Byron D. Ereaux

MALTA-Byron D. Ereaux, 65, former Mayor of Malta and convenience store manager, passed away Wednesday, August 16, at a local care center of natural causes.

Memorial services will be 11a.m., Monday, August 21 at the yard of Roy and Marian Ereaux, 234 S. 2nd Street East, Malta. There will be a gathering to share remembrances of Byron at Roy's yard, 5:00 P.M. on Sunday. Condolences for the family may be left at http://www.kirkwoodfuneralhome.com.

Byron, namesake of Byron Hurley and Uncle Don Pope, was born on September 22, 1951, to Fred and Ilene (Burlingame) Ereaux in Glasgow, MT. He was the 9th of 11 children who spent his younger days in South Wagner, MT, attended St. Mary's School in Malta and graduated from Malta High School in 1969. He attended college for a time at Montana State University returning to Malta and driving gas truck for his brother Ezzie. He began a partnership with Robert Murphy in Roger's Saloon where he learned how to play cards with the best around. His love of all games and puzzles continued throughout his life. He showed no mercy to opponents and always played to win. He married Lynette Gullickson of Big Sandy, MT, on June 17, 1978. The light of his life was born on June 19, 1985, a daughter, Nellie Jo, followed by a son, Cohen Clifford, on July 7, 1989. He was generous with his time in community service as both a councilman and mayor of the city of Malta. He remained a loyal fan of Malta sports. His working career concluded at Westside Self-Service.

He was preceded in death by his parents Fred and Ilene Ereaux; Aunt Sadie and Uncle Don Pope; brothers: Ezzie and Carrol; sisters: LaDonna and brother-in-law Jean Itcaina, June and brother-in-law James Fitzpatrick; sister-in-law Allie Ereaux; niece Monica Darrah; father-in-law Cliff Gullickson; nephew Nicholas Tyler.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, daughter, son, and grandson Kashus Michael all of Malta, MT; brothers Roger and Roy (Marian) of Malta, MT; sisters Claris Darrah of Malta, MT, Phyllis Harrington of Helena, MT, Stella (John) Murray of Great Falls, MT and Darla (Leo) Barthelmess of Malta, MT; sisters-in-law Jane Ereaux of Malta, MT and Jean Ereaux of Morgan Mill, TX; mother-in-law Doris Gullickson of Big Sandy, MT; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.