Stephen L. Cooney, 71, passed away at his residence in Fort Benton, Montana April 19, 2024. Cremation has taken place, and he will be buried at the Rockville Cemetery in Carbon County, Montana. Memorial contributions in Stephen's honor may be made to Veteran's Service Dog Training. Please visit Stephen's online memorial to send a card or leave a message of condolence for his family at www.bentonfh.com.

Stephen was born October 28, 1952, along with his twin brother Stanley Allen Cooney to Clark and Mae (Hayes) Cooney in Billings, Montana. Stephen was the last of the children to be born joining 8 siblings. As a child he grew up in Joliet and enjoyed the small-town freedoms kids had back then. He graduated from High School and went to work for the railroad as a brakeman for five years when he was injured in a derailment between Helena and Missoula in the mountains.

After he recovered, he traveled the state and purchased homes for a "good deal" in a few cities in Montana. After reading about the history of Fort Benton and how the paddle boats came up the Missouri River, he decided to purchase a home in the Birthplace of Montana which he felt was a beautiful place.

He was preceded in death by his parents, six siblings, brothers Tom and Ted and sister Sheryl who all succumbed to Lou Gehrig's Disease. His brother Clinton and twin Stan in 2016 and brother Jerry in 2019.

Stephen is survived by his sisters, Nancy L Cooney, Sun Lakes, AZ (nephew, Paul Zier, niece, Lesley Zier) Carolyn Sue Bratlie, Billings, MT (niece, Kimberly Greteman, nephew, Scott Bratlie). Three nephews, Carl R. Cooney, of Colorado, Clark R. Cooney of Florida and Todd Cooney, Laurel. Four nieces, Lana Pratt Matson of Seattle, Gayle Pratt of Seattle, Michelle Cooney of Missoula, and Tami Burke of Glasgow and several grand nieces and nephews.