Gary Allen Rowland
    Gary Allen Rowland, 45, of Noxon, passed away, Tuesday, July 18, 2006, in Sandpoint, Idaho. Services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 26, at Noxon High School with the Rev. Mary Koski officiating.
    Gary was born Jan. 24, 1961, in Hot Springs, to Terry and Camille Rasor. He was later adopted by his stepfather, George Rowland. Gary grew up and attended schools in Oregon, and moved to Noxon when he was 17 years old.
    Gary and Tami Axelson were married June 28, 1986, in Noxon. He worked for Vinson's Mill in Trout Creek and owned Rowland Meats. The couple divorced in November 2005.
    Gary had many talents: he built his own home and shop; enjoyed restoring cars; and was an excellent meat cutter.
    Gary was extremely proud of his two daughters and taught them so many things including how to drive, ride motorcycles and swim. He built and raced his stock car at Tuscor Speedway in Trout Creek, and most recently took up dancing.
    He is survived by his two daughters, Kayla and Carmen Rowland of Noxon; mother Camille Rowland of Tillamook, Ore.; father George Rowland of Albany, Ore.; two sisters, Vickie and Cindy Rowland of Tillamook; many aunts, uncles and cousins; and best friend, Dale Allen of Noxon.
    Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling his arrangements. Please visit Gary's memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his online guest book.
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Martin David Dickerson
    Martin David Dickerson passed away suddenly of coronary failure, Thursday, July 20, 2006 in Noxon. Born Oct. 6, 1953, in Bozeman,  Mont. to Cecil and Shirley Dickerson, he attended grade school at Shepherd, Mont., moving to Roundup in the fifth grade.   He graduated from Roundup  High School in 1973, and went on to attend  Western  Montana College in  Dillon, where he graduated with a degree in Industrial Arts Education with a Physical Education endorsement. 
    He began his teaching career in Box Elder, Mont., teaching there for five years.  He moved to Noxon in 1990, where he taught junior high and high school for 14 years.
    He is survived by his two sons, Allen Jack of Dillon; and Matthew David of Billings; his fiancée, Kathleen French of Libby; two brothers, Gilbert Dickerson of Sheridan, Wyo.; and Scott Dickerson of Billings; a sister, Beverly (Fritz) Bates of Clearmont, Wyo.; four nephews; and one niece.  
    He was a loving and supportive partner and father, with a heart to match his stature. He had been a volunteer with Noxon Fire and Rescue since 1990, and had been Fire Chief since 2003.
    He volunteered his free time for many community and school projects. Whether it was family, friend, student, fire department, or community, he was always ready to help in any way he could. An avid hunter, golfer, snow skier, and fisherman, he loved all outdoor sports and the mountains and streams of northwestern Montana.
    Memorial services were to be held at the Noxon High School gymnasium, Tuesday, July 25, at 11 a.m., and on Thursday, July 27 at 11 a.m. at the Wier Funeral Home in Roundup, Mont., with burial to follow at the Musselshell Cemetery.
   Arrangements have been entrusted to the Bunch-Toews Funeral Chapel of Thompson Falls.
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Lucile Johnston
    A. Lucille “Lucy” Johnston, 77, of Thompson  Falls, passed away Sunday evening,  July 16, 2006 at her home. 
    She was born August 17, 1928 in  Missoula,  Montana.  She spent her entire life in  Thompson  Falls. She and Ed. D. Johnston were married Aug. 21, 1950 in Missoula.
    She was preceded in death by her two brothers and one sister.  She survived by her husband  Ed. D. Johnston  of Thompson Falls;  her sons and daughters-in-law Greg and Beth Johnston of Cody, Wyo.;  Steve and Shannon Cummers of Boise, Idaho; her sister Elsie McGuigan; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
    Mom said she wanted her ashes spread into all four seasons, as it was her life long philosophy.  She enjoyed the  Montana outdoors.
    Lucille dealt  with her health problems in such a courageous and dignified way.   She also approached life in the same way.  We were very blessed to have someone so special in our family.
   Cremation has taken place with a private family committal service.   Arrangements have been entrusted to the Bunch-Toews Chapels of Thompson Falls.
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Ronald J. Rowan
    Ronald James Rowan, 55, of Spirit Lake, Idaho, passed away on Sunday, July 16, 2006 at the Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.  He was born on January 28, 1951 in Adel, Georgia, the son of Floyd and Vi (Silverthorn) Rowan.  Ron grew up and attended school in Adel and went on to live in various places, from Florida to Alaska.  He entered the U.S. Army in 1979 and served his country until 1982.  He made his final home in Spirit Lake.
