OLYN WOLERY, Obituary

INVERNESS Olyn Charles Wolery, 84, retired north Inverness farmer, died Saturday, Oct. 12, 2002, at a Chester hospital.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Friday at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Rudyard with the Revs. Dave Wolery and Tim Singleton officiating. Burial is to follow at the Rudyard Cemetery. A luncheon is to follow at the church.

Olyn was born on April 23, 1918, in Joplin to Guy and Blanche (Wilson) Wolery. Olyn's early years were spent at the farm north of Joplin near the Canadian border, where he attended the Grassy Butte School. The Wolery's moved to Deer Park, Wash., for several years and he continued his education there. They returned to Montana in 1931 and Olyn finished his schooling at Grassy Butte before he began farming.

He met Bernece Marie Shipman, a school teacher, and they were married in Havre on May 27, 1939. They initially farmed in the Goldstone community north of Rudyard, then moved to a place north of Inverness, where they lived and worked for more than 50 years.

Due to declining health, Olyn and Bernece moved to the Liberty County Nursing Home at Chester in 1997. Bernece died on Dec. 16, 2001 and Olyn remained at the rest home until his death.

Olyn loved his life as a Montana farmer and experienced the development of farming technology from teams of horses in the field to modern tractors. He enjoyed working and was active into his 70s.

Olyn was a dedicated husband, father and community friend, and served for many years as Santa Claus at the Joplin and Inverness school and community Christmas programs. He sheared his horse buggy and sleigh at local events and celebrations. During the severe winters in the 1960s and '70s, he plowed out the roads to the neighborhood farms.

Olyn enjoyed the simple things in life. In his youth he enjoyed baseball and later enjoyed playing pinochle and whist with Bernece and their family and friends. During his quiet time at home, he enjoyed watching game shows on television.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Bernece; brother, Royal Wolery; and granddaughter, Jolene Wolery.

Survivors include his sons, Leroy (Marilyn) Wolery of Gildford, Sterling (Betty Ann) Wolery of Joplin and Merlin (Patricia) Wolery of Rudyard; daughter, Coleen (Ron) Vestal of Aurora, Colo.; brothers, Wayne and Lloyd Wolery of Joplin and Elvyn Wolery of Chester; sister, Opal Harrison of Rudyard; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Arrangements are by Rockman Funeral Chapel, Chester.