Gilbert DeSonia

Gilbert Alonzo DeSonia, 84, of Glasgow, Mont., passed away peacefully the evening of Monday, Oct. 9, 2023, at Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital, in Glasgow, surrounded by his family and significant other.

A Celebration of Life/Memorial Service is planned for 2 p.m., Friday, Nov. 24, at Bell Mortuary in Glasgow. There will be a reception luncheon following at the Cottonwood.

Gilbert was born on Dec. 1, 1938, in Glasgow to Chub and Dora (Overland) DeSonia. He joined a brother Norman and later welcomed two sisters, Anna Lou and Kay. He graduated from Nashua High School in 1956. He enlisted in the Army in 1958, was stationed in Germany and returned to Nashua, Mont., in 1961. Gilbert attended a dance in the spring of 1961 and met the love of his life Marilyn Dalton. They married on October 30 of that fall. Together they raised five children: Ben Calhoun (1957), Billie Calhoun (1958), Bob Calhoun (1960), Ron DeSonia (1964), and Gail DeSonia (1974). They had 59 wonderful years together.

He worked for his father Chub (DeSonia Construction) for many years and was proud of their accomplishments: Valley View Home, Wolf Point Bank, Sherman Motor Inn, Richey School, Frontier School, Wolf Point South Side School, Outlook School, and the Scobey Hospital addition to name a few. He had a long successful career as a crane operator, working on many dams, bridges, and overpasses throughout the state.

Over the years he enjoyed dancing, cards, bingo, horseback riding, and most of all telling stories. Gilbert and Marilyn retired to Apache Junction, Ariz., in 1996, they enjoyed activities and made many friends and memories over the years. He returned to Glasgow after losing Marilyn.

Gilbert lived in Prairie Ridge and shared the last year with his loving significant other Marion Bailey. He was so proud of his children and grandchildren. He was a loving husband and companion, wonderful father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and friend to many. He loved to talk about anything and everything.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn; son Billie Calhoun; daughter-in-law Shelly Calhoun; brother Norman DeSonia; and parents Chub and Dora DeSonia.

Gilbert is survived by his children: Ben (the late Shelly) Calhoun, Bob (Dana) Calhoun, Ron (Karen) DeSonia and Gail (Ryan) Fast; grandchildren: Cam (Jennifer Ly) DeSonia, Coleman (Melissa) Menke, Jackson (Anna, sons Landon and Asher) Menke, Kati Calhoun, Amanda Calhoun, Emily (son Jude) Eastburg, Adam (Jamie) Eastburg, Ethan Engstrom, John Engstrom, Abby Engstrom, Colten Fast, Mo Fast, Roman Fast; sisters Anna Lou (Leo) Bergtoll and Kay K (Ron) Opp; numerous nieces and nephews and significant other Marion Bailey.

Cards and condolences may be left or mailed to the family at 519 6th Avenue N, Glasgow, MT 59230, or may be left at bellmortuarymontana.com.