Shirley E. Fuller

Nee McDaniel (Aunt Shirley) passed away on October 26, 2007 at 9pm. Shirley loved the Village of Bigfork and the people there. She moved with her daughter and son-in-law to Phoenix, AZ for health reasons. Shirley leaves behind three children and their spouses; Toby and Hyon Fuller; Cathy and Clay Bloomquist and Tim and Chris Fuller; eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren. She also leaves her only sister Lois Sullivan and her children, Debbie and Les Ingram, Christie and Bob Hand and Jeff Sullivan.

In Michigan where she was born, Shirley leaves behind sister-in-law Darlene McDaniel and all her nieces, nephews and cousins. There will be a celebration of Life Party for Shirley in Bigfork at a later date.

Dillon Michael Melton

Dillon Michael Melton, age 2 months, passed away on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 at the Community Medical Center in Missoula, Montana. He was born on August 15, 2007 in Whitefish, Montana the son of Garrett Michael and Elizabeth LeAnn (Frisk) Melton.

He was a very happy and smiley baby and a great little brother to Joshua.

He is survived by his parents, Garrett and Liz Melton, big brother Joshua Melton of Bigfork, MT; grandparents, Kim Lindlsey and husband Bob of Kalispell, MT; Bob Frisk of Bigfork, MT; Mike Melton of Bigfork, MT; and Dawn Jacobson and husband Dan of Whitefish, MT; aunt Mandy Humphrey of Beaverton, OR and uncles, Robert Giesler of Arizona; and Thane Melton of Bigfork, MT and Nathan Bartz of Whitefish, MT and numerous cousins.

Funeral services for Dillon will be held on Saturday, November 3, 2007 at 11:00 A.M. at the Bigfork Chapel Assembly of God Church in Bigfork, with Pastor Jim Holman officiating. There will be no visitation. Burial will follow in the Bigfork Community Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be sent to P.O. Box 455, Kalispell, Mt 59903.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Dillon's family. You are invited to go to www.johnsonmortuary.com to offer condolences and sign Dillon's guest book.

James J. Hendrick, 78

James J. Hendrick, 78 passed away on October 28th, from cancer, at his home in Evergreen. Jim was born August 9th, 1929 to James and Ella Hendrick on the family homestead in Sweetgrass, Montana. He was raised on the family farm with his three older sisters.

Jim was known for his passion for animals. Wherever he lived, you would be sure to find a broad assortment, including his beloved mules. In 1952, Jim entered the army, but was given an honorable discharge soon after, as he was needed at home to help his dad on the farm.

Jim united in marriage with Shirley Hagen on February 9th, 1953. Together they farmed the family homestead, and began their own family until they moved to Kalispell in 1965. Those who knew Jim would say he was the true "jack of all trades". From farmer to chief of police to a master craftsman, Jim had a versatile array of jobs. In 1969 Jim and his family moved to Whitefish. There he was extremely active with 4-H, and spent most of his free-time fishing, hunting, and camping.

In 1977 Jim and Shirley bought a trailer court and apartments in Lakeside. While there, they enjoyed many things including: lake fishing, saddle club, collecting antiques and delved into their love for music and entertaining. Many residents of Lakeside will never forget his many years of appearances as Santa Claus, bringing toys and candy to children with a horse drawn sleigh.

Jim and Shirley bought their dream property in 1991. Jim built their home along with an authentic log cabin to house his many loved treasures. Jim often described his home, with the deer, turkeys, and the creek, as the best place on Earth. Jim was a showman and loved to entertain. Over the years, Jim and Shirley developed many close friendships with those who shared their love for music. Through Jim's retirement years he was a regular on the stage at the Eagles and at Sykes. Jim was known for his passion for animals. Wherever he lived, you would be sure to find a broad assortment, including his beloved mules.

Jim was a hero to his family. Like a cat, it was believed that he had "nine lives". He had many narrow death experiences, such as, being mistaken for a bear and shot, and on another occasion he was run over by a covered wagon. It would not be a surprise to those who loved Jim that he was creative, talented and extremely competitive.

Even though Jim was a true rough and tough cowboy, he had a very strong love and devotion to his bride, Shirley of 54 years, his four children and six grandchildren and many extended family. He loved when his family and friends would get together, and was usually the center of attention, while making sure everyone was having a great time. Jim was known as a "story teller" and would be happy to tell anyone that would listen.

