Donald Danforth Ralston, 87

Donald Danforth Ralston, 87, passed away Sunday, April 23, 2006, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell.

Don was born May 22, 1918, in Coeur D' Alene, Idaho, to Edgar S. and Emma Danforth. His mother died when he was very young, and he then was adopted and raised by Harry and Cleola Danforth Ralston.

Done was raised in the East Glacier area, and then attended high school in Cut Bank. After high school, he worked for a while for the Civilian Conservation Corps. On Dec. 2, 1941, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, where he served as a photo recon cameraman. He was stationed in the European theater and was involved in several major battles, including Normandy. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army Air Corps on Oct. 11, 1945.

He returned to Montana where he went to work for the National Park Service at Two Medicine.

He always will be remembered by his friends for his truly enjoyable sense of humor and his wonderful quick wit.

Don was preceded in death by his adopted parents; and a sister, Beth.

He is survived by a half-sister, Mary Heffner, of Poulsbo, Wash., and a half-brother, Robert Danforth, of Waitsburg, Wash.

Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 25, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. Graveside military services will be after the viewing at 11 a.m. at Glacier Memorial Gardens, with the United Veterans of the Flathead Valley doing the honors.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.