Joseph M. 'Joe' Sloan, 82
Joseph M. "Joe" Sloan, 82, "was called home to be with the Lord," Saturday, Jan. 29, 2005.
He was born Jan. 8, 1923, in Lyman County, S.D., to Leonard and Loretta Sloan. He graduated from Vivian High School in 1941.
He joined the Marine Corps in 1943, where he served on the Battleship USS Massachusetts "Mighty Mamie" as the captain's orderly. His Marine attachment served in the Pacific Theater, which saw action in the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Joe's Marine unit was responsible for securing the Naval air station at Atsugi, Japan, enabling General MacArthur to land and sign the Japanese surrender. Joe was very proud to have served his country.
He was discharged from the Marines in 1945, in Seattle, where he met Doris Nicola. They were married at St. James Cathedral in Seattle, in 1946. They moved to Missoula and lived there a short time, then moved to Kalispell, where they raised their four sons.
Joe worked for Main Street Furniture and in 1961 opened Sloan's Appliance Store. Joe's integrity and honest work ethic made him a successful businessman in Kalispell.
He coached Pee Wee baseball and church league basketball, and he loved to golf with his many golfing buddies. He retired in 1986 and he and Doris spent their time between Kalispell and Mesa, Ariz.
Joe volunteered his time to the Flathead Food Bank and Meals On Wheels. He was honored to have achieved the rank of Fourth Degree in the Knights of Columbus.
He always reached out to anyone in need. Joe had a tremendous love for his family and friends. He will be deeply missed and never forgotten.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Leon; and sister, Molly.
He is now survived by his wife, Doris Sloan; four sons, James Sloan and wife, Virginia, and Steve Sloan and wife, Cheri, all of Kalispell, Michael Sloan and wife, Becky, of Banning, Calif., and Robert Sloan of Renton, Wash.; one brother, John Sloan and family of Fargo, N.D.; three sisters, Peggy Sverko and family, and Leona Stark and family, all of California, and Maureen Walsh and family of Omak, Wash.; seven grandchildren, Nathan Sloan, Peter Sloan, Brian Sloan and wife, Amber, Adam Sloan, Bailey Sloan, Katie Sloan, and Spencer Sloan; and one great-grandson, Parker Sloan.
A Mass of Christian burial for Joseph M. Sloan will be held 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 4, at Risen Christ Catholic Church with Father Rudolph Bullman as celebrant. Committal will follow in the C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. A vigil will be held 7 p.m. Thursday at Johnson Mortuary chapel with visitation Thursday from 1 p.m. to time of vigil at the funeral home.
The family suggests memorials be given in Joe's name to Hospice Home Health Options, 175 Commons Loop, Ste. 100, Kalispell, MT 59901.
Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson Mortuary and Crematory.