Harvey Coons

Funeral Services for Harvey A. Coons, 88, of Ekalaka, MT will be at 11:00 a. m. Monday, June 25, 2007 at the Ekalaka Bible Church in Ekalaka with Pastor Bob Anderson officiating. Interment will follow in the family lot in the Beaver Lodge Cemetery at Ekalaka. The Ekalaka VFW Post 7885 and American Legion Post 60 will provide Military Rites. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Harvey A. Coons was born a son of Fred and Lena (Thomas) Coons on August 24, 1918. Harvey joined two sisters, Silvia and Mildred on the family farm in the Belltower community of Carter County. Six years later a boy, Chester, completed the family. Harvey spent his younger years farming, herding sheep and doing odd jobs for various neighbors. Harvey would brag that he was driving horses and making his way when he was eight years old. Harvey attended grade school at Belltower and high school in Ekalaka. Times were hard, and Harvey joined the Civilian Conservation Corp in the summer of 1936. While with the CCC?s, Harvey drove horse teams, dragging logs out of the Long Pines at Camp Needmore. Until April of 1937 he worked in the forest of Washington and Oregon. In March of 1941, Harvey was drafted into the United States Army. He served in the motor pool as a mechanic, and also found himself driving in the dark of night delivering huge guns to various units throughout the Islands. Harvey was Honorably Discharged from the service in 1945. Harvey returned to the family ranch in Carter County. Harvey met and married the love of his life, Ita M. Peabody on September 1947 in a private ceremony in Baker, MT. To this union four children were born, Lennet, Chester, David and Marvel. They stayed on the family ranch at Belltower until school needs prevailed. Harvey and his family moved into Ekalaka in the fall of 1962, to send their oldest daughter to high school. While living in town, Harvey worked for Sam Rutledge delivering propane and later he went to work for Southeast Electric as a lineman. The family moved back to the ranch in the spring of 1967, where they resided until the fall of 1997, when Harvey and Ita moved back into town. Harvey was an active member of the Ekalaka American Legion Post 60, where he served in various positions including Post Commander. Harvey attended a lot of rodeos around the area and worked at the un-saddling chutes for Pat Byrnes. Harvey and Ita enjoyed their hobby, traveling to a rodeo each weekend. Harvey also relished a good game of cards, a country dance at Belltower Hall and drafting his kids into working during their weekends at the ranch. He also shared his honyocker stories of his growing up years with his grandchildren. Harvey reluctantly told of his war experiences with his family. Harvey?s greatest pleasure was riding horse on the ranch, moving sheep, cattle and being with family. The greatest love in Harvey?s life was his wife and soul mate, Ita. Harvey and Ita would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this coming September. Together, they shared four children, a love of ranching, rodeo and over 60 years of memories. Harvey passed away suddenly on Friday, June 22, 2007 at his home in Ekalaka. Harvey is survived by his loving wife, Ita Coons, Ekalaka, MT; three children, Lennet (Larry) Cantwell, Kamiah, ID, David (Barbara) Coons, Wordan, MT and Marvel Murphy, Baker, MT. ; eight grandchildren, Renee Stevenson, Celina Coons, Rita Schopp, Wade Anderson, Tanya (Shawn) Rost, Becky Kane, Brandon (Amanda) Coons and Ian Murphy; and seven great-grandchildren. His parents, Fred and Lena, his sisters, Silvia Christiansen and Mildred Lavell, his brother, Chester Coons, his son, Chester and grandson Michael Murphy preceded Harvey in death.


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Burial Date: June 25, 2007
Funeral Home Ekalaka, MT

Funeral Service: Monday, Ekalaka Bible Church, Ekalaka, MT.