Toni Jo Smith Merrill `

Toni Jo Smith Merrill went to join our heavenly father on Nov. 15, 2024, at Cabinet Peaks Medical Center surrounded by her family and friends. 

She was born in Miles City, Montana, on Dec. 18, 1959, to Jimmy D. and Joy (Moulton) Smith.

Toni grew up in many places but mostly in Santa Cruz, California, and Libby, Montana. She married Howard Merrill in 1979 and moved to Yaak, Montana, when it was still dirt roads. The home that they lived in had no electricity or running water. There they had three daughters: Crystal Rodgers, China Merrill and Summer Merrill. 

Howard and Toni separated, and she moved to Libby. She was blessed with two more children, Angela Steiger and Dustin Steiger. Toni later met her longtime companion, Randy Erickson.

She worked at the Libby Care Center for several years. Toni cared for many families loved ones as if they were her own. She never turned away anyone in need and would share all that she had. Toni enjoyed scrap booking, coloring complicated coloring books and especially family gatherings. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren brought her unending joy.

Toni was preceded in death by her grandparents Brunson and Georgia Moulton; her mom Joy Dodd; four of her six siblings, Billy Austin, Carmel Austin, Lyle Austin, and Candy Robbins. 

She is survived by her sister Sherry Dunbar; brother Rocky Austin; children, Crystal Rodgers, China Merrill, Summer Merrill, Angela Steiger, and Dustin Steiger; grandchildren, Billy and Casey Delogger, Keidel and Dusty Kately, Blake and Baily Fletcher; great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, Ryan Tallmadge, Tori Sagen, Lyle Austin Jr., Tiffany Huggins, Andrea Austin, Jennifer Williams, Sarah Steiger and Leslie Wetherelt; and companion Randy Erickson.

There are many friends and even more family who will miss Toni’s smile and the welcome she always had for visitors. We are all devastated in losing Toni. We will miss her and will always love her until we meet again. 

There will be no service at this time. 

Arrangements are under the Schnackenberg Funeral Home of Libby, Montana. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.