Guy Frank Stoner, age 76, of Elliston, Montana, passed away on January 19, 2022. He had been in failing health for quite a while with a lot of injuries over the years. His body said, “I’ve had enough of this, please let me rest in peace without pain, so I can hunt and fish again.”.
Guy was born on July 23, 1945 in Helena, Montana to Frank and Edith Stoner. He lived his whole life in the Sixth Ward until he moved to Elliston. On August 11, 1967 he married his soulmate, Mary Jo Miller, also from the Sixth Ward. They had a lot of fun and adventures in all those 54 1/2 years. They began their little family with their son Steven in 1968 and then their daughter Mikal in 1969.
Guy worked his whole life. Starting very young, with a paper route, a route that his children eventually had as well. Then his other jobs were working at his brother, Jack Smith‘s gas station, and many other gas stations. He also worked for Associated Foods as a teenager and worked at the Anaconda company where he ultimately quit to work for many construction contractors. In 1976, he started a concrete forming business, Stoner Concrete Forming. In 1987, they bought the bar in Elliston,MT, Stoner’s Last Chance Saloon. He tried bartending, but said “this is not for me“and went back to pouring concrete walls. Guy and Mary Jo worked full-time at their day-jobs and also ran the bar with the help of a lot of people. Oh boy, that bar, “Stoner‘s” has a lot of, mostly good, memories over the years. They made friends with a lot of good people who were faithful customers to them.
Despite only having a high school education, Guy was a lifelong successful serial entrepreneur with a natural gift for marketing. These are some of the things he started at the bar, so they could make it through the slow times. There was a lovely legs contest following the Elliston VFD poker run; a fishing derby; a couple of naughty nighty parties; and the Duck Races for a few years which had the Tin Ducky derby, the Beakness, and the Bilmont. Every year in February there was a chili cookoff, and the fun pool league with a big party at the end of the season. He also started the famous Big Foot Hunt, every March, with a huge bonfire on their property. Hunters could purchase a license to hunt big foot, 2 wild Rainers, and many balloons for prizes, all while wading through snow or sometimes mud. Guy’s marketing for the Big Foot hunt was amazing, he would place ads in the newspaper about Bigfoot sightings and would visit places with Bigfoot and the wild Rainers which ended up as an article in the Helena IR. All these parties were supported with lots of help from many good friends with tons of memories and stories.
Guy Stoner loved the outdoors, especially to hunt, fish, ride dirt bikes, snowmobiles, and drag racing in his ‘34 coup. His nickname in the Sixth Ward was “fish” given to him for his love of fishing. He hunted in a lot of places in Montana.
Guy was preceded in death by his mother and father, Frank and Edie; in-laws, Willie and Hazel Miller; brother, Jack Smith; sister and brother-in-laws, Wanda Smith, Maggie Wooten, Carol Finch, Johnny Finch, Carole Miller; and nephew, Terry Finch.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Jo; son, Steve and partner Teena of Boise, ID; daughter, Mikal (retired Army Colonel) and son-in-law, Stuart Tyner of Great Falls, VA; grandchildren, Devon Lonigro of Elliston, Joshua and Nathan Tyner of VA; brother-in-law Jimmy Miller, sister-in-law, Joyce Smith, both of Helena.
Nieces and nephews, Deb Smith, Cindy (Gary) Eccleston, Brett (Sharon) Smith, Bud (Bobbie) Wooten, Kris Wooten, Robin (Bud) Biskis, Cindy (Joel) Platts, John Finch, Jason (Megan) Miller; and numerous cousins. Of special note, is the triad of cousins, from the Sixth Ward, Jim “Turtle” Backstrom and Tom “Juicy” Juhl, whose many adventures together with Guy could fill novels.
Please watch for the notices and be prepared to share your many stories.
We also want to thank the staff and doctors on the second floor of St. Peter’s for their kind caring of Guy.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
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Cj says
Dear MJ, so sorry to hear of Guy’s passing! I will always remember the good times we had, and Guy’s humor! My thoughts and prayers are with you and family!
Shannon Bright-Meyer says
Mary Jo and family, I was so sad to learn of Guy’s passing. Please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. All the good ones are leaving us. Makes me sad.
Evy Burris Sass says
Sorry to hear this news about Guy, We sure have Fun times for our Memories. My condolences Mary Jo to you & Family + All Guy’s Loved ones & Good friends. Yours Truly, Evy
Jim and Sally says
So sorry to hear this sad news. He was a fun happy down to earth man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
RIP Guy!
Sharon Sargeson says
MaryJo, I am sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers.
David DeWolf says
So sorry to hear about Guy. Always fun to be around. The Earl’s Conoco crew could tell a story or two. God bless and rest in peace.
