Gregory Dwight Ling

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Gregory Dwight Ling, 58, passed away Sunday, April 3, 2011 at his home in Stevensville, Mont. of natural causes.

He was born Feb. 19, 1953 in Champaign-Urbana, Ill. to Dwight and Phyllis (Cooper) Ling. Greg was a member of the Greencastle High School Class of 1971, earned a bachelor of arts degree at Rollins College in Orlando, Fla. and a masters degree at the University of Massachusettes.

Greg was married to Amy Cocco in 2006. They met in Gainesville, Fla. in 1995 and moved to Montana in 1996, then to Des Moines, Iowa in 2000 before returning to Montana in 2003. Greg worked as a writer and editor in the health care industry for over 20 years, as well as for a variety of magazines. He wrote two novels.

Greg was active in the Christian Science Church in Hamilton, Mont. and was also a volunteer at the North Valley Public Library in Stevensville. Greg's faith guided his life. He was a gentle, kind, generous and spiritual person with a subtle, intelligent wit.

Greg was preceded in death by his parents, Phyllis and Dwight Ling, and his former wife, Sonja Ling.

Survivors include his wife; step-children, Caitlin Reilly of Managua, Nicaragua, and Christopher Reilly of Atlanta; sister, Angela Whitmore of Tampa, Fla.; brother, Douglas Ling of Katonah, N.Y.; niece, Lauren Ling of Lyons, Colo. and nieces and nephews Alexi, Eliza and Brett Whitmore of Tampa.

A memorial service was held Saturday, April 9 at the Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville. A reception followed the service at the Stevensville Hotel.

The family suggests memorial donations be made in Greg's name to the North Valley Public Library, 208 Main St., Stevensville, MT, 59870.