Earl Stanley

You may have taken notice of the old man smoking his pipe while walking about Libby with his little companion, Riley, a black and white Boston bull terrier. Perhaps you found a compassionate listener to how your day was going. That guy was our Uncle Earl — and he became Uncle Earl to so many.

Earl Stanley was born May 7, 1932, in Minneapolis; he died in Libby on Aug. 11, 2021. His constant companions throughout his life were his succession of Boston bull terriers. He was a lifelong bachelor.

As a teenager, he delivered groceries for the Libby Mercantile. When he turned 18, he went to work for J. Neils Lumber Co., retiring in 1997 after 47 years. He was a crane operator at the mill.

Earl was a simple yet complex man, truly without malice. He never said a bad word about anyone. He was vulnerable, kind, nonjudgmental and gentle. He loved life, his many friends — especially his coffee group — little house, Boston bull terriers, fast cars (especially Corvettes), old cars, smoking his pipe, chatting with anyone who would listen, watching old westerns, Louie L’Amour books, a good (or even not so good) joke and, finally, his family. He really was a kid at heart.

He was known about Libby for his walkabouts with Riley, stopping now and then to lean against a light pole or sit on a bench to smoke his pipe. He truly loved Libby and he loved people. No one was more surprised than Earl himself when he passed away from COVID-19. He was fully vaccinated. He caught it while recuperating from a fall in what was hoped to be a short convalescent stay at the Libby Care Center. We thank the staff members of the Care Center, who work tirelessly to provide care and comfort. We thank his neighbors, who loved and cared for our Uncle Earl.

The family grieves not only Earl’s untimely passing due to COVID-19, but that the man who was so social, loving nothing more than coffee and chatting with friends, died alone because the care center had closed to visitors owing to the many and still increasing COVID-19 cases. We are deeply saddened that Earl died alone.

We will remember Earl’s childlike wonder and his playful smile. It has been said he was a Libby icon. Without trying, he represented the fabric and soul of “old” Libby.

He is survived by his dog, Riley; nieces, Karen Wickersham and Lynn Stanley; great-nieces, Tracy McKnight, Tondi Petersen and Molly Fagan; nephew-in-law, Jack Wickersham; and six great-great nieces and nephews.

In abundance of caution due to the rapid spread of COVID-19, his funeral will be held via zoom. Earl was a member of the Methodist Church. Our friend, Libby United Methodist Church Minister Karen Disney, will officiate the family graveside service. Please share your stories about Earl — and we know they are many. To share comments and those funny and heartwarming stories, please visit his tribute page at www.schnackenbergfh.com.

You are welcome — and encouraged — to electronically join the family graveside service via zoom at 11 a.m., Aug. 19. The zoom link is: Earl Stanley Service. You can also copy and paste the following in your browser: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82239475363?pwd=Z0hZV2NzZllXTGtKL015NXFoOEh0Zz09.

Please call 293-5646 if you have any questions on how to join us.

In Earl’s memory, the family asks that you please get vaccinated and wear your masks!