Donald 'Smokey' LeRoy Stover

Donald "Smokey" LeRoy Stover, 81, of Nashua, Mont., passed away Thursday, May 19, 2016, at Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital in Glasgow, Mont., after having been recently diagnosed with cancer.

He was born June 29, 1934, in Nashua, the son of Raymond and Muriel (Keil) Stover. He was just 18 months old when his mother died, and his father died when he was 10. He was then raised by his grandparents, Jim and Alice Keil. He attended Nashua schools, graduating in 1952.

At age 16, he began working in heavy equipment for his uncle, Jim Keil, a job he continued virtually throughout his life. He worked briefly in Texas as a seismographer when he was 19. He entered the U.S. Army in 1957, serving two years as clerk/typist in Anchorage, Alaska. Following his discharge, he returned to his work with Uncle Jim. He held many road construction jobs, Valley County Road Department, self-employed contractor, Fort Peck Corps of Engineers, and, most recently, Kirkland Ranch Estates.

He married Vivian Murch July 6, 1957, in Nashua, and they raised their four children there. Smokey (nickname derived from the comic strip, Smokey Stover) was very active in his community. He was a longtime town council member, chairman of the Nashua All-School Reunion committee since its inception, a member of the Nashua Sleighers, and a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.

A talented leather worker, he was a lifelong New York Yankees fan. He was also a wonderful, loving husband, father, and grandpa, especially loving to tease those grands and great-grands. He was conversational and had many friends, who will miss him greatly.

Besides his parents and grandparents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Jim; and his in-laws, Dewey and Beatrice Murch; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Survivors include his wife of nearly 59 years, Vivian; four children, Alice Redfield and her husband, Myron, Karyn Ahmann and her husband, Tim, Betty Barnett (Jim Gartside), and Larry Satover and his wife, Tanya; grandchildren, Logan Redfield and his wife, Justine, Cole Redfield and his wife, Emily; Nicole Tofte and her husband, Cody, Chad Cuddigan and his wife, Jennifer, and Brandon Cuddigan; Renee Sibley and her husband, Shawn, Kyle Shipp and his wife, Cassie, and Shaylin Barnett; Dawson and Houston Stover. 10 great-grandchildren also survive him, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

A viewing was held Monday, May 23, at Bell Mortuary in Glasgow from 6-8 p.m.

A celebration-of-life funeral service was held Tuesday, May 24, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Nashua, at 11 a.m., with Pastor Bonnie Novak officiating, followed by burial at the Nashua Cemetery and a reception at the church. Condolences may be left at bellmortuarymontana.com.