Joseph Howke

Joseph "Joey" Howke Schlinger Foster Buck, 23, passed away on Thursday, June 19, 2008 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. He was born Feb. 21, 1985 in Kalispell.

Joey lived in the foster home of Kenneth and Jessie Schlinger for the first 12 years of his life, where he was lucky enough to gain some foster brothers and sisters, namely, Anna, Rebecca, Bonnie, Merisha, Kenneth Jr., Jeff, Brendon, Lynette, Samantha, Norma, Raven and John. After losing his foster Mom and Dad he became the foster son of a young man by the name of Ron Foster, which then gave him two more brothers and a sister - Tarin, Mitchel and Blake - for the next four years. Later, due to unforeseen circumstances, he became the foster son to his nurse, Nyla Buck, and her loving husband, Berl, where he has been for the past seven years. This gave him two more foster brothers and four more foster sisters, namely, Forrest, Lowel, Teresa, Rebecca, Dawna and Annalynn. All of these families gave Joey their total loving care and he loved each and every one of these foster families with all his heart.

During these years he had lots of skilled nurses caring for him. He could name two very special ones besides Nyla. They were Louise and Betty. He also received special respite care by Kate, Charlotte, Anita, Debra and Linda - all who gave gentle loving care to him.

He thoroughly loved his therapy with special therapists, Leslie and Julie. Dr. Wilder and his wonderful staff looked after him and helped make his time on earth a better place.

Thanks to Home Solutions, Randy Kenyon CEC, and Noreco they were always there with all the things needed for my support and care.

When Nightingale Nursing and Ron Foster brought Nyla Buck on board and Outreach Alliance Services, Joey was able to continue his nursing care after turning 21 years old. Joey's foster brother Forrest "Frosty" took over guardianship of Joey so he could continue to live in a home he loved so much.

Some of the things he enjoyed was talking on the phone, especially to one of his favorite special ladies, Gail. He also loved music and dancing with sing alongs with his uncles, Louie and Jay, who played their guitars and sang to him.

Because of USANA helping his Mom and Dad, Joey was given the best quality of life possible for his special health circumstances. Joey brought love and joy to all who cared for him and he will be missed so very much.

He is survived by his foster parents, Berl and Nyla Buck of Columbia Falls, and many other foster family and friends.

Memorial services for Joey will be held on Thursday, June 26 at 2 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1780 Talbott Road in Columbia Falls. There is no visitation.

Johnso-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Joey's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Joey's guest book.

Martha Bennett

Martha W. Bennett, 85, a resident of the Flathead Valley, passed away at the Montana Veterans' Home in Columbia Falls of natural causes. She had been a nurse during her working career. She also served in the U.S. Navy as a nurse.

She is survived locally by a son, Steven M. Bennett.

Private services are planned at the Veterans Cemetery in Columbia Falls. Arrangements are under the direction of Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish.

David Johnson

David Edward Johnson, 77, of Columbia Falls, passed away on Tuesday, June 3, 2008 at Health Center Northwest in Kalispell. He was born on Aug. 8, 1930 in Kalispell, the son of James Homer and Velda Lucy (Funk) Johnson.

He attended schools in Kalispell and graduated from Flathead High School in 1949. He was married to Norma Lee Eckelberry on May 16, 1951 in Columbia Falls, and had been happily married for 57 years.

He went to auto mechanic school in Salt Lake City and worked at the Chevrolet Garage in Kalispell until he started logging in the mid-1950s hauling logs and grain. He also ran a service station in Thompson Falls with Bud Derrickson until being forced into early retirement.

He really enjoyed being with family and friends. A happy day was in 1961 when son Corey arrived. Trucking and work ethics carried from father to son. He was a veteran of the Korean War.

He was a former member of Trinity Lutheran Church and was currently a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Columbia Falls.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Velda and Homer Huggins.

