Edwin B. 'Sonny' Boon, 84

Edwin B. "Sonny" Boon, 84, of Somers passed away Saturday, March 11, 2006, at HealthCenter Northwest in Kalispell. He was born in Somers on July 15, 1921, the son of Clarence Merle and Albina (Anderson) Boon.

Sonny was born 2 1/2 miles up Boon Road on Boon Ranch. He attended Somers schools and graduated from Flathead County High School. In 1984 was given the Spirit Award by the Flathead coaches and athletes; in 2002 he was given the "Super Fan" award by the Montana High School Athletic Association.

He was a proud member of the U.S. Navy for five years, from 1947 to 1952, serving during World War II and the Korean War as a mechanic.

He married Joyce Farrell on Oct. 6, 1949, and they had eight children. He lived in Polson for a while, but most of his life has been spent in the Somers area. He worked at various occupations over the years but generally spent one half of his working career in the "woods" and the other half in "construction."

Sonny's many talents served him in his life work as a logger, tree farmer, union carpenter and construction worker. "His love of his Lord and Savior, his family, outdoor activities including hunting, hiking and fishing and sports, were highlights of Sonny's life."

In his retirement years, Sonny became very busy as a volunteer, involving himself in many activities. He was involved as a survivor in the Relay for Life cancer walk. He was also a volunteer at Immanuel Lutheran Home.

He was a lifelong member of Eidsvold Lutheran Church, where he was involved with the youth group, church council and for which he provided the church Christmas tree for 46-plus years. His grandfather Anderson was one of the founders of Eidsvold congregation.

He volunteered at the Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp as an intern and caretaker, staying on for three years. He was also the Bible camp's expert logger and groundskeeper; he greeted people with hospitality and smiles. He would lead backpacking and canoeing trips, during which he amazed the younger campers with his physical strength and endurance.

He was a director, board member and caretaker of Rails to Trails, for which he would help with maintenance and mowing of the Somers Trail and raising money for the upkeep of the projects on the trail.

He served on the Somers Volunteer Fire Department for 44 years as captain and assistant chief. He also was a member of the Flathead High School Booster Club and volunteered at the American Red Cross in the 1980s. He was an amazing person and his eight children together feel that they couldn't fill their dad's shoes.

Sonny was preceded in death by his parents, C. M. "Speck" and Albina Boon; and one brother, C.A. "Bucky" Boon.

He is survived by his children - five sons, Tom Boon and wife, Debbie, of Chicago, Daniel Boon and wife, Jan, of Somers, Jack Boon and wife, Dee, of Bigfork, Richard Boon and wife, Bonnie, of Somers, and Fred Boon and wife, Peggy, of Thompson Falls, three daughters, Sonja Waddell and husband, Doug, of Locust Grove, Ga., Tina Boon of Missoula, and Elizabeth "Beth" Rowley and husband, Brent, of Polson; 14 grandchildren, Ashley, Eric, Danny, Mandi, R.J., Jessica, Brenda, Blake, Chuck, Clint, Brice, Shawn, Brynn and Bridger; one great-grandson, Joel; two sisters, Ila Geno of Spokane, and Elaine McIntyre of Mount Vernon, Wash.; also numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Memorial services for Edwin B. "Sonny" Boon will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 16, at Eidsvold Lutheran Church in Somers, with Pastor Wayne Pris officiating. A reception will be afterward at the Somers Fire Department. There will be no visitation.

The family suggests memorials be given to one of these seven organizations: Rails to Trails, P.O. Box 1103, Kalispell, MT 59903; Marvel McManus Scholarship Fund, Montana First National Bank, P.O. Box 1996, Kalispell, MT 59903; Eidsvold Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 100, Somers, MT 59932; Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp, 603 Main St., Kalispell, MT 59901; Hospice, Home Options, 175 Commons Loop, Suite 100, Kalispell, MT 59901; or Somers Volunteer Fire Dept., P.O. Box 187, Somers, MT 59932.

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