Milton Neil Segmiller

On January 4th, 1945, Milton Neil was born in Laurel, MT, the youngest son of Hertha (Dupke) and Michael Segmiller. He was born at home, delivered by a midwife who had to trudge through knee-deep snow to attend his birth; which was truly a blessing in so many ways. He attended schools in Laurel and Fromberg, Montana and obtained his GED in Helena. On August 15, 1964 he married Kyleen Cleveland, in Billings, MT. They were blessed with three children in their almost 55 years of marriage; Hertha, Kyla, and Kyle Segmiller.



Milton was always a hard worker. At the age of five, he bucked hay bales to earn enough money to go to the fair. He learned his strong work ethic by helping his parents with the numerous chores that come on the farm. Milt began his career in the grocery industry as a meat cutter in Billings. In 1974 Milton and Kyleen moved to Fairfield, MT, where they purchased their first grocery store, Milt’s IGA. During their years in Fairfield, Milt served on the School Board, taught Hunter’s Safety, spent time on the Volunteer Fire Department, the Town Council, was the President of the Fairfield Booster Club, obtained his private pilot license, coached Babe Ruth baseball, took his team to the state championship and was honored to be selected to coach the Babe Ruth All Star team. He enjoyed countless horseback trips with friends and family through the Bob Marshall Wilderness; as well as hunting, fishing, and floating the river.



In 1986, Milt and Kyleen moved to the Gallatin Valley where they bought their second grocery store, Gallatin Grocery. They operated the store for 20 years, during which time he was named Grocer of the Year. In 2006, they opened the Crossroads Casino and moved to the Whitehall area. They enjoyed the last 13 years of their lives together in the home they built overlooking the Jefferson River, surrounded by their three kids, nine grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. He considered his family his greatest joy. He is remembered most for being the best daddy on earth and “The Greatest Papa that Ever Lived.”



He was preceded in death by his parents, his precious daughter Hertha, his beloved granddaughter Taylor Paddock, his niece Rhonda Heser-Woods, and his brothers Gary and Maynard.



Milton is survived by his beloved wife Kyleen, his children; Kyla and Kyle, grandchildren; Kate Goolsby, Kacie (Treyvon) Hocutt, Kalie (David) Vidales, Matthew Larson, Daneal (Colin) Lightner, Allie (Drew) Quencer, Kyle the second, and Parker Joe Segmiller. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren; Addison, Nathan, TJ, Kallie Ann, Elijah, Flora, Zachary, Aiden, and Raelynn, his loyal sister, LaVonne “Sis” (Bud) Segmiller-Sticka and his oldest sister, Harlean Holwegner, as well as other extended family members.



His family and friends will always miss his irreplaceable sense of humor, his willingness to graciously help anyone, and most of all his never-ending love.



A visitation will be held Friday, August 9th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Dahl Funeral & Cremation Service in Bozeman, MT. His funeral will take place in Whitehall, MT at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 10th at the Whitehall Assembly of God Church; burial in the Whitehall Cemetery with reception to follow at the Assembly of God Church.



Memorials may be made to Frontier Hospice in Butte, MT (check made to “Friends of Hospice Butte”) 1940 Dewey Blvd, Butte, MT 59701 or a memorial of one’s choice.