Wayne Richmond, 87
Wayne Richmond, 87, died Friday, May 26, 2006, at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center, after a short illness.
He was born May 13,1919, in Newark, Ill. Wayne was the eldest son of Lyle and Pearl (Green) Richmond. At age 9, he moved with his family to Montana, settling in Olney where he attended elementary school. Because there was no high school, his education ended for three years and he worked in the woods. When the family moved to Eureka, Wayne, at age 17, enrolled in Lincoln County High School. He graduated in 1940.
Wayne was inducted into the U.S. Army on April 2, 1942, and served in the European Theater in both England and France. He was honorably discharged on Dec. 8, 1945.
Returning to Eureka, Wayne worked as a sawyer in the woods, as half of a two-man cross cut team.
On Feb. 24, 1947, Wayne married Myrtle Shenefelt and they had two children, Sharon and Terry. With the outbreak of the Korean War, Wayne was recalled to active duty with the Army Engineers. He served with the Sixth Army in Korea from Sept. 11, 1950, through Sept. 3, 1951. A second son, Leon, joined the family in 1960.
Wayne and Myrtle made their home in Eureka until 1979. During that time, Wayne was elected to the Eureka Town Council and Roosevelt Grade School board. He was also a trustee for the Lincoln Electric Cooperative for many years and was a Boy Scout leader.
After many years in the timber and construction industries, Wayne finished his working career with the Burlington Northern Railroad. He was on the B & B crew in Essex for 10 years and retired from the Whitefish B & B crew in 1984. A skilled carpenter, he enjoyed building cupboards and cabinets as well as spending many hours constructing the family's North Fork cabin.
Wayne and Myrtle enjoyed three years of winter sunshine in Arizona and exploring in their fifth-wheeler. They moved to Kalispell in 1987 and became active in the Libby Dam Good Sams. Wayne served as wagon master for several years. He also volunteered with the American Red Cross and was recognized as Montana's oldest blood donor in 1991.
Retirement allowed Wayne to pursue some hobbies, including photography and making stained glass. He had a lifetime love of dancing and discovered a new passion: growing dahlias. Sharing tubers as well as blooms, Wayne helped others start dahlia gardens.
He also made many friends while exercising at The Summit and having meals at Nickel Charlie's.
Wayne's favorite retirement activity was spending time with his grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lyle and Pearl Richmond; a sister, Vivian Perry; and two brothers, Frank and Everett.
Wayne is survived by Myrtle, his wife of 59 years; a sister, Ruth Burcham, of Kalispell; and a brother, Randall, and wife, Lula Richmond, of Eureka. He is also survived by daughter, Sharon, and husband, John LaBonty, of Glasgow; and two sons, Terry and wife, Jane, of Kalispell, and Leon and wife, Karon, of Helena. Wayne leaves five grandchildren, Tom and wife, Susanna LaBonty, of Portland, Eva LaBonty and husband, Greg Clensy, of Eagle Point, Ore., Amber Richmond and Justin Richmond of Helena, and Liz Richmond of Kalispell; and two great-granddaughters, Anastasia Richmond and Ruby Delight LaBonty.
A graveside memorial service with military honors will be held for Wayne Richmond at 11 a.m. Friday, June 2, in the Tobacco Valley Cemetery in Eureka.
The family suggests memorials be made to KRMC Cardiac Rehabilitation scholarship fund in care of Northwest Healthcare Foundation in recognition of the superior rehabilitation that Wayne received at The Summit.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Johnson Mortuary and Crematory in Kalispell.