By HDN Staff
THEODORE M. DONEY
LODGEPOLE-BEAVER CREEK Theodore M. Doney, 79, died Monday, Jan. 22, 2001, at a Havre hospital of natural causes.
A wake will be held tomorrow at 7 p.m. in the St. Paul's Mission Recreational Center. Funeral services will be on Thursday at 11 a.m. in the St. Paul's Mission Recreational Center with burial following in Mission Cemetery.
Doney was born in Hays to James and Mary (Turcotte) Doney on Oct. 27, 1921. He was raised in the Hays area and attended school at St. Paul's Mission.
He enlisted into the U.S. Army on Sept. 9, 1940. He was a member of Company L 3rd Battalion 4th Heavy Weapons Platoon 163rd Infantry Regiment 41st Infantry Division.
Doney had a distinguished career in the military and was very proud of his service to his country. He received three Bronze Battle Stars for participation in the Papuan, New Guinea and Southern Philippine campaigns; the American Defense Service Medal; the Good Conduct Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Medal; the Distinguished Unit Badge for the 163rd Infantry Regiment; and the Combat Infantry Badge for the 163rd Infantry Regiment. He also served in Australia.
When he received his honorable discharge on June 8, 1945, he moved back to the Hays area and began ranching in the Missouri Breaks.
Doney married Sarah Gray on Dec. 29, 1948 in Chinook. They continued ranching in the Missouri Breaks and then moved to Hays where they ranched for eight years.
They relocated to Beaver Creek in 1960 and ranched there until 1988 when he had to retired due to health reasons. His son, Darrell, purchased the ranch in 1990 and kept it in the family.
Doney loved spending time with his family, cows, and a special horse named Snowball. He had a great love for the Lord and helped out at revivals. He also enjoyed listening to gospel music and playing the harmonica.
Doney was preceded in death by an infant son, Theodore Jr.
Survivors include his wife of Beaver Creek; sons, Delphus Doney, Darrell Doney, Keith Doney all of Beaver Creek, and Rodney Doney of Claypool, Ariz.; daughters, Karen Reevis of Browning and Francine Hawley of Hays; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Arrangements are by Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook.
