Charles Keeland

Charles F. “Chuck”, “Charlie” Keeland, 79, passed away on April 10th, 2024 with family at his side.

He was born May 20th, 1944, in Sidney, Montana, to Delpha F. (Deckert) Keeland and Charles W. Keeland, and was the oldest of seven.

Chuck graduated from Richey High School in 1962 where he was active in football, basketball, track, student government, and much to his children's surprise, participated in the Dramatics and Thespian Clubs. The quote he chose to accompany his senior photo was, “One success is worth many failures”. In 1965, he was drafted into the U.S. Army serving in Vietnam from 1966-1967 as a combat engineer.

He married Josephine Raisl in 1970 and the couple settled north of Billings, MT. They welcomed their first child, Ivy Lea Ann Keeland in 1974. Their son, Ryan Charles Keeland was born in 1976. Charlie's first grandchild, Isabella Zeta Keeland was born in 2002, followed by Irelyn Josephine Branam in 2003 and finally Ryan Timothy Branam in 2007. Charlie worked and resided in south central Montana for most of his adult life. He was a heavy equipment operator running a blade in his early days and spent time as a crane operator before opening his own excavation business, Rimrock Construction in Billings, Montana. Thereafter, he owned a gravel supply company where he came about his nickname of “Rock Chuck” in Belfry and Red Lodge, Montana.

Charlie had a passion for aviation and proudly possessed his commercial pilot's license. Combined with his excavation skills, he built an airstrip on his property north of Billings so he could take his Supercub up in his spare time. Instead of going for a “Sunday drive”, he and his family would go for a “Sunday fly” to Roundup, MT when the airstrip was within walking distance of the A&W. The Billings airshow was an annual highlight for him. He loved to tell stories about his time in the cockpit.

He put many miles on his beloved Harley making the trip to Sturgis, South Dakota with his fellow bikers annually. His kids are quite sure there are stories still to be told. Charlie loved living just outside of Belfry, Montana where he had been for more than two decades.

He is survived by his son, Ryan Keeland (Jenny Keeland); his daughter Ivy Murray (Jim Murray); grandchildren Isabella Keeland, Ryan and Irelyn Branam, Erin, Grace, and Jack Murray; brothers Richard (Jeri) and Dana Keeland; sisters Norma Evanson, Princess Ann (Edward) Ochs, Ramona (Daniel) Hernandez and Dixie (Victor) Shaw and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his father, Charles W. Keeland, mother Delpha F Keeland, baby sister Catherine J. Keeland, brother-in-law Victor Shaw, and sister-in-law Jeri Keeland.

Charlie requested there be no “pomp and circumstance” upon his passing, however was proud of his military service, therefore a small military honors ceremony will take place at a later date.