On January 16, 2013, Joseph “Joe” Seleg, Sr. passed away at the Billings Clinic Hospital. He passed peacefully surrounded by his family. He lived independently for 91 remarkable years.
Joe was born on May 13, 1921, in Roundup, MT to Steve and Margaret Giados Seleg. He had one brother Alex. Both of Joe’s parents were immigrants from Hungary.
Joe moved with his family to Cartervsillle, MT in March of 1931. He always told his children and grandchildren how he walked or rode a bicycle to school. He graduated from Rosebud Schools in 1940.One of the first jobs Joe had was to help build the Heart Mountain Camp for Japanese refugees in Powell, WY.
Joe served his country during World War II in the Pacific Theater. On December 24, 1942, he began his service in the army. After training he traveled on the USS Kinkaid to Iwo Jima to guard Mount Suribachi. He served for 30 months overseas without a furlough. He stated many times, the happiest day of his life was the day he was discharged from the army.
In 1946 Joe began driving school bus. He drove for both the Cartersville and Rosebud Schools. For 45 years the community put their children in Joe’s capable hands to safely transport their children to school and other various events. Joe was not known for his patience when driving, but he truly was respected and fondly remembered by many students.
On June 11, 1955, Joe married the love of his life, Lenora “Lynn” Beyl. They raised their 3 children Linda, Steve and Joey on their farm in the Cartersville community. Joe was an active parent and community member serving as a 4-H leader for many years.
The saddest day of Joe’s life was the day he lost Lynn to her battle with cancer. When he became a widower, he couldn’t boil water! Through perseverance and a strong Hungarian constitution, he became an awesome cook. As age slowed him down, determined to continue farming, he turned his farming ambitions to gardening. Every year he stated he wasn’t planting another garden, but when spring came, you would find him out putting in lettuce seeds before the ground had even been properly worked!
Grandpa Joe was blessed with six grandchildren. He enjoyed camping with them, working with them and attending some of the many events they were active in. He was always eager to share their successes with anyone who would listen.
In his later years, Joe was blessed with good friends that encouraged him to travel and gave him a reason to “get off the farm”. Clarence Melle was the first to gather Joe up and take him on road trips. When Clarence passed away Dan Biery picked up where he left off. Their Sunday trips to Miles City gave them both the opportunity to socialize. Dan has been a great friend to Joe and the family wishes to express their appreciation for all he did for Joe.
Joe is survived by his children Linda (Mike) Wyse, Steve (Dixie), and Joe, Jr. (Sheri), his grandchildren, Zach, Andrew, Jonathan, Myranda, Shannon and Kelsey Seleg and his cousin, Margaret Demi. He is also survived by one brother-in-law, 4 sister-in-laws and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Monday January 21, 2013
Chapel of Stevenson & Sons of Forsyth
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Monday January 21, 2013
Chapel of Stevenson & Son's Funeral Home of Forsyth
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Tuesday January 22, 2013
Chapel of Stevenson & Son's Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Interment with Full Military Honors
Following Services
Tuesday January 22, 2013
Forsyth Cemetery
Forsyth, MT 59327
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Monday January 21, 2013
Chapel of Stevenson & Sons of Forsyth
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Monday January 21, 2013
Chapel of Stevenson & Son's Funeral Home of Forsyth
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Tuesday January 22, 2013
Chapel of Stevenson & Son's Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Interment with Full Military Honors
Following Services
Tuesday January 22, 2013
Forsyth Cemetery
Forsyth, MT 59327
Share
Beverly Harris says
Linda & all of the Wyse family. I am so sorry to hear about your father’s passing. He was a sweet man and was very lucky to be able to stay at his home in his later years. As you deal with the emptiness he leaves, focus on the good memories. Be happy for him and proud that his family did such a good job working together to make his last years good ones at his own home.
Connie Brown says
To the family of Joe Seleg,
So sorry to hear of Joe’s passing, and the void it will leave in your lives. It was always a pleasure to visit with him! May you have peace, knowing he is at rest and that he is not confined. May God grant your family peace also in the memories and love you have!
B Dean Holmes says
A really neat man…. I sure god put him on this earth to protect and drive safely every child in Rosebud… and he did it with style….. I know sis and brother (janet and ernest) would feel the same as I do….. he will leave a void in everyones heart… I’m sure he’s up there driveing a choir around, and smiling and visiting. My god bless you. Lots of love from the Holmes family.
Beverly Harris says
I am so sorry – I meant to the Seleg family in the first post.
Diana Robinette says
My prayers and thoughts are with all of Joes family, many memories of good times on the bus and his veg. he brought to the county fair. He will be missed, take one day at a time and remember to look up and smile, he will be smiling back.
Diana R
Karson Kluver says
Wow what a Man! He made a scared first grader feel more at ease. He set quite an example by how he lived. It was an honor to know him.
