Dennis Jeffrey Poncelet, 37

Dennis Jeffrey Poncelet 'was carried home by the angels' Friday, June 16, 2006, after a tragic electrical accident. Dennis was born June 30, 1969, and attended school in Whitefish and received a GED. He was going on to acquire his nurse's aide certification. He spent the last eight years of his life working as a concrete finisher and form fitter for Arrow Concrete Co., and was so proud of his accomplishments there.

Dennis had a wonderful, crooked smile that conveyed the gentle, loving heart within. As a little boy, he enjoyed swimming, baseball, and eating all kinds of fruit. He enjoyed cooking, fishing, drawing Native American designs, stock-car races, and had a great sense of humor and always was ready for anything fun. He was very proud of his Salish and Kootenai heritage, and in his later life became involved in the tribal rituals and traditions. Dennis' favorite place was the North Fork where his ashes will be spread.

Dennis' proudest moments came in the forms of his six children. He was a great 'Mr. Mom' and he worked hard to overcome the challenges in his life so he could spend time with them.

Dennis is survived by his parents; Nick and Loretta Poncelet, in Whitefish; a brother, Morris Poncelet, in Kalispell; a sister, Nicole Adams, in Denver; daughters, Christina, Crystal and Lakesha, all in Idaho; son, Dennis Jr., in Idaho; a daughter, Destiny, in Kalispell; and a son, Gary, in Kalispell; grandmothers, Clarine Harker in Whitefish and Evelyn Poncelet in Great Falls; Uncle Jeff and Pam Poncelet in Great Falls; Uncle Greg and Melinda Poncelet in Bozeman; Aunt Peg Anderson in Whitefish; Aunt Buzzie and Ric Anderson in Whitefish; Uncle Jeff and Sheila Harker in Columbia Falls; Aunt Carol and Fred Born in Trenton, N.J.; Aunt Jinny and Jake Slater in Kingston, Ohio; nieces, Amy and Amanda Poncelet, Sonja and Isabelle Adams; nephews, Isaiah and Kalvyn Adams; his dear friend Tammi Haviland in Kalispell; and by many other relatives and friends.

An account will be established at the Whitefish Credit Union for the Poncelet children.

A viewing will be from 2 to 7 p.m. today at Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish. A Christian wake service will be at 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.

A Mass of the Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 21, at St. Charles Catholic Church in Whitefish, with the Rev. Pat Patton as celebrant.