Robert Stabler

Visitation: Friday, May 20, 2011 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.

Family receiving friends: Friday, May 20, 2011 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.

Funeral services: Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Bible Church.

Interment: Custer County Cemetery.

Robert Bob Stabler was born November 8, 1928 in Eureka, South Dakota to Jacob& Rose (Stock) Stabler. He passed away peacefully in his home Wednesday May 18, with his family by his side, after a brief bout with cancer. Bob went to a country school at Eureka through the 4th grade when the family moved to Plevna, Montana. He received the rest of his schooling at Plevna Grade and High School. He worked on farms around Plevna and was a telephone switchboard operator for a time.

After his Mother passed away, the family moved to Miles City in 1944. One of his first jobs in Miles City was working for Sanitary Dairy washing out cream cans. He worked for various trucking and construction companies, including Hauck Transport and Lou Richardson Construction, until 1959 when he and his brother Melvin bought the Range Riders Cab Company. They also bought out the other two Cab Companies, Yellow Cab & Miles City Cab. In 1975 he went into the trucking business and later added a Pilot Car service which he operated until January 2011. He tried retiring several times, but couldn't quite give up doing what he loved to do (driving) until his health gave out.

He married Hazel Clauson on September 15, 1957 at the First Baptist Church in Miles City. He later became a member of Grace Bible Church, serving for a number of years, along with his wife, preparing the bread and juice for communion services. He also drove bus for the 3 in 1 children's ministry at church as well as the bus for the Mavericks baseball team for a period of time. Bob loved to visit with the "old-timers" and reminisce about old times. Going to the 600 Cafee at 5:00 AM to drink coffee and work the crossword puzzle with his buddies was a daily occurrence whenever possible, along with the 4:00 PM guys at 4-B's. He loved to tease and his grandkids said "Grandpa laughs at everything".

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Hazel, and two children; Ken (Alane) Stabler and Marcy Parks, six grandchildren; Rodney (Ashley) and Danny Parks, Kary and Nikki Parks, Alissa and Rachel Stabler. He was very proud of his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Richard, Herman and Melvin.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 20, 2011 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Bible Church. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Custer County Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Grace Bible Church, Holy Rosary Hospice, or the charity of your choice.