Charles “Les” Stewart

Charles “Les” Stewart, 85, passed away at his home on June 8, 2023, after a hard battle with cancer.

Les was born on Feb. 10, 1938, in Hamilton, Montana, to Noel and Myrtle Stewart. On July 3, 1959, he married Colleen Vinson and was blessed with a son, Randy Stewart, on Feb. 28, 1960.

After graduating from Libby High School in 1957, Less worked for J. Neils Lumber Company, St. Regis Lumber Company and Stimson Lumber Company until it shut down.

He then went to work for the Lincoln County Weed Department and later with the Kootenai National Forest Weed Department until Colleen retired from the Lincoln County Attorney’s Office on Nov. 1, 2017.

Ask anybody who knew Les, they will tell you that he was one of the biggest pranksters they ever knew. It was truly one of his passions. His other passion was caring for and spending precious time with his granddaughter, Cierra Stewart.

Another passion was riding snowmobiles, motorcycles, 4-wheelers, camping and because he couldn’t swim, he was the one pulling the water skiers while at his cabin on Middle Thompson Lake.

He loved and cared for his dogs, Keesha, Bear, Mikey and Gizmo. Les was basically a kid at heart and was always ready to lend a helping hand. He will truly be missed by everyone who knew him. May his memory be forever etched in our hearts.

Les was preceded in death by his father and mother, Noel and Myrtle Stewart; sister Betty Caine; sister-in-law Sharren Vinson Cohenour; and brother-in-law Gene “PeeWee” Cohenour.

He is survived by his loving wife of almost 64 years, Colleen Vinson Stewart; son and forever “buddy”, Randy Stewart of Libby; “adopted sons,” James “Jim” Schnetter (Diane) of Columbia Falls, Montana, and Terry Martens (Pam) of Libby; granddaughter Cierra Stewart (John) of Billings, Montana; great-granddaughter Oaklee Ray Plovanic of Billings, Montana; sister-in-law Glenda Vinson Weaver of Bozeman, Montana; and many nieces and nephews. Les is also survived by two of his best friends, Hans Peterson and Mark Petersen.

A memorial service for Les will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, June 23, 2023, at the Schnackenberg Funeral Home in Libby.

Arrangements are under the care of the Schnackenberg Funeral home of Libby. Memorials and condolences may be shared online by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.