LeRoy Mickell, 83, passed away on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 in Miles City at Holy Rosary Healthcare. Leroy was born on the family farm in the Hammond Valley on December 9, 1933 to parents Henry and Elizabeth (Popp) Mickell. He grew up and attended schools in the Forsyth area.
LeRoy was working at the smelter in Black Eagle when he married Maureen Latch, on March 6, 1957, in Forsyth. Later that year, he was offered a job on the road crew working for Rosebud County and they moved back to Forsyth. He worked for them for several years and during this time they had two children; Kelly and Timothy.
In 1963 he had a chance to start his own excavating business and purchased his first dragline. He loved the work and did well at it. In 1971 the family drove to Waverly, Iowa to pick up his pride and joy, A new Schield Bantam dragline. Backhoes, trucks and other equipment soon followed and he worked until 2004 when a serious health issue forced him to give up dragline work. He was still able to do part time backhoe work at the local cemetery digging graves for several years before finally retiring due to bad health.
He was a hard worker who loved his type of work and who tried to be fair and honest with everyone. He expected the same from others and when they weren’t, you can bet they heard about it. He loved hunting, agates, going to auction sales and animals, especially dogs. He always had a dog near him.
He was preceded in death by his son, Timothy: parents, Henry and Elizabeth; sisters: Clara, Sarah, Esther, Leona and Emma.
LeRoy is survived by his wife, Maureen; his daughter, Kelly (Dennis) and his sisters: Betty Fontaine, Shirley Staples, Lillian Kibbee and brother, Jerry (Barbara) Mickell.
His family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Beeson who enabled LeRoy to live many more years than he was supposed to, and the many others who showed him such care and compassion during his illness and final days.
Service Schedule
Visitation
12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Monday July 17, 2017
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Tuesday July 18, 2017
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth , Montana 59327
Service Schedule
Visitation
12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Monday July 17, 2017
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Tuesday July 18, 2017
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth , Montana 59327
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Pat Corbin says
Maureen, I am so sorry to here that Leroy has passed. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Carol Moore says
Maureen,
I am so sorry to learn of Leroys death. I will always remember the good laughs we used to have at both the old Speedway and the current one. We had good laughs at many auctions and bidding against each other. I will remember all of those times when I think of Leroy.
Kay Davis Berdahl says
Maureen and Kelly, sorry to hear of Leroy’s passing. Hugs and prayers for you both.
sharon cope says
Hugs and prayers to you, Maureen and Kelly. I just called Bub and Vivian Parrish and told them.
Jessie and Jim Leidholt says
Dear Maureen and Kelly, Jim and I am so sorry about LeRoy. He was such a good man and worked so hard. Hugs to you both.
tammy & john schoenbeck says
so sorry for your loss did not know you but i notice the mothers maiden name is popp, so is mine are we related?
Bonnie Mees says
Maureen, So sorry to hear of LeRoys passing. I’ve had some wonderful memories of him, through he years. He was a good friend.
Kurt Seward says
Leroy rest in peace please say hello to my dad. You were always a great friend to dad and the my family. We will miss you.
cathy Byron says
Maureen –
I am so saddened to learn of Leroy’s passing. I always enjoyed visiting with him about old times and old ways. He was an intelligent, humble man. You and Kelly are in my prayers as you walk through the days ahead. Always know that you are not alone.
Carla Hecker says
Kelly and Maureen,
So sorry about the loss of Leroy. You are in my thoughts and prayers!
triena warfield says
So sorry to hear of Leroy’s passing thought a lot of him. Triena
Debi Rapstad says
I was so sorry to hear about Leroy – I remember him as such a genuine, quiet guy. My thoughts and prayers are with you
Joe and Pat Corley says
We were so sorry to hear of Leroy’s passing and are praying for you and your family.
We have several special memories — dating back to the spring of 1985 when Leroy was the man recommended to us for putting in the necessary improvements so we could make a home of the land we’d bought north of town. We were pretty green, but he answered all our questions and was so dependable, always there getting the dirt work done on schedule — always cheerful. He also enlisted help from other contractors to do the things he wasn’t equipped for.
He later brought out several loads of gravel to improve our driveway.
But the most special memory was the evening in 2001 when he came out to bury our old horse. We’d had him put down that morning — no time to make advance plans — but I had talked to Leroy a couple years earlier and asked if he’d do the burial when the time came.
He was working another job that day but said he’d be out after supper. So, after working hard all day, he spent time to give Nick a proper burial. Gently laying him to rest with care and kindness, explaining everything he did, understanding our grief and leaving us with a precious memory in spite of the sorrow of the day.
I hope he knew how much that meant. We’ll always remember. From what I’ve heard about him, that’s just what kind of special man he was.
God bless you all.
Pat and Joe Corley