Emmett "Ty" Typolt, "The Train Man", died peacefully of natural causes at his home early Saturday, May 30, 2009. He was 91.

'Ty' was born Dec. 7, 1917, in Broadview. During his lifetime he lived and worked in the "Big Sky" country of Montana. He loved his home state.

He had a full life, enjoying many occupations, but most were in the sales field. One of his first jobs was working for the Milwaukee Railroad in Three Forks as a section hand, and this job began his love of railroads and trains. Before WWII, he worked for Safeway in Livingston. When Ty returned from the war, he worked at and eventually managed the Peas Jewelry store (now Miller's) in Bozeman. He also owned and operated two grocery stores, the first a combination Texaco gas station and grocery store in Gallatin Gateway, and the other a supermarket in Ennis. He later became a salesman for the RealSilk Company and ultimately retired from Utah Woolen Mills.

In 1996, he retired to do what he loved best, sell and play with modular trains. He opened and operated "Ty's Electric Train Shop," located at his home on South Montana Ave., and became known as "The Train Man." He was a member of the Helena Modular Railroad Club. The family wishes to acknowledge and express their appreciation to all his many "train buddies" for their friendship and support.

He served his country honorably, first in the Montana Army National Guard 1-163rd Infantry Regiment. Ty enlisted in the Navy Seabees at the beginning of World War II, and served in the Seabees 73rd U.S. Naval Construction Battalion in the South Pacific Islands until the conclusion of the war.

He was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Masonic Lodge in Livingston. He was also a lifetime member of the Elks Club and spent many Friday nights ballroom dancing at the Elks lodge in Helena.

In 1939, he married Ruth Marie Lane of Three Forks, and they have three children, Sheilah Childs of Mobile, Ala., Jim 'Ty' Typolt (Jeanie) of Bozeman and Sharon Noel (Leon) of Vancouver, Wash. In 1959, he married Milldred Voigt of Helena, and has one stepson, Dennis (Chris) Voigt of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. His wife, Milldred, preceded him in death in May 2006. His father, James Typolt, died at age 49 in Livingston; his mother, Josephine Typolt, died at 96 in Monroe, Wash.; and his brother, Karl Typolt, passed away in Monroe, Wash. at age 92.

Ty is survived by his three children and stepson; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

The family particularly wants to thank and remember all the doctors and nurses at St. Peter's Hospital Cancer Treatment Center who so compassionately cared for him during the past four years.

At Ty's request there will not be a memorial service. He will be interred at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison. The family requests that memorials be made to the St. Peter's Hospital Cancer Treatment Center, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601. Local arrangements have been entrusted to Hagler-Anderson Funeral Home.