Herbert Crone

Visitation: Sunday, March 15, 2009 from 1-6p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.

Funeral Service: Monday, March 16, 2009 at 11:00 a.m.at the First United Methodist Church in Miles City

Interment: Custer County Cemetery in Miles City.

Herbert D. Crone, 95, passed peacefully from this life to the next on Tuesday, March 10, lovingly attended by his daughter and son-in-law, Vicki and Lionel Tapia.

Herb was born on May 9, 1913 in New England, ND to Harry and Grace (Hass) Crone, the oldest of five children. After losing his father in a tragic house fire at the age of 13, his mother remarried the following year and the family moved from New England to Forsyth, MT in 1927. Despite attending high school in three different towns, he still managed to graduate a year early from Custer County High School in Miles City in 1930.

He began his life-long career in the grocery business with a part-time job in high school, and by age 23 was managing the 7th Street Service Store in Miles City, which he later owned. In 1959, he opened Herbs Superette, a grocery store on Bachelor Street, which he owned and operated until his retirement in 1978. In his later years, many adults would come by to greet him, in remembrance of their joyful childhood days of buying candy from Herbs Superette. On June 27, 1936, Herb was united in marriage to Betty Blum at the First Methodist Church in Billings. To this union two children were born, Herbert G. (Jerry) and Vicki Lee. Herb was extremely active in his community, often serving as chairman or president of many different organizations, including The Elks (since 1936 and past Exhalted Ruler 1946), Kiwanis, Eagles, Masons, Toastmasters, White Shriners, and Knights of Pythias. His civic duties did not end there, however, as he also served on the Miles City Fair Board for many years and helped establish the Miles City Town & Country Club. He and wife Betty were charter members of the Sage Riders and also belonged to the Range Riders. Herb was a long-time member of the Miles City Club, serving as president in 1954.

Although he was an avid bowler, playing on several different teams, his favorite pastime was golf. After retiring, one would likely find him on the golf course, relaxing, enjoying a good cigar and playing a couple of rounds. He enjoyed watching all sports, especially baseball, and would often watch a game on television while listening to a different game on the radio, and simultaneously doing a crossword puzzle. In his mid-50s, Herb also decided to pursue his interest in music by learning to play the organ, which gave him and his wife Betty many hours of musical enjoyment.

Herb was active in the First United Methodist Church for many years (over 70) and served as Chairman of the Administrative Board in the centennial year of the church. His greatest achievement, however, was that of being Mayor of Miles City for 12 years (1957-1969), diligently working to improve the town he loved. With his easy-going nature, he was a popular mayor and had many life-long friends in Miles City. In January of 2005, Herb and Betty moved to Billings in order to be closer to their daughter, Vicki. The staff at Tender Nest, where they lived, often commented on how much they enjoyed having Herbert in their care, as he always had a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. Our family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you for the loving care of the Tender Nest staff.

Herb is survived by his son Jerry (Rita) of Sun City West, Arizona, daughter Vicki Tapia (Lionel) of Billings, four granddaughters, one grandson and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Faye Killworth of Spokane, half-sisters Peggy Lathrop of Portland and Joanne Nichols of Everett, Washington and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Betty (March 9, 2008), and his parents and siblings, Willard, Helen and Glenn.

A celebration of his life will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Miles City on Monday, March 16 at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held Sunday from 1-6p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will be in the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City, with Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, the First United Methodist Church in Miles City, or the Shriners Hospital.