Ernest Edwin Hankinson, 85

Ernest Edwin Hankinson, 85, passed away Friday March 9, 2007, at his home in Kalispell, surrounded by his loving wife and family. Ernest was born Feb. 23, 1922, in Wenatchee, Wash., to Earnest H. and Gertrude Peterson Hankinson. He attended Harrison High School.

Ernest enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942, where he served until being honorably discharged in 1948. He worked for 10 years at the Kalispell Lumber Company, then went to work as a heavy equipment operator for the Flathead County Road Department for 25 years.

Ernest married Alice M. Exley in 1950 in Kalispell. He was a charter member, with 20 years service, of the West Valley Fire Department, and was a 30-year member of the Eagles Lodge.

He enjoyed fishing, camping, traveling and spending time with his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earnest and Gertrude Hankinson; a brother, Fran, and wife, Mary Hankinson; and sisters, Dorothy, and husband Chuck Frach, and Ruth, and husband Kenny Keller.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Alice; children, Karen Tobel of Helena, Edwin and Jolen Hankinson, and Lonnie and Julie Hankinson, all of Kalispell; grandchildren, Will and Elisha Hankinson, Rial and Tucker Hankinson, Scott and Charlene Tobel of Juneau, Alaska, Brad Tobel of Helena, and April and Mike Stanisich of Romona, Calif.; great-grandchildren, Bryor and Brooke-Lynn Hankinson, Cruz and Chassity Stanisich, Elexa, Aurora, Alura and Ethan Tobel of Juneau, and Tyler and Justin Tobel of Helena; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home with Rev. Ron Youde officiating. Burial will follow at Glacier Memorial Gardens, with the United Veterans of the Flathead Valley doing Military Honors.

The family requests memorials in Ernest's name be made to the West Valley Fire Department.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.