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Obituaries from the week of Dec. 23, 2009

Elgin E. Filkins, 82

Elgin E. Filkins, 82, of Hamilton, MT passed away Friday, December 18, 2009 at Marcus Daly Hospice and Palliative Care center.  He was born May 30, 1927 in Tracy, Minnesota the son of Earl and Grace (Rowell) Filkins.

 Elgin graduated from Tracy High School on June 1, 1945.  He then attended the University of Minnesota and graduated on January 13, 1953 with his Bachelors of Science degree.

Elgin was a forester for the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs for many years.  He moved to the Bitterroot Valley 25 years ago.  He was a member of the Lions Club. 

Elgin is survived by 2 sons, Brad Filkins of San Jose, CA and Steve Filkins of Pendleton, OR; his grandson, David Filkins of Fruitland, WA; 1 brother, Richard Filkins of Tracy, MN; and 2 sisters, Elouise Lucking of Rosemount, MN and Barbara Coyle of Duluth, MN.

Services were held on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at 5:00 pm at the Daly-Leach Chapel with a reception following in the funeral home’s community room.  Urn committal with military honors will take place on his birthday, May 30, 2010 at the Western Montana Veterans Cemetery in Missoula.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.

 

 

Wayvel Johnson, 87

Wayvel V. Johnson, age 87, of Marshall, passed away at the Avera Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall on Sunday, December 20, 2009. Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 23, 2009 at Wesley United Methodist Church in Marshall. Burial was in the Marshall Cemetery.  Condolences may be submitted at www.hamiltonfh.com.

Wayvel Verna Johnson was born to Otis and Martha (Siggelow) Greeley on April 29, 1922 in Sodus Township, Lyon County, Minnesota. She was baptized at Wesley United Methodist Church and attended the Sunny Side School District #84 in Sodus Township.

On November 4, 1953, Wayvel was united in marriage to Merton C. Johnson at the Presbyterian Church in Marshall.

They farmed in Sodus Township where along with helping with the chores and housework, Wayvel enjoyed gardening, flowers, cake decorating, doing paintings, horses, and cows. She was a faithful member of Wesley church where she helped in the kitchen,   and performed in the Wesley Country Kitchen Band. She also enjoyed organizing history of the Sunnyside School.

Merton passed away in December 3, 1983. Wayvel moved from the farm into Marshall in 1986. She worked in house keeping for Carr Properties from 1986 to 2005.

Wayvel passed way on Sunday, December 20, 2009 at Avera Morningside Heights Care Center. She had reached the age of 87 years, 7 months and 22 days.

She is survived by her four children, Virgil (and Vonnie) Johnson of Marshall, Benton (Darcy) Johnson of Marshall, Sheldon Johnson of Omaha, NB and Betty (Mike) Dale of Lynd; 13 grandchildren, Terry (and Betty) Zinnel, Brent (and Marisa) Zinnel, April (and Tobey) Valdez, Justin (and Trecy) Johnson, Travis Johnson, Levi Johnson, Dan Johnson, Holly Johnson, Nathan (and Lisa) Towne, Christopher Towne, Corey Towne, Danna Johnson, and Kelley Johnson; 13 great-grandchildren; a twin brother, Wayne (and Joyce) Greeley of Marshall; and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Merton on March 11, 1983; and three brothers, Harvey, Harold and Leroy.

The Hamilton Funeral Home of Marshall handled the arrangements.

 

Allen Prouty, 67

Allen Prouty, 67 of Tracy died Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at the Prairie Home Hospice in Marshall.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 26 at Victory Christian Church in Balaton.  Visitation will begin at 12 noon.  All at the church.  Online condolences may be sent at www.tracyareafuneralhome.com.  The Tracy Area Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.