Samuel McMasters

Samuel Adam McMasters, 43, died Aug. 20, 2008, in Seattle. An unexpected heart illness in 1999 resulted in major surgery in Missoula, followed by a complete recovery. Recently the problem recurred and he was airlifted from St. Patrick's Hospital in Missoula to the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, where he died from complications.

McMasters, son of Mariko and Daniel McMasters, was born at Turner Air Force Base in Albany, Ga., on June 27, 1965. Moving with his family to California in 1968, he spent his childhood and teenage years in San Bernadino, graduating from San Gorgonio High School in 1982.

He supported himself through several service jobs while pursuing his interest in art, perfecting his skills, and beginning his extensive comic book collection.

In the winter of 1991 he joined his parents in Kalispell. He was first employed as an illustrator for a local publisher. One of his accomplishments was illustrating the children's book, "Dentasaurus," designed to ease a child's fear of dentistry. Later employment led him to jobs in several local casinos where his honest work ethic and engaging personality allowed him to make many lasting friendships.

Everyone who knew him and loved him will miss his happy nature and cheerful smile.

Sam is survived by his loving parents, Mariko and Daniel, of Columbia Falls; his sister, Jane, in Billings; and brother, James, in Minnesota; five aunts; an uncle; numerous cousins, nephews and nieces in Hokkaido, Japan; and his Aunt Sara and cousins, Ken and Doug, in Lansdale, Pa.

Friends are invited to a memorial service at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 29, at Epworth United Methodist Church in Kalispell. Rev. Ray Davis will officiate.

Memorials honoring the life of this wonderful man may be made to a church or charity of one's choice.

Shane Robinson

Shane David Robinson was born April 7, 1984, in Whitefish to David Robinson. He passed away at his home in Columbia Falls on Aug. 19, 2008. He was raised in Columbia Falls, and graduated in 2002 from Columbia Falls High School.

He went on to study massage therapy at Nevada School of Massage Therapy in Las Vegas. Shane lived in Las Vegas until September 2007, when he and his wife, Danelle Pettit Robinson, moved back to Columbia Falls.

Shane went to work at the Montana Veterans' Home in Columbia Falls as a CNA, and Nickel Charlie's restaurant in Kalispell as a server.

Shane was a dedicated poker player, primarily playing Texas Hold 'em at the Montana Nugget, Eagles and the Remington. He also really enjoyed online poker at Bodog.com and Fulltilt.com.

Shane was an avid movie and music collector, owning thousands of each. He liked finding old movies that he considered the original art. He had just started a vinyl collection recently, too.

Above all else, Shane was a dedicated friend, husband, son, brother, nephew and uncle.

Shane is survived by his wife of three years, Danelle Pettit Robinson. He also leaves behind their three pooches, Loki-Man, Lucy-Lu and Baby Lola. He also is survived by his father, David, who supported Shane's every whim and adventure from the beginning; brother, Michael, and his wife, Teresa; niece, Emily "Emmy," his favorite little girl; Grandpa Jerry; Butch and Donna Robinson; Dick and Paula Robinson; and numerous cousins. Most influential and Shane's "Port in the Storm" were his Aunt "Sis" and Uncle Al, who could be called in a second's notice to fix cut knees, rush a broken eardrum to the hospital, and carry a broken knee to the car. Shane also leaves behind many "Moms and Dads," including Lance and Terril Westgard, Rick and Levi Mueller, and Momma Jo Hormann; and his in-laws whom he adored, Daniel and Kristin Pettit; and Grandma and Grandpa Olson.

Shane was preceded in death by his grandfather, Ralph Robinson, and his grandma, Sadie Robinson.

Graveside services were held at 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 25, at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls, with a reception afterward at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 640 Seventh St. W., in Columbia Falls.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been set up at Rolling Dog Ranch, 400 Rolling Dog Ranch Road, Ovando, MT 59854, or rollingdogranch.com.

Robert Russell

Robert T. Russell, 38, passed away Friday evening, Aug. 15, 2008, at his home in Columbia Falls from diabetes complications, including hypertension and an enlarged heart.