    Ron loved to ride his motorcycle, loved his dogs and enjoyed all of nature.  He had a big heart, a gentle spirit and a wonderful sense of humor.  He leaves behind his family, many friends and a legacy of love.     
    Ron was preceded in death by his father, Floyd; an infant daughter; and an infant brother, Norman Wayne.                                               
    He is survived by his mother, Vi Rowan of Paradise; one daughter, Jennifer Paulk of Lakeland, Georgia; two brothers: Kenny Rowan of Spirit Lake and Danny Rowan of Plains; three sisters: Marilyn Tillett (and Mike) of Atlanta, Georgia, Sandra Rowan of Plains and Terri Rowan of Missoula; two grandchildren: Seth and Shelby; numerous nieces and nephews; and his dogs, Jenny, Daisy, Brutus and Wally.  Contributions may be made to a memorial fund in Ron’s memory, Rocky Mountain Bank, P.O. Box 788, Plains, MT  59859.         
    Viewing for family and friends is planned for Friday, July 21 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Bunch-Toews Funeral Chapel of Plains. Services will take place on Saturday, July 22 at 3 p.m. at the Church of God in Paradise.   Burial will be in Plains Cemetery.  Arrangements are under the direction of Bunch-Toews Funeral Chapels.
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Harley A. Carlson
    Harley A. Carlson, 77, of Whitepine, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Whitepine, Wednesday afternoon, July 19, 2006.
    He was born May 12, 1929, the son of Axel and Elizabeth (Connelly) Carlson in Brady, Nebraska. He graduated from high school on May 12, 1949.  He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1945 to June 1949, reaching the rank of Sergeant. He and Margaret “Peggy” Karo were married Oct. 3, 1953 in Harrisburg, Ore.
    Harley worked in sawmills in Sweet Home, Ore., Belgrade, Mont., and Trout Creek.  He and his family moved to 40 acres in Whitepine in 1963 where they built a home and raised their six children.
    Harley was a lumber grader for over 20 years, then did contract forest thinning, operated a family sawmill, and farmed. Harley was very devoted to his family, and had a vital role in raising several of his grandchildren.
    He was preceded in death by his parents; his son Christopher; and brothers Earl Carlson and Ivan B. Carlson; sisters, Edna Sowle and Evelyn Lamplugh.
    He is survived by his loving wife of over 50 years, Peggy Carlson of Whitepine; their children:  Teresa Spangler of Whitepine, Peter (LaCherrie) Carlson of Corvallis, Ore., Arne Carlson of Whitepine, Cathy (Kirk) Bacon of Middlefield, Ohio, and Mary (Kevin) Christensen of Libby; his sister Shirley (George) Wolleat of Libby; 23 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
    Rosary will be said Wednesday, July 26 at 7 p.m. at St. Williams Catholic Church in Thompson Falls. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 27, at the church, officiated by Fr. Kenneth Fortney.
    Burial will take place at 2 p.m. at Whitepine Cemetery.  Memorial donations may be made in Harley’s name to the Knights of Columbus at Thompson Falls.
    Services have been entrusted to Bunch-Toews Funeral Chapel of Thompson Falls.
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John “Jack” Fred Harwood
     Services for John “Jack” Fred Harwood will be held Thursday, Aug. 3, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. at Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort. Jack passed into the hands of the Lord on July 29, 2006 in Missoula of natural causes.
     He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Romayne in 2005. He is survived by two sons and their families, Jim and Norma of Houston, Texas and John and Martha of Missoula. He had four grandchildren, Chris, Tracy, Shane and Tanya.
     Jack was born Feb. 19, 1917 in Parkwater, Wash., the son of Fred and Minnie Harwood. He attended schools in the Spokane area and graduated from North Central High School in Spokane in 1935. Jack spent most of his childhood years in the Spokane area with his sisters Mary, Emily, Katherine, Sandra, and a brother, Richard (Dick), who all preceded him in death. He also attended Santa Ana Junior College in California prior to joining the Army Air Corps during World War II.
     After serving in the military, he joined his mother at Quinn’s Hot Springs near Paradise to run the farm there and help with the mineral hot springs. In 1948, he and his brother, Dick built the Harwood House Restaurant and Bar at Quinn’s Hot Springs. He and Romayne Diehl were married in 1949. They resided at Quinn’s Hot Springs.
     The couple moved to Clark Fork, Idaho in 1951, where Jack helped manage a small sawmill there for Diehl Lumber co. Then, in 1954, they moved to Plains to help with the new Diehl Lumber Co. sawmill. Jack remained in Plains until his death.
     While in Plains, Jack was active in many local civic organizations and served in various government positions. He was Sanders County Commissioner from 1958 to 1964. He was a member of the Plains City Council and served as Mayor of Plains for several years. He served as a member of the Montana State Plumbing Board for four years. He was head of the Sanders County Democratic Committee for several years and was friends with many of Montana’s Democratic leaders in Congress and at the State Capitol.
