Glen {Barney} Rummel

Glen {Barney} Rummel, 87, of Plains, passed away July 29, 2021, with his son Patrick by his side.

Dad was born Oct. 17, 1933, in a cabin in Revias Creek just outside of Dixon, the youngest of eight children born to William Thomas and Effie May Rummel.

Due to post depression era economics the family traveled to find work and lived in Zortman and Lincoln where granddad worked as a miner. The early 1940s found them settling in Plains, where Dad was raised and graduated from high school in 1953.

Dad loved football and excelled at it. He was voted player of the year by his teammates for the 1952 season, the same season the Plains Horsemen won the Class C football championship.

Dad was selected as a member of the East-West Shrine football team of 1953. This led to a scholarship to play football for the Grizzlies.

While attending the University of Montana, Dad was drafted into the U.S. Army and served two years as a heavy weapons infantryman. He was very proud of his service in the Army and was a life member of the VFW.

He would later serve as the Commander of the Plains VFW Post from 1966-67.

After his discharge he returned to the U of M in pursuit of his teaching degree. He graduated from the U of M in 1961. While attending the U of M Dad met the love of his life, Darlene Vulles.

They were married June 17, 1961 and were married 54 years.

Dad and Mom were then off to Eureka where he coached grade school athletics and taught seventh and eighth grade science. They then moved to Saltese where he was the grade school principal and taught sixth, seventh and eighth grade subjects.

Dad and Mom returned to Plains the next year where he taught, was the middle school principal and coached {just about everything} for 21 years. He was also instrumental in starting the 7th and 8th grade football program.

He also served over 40 years on the Plains Cemetery Board and as the Director.

During the summer months Dad worked for the Forest Service, starting on the fire crew. This is where he would acquire the nick name of Barney, due to his association with Fred Cavill. Fred and Barney's friendship started in the early 1960s, included both of their families, and has endured to this day.

Dad continued to work for the Forest Service after he retired from teaching, working for them for over 30 summers.

Dad made many friends throughout his years of teaching, coaching and working for the Forest Service. He was known for his sense of humor and wit. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Dad was preceded in death by his mother and father, four brothers, three sisters, his wife Darlene and a granddaughter Kari.

He is survived by sons Tom {Shelly} of Plains and Patrick {Denise} of Evaro; five grandchildren {Eric, Randa, Kandra, Kallie,and Michael}, and two great grandchildren {Zayden and Arianna}; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 21 at the Plains High School Gym.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Plains VFW Post 3596.