On Sept. 29, 2022, David P. Block, a beloved husband and father, passed away. He was 71. Born in Great Bend, Kansas, to Jack and Francis Block, the family traveled with father’s calls to service in the ministry, finally making a home in Wolf Point, Mont., in 1969. Dave then went to Northern Montana College in Havre and finished his schooling at what is now the MSU-B automotive program in Billings. He began a career as an automotive mechanic that took him back to Roosevelt County where his three children were born. After working and living for many years, he stumbled upon a little redhead that changed his life. Annie and Dave were married for 23 years, combining their lives and their hearts in loving companionship. Always an athlete, Dave spent quality time fishing, golfing and playing softball. He was always reaching for that “biggest fish”, “hole-inone” and “ANOTHER home run!” Dave has always been described as a gentle giant. Quiet and kind, he commanded the room, just by walking in the door. His Domino opponents would probably be giving him a hard time for winning so much! In 2019, he retired after 30 years with the automotive industry and accepted a seasonal position with the Corps of Engineers at Fort Peck Dam. He always said it was the job of his dreams and enjoyed it immensely. They were the happiest three years of his life. Dave embraced his retirement as a BBQ master, spent hours in his woodshop listening to old rock and roll and the Beatles and enjoyed time and family at the cabin on Fort Peck Lake until brain cancer forced him to resign and begin the cancer battle. His newest and furriest friend, Buddy, his lap warmer and backyard security guard, made these last steps as comfortable as he could, never leaving Dave’s side. He is survived by his wife, Annie; siblings, Kathy (Hamburger) of Oklahoma, Jim of Texas, Tim of Missouri; children, Dana (Dania) of Billings, David of Wolf Point and Danielle (Scot) of Billings; step-children, Angela (Curt) and Sally (Sean); and grandchildren, Shelbi, Bridgit, Gage, Noah, Canin, Scotlyn and Declyn. Memorial services will be held on Fort Peck Lake in the spring, with details to follow.

Lelamae Bridges Westland Chamberlain, 101, died Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, at the Faith Home in Wolf Point. She was born April 5, 1921, in Maroa, Ill., the daughter of Lillian Mae (Short) and Jerry Lester Bridges. Jerry was employed building box cars for the railroad so consequently the family traveled where ever the contracts were let such as Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Iowa. In the spring of 1930, the family moved to Montana to work for Jerry’s older brother, Shirley, who managed a horse ranch owned by Chappel Brothers Corporation. There, Lelamae and her younger brother, Clyde Maxy grew up part of a “family” of cowboys who remained her big brothers for many years. She graduated from Frazer High School in 1939. She later married Robert Westland and sons Robert Clyde and William Lee Westland were born. In 1947, she married Kenneth Doran “Buzz” Chamberlain and they welcomed Jerry Earl into their lives. When she wasn’t helping out at Clyde’s ranch, she held various jobs including Bryan’s, The Herald-News and the Roosevelt County Treasurer’s Office. She also volunteered at several places including the Senior Center and the thrift shop as well as her church. She was a very talented gardener, knitter and crocheter. Several years ago, she admired a baby sweater that one of her friends had made and asked for the pattern. When the friend declined to share it, Lelamae bought a sweater from her and was able to copy it. From that pattern, she created many sweaters for family members and friends. She later passed the pattern on to her daughter- in-law who has kept up the tradition. She was preceded in death by her brother, Clyde; sons, Bobby and Billy; and grandchildren, Michael and Heather. She is survived by her son, Jerry; six grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson. Memorial services for Lelamae and her grandchildren Heather and Michael were held Oct. 8, at the First Presbyterian Church in Wolf Point. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Jo Anne Reed, 70, of Wolf Point died Oct. 1, 2022, at Trinity Hospital. She was born in Grand Junction, Colo., on Jan. 24, 1952. Growing up, her family moved a lot for her father’s work. She had fond memories of living in Happy Jack, Ariz.; Green River, Utah; and Grand Junction, Colo. She graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1970. In 1977, she met Glen Reed. They were married in the following year. In 1979, they packed up their children and moved to Ely, Nev., and later that year the moved to Sunnyside Ranch, Nev. They lived there for a decade with Glen being the ranch foreman and Jo Anne being a housewife and mother. Later, she started working at Lane’s Truck Stop as a short order cook. In 1989, they moved into Lund, Nev., when he could no longer do ranch work due to his back. In 2002, they moved to Fort Collins, Colo., to be closer to their youngest son. She became very active with The Salvation Army at this time and felt very blessed by her new church family. In 2010, she decided that she and Glen weren’t getting any younger and they missed so much of their oldest two granddaughters’ lives that she wanted to be closer to all of her grandchildren. So, they moved to Wolf Point, where she got to know her youngest grandchildren better. She was a creative person. She would make handstitched quilts that she would give as gifts. She would make huge cakes, from scratch, for family and friends’ special occasions. She worked as a short order cook most of her working life. Once while watching a show on Food Network, it was mentioned that by the standards that they were using that she was a chef, her reply, “No, I wasn’t. I was a short order cook. I didn’t do all that fancy stuff.” She lost her sight to macular degeneration and was legally blind. She could no longer do the things she loved, but she did enjoy all the competition shows on Food Network. She was preceded in death by her husband, Glen Reed. She is survived by her sons, Shane Reed of Wolf Point and Ken Reed of Denver, Colo.; daughter, Dawn Allen of Wolf Point; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brother, Robert L. of San Antonio, Texas; and sisters, Yvonne Jackson of Montrose, Colo., and Carol Card of Aberdeen, Wash. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 22, at 1 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Wolf Point. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.

