EARL THISSELLE obituary

CHESTER Earl Farley Thisselle, 95, of Chester died Thursday afternoon, Dec. 28, 2006, at the Liberty County Hospital.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. Friday at the Chester United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at the Chester Cemetery. Earl was born April 10, 1911, at Kendrick, Idaho, to Arthur F. Thisselle and Iva Jane Vickers. In 1913, the Thisselle family came to a Montana homestead in the Russell community north of Carter, where they farmed and raised cattle. In 1921, they bought the Tex Florence ranch on the Marias River south of Chester. In those early years, they raised a big garden and hauled their produce by team and wagon to sell in the Chester community. Earl received his early education at country schools. After finishing his formal schooling in Spokane, Wash., he returned to the family ranch. Earl married a neighborhood girl, Stella E. Ward, on Nov. 3, 1934, in Shelby. They farmed and ranched and raised a family of three. In 1951, they purchased a home in Chester and moved to town. Earl served as a Liberty County commissioner from 1951 to 1964. During his term as commissioner, he was privileged to be part of the welcoming committee for President Harry S. Truman at the Tiber Dam ground-breaking ceremony on Sept. 30, 1952. Earl continued to be of service to Liberty County as undersheriff, a position he held from 1965 to 1974. He also served for three months as interim sheriff following the death of Bob Remington. After 23 years of public service, Earl retired to enjoy his remaining years in Chester. The Thisselles had been married 57 years when Stella died on Dec. 18, 1991. Earl considered himself fortunate to continue to live in their home these past 15 years. Earl had been a charter member and past officer of the Chester Rotary Club. He had also served on the board of the Erickson country school and was a past member of the Farmer's Union. Earl enjoyed square dancing with Stella and often served as caller at local square dances. He enjoyed playing the harmonica and he loved to whistle. He also liked to play cards, especially pan and pinochle. Earl loved his life as a farmer and rancher, and continued raising large vegetable gardens into his 90s. He was thankful to maintain a sharp mind and relatively good health until the end. Survivors include his sons, Stanley “Pudge” Thisselle of Chester and Vernon “Buzz” (Connie) Thisselle of Missoula; daughter, Beverly (Robert Jr.) Pugsley of Chester; 11 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces. Earl was preceded in death by his wife; parents; brother, Vern Thisselle; sisters, Florence Thisselle, Violet Schaub and Ella Rada; and grandsons, Doug and Loren Thisselle. Arrangements are by Rockman Funeral Chapel of Chester.