of Philip, South Dakota, died on Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip at the age of 75
Luella Belle Vaughn was born January 10, 1936 in Gregory County, South Dakota, the daughter of Dallas and Dorothy (Bennett) Vaughn. Belle grew up and attended school in Tripp and Gregory Counties, South Dakota.
Belle was united in marriage to Lester Ravellette on November 15, 1953 at Gregory, South Dakota. They made their home in Gregory, until moving to Sturgis in 1959. They moved to Philip in January, 1960. In January 1963, they purchased the Pioneer Review newspaper in Philip, where together they worked and raised their family.
In addition to the Pioneer Review newspaper, they purchased the Pennington County Courant newspaper in Wall in 1978, and the Kadoka Press newspaper in Kadoka in 1989, forming Ravellette Publications, Inc. Les and Belle took much pride in the newspaper industry and keeping the individual personality of each community newspaper.
Belle was a member of the United Church of Philip, a charter member of the Haakon County Business & Professional Women; the Haakon County Jaycettes, Past Matron of the Order of Eastern Star, Philip Chapter #100; past President of the American Legion Auxiliary Post #173; Haakon County Hospital Auxiliary, Bad River Senior Citizens, and Philip Betterment Committee.
Belle enjoyed her Wednesday morning bowling league. She loved to play cards, especially gathering the family around for a game of 10 point pitch. She also enjoyed traveling with her friends and family, which travels included a bus trip to the Rose Bowl Parade in California.
Belle’s love for her family and the joy that each and every one of them brought her, was obvious by the smile on her face.
Grateful for having shared her life are her four children and their families, Trudye Fosness and her husband Dan of Sioux Falls, and their children Nicholas (Jenny) Fosness and Sydney, Ashley, Cole and Graham, Matthew (Mary) Fosness and Mason and Dawson, and Ryan Fosness; Jolene Haynes and her husband Don of Philip, and their children Heather (Justin) Schreiber and Kaitlin, Rylee, and Brianna, Brad (Tanya) Haynes and Jaida, Talan, Terik, Melanie (Jake) Jobgen and Caiden and Colin; Ronnie Ravellette and Lori Schocker of Mitchell and his children Derek (Melissa) Ravellette and Julia and Jackson, Dallas (Arianne Siewert) Ravellette and Hallie and Landon, Dylan Ravellette, Stephanie (Lance) Fountain and Blaise and Braden, and Josh Smith; Donnie Ravellette and his wife Tami of Philip, and their children Tasya Ravellette, Beau (Mary) Ravellette and their children Gage and Taryn, Tonya Ravellette and Tara Ravellette. Belle is also survived by seven brothers, Donald (Lue) Vaughn of Winner, Derald (JoAnn) Vaughn of Burke, Dennis (Cindy) Vaughn of Dallas, Lloyd (Sally) Vaughn of Mitchell, Jerry (Bev) Vaughn of Burke, Randy (Jean) Vaughn of Newell, and Jim (Judy) Vaughn of Golden, Colorado; Five sister-in-laws, Melva Vaughn of Redfield, Claudia Vaughn of Mitchell, Ruth Ravellette of Terrell, Texas, Liz Ravellette of Rapid City, and Lucy Ravellette of California; a brother-in-law Fred Fode of Oracle, Arizona; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Belle was preceded in death by her husband Les on October 1, 1993; her parents Dallas and Dorothy Vaughn; her sister Lois Fode, three brothers Leo Vaughn, Merle Vaughn, and Billy Vaughn, three brother-in-laws, Samual Ravellette, Richard Ravellette, and Glenn Ravellette, a grandson Dexter Ravellette, her mother in-law Elsie Ravellette, and her special friend, Durward “Dud” Wheeler.
Visitation was held 5-7 p.m. on Friday, October 14, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip, and one hour preceding the services at the hall on Saturday.
Funeral services were held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 15, at the American Legion Hall in Philip, with Pastor Kathy Chesney officiating.
Interment was at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.
A memorial has been established.
FUNERAL SERVICES
Saturday, October 15, 2011 - 1:00 p.m.
American Legion Hall
Philip, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Kathy Chesney
MUSIC
Sally Jankord - Pianist
Vocalists
Lyndy Ireland - Joyce Wheeler
“Because He Lives”
“Precious Lord, Take My Hand”
“Amazing Grace”
USHERS
Jeff Penticoff - Miles Wheeler
PALLBEARERS
Nick Fosness - Matt Fosness - Ryan Fosness
Brad Haynes - Derek Ravellette - Dallas Ravellette
Dylan Ravellette - Beau Ravellette
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Belle’s Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren
INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota
Visitation: 5-7 p.m. on Friday, October 14, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip.
Funeral services: 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 15, at the American Legion Hall in Philip.
Interment: Masonic Cemetery in Philip.