Bertrand 'Bert' Howard John Smith

Bertrand 'Bert' Howard John Smith

Bertrand "Bert" Howard John Smith, 51, died Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2011, at Northern Montana Hospital of lung cancer. Cremation has taken place, and his prayer vigil will be 7 p. m. Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011, and his funeral Mass will be 11 a. m. Monday, Oct. 3, 2011, all at St. Jude Thaddeus Church, with Father Jose officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon will be held at St. Jude Parish Center immediately after the services at the graveside. Memorials in Bert's honor may be made to the Hi-Line Sletten Cancer Center in Havre. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.

Bert was born Aug. 25, 1960, in Havre, Mont., to Lawrence "Mick" and Lola (Rice) Smith. He was raised and educated in Havre, graduating from Havre High School in 1979. After high school, Bert worked at Ray's Meat Market and at Big Bud. In 1980, he began his career at HO Motor Supply. Bert had a vast knowledge of mechanics and was an excellent parts man. He also worked at NAPA, the Diesel Doctor and at Big Equipment since 2010.

Bert had many friends who he enjoyed visiting with. He enjoyed a cold beer and a good BS session. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing golf every Sunday. He was an avid NASCAR fan, and the Pittsburgh Steelers were his favorite football team. Bert was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Ducks Unlimited.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Lola Smith in 2000; and his maternal and paternal grandparents.

Bert is survived by his special friend Jody Neibauer; his father, Mick (Mary Ann) Smith of Havre; two sisters, Mary Kay Brown of Havre, and Jeannette (Fred) Burrier of Olympia, Wash. ; his nieces and nephews, Autumn Tahnee and Amber Brown of Havre, Travis and Justin Burrier of Olympia, Wash., and Curtis and Tasha Burrier of Spanaway, Wash. ; one great-nephew, Wyatt Mord of Havre; and one great-niece, Cadence Burrier of Spanaway, Wash. ; and many lifelong friends.