulines Catholic School in St. Cannon Cannon Ignatius and to the Polson Schools.

She married Robert Reginald DePoe Sr. on July 22, 1954, and together they had five children, Debra, Robert, Fredrick (Rick), Carole and Daryl (Corky). They were divorced and Rita later married Daniel Cannon on Oct. 5, 1965, and they had three children together, Sharon, Charles and Curtis. They lived on a ranch in Hot Springs.

While in Hot Springs, Rita worked and later managed the Bath House. She liked meeting people from all over the world and hearing their stories. She went to California and worked as a nanny for a short time. Rita loved her dog Marty and her cat Crackers. She also enjoyed gardening.

Rita loved her family and taught her children to be good responsible citizens. She taught them to work, which has been a blessing to them. She also loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren; she was excited when they would come to visit her. Rita moved to her place on the lake near Big Arm and enjoyed living there with her dogs and cat. She liked the beauty of the area, and loved having a nice yard with lots of flowers.

When her health began to fail along with her eyesight, she moved to Ronan, where family especially her daughter Sharon could care for her. Rita had three wonderful friends who cared for her, Gloria Simon, Lorelei and Mike Murray and Dave Funk. Rita was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Richard, Roy and Thomas Couture; her sister, Regina Couture; her grandson, Curtis Roy DePoe; her granddaughter, Keyera DePoe; her daughterin-law, Sherryl Stiner DePoe; and also Gusto Cannon. Survivors include her children, Debra (Rob Edwards), Robert Reginald DePoe Jr. (Becky) Frederick Allen DePoe, Carole (Tom Lankford), Corky Sias (Theresa), Sharon (Tony Earthboy), Charles Cannon (Jessica) and Curtis Cannon (Shelly); sisters, Judy Phillips and Rhoda Whitehorse; brother Albert Couture (Butch); great -aunt, Helen Charlo (Ellen); and many grandchildren, greatgrandchildren and one greatgreat -grandson whom she hadn't met.

Rita will be missed by her family and friends. A traditional wake will begin Wednesday, April 23, at the Elmo Hall and a rosary will be held that night at 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held Thursday, April 24, at 10 a.m. Interment will be at the Elmo Cemetery and a meal will follow. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Daniel DePoe, Ricky DePoe, Robert McCrea, Spencer Sias, Cedric Earthboy and Bradley Cannon.

Honorary pallbearers are Robert R. DePoe III, Rodney DePoe, Shay Earthboy, Bradley McCrea, Chris McCrea, Craig McCrea and Dave Funke. Cross bearer is Wynonna (Jennifer) Johnson Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at groganfuneralhome.com. James Donald Van Cleve ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. J.D.

was born Jan. 16, 1920, in Helena, the fourth of seven children to George Bernice and Fern McWethey Van Cleve. The early years of his life were spent on his father's sheep ranch at Canyon Creek. The family moved to Helena 1928, where his father in 1929. In 1932, his mother moved the family to Missoula.

attended Hawthorne Van Cleve Grade School and graduated from Missoula County High School in 1939. After graduation, he attended the University of Montana as a music major. In 1944, he married Lenore Cole in Darby. She died in 1959. In 1961, he married Helen Johnson in Missoula.

He was employed for many years by Westmont Tractor Co. In 1973, he accepted a position with Border Machinery moved his family to Albuquerque, N.M. He retired in 1988, and he and Helen moved back to Albuquerque. After his retirement, he was an associate with French Mortuary. His whole life was devoted to music as well as gardening.

He sang at many weddings and funerals over the years for family members and friends. He was a member of church choirs in Missoula, El Paso, Texas, and Albuquerque. As a young college student, he was part of a churchdeputized team that traveled western Montana conducting church services for small, rural communities. He was a charter member and past president of the Missoula Mendelssohn Club as well as SPEBSQSA (Society for the Preservation Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America). He was an active member and past president of the Missoula Lions Club.

He also belonged to the BPOE at Missoula. He became a member of Harmony Lodge No. 49 at Missoula in 1969. He was initiated into the Algeria Temple of Shriners in Kalispell and affiliated with Ballut Abyad Temple in Albuquerque in 1975. He was initiated into the Order of the Eastern Star, Electa Chapter No.

7, by his wife, Helen, who was conductress at the time. He was a past national president of training directors of International Harvester Construction Dealers. He is a member of St. John United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife Helen of 53 years; son, Gerald Van Cleve and daughter- -inlaw, Marsha of Pittsburg, daughter, Deborah and son-in-law Danal Estes of Fairview, Texas; daughter, Marianne Portillo of El Paso; five grandchildren, Lauren Woerner (Matt) of Concord, Jennifer Spaeny (Shawn) of Wichita, Sarah Portillo, Helen Portillo, and Andres James Portillo of El Paso; and five greatgrandchildren, Alaina, Ashlyn and Ariel Woerner, Juliette Portillo and Lincoln Spaeny.

