'Jack' Sheldon Dalton, 71

"Jack" Sheldon Dalton, 71, of Charlo, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2004, at home. His big heart finally gave way.

Jack was born on Aug. 14, 1933, in Lewiston, Utah, to Arnold and Marietta Dalton. He graduated from Bear River High School in 1951. He led his high school team as a Golden Glove boxer.

In 1951, he started his career as a brick and stone mason. He married his beloved sweetheart, Beverly Ipsen, May 21, 1955. Jack was a master mason and artisan known for his majestic fireplaces. He was sought out by the rich and famous. He built the Delta, Colo., courthouse and prison, Deer Lodge municipal building, Utah State University Union Building, Ronan grade school, Brendan House and many buildings in the Flathead Valley. He was a contractor who worked in Texas, Wyoming, New Mexico and Colorado.

During the summers of 1970 and 1971, Jack and his crew rebuilt four miles of stone walls and guardrails, a dozen culvert arches and the large mosaic veneer at the tunnel turn on the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park.

He and Bev owned and operated the Sitting Duck in Woods Bay near Bigfork.

He was preceded in death by one son and one daughter.

He is survived by his loving wife, Beverly; son, Kenneth; daughter, Chris; three brothers, Lee, Newell and Timothy; one sister, Sharon; three granddaughters; and three great-granddaughters.

Everyone that knew him was touched some way by him. Jack was a man who many youth and adults admired because of his integrity, charisma and generosity. In 1979, he organized and managed the Triple B Boxing Club in Bigfork. He wanted the young people of Bigfork to have the opportunity to box and build their self-esteem.

Jack will be remembered for his infectious laugh. "Jack will be in our hearts as a wonderful husband, brother, father and grandfather." He had a great love for life, family and friends.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28, at the Charlo Senior Citizens Center in Charlo.