James Neal Ehlers

James (Jim) Neal Ehlers, 51, of Custer, Montana passed away on August 29, 2015 after a long battle with cancer.

The celebration of Jim’s life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 5, 2015 at Faith Chapel in Billings, Montana, located at 517 Shiloh Road. Pastor Marc Johnson of Faith Chapel will be officiating. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Bullis Mortuary of Hardin, Montana.

Jim was born in Hillsboro, Oregon on September 1, 1963. He graduated from Plains High School in 1981 and earned his teaching degree from Western Montana College in Dillon in 1988.

Jim was married to Kathy Dighans on July 15, 1995. They were married 20 years. Jim taught a variety of elementary and junior high grades in Jordan, Froid, Bainville and Custer, Montana. He also coached high school football and basketball and was a driver’s education teacher, however his favorite job was being a husband to his wife Kathy and Dad to his two boys, Jamison and Kellen.

Jim is survived by his wife, Kathy Ehlers, two sons, Jamison Ehlers and Kellen Ehlers, two brothers, Joe Ehlers and Steve Ehlers, three sisters Mina Airhart, Lisa (and Ron) Denn, and Linda Ehlers. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Carol Dighans, brother-in-laws Mark, Scott (Sheila), Bruce (Pamela) and Joel (Sally) Dighans and a sister-in-law Patti Lantz. He also has many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, a few great great nieces and nephews, and other family and friends.

Jim is preceded in death by his father and mother, Fred and Lillian Ehlers.

In lieu of flowers or plants, memorial donations may be given to PEAKS c/o St. Vincent Healthcare Foundation, 1106 North 30th Street, Billings, MT 59101 or Chase Hawks Memorial Association, P.O. Box 31333, Billings, MT 59107.

The family of Jim Ehlers wishes to thank Dr. David Christiansen and all of the Frontier Cancer employees and to Advanced Care Hospital for making his last days comfortable.