Obituary of Lyle Aichele

Lyle Aichele was born May 20, 1929 to  parents Joseph and Louise Aichele , ethnic Germans who emigrated to Bismarck, N. Dakota from Russia.  He died surrounded by family August 25, 2020 after a long battle with COPD .  Lyle is survived by his wife Carolyn Aichele, sister Kathleen (Dallas) Witty,  and brothers Roy and Loyd Aichele.  He was preceded in death  by sisters Clara Aichele Hodgen and Delores Aichele Baum, brother Larry Aichele, and daughter Mary Aichele Hartsell.  Surviving members of the family include former wife Emily and their children Gerrie St. John, Joe Aichele, Mike Aichele and Annie Ladd, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Also surviving are Lyle’s stepchildren Eric (Mariah) Waller, Marcus (Erin)Waller and Mary (Al) Bullard and grandsons Benjamin Bullard and Finn Patrick Waller.

Lyle was a World War II veteran who joined the Navy at age 16 and served in the Marshall Islands and Hawaii.   He worked more than 50 years as an OTR truck driver throughout the lower 48 states and north into the NW territories of Canada, including the ice roads.  He also operated Lyle’s Pilot Car Service in Montana and Wyoming, retiring at age 85 from professional driving.

Lyle was a member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Portland Oregon.  He enjoyed going to church, socializing with family, friend and neighbors,  and traveling the open road.  He entertained generations of children with his joyful spirit and keen sense of humor.  His ability to excite young children to riot was legendary.  A generous man, Lyle helped people whenever he could. He volunteered at Lovell Senior Center delivering meals to the elderly and was a Shriner in Billings, Montana in his younger years.    Lyle was a mensch, a true gentleman.