Antone Staley

Our loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, Antone “Tony” Roy Staley passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Monday, February 27, 2023.

Tony was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Roy Staley and Mildred Rose Jackson on September 19, 1937. He was raised with his five siblings, Bill, Ward, Mary, Carl, and Betsy, in Mud Lake, Idaho. His siblings were his best friends throughout his life. He graduated from Roberts High School. He met the love of his life, Ann Marie Schwartz, in 1955, when she drove him home from a night of rabblerousing at the local dance hall. They were married on January 10, 1957, and their marriage was later sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Tony worked as a mechanic until he moved his family to Dillon, Montana in 1960. He drove truck for Owens Trucking, Riley Trucking, and several others until he finally set the park brake for the last time in 2019. Tony could fix just about anything mechanical; he knew his way around a car and enjoyed working with his grandsons after they “fouled up” their own vehicles. After he retired, Tony self-published eleven books, several short stories, and that doesn’t count his journals or the sequels he didn’t get to finish. This newfound book writing was really the culmination of all the stories he had played out in his mind all those hours behind the wheel. Driving truck often took Tony away for a week or more at a time, but he was always excited to get home to Marie and his family. He loved to go camping, fishing, hunting, riding ATVs, and plowing the neighbors’ sidewalks in the winter. He was a master of exterior illumination at Christmastime. His house was a sight to behold for all who drove by. Tony taught his sons how to drive truck but didn’t want them to follow in his footsteps. They both took after their dad in one way or another in their careers with Don working in mining and Rod with the Montana Department of Transportation. Tony was very proud of Cheryl for earning her nursing degree and her career in nursing.

Tony was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He held numerous callings, and enjoyed serving his fellow ward members and community.

Tony and Marie are blessed with three wonderful children: Donald (Kristy), Rodney (Julie), and Cheryl (Chuck). He loved his grandchildren with all his heart: Michael (Brayden), Kevin (Chantyl), Mitch (Camille), Mark (Jeanie), Courtney and Travis. His eyes lit up when he saw his great grandchildren: Maci, Payton, Kacee, Sammi, Daryl, Daphne. He also loved his numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Tony is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Bill and Ward, sister, Mary, granddaughter, Kimberlee, and his grandson, Zachary.

Tony loved his family and blessed so many others. He will be missed by his friends, neighbors, and especially his family.

Services will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at 10:30 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Dillon, Montana. A viewing will be held from 9:00 am to 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Dillon Jaycees’ Little Shooters.