Leslie 'Les' Lee Peone

ST. IGNATIUS — Leslie "Les" Lee Peone, 58, died at his home on July 23, 2006.

Born May 26, 1982 in Missoula to Francis "Wally" and Adeline "Bernie" Peone, he was raised in the Mission Valley and attended the Flandreau Indian School in Flandreau, S.D. Following his education he served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam before returning to the Mission Valley where he had worked as a firefighter, in road construction, ranch hand, gunsmith and a self-taught silversmith and master leather crafter.

Les was a member of Confederated Salish & Kootenai and was a member of the National Rifle Association, Montana Weapons Collectors, and Native American Artists Association. He enjoyed building jewelry, collecting Native American art, traveling to gun and art shows, hunting, hiking and fishing, as well as socializing with his friends and spending time with his family

He was preceded in death by his son Elroy Peone; father Francis "Wally" Peone; brothers Gary, Stan, Allen and Kenny; nephews Elijah Alexander-Peone and Harley Peone, and his close friends Richard "Dick" Wall and Raymond "Ray" Whitworth.

Survivors include his wife of 27 years, Geraldine Linsebigler; his mother, Adeline "Bernie" Peone; daughters Leslie Jo Neuman and Tashina Peone and Sadie Peone; son Pasquinel; sisters Bev, Joyce and Charlene; brothers Howard, Raymond, Marvin, Doug and Darrell, as well as large extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In accordance with Les' wishes cremation has taken place and a memorial service with military honors was held July 27 in the Foster & Durgeloh Funeral Home in St. Ignatius.