He is also survived by two sisters, Mary Elizabeth Herbig Sawyer and Berna Louise Clayton; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Ralph, George and John; one sister, Annis Anderson Olson; and his sonin-law, Raul Ramon "Ray" Portillo. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Gentiva Health Services, 5600 Wyoming Blvd. N.E., Suite 10, Albuquerque, NM 87109 Shriners Hospitals for Children, Fairfax Road at Virginia Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84103. A celebration of life will be held at St.

John United Methodist Church, 2626 Arizona N.E., 2 p.m., on Friday, April with the Rev. Dr. Steven Roberts officiating. Please visit our online guestbook for J.D. at frenchfunerals.com.

Ronald G. Therriault MISSOULA Ronald G. Therriault, 82, former chairman of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, educator for LEE Salish Kootenai College and the University of Montana and command sergeant major in the U.S. Army, passed away Sunday, April 20, 2014, at the family home in Missoula. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at brothersmortuary.com.

Viola Grace (Syring) Hill Hoover WHITEFISH Viola Grace (Syring) Hill Hoover, of Whitefish, was escorted home to be with Jesus on Saturday, April 19, 2014. She is now Hoover being welcomed after a courageous in battle with cancer by our died loved ones who took the journey before Hoover her. She was born to Walter and Evelyn Syring in Sidney and raised with her brothers in the winds of eastern Montana. Vi attended SKARR grade school for first grade, Bennie Pier School second through fourth, Sidney Elementary fifth through eighth, and graduated from Sidney High School in 1950. She married George Hill on Oct.

24, 1953, in was married for 27 years before George's passing in February 1980. They were blessed with four children, Lin, Bruce, Jan and Steve. The family enjoyed camping and fishing throughout Montana with family and friends, but their favorite spots were Lake Inez and the Blackfoot River. Vi was the matriarch of the family and taught her children, grandchildren the and great importance of family, traditions and love. She answered to many names, Vi, Gracie, Mom, Grandma, Muggers and "The Edge." No matter the name she loved her family with all her heart, a big smile, and lots of hugs and moochies! Vi's second marriage was to James Hoover on April 27, 1981.

They spent the past 33 years together making many memories with family and friends. Some of the annual traditions included family Christmas, camping at Lake Mary Ronan and barbecues with her famous potato salad. Vi and Jim enjoyed their many friends throughout the state hunting, fishing, rock hounding or just visiting over a cup of coffee. Vi also was a very hard worker and paid great attention to detail. Her first job was with the Montana Department of Health and Welfare in Helena, where she made $1.10 an hour.

She moved to Billings and worked for a coffee shop and Grinnel Plumbing House. She moved to Missoula with her husband George in 1954 and worked for the UFCW and Central School as a secretary until her retirement in 1989. She and Jim moved to the Flathead Valley, where she worked for Walmart and Flathead Water District No. 8 until her illness in 2012. Gracie also enjoyed league bowling, was a member of the Union Club in Missoula with her friends Maxi, Betty and Bonnie, the Moose Club in Whitefish, rock clubs, Time Scale Adventures and the Red Hat Society.

Mom loved crossstitching, collecting antiques, yard sales, auctions, dancing and music, especially Glenn Miller and Glen Campbell. But what she loved most was family time at home during the holidays and at the lake (even though she was afraid of the water). Our family is truly blessed to be related to such an amazing example of strength, love, humor and grace! Her bond with family and friends will always be strong in our hearts and memories! Vi is survived by her husband, James Hoover of Whitefish; daughters, Lin Patton of Texas and Jan (Ray) Hitchcock of Arlee; son, Steve (Lisa) Hill of Whitefish; brother, Howard (Carol) Syring of Miles City; grandchildren, Jeremy (Kelly) Clark, Jason (Irma) Clark, Tiffany (Hakon) Roose, Chad Hill, John (Heather) Jones, Josh (Dee) Hitchcock, Jeff (Lisa) Hitchcock, William Hitchcock, De Rae (Joe) Matuzak, Zachary Hill, Leo (Chris) Hoover and Colleen (Tom) Kirn. She is also survived by 20 greatgrandchildren! Vi was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Larry, Harvey and Doyle; husband, Georghe Hill; son, Bruce Hill; and granddaughters, Jessica Hill and Samantha Kirn. 9 A visitation will be held 6-8 p.m.

