Travis Vandersloot

Travis Charles Vandersloot, 29, passed away Monday, March 23, 2009, as a result of an automobile accident near Somers.

Travis was born Sept. 14, 1979, in Billings to Robert D. and Cynthia (New) Vandersloot. As a young man, he grew up in Hardin and Butte, then moved to Columbia Falls at an older age. He attended public schools in Hardin and Butte.

He enjoyed golf, snow boarding, music and movies. All who met Travis will miss his smile, caring and loving ways. He will be greatly missed.

Travis was preceded in death by a cousin, Erin Emmert. He is survived by his father Robert D. Vandersloot and step-mother Nola Vandersloot; mother Cynthia New and step-father Gary Emmert; brothers and sisters Christy Bridwell, Trenn Vandersloot, Justin and Nathan Vandersloot, Amy, Sarah, Ryan and Eric Emmert; grandparents Robert C. and Pearl Vandersloot, Robert New and Virginia McBeth; great-grandmother Marie Vandersloot; Joyce and Don Emmert; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins on both sides of the family.

A celebration of Travis will be held at a later date in the Flathead Valley. Funeral services were held March 28 in Hardin with burial at Fairview Cemetery in Hardin.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Big Horn County Historical Museum. Friends are encouraged to visit Web site at www.buffalohillfh.com to leave condolences for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Bullis Mortuary are caring for the family.

Elmer Searle

Elmer Ackroyd Searle, 90, passed away on March 24, 2009, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell. He was born in Magrath, Alberta, Canada on Oct. 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 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 was preceded in death by his parents; five siblings Ireta, Elda, Charles, Belle, Hazel; and his son Galen Lee.

He is survived by his wife Fay Searle of Kalispell; daughters Carol Johnson and husband Russ of Kenmore, Wash., and Janet Sharp and husband John of Augusta, Ga.; son Jared Searle and wife Diana of the Seattle, Wash., area; 11 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and many loving friends.

Funeral services for Elmer were held Saturday, March 28 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Whitefish Stage Road with Bishop Scott Wendling conducting. Burial followed at the C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery with Military Honors.

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.

Erin Julie Thompson

Erin Julie Thompson, 35, was taken along with her unborn child and her 13-year-old son, Caden Odell, on March 19, 2009, as the result of a tragic automobile accident north of Kalispell.

Erin was born on Nov. 5, 1973, in Valentine, Neb., to Vince and Dianna Johnson. The family moved to Kalispell in 1974, where Erin spent most of her life.

She worked at Sage in Whitefish, and was adored by her clients. She loved them right back like family. Every person who sat in her chair received her whole heart.

Erin was a beacon of light, lover of all, celebrator of nature, and an embodiment of peace. She had the most beautiful chocolate brown eyes, the tenderest heart, and radiant beauty that shone from inside and out. She was a healer and an empathetic, brave soul who always trusted that love would ultimately guide us through any situation.

A free spirit, the joy of movement and dance was her second language. Watching Erin dance was a vision of celebration and uninhibited joy for life.

Erin had an infectious smile and laugh. Humor was never far below the surface, and she had a knack for relaying the funny side of a story, easily brightening any room.

She's been a teacher, a compassionate ear, and an inspiration to all who had the pleasure of knowing her. While Erin had a special affinity for anything colorful, sparkly and soft, she saw beauty and divinity in every living thing. She was a lifelong student of spirituality; she was grounded in faith and love, but open to the many possibilities of our world. Her life was love made manifest.

Family has always been her number one joy. For 13 years, her top priority, pride and blessed honor, has been to be the mother of her beautiful boy, Caden. Her relationship with Caden was one of bundles of love, a mutual deep respect, open communication, and lots of laughs.

Erin was poetic and romantic, and had an undying optimism that someday she would find true love. She was so overjoyed when she met the love of her life, Jason Thompson. Their wedding was joyfully celebrated in August 2006. Although their time together was short, it was full of adventure, great cooking, laughter, and deep and unwavering love. Their deepest wish was to create a new life through their love, and everyone around them was incredibly excited about, and in love with the baby they were bringing into this world.

