Jesse Eugene Megahan, 86

Jesse Eugene Megahan died June 1, 2006.

He was born Oct. 23, 1919, to Myrtle J. Lear and Foster Alvin Megahan in Hollidaysburg, Pa., and graduated from high school there in 1937.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in Europe, Africa and the Middle East - fighting in Tunisia and Italy. He received two Bronze Stars, the American Defense Service Medal, a Good Conduct Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

Jesse worked at McClellan Air Force Base in 1952 where he met and married SunnyGrace Louise Smith, and they raised a family of seven children. The family lived in Lincoln and Rocklin, Calif., where he was a rural letter carrier before they moved to Ronan in 1969, where he became a well-known mail carrier at Charlo. He truly enjoyed his job and all the families he got to know on his route before retiring in 1980. He had many stories about his adventures on the route, such as pulling other vehicles out of ditches and the interesting people he enjoyed visiting along the way.

He loved to watch any and all televised sporting events, but Grace managed to pull him away for a few trips. They mostly visited their children across the states. They even managed a couple of great trips to visit their youngest daughter in Hawaii and Okinawa, Japan, which gave them lasting memories.

One of Jesse's greatest attributes was that his home was always open to anyone who needed a helping hand, no questions asked. Anyone staying with them automatically was made to feel like part of the family.

He was preceded in death by his wife, SunnyGrace, daughter, Abigail Madsen, brother, Robert and sister, Irene.

He is survived by his children and their spouses: Jayne and Wayne Wangerin of Bigfork; Jennifer Megahan and Claire Schultz of Mililaui, Hawaii; Jeffrey Megahan of Wausau, Wis.; Linda and Larry Padilla of Roseville, Calif.; Steven and Linda Megahan of Oregon; and James Megahan of Kalispell.

His grandchildren are Chad and Courtney, Trina, Dana, Joshua, Jarali, Jenne', Seth, Alexia, Riley, Chuck, Lesa, Nancy, Katrina, Marisa, Alison, Ashley, Logan and Jayme. He has 19 great-grandchildren.

He will be missed by those who knew him.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. today, June 12, 2006, at Ronan Missionary Church, with a graveside service afterward and then a reception at the church.

Shrider-Thompson Funeral Services Chapel in Ronan is in charge of the arrangements.