Glenn Black, 83, died Sept. 23, 2022. He was born Jan. 15, 1939, in Helena to Fred and Vera Black. He graduated as high school valedictorian in 1957. He was awarded the Bausch & Lomb Science Award 195657. He worked for the power company alongside his father. He also worked for the Office of Civil Defense in Helena. He graduated from MSU with a master’s degree in education and continued to teach many students from Montana State University to Fort Peck Community College. He also spent many years as a volunteer firefighter and helping Kappa Sigma fraternity. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He loved a good liver and onions with salt and pepper. He enjoyed cooking, talking on the phone, seeing his grandchildren’s successes, having a good beer with his friends and talking science. He is survived by his sister, Beverly Schmitz; brother, Dick Black; daughter, Kim Stueck; son, Greg Black; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held Oct. 7 at Stevenson & Wilke in Townsend.

Sharon Lee Shumway Atkins, 80, of Miles City, formerly of Wolf Point, died Sept. 27, 2022, at the McCone County Health Center in Circle. She was born Jan. 9, 1942, in Wolf Point the daughter of George and Pearl (Jones) Shumway. She grew up and went to school in Wolf Point. On Dec. 16, 1980, she married James Atkins, an Air Force gentleman out of Glasgow Air Force Base. Three daughters were born to this union. James and Sharon did a lot of traveling and went through every state, except Hawaii and Alaska. They also were stationed overseas in England, where the youngest daughter, Robin, was born. A life highlight for her was meeting some famous actors: Ken Curtis (Festus on Gunsmoke), Louis Burton Lindley Jr. (Slim Pickens) and John Wayne. She enjoyed traveling, camping and dancing. Her favorite was square dancing on Boardwalk on live television. She also loved crossword puzzles and reading. Another favorite activity was cruising around with her mom and sister Ann, especially when they got lost. She always looked forward to her Monday meetings with Mitsy, Cindy and all the guys. She was proceeded in death by brothers, Charles Shumway, George Shumway, Lloyd Shumway, Bob Shumway, Bill Shumway, Ken Kellum and Marty Hagemeister; and sisters, Donna Shumway Kellum, Joyce Shumway, Linda Shumway and Blondie Shumway. She is survived by three daughters, Brenda Boysun, Kim Choate and Robin Atkins; sisters, Ann Hagemeister, Lacy Cortez, Joy Welch, Rhonda Shumway and Gena Shumway; brothers, Scott and Jeff; seven grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. Per her wishes, there will be no services.

Betty Lou (Wahl) Robinette, 82, died Sept. 16, 2022, at the McCone County Nursing Home in Circle. She was born on the family farm seven miles northwest of Circle on Aug. 10, 1940. She was the fourth child of Robert and Mildred (Wheatley) Wahl. Siblings included Gary, William, Bonnie, Mary Ann and Neil. She grew up on the family farm and attended grade school about two miles away at the Pioneer School. She attended Circle High School, graduating as salutatorian in 1958. She then completed a oneyear business course at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. She returned to Circle and worked at McCone Electric Co-op as a billing clerk. She married Stephen Bruce Robinette on Dec. 19, 1959. After their first child, Ricky, was born, she became a full-time stay-at-home mom. When their second child, Theresa, was three years old, Betty went back to work, taking a job with the McCone County Clerk of Court’s office. She eventually campaigned for and was elected McCone County Clerk of Court. She served the county for 30 years, retiring in 1997. In the mid-1960s, Betty and Bruce leased a lot on Fort Peck Lake at Rock Creek and built a small cabin in which they spent most weekends and vacations during the summers. They later sold that cabin and purchased a larger, more comfortable one where they enjoyed fishing, tending their yard, spending time with family and friends, and relaxing. In the early 1980s, they started buying older houses, refurbishing them and converting them to rental properties. They owned rentals in Circle and Glendive and were still managing these properties at the time of her death. She is survived by her children, Ricky Robinette and Theresa Haynie; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.