Cemetery

The Bearcreek Cemetery

Buried at the Bearcreek Cemetery

are people of many nationalities who came here as coal mining families in the early 1900s. The first person interred at the cemetery, according to date of death records, was Helen Markovich, who was laid to reast after her death Nov. 21, 1909. There are, however, several unmarked and undated graves at the cemetery.

Bearcreek Cemetery burial records list 23 of the 74 miners killed in the Feb. 27, 1943 Smith Mine. The victim and the accused in a 1923 Bearcreek pool hall murder are buried at the cemetery. Walter Brown was the victim, Joe Naglich committed the crime. Naglich was sentenced to prison for life, but was later pardoned. Also buried at the cemetery is Chris Bonovich, who was shot and killed in 1921 in a boarding house brawl at upper Washoe. Stephan Novoda did the shooting. He was convicted of manslaughter and received a 3-6 year sentence.
In all, as of 2004, there were 434 identifiable graves at the Bearcreek Cemetery.
LuDon DeVille compiled the list of Bearcreek gravesites, with assistance from the Bearcreek Woman’s Club and other volunteers.

A.D. Dewey Hardy, 46, Red Lodge. Born in Oklahoma. Wifeâ€™s name was Delena. No obituary available. Red Lodge Cemetery.

James Hawthorne, 31, Bearcreek. Born Red Lodge Mar. 1, 1912. Moved to Bearcreek as a child, attended Bearcreek schools. Graduated Bearcreek High School 1930. Married Alice Rose Schwenneker May, 1939. Survived by his parents Mr. and Mrs. Alex Hawthorne, 1 son, 2 brothers, 2 sisters. Red Lodge Cemetery.
.
John Hodnik, 31, Bearcreek. Born Dec. 4, 1911. Graduated Washoe Grade School 1926. Graduated Bearcreek High School 1930. Various occupations, worked for Montana Coal & Iron 7 months. Married Helen Karina, May 21, 1940. Was part owner of Bear Creek Coal Mine. Survivors included his widow, mother, 3 brothers, 1 sister. Bearcreek Cemetery.

Ahti Walter Joki, 30, Red Lodge. Born near Fox on Jan. 28, 1913. Attended school at Fox. Married Louise Henrietta Vanderloos Nov. 23, 1939. Survived by his wife, 1 daughter, his parents, 2 sisters, 4 brothers. Red Lodge Cemetery.

Wayne Jones, 31, Red Lodge. Born in Idaho. Wifeâ€™s name Elma. No obituary available. Buried in Idaho.

Andrew Jorden, 21, Red Lodge. Born in Red Lodge. Single. No obituary available. Red Lodge Cemetery.

Mike Korinko, 33, Red Lodge. Born in Bridger. Wifeâ€™s name Susie. No obituary available. Red Lodge Cemetery.

John Krop, Sr., 59, Red Lodge. Born St. Ozbold, Yugoslavia on Dec. 7, 1883. Lived in U.S. 35 years, 25 in Red Lodge. Married Fannie Prenta in 1910. Survived by his widow, 2 sons, 1 brother, 1 sister. Red Lodge Cemetery.

Louis Kuhar, 56, Bearcreek. Born in Austria. Wifeâ€™s name Josephine. No obituary available. Buried at Billings.

Edward Kumpula, 35, Red Lodge. Born Stockett, Montana, July 4, 1907. Came to Red Lodge as small child. Married Esther Wilson at Columbus on April 24, 1939. Survived by his widow, 1 son, 1 brother. Buried Red Lodge.

Edward Laird, 55, Washoe. Born in Scotland. Wifeâ€™s name Ruby. No obituary available. Bearcreek Cemetery.

Edward J. Laird, 49, Washoe. Born Armadele, Scotland Mar. 3, 1803. Came to Washoe 1911, worked in mines 22 years. Married to Mary C. Thorburn, Mar. 7, 1921. Survived by his widow, 2 daughters, 1 son, his mother Mrs. James Laird Sr., 3 sisters, 3 brothers. Bearcreek Cemetery.

