Sharon Hiner

Sharon Kay Hiner, 76, of Missoula, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 20, 2017, at home with her family at her side.

She was born September 15, 1940, in Eureka, California, to Melvin and June Christopher. A third generation Eurekan, she graduated high school there and attended California State University, Humboldt in Arcata, California, where she studied art. It was in this environment of magnificent redwoods and wild Pacific coastline that her interest in realistic landscape painting began. Sharon married her high school sweetheart, Millard Hiner in 1959 and began raising her family. They moved to Alaska in 1963 and spent the next sixteen years painting that awe-inspiring scenery. In 1979 they moved to Montana where she continued her art. She was an extremely accomplished artist winning best of show at several prominent art shows, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend who loved to entertain. Sharon was known for her ease in frequent conversation with even total strangers. She had a great love for history and traveled the entire Lewis and Clark trail. They spent several wonderful retirement years in Pierce, Idaho, before moving to Missoula in 2012.

Sharon is preceded in death by her parents, Melvin Christopher and June (Sundfors) Christopher; as well as her brother, Dennis Christopher.

Sharon is survived by her husband of 57 years, Millard, children: Kevin Hiner (Bryn) of Anchorage, Alaska, Mathew Hiner (Cindy) of Deer Lodge, Jennifer Monaco (Donald) of Missoula, granddaughters, Stephanie, Jessica, Erin, Matison and great-granddaughter Leilani.


At Sharon’s request, no services will be held. In lieu of flowers a memorial donations may be made to Humboldt County Historical Society.

The family of Sharon wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Partners in Home Care Hospice.