Erin is survived by her husband, Jason Thompson; her parents, Vince and Dianna Johnson; her brother, Thaddeus Johnson; her sister and brother-in-law, Amber and David Young; her sister-in-law, Lindsay Howard; many aunts, uncles and cousins; and so many people who have been touched by her light.

As a wife, a daughter, a sister, a relative, a friend: Words cannot describe how deeply she will be missed. To know her was to love her. And her love will live on through all she touched.

A celebration honoring the life, love, and spirit of both Erin and Caden was held Friday, March 27, at the Christian Center Assembly of God Church in Kalispell.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family. To send condolences, please go to www.buffalohillfh.com.

Caden Vincent Odell

Caden Vincent Odell, 13, was tragically taken along with his mother and unborn sibling on March 19, 2009, as the result of an automobile accident north of Kalispell.

Caden was born at home on Dec. 20, 1995, in Kalispell, to Erin Johnson and Craig Odell. Caden was an only child but was eagerly awaiting the arrival of his sibling.

Caden was an eternal optimist — in his eyes the cup was forever half full, if not overflowing.

He was a lover of nature, camping, hiking, and exploring the world. He was a fearless, uninhibited, free spirit who loved exhilarating experiences like roller coasters and snowboarding. He could also find interest and beauty in the mundane, and bring it to life for those around him.

Caden was a tender-hearted old soul with a vibrant young heart. He possessed boundless energy, and loved climbing as high as he could on anything he could.

Caden was loved deeply by all who knew him. He knew that there was no shortage of people who loved him, and he reflected that right back. His generosity and ability to credit and include others was unending. He treasured his friends. He loved his family, and always made his extended relatives feel like celebrities when they came to visit from out of town.

In the womb he seemed to kick in perfect time, and he also arrived at the perfect moment, the hour that anxiously awaited family rolled into town, so his name was a nod to his cadence. He kept and built that rhythm throughout his life, and was a dedicated drummer with a rhythmic swagger beyond his years. But he was more than a drummer, he was a natural all-around musician. He could easily make up songs, and could pick out melodies on any instrument he had on hand. He enjoyed listening to a wide variety of music, and especially loved Coldplay, Modest Mouse, and his uncle's band, Down and Above.

He was a brilliant boy that had an uncanny sense of humor, even from the youngest age. He was quick-witted and goofy in the best way possible. He was amazingly creative as a songwriter, a moviemaker, a photographer, a storyteller, and loved to hear and tell a great joke. He loved to rhyme (all the time) and was always a spirit lifter. He loved expression, be it through dancing, making music, drawing, being overly-dramatic, or making funny faces.

He could easily interact with adults just as well as he could kids his own age. And he inspired both adults and kids who knew him.

Caden was excited to become a big brother, and didn't have a preference of boy or girl, "as long as it's a drummer."

Caden is survived by his father, Craig Odell, and girlfriend, Sarah Elledge; his stepfather, Jason Thompson; his grandparents, Laurine and Chuck Meyer, Wesley and Rosa Lee Odell, and Vince and Dianna Johnson; his uncle, Thaddeus Johnson; his aunt and uncle, Amber and David Young; his aunt, Lindsay Howard; his uncle, Brad Odell; his aunt and uncle, Darren and Alisa Odell; his aunts, Darcy and Cherise Odell; and his uncle and aunt, Tres and Erika Meyer, and Allison and Terry Cox; and many cousins and extended family.

Caden was a ray of sunshine and a breath of fresh air. He will remain forever in the hearts of all who were lucky enough to know him.

A celebration honoring the life, love, and spirit of both Caden and his mother Erin was held Friday, March 27, at the Christian Center Assembly of God Church in Kalispell.

In place of flowers, the families are requesting that any donations be made to "The Caden Vincent Odell Memorial Fund" at Three Rivers Bank to encourage the joy of music in others for years to come.

A memorial Web site has been set up for Caden at GodBlessCaden.webs.com.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family. To send condolences, please go to www.buffalohillfh.com.