Darrell E. Grilley, 75

Darrell E. Grilley, 75, passed away Monday, Nov. 14, 2005, at Brendan House in Kalispell.

Darrell was born July 8, 1930, in Northome, Minn., to Verne and Margaret Grilley. He joined the Air Force in 1949 and served in the Korean conflict as an airplane mechanic.

On June 29, 1953, he married Gloria Knight, and they had five children.

Darrell worked as a mechanic for Boeing in Seattle for four years. He then moved to Ellensburg, Wash., and studied for three years at a music school. Darrell and Gloria moved back to Montana, where he spent his time teaching music and doing construction work. Darrell loved to play music and teach others how to play. His grandkids all remember learning how to play the guitar or the piano from their 'PaPa.'

In his later years, he stayed home and helped watch his grandchildren where he spent many hours watching cartoons, taking naps, and getting as many hugs as he could.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Jack; and his daughter, Debra.

Darrell is survived by his wife, Gloria, of Bigfork; his children, Lyle Grilley of Bigfork, Brian Grilley and wife, Marcy, of Lodi, Calif., Ken Grilley and wife, Tammy, of Bigfork, and Cyndi DeMars and husband, Dan, of Bigfork; grandchildren, Mark, Gretchen, Travis, Trevor, Christopher, Kenny, Kyle, Cody and Kaylyn; and brothers, Richard and Terry Grilley.

Visitation will be from 1 to 7 p.m. today, Nov. 18, at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Columbia Mortuary. Burial will be afterward in Woodlawn Cemetery, with military graveside honors.