He worked for Diehl Lumber Co., Northern Pacific Railway, and the State of Montana at various times and started several businesses in the Plains area. These included the Garden Gift Shop, Montana State Liquor Store and the Harwood Motel and Trailer Court. While County Commissioner, Jack was active in getting the Paradise-St. Regis cut-off road rebuilt and paved. He helped get the Clark Fork River ferry replaced by a bridge. He helped assist in several major area improvements, including the Plains water and sewer systems and Clark Fork Valley Hospital.
     While in Plains, he was a member of the Plains Chamber of commerce, Plains Lions Club, American Legion, Masons, Plains Methodist Church and served on several boards and committees whenever needed. He was always anxious to help the local citizens whenever and however he could.
     Memorial donations can be made to Plains Senior Citizens in his name.
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Phillip R. Lewis
   Philip R. Lewis, 90, of Thompson Falls, passed away on July 22, 2006, at Clark Fork Valley Nursing Home, Plains.
    Services are planned for Aug. 19, at Community Congregational Church, Thompson Falls.
Arrangements are under the direction of Bunch-Toews Funeral Chapels.
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Alden O. Mathers
    Alden O. Mathers, 76, of Plains, passed away on Sunday, July 23, 2006, at Clark Valley Hospital, Plains
    Services were to be held at 10 a.m. Monday, July 31, at Plains Bible Chapel. Burial was to follow at Plains Cemetery.
    Arrangements are under the direction of Bunch-Toews Funeral Chapels.
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Betty Lou (Gill) Shear
   Betty Lou (Gill) Shear, 74, passed away on Monday, August 7, 2006 in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho.
   Funeral Services were to be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2006 at Coffelt’s Funeral Chapel, 109 N. Division St., Sandpoint, Idaho. Burial was to be at Pinecrest Memorial Park Cemetery.
   Betty Lou (Gill) Shear was born and raised in Priest River, Idaho. She was active in sports and as pianist and cartoonist for the high school.
   In 1949 she moved to Sandpoint, where she met and married Water Shear in November of 1950. Betty was a homemaker and together with Walter, had four children.
   In 1966 Betty and Walt moved the family to Thompson Falls. While there Betty became an avid gardener, golfer and snowmobiler. After moving to Spokane, Wash. in 1974, she joined the Liberty Lake and Hangman Ladies 18 hole golf clubs. It was at this time she also took up oil painting.
   Finally settling in Post Falls, Idaho in 1979, Betty became a member of the Avondale Ladies 18 Hole Golf Club and began to exhibit her landscape paintings throughout North Idaho. It was one of her artworks for which she took Second Place, State, in the Idaho Chapter of American Mothers contest in 1986.
   She was active in other forms of artwork including sewing, crocheting, needlepoint, woodcrafts and snow sculpting.
   She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Lucille Gill and brother Bill Gill of Sandpoint.
   She is survived by her husband Walter Shear of Post Falls; her children, Mike Shear, Doug Shear, Thompson Falls; Sandy Jensen, Russ Shear, Spokane; and sister Sherry Kisamore, Priest River, Idaho. Betty has seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
   Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.
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Frank Magera
    Frank Magera, 90, passed away Sunday, Aug. 13 at Kalispell. He was born Nov. 10, 1915 in Fallon, Mont. to John and Apolonia Fornall Magera.
    Frank was raised in Lonepine. He entered the U.S. Navy in June of 1943, where he served with the 109th NCB in the Asiatic-Pacific area. He was honorably discharged in December 1945, then returned to Montana.
    Frank and Montie Carroll were married March 20, 1948 in Libby. Frank lived most of his working life in Libby, where he was an independent logger. He had successfully designed, constructed and operated three sawmills of own.
    He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers August, Johnny, Joe and Ed “Fuzzy,” sisters Frances, Staffia and Della..
    He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Montie of Kalispell; children, Delvan and Helen Carroll of Townsend; Glenda and Bob Peterson of Missoula; Harvey Carroll and Naine and Steve VanHelden, all of Kalispell; three sisters, Marie Carpenter of Lewiston, Idaho; Ann Christie and Betty Andrews, both of Hot Springs; grandchildren, Bob and Laura Peterson, Steve and Carrie Peterson, Lisa, Pat and Jennie Carroll, Stephanie and Jeff Timlick, Lindsey and Jessie Erickson, Luke VanHelden; and great-grandchildren, Eric and Jeremy Peterson, Robby Peterson, Sydney and Lexie Carroll and Hailey and Justin Timlick; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
    Memorial services will be held at a later date.
    Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.
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