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June Marie Annis Cummins Merley, 75, died September 4, 2004, in Albuquerque after a lengthy illness. She had been a resident of Academy House assisted living facility at 6305 Truchas, and had been in hospice care with Vista Care Hospice. She was born June 12, 1929 in Helena, MT to Eldon and Goldie Cummins and was third generation Helena Valley native. She attended school in East Helena, and graduated from Helena H.S. in 1947. In February 1947 she eloped with the trumpet player in the band, Richards H. Merley. They had a secret wedding in Missoula with the other band members, Bruce Berg and Ray Hoffman, as best man and 'maid of honor.' She toured with the bands, the Ray Hoffman Four, and the Knovelty Knights, for years, then started the family. She taught piano and worked dance jobs every weekend for over 50 years, bringing joy to all with her music. June is survived by 3 sons and their families: Kim R. Merley and his wife, Vicki, of Albuquerque, their son Michael Merley at the U of T, Austin, and their daughter, Angela Merley at the U of A in Tucson; Tod Merley of Seattle and his two children, Hannah and Matthew Merley; Reid Merley and wife, Sherry Parmater of Kalispell, MT. She is also survived by her brother, Jack Cummins and his wife, Georgia, in Gardnerville, NV; and her aunt, Shirley Cummins of Helena. She was preceded in death by both parents and her husband. Cremation has taken place. A Service will be held Sunday September 12 in Albuquerque. A Service will also be held October 3 at the Phoenix temple of Self-Realization Fellowship. Final Services will be on October 9 at Hagler-Anderson Funeral Home in Helena, MT with Graveside Service following at Sunset Memorial Gardens in the Helena Valley.
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