Tileo John Forcella passed away peacefully at his home in Whitehall on September 23, 2024 at 5:40 P.M., at the age of 83.
Tileo was born December 18th, 1940, in Butte, Montana. In about 1955 the family moved to Whitehall, MT. He graduated from Whitehall High School where his skills earned him High School FFA awards.
He married Joan Forcella on July 28, 1983, in Whitehall.
His early career was based in ranching and the owner/operator of Pleasant Valley Dairy. After Tileo and Joan were married they switched to a sheep livestock operation. He also owned a Peterbuilt (Pete) and hauled whatever he could to make ends meet. Several years later they opened their Forcella Meats, state licensed, of course meat processing business. Tileo won many awards at Meat Packers Conventions in meat processing, particularly in sausage, ham, and most famously his bacon—there was none better.
He also found time to play, as well, and loved camping and fishing with loved ones and the most wonderful friends a person could have: BV, his beloved Schnauzer, Ross, Ray, Larry, Tink, Lou and Pat and their wonderful families, and so many, many others. You all know who you are and that he cherished your friendship and the great memories we made. He also enjoyed hunting, woodworking, and having a drink of Black Velvet. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family and friends.
The last of the REAL Cowboys is gone and headed for the great range in the sky, to help those already there herding Gods livestock. The Almighty could not have picked a better cowboy to tend his flock. Though he leaves behind all of us and is missed and loved so very much we all know God needed him more than did we. Our love and prayers go with him so sad are we, he knows. He lived his life to the fullest, wish he didn’t have to go. He worked hard and gave his fullest in all he did, whether it be cowboying, milking cows, herding sheep, driving trucks or running his own business. He was the BOSS and everyone knew it.
Tileo is preceded in death by his parents, Tileo and Althea (Grefig) Forcella; brother, Fred Forcella; in-laws, Joe and Ann Booth; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Joan Forcella; children, Joe (Lyn) Forcella, Dana (Shane) Escott, Julie (Travis) Brayton, Rebecca (Wil) Dubielczyk, and Daniel (Karla) Dolan; grandchildren, Calder (Kerri) Forcella, Dawson (Reina) Forcella, Wes (Sara) Dubielczyk, Rachael (Curtis Johnson) Dubielczyk, Bailey Escott, and Cole Escott; great-grandchildren too numerous to mention but all very loved; niece, Tamora (Rick) Henderson; and many more relatives and great and wonderful friends.
We want to thank you one and all for coming to share in his life with us we love you all.
Many, many thanks to Senior Solutions Hospice for your wonderful care, we would not have gotten through this without you, Paula, Wendy, Riley, Robin, Chris, Arthur Marlou (Chaplain), Ashly, and all you fine people. Father Crutchfield thank you for coming to our home with the sacrament of the sick, it meant so much to us.
Services will be held beginning with visitation at 9:30 AM Wednesday, October 9th at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, 109 2nd St E., Whitehall, MT 59759, with a Funeral Mass taking place at 10 AM, followed by a reception at the church hall.
Donations may be made to Senior Solutions Hospice in Butte, MT.
Axelson Funeral & Cremation Services is privileged to care for Tileo and his family.
Please visit below to leave a condolence or share a memory of Tileo.
Service Schedule
Visitation
9:30 AM
Wednesday October 9, 2024
St. Theresa's Catholic Church
109 2nd St E
Whitehall, Montana 59759
Funeral Mass
10:00 A.M.
Wednesday October 9, 2024
St. Theresa's Catholic Church
109 2nd St E
Whitehall, Montana 59759
Reception
Following Mass
Wednesday October 9, 2024
St. Theresa's Catholic Church Reception Hall
109 2nd St E
Whitehall, Montana 59759
Service Schedule
Visitation
9:30 AM
Wednesday October 9, 2024
St. Theresa's Catholic Church
109 2nd St E
Whitehall, Montana 59759
Funeral Mass
10:00 A.M.
Wednesday October 9, 2024
St. Theresa's Catholic Church
109 2nd St E
Whitehall, Montana 59759
Reception
Following Mass
Wednesday October 9, 2024
St. Theresa's Catholic Church Reception Hall
109 2nd St E
Whitehall, Montana 59759
Share
Richard and Nola Arvish says
Joan and family, Rich and I couldn’t have loved a couple more ..Our hearts are broken but we are forever greatfull to have been given love so purely and easily . Know he was an , ” Honorable and Loving ” man and we will miss him. MAY PEACE BE WITH YOU JOAN AND FAMILY.
Richard and Nola Arvish
Shelia Schumacher says
Joan and family,I am so sorry to hear of Telio’s passing he lived a life he loved he was a strong cowboy.My prayers are with you Joan and your family may Telio RIP
Dolores Brozovich says
Dear Joan and family, so very sorry to hear of Tileo’s passing! Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time! May Tileo rest in peace and the angels lead him to Paradise!
Love and prayers, John and Dolores Brozovich 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Mark& June Gornick says
Forcella family, so sorry for your loss. I had the privilege of growing up with tileo. We met in 7 th grade. Lots of good miles after that. Always a hearty Hello when we got to chat, or over coffee, even a little BV couple times over the years,,just visiting or maybe rebuilding a barn or a piece of machinery.
Indeed a good friend, who will be dearly missed. RIP my dear friend. God bless.
John H Lovell says
Joan, I am so sorry for your loss. Tileo was such a great guy, He will be missed. My sincere condolences. Rest in Peace Tileo, God Bless.
Judy and Jim Keto says
Dear Jim Joan and family, we are so sorry to hear of Telios passing, we never had the pleasure of meeting him, but, we were next door neighbors through our growing up years. We just wanted to express our condolences to you and your family.God bless you all, wish I could hug you…
Carol Walter says
Joan, I just learned of Telio passing. I’m so so sorry for your loss. You guys were one of my very first customers. I will always remember his wit fulness…he will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mike LeFever says
I didn’t realize Telio had passed, but I have thought about him frequently. I’ll never forget the time he took me for a boat ride at the gates of the mountains and then over to his campsite where he and Joan and their friends made me feel like the most important person in the whole campsite. He used to call me his son, although I was his doctor for a number years.
Bob LeFever says
I was real sorry to hear of Tilleo’s passing. The Forcellas were great friends of my grandfather, Gene Fullmer. I couldn’t find these old photos till recently. I think the one is of old Tilleo and possibly young Tilleo. The hunting was great in the Whitetail. I hope these stir some memories. Bob LeFever