June Hunter Hileman

June Hunter Hileman, 82, died at home on Feb. 20, 2006.

She was born on June 10, 1923 at the Bobtail ranch home of her parents, Lloyd Travis and Blanche Blakely Hunter.

She grew up at the ranch and in Libby, attending Libby Public Schools and graduating from Libby High School with the class of 1941. She attended Kelsey-Baird Business School in Spokane.

She worked one summer for the U.S. Forest Service in the supervisor's office and in the fall started working in the J. Neils Lumber Company office.

She married Robert L. Hileman of Whitefish in the Washington Cathedral in Washington, D.C., on April 18, 1945 and returned to work for J. Neils while her husband, then a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, was deployed to the Pacific Theater for a second tour of duty.

After the war, the Hilemans bought a home in Libby where they raised their 4 children. When all children were in school, June began a 45-year career with The Western News, working for publishers Paul Verdon, Mark McMahon and Roger Morris.

She was preceded in death by her husband Sparky, son Tev and sisters Sally Peckenham and Margery Brown.

Survivors include daughter and son-in-law Leslie and Bob Fletcher of Thompson Falls; Tom Hileman of Libby; Todd Hileman and his wife Karen of West Glacier; sister Daisy and her husband Ted Crater of Colt's Neck, N.J.; 4 grandchildren, Lindsey and Brian Fletcher; Somer and her husband Brad Treat; Ben Hileman and fiancee Christin Foley and numerous nieces and nephews.

It was at her request that no services be held. Memorials may be made to St. Luke's Episcopal Church or to St. John's Hospice. Arrangements are by Nelson & Vial Funeral Home in Libby.