M. Deane Halter, 80

M. Deane Halter, 80, passed away Saturday, April 8, 2006, at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell. He was born July 18, 1925, in Sunburst, the son of Lester and Ina (Christensen) Halter.

He moved with his mother to Woods Bay in 1929 and attended schools in Bigfork.

On Dec. 10, 1943, he entered the U.S. Air Force and worked as an aircraft engine mechanic. He returned from the service in 1946 and worked in the woods in the Flathead Valley and also worked on the Hungry Horse Dam.

On July 22, 1950, he was united in marriage to Mildred Holmquist in Kalispell. In 1950, they move to Spokane, where he did concrete basement work; in 1956, the family moved to Los Angeles, where he built swimming pools until 1959, when the family relocated back to Spokane, where Deane worked for Commercial Gunnite building basements. In 1964, they moved to Walla Walla, Wash., where he worked on a farm until 1976, when they moved back to the Flathead Valley, where they remained until his passing.

Deane loved woodworking, puttering about, his collection of tools, gardening and his pickup. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He is survived by his wife, Mildred, of Bigfork; three sons, Gilbert "Bud" Halter and wife, Sue, of Kalispell, Dennis Halter of Bigfork, and Duane Halter and wife, Lula, Jo of Las Vegas; a sister-in-law, Barbara Cope, and her son, Kenny; a brother-in-law, Ernest Holmquist; 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and numerous other relatives;

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 12, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kalispell, with Bishop Jon Marshall presiding. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will be after the service at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Deane's family.