Ron Wilkinson, 77

Ronald A. Wilkinson, 77, of Cardwell, Montana passed away February 23rd in Butte, with his wife and daughter at his bedside. Ron was born to Roy and Elva Wilkinson on September 25th, 1943 at the Whitehall Hospital. He attended Cardwell School through 8th grade and then attended Whitehall High School, graduating in 1961. He was in the Army, stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska where he had many great stories to tell of the cold and snow. He graduated college from Northern in Havre with a degree in Diesel Mechanics. He met his wife, Elaine, in 1971, and married in 1974, having their only child, Crystal, in 1978.

He started his career working at the Golden Sunlight Mine, then to Butte at the Berkeley Pit. While at the Pit, he was run over by a truck, but thankfully there had been a bunch of mud to lessen the impact! From the Pit, he started to work for a local plumber and then found his work home at Trident Cement Plant where he was a diesel mechanic for them for over 30 years.

Ron always enjoyed going hunting with his best friends, Skip Stout and Greg Smith. There are many VHS tapes of his hunting trips and just riding around the Cardwell area. As a family, there were weekend trips to his favorite mountain spot, Mammoth, where the shooting star flowers grew (we always loved the smell and always tried to take some home), the cold creek flowed (where we might wade into), and where there were many animals running about (which many VHS tapes were used). He loved to sit around the local bar, not to drink much, but to have a good conversation with both friends and strangers alike. He was always one to tell you all his stories, but was always one to listen to yours as well. With the GTO Judge, he also had many long talks with all those who stopped wanting to buy the car, even though they knew he would never sell it.

Ron is survived by his wife Elaine, daughter Crystal (Jonathan), brother Bob (Millie), and sister Vonnie (Roger), along with many nieces/nephews/cousins and extended family. Ron is proceeded in death by his parents, Roy and Elva, along with numerous aunts and uncles.

A graveside memorial was held with immediate family. A memorial celebration will be held this summer for friends and family as long as COVID allows. Please make a donation to the charity of your choice in the name of Ron Wilkinson.