Linley Earl Hoselton passed away into the Father’s arms on June 28, at the Discovery Care Center, Hamilton, Mont., after a long struggle from the

Linley Earl Hoselton

Linley Earl Hoselton passed away into the Father’s arms on June 28, at the Discovery Care Center, Hamilton, Mont., after a long struggle from the effects of stroke. He was born on a snowy Easter morning at his grandmother’s farm in Winigan, Mo. on April 5, 1931, to his parents Elby and Iva (Watson) Hoselton. He graduated from Bucklin High School in 1949, volunteering for the U.S. Navy the following spring. He served during the Korean Conflict aboard U.S. Navy tanker ships in the Pacific, as ship’s carpenter. After his enlistment, he stayed in the Southern California area, where he met the love of his life, Virginia Jones. They married on June 8, 1957. They had four children: Mark, Tim, Elaine and Kevin. He was never too busy for his kids, coaching their Little League teams, taking them on vacations and to church and teaching them to work. Linley played fast-pitch softball for 31 years, as a south-paw pitcher. He led his various teams to local, regional and state championships.

Linley worked as a self-employed carpenter in Southern California and started Linley’s Cabinet Co. in 1964, an enterprise which still bears his name today. He moved the family to Nevada in 1971, where he and Virginia raised their children and expanded the business into a general contracting, custom cabinets and floor covering company. Linley was an avid hunter and spent many seasons hunting with his son and cousin in the Deer Lodge area. He moved the family to the Hamilton in 1980, and became partners with Mark in the cabinet business Mark started two years earlier. They worked together until Linley retired in 1992.

Linley was never one to set still. In his retirement he enjoyed traveling with his wife, teaching his grandchildren, serving his church, raising cattle, and serving as a water officer for the Fred Burr Creek Users Association.

Linley’s Christian life was important to him. He built and oversaw construction of several churches in Nevada and Montana. He served his church in many capacities over the years and was a member of Gideon’s International.                                             

A stroke took away some of his mobility in 2004, but never his determination. When he could no longer travel, he still enjoyed music, his dog and the company of friends.

Linley is survived by his wife Virginia of Hamilton; his sons, Mark and wife Julie Hoselton of Victor; Tim and wife Sherry Hoselton of Kalispell; daughter Elaine Graham of Belgrade; son Kevin and wife Karin of Modesto, Calif.;  6 grandchildren and 10 great-grand children. Special thanks to Sharon Klakken, MDMH, Discovery Care Center and the many caregivers that have helped us through the years.                                                   

Services will be held at Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton, Mont. Visitation will be on Thursday, July 10 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and the Funeral Services will be held on Friday, July 11 at 11 a.m. Interment will take place in Riverview Cemetery in Hamilton. A reception will follow the services at Daly-Leach Chapel.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com