Donald A. Davall, 77

Donald A. Davall, 77, passed away, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2006, at his home in Columbia Falls of natural causes.

Don was born April 22, 1928 in Great Falls. He lived in Renton, Wash., until moving to Columbia Falls, in 1945, when his parents bought the store now known as Davall Mercantile.

Don graduated from Columbia Falls High School in 1946 and attended college in Bozeman for one year. He returned to Davall Mercantile and in 1950, he married Charmaine Daniels. In 1952, he was drafted and served in Korea as a medic and mechanic.

After his duty, he returned to life in Columbia Falls with Charmaine where they raised three daughters. He and Charmaine purchased the store in 1980 and it has continued in many different operations to this day.

Don was an active member of the ambulance and volunteer fire department for 25 years, a member of the Flathead Valley Search and Rescue Association, and a charter member of the Jaycees, for which he worked tirelessly.

In 1985, he became a master locksmith and enjoyed that profession until ill health forced his retirement in 2002.

In his earlier years, he loved to fish and hunt and was a pilot. He also loved electrical gadgets, his computer, poker and visiting with people.

Don is survived by three daughters, Karen Huston and Rick in Mililani, Hawaii, Diane Pulec and Alan of Hastings, Neb., and Leslie DeVries and Marvin of Conrad; a granddaughter, Casey Schultz ;and one great-grandson, Piper Schultz; also very special and loving friends, Dick and Marla Mitsch, Robert Hager, and Ralph Desteunder.

He was preceded in death by his father, H. H. 'Moe' Davall and mother, Alice Larkin Davall.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls. A luncheon will follow the service at the North Valley Senior Citizens Center in Columbia Falls.

The family requests that memorials be made to the Columbia Falls Fire Department and the Columbia Falls Volunteer Ambulance.