Great Falls Tribune from Great Falls, Montana • M2

2M SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2020 GREAT FALLS TRIBUNE Publication Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Deadline Friday 4 p.m. MST Monday 4 p.m. MST Tuesday 4 p.m. MST Wednesday 4 p.m. MST Thursday 4 p.m.

MST Friday 4 p.m. MST Friday 4 p.m. MST TO PLACE AN OBITUARY Go to www.greatfallstribune.com/obituary Choose and follow the easy steps. For assistance please call 406-791-1420 Ext. 2.

DEADLINES TO VIEW OBITUARIES Go to www.greatfallstribune.com/obituaries 205 River Drive Great Falls, MT 59405 Open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. GREAT FALLS In the early morning hours of April 24, 2020, Connie Jo Romanchuk, 42, was called to Heaven. She was the fifth of six children born to Jake and Alice Romanchuk. She was born on January 1, 1978, a birth date she was very proud to have, in Great Falls, MT.

She spent her childhood and most of her life in Sand Coulee, MT. After her mother passed in 2011, Connie moved to Great Falls where she lived until our dear Lord called her home. Connie was a Centerville High School graduate, grad- uating in 1997. In high school she enjoyed choir and was a member of the Pep Club. She was a member of the Girl Scouts through sixth grade, and served as a Girl Scout leader as an adult.

After graduating high school, Connie attended Great Falls Vo- Tech where she studied early childhood development. She later earned her childcare certification and worked for Wee Disciples and Falls Jr. Academy. She then worked at N.E.W. before finding her most loved job as a clerk at Walmart, where she worked for the last twelve years.

She loved seeing folks every day, and some customers would look for her smiling face every time they went there. She had a great work ethic and was very proud to be a part of the Walmart family. Connie was a member of Holy Trinity Parish in Centerville, until she became a mem- ber of Holy Spirit Parish when she moved to Great Falls. Connie was an incredibly good person with many admirable qualities. She was kind, warm, loving, generous, compassionate, patient, always cheerful, and the list could fill the page.

Connie was quick to forgive and forgave with her whole heart. While she was quite a bit young- er than most of her siblings, she was a leader with her strong heart, holding us up through many challenges. Above all else, Connie loved family. She remembered every birthday, anniversary, and other special occasion for every member of her family, from grandparents to the youngest of the nieces and nephews. She loved her friends, and being a totally likeable gal, she earned herself at least a hundred of them.

In 2008, Connie met the love of her life, Christopher McWilliams. Connie and Chris were a true love story, one without rings or pure and simple love! He called her Honey, and sometimes Sweetheart, and it would light up her face every time. Chris was the true answer to dreams. She loved her Trixie, and cat, Lily. They will miss her at least as much as anybody.

She loved music, and was not shy about joining the fun on the dance floor. She was just a hoot while dancing and could move like no other. She and her shimmy would often times own the dance floor. Connie was that person who would sit in her car on a very regular basis until a specific song ended. She was always happy to be a part of something no matter what it was, and she put her whole heart into it.

Connie loved the color pink! She loved to collect things, especially Precious Moments figurines. She enjoyed the mountains and spent all her childhood summers, and many week- ends beyond, at Holter Lake. She enjoyed camping and fishing. Fishing was Connie and favorite way to spend quality time. Connie truly enjoyed bowling.

She was faithful to her bowling league, scoring perfect attendance every year. She was the captain and very proud of her team, which consisted of friends and family. Food and sleep were also on the list of favorite things. She often took some pretty good razzing for both, and she was always a loving and kind recipient. It was darn hard to make Connie Jo angry, if not impossible.

She naturally carried a calm and peaceful presence that most people would envy. Connie is survived by her Honey, Chris McWilliams; brothers, Greg (Marla) Ro- manchuk and Brad (Colleen) Romanchuk, both of Great Falls; sister, Cindy (Eddie) Ingman and brother, Kevin (Kim) Romanchuk, both of Sand Coulee; and sister Jackie (Jamie) Clough of Great Falls. Connie also loved children, Carik and Francheska McWilliams, and considered them her step-children. She has many cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends that all love her very dearly. Connie was preceded in death by her grandparents; parents; many aunts and uncles; some cousins; and her 14-year old nephew, Jacob Romanchuk.

