Steven William Ely

Steven William "Steve" Ely, 70, passed away in Ronan, Montana, on March 30, 2026. A man of many miles and even more stories, Steve lived a life that was as rugged and vibrant as the Montana landscape he called home. A Wandering Legend and One-of-a-Kind Treasure Seeker. a man who never met a boundary he couldn't push

A Life of Grit and Adventure

Born on December 14, 1955, in Ronan to Jimmy and Audrey Ely, Steve was raised in the Mission Valley. A true jack-of-all-trades, Steve’s work ethic was forged in some of the toughest industries. During the 1980s boom, he worked the oil fields of Eastern Montana and offshore rigs in Texas. He served as a wildland firefighter, owned his own logging company on the CSKT Reservation. If it had an engine, Steve could make it purr. A master mechanic, he had a magical touch that could get any vehicle back on the road—even if it required a little "creative hot-wiring" to get the job done. He left a physical legacy in the community, helping to build both the Two Eagle River School and the Quicksilver buildings in Pablo.
Uncle Steve was a man of "good intentions." If he borrowed your tools, he truly meant to bring them back—it’s just that his adventures usually took a sudden detour.

Steve was a "wandering kind of man" with a legendary eye for treasure. Whether he was in the junk yards or dumpsters where others saw trash, he knew that everything had value if you looked at it right and had the eye for things everyone else missed. But Steve wasn’t just about work; he was about the ride and life took him on that for sure. He was happiest in the woods, logging, or embarking on one of his "crazy adventures"—the kind where the intentions were always good, even if the detour led to a run-in with the law.

Steve was known for his wittiness and his sharp "pimp daddy" style, always ready for the ladies. He was a man who lived loud and loved his family. He might of forgot birthdays and special occasions but he’d pop up somewhere from time to time for a good ol Steve visit and that’s one way you knew he cared. So hold onto those memories.

Above all, Steve loved kids. He was the "crazy uncle" every child deserves—the one who did the wild stuff, made them laugh until they cried, and, most importantly, could always keep a secret.
He was a wild spirit, a hardworking hand, and a man who lived with a flair that can never be replaced. He was one of a kind, and the Rez will be a little quieter (and a lot less stylish) without him.

He was preceded in death by: his parents, Jimmy and Audrey Ely; his sisters, Tammy Ely-Courville, Billie Ely, Christine Richardson, and Kathy Snyder; and his brother, Leonard Neuman.

He is survived by: his brother, Bodie (Bobbie) Ely of Ronan, sons Joel Cooper of North Carolina , Patrick (Carrie) Sorrell of Polson, Colton Ely, daughters Charity Bisson of Ronan, Dani Bisson of Pablo, and Hope (Adrian) Long of Pablo. Also his sister, Brenda Teigen of Ronan. His beloved grandchildren, Harley, Jojo, Abby, Christopher, and Bodie Sorrell.

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