Wesley Eugene Oswald passed on February 7, 2023 at age 101 after a short illness. He was able to stay in his own home during this time due to the wonderful care of Seniors Solution Hospice and Dr. Paul Siddoway.

Wes was born April 29, 1921, to Pearl Amos and Beulah Oswald in Charter Oak, Iowa. Since his parents were farm laborers in Iowa and Pennsylvania, Wes worked with his father doing farm chores which instilled a strong work ethic in him. He carried that ethic into his later jobs such a milkman, ice delivery man, short order cook, and Fridgidare repairman, but his dream was to operate heavy equipment.

Wes and Edith Allenbaugh married April 26,1945, in Punxsutawney, PA. They raised children Randolyn, Gerald, Kevin and Tamra. Wes and Edie celebrated their 76th anniversary prior to Edie's death in 2021. Wes and family arrived in Butte on August 24,1955. According to Wes, the first place he stopped was at Ed Lisac's gas station. He and Ed spent many years shooting the bull at that gas station. Wes first worked as an underground motorman in the Orphan Girl Mine before his dream job materialized. He was hired by Bud King Construction to operate heavy equipment. Wes joined the lnternational Union of Operating Engineers Local 400 on November 17, 1955. He was always a proud union man and received his 50 year pin and Lifetime Union Membership. Wes worked highway jobs all over the state including rebuilding earthquake damaged roads to Yellowstone National Park. He helped build the Anaconda Co. Concentrator with Parsons' Construction. Wes started to work for Gilman Construction when Jim onlyhad a few pieces of equipment. If you want to know all the different jobs Wes worked on, just review Jim Gilman's legacy. Wes was most proud of his work with the Bantam and Manitowoc cranes. He set the fighter jet at the Bert Mooney Airport and tore down many uptown buildings such as the JC Penney building after it was destroyed by fire. He retired from running heavy equipment at age 62, but had a second career with Gilman's by driving pilot car on heavy equipment transport, driving work crews to and from job sites, and transporting his "most precious cargo," Trevor, Trace, and Shelby South for school. He always had his "honey do" tool bag ready to put toys together, repair small engines, andtune motorcycles, snowmobiles, and muscle cars so that they ran wicked fast. His last big job was at age 90 when he built a 24 foot long wheelchair ramp for Edie. Wes' long vibrant life included lots of hunting fishing, and camping.

Wes was preceded in death by his best friend and wife, Edie; daughter, Randolyn and grandson, Scott Korn; son Kevin as well as many family members which include these Montana residents: Arthur and Dora Atcheson, Jack (Mary Claire) Atcheson Sr., Patty (Charles), Tim and Kim Andersen, Phyllis Atcheson Best, Richard and Evelyn Beers, Ron and Patty Long, Ruth and Phillip Lyons, Louis and Ann Allenbaugh, Marge (Robert) Oswald, and good friends James and Chloe Gilman.

He is survived by his son, Gerald and Lois Oswald; daughter, Tamra Oswald; niece, Carol Lee Waitkus; brother, Robert and Dee Oswald; sister, June and Delbert Williams; his little buddies: Willow and Blaze; grandchildren: Michelle (Scott) Korn, Beth Kramer, Yanci Oswald, Angela Phippen, Jenny Oswald, Kenny Oswald; great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Wes' extended family include LaRae, Rick, Trace and Shelby South, Trevor, Alissa and Charlotte South, and Jim Jr., Kristin, Sarah and Jenna Gilman.

Funeral services for Wes will be conducted Wednesday, February 15th at 10 AM in Wayrynen-Richards Funeral Home and interment will be in Sunset Memorial Park. A reception will follow in Wayrynen-Richards Community Center. Express condolences at www.wayrynen-richards.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Montana Standard on Feb. 11, 2023.