Joan L. Voise, 79, of Ryegate, a teacher for many years, died Monday, July 2, 2012.

She was the first of six children born to John M. and Lucy (Barecivic) Lawlor on July 13, 1932. She was educated in rural schools, graduating from high school in Havre and earning a teaching degree from Northern Montana College.

On Sept. 5, 1954, she married Lawrence R. Voise in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho.

She taught elementary school for many years, especially in the Chinook and Miles City school systems.

After retirement she participated in delivering commodities to the elderly, America Reads and other activities.

Continue reading: Joan L. Voise

Harry Robert Funk, 86, who had been vice president of marketing for Wyo-Ben Products for 55 years, died in the late afternoon of June 28, 2012.

He was born Nov. 21, 1925, in Beach, N.D., the son of Harry and Flora and brother to Vera, Millie and Margie.

Enlisting in the Army, he celebrated his 19th birthday on a ship headed for New Guinea. He joined the 11th Airborne Division in January 1945 and participated in the Luzon campaigns in the Philippines and the occupation of Japan.

He was honorably discharged in 1946, but continued to be active in the Army Reserves for 14 more years, attaining the rank of first lieutenant. He was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, the Bronze Service Arrowhead, the Philippine Liberation Medal with two bronze service stars, the Good Conduct Medal, the Victory Medal and the Purple Heart.

He married Evelyn Staley on Feb. 1, 1951. He had a long career at Wyo-Ben Products and even went to work for an hour on the day of his death.

Continue reading: Harry R. Funk

Doug Jochim, 57, of Billings, an artisan, craftsman and contractor who had renovated St. Patrick’s Co-Cathedral in Billings, died Wednesday morning, June 27, 2012, of complications stemming from treatment for prostate cancer.

Survivors include his mother, Myrtle Jochim of Billings; sisters, Linda Madtson of Billings and Margaret Simic of Roundup; brothers, Dave Jochim of Bellevue, Wash., and Steven Jochim of Draper, Utah; and a longtime friend, Jayne Duenow of Billings, who supported him during his illness.

Services were July 2 at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary.

Donations be made to the Billings Food Bank or the St. Vincent DePaul Society.

Zona Marie Erickson, 74, a Billings resident since 1996, died June 27, 2012, in Beartooth Manor in Columbus.

She was born Sept. 26, 1937, in Wolf Point to Edwin and Electa (Greenwood) Erickson. She attended school in Wolf Point and received a GED in 1983.

She was a member of the American legion Auxiliary and the Order of the Eastern Star.

She married John Henry Dunn Jr. in 1953, and they made their home in Abita Springs, La., having seven children. They divorced in December 1981.

She moved to Wolf Point to be with her mother and worked at Pierce’s Truck Stop, Stockman’s Cafe and the Nursing Home in Wolf Point.

Continue reading: Zona Marie Erickson

Jason Jay Hansen, 37, of Billings, formerly of Roundup, died unexpectedly on Thursday, June 21, 2012.

He was born July 11, 1974, in Helena and became the son of Gene and Carol Hansen of Roundup. He graduated from Roundup schools in 1992.

He had worked as a truck driver and had been employed in recent years by Food Services of America as a diesel mechanic.

On Feb. 15, 1997, he married Rachel Bray in Billings. He was preceded in death by a child, ChloeJo, and by his wife in 2010.

He worked with horses and enjoyed grilling, camping, boating and gardening. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Roundup and had recently been baptized at Valley Baptist Church in Huntley.

Continue reading: Jason Jay Hansen

Benjamin Arthur Laws, 91, who owned and ran HCL Equipment for many years, died at Billings Health and Rehabilitation on Saturday, June 30, 2012.

The son of Benjamin Citone Laws and Helen Marie Keating Laws, he was born May 31, 1921, in Riverton, Wyo. He graduated from Riverton High School in 1939.

Upon his enrollment at the University of Wyoming, he participated in the Reserve Officers Training Corps program. In 1943 he was awarded a bachelor’s degree and received a commission as a second lieutenant in the Army.

He underwent basic training in Fort Benning, Ga., then was sent to Tyler, Texas. He married Dorothy Louise Moxley, a high school art teacher, on Sept. 16, 1944, in Little Rock, Ark.

Shortly after the wedding he shipped out to New Guinea. After his discharge from the Army as a captain, the three moved to Billings, where he began working at HCL Equipment. He became sole owner of the business and ran it until he retired in 1986.

Continue reading: Ben A. Laws

Evelyn H. Blair, 94, died July 1, 2012.

No services were planned.

Services will be Friday, July 6, 2012, for Adam Kennedy Vandenbosch, 41, who had been a police officer and FBI agent.

Born on April 5, 1971, the son of Karen Myers and Bill Vandenbosch, he and his younger sister, Kara, grew up in Phoenix, Ariz. After graduating from the University of Arizona and working as both an accountant and an inner city police officer in Phoenix, he became an FBI agent.

He married Cindy in Maui, Hawaii, and they lived in Billings.

He was an avid runner and had four dogs.

Services will be at the MetraPark Pavilion at 10 a.m. Friday, July 6. Arrangements are in the care of Dahl Funeral Chapel.

Continue reading: Adam K. Vandenbosch

Kevin John Grusing, 48, who loved the outdoors, died on a June night in 2012.

He was born in Missoula on Sept. 22, 1963, to Harold and Bonnie Grusing, the middle son of three boys. When he was 13, he got a little sister, Cheri Lynn.

On Oct. 14, 1989, he married Lori Alles Grusing.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, golf, four-wheeling, watching his boys play baseball or just sitting around a fire drinking beer and telling stories.

Survivors include his wife; sons, Kody and Josh of Billings; father, Harold of Billings; mother, Bonnie of Maryville, Tenn.; brothers, Doug of Locust Grove, Ga., and Steve of Spring Creek, Nev.; a sister, Cheri of Sheridan, Wyo.; a stepsister, Lisa of Billings; and a stepbrother, Chris of Shanghai, China.

Continue reading: Kevin Grusing

Diane Fowler, 67, who enjoyed bowling and baking, died June 26, 2012, of lung cancer.

She was born March 22, 1945, in Shelton, Wash., to Vivian Pauline Pryor and George Anderson.

She especially enjoyed making cakes for her grandchildren each year and baking for Christmas.

Survivors include a sister, Linda Lyons of Aurora, Colo.; a brother, Bill Lyons; children, Michael Doherty of Billings, Michelle Williamson of Texas, Terry Doherty of Snohomish, Wash., Tommy Harrell of Shepherd, Kimberly Harrell of Billings and Beth Feldman and Vonda Huszti, both of Billings; 13 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A celebration of her life was held July 2 at Dahl Funeral Chapel.

Continue reading: Diane Fowler