Tom Juhl says
R.I.P. Cousin, say hello to Frank & Eddie for me……..
Joe Bower says
MJ and family, sorry to hear about Guys passing. Guy was a great neighbor, he would do anything he could to help his neighbors out. Guy will be missed by a lot of people.
Allen Stennhjem says
RIP Olbuddy till we meet again God Bless….
Jan Ryckman says
So sorry Mary Jo for the passing of Guy. Prayers and condolences to you and your family. Take care and blessings
Michael Mc Dowell says
Sorry for your loss Mary Jo . We lost a good man when guy guy passed away, sending love and prayers to the family. Love you guys
Don Bartsch says
Guy Stoner the Bar Owner, Bigfoot hunting in Elliston has never been the same. Guy did several foundations with my family through the years. The jobs were done right when he said they would be, the price was the one he said it would be, and the only signed paper was the check for him at the end. He was a true man of his word. That hat belongs in a museum. Don
Pam and Jesse says
Mary Jo- we are so sorry to hear of Guy’s passing.
He was such a fun person to be around! I remember all those times doing chili cook offs and he would have his camera rolling!
He will be missed.
God bless!
Jim Stoner says
Mary Jo: Our thoughts and prayers are with you over Guy’s passing. He was a great man and even thouh we didb’t get together very often, we certainly enjoyed those few times. Cousins Jim & Bwtty.
Sue Lane says
Mary Jo and Family, I am so sorry for your loss, but I know he is healthy & happy now and with lots of friends and family. He was quite the guy, and he will be missed. xoxo
Curt Stanghill says
Mary Jo and family,
So sorry to hear the news about Guy. He was a wonderful person. Prayers for the family.
Tom & Sherri Higgins says
MJ & Family, so sorry for the loss of Guy. Tom & I have wonderful memories of him. From the “hunting” parties in your garage in town to the Big Foot Hunt, Lovely Legs & the Tin Ducky Derby. We’ve always enjoyed your friendship. We will miss him, also.
Sandi Coyle Benson says
Mary Jo – I was sorry to read this. Know you are in my thoughts & prayers. May you find peace and comfort knowing he brought so much fun and joy to many lives. He will surely be missed.
Marc Scow= says
Mary Jo…HUGS to you and ALL of your FAMILY!
We’re al with you…
Marc & Betty TOO!!
Kelly McNurlin says
Mikal, Mary Jo, Steve, and family-
I’m so very sorry for your loss. Guy really was a loving and kind man. He also had quite the sense of humor! Many good memories at Garage Costa Plenty. Hugs, prayers and condolences from my family!
Ann Nickel says
MaryJo, sending my condolences to you and your family.
Cheryl Ward (Wirth) says
Mary Jo,
Sorry to hear he will be issued by many.
Cheryl Ward says
Missed not issued sorry.
Glen J Cuchine says
Mary Jo and Family….my deepest condolences on Guy’s passing. I know the many memories you all made will bring a smile to you in the years to come. RIP, Guy.
l joyce smith says
dear mary jo and family think of you every day and know how hard life is at this point of time. guy was a great and fun brother in law always had fun with being with both of you and your lovely family, guy will be missed by a lot of people and our hearts go out to you and family. lol joyce i will get a call to you when things settle down a little, if you need someone to talk to in the meantime i am here for you.
Ken Tetrault says
Very sorry to learn of Guy’s passing, I often think about so many of the people that I knew in Helena.
Sean Wooten says
Guy was my great uncle, my father Kris Wooten was his nephew. As a kid my father would frequently take me and my brother to Elliston, to spend time with Guy and Mary Jo. Guy’s home was my favorite place in the world. Guy taught me how to shoot, and hunt. Sledding down the hill, swimming in “Lake Stoner”, hiking around his place, holiday dinners in his home. All formative moments and memories. I attribute a lot of who I am to Guy
Linda Jean Quigley says
So very sorry for your loss Mary Jo and family. May God’s peace and love surround you.
Linda J. Quigley
Doug Johnson says
Guy Stoner was like a second father to me he took me under his wing and showed me that I can make something of myself. I started doing concrete for Guy when I was a teenager in high school. whenever I had a question I would ask him and he tell me what would you do if I was in forestville after a few times of him saying that I asked him what do you mean forestville he says in the cemetery guy made me think about what I was doing on how to correct overcome any problems that I came across doing concrete. Over the years whenever I had a question I was always free to call Guy and I know he would have an answer for me might not have been the answer I wanted but he had one thank you guy for being a friend that I can never replace
Rex Pfister says
Mary Jo and family , So sorry for your loss.