John Ost

John Christ Ost, 58, passed from this life June 26, 2009, at his home in Denver.

He was born in Whitefish on May 25, 1951, to Eugene and Ruth Ost. He completed all grades in the Whitefish school system.

After high school, John joined the Montana National Guard, worked a short time for the Great Northern and Burlington Northern railroads, then journeyed to Denver. In Denver, he was hired by the OroWheat Bakery as a mechanical engineer. He recently retired after 32 years of service. He loved working at the bakery and leaves behind many friends.

John and his wife Cindy welcomed numerous foreign exchange students into their home over the years. Some interests John and Cindy participated in were live concerts, Western and Southwestern Indian art collecting and galleries, attending Renaissance gatherings, collecting hundreds of Hot Wheels from the 1950s through the 2000s, and the notorious Beany Babies.

Above all his hobbies, John loved riding his motorcycle most. Last May, he loaded it in the back of his truck, drove to Montana and went on a great ride with brothers Bob and Mike.

Cancer threatened John's life at the early age of 19, but he survived that battle and was blessed with 38 cancer-free years. In May 2008, the cancer demon rose again, and John began fighting battle after battle. But John grew tired and lost the final battle and "has joined his family and friends in Heaven, blessed with the love of our Lord."

John was preceded in death by his parents; sister Debbie Ost and her son Christopher Managhan.

John is survived in Denver by his wife Cindy, daughter Arianne and friend Pete; and in Whitefish by his sister Carolyn Ost Wehr; brother Bob Ost and wife Brenda; brother Mike Ost and wife Kelly; nieces Teri Hill, Kim Role, Dustyne Salminen, Amber Ost, and Devyn, Torey and Christina Ost; nephews Jacob and Dusty Ost; "Uncle Freddy" Ost and aunt Tillie Green; as well as many, many more relatives and longtime friends from the good ol' days growing up in Whitefish.

A service took place July 1, 2009, in Denver.

A memorial service for John will be held locally with the date and time announced in the near future.

John's family asks that donations in John's name be made to the local Wings organization in Kalispell in lieu of flowers, food, etc.

Jane Hyatt

Jane Erva Shope Hyatt, 71, died July 3, 2009, at her home on Flathead Lake.

Jane was born June 29, 1938, in Helena to Erva Love Shope and Irvin "Shorty" Shope, a Montana artist. She was raised in Helena, where she often rode horseback with her siblings in the mountains outside of town.

She graduated from Helena High School in 1956 and attended Montana State University, where she met Harry Hyatt, of Havre. They were married in Helena on Sept. 13, 1958, and moved to Tucson, Ariz., in 1959. Jane received a bachelor's from the University of Arizona in 1960.

They had two children, Karen and Christopher, who were both born in Orange, Texas.

Jane worked as a volunteer in hospitals and in schools. She served on the board of Family Service and sold real estate in Illinois.

In 1980, Jane and Harry purchased property on Flathead Lake, where she became a cherry orchard farmer. In 1991, they moved to Johannesburg, South Africa, where they lived for eight years and traveled globally.

After having been diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2004, she and Harry built a lakefront home on their Flathead property. Jane enjoyed this project immesnely and had the wonderful opportunity to spend time viewing this pristine scenery, the birds and wildlife that surrounded it.

Jane and Harry also lived in the Chicago area (Morris and Kildeer), Omaha, Dallas, Houston and Germany.

Jane was preceded in death by her parents; her sister Joyce Johnson; and a niece, Mary Alice Stevens.

She is survived by her patient, care-giving husband of 50 years, Harry Hyatt; her daughter, Karen Hyatt of Chicago, Ill.; her son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Jennifer Hyatt, of Whitefish; three grandchildren, Audrey Rose, William and Charlie Hyatt; her sister and brother-in-law, Judith and Richard Stevens, of Great Falls; her brother-in-law, Donald Johnson, of Westford, Mass.; her brother, Richard Rhydes, of Whidbey Island, Wash.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services were held July 8, 2009, at the Community United Methodist Church in Bigfork. Interment followed at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery, in Kalispell.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center/Dr. Michael Wang Research, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston TX 77030-4009 or Home Options Hospice, 711 Main St. SW, Ronan MT 59864.

Clark Caldwell

Clark LaRue (Rudy) Caldwell II, 54, died July 3, 2009, in Whitefish, of a longtime illness.

He was born April 13, 1955, in Guam and was raised in Pomona, Calif.

He was employed by DePratu Ford of Whitefish as a salesman. He was noted for his pride and excellence with the Ford Motor Corp. for 31 years and his dedication to both his customers and company.

He leaves us with many legacies, especially the love of family and friends, and the joy of fishing and camping.

His mother LaVonne Caldwell preceded him in death.

He is survived by sons Kyle Richey and Dante Caldwell, both of Saint George, Utah; grandson K.J, Richey as well as Vaudis Richey and Julie Anne Caldwell, all of Saint George, Utah; father E.L. Caldwell, of Wirt, Minn.; sisters Tami Alicia Buck, Tracy Alana Caldwell and Terri Ann Caldwell, all of Southern California; brother Greg Mason and wife Valerie, of Whitefish; and numerous nieces and nephews from Eureka, Whitefish, Southern California and Virginia Beach, Va.

In his honor and memory, a riverside service took place July 6, 2009, at Highway 40 and Whitefish River, with Pastor Don Dukes officiating.

Geri Dallman

Geri DiPasquale Dallman, 53, of Florence, passed away on July 4, 2009, due to a long battle with cancer at her sister's residence in Florence.

She was born March 30, 1956, in Kalispell to Albert and Lilian (Tinka) DiPasquale. She grew up with her family in Whitefish and graduated from Whitefish High School in 1974. She went on to attend the Vo-Tech in Missoula, where she received a degree in data entry.

On Aug. 29, 1981, she married Bill Dallman. They moved to Seattle, where they had their first daughter, Breanne. Soon after, they returned to Florence where they had their second daughter, Camerin.

Geri enjoyed the outdoors by going on long drives, fishing, boating and camping. She also took great pleasure in family and friends, music and dancing, garage saling, and the scenery that Montana offers.

She is preceded in death by her parents.

Geri is survived by her loving daughters Camerin Hidasy and husband Dustin, of Missoula, and Breanne Janes and husband Travis, of Missoula; grandchildren Dooley Hidasy and Dylan Janes, of Missoula; sisters Teri Wold and husband Cyle, of Florence, Revan Rogers and husband Ron, of Polson, Judy Grant and husband Pat Bears, of Polson, and Jacquie Britton, of Sacramento, Calif.; brothers Art Barber and wife Pat, of Lafayette, Colo., Dale Barber and wife Madonna, of Polson, and Ralph Brown and wife Carol, of Cornelius, Ore.; uncles Wally Weivoda, of Pablo, and Phil Weivoda, of Selah, Wash.; and numerous neices and nephews.

Memorial services will take place Saturday, July 11, 2009, at 4 p.m. at the Lolo Community Church, with Tim Taunt officiating. Reception will follow at the church.

The family suggests that memorials be made to Guardian Angels of Missoula or Aspen Hospice of Montana.