Obituary from Helena's Independent Record 03/28/2006:

Senior Airman Bethanie Marie Ardoin died Saturday, March 18, 2006, from injuries sustained in a single-vehicle accident.

She was born April 15, 1983, in Pensacola, Fla. She attended schools in Helena, then graduated from Broadwater High School in Townsend in 2001.

She entered active duty on July 10, 2001. After completion of basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and technical training at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., Beth reported for duty at Pope Air Force Base, N.C.

During her tour of duty at Pope, Beth was instrumental in accelerating the installation of 40 computers in the upgraded Battle Staff helping to expedite the employment of the 43rd Air Evacuation Squadron in support of the Hurricane Katrina relief operations and contributing to the evacuation of 100,000 people. While deployed, Beth's ability to work under pressure made the difference when prepping the forward deploymnet teams for the Pakistan earthquake relief operations.

Her decorations include the Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border, Air Force Longevity Service Award and Air Force Training Ribbon.

She served proudly on Pope Air Force Base's Honor Guard and deployed twice to Al Udeid, Qatar, in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, where she was selected as the 379th Expeditionary Mission Support Group Airman of the Month for May 2004.

Beth is survived by her father, Randy Ardoin, and wife, Karen of Raleigh, N.C.; mother, Tami Dom and husband, Rick of Ephrata, Pa.; siblings, Brandy Ardoin of Perry, Fla., Joshua Ardoin and wife, Courtney of Fort Hood, Texas, Jacob Ardoin of Raleigh, N.C., Shannon Fetty, Jessica Fetty, Alec Dom and Tyler Dom, all of Ephrata, Penn.; and stepfather, Tod Fetty of Helena.

She is also survived by paternal grandmother, Joycelyn Ardoin of Lake Charles, La.; maternal grandmother, Darlene Bowlin and husband, Dan of Gardner; maternal grandfather, Tom Hunter and wife, Mary Jean of Solen, N.D.; and a special "grandfather," Gary Johnson of Geraldine.