Al is survived by his children Mark (Terri) James and Michelle (Patrick) Mulhill. He is survived by his grandchildren Austin (Rose) James, Rebecca Mulhill, Taylor (Justin) Howell, Logan Mulhill and Keegan (Zoe) Mulhill. He was also lucky to meet his two great-grandsons, Jack Albert James and Brayden James Howell. Al is predeceased by his parents, Albert and Maud James and his spouse, Patricia James. He was a beloved educator, storyteller, athlete, musician, historian and exemplification of “Butte tough.” A celebration of Al’s life was held on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Memorials in honor of Al are suggested to the following: • Montana State University Veterans Support Center, addressed as “MSU Veterans Services” and mailed to MSU Veterans Services, 136 Romney Hall, Bozeman, MT 59717 • Butte High Athletics at 401 S. Wyoming St., Butte, MT 59701 • Young Musicians Club at East Middle School, PO Box 4531, Butte, MT 59702 Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services is privileged to care for Al and his family. Robert “Bob” Bunch April 6, 1951-Feb. 12, 2025 Bob passed away on Feb. 12, 2025, at the Clark Fork Valley Hospital in Plains, Montana. He was born April 6, 1951, in Norfolk, Virginia, to David Edward Bunch and Helen Theresa (Slye) Bunch. Bob moved from Norfolk, Virginia, to Ottawa, Kansas, with his parents and siblings in 1960. He graduated from Kansas schools, from elementary school through college. He married Heather Marie Phoenix on Sept. 4, 1979. Their son, Andrew Thomas, was born in 1981, and the new family moved to Plains when Bob was hired by Shrider Funeral Services. He later partnered with Dale Coffelt and established Coffelt-Bunch Funeral Services in 1987 in Thompson Falls and Plains. Bob eventually bought out Dale and continued to serve Sanders County communities until he sold in 2004. He continued after retirement, helping at Sunset Memorial Gardens and Garden City Funeral Homes in Missoula. The funeral homes currently operate as Sunset Hills Funeral Homes & Crematory in Plains and Thompson Falls. Bob was an avid golfer and spent as many days on the course as possible with his gentlemen golfers. He also loved to collect coins (and enjoyed visiting the casino). He was a long-time member of the Alcoholics Anonymous community and sponsored others in need. He provided transportation for the local Amish community of Plains and helped many others throughout his life. He was a loyal fan of the Kansas City Royals and the Kansas City Chiefs. Before his death, he realized a lifetime dream of going to Arizona for the Kansas City Royals spring training after having gone with Andrew to Florida to see spring training. He is survived by his loving sisters, Theresa Keener (Thomas) of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and Donita Zundel (Norman) of Elkridge, Maryland; his former wife, Heather (Phoenix) of Plains; two step-sons, Martin Alver (Robin, deceased) of Louisville, Kentucky; John Alver (Sarah) and son, Gabriel Alver, of Seattle, Washington; his uncle James Bunch of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. His parents preceded him, as well as his son, Andrew Bunch in 2023; his brother, Tom (Patty) of Ottawa, Kansas; and an infant sister, Catherine. Sunset Hills Funeral Home in Plains facilitated a memorial service. Directors Digest | 19
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