Chuck. Another year has passed since you left us. I continue to feel your presence and your friendship - and always will.

A year ago, I wrote that "His presence will always be with me", and so it is. All who knew you miss you chuck. You were and are a special person loved by everyone who had the privilege of knowing you.

I have re-read the various tributes which were posted over a year ago. When I read them, and thought about Chuck, tears came to my eyes. For him to have made such a lasting and eternal impression on the lives of so many, is a testament to his life as a man, a friend, and an individual who touched so many, in so many positive ways. What a way to have lived your life in a way, that left so many good and positive thoughts in those left behind. I should be so fortunate. To this day, I still think often about "Chuck"

Chuck Stelling and I were friends for 38 years. He was the only person I ever knew who was liked and trusted by everyone he met. Chuck had wonderful wit and, no matter what challenges he faced, all was well with Chuck. There will never be a day in my life when I will not miss his friendship. His presence will always be with me.

The family of Charles Rork Stelling wish to thank you
for your condolences, tributes & many well wishes.
Along with loving family members, we invite his dear friends & business associates
to attend a Celebration of His Life:
Saturday May 30th
2:00 p.m.
King Ranch Golf Course
Frenchtown, Montana
A light snack of Hors d'oeuvres, salads, cake & punch will be served.
Please dress comfortably and we will look forward to seeing you
& hearing some of your favorite stories & memories of Chuck.
To RSVP (but not necessary) please email: stellingre@hotmail.com
or call (406)728-9200 if you have questions or need directions.

"I have learned that people will forget what you said, that people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. Maya Angelou

Chuck had the gift for making a person feel appreciated and valued. I don't think I ever saw him without hearing his sincere question of, "How are those girls doing?" His enthusiasm for life was evident in all his dealings and he leaves a lasting legacy with all those fortunate to have crossed his path.

We've known Chuck for some time now.  He was a sincere and true friend.  We've always enjoyed knowing Chuck and his good sense of humor.  We always appreciated his perspective on how the Montana Building should be run.  Very wise man!  We'll miss him - that's for sure.  -Joe and Vivian Brooke

Dearest Brother Chuck: We thank God that we were blessed with such a dear and loving Brother. Love you and will miss you

Gosh, I've known Chuck for over fifty years. I remember him at Olney Motors. I didn't realize it until I read his obituary, "that was CHUCK!" There are very few people that you could go to for common sense and good judgment on anything, but Chuck was one of them. I enjoyed every conversation I ever had with him. He had a wonderfully dry sense of humor that I was, for some reason, particularly susceptible to. I will miss him very much.

Uncle Chuck, Charlie Brown, Thank you or being a great Uncle. I could always count on you when I was a little kid to call me and tell me Snoopy was on.  You call me Linus and my sister Deb was Peppermint Patty.  You always encouraged me to go to college and work hard for Texaco and Chevron.  We will miss you a lot.

Thank you Dad, you were the best father a son could ever have. You were my mentor in life. You taught me to have patience, not to judge and to be respectful and forgiving of others. For always making and taking time to spend with us. Teaching me to slow down enough to enjoy the simple things in life and do my best to make it enjoyable for others around me. To be mindful of others needs and not selfish. Your kindness and understanding impacted many lives and will never be forgotten. I will cherish the times we spent together forever, they are beyond comparison. You were a great provider, unlike Pawn Stars there was never any question which came first; money or family. It was always family ! I love you Dad

Dad loved spending time with family and friends, he particularly loved the outdoors, be it hunting, golfing, fishing or just playing cards at the cabin. We had many fun fishing adventures in the Swan Valley, Thompson River, Bob Marshall Wilderness, Alaska, the Bitterroot and once with Steve McQueen in the Flathead to name a few.
      
