James Edward "Jim" Schleining

James Edward 'Jim' Schleining, 79, died peacefully at his home at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 19, 2005, after surviving many years with heart disease.
Jim was born in Denver, Colo., on Dec. 2, 1925, to William and Hazel Schleining. His Aunt Lou brought him to Montana when he was 1, and cared for him until he was 5 years old.
Jim joined the Army in January of 1944, as a light machine gunner in the 9th infantry Division with the occupation force. He served in Germany under General Patton until he was discharged in May of 1946. He was selected to attend Patton's funeral and just recently was presented the Bronze Star by Senator Max Baucus.
Jim married Melva Geraldine Stall in January of 1947 and raised four children.
Jim was active in the Nazarene Church at 8th and Alderson, as well as a leader of Cub Scout and Boy Scout troops and coached Little League baseball in Lockwood. He coached the church basketball team and was a sunday school teacher for several years. Jim was a member of the VFW and American Legion and a proud American. He worked as a mechanic and electric motor repairman until 1958 when he opened his own business, JIM's Electric Service, which he ran until 1994, when he sold it due to health problems.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Billie and son, Robert Schleining.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Melva; his son, Jim Schleining Jr. and his wife, Anne of Jacksonville, N.C., daughter, Brenda Comfort and her husband, Dave of Billings, and daughter, Pam Wallenberg and her husband, Randy of Edmond, Okla.; six grandchildren, Tucker Schleining and his wife, Natalie of Tucson, Ariz., Trevor Schleining of Phoenix, Tara Comfort Culp and her husband, Greg of Billings, Tim Comfort of Billings, and Cari and Heather Wallenberg of Edmond, Okla.; two great-granddaughters, Hailey and Hannah Schleining of Tucson; his brothers, Ken Schleining and his wife, Mary of Judith Gap, Gordon Schleining of Shepherd and Bob Schleining of Shepherd; his sisters, Shirley Beltz and her husband, Windell, Sharon Palin and her husband, George, and Judy Ellsworth and her husband, Bubs; as well as many nieces and nephews, all of whom he thought the world of.
Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23, at the Smith West Chapel Funeral Home, 304 34th Street, West. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24, at the First Church of the Nazarene, 805 Alderson Ave. Interment with military honors will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Interment is provided by the VFW Post, # 6774.