Leo R. Collier

MELSTONE - Leo Collier passed away into the arms of his Lord, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2003, at his home in Melstone.

He was adopted by Elmer and Lucy Collier in 1925, at the age of about 18 months, from the Saint Thomas Orphanage in Great Falls. He lived with his parents and one brother on a ranch near Melstone until he was drafted into the Army.

Leo married Marion Faye Collins on March 1, 1947, in Roundup. He was a rancher and a master of heavy equipment. He leveled land and built dams for several ranchers around Melstone. He has driven trucks for numerous companies in Montana. He also worked in the oil fields and diamond drilled for various minerals in and out of Montana.

Leo retired and moved to St. Ignatius, where he lived with his wife and three sons for 13 years, moving back to Melstone in 1994.

Leo is preceded in death by his parents and brother John. He is also preceded by his daughter, Frances Mary Ewalt.

He is survived by his wife, Marion; and six sons, Charles LeRoy (Clarice) of Lewistown, Gary (Marlene) of Melstone, John Wayne of Great Falls, Leo Roy Jr. of St. Ignatius, Charles Daniel (Kathy) of Beaverton, Ore., Bryan John Lee, also of Beaverton; 16 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held 1:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8, at the Melstone Community Center. Mass of the Christian Burial will take place at 2:30 p.m. Friday, at the Melstone Community Center. Interment to follow at the Collier Ranch Cemetery. Wier Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.