      The Weir Bear aka The Toll Bear

One year while fishing on the Situk River in Yakutat, Alaska as I came wading down the river I found Dad sitting on a log on the riverbank. We had started early that morning, having walked a mile upriver on the trail to the fish weir. It was windy and raining like it often did in Yakutat. He had left me an hour earlier saying he was headed back to the van to warm up. Dad's teeth were chattering, he was shivering and obviously very cold. He had several salmon he'd caught on a nylon rope. About one hundred yards downriver standing in the middle of the river was a big grizzly bear. Dad looked up at me and said the bear would not let him continue down the river. We had encountered the bear a few times. He had been well educated by the fishermen on the river. Walking downstream back to the parking lot he would block your path until he had collected one of your fish. If you moved over to the trail on the bank to get past him he would simply do the same, again blocking your way. This maneuver would go back and forth until he had forced you to give him a fish to pass. I told Dad he better release one of his fish and the bear would take it up on the bank to eat and he would be able to continue downriver. He laughed and said "no way", said he gave that bear a fish two days ago to get by and wasn't giving him another one. It didn't seem to matter we already had a freezer and a half full of fish back at the cabin. I asked him if he had tried walking down the trail. Nope, he said, had too many fish to carry and needed to float them down the river on his stringer. I told him he better release one of his fish or he might freeze to death waiting on that bear. He looked downriver at the bear and said, "No way, one of us will starve to death before I give him another fish" I laughed so hard and loud the bear headed for the bank and we continued down the river to the van. Later that night in the cabin while standing over the stove telling stories and cooking fish for dinner Dad looked over at me with that funny little grin of his, winked and said "Nobody is gonna starve tonight butch"

I and many others will miss you Dad, including the bears.

Thank you Brother Chuck. I owe you a lot. You were there anytime I needed something. You encouraged me to go to the University of Montana , I had my first job at Courtesy Chevrolet. We are going to miss you for the rest of our lives.

CHUCK, CHUCK, CHUCK: What can I say, that others haven't already said, and have said better then I could. I have known Chuck for well over 30 years. He was one of a kind, a treasured friend, a mentor, a confidant, a role model, a companion, a everything that is good that a person can have or be.  I already miss him, and shall forever.

To the leader of our band. We thank you for all the wonderful "Life Lessons" and your many gifts of kindness. I know I never said "I love you near enough. You leave behind a Legacy of so many souls, you will not be forgotten.      WE LOVE YOU.

Chuck and i spent many hours together in our respective offices "solving the world"s problems" and maybe a bit of B:S: he was an expert Ranch Broker. We showed ranches together a few times. We drove and sometimes flew a few times--I liked his landing style--it was Chuck--unique
He was a wonderful friend and mentor. I think being kind is the ultimate virtue---he was certainly kind. I loved him dearly.
I will miss him. R.I.P. Chuck--you lived a great life!!!.

Chuck, you believed in me when I had given up believing in myself. The gifts you've given me are endless. Through your kindness and love you've enriched not only my life but the hundreds of others that I've been able to help because of your gifts. You will forever hold a special place in my heart and never be forgotten. Love you, melissa

We came on the scene too late to know Mr. Charles Stelling. We know him through the traits he encouraged in his family- loving people with a keen appreciation of the joys of life. He has left behind the most significant legacy possible, people loving people. We leave a Masonic branch of evergreen in token of the knowledge that life is eternal. Every blessing on the family in their grief. May they emerge from the bereavement strengthened. Love to all

Dearest Grandpa - you have always believed so wholeheartedly in my goals and dreams - probably more even than I do. For that and all of your love I am so grateful. I know that when I walk down the aisle this summer you will be right there by my side, just like you always said you would be. Love you SO much. <3

Chuck enriched my life. Such a great story-teller, mentor and friend. It was a great pleasure to share the trail with him for a while.

We'll leave a light on for you ~ many more hugs, Keni

Thank you to the Stelling family for sharing Chuck with our family. He is truly one of the finest gentlemen I have ever met.

Thank you for everything you have done for me and my family you were so special we love you and will miss you!!

Love you Grandpa. We will miss you. <3