Her vigil service is Wednesday, May 27, 2020, at 6:30 p.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with her funeral liturgy on Thursday, May 28, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. also at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Centerville Booster Club (693 Stockett Rd, Sand Coulee, MT, 59472) would be appreciated. Condolences for the family may be shared online at www.SchniderFuneralHome.

com. Connie Romanchuk GREAT FALLS Kenneth Ray Murphy lost his bat- tle with cancer on May 14, 2020, at the age of 62. Kenneth was born on August 15, 1957. He dedi- cated 44 years of his life to the US Air Force. He was matter of fact and to the point, much like this obit- uary.

He loved his family, Nascar, and Rainier beer. He was preceded in death by his son, Christopher Murphy. He is survived by his daughter, Amber (Kel- vin) Murphy; grandchil- dren, Haedyn, Jaelynn, and Daeshyn; daughter-in-law, Mechelle Murphy; and his twin cats (the boys), Beavis and Butthead. He will forever be missed. Condolences for the family may be shared on- line at www.OConnorFu- neralHome.com.

Kenneth Ray Murphy GREAT FALLS Raymond Charles Mehrens, 85, of Great Falls, passed away on Saturday, April 11, 2020, of natural causes at Peace Hospice with his family at his side. Cremation has taken place. funeral will be held at a later date when all of his family and friends can gather. Ray was born on October 8, 1934, in Butte, MT to Ar- thur and Teresa (Mufich) Mehrens. He was a true Butte Brat.

He graduated from Central in 1952, and went on to Carroll College where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History in 1957. He married his high school sweetheart, Carol Rhae Tell- ing on August 18, 1956, at St. Catholic Church in Butte. They were blessed with three children, Mary Carol, David, and Patti Ann. His first teaching and coaching job was at Helena Cathedral High School.

He and Carol then moved to Great Falls, where he taught and coached at Great Falls Central Catholic High School for several years. He then began his 35 years as a civil servant at Malmstrom AFB; first as a Youth Director and ending his career as the Labor Relations Officer. During his tenure in Labor Relations, he earned his certification as a Federal Mediator. After his retirement, he joined the staff at Air University, Maxwell-Gunter AFB as a part-time faculty member. Ray continued to teach in his retirement, as he volunteered countless hours at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in their Education Program.

Ray joined the Russell Country FCU Board of Directors and held various positions including Chairman of the Board. Ray was preceded in death by his mother and father; siblings and their spouses, Lenore and Donald McTavish, Mary Kay and Robert Davis, AJ Mufich; daughter, Mary Carol; father and mother-in-law, William and Loretta Telling; and in- laws, William and Jan Telling; and Rich McDougall. Ray is survived by his loving wife, Carol of 63 years; son and daughter-in-law Da- vid and Clementine (Wolf) of Boise; daughter, Patti Ann of San Antonio; beloved granddaughter, Nicole Renay of Boise; brother, Arthur of Lacey, WA; in-laws, Phil and Marlene Telling, Arlene McDougall, and Carol Mufich of Butte, Colleen Mehrens of Priest Lake, WA; and several special nieces and nephews. A rosary will be recited on Wednesday, May 27, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. at Corpus Christi Catholic Church.

A funeral liturgy will be held following the rosary at 11:00 a.m. also at Corpus Christi Catholic Church with burial of ashes at a later date at Holy Cross Cemetery in Butte. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Butte Central Education Foun- dation, Great Falls Central High School, Lewis and Clark Foundation Programs, or the choice. To read the complete obituary and to share condolences online with the family, please visit www.SchniderFuneralHome.com. Raymond C.

Mehrens MALTA Earl Ereaux, 55, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on May 17, 2020. Recitation of the rosary will take place on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. fol- lowed by the funeral litur- gy at 11:00 a.m., both at St. Catholic Church, with a celebration of life to follow at 1:00 p.m. at the Tin Cup, all in Malta, MT.

Donny was born in Malta, MT on November 27, 1964. He was raised in Malta and graduated from Malta High School in 1984. Donny enlisted into the Navy in 1985. After school he was assigned to the USS Indepen- dence CV-62 in San Diego, CA. During his deployment, Donny was awarded (from the Admiral) Navy Achievement He then moved to Seattle, where he went to work for Microsoft, and met the love of his life, Donna Boyce.

