MaryBeth Arnold, 74

MaryBeth (McCormick-Schilling) Arnold, 74, passed away Nov. 14, in Kalispell with her family and friends by her side. 

Born March 18, 1950, to Elizabeth Ann (Ross) (McCormick) Schilling and George McCormick in Havre, living in Culbertson. George died in 1950 in a plane crash when MaryBeth was four months old. Elizabeth married Jacob Schilling Jr. who then adopted MaryBeth, Sandra and Michael and eventually had a fourth child, Randall Schilling. They lived in Chinook until moving to Columbia Falls in 1952 where Elizabeth “Betty,” was a teacher at Columbia Falls High School (CFHS).  

MaryBeth graduated from CFHS in 1968 and then attended Eastern Montana College. She settled in the Deer Park area, raising two daughters Brooke (Bigelow) Brennan and Maggie (Bigelow) McClure.  Along the way, she met many wonderful, lifelong friends. Every month, her friends meet at different locations around the valley for lunch/dinner, to catch up and celebrate their friendship. She was loved by SO many friends, from the VFW, Veteran’s Home, and our community.  

She joined the VFW Organization in the mid 1970s. She served in all officer positions at her local VFW Auxiliary and District No. 1 until 1985 when she was elected as department of Montana guard. From there she “moved up the chairs” as she served in every department position until 1990 when she was elected as department president of Montana VFW Auxiliary, using the owl as her official pin which was sold to support the cancer program.  At the national level, she served one year as national junior girls chairman. Since 2004, she has served as Montana’s department treasurer, receiving her 20-year award at the June 2024 Department Convention. Over the years, she also was the Auxiliary representative to the Columbia Falls Veterans serving as secretary of the Montana Veterans Home Memorial Foundation board. She held that position for many years and was very proud of the board. She was well known for collecting countless bags of Halloween candy for the Veteran’s Home, pushing the candy cart around the home and the Veteran’s Christmas Wish Tree.  

Of all the titles she has held over the years, Oma (Grandma) was her favorite. She adored and loved her grandkids Jay, Michele, Alexa, Ashlyn, Eirelyn, Lyanna and 12 great-grand kids and was so proud of them. She also leaves behind her husband of 29 years, Willard Arnold, daughters Brooke (Mike) Brennan, Maggie (Ean) McClure, and stepdaughters Dena (Justin) Dopp and RaeLynn (Ed) VanSickle. 

She was preceded in death by her parents George McCormick, Jacob Schilling and Elizabeth “Betty” Schilling, siblings Sandra, Randall and Michael Schilling and granddaughter Lyanna VanSickle. 

We know she is at peace, drinking her coffee, coloring and causing trouble!  

MaryBeth’s celebration of life will be held at the Montana Veteran’s Home Chapel in Columbia Falls on Nov. 22, at 1 pm.  

**Parking is limited-please carpool if possible**  

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Memorial Foundation at: MVH Memorial Foundation /Activities, PO Box 250 Columbia Falls, MT 59912.