Hamilton – Arlene McNeil, 84, passed away on Sunday, November 11, 2018.
Born Arlene Lucille Bechard on June 10, 1934 at St. Joseph, Kansas, to Edmond and Albertine Bechard, she was raised on a farm near Clifton, KS. She attended Sherman School in rural Clifton and graduated from Clay Center High School in 1952. Most of her life was spent in the north-central Kansas area, until she retired to Hamilton, Montana. She worked at jobs ranging from telephone switchboard operator to interior decorator at McNeil Building & Decorating in Morganville, KS.
Survivors include one son, Kevin Chappell and wife, Pam of Helena, MT; daughters Kathleen Kuehn and husband, Tony of Missoula, MT, Kelly Christensen and husband, Ted of Parkville, MO, Deb Eckheart and partner, Dan Browder of Hamilton, MT, Cyndi McNeil and partner, Nick Westberry of Hamilton, MT; and stepchildren Troy McNeil and wife, Tammy of Hastings, NE, Mark McNeil of Denver, CO and Michelle McNeil of Reedsport, OR; sisters Jean Lyon and JoAnn Kempton, and brother LaVern Bechard, all of Kansas; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, three brothers, a son, David Chappell, and a step-daughter, Stephanie McNeil. Services will be private, with a Celebration of Life to be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Partners in Home Care Hospice, 2673 Palmer Street, Missoula MT 59801.