They shared 28 memorable years together before her passing. Donny then moved back to Malta where he enjoyed the remainder of his years with family and friends. He was well known for his infectious smile, courageous attitude, and his ability to strengthen and encourage others in their time of need. He had a special gift to connect with all, and he will be dearly missed. Donny is survived by nine siblings, Roger (Brenda) Dale Ereaux, James Ereaux, Shaune Kuszmaul, Michael (Nancy) Ereaux, Anita (Brian) Green, Darcy (Brian) Kirkhorn, Mark Ereaux, Daniel (Barbie Ranta) Ereaux, and Kenneth (Kathy) Ereaux; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins; and numerous, close friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna; mother, Allie Ereaux; father, Roger Fred Ereaux; mother-in-law, Zonora Boyce; brother-in-law, Donald Kuszmaul; aunts and uncles. Condolences for the family may be shared online at www.SchniderFuneralHome.com. Donald E. Ereaux MESA Michael Leslie McPherson Aka Dad, Mike, Michael, Sweetie, Angus, Draagn, Grandpa Draagn, 8 ounce Died of the results of a solo motorcycle ac- cident while out riding through the hills near Mesa, Arizona Born February 18th 1947 to Robert Leslie McPherson and Doris Helen Daellenbach The younger brother of John Kern McPherson (d.2002) Father to Gavin Michael (Kathy) McPherson and Jaim Leslie(Nathan) McPherson-Birkeland Grandfather to Ella Carolyn Birkeland and Sigrid Doris Birkeland as well as Cole Angus McPherson and Connor James McPherson Brother-in-law to Charlene, Uncle to Heather, Toby and Kern Husband to Tomasa Mike was born in Great Falls Montana where he grew up and attended Great Falls High School. While in high school he grew attached to a lifelong group of friends who called themselves the MAG 7.

After Graduation in 1965 he traveled to Northfield, Minnesota where he attended St. Olaf College. He was married to Carolyn Krapf in 1968. After graduating St. Olaf in 1969 he entered the Marines J.A.G.

program. This program allowed Mike to attend college before serv- ing his country. Together he and Carolyn moved to San Diego where Mike would attend the U.C. San Diego Law School. After the birth of their first child, Gavin, Mike transferred to the University of Montana where he completed his law degree and passed the Montana Bar Exam.

After graduation in 1972, the family moved to Cherry Point N.C. where Mike served 4 years as a Marine achieving the rank of Captain. In 1974 Jaim was born. By 1978 Mike and Carolyn were ready to move back to Montana. The family returned to Great Falls to settle down.

Michael would begin his law career which would span more than 48 years. For over 10 years he served as the VP and general counsel of the Great Falls Deaconess Hospital. Mike was married to Carolyn until 1996. He remarried again in 1999 to Diane (Seitz) Nelson. They were married until 2011.

In 2013 he married Tomasa. Together with Ghost, he and Tomasa traveled between Great Falls and Mesa where they owned a home. Mike spent 10 years in the Marine Corp Reserves. In 1989 he received his MBA from the University of Montana. In 1993 he began teaching MBA classes.

He taught those classes for more than 15 years. Mike was an avid motorcycle rider, owning several Harley Davidson motorcycles. For many years it was tradition for Mike to ride to South Dakota, making the annu- al motorcycle pilgrimage to Sturgis. He loved to get out on the road with his crew They even had their own they would represent when out on a ride. Angus was the owner of Legends Entertainment, running the poker room at The Sting Bar in Great Falls.

Poker was a passion of his, which allowed him to create a business around one of his hobbies during his retirement years. He enjoyed the time spent with all the players who became his friends over the hours spent at the poker table. Michael was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church, eventually serving as an Elder and President of the congregation. Mike was an active member of Great Falls, and over the years held positions on the 8th Judicial District Youth Guidance Home, the Great Falls School Board, and the Great Falls Optimist Club, serving as President in 1987. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Maclean-Cameron Animal Adoption Center in Great Falls, to honor love of animals.

Mike left behind Ghost, his Weimaraner of 13 years, who still waits faithfully by the door for his return. Summer Service celebration of life and graveside service being planned for this summer. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.croxfordfuneralhome.com Michael Leslie McPherson.