Robert William 'Bob' Wiswell, 76

Robert William "Bob" Wiswell, 76, of Thompson Falls, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2005, at the Clark Fork Valley Hospital. He was born on Oct. 18, 1928, in Deadwood, S.D. Losing his father while an infant, Bob was raised by his Aunt Anna and Uncle Herbert Wiswell. He grew up and attended school in Deadwood.

Bob loved sports from the time he was young. He excelled in most sports, but football was his passion. After graduating in 1947, he began working various jobs in the Black Hills area.

On Nov. 1, 1951, he enlisted into the U.S. Air Force. Bob served our country overseas at many places including Iceland during the Korean conflict. He was honorably discharged on Oct. 31, 1955, and returned to Rapid City, S.D. After spending some time there working, Bob decided to move to Colorado where he eventually met and married Alta Lowe.

Shortly thereafter, they moved to Kalispell where Bob would become the warehouse manager for Sloan's Appliances. Alta passed away in 1971. Bob continued working in the Kalispell area. He met Janis (Blair) Wilkerson, and they were married on April 27, 1974, in Kalispell.

They enjoyed nearly 31 years together. Janis' sons became like sons to Bob and the grandchildren were dear to his heart. In 1996, they moved to Thompson Falls to make their final home.

A special moment took place later in his life when he and his brother were reunited after 40 years.

Throughout his life, Bob enjoyed all kinds of sports, gardening, hunting and fishing, building black powder guns and animals - especially dogs and cats. He took great delight in the time he spent with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Janis; two sons, Mitchell Wilkerson and his wife, Kerre, of Kent, Wash., and Robin Wilkerson and wife, Linda, of Denver; two special grandchildren, Nathan and Mariah; a brother-in-law, Don Blair and wife, Rene; and special bud, Ronnie, of Thompson Falls; a sister-in-law, Barbara Clausen and husband, Bill, of Vancouver, Wash.; and four cousins, Walt Wiswell and wife, Verlene, and Anne Iverson all of Deadwood, Oliver Wiswell and family of Louisville, Ky., and Nancy Cox and husband, Bill, of Rathdrum, Idaho.

A memorial service will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, at the Community Congregational Church, Thompson Falls.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Old Jail Museum of Thompson Falls.

Bunch-Toews Funeral Chapel of Thompson Falls is handling the arrangements.