John Alan Morrison

John Alan Morrison passed peacefully away at his home in his sleep during the early morning hours of Saturday, Sept. 23, 2006. He had a beautiful Friday evening doing what he loved best - cruising the North Fork with his wife and best friend, Mary, and their new puppy, Winnie. They scouted for firewood, searched for wildlife, and visited with friends they encountered.

John was born in Whitefish, on Aug. 6, 1956 to Kenneth and Wilma (Jean) Morrison. He grew up on the family farm in Columbia Falls and attended Columbia Falls schools. On Jan. 17, 1975, John married the love of his life, Mary (Muff) MacDonald, with whom he had three sons - James, John, and Josh.

For several years, John was employed by the Forest Service and the Montana State Department of Lands. John then made carpentry his life's work. He was a very good carpenter who could build anything from the ground up.

John loved anything to do with the outdoors. He loved to hunt, fish, boat, and to ride four-wheelers. He looked forward to the snowfall, as he also loved riding snowcats with family and friends. John also loved cruising the North Fork in his classic purple convertible. He was also a mechanic and enjoyed working on everything from cars to snowcats.

Though not many knew it, John spent his last days in the loving company of his wife, sons, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren barbecuing, riding four-wheelers, and just hanging out. We are so blessed to have spent that time with him.

John was preceded in death by his mother, Jean, his stepmother, Ruby, his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Mary and Francis MacDonald, as well as his brother-in-law, Mike McFadden.

John is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Mary, at the family home; his father, Kenneth Sr.; sons, James Allen (Heather) Morrison, John Andrew Morrison, and Joshua Adam Morrison; his adoring grandchildren, Jessica, Amanda, and Matthew; his brothers, Tom, Richard, and Kenneth Jr.; his sister, Barb; and numerous nieces, nephews, and family friends.

Goodbye for now, John. We will miss you, but someday we'll be together again.

A memorial service will be held Friday, Sept. 29, 2006, at 2 p.m. at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls.

Memorials may be sent in John's name to the North Valley Search and Rescue, Columbia Falls Fire and Ambulance, or to the donor's choice.

Margaret Martinu

Margaret Martinus entered into eternal rest suddenly at Kalispell Regional Hospital on Monday, Sept. 18, 2006.

She was born May 19, 1914 in Detroit, Michigan to Anthony and Agnes Chojnacki. She was the youngest of three siblings.

She was married to Henry J. Martinus on June 27, 1936 at South Bend, Indiana. They made their home in Grand Rapids, Michigan until her husbands death on April 19, 1965. In 1975, she moved west to be near her family and especially to enjoy her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, step father, husband and one daughter.

Margaret is survived by her son, Donald R. Martinus (Sally); two grandchildren, Sam Martinus of Johnstown, Penn. And Sonja Nelson (Tom) of Homer, Alaska; and four great grandchildren, Zachary, Jakob, Luke and Carly Nelson; and one brother, John Shevsky of St. Claire Shores, Michigan; and many nieces and nephews.

She enjoyed fulfilling her calling as a wife, mother, especially grandmother, and a home maker. She will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Sept. 30, 2006, at 10 a.m. at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 640 7th Street West, Columbia Falls, Montana.

Inurnment will take place in Grand Rapids, Mich., at a later date.

Arrangements are with the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls.

Roger J. Morris, Jr.

Roger J. Morris, Jr., 54, publisher and editor of The Western News, died Thursday, Sept. 21, 2006, in Libby.

Roger and his family came to Libby in July 1992 where he joined the staff of The Western News and remained with the paper for 14 years.

He was born in St. Albans, Long Island, N.Y., to Roger and Catherine Martin Morris and was raised and educated at Deer Park, Long Island. He later attended college at Oklahoma University and the University of Northern Colorado at Greeley, receiving a bachelor of arts in journalism.

Roger worked at the North Platte, Neb., Telegraph newspaper and was later employed in the public relations department of State Farm Insurance. He then served as a reporter and later as editor and general manager of the Country Times in Gunnison, Colo., and the Mountain Sun News at Crested Butte, Colo., before coming to Libby.

A tireless community advocate and servant, Roger had served on the board of Libby Nordicfest Inc. since 1992 and had been a longtime member of the Lincoln County Library Board as well as serving in a promotional capacity for The Treasure Tones. He had been an active supporter of Libby Public Schools and sports and was recently honored at a Libby Loggers football game with a signed game ball. He also currently served as president of the Libby Rotary Club.

One of Roger's great loves was the outdoors, hiking in the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness area and in many of the national parks and his beautiful photography of those areas; he also enjoyed downhill skiing.

Survivors include his son, Christopher Morris of Bozeman; his parents, Roger Morris Sr. of Parker, Colo., and Catherine Jones of Tucson, Ariz.; a brother, Brian Morris of Aurora, Colo.; a sister, Michelle Simpson of Crested Butte, Colo.; and a host of good friends.

Services were held Monday at the Memorial Center in Libby. Memorials in Roger's memory may be made to Nordicfest Inc., P.O. Box 791, Libby, MT 59923, or to Wings, P.O. Box 1550, Libby, MT 59923.

Arrangements are under the care of Nelson & Vial Funeral Home.