Marilyn Edith Sharon passed away Thursday, June 6, 2024 of natural causes.
She was born on March 3, 1936 in Whitehall, MT to George “Ray” and Eva J. (Ballard) Brenner, being the youngest of five children. She was a direct descendent of Granny Yates (Mary Wells Yates) The Brenner family moved from Milligan Canyon to the Ranch at Little Bear Creek, south of Gallatin Gateway in 1936. She had so many wonderful memories growing up on the ranch, riding horses and exploring the mountains. She was proud to have been one of the last two students at Little Bear School, which is now a museum.
After graduating from Gallatin County High School, she married Dennis Chaney and they started their family. They later divorced. She married Earl Sharon in 1967 and moved to New Mexico where Earl worked in the logging industry. Logging brought them back to Montana, first in St. Regis and finally to Darby in 1969 where they raised their family.
Mom always enjoyed her beloved animals, dogs, cats and horses. She was a self-taught piano player and was blessed with a beautiful singing voice. She was also a talented artist and cook and loved spending time with family and friends. Her father instilled a love of cards to her and her kids; pinochle and cribbage were her favorites. Mom had a wonderful sense of humor and enjoyed people which made her a great bartender for many years. She also talked proudly about her times as a school bus driver and then a security guard at the Sawmill in Conner.
She will be missed by her children: Wade & Bobbie Chaney of Burbank, WA; Denise & Randy Hill of Stevensville; Cindy & John Merkel of Whitehall; also her beloved grandchildren: Angela Chaney, Candace Rusnook, Christopher Chaney, Leslie Hill, Randon Hill, Kristy (Dustin) Hinson, Scott (Katie) Merkel, Carson (Kaycee) Merkel, Jake (Jane’a) Merkel and 16 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Jean Brenner and Judy Brenner, and many nieces and nephews.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Earl; brothers, Jack, Dick and Don; sister Georgie Badgley; brother-in-law OB Badgley; sister-in-law Erma Brenner; and grandson Jeremy Chaney.
A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on June 28 in Hamilton, MT at the Darby Clubhouse. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com