Elmer Ackroyd Searle, 90
Elmer Ackroyd Searle, age 90, passed away on March 24, 2009 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell, Montana. He was born in Magrath, Alberta, Canada on October 5, 1918 to Heber LeRoy and Susan Isabel (Ackroyd) Searle.
His family moved to Kalispell in 1934. Elmer met Fay Robinson in the summer of 1937 and married her in Polson, MT on March 11, 1939. They were later sealed in the Cardston, Alberta, Canada Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on July 22, 1942. They recently celebrated 70 years of marriage.
Elmer served with the Merchant Marines in the Aleutian Islands from 1944-1945. Following WWII he worked as an electrical engineer on the Chief Joseph Dam in Washington State and for Martin Marietta in Washington and California. He received a BA in Independent Studies from BYU in 1985 and an MA in Humanities from CSU in 1990.
Elmer was a member of the Electrical Brotherhood Union and served as a Bishop and High Councilman for the LDS Church. He was also a proud member of the Over-the-Hill-Gang, a local hiking group. He loved, skiing, bird watching, listening to classical music, reciting poetry, and taking friends and family on hikes. He is remembered by his willingness to serve, his love for God and his love of nature.
Elmer is preceded in death by his parents, 5 siblings Ireta, Elda, Charles, Belle, Hazel, and his son Galen Lee.
He is survived by his wife Fay Searle of Kalispell, MT; two daughters; Carol Johnson and husband Russ of Kenmore, WA, Janet Sharp and husband John of Augusta, GA; one son; Jared Searle and wife Diana from the Seattle, WA area; 11 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and many loving friends.
Funeral services for Elmer will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 11:00am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Whitefish Stage Road with Bishop Scott Wendling conducting. Burial will follow at the C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery with Military Honors. Visitation will be on Friday in the Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Chapel from 12 noon to 6:00pm and for one hour prior to services at the church.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Elmer's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Elmer's guest book.