Jim will be missed by all those he leaves behind, but will make those who greet him on the other side happy to have him home with them.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Ella Hendrick, sister, Christina Fitzpatrick, and grandson, Christopher McCready. Jim is survived by his wife Shirley, son, Dan Hendrick and wife Connie, daughters, Debby McCready and husband Gene, Karen Danberg, and Cindy Hendrick, granddaughters, Amanda Stewart, and husband James, Kelly McCready, Kari Hendrick, Lisa Hendrick, and grandson Tyler Hendrick, sisters, Ella Hocheit and Geraldine Austin, and many nephews, nieces and cousins.

A celebration of life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, Monday, November 5th, at 11 am, and a potluck lunch will follow downstairs at the Eagles. Burial will be November 6th, at 11am at the Sunburst cemetery, with a lunch to follow at the Methodist Church in Sunburst. The family suggests memorial gifts be given to Home Options Hospice: 175 Commons Loop Suite 100, Kalispell, Montana 59901 or to the Life Line of Hope: 135 Kelly Rd., Kalispell, MT 59901.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Jim's family. You are invited to go to www.johnsonmortuary.com to offer condolences and sign Jim's guest book.

Florence Elvira Slethaug, 97

Florence Elvira Slethaug, 97, a long-time resident of the Flathead Valley, died October 29, 2007 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. She was born at home on January 4, 1910 to Daniel Gustav and Christine (Absalonson) Dunham who were homesteading a farm near Minnewaukan, North Dakota. She would be one of 8 children who would live in the prairie home together with parents, a grandmother and an uncle for the first 14 years of her life.

The family moved to Kalispell, Montana in 1924 where Florence attended Flathead County High School graduating in 1929 with a teaching certificate. After teaching in Evergreen, and attending Dillon Normal College she began teaching at the Swan River School near Bigfork where she met and married Olander Slethaug on April 27, 1934. They lived 61years on a farm on Echo Lake Road until moving to Buffalo Hill Terrace in 1995. She often remarked that she had gone from a life involving labor, organization and action for most daylight hours to one of luxury and leisure at Buffalo Hill Terrace, a bittersweet transition, because she loved her home, the mountains, the garden, the flowers, her family and friendships that were her place for most of her life.

Florence was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, originally located in Swan River and later in Bigfork and served as teacher, choir member, organizer, fund-raiser, cook and local, state and national board member of ELCW, the Lutheran women's organization. She was an active Democrat who could explain the reason for her activism quite clearly, and knew most of the time when to discuss her opinions and when not to.

Florence is survived by two children, Sharon Schiltz and husband Don of Bigfork, MT and Gordon Slethaug and wife Mary of Hong Kong. She has 7 grandchildren; Kris, Gavin and Darin Slethaug and Heather Fern, Mark Schiltz, Heidi Westmoreland and Cori Wellenstein, and 11 great grandchildren. She would say proudly, as she surveyed the crowd of family gathered for celebrations, "Olander and I started all of this and not a bad apple in the barrel". She was preceded in death by Olander, in 1997, and all of her Dunham family.

Funeral services for Florence will be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at the Bethany Lutheran Church, 8559 Mt Hwy 35, in Bigfork with Rev. Joe Strandjord officiating. Burial will follow at the Bethany Lutheran Cemetery on Swan River Road in Bigfork. Friends are invited to join the family for coffee and cookies in the fellowship hall at Bethany after the service. The family suggests memorial gifts be given to the Bethany Lutheran Church: P.O. box 398, Bigfork, MT 59911

Robert Bruce Owen, 69

Robert Bruce Owen died November 3, 2007. Born April 23, 1938 in Riverside, California to Dorothy Owen Powers and Lawrence Terrill Owen, he retired to his beloved Montana, a place he had visited every summer throughout his childhood.

A graduate of Claremont McKenna College and the University of Southern California, he retired an Executive Vice President at Security Pacific Bank in Los Angeles.

Bruce was one of the founding members of the Bigfork Rotary Club and served as an elder at the First Presbyterian Church of Kalispell. He also attended a Friday morning Bible study group, affectionately known as the Dirt Bags.

He loved reading and sports, and he had a lifetime passion for the study of the history of Montana and the West. He will be remembered for his generosity, integrity, and quick wit.

He will be dearly missed by his wife Brenda of 39 years; daughter Ashley of London, England and son Jeffrey of Pasadena, California; and brother John Terrill Owen of Castle Rock, Colorado.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday at 11:00am at the Bigfork Community Cemetery on Swan River Road. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the First Presbyterian Church of Kalispell, 540 South Main Street, Kalispell, Montana, 59901