Wilbur Thomas Whanger, 96

Wilbur Thomas Whanger, 96, of Missoula passed away on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018, of natural causes at Grizzly Peak in Missoula.

He was born on Oct. 5, 1921, to Frank and Glenna Whanger in Ronceverte, West Virginia. His parents were very religious and instilled a strong work ethic into him. Those values carried him throughout his life.

On June 18, 1946, he married the love of his life, Marilyn Caines, at her parents’ home in Buckhannon, West Virginia.

He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from West Virginia Wesleyan and attended seminary school at Garret Evangelical Seminary.

Wilbur pastored the churches of Fromberg-Edgar-Boyd, Livingston and Sidney. From there he served as district superintendent of the Great Falls district for six years. He then went on to serve churches in Kalispell, Laurel, Fort Benton-Carter and Ronan-Charlo. He retired in 1989, making Missoula their home.

In his younger years Wilbur enjoyed hunting and fishing and that is what brought them to Montana. He also enjoyed reading and was a great storyteller. His family was the most important thing to him. Every summer, the family would pack up the trailer and head back to West Virginia to visit relatives. The family enjoyed many camping trips over the years, including Fort Peck and the Flathead Methodist Camp. Some of the best memories are singing around the campfire at Luccock Park. He loved music, especially the old hymns. There were many bike rides and hiking trips with his daughters. In fact, Wilbur rode his bike into his late 70s.

Wilbur was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn; grandson, Justin; sister, Agnes and brother, Merrel.

Survivors include his daughters, Sandy Conover (Ron) of Lolo, Betsy Sims of Columbia Falls, Judy Hoar (John) of Missoula, and Tammy Grier of Spokane; brother, Buddy, of St. Albans, West Virginia; grandchildren, Matt Conover (Delma), Christi Groneman, Bridger Sims and Tim Hoar (Kathleen); and nine great-grandchildren.

There will be a memorial service at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at First United Methodist Church in Missoula, with the Rev. John Daniels officiating. A reception will immediately follow the service at Garden City Funeral Home in Missoula.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Montana Children’s Home of Helena or the building fund for First United Methodist Church of Missoula.