Edward A.”Ed” Prebil , age 83, passed away early Thursday morning , August 9,2018.
Ed was born in Helena, Montana to Joseph and Anna (Markovick) Prebil on November 3, 1934. He attended school in East Helena and Helena. Following his graduation from Helena High School in 1952, he went to work at Nick Helfert’s Farm Supply. In 1961, Ed opened up his own business, Ed’s Husky Service in East Helena, which he and his wife Mickey owned and operated 46 years until their retirement in 2007 as Ed’s Sinclair.
At their business, Ed had a regular coffee club with many friends stopping by daily. Upon retirement he held a constant garage sale at his home where he continued to see many friends. Ed loved attending auctions collecting unique items for his garage sale.
Ed and Margaret “Mickey” were married on February 4, 1956 at SS Cyril and Methodius Church in East Helena. Ed and Mickey have one daughter JoAnne Ford, son-in-law David and grandson Zachary all of Kalispell.
Ed was active in the East Helena community serving on the Helena School Board for 8 years. He and Mickey were awarded Citizens of the Year in 1995. Ed also served on the East Helena Volunteer Fire Department for many years.
Ed enjoyed bowling in his younger years. He loved his annual fishing trips to Canada with good friends. He could not wait until elk hunting season every fall. Ed was a huge sports fan. His favorite baseball team was the New York Yankees. The Green Bay Packers and Carroll College Saints were his favorite football teams.
Ed is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Joseph and Donald Prebil, Geraldine Prebil as well as members of Mickey’s family- Patty (Tom) Kokoruda, DeeDee (Bud) Gruber, Dan Reardon, Emily Reardon, Bill Kokoruda, Gerry (Les) Sodja, Beverlee- Pudgie (Ed) Finstad and Tim Reardon.
Ed is survived by sister-in-laws Ardis Kokoruda, Colleen (Ed) Marks and Irene Reardon. Brother John (Margery) Prebil and sister-in-law Lois Prebil. Ed is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews along with special friends Chris, Jolene and Austin Giardi and Dan Fusco.
The family would like to give special thanks to the staffs at Big Sky Healthcare and St. Peter’s Hospital that took care of Ed.
Viewing will begin at 9:00 a.m. with a funeral service to be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 14th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A reception will follow the service in the social hall of the funeral home. Burial will follow the service at St. Ann’s Cemetery in East Helena. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Edward’s name may be made to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Memorials and Honoraria Coordinator, PO Box 8249, Missoula, MT 59807-8249 or to an organization of the donor’s choice.
Service Schedule
Viewing
9:00 a.m.
Tuesday August 14, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montna Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday August 14, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Service
Tuesday August 14, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
Following the Reception
Tuesday August 14, 2018
St. Ann's Cemetery
East Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Viewing
9:00 a.m.
Tuesday August 14, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montna Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday August 14, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Service
Tuesday August 14, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
Following the Reception
Tuesday August 14, 2018
St. Ann's Cemetery
East Helena, Montana 59602
Share
Leslie Darfler says
Joanne, so sorry to hear about your father. May your memories of him bring you peace during this sad time. I’m thinking about you and saying a prayer for you, your mother and the rest of your family.
Dave Anderson says
Auntie Mic & JoAnne ~~ So sorry to read of Uncle Ed’s passing …. he looked pretty strong and alert as hell when I last saw him at RMC Center. He was a good friend and will always be remembered that way.
Scheet Family (Ethel, Brad, Barb and Breck) says
Dear Mickey, Joanne and family, I am so sorry about hearing about Ed’s passing. Our family shared so many memories living across the alley from you for many decades. Joanne and Brad used to play in the sandbox as children. You and Ed are very special people. You two were pillars of the community. Our deepest condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Kristine Anderson says
I was blessed to know this family. I had the privilege to be Ed and Mickey’s care taker. Ed loved to try and boss me and anyone who let him around with good nature. I will miss our verbal boxing rounds. You were a good man and I am better for having known him.
Glen J Cuchine says
Many happy memories are recalled when I remember the hearty laughter and always smiling face of Ed. He was always ready to help with any mechanical problem from a loose bolt on a bicycle to a jump start on a cold East Helena winter morning. Ed and Mickey were the unofficial mayor and first lady of E. Helena for many years. Ed holding ‘court’ on the corner and Mickey always in constant motion. East Helena was and is the best place and in large part due to Ed. Condolences to Ed’s family and his many, many friends.
Cindy says
Micky, I am so very sorry to read of Ed’s passing, please take care and I will keep you in my prayers.
Wade Fisher says
I am very sorry to hear of Ed’s passing. I absolutely loved bringing my highway patrol car in to the Sinclair for service. Ed always had a great story to tell or would give me a bad time about something. We would just laugh! One of the really good ones! Will miss you Ed.
Dean Retz says
Many fond memories of Ed and Mickey when we bought our cabin on Jackson Creek right by them! Ed was the best mechanic on my cars and lawn mowers. It is so sad that he passed on almost to the day that we lost our cabins on Jackson creek in 1988. God bless!
Dick Hausken says
Mickey and Joanne, I’m sorry to hear about Ed. I very much enjoyed coming by and getting gas and talking to Ed when I was in town. My Dad, Elmer, would never buy gas anyplace else. Both of them served on the School Board together in the 60’s and 70’s and my dad respected and liked Ed very much. I haven’t forgotten that Ed helped us sell one of Dad’s cars, when he got sick. East Helena has lost a great citizen.
Dave Harris says
I will miss Ed, he was my very dear friend, and shooting buddy. My fondest memory is of the day I introduced him to the proper (and only) way to shoot golf. He collected all the golf balls to take back home to show Mickey. We had such fun, and I always cherished our conversation as we traveled to and from the range. He had such wonderful stories to tell. We should remember that in truth, all endings are beginnings as well. I look forward to seeing you later, my very dear friend.
AnnieB says
I know that words are inadequate at a time like this, but I wanted you to know how very sorry my family and I are for your loss. May you find comfort in God’s promise at Revelation 21: 3 and 4.
Nancy Deschamps says
We are so sorry to hear about Ed’s sudden passing. He was a terrific person and will be greatly missed. God bless you, Mickey. He couldn’t have had a more dedicated, wonderful wife. We keep you in our prayers and are glad you have family and friends to help you in this time of loss. Surely Ed is fishing and catching whoppers as he waits for you to join him.
Love,
Charlie and Nancy Deschamps
Sandra Stanghill Nachtsheim says
So sorry to read of Ed’s passing. Mickey, you and Ed were always so good to our family. My thoughts to all the Prebils and Reardons. Great growing up with you all. Love, Sandra
Craig Olson says
East Helena has lost a real pillar of the community. Ed was truly a very caring person and good citizen. He was also a great friend of my father, Maynard Olson. They both were always very glad to get together, particularly in the fall to go elk hunting. I think they spent most of their time just driving around the hills and then just sitting in the truck visiting and drinking coffee, however. I know Ed saved dad a lot of money on car repairs by helping him ou when a vehicle needed work. Our condolences go out to Mickey and the rest of the family. Craig and Susan Olson, Peoria, Arizona
Crystal Strainer Gray says
Mickey and family,
Thinking of you during this difficult time. You are in my thoughts and prayers.