Obituaries

Van Campen

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Marion James “Jim” Van Campen, 92, passed away on Dec. 3, 2021 in Billings, Mont., at the Jensen Cottage at Saint John’s while in hospice after suffering a bad fall at his home at The Crossings in Laurel, Mont.

Barnes

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Cheeta Mae Barnes was born April 17, 1942, in Prairie Grove, Ark., to Denzell and Opal Barnes, big brother “Butch,” and three little sisters, Myrna, Teresa, and Debra.

Movius

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Phyllis (Joan) Demuth, the only daughter of Herbert and Orleta (Swackhamer) Demuth was born in Medina, Ohio, raised with older brother Steven and younger brother Robert. As the consummate organizer and planner, she edited and published a family newspaper with her younger brother, organized family outings and celebrations. She joined Girl Scouts, achieved the rank of Curved Bar - the equivalent to BSA Eagle Scout, the rank achieved by both of her brothers.

Mason

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Don was born at the Camack place across the Stillwater River from the Swinging Bridge south of Columbus on March 28, 1925. He was the third of seven children of parents, Mack and Violet Mason. After growing up, mostly in Stillwater County, Don graduated from Absarokee High School in 1943.

In his book, Don said “there was not much need for me during the winter at my dad’s place so I volunteered for the Army.”

Erfle

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Cynthia Sue (Eder) Erfle, the quintessential “Behind every successful rancher is a wife who works in town,” passed away with her family by her side after a hard-fought battle with COVID.

Heard

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Pat died on Nov. 19, 2021, of COVID-related complications at St. Vincent’s Hospital with her loving husband and her three children at her side.

Heywood

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Shirley was the first-born daughter to Clem and Catherine Mars of Fromberg. She married Albert Laber on Oct. 17, 1954. They farmed in Bridger until he preceded her in death in 1992.

Clarice Louise (Arthun) Hedrick

Clarice Louise (Arthun) Hedrick was born on Jan. 8, 1935 in Columbus, Mont. The daughter of Joseph and Jessie (Boylan) Arthun. She lived around Absarokee all her life. She was baptized and confirmed into the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Absarokee. She went to school at West Rosebud School on Fiddler Creek and Spring Creek. She graduated from Absarokee High school in 1953.

On June 7, 1953, she married the love of her life Paul (Corky) Hedrick. They made their home on the Stockade, where they ranched for 65 years.

Don Mason

On Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021, Don Mason passed away peacefully in Columbus after being blessed with 96 years of life.

He was born and raised in Stillwater County by his parents Mack and Violet and his six sisters. At 18, he joined the fight in Europe and was wounded at the onset of the Battle of the Bulge.

After the war, he received a degree in architecture and settled in Billings to practice his profession and raise a family with his wife, Jerry, and sons Conlin, Mark and Tom.

Rodney Leroy Overhuls

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Rodney Leroy Overhuls passed away on Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nev., at the age of 61.

Rod was born on March 30, 1960, to Wayne and Delores Overhuls in Columbus, Mont. He had a passion for music, loved the outdoors and working on all kinds of cars, engines, etc.