Merle Henry 'Bud' Eslick, 83

Merle Henry "Bud" Eslick, 83, passed away Sunday, April 8, 2007, at HealthCenter Northwest in Kalispell. He was born Oct. 26, 1923, at the family farm near Bigfork, to Henry and Ruth (Morton) Eslick. Merle attended Bigfork Elementary and Bigfork High School, graduating in 1941.

After graduation, Merle worked several jobs including farming for his uncle in Holt, logging and working for Fenby Brothers. He also worked for the Rural Electric Association for a time.

He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1948, and served his duty in the Korean War. After his honorable discharge in 1951, he went to work for the J. Hofert Christmas Tree Company at its Bigfork plantation. He was involved in all aspects of the tree-farming business until his retirement in the early 1980s. He then continued working the family farm raising alfalfa, cattle and sweet corn.

"Uncle Merle" was known and loved by several generations of young and old alike, and will be greatly missed by those whose lives he touched so deeply.

Merle is survived by his sister, Mary Britton; brother, Joe Eslick, both of Bigfork; nieces, Marla Britton, Maureena Mueller and JoAnn Eslick, all of Bigfork; nephews, Jay Eslick and wife, Barbara, of Chinook, and Lee Eslick of Bigfork; and many great- and great-great-nieces and -nephews.

Memorial services for Merle will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, April 13, 2007, in the Johnson Mortuary chapel, with Pastor Ron Pierce officiating.

The family suggests memorials be made to the charity of the donor's choice.

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