Franklin John Palicz, 81

Franklin John Palicz, 81, passed away at his home in Kalispell, on Aug. 15, 2006.

He was born Nov. 22, 1924, in Omaha, to Andrew and Margaret (Marten) Palicz. When he was about 3 years old his father died and his family moved to Davy, Neb., to live with his Uncle John and Aunt Mary. When Franklin was in high school the family moved to Osceola, Iowa, to a farm.

He married Gloria Walker in Aug. 1949. They farmed in Clarke County until 1953. Franklin and Gloria and three of their children moved to California. There he started his construction business which continued until 2004. It was construction work that brought them to Fortine, in 1968, where he built roads and subdivisions for homes all throughout Northwest Montana.

Music was one of his loves, along with all the tractor work in construction. When work slowed down, he joined the Rocky Mountain Rollers, Good Sam chapter, serving as president for two years. He volunteered with the RSVP Sunshine chorus of Flathead Valley to sing at the nursing homes. Franklin volunteered as a trustee with Somers Volunteer Fire Department for many years.

He was a member of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, and a member of the Gideon's International.

He was preceded in death by his son, Jerry J., and his granddaughter, April Louise.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Gloria Palicz, of Kalispell; two daughters; Jeanette Fincher and Joy Parker, both of Kalispell; one son, Jim Palicz of Tulsa, Okla.; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services for Franklin John Palicz will be held 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21, in the Johnson Mortuary Chapel with burial to follow at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be prior to services on Monday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Johnson Mortuary.

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