Clem Lodge, 51, Washoe. Born Dickinson, North Dakota on Aug. 12, 1891. Came to Red Lodge in 1897. Started working at Bridger Mine at age 13. Later moved to Washoe. Married Mary Laird on April 17, 1915 at Red Lodge. Survived by his widow, 2 sons, mother, 4 brothers, 2 sisters. Red Lodge Cemetery.

John Madden, 53, Bearcreek. Born in Yugoslovia. Never married. Survived by 1 brother. Red Lodge Cemetery.

Richard Mallon, 68, Red Lodge. Born Oct. 7, 1874 at South Stanrigg, Scotland. Came to Montana in 1893. Married Anne Jane McKee at Bozeman Nov. 22, 1897. Came to Red Lodge in 1908. He worked in the Red Lodge mine until it closed, then worked in the mines in Bearcreek region. Survivors included his wife, 4 daughters, 1 son, 6 sisters, 6 grandchildren. Buried in Bozeman.

Ignac Marinchek, 57, Bearcreek. Born Zazorjc, St. Peter, Yugoslavia, July 1, 1885. Came to Bearcreek in 1909. Worked in grocery store and in mines. Survivors included his widow, 2 daughters, brother, grandson. Bearcreek Cemetery.

Abraham McDonald, 59, Washoe. Born Haywood Scotland on Oct. 19, 1883 to Mr. And Mrs. John McDonald. Came to Washoe from Ohio in 1913. Survived by his widow Mrs. Jemimia Laffea McDonald, 2 daughters, 1 son. Bearcreek Cemetery.

Joseph McDonald, 42, Washoe. Born in Ohio. Wifeâ€™s name Anna. No obituary found. Bearcreek Cemetery.

Robert Logan McDonald, 42, Red Lodge. Born in Red Lodge on Feb. 16, 1901, son of Wilhema and Sam McDonald. Married Nell Ferry in 1924. Lived in Red Lodge until 1936, then in Red Lodge. Survived by his widow, 2 sons, 1 daughter, 2 brothers, 2 sisters. Red Lodge Cemetery.

James McNeish, 60, Washoe. Born Scotland. No obituary available. Red Lodge Cemetery.
John Meiklejohn, 63. Born Oakley, Fefeshire, Scotland Mar. 21,1889. Married Margaret Strang, Apr. 16, 1916. She died in 1932. Survived by 1 daughter. Bearcreek Cemetery.

Herman Mejean, 19, Red Lodge. Born in Bearcreek. No obituary available. Bearcreek Cemetery.

Joe Meyer, Jr., 39, Bearcreek. Born Pueblo, Colorado Feb. 27, 1904. Came to Montana at age 9. Worked in mines since age 14. A brother, Ludwig, was killed in Brophy Mine in 1941. Married Josephine Ann Faygel at Roundup on June 29, 1929. Survived by his widow, parents Mr. and Mrs. Joe Meyer Sr., 2 brothers, 2 sisters. Red Lodge Cemetery.

Frank Mourich, 42, Bearcreek. Born Dec. 3, 1900 in Austria. Came to America in 1903. Began working for Montana Coal & Iron at age 15. Married Lula Marie Knuttila. Survived by his parents Mr. and Mrs. Jack Mourich, his widow, 1 son, 1 daughter, 1 brother. Brother Jack also died in Smith Mine disaster. Bearcreek Cemetery.

Jack Phillip Mourich, 35, Bearcreek. Born Feb. 28, 1907 in Bearcreek. Married Jean D. Alexander in Red Lodge. Survived by his parents Mr. and Mrs. Jack Mourich, his widow, 2 sons, 1 brother. Brother Frank also died in Smith Mine disaster. Bearcreek Cemetery.

Wilbur John Muller, 22, Red Lodge. Born Sheridan, Wyoming Mar. 10, 1920 to Mr. and Mrs. Leo Muller. Came to Red Lodge when six weeks old. Married Miss Dorothy Sneider at Columbus July 19, 1940. Survived by his widow and parents, 1 daughter, 2 brothers, 1 sister. Red Lodge Cemetery.

