Gil A. Spindella

Gil A. Spindella

Gil A. Spindella, aka Gilbert E. Spinler Sr., 81, of Havre, passed away on Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, at Northern Montana Care Center of natural causes.

A visitation will be held 1 to 4 p. m., on Friday, Jan. 11, 2013, at Holland & Bonine Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a. m. on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church with Father Daniel Wathen officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery. The family has requested that memorials be made to Victor Spinler, 420 6th St., Havre, MT 59501.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.

Gil was born on April 13, 1931, in Hingham, to Joseph and Frances (Pester) Spinler. He was raised on the family farm outside Hingham, attending schools there. On Nov. 6, 1952, Gil was married to Martha Duncan, and their union was blessed with eight children. Gil and Martha divorced in 1965. Following his school years, he immersed himself in farming for many years, farming and ranching at Rudyard and Square Butte, Mont. He eventually began driving trucks over the road, and continued that for a few years, but his first love was farming, and he enjoyed it throughout his life. Gil enjoyed farming, gardening, fishing, hunting, and socializing with his friends.

Gil was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Lillian Beatty and Rosalie Spinler, and his brother, Ben Spinler. He is survived by his daughters, Cathy (Pat) Reichert of Billings, Mont., Debora (Bruce) McCracken of Great Falls, Mont., and Danette (Joe) Zeliniak of Seattle, Wash. ; his sons, Tim (Rose) Spinler of Hallsville, Texas, Gilbert (Carol) Spinler Jr. of Great Falls, Robert Spinler of Livingston, Mont., Mike (Maria) Spinler of Havre, and Joseph Spinler of Belgrade, Mont. ; his 34 grandchildren; his 46 great-grandchildren; and his brother, Victor Spinler of Havre.