Friday, April 25, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home, 1890 U.S. Highway 93 N. in Kalispell. A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 26, at 1 p.m. at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be donated to Brendan House in Kalispell or Flathead Valley Hospice Care. Thank You! To send condolences to the family, go to buffalohillfh.com. Buffalo Hill Funeral home and crematory is caring for the family. Theodore Thomas McElhenney Sr. MISSOULA "Teddy" went to Heaven to meet "the sacred heart of Jesus" -toface and wait for wife, Jewel, the love of his life and best friend of 53 years.

Theodore Thomas McElhenney 74, went to heaven in the arms of his one true love and his most prized at home in Missoula on Saturday, April 19.2014. Teddy was born July 6, McElhenney 1939, in Butte, the fourth child of possessions his children and grandchildren Dominic and Georgia McElhenney. He grew up on Butte's East Side and remained a proud Butte native throughout his life. He attended Sacred Heart Catholic Elementary School and Boys Central High School, graduating in 1957. He had a special appreciation for childhood benefactor Charlie Judd, who owned the New Deal Bar on Arizona Street across from Silver Bow Homes, and who so generously provided, sports equipment and activity fees for any kids from the Homes whose families could not afford them.

Ted was an outstanding athlete at Boys Central, excelling in football, basketball and track. He was a star on Central's 1955 Butte Hall of Fame basketball team, which claimed the "Big 32" state championship. He was Central's leading scorer in the state championship game. He played in the 1957 Shrine football game and the Montana North -South All Star basketball game, where he was named the MVP. It was during his high school years that he Jay Michael Clark POLSON Jay Michael Clark, age 49, of Polson, passed away Saturday, April 19, 2014, at St.

Patrick Hospital. Jay was born Feb. 21, 1965, in Helena, to Constance and Michael Clark. He attended school in Gillette, Denver and Missoula, where he graduated from Loyola Sacred Heart High School in 1983. While in school, Jay was on the swim team, wrestling and basketball.

In 1983, Jay enlisted in the U.S. Navy, which took him to many different places. He especially liked his duty in Guam. After returning to Montana, he attended Salish David Lyle Kohs HAMILTON David Lyle Kohs, 52, of Hamilton, joined the company of heaven by God's grace on Good Friday, April 18, 2014, following a brief but hard- -fought battle against an aggressive cancer. David was born on Feb.

3, 1962, in Duluth, to Lyle and Barbara (Bodie) Kohs. He was joined Kohs by one younger sister, DeeAnne. During the past years, David had been employed by Plum Creek Lumber, Swank Construction in the Bakken oilfields and most recently Cliff Reed Trucking of Corvallis. Guidelines Guidelines The first three inches of any obituary are free, and additional inches cost $15 per inch. Deadline is 4 p.m.

for the next day's edition. DEATH NOTICES David Huddleston MISSOULA David Huddleston, 72, of Missoula, died Tuesday, April 22. Garden City Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. A full obituary I Dentures? Affordable quality by a Montana Denturist Ken MacPherson, Licensed Denturist North West Denture Center 2021 S. Higgins Ave, Missoula 542-0609 Medicaid Accepted also fell for and dated a pretty classmate from Girls Central High School, Jewel Dennehy, and thus began a love story for the ages.

After graduation, he had many sports scholarship opportunities, but enlisted in the U.S. Army for two years and played for the I Corps Army football team in Korea. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1960, and came home to marry his Jewel. On Aug. 26, 1961, Ted and Jewel were married at St.

Mary's Catholic Church in Butte. Shortly afterward, they moved to Helena, where Jewel attended Carroll College in pursuit of her bachelor's degree in nursing. Ted enrolled at Carroll and played basketball for the Saints for his old high school coach, Johnny Frankino. After Jewel's graduation from Carroll College, the couple moved to Missoula, where Jewel was a nurse and Ted enrolled at the University of Montana. He played football for the Grizzlies for two years, where one of his claims to fame was kicking the longest field goal ever in a Griz-Cat game.

Teddy graduated from UM with bachelor's and master's degrees and embarked on a long, distinguished career as a federal probation officer, culminating as the chief federal probation officer of the state of Montana. After retiring in 1996, Ted and Jewel wintered in Arizona and spent summers in Polson, as well as enjoyed spending time with their children and grandchildren. They had the opportunity to go to Ireland and a Notre Dame football game, which was a dream come true. Teddy and Jewel brought six children into this world: Lori, Teddy Kara, Scott, Michael and Katy. Teddy's friends were lifetime friends whom he loved.

He was a lifelong weightlifter with a huge heart and smile that matched his enormous Kootenai College and received an associate degree in environmental science. Jay worked many jobs growing up in Denver and Missoula. He worked on the fishing boats in Alaska for two years. He also worked as a firefighter on the reservation for several years. He worked construction and as a painter for many years in and around the Flathead Lake area.

