Michael John Gilkerson

Michael John Gilkerson, 80, of Malta, Montana, passed away September 6, 2026, in Malta after a long battle with cancer.

Mike was born November 1, 1945, at Park Hospital in Livingston, Montana, to John “Jack” Horton Gilkerson and Joan Francis Schurrer.

He joined the United States Navy in 1964 and completed boot camp at Great Lakes, Illinois. Mike served aboard the USS Cascade (AD-16) before training as a hospital corpsman. His service took him to Portsmouth Naval Hospital in New Hampshire, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and Camp Pendleton, California, where he served with the 5th Marine Division.

Mike continued serving his country through the Naval Reserve, with assignments in Missoula, Billings, and Great Falls. His units included the USS Barbour County (LST-1195), the 4th Marine Division, and the Seabees. He retired from the Naval Reserve on May 1, 1989, after 25 years of active and reserve service.

Mike and Mary “MJae” Bittick Gilkerson were married September 10, 1966, after eloping to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

In 1989, Mike moved to Malta and worked as a range technician for the Bureau of Land Management. He monitored range conditions, fought forest and range fires, and worked with the Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Program. He also served Malta and Phillips County as an EMT, reserve deputy, and dispatcher with the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office.

In 2001, Mike moved to Moore, Oklahoma, where he continued working as a wild horse specialist. He served as an Oklahoma County reserve deputy and made 16 skydiving jumps in Cushing, pulling his own parachute on his final jump.

After retiring from the BLM in 2006, Mike returned home to Malta. He continued serving as a Phillips County reserve deputy until 2022 and also worked as a local brand inspector.

Mike was preceded in death by his beloved wife, MJae; his parents, Jack Gilkerson and Joan Schurrer; and his stepmother, Joyce Gilkerson.

He is survived by his sons, Micheal (Laura), Marc (Lauren), and Matt (Sue); his grandchildren, Whitney (River), Sarah (Gourav), Micheal Jon (Charlotte), Taylor, Shawn, Skylar, Rio, and Maesa; his great-grandchildren, Willa Rose, Micheal Bridger, and Ira Layne; his sisters, Margot (Dave) Jaumotte and Jane (Jerry) Hoffman; and numerous other relatives and friends.

Mike spent his life serving his country, caring for the land, helping his community, and providing for his family. His was a life of quiet duty and dependability, and he will be deeply missed.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2026 at Wilderness Funeral Home in Malta. A graveside service will follow, with a reception afterward at the Community Church.

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