On February 22, 2019, we lost one of the best men we have ever known, Martin Morris “Tubby” Schelin. Tubby was born in Forsyth, Montana on August 31, 1930 to parents Rexford Schelin and Ruth Pierce. Tubby went to school in Forsyth and Whitehall, Montana.
After finishing school, Tubby joined the Air Force, where he was stationed at McChord Air Force Base. After his time in the service, Tubby returned to Forsyth, where he met the love of his life, Arline Kuntz. They were married on October 4, 1958 in Forsyth, and from that moment on they were lovingly known as “Tub & Pork”.
During their time in Forsyth, they had three children, Terri, Toby, and Alice. Tub and Pork ran the A&W Rootbeer stand in Forsyth for 5 years before moving to Butte, Montana, where they were blessed with one more child, Todd. Here in Butte, Tubby worked at the mines and Berkley Pit.
He eventually embarked on a career in Iron Working, where he had the joy of working alongside most of his brothers. Tub and Pork moved to a small farm in Whitehall, Montana in 1972, where they were blessed with their last child, Amanda. Here they raised numerous animals and lots and lots of kids.
Tubby finished out his working career as an Iron Worker, where he was gainfully employed at numerous locations throughout Montana. In 1979 Tub moved his family back to Butte, where he spent the remainder of his days. You could always find Tubby sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee and a kid on his lap.
Many hours were spent sitting at the table reminiscing, telling stories, and playing cards. He was the type of person to give you the last two dollars in his wallet. The Schelin house was always considered the gathering place for family, friends, and anyone else who happened to stop in or needed a place to stay.
Besides raising their own 5 children, they never quit raising kids. Their grandkids, great-grandkids, neighborhood kids, and the random kids that showed up at the door all called the Schelin house their second home. Tubby was best known for his love of all these kids and enjoyed every minute he had with them.
He was quiet and reserved, but he could laugh until he cried. He was a jack of all trades and could fix just about anything. Tubby was a great man and was happily married to the love of his life for 60 years.
He will be truly missed by everyone who knew him. Martin (Tubby) Morris Schelin was preceded in death by his parents, Rexford and Ruth Schelin and siblings, Margaret Fellows, Mary Keene, Myron (Bud), Joseph, Bill, Bob, Bonnie Nibblett, Nancy Schelin, and Jeff Redfern. Tubby is survived by brother Everett (Butch) and sisters Beatrice (Bee) Boston, and Delores (Dodie), all currently residing in Butte.
His children Marty Redfern and Julie Redfern (Great Falls), Terri O’Donnell (Butte), Toby and Stacy Schelin (Ramsay), Alice and Curtis Stoltenberg (Billings), Todd and Kim Schelin (Lake Tapps, WA), and Amanda and Rory Thornton (Lafayette, LA). Grandkids: Zachary, Tara, Colt, Perry, Brandon, Jamie, Britney, Shanna, Taryn, Payton, Sammy, Blake, and Rex. 21 Great Grandkids and one on the way… To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Martin Morris “Tubby” Schelin please visit our Sympathy Store.
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