Daniel Boone says
Sorry to hear that my friend with whom I visited at Albertson’s passed away. I will miss Dan Biery and Joe’s visit each Sunday at Albertson.
Quirt Phillips says
So very sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. He will be missed. Quirt and Jaci
GEORGE AND MARY SIMPSON says
TO THE FAMILY OF JOE SELEG
JOE WAS A DEAR FRIEND AND GOOD NIEGHBOR , BUS DRIVER, FARMER,AND SO MANY MORE THINGS. HE WILL BE MISSED BY SO MANY,BUT ALL THE FOND MEMORIES WILL CARRY YOU ALL THROUGH. HE IS UP THERE DANCING WITH MOM AND IS IN VERY GOOD HANDS WITH GOD. HE WILL ALWAY HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN OUR HEARTS.JOE WAS A VERY GOOD PERSON AND NEVER SPOCK A BAD THING ABOUT ANYONE. JUST LETTING YOU ALL KNOW THAT YOU ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS AND HIS MEMORIES WILL BE WITH US ALL FOREVER.GOD’S SPEED TO YOU ALL.
GEORGE AND MARY SIMPSON
Kay Davis Berdahl says
Our sincere sympathy to all of Joe’s family and friend Dan Biery. Sorry for your loss. Joe was a very special person and will be missed by all.
Rocky and Kay Berdahl
Lane and Wayne Buck says
Our sincere sympathy to each of you. Joe was a great man we will.miss him dearly.He was one of the best.Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Wayne and Lane and family
Amy Adler says
I am so very sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. I helped with the Rosebud Holiday dinner that the school sponsors and had such a nice visit with him. I so enjoyed every opportunity when I could visit with him. He will be missed.
Vonnie Becker says
To the family of Joe Seleg, Sr., I would like to express my sincere condolences. He was an extraordinary and kind man.
Anita Kurtz says
Dear Steve, Dixie, and family, We are sorry to hear about the death of your father. We hope your loving memories will help to heal the sorrow you feel. Our hearts and prayers are with all. Love, Anita and Gene Kurtz
WALT LLOYD says
My sympathy is yours tonight. I remember riding with Joe to football and basketball games and we always knew we would arrive safe when he was driving. Over the years since i got to know Joe personally and always enjoyed visiting with him, he was allways upbeat and had positive things to say.
Walt Lloyd
Jim & Cathy Bastian says
We will so miss Joe!! He was always like a ray of sunshine when he would come into the store! He always tracked us down to see how we were doing and to let us know “he was still kicking”. What a dear person he was! Our hearts are with you, as well as our prayers. Jim & Cathy Bastian
Sonja Crocker says
To each of you, my prayers for your loss. I was one of those kids that rode Joe’s bus so very long ago. Will miss our good visits. What a blessing you had him so many years to be in your lives.
Fond memories,
Love, Sonja
sharon cope says
To the families of Joe Seleg.
My sincere sympathy to each and every one of you. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Sharon
Mike Ferguson says
My sympathy goes out to the families of Joe Seleg.
Carol Ferguson Moore says
To the families of Joe Seleg,
Thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. May the memories you have of Joe give you comfort in the time ahead.
Carol
Jack & Julia Ferguson says
Too the families of Joe Seleg our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I was one of the students Joe transported safley too school, Joe was also a great neighbor will miss him. Jack & Julia
Virgil & Waneeta Farris says
What a better world this would be if we had more ‘Joe Seleg’s’………such an honest, caring, outgoing and spirited person. He was a friend to all that knew him and to all that didn’t. His sense of humor, dedication to his family, friends and community will be missed. Rest in peace Joe.
ELMER AND AVIS SPIDEL says
We extend our condolences to the Joe Seleg family. It is always hard to lose a parent, but you can take heart in the fact that you had as many years as you did with a person like your father, may God bless and strengthen you in this time of sorrow.
Alan and Kaylyn Biery says
Our sympathy goes out to our Uncle Joe and his family. He was agood Uncle and father God bless and take care.
Darla Jo Beyl Paul & Family says
Uncle Joe, you will be dearly missed.
Darla, Kevin, Austin & Sierrah
Jeanne Green says
Steve and Dixie and family, Also Llinda, Sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. I didn’t know him, but it is hard to lose a parent. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Carol Schneider says
Linda and family,
So very sorry to hear about the passing of your father. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time. May God bless you and give you strength at this unfortunate time.
Dave and Bonnie Wemmer says
To the Joe Seleg,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Your dad was a wonderful and kind man.
kent beyl says
Uncle Joe, Thank you for yor service so many long years ago ,and your service to the many people in and around Rosebud..I have assumed the guard sleep well
travis willson says
sorry to hear about Joe,
our thoughts and prayers to you at this time
George & Julie Stephens says
Linda, Steve, Joey and your families,
We were thinking of you yesterday, and will be thinking of you as you continue through life without your Dad. He lives on in all of you! May you always remember and treasure those memories.