Vernon Russell Baldry was born on Nov. 18, 1939, and joined Winnie and his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Aug. 6, 2023. He was surrounded by his loving children in prayer at the time of his death. Vern married Winnie on Sept. 3, 1960, in Peerless, Mont. They have three children, Terry (Theresa), Todd (Evelynn) and Theresa (Jeff). Vern has 12 grandchildren, Shawn (Lizzie), Nathan (Shonna), Craig (Kamri), Isaac, Erika, Garrett, Sydney (Brian), Jordan (Jeremy), Stephanie, Skylar (Reed), Tyler (Emily), Trent; and 13 great-grandchildren, Kellen, Elliot, Max, Kurdt, Aidan, Abbey, Kaison, Karsyn, Everlee, Emmett, Eloise, Lucca and Hudson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Lillian; and siblings, Arlie, Rodney, Helen, Alvin (Buck), Chester (Chetty) and Betty (Tootsie). His surviving siblings are Doreen (Maggie), Joanne, Shirley, Geri, Orville (Ike) and Gordon (Brother Bede). Vern worked at various farms and ranches in Peerless and Richland in his teens. He worked at the Ford garage in Wolf Point, City of Wolf Point and the McCone County Road Department. He then worked for and retired from the Department of Transportation for the State of Montana. He was a volunteer firefighter until retirement and was always there to lend a hand to anyone who needed it. He enjoyed driving around Wolf Point and talking to anyone who would listen. He enjoyed his kids and grandkids sporting events and making fudge from his mom’s recipe. When his father was still alive, he looked forward to helping him at harvest time. After retirement, Vern became a go-getter. He would take Winnie to work and then go get her. He claimed that during his retirement he was on “sick time and vacation time.” He enjoyed shuttling cars for the Ford garage with Winnie. Everyone knew Vern by his signature striped bib overalls and his shiny, white Ford pickups (he bought a new one every couple of years) — a look he never steered from. There should be a book of “Vernisms” because he always had the wit and humor to make you laugh and smile. He enjoyed the time with all his family but he had a very special bond with Isaac and looked forward to his Facetime calls. Vern continued to pray the Rosary daily for his family after Winnie’s passing. Dad, grandpa, brother and friend: thank you so much for being the best. We cherish many great memories of you and they will live in our hearts forever — a legend to never be forgotten. A rosary will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wolf Point, Mont. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wolf Point. There will be a meal to follow at the church. Interment will follow at 4 p.m. at the Scobey Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point was entrusted with the arrangements. (Paid Obituary)

Sheila (Noreen) Greybull, 56, died Aug. 6, 2023, in Poplar. She was born Dec. 27, 1967, at the Poplar Hospital in Poplar to Melvin Shaw Greybull and Diane Longee. Sheila was the third-born of her nine siblings, including Everett Browning Jr., Anthony Browning, Kimberly Greybull, Johna Greybull and Brian Greybull Monica Greybull Lindsey Greybull and Melvin Greybull Jr. As the firstborn daughter in the family, she was a natural leader and caretaker. Growing up on the east end of town, she took an interest in sports and learned the game of basketball by playing it with the boys in her neighborhood. Because of these early experiences, she quickly became an adept ball player and, in 1985, was named among the top five players in the state of Montana for Class B. She also was a cheerleader and enjoyed singing, her rich alto voice earning her various solos throughout her school years. She also performed in vocal ensemble groups. She also loved listening to music, dancing and rooting the Denver Broncos. Her firstborn son, Derrick Lee Greybull, introduced her to motherhood, followed by Marissa Buckles, Ryan Buckles, Mandee Buckles, Mallory Greybull, Raina Cooeyate and Cecelia Cooeyate, whom she adopted. Her work career spanned everything from bartending and teaching children as an aide and instructor of the Dakota Language and home/ school coordinator for Native children, to serving ailing patients as a certified nursing assistant in Great Falls, where she moved to with her family in 1998. Eventually, she would require the same care she gave others. Always the giver, she donated a kidney to her father in 1992 when his kidney function slowed. In time, her remaining kidney began to suffer and she entered into a long journey of kidney dialysis. Wherever she went — whether into schools to teach and mentor children or at her medical appointments — she was a magnet to people. Her fierce love for life was severely challenged in 2010 with the tragic death of her son Ryan and a leg injury, resulting in infection and the amputation of her left leg. The heartbreak of losing her son, along with her ease of mobility, was almost enough to break her spirit. In time, she realized that unforgiveness would destroy her and that God had given her a higher purpose. At this point, she clung to the Jesus she’d been introduced to in childhood and became determined to begin fully living again. She was preceded in death by her son, Ryan Buckles; grandson, Kanyen Lee Greybull; sisters, Kim Greybull and Monica Greybull. She is survived by her children and numerous grandchildren. Funeral services were held Thursday, Aug. 17, at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment was at Chelsea Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point was entrusted with the arrangements.

Bernadine Bear-Shields Bernadine J. Bear-Shields, 65, died Aug. 11, 2023, in Billings. She was born to Leonard Bear Sr. and Bertha Bluestone Bear on Jan. 26, 1958, in North Hollywood, Calif. She married Arlin F. Shields for 37 until his death Aug. 12, 2020. She attended school at Bell Gardens in California, Poplar High School and Fort Peck Community College. She loved creative writing. She was a Sunday school teacher at the Pentecostal church for the preschool for a few years. She had many jobs throughout the years. She worked at Prime Time Video, Tribal Express, Cherry Tree Inn and the Riversage Hilltop Inn in Billings. She enjoyed spending time with her youngest grandbaby, David Hapa; doing scratch cards, singing, dancing and spending time with her son Hunter Shields and her many friends. She raised Haston since he was a baby and loved raising him as their own son, Baby Bob. She spent the last nine years of her life in Billings with her family. She had a lot of faith in the Lord and taught her children to pray and to say that we love each other. She is survived by her daughters, Debra Hapa, Antoinette Shields Johnson, Jennifer Montclair and Cinthia Haugen; sons, Karl D. Haugen, Hunter Shields and Ashlei Glesick; sisters, Tanya Bear, Debra Bear, Leslie Ricker, Brenda Baldry, Dela Brown, Paulette Pipe and Connie Price; and numerous grandchildren. A memorial service was held Monday, Aug. 21, at the Pentecostal Church in Poplar. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.