PAUL OVERLIE obituary

CHESTER - Paul Bernard Overlie, 63, of Chester died at his home Sunday, July 27, 2003, of natural causes.

A memorial service was scheduled for 11 a.m. today at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Chester with a reception luncheon to follow. Cremation has already taken place under the direction of Rockman Funeral Chapel of Chester.

Paul was born on Jan. 23, 1940, in Terry to Olav and Elaine Overlie. The family moved to Bozeman when he was 12 and he attended junior high and high school there. After his enlistment in the Air Force in 1956, he returned to Bozeman where he met Dorothie Kelley.

Paul and Dorothie were married in 1959 during a double ceremony in which his brother Richard married Bonnie Kelley. Paul and Dorothie lived in Bozeman, Seattle and Havre before settling in Chester in 1963.

Paul worked at Keith's Chevrolet in Chester in 1963, then started working at the County Fair IGA store later that year. He became the manager of the store and remained in that job until November 1974. After working construction jobs for two years, Paul settled into a position at Marias Equipment Company, where he became parts manager in 1977. He worked for Marias Equipment and at the same building for Big Sky Equipment until the business was closed in 1999. He went to work in the parts department at Benchmark Equipment in Chester until it closed. From there he worked at Torgerson's in Ethridge until his death.

Paul enjoyed being with people and working, especially with his hands. His hobbies included working on projects for himself, his family and friends. He was a strong swimmer throughout his life and enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, water skiing, skiing, hiking, camping and just about any outdoor activity. He enjoyed sports, especially Chester High School sports. He was instrumental in starting the wrestling and tennis booster club and was an avid reader. He particularly enjoyed his children and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Robert.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothie Overlie of Chester; daughters, Wendy of Havre, Amber Thompson of Olympia, Wash., and Heidi of Chester; sons, Paul Jr. (Joy) of Chester, Darren (Lisa) of Havre, and Mitchell (Lissa) of Fallon, Nev.; six grandchildren; brother, Eric (Kate) of Belgrade; sisters, Donna Lingle of Shelby, Mary Overlie of New York City, N.Y., and Deborah (Bill) White of Bozeman; sister-in-law, Bonnie Eppers (Gary) of Fort Benton; and numerous nieces and nephews.