He is survived by his wife Norma Johnson; son Corey Johnson and his wife, Janis; two grandchildren, Brett Wagner and Shauna Calhoun; and two great-grandchildren, Kendyl and Reegen, who he got a great kick out of. All reside in Flathead County.

Memorial services were private by the family. The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 640 7th St., Columbia Falls, MT 59912.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for David's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign David's guest book.

Dennis Cook

Dennis Dale Cook, 54, passed away on Friday, June 20, 2008 at home in Columbia Falls after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Dallas, Texas, on Aug. 17, 1953 to Anna Belle and Donald Cook, who both preceded him in death.

Dale received his bachelor's degree from Southern Methodist University in 1975. He was married to Beth Sauder in January of 1976 and they opened their own business, a frame shop and art gallery in Richardson, Texas. After the birth of their son they sold the business, and he owned a printing business in downtown Dallas before moving to the Flathead Valley in 1992.

His dream was to live in the mountains of Montana. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing and hunting. He worked at Semitool for approximately eight years and also guided fishing trips for a short time on the Flathead River. He so enjoyed the beauty of the mountains and the experience of floating the rivers and catching wild trout with special flies that he had tied himself. One of his favorite places was the South Fork of the Flathead River.

Dale had an abiding faith in Jesus Christ and the hope of being with Him forever. His family has a peace beyond understanding that he is in the chief Shepherd's loving arms.

He is survived by his wife, Beth Cook of Columbia Falls; son, Aaron Cook and his wife, Krista; and granddaughter Emma of Great Falls. He is also survived by his brother, David Cook, and his wife, Laura, of Dallas, Texas.

A memorial service for Dale was scheduled at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 25, at North Valley Baptist Church, 1750 Talbott Road in Columbia Falls with Pastor Rick Rhubottom officiating.

The family suggests memorial gifts be given to North Valley Baptist Church or to Grace Hospice, 1117 S. Main St., Kalispell.

Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is in charge of the arrangements.

J. Daniel Moser

J. Daniel Moser, III, 66, began his journey into a new life on Wednesday, May 28, 2008, with family and friends at his side.

The oldest of five children, Dan was born July 16, 1941, in Norristown, Penn., to Cecelia and Jacob D. Moser Jr. His childhood was filled with fun and loving memories - building forts, sheltering animals and sharing his knowledge of invention with others.

Immediately after graduating Norristown High School in 1959, he joined the Navy, working as a radar detector and fixed wing mechanic, during the Cuban Missile Crisis. After active duty, he served in the Naval Air Reserves for 10 years.

In 1961, he fell in love with and married June Latsha, his beloved wife of nearly 47 years.

He followed in family footsteps, creating fine custom woodwork and cabinetry. He and June moved to Martin City, with the Moser family in 1971, where he was instrumental in re-establishing the family business, Moser Cabinets.

Dan loved camping and sailing the lakes of Montana and Idaho, piloting small planes over the Rockies and Flathead Valley, making music with the old-timers in Martin City, oil-painting, renovating old vehicles, building ships in bottles and designing remote-operated planes. He enjoyed teaching these things to his nieces, nephews and children of family friends who became "Dan and June's kids."

With great pride, he continued to serve his country in the National Guard in Kalispell until his retirement in 2002. He was a member of the Martin City Fire Department.

Dan was preceded in death by his father, Jake; and his nephew, Lt. Travis Moser. He is survived by his wife, June; mother, Cecelia Moser-Salter; three brothers and one sister and their families, Bill and wife, Judy; Nancy; Larry; Chris and wife, Pam; many beloved nieces and nephews; and special friend, Col. Mary Marshall.

He leaves behind many family members and friends, though memories of his smile and sparkling blue eyes remain with us.

The family suggests memorial gifts be given to Canyon QRU, or Martin City Fire Department.

Services were held to celebrate Dan's life Thursday, June 5, at St. Richard's Catholic Church in Columbia Falls. Rev. John Miller officiated. Burial followed at St. Richard's Catholic Cemetery with military graveside honors. A reception followed at the church.