David Murray, Sr., 56, Bearcreek. Born Stevenston, Ayrshire, Scotland Dec. 2, 1886. Came to America in 1906. Was a miner for a time in Red Lodge, had been a miner in Bearcreek for 29 years. He held a supervisory position with Montana Coal & Iron. Married in 1907 to Martha Dunlevy. Survivors were his widow, 3 sons, 1 daughter. Bearcreek Cemetery.

Earl Mus, 51, Red Lodge. Born Thurber, Texas, Nov. 9, 1892. Married Mary Hendericson. Survived by his widow, 2 sons, 2 daughters, 3 brothers, 2 sisters. Red Lodge Cemetery.

William Nelson, 68, Red Lodge. Born Lennep, Montana. Wifeâ€™s name was Ella. No obituary available. Red Lodge Cemetery.

William Noble, 68, Washoe. Born Feb. 2, 1874 in Vitrona, Iowa. Married Loretta Sullivan at Great Falls in 1907. Came to Washoe 1913. Also lived in Bearcreek. Worked at Smith Mine for 22 years. Also operated a pool hall with brother Chester in 1910 in Red Lodge and later in Washoe. Survived by his widow, 3 daughters, 1 son, 9 grandchildren. Bearcreek Cemetery.

Frank Pajnich, 53, Red Lodge. Born in Yugoslavia. Wifeâ€™s name Mary. No obituary available. Red Lodge Cemetery.

William Pelo, 55, Red Lodge. Born in Michigan. Worked on ranch as main occupation, worked in mines in busy mine season. Brother-in-law Arthur Halpin also died in Smith Mine disaster. Survived by father Matt Pelo, his widow Bertha Pelo, 3 sons, 2 brothers, 1 sister. Red Lodge Cemetery.

Elmer Price, 53, Washoe. Born Kirkville, Iowa (some accounts say Missouri) on Nov. 6, 1889. Carbon County resident 37 years, lived in Bearcreek and more recently Red Lodge. Married Margaret Rae July 23, 1910. Was foreman in Smith Mine at time of explosion and was last body to be found. Survived by his widow, 2 daughters, 3 sons, mother Mrs. Richard (Anne) John Price, 7 brothers, 3 grandchildren. Red Lodge Cemetery.

William Pryde, 32, Bearcreek. Born Bearcreek, May 21, 1910. Attended Bearcreek schools. Married Vera Jacklavich on Nov. 14, 1936. Survived by his widow, 2 sons, mother, 1 sister. Bearcreek Cemetery.

Zino (Eino Walfred) Rahkola, 27, Roberts. Born in Roberts. No obituary found. Buried Roberts Cemetery.

Frank Ferdinand Rasborschek, 61, Bearcreek. Born in Yugoslavia. Wife died prior. No obituary found. Bearcreek Cemetery.

Martin Ratkovich, 46, Bearcreek. Born Yugoslavia. Was unmarried. No obituary found. Bearcreek Cemetery.

David Reid, 33, Bearcreek. Born Byesville, Ohio. Wife was Irene Berta. No obituary found. Red Lodge Cemetery.

Lawrence W. Reid, 42, Bearcreek. Born Cambridge, Ohio, Feb. 15, 1901. Came to Bearcreek at age 1. Married Mary McDonald Dec. 25, 1929. Survived by his widow, 2 sons, 3 brothers, 4 sisters. Bearcreek Cemetery.

George Saarela, 33, Red Lodge. Born Ii Qulien Laani, Finland, June 10, 1909. Came to U.S. at age 4. Survived by his father Andrew Saarela and 1 sister. Red Lodge Cemetery.

