Niles Frederick Nelson

Niles Frederick Nelson passed away peacefully in his home on April 19, 2026. 

He was born on Nov. 7, 1952, at Ft. Benning, Georgia to Fred and Marlene (Murray) Nelson while his father was serving in the United States Army as an officer with the 7th Calvary. Niles had resided with his parents in Missoula and Polson, Montana before coming to Libby with his family in July of 1957 at the age of 4. 

He was raised and educated in Libby, attending New Central and Old Central grade schools, Asa Wood Junior High and Libby High School, graduating in the class of 1971. 

Niles’ father had been Director of Bands and Music Department Supervisor for Libby Public Schools while living in Libby.

While attending Libby High School, Niles met his soul mate, Bobbie Brown; they were married on Aug. 18, 1973, at the United Methodist Church in Libby. They lived in Missoula where he attended the University of Montana; he later transferred to the California College of Mortuary Science at Los Angeles where he received an Associate of Arts degree in mortuary science. 

They returned to Missoula where he was associated with Geraghty Funeral Home and Livingston & Malletta Funeral Directors. Niles and Bobbie returned home to Libby in July of 1976, where he served as mortician and funeral director for Vial Funeral Homes of Libby and Eureka for 16 years. 

He and his wife assumed ownership of the firm in 1992 following the retirement of Mel and Joan Vial. The business then became Nelson and Vial Funeral Home until Niles and his wife retired and sold it to Steve and Denise Schnackenberg in 2008. 

After retirement, Niles kept his license for many years and worked part-time, traveling to fill in for the funeral directors and morticians of Montana when needed. He also served as deputy coroner and coroner of Lincoln County for 18 years.

Niles served two terms as both board member and past chairman of the Montana State Board of Funeral Service, and had also been a member of the Montana Coroners Association, the Montana Funeral Directors Association, the National Funeral Directors Association, the American Society of Embalmers, and the Cremation Association of North America. 

A lifetime member of the University of Montana Alumni Association, he had been a member and participant in the UM Alumni Band. Niles was also active in many community affairs throughout the years, including serving as a board member and trustee of Recovery Northwest and St. John’s Lutheran Hospital.

Niles was preceded in death by his nephew, Byron Myers; his grandmother and grandfather, Thomas and Thelma Murray; and his mother and father, Marlene and Fred Nelson. 

He was survived by his wife, Bobbie; his children, Dale Raymond Nelson (and wife Anna), and Christopher Niles Nelson (and wife Liz); his grandchildren, Lauren Nelson, Eric Nelson, Jesse Nelson, Isaiah Barks, Zoey Marty-Nelson, and Sophia Marty-Nelson; his brothers, Brian Murray, Dale P. Nelson, and Grant Nelson; many nieces and nephews, including two who were particularly close to him–having lived with him and Bobbie for a time–Paula (Myers) Peterson and Cassie (Myers) Haugland; as well as many great-nieces and great-nephews.

A funeral service was held on Friday, April 24, 2026, at the Libby Assembly of God.

Arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg and Riddle Funeral Home of Libby, MT. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.