He was born Feb. 7, 2008 in Kalispell to Rich and Linda Russell.

After graduating from high school as a Columbia Falls Wildcat in 1988, he worked as a meat cutter for Buttrey Foods. He married Joy Hoerner in December of that same year. They had one daughter, Kyndra Lynn.

Robert was diagnosed with diabetes and a rapidly worsening peripheral neuropathy at age 19. For the next 19 years, he fought a long, courageous battle with the disease.

Robert became an accomplished wood carver doing many carvings of local Flathead Valley heritage - encompassing cowboys, mountain men, Indian chiefs and braves.

He was preceded in death by his grandmothers, Doris Nelson Poirier and Lorraine M. Russell, and grandfather, Howard T. Russell.

Robert is survived by his daughter, Kyndra Lynn Russell; parents, Rich and Linda Russell; good friend, Jennifer Pettis, all of Columbia Falls; and special aunt, Deloris Dayton of Kalispell.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are with the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls.

Mae Fewer

Mae Ruth Fewer, 46, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008 at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell. She was born on Sept. 1, 1961, in Kalispell to Guy and Bonnie (Border) Bradstreet.

Mae attended schools in Libby and Brady. She met and married Randy Holm of Brady in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. They had four children and were later divorced. Mae moved to Wolf Point, where she worked as a detention officer for the Roosevelt County Sheriff's Office. She met and married Richard Fewer and they were married in Glasgow.

Mae surrounded herself with pictures of family and friends and loved music and movies. Her greatest joy in life was her children and grandchildren.

Mae was preceded in death by her grandparents, John and Ruth Bradstreet, and Dr. Sam and Vera Border; her father, Guy Bradstreet, and mother, Bonnie Border and step-father, Charles Richard Speed; a nephew, Andrew Diemunsch in infancy; and an uncle, Richard Border.

She is survived by her husband, Richard Fewer; and four children, Carrie Broden and husband Eric of Libby; Jeremy Holm and wife Amy; Jennifer Holm and Christopher Holm, all of North Carolina; grandchildren, Ethan, Maddi Mae and Aiden Broden of Libby, and Taylor Holm of Columbia Falls; three sisters, Jeanna Speed of Columbia Falls; Tina Speed of Wolf Point, and Nancy Speed and companion Ronnie Adams of Wolf Point. She is also survived by five step-siblings, Sue, Sandy, Bonnie, Robbin and Ray, along with numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and many close friends.

Private family services will be held at a later date. At Mae's request her body will be received by the University of Tennessee, Anthropology Department, and placed in the Body Farm for the advancement of science.

Johnson — Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Mae's family.

Raymond Serra

Raymond P. "Ray" Serra died Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008 at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish, Mont. He was born Jan. 31, 1936 in New York City to Camillo and Grace Serra.

Ray spent his early years in New York state. At age 18, he joined the United States Air Force where he served in the Strategic Air Command. He was based at Jacksonville Air Force Base in Arkansas. Ray was part of the refueling squadron working on aircraft as a mechanic and going on refueling missions. He served six years in the Air Force.

In 1960, Ray returned to New York City where he met his wife. He later moved back to Arkansas. Ray and Ingrid wed in Little Rock, Ark., on Nov. 13, 1965. They moved to Montana in 1967. A short time was spent living in Butte and Raynsford before finally settling in Coram in 1968.

Ray was an accomplished mechanic. He also enjoyed doing custom paint jobs on cars and motorcycles. Ray always made himself available to friends and strangers in need. His expertise as a mechanic was used to help these people with their vehicles, etc.

Ray was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, camping and kayaking. He even designed and built his own sea kayak.

He is preceded by his parents and his sister, Inez Serra.

Ray is survived by Ingrid, his wife of 42 years; daughter Christine Hilde and husband Todd of Pocatello, Idaho; son Raymond of Gillette, Wyo.; grandchildren Troy Hilde, Dylan McClain, Erick R. Serra and Filip Serra; and nephews Dominick Monopoli and Vito Monopoli.

Memorial service arrangements are pending.