William Shepard, 69, Washoe. Born Watage, Illinois, Aug. 7, 1873. Worked in mines since age nine. Came to Montana in 1897. Married Mary Jane Freeman at Red Lodge on Dec. 22, 1898. In 1897 homesteaded land near what is now Boyd. From 1912 to 1920 he farmed near Roberts and Belfry. Worked in supervisory positions in mining during his life. Survivors included his wife, 2 daughters, 1 son, 6 sisters. His only brother was killed in a coal mine accident in Iowa in 1910. Red Lodge Cemetery.

William Slaby, 38, Red Lodge. Born Germany, July 30, 1904. Married Olga Scala in Billings Aug. 26, 1925. Survived by his widow, 2 sons, mother Mrs. Mary Slaby, 3 sisters, 2 brothers. Red Lodge Cemetery.

David Sommerville, 60, Washoe. Born in Scotland. Wifeâ€™s name was Jean. No obituary found. Red Lodge Cemetery.

John Sommerville, 34, Red Lodge. Born in Ohio. Wifeâ€™s name was Grace. No obituary found. Red Lodge Cemetery.

Frank Starkovich, 64, Red Lodge. Born in Croatia. Wifeâ€™s name was Francis. One son known, John. Red Lodge Cemetery.

Frank Sumicek, 65, Bearcreek. Born Austria Sept. 22, 1877. Came to U.S. (Bridger) in 1916, moved to Bearcreek in 1922. One daughter, 1 son, 4 grandchildren.

John Sudar, 28, Red Lodge. Born Rugby, Colorado on May 3, 1914. Came to Bearcreek at age 3. Attended Bearcreek schools. Started at Smith Mine at age 17. Married Ann Korack on Aug. 5, 1935 in Red Lodge. Survived by his mother, 1 daughter, 1 sister, 2 brothers. Red Lodge Cemetery.

George Thompson, Sr., 65, Washoe. Born in Scotland on Sept. 24, 1877. Came to Washoe in 1907. Married Susan Tharthen in Scotland. Survived by his widow, 3 sons, 4 daughters, 1 brother, 1 sister. Bearcreek Cemetery.

Adam Lee Wakenshaw, 72, Bearcreek. Born Swalwell, county Dublin, England Feb. 17, 1871. Was oldest man killed in the explosion. His son, Robert, also died in the tragedy. Adam was survived by his widow Margaret Wakenshaw of Boyd, 2 grandchildren. Bearcreek Cemetery.

Robert Lee Wakenshaw, 39, Bearcreek. Born in Helena on June 16, 1903. Lived in Bearcreek most of his life, attended Bearcreek schools. Survived by his widow Mary Wakenshaw, a daughter, a son, and his mother Margaret. Bearcreek Cemetery.

Robert Whitehead, 47, Red Lodge. Born North Lawrence, Ohio on Aug. 11, 1895. Came to Red Lodge in April, 1907. Worked at Smith mine from 1937. Married Margaret Walsh Dec. 31, 1940. Survived by his widow, parents Mr. and Mrs. Adam Whitehead, 3 sisters, 2 brothers. Red Lodge Cemetery.

Clarence Carlye Williams, 42, Washoe. Born in Belt, Dec. 24, 1900. Came to Red Lodge at age 7. Married Mary Campbell Dec. 25, 1923. Brother Lloyd was also killed in Smith Mine disaster. Survived by his widow, 1 daughter, 1 sister, 3 brothers. Red Lodge Cemetery.

Lloyd Abraham Williams, 46, Washoe. Born in Belt Sept. 30, 1897. Came to Red Lodge in 1907. Married Florence Bloom Jan. 1, 1922. Brother Clarence also killed in Smith Mine disaster. Survived by his widow, 2 daughters, 1 sister, 3 brothers. Red Lodge Cemetery.

Vid Zaputil, 50, Red Lodge. Born in Yugoslavia June 15, 1892. Moved to Red Lodge July 7, 1916. Married Mary Yakovich Dec. 29, 1918. Survived by his widow, 2 sons, 1 daughter, 1 brother. Red Lodge Cemetery.

Note: most of the above information was taken from obituaries found in the Carbon County News at the time of the disaster, as it was submitted by survivors at that time.