Matthew Earl “Matt-E” Black Thunder, 41, died Sept. 14, 2025, in Poplar. He was born to Russell E. Black Thunder and Earlene L. Jones July 2, 1984, in Sidney. Like in many native families, he was raised by his grandparents, Flora May Eagle Boy and Jay Sparvier. During those years living on “the Hill,” he spent a lot of time at his aunts’ and uncles’ home (Allen and Verdne). He and the boys would play kick the can, basketball, video games and take nature walks on Sundays. He attended Poplar Schools and graduated from Poplar High School. In 2011, he met Adriana Ruiz. They were married in 2017 and he gained bonus daughters, Kahomi, Angela, Patricia and Audrey. They divorced in 2022, but remained friends. He was currently working the garden at F.P.C.C. — which he loved to do. In past years, he was employed to do fencing. He was in pool leagues and enjoyed playing and being around his friends. He lived to cruise, sip and jam his music. He is survived by his grandmother, Vivian Jones; and sister, Yolanda Parshall. Funeral services were held Wednesday, Sept. 24, at 11 a.m. at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment followed at Poplar City Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Ronald Joseph Yellow Hammer Jr., Wambdi Walandiya (High Eagle), 67, of Brockton died Sept. 12, 2025, at his home. He was born Sept. 20, 1957, in Poplar, the son of Ronald Yellow Hammer and Carole Spotted Bird. He was raised by his grandmother, Nancy Two Shields of Cannonball, N.D., on the Standing Rock Reservation. He went to school various places. He attended Mormon school in Idaho during the Mormon placement his seventh and eighth grade years. He then went back to Poplar High School his freshman year of school and went back to living with his grandma Nancy where he attended Solen High School in Solen, N.D. He graduated from Solen High School in 1975. After he graduated high school, he enlisted in the Army in 1975, but was honorably discharged in 1976. He graduated from United Tribes Technical College with an AAS degree. During his time attending Solen, he met Sandra Yellow Hammer and they married Oct. 14, 1977. From this union, came six children and niece that they raised since she was 6 months old as their own. They moved to Montana in the 1980s where they made their home and raised all seven of their children. He was working with the Fort Peck Tribes Community Service Program as the elder meal delivery. He worked 12 years and 4 months for the Community Service Program He retired in 2023 for a year, but came back to work for the elder program again. He had previous jobs in his years of life. He worked at A& S Industries for over 10 years, the Fort Peck Youth Detention Center as a correctional officer, a cop and he was a firefighter with Sandra for many years. He enjoyed powwows and listening to music. He had a variety of music which included old country, but what he listened to a lot was our drum beat powwow music. He enjoyed family time, cook outs and just visiting. He loved to go to sporting events, especially when his grandchildren were involved. He was a fisherman and hunter in his younger years and would take his children our fishing and provide meat for the family when he would go hunting. He was a devoted father. He was always there to offer guidance, love and a hearty laugh. He cherished family gatherings and his presence at holiday and celebrations brought warmth and joy to those around him. He is survived by his six children, Jennifer Yellow Hammer, Elizabeth Yellow Hammer, Lauren Yellow Hammer, Wilma Yellow Hammer, Ronnie Yellow Hammer and Joseph Yellow Hammer Sr.; one niece they raised as their own, Avis Bigtrack; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brother, Errol Yellow Hammer; and sister, and Tonda White Lance. He was preceded in death by a brother, Bradley Yellow Hammer; and sister, Keva Spotted Bird. A wake was held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, at the Brockton Cultural Center. A funeral service will be held Thursday, Sept. 25, at 1 p.m. at the Brockton Cultural Center. Burial will be at the Yellow-Hammer Family Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.

Willard Allen “Bill” Johnson, 81, of Circle died in the early morning hours of Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. He was born to Archie and Marjorie (Olson) Johnson on Dec. 16, 1943, in Pendelton, Ore., the eldest of their children. The family made its way back to Montana after World War II and settled on the Johnson Homestead, 20 miles north of Circle, where they lived a typical farm life along his paternal grandparents and his siblings that soon followed. His mother and grandmother both died when he was 12 years old and he chose to live with his grandfather, Lage Johnson. He was very close with him and spent the rest of his growing up years with him. Lage died when Bill was 17 and, after that, Bill found work in the oilfields of California and Colorado. It was in 1966 when he decided to come back to Circle for a visit that he found his “Ol Kraut” waiting table in the Midway Cafe. He was persistent and finally persuaded Marian Haber to marry him and that’s what they did on July 16, 1967. They were married just a week shy of 57 years, when Marian died on July 9, 2024. The first year of their marriage was spent in Circle and, then in 1968, son Garry was born and they moved to Sidney where Bill found work at the Dodge Dealer. In 1969, they moved to the former Glasgow Air Force Base, where he worked for a fiberglass company. In 1971, they moved back to Circle where he went to the work for the City of Circle in the Public Works Department, patching streets and hauling garbage. They added two daughters to the family soon after, with Kristie in 1972 and Becky in 1973. He was always a hard worker. Along with working at the city, he also took a job milking dairy cows for Richard Gackle. He decided a few years after Gackles quit milking that the family needed to have a dairy of their own. So, in the early 1980s, the family milked 65 head of Holstein cows until the cheese plant in Beach, N.D., closed. The cows were sold and the family moved to Grandpa Haber’s farm. He tied his hand at a couple of different jobs until he landed a job in maintenance at Circle Public Schools. He worked at the school for over 37 years before he finally retired. He loved his motorcycles and he and Marian rode thousands of miles on three different Honda Goldwings. They loved touring the U.S. and Canada on their bike and made many friends along the way before they finally decided to hang up the keys. He was always pretty proud of his children, but that was elevated when he became a grandfather and great-grandfather. He enjoyed having them come visit and often talked about them. He is survived by his son, Garry of Circle; daughters, Kristie Gabbert of Dickinson, N.D., and Becky Fuhs of Glendive; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Marian; brother, Wilbur; and sister, Winnie Pugh. Family will receive friends on Friday, Sept. 26, from 4-6 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Circle. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 2 p.m. at the Faith Assembly of God Church in Circle. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Riverview Cemetery in Circle.