Arthur Jerome O'Bleness

Chad O'Bleness

| September 19, 2017 4:00 AM

Arthur Jerome O’Bleness, 81, passed away while visiting family Sept. 12, 2017 in Minot, North Dakota. He was born Oct. 16, 1935 in Lewis, Kansas to Ivan and Hazel (Cochran) O’Bleness. He moved with his family to the Silver Valley of Kingston, Idaho where he would grow up and eventually meet the love of his life, Violet (Schmidt) O’Bleness on June 2, 1956. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Libby, where he worked in the logging industry. Together they built a house and filled it with love and laughter raising his three kids: Jeannie, Keith and Chad.

Dedicating his life in 1951, Arthur was a faithful Jehovah’s Witness. He loved ministry and spent countless hours helping many people learn the truth of God’s Kingdom. He served as an elder for over 50 years and was a pillar and example to all of the congregation.

Arthur enjoyed spending his days fishing, hunting, camping, huckleberry picking and gardening. He also loved spending his time and energy on his family, from his own children to his youngest great-grandchild.

There was nothing Arthur loved more than a good story and joke. Everyone who knew him has a memory of a joke he would tell and how his laughter would fill the room. His quick wit kept everyone on their toes.

Beloved father, grandfather, brother and friend was loved by many and will be missed by all.

Preceding in death by his parents Ivan and Hazel (Cochran) O’Bleness; his wife Violet (Schmidt) O’Bleness; three brothers, Gordon (Loraine) O’Bleness, Lawrence (Virginia) O’Bleness and Martin O’Bleness. He is survived by two sisters, Dorothy (Jim) Carol and Eunice (Micky) Murphy; two brothers, Andrew (Rose) O’Bleness, Bruce (Barbara) O’Bleness; and his children, Jeannie Gilder, Keith (Darcy) O’Bleness, Chad O’Bleness; four grandchildren, Chelsie (Andrew) Walen, Zachary (Juliann) Gilder, Caleb (Brittany) Gilder, Kaitlyn Gilder; six great grandchildren, Izabella, Daxton, Topper, Avery, Lincoln and Harrison.

Brady Selle will be officiating services 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Memorial Center.