Jay was an avid hunter and spent many hours hunting with his family. He was most at home in the woods. He loved music and was a self-taught guitarist. He sang many songs to his grandchildren. From country to jazz, he loved all types.

Jay spent 26 years with his partner of life, Lucy David loved and was loved by his family. His daughter, Tia, made him proud every day and was the gift of his lifetime; parents, Lyle and Barb; sister, Dee (Vern) Sandersfeld; nephews, Luke (Carrie and Graysen), Brett, Mark (Lani) and Alex Sandersfeld; uncles and aunts, Dennis (Sheila) Bodie, Chuck Bodie, Steve (Debby) Bodie. Gloria (Chet) Hanson and Kenneth Kohs; great -uncles, Ernie (Norma) Holmstrom and Fred Holmstrom; numerous cousins in Minnesota, Colorado and Washington; and special friends, Ken and Carol Holste, and Jeff and Robert. He is welcomed into heaven by his Grandma and Grandpa Kohs; Grandma and Grandpa Bodie; aunt Janet and uncle Bob Willeck; and cousins, Brian Hanson and Kathy Kohs. Special and heartfelt thank Obituaries are limited to a maximum of 1,200 words.

Prepayment is required for all obituaries. For details, call 523-5240 or 1-800-366-7186 or email shoulders and chest. He was a true Irishman who was known to enjoy a beer or two, play the tabletop piano and belt out songs. who had the privilege of joining! him in singing Irish songs at the City Bar in Great Falls on St. Patrick's Day will recall that he not only had a great Irish voice, but he could rally a crowd to join him.

Above all, Ted was a loving and loyal husband to his wife, Jewel, to his six children, their spouses and his many grandchildren. Ted and Jewel's exemplary love for God, one another and life itself set an enduring example for their children and grandchildren to follow. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Jewel; and children, Lori (Bob) Vinson of Great Falls, Ted McElhenney Jr. of Great Falls, Kara Joyce of Missoula, Scott (Dawn) McElhenney of Great Falls, Michael (Becky) McElhenney of Los Angeles and Katy (Kevin) Swanson of Missoula. His grandchildren include Eddy, Cody, Riley and Kendra Joyce, Bobby (Tara), Ty (Desiree) and Shayna Vinson, KJ and Dougie Swanson, Cody and Logan Henderson, Macie McElhenney, and Michael, Ryan, Madelyn and Elyse McElhenney; his dog, Molly; his brother, Kenny (Silvia) McElhenney of Seattle; his son-in-law, Perry Joyce of Geraldine; and brothers -inlaw, Connie and Mickey Dennehy.

Teddy was greeted in heaven by his mom; dad; brother, Neil; sister, Donna; inlaws, Marg and Himey Dennehy; and many friends and relatives Visitation will be one hour prior to the 7 p.m. vigil service Thursday, April 24, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Great Falls. A funeral liturgy will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, April 25, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Great Falls. Vanderburg, whom he later married and loved her children and grandchildren as his own.

Jay is survived by his wife, Lucy of Polson; son, Xavier Joseph of Elmo; mother, Constance Clark Foust; stepfather, William Foust; brother, Josh Clark; sisters, Jeanine Rosier and Jill Baldry; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. Jay was preceded in death by his father, Michael Clark. A graveside service will be held Thursday, April 24, at 11 a.m.at Jocko Catholic Cemetery in Arlee. Father Drew Maddock will be officiating. Messages of condolence may be shared with the family online at groganfuneralhome.com.

you to the staff of doctors, CNAs and especially nurses at Community Medical Center in Missoula. David and our entire family very much appreciated the loving care he was given. His heart and hands were always open and he was willing to give all he had; it was his way of loving God even as he trusted God's love for him in Christ. Blessed are those who die in the Lord. A memorial service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 275 Hattie Lane in Hamilton, on Sunday, April 27, at 2 p.m.

Any memorials may be given through Grace Lutheran Church to a college fund for David's daughter, Tia. Or you may give to the fund directly at any First Interstate Bank, Attn: David Kohs Memorial. Condolences may be left for the family at dalyleachchapel.com. Kohs INSIDE More obituaries. Page B6 Thank you to the staff at ICU and Community Medical, and with the Organ Donor Staff.

Special thanks to Russ Smith who helped us grieve and who gave the beautiful service. We are so grateful for the support, cards, food, drinks, flowers and, most of all, the love. Thank you all for the donations, tears, and hugs you have given us. Thank you for helping us send our beloved Kip on his way to God. Thank you to our daughter-in-law Mandy for never leaving our son alone in the hospital.

Thank you, The Hansen Family.