Herbert 'Herbie' W. Sandon, 78

Herbert "Herbie" W. Sandon, 78, "peacefully went to be with the Lord" on Jan. 17, 2008, at HealthCenter Northwest, surrounded by loved ones.

Herb was born Sept. 5, 1929, to Delbert and Florence (Gales) Sandon, in Milwaukee. At the age of 6, Herb moved with his family to St. Ignatius. After completing high school in 1947, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, and in 1951 graduated from West Point. Herb then hitchhiked from New York to Kalispell, returning to the love of his life, Gloria Gronley.

Herb and Gloria were married in Coeur d'Alene on July 24, 1952, and were blessed with 55 years together.

Herb started Sandon Construction Company, building schools, hospitals, local businesses, and residences. He later changed his passion to curbs and gutters, concrete sidewalks and streets. Most memorable is the entire reconstruction of Main Street in Kalispell to concrete. The nickname of "Herbie Curbie" was born and resulted in the infamous annual "Herbie's Curbies Jump-Ins" with the Lost Prairie Osprey Club at his property at McGregor Lake. Numerous friends and relatives, including Herb, participated in sky diving adventures. He continued working until his retirement in 1986, at which time his only son, Greg, proudly took over the family business.

Since July 1958, Herb has been a member of the Flathead Shrine Club, Oriental Band, and was a member of the Royal Order of Jesters. He proudly sponsored numerous local crippled children to the Spokane Shriners Hospital and patients to the Shriners Burn Institutes.

Herb's family was very special to him. He loved taking his children skiing, hunting, sledding, and enjoyed flying family and friends in his own airplane. His grandchildren brought him extreme joy and filled his heart with love. Everyone was entertained on a regular basis with Herb's storytelling and adventures.

Herb was known for his quick wit and incredible sense of humor. Even while hospitalized, everyone was amazed at his endless humor, and he continually had his family laughing through their tears.

He is survived by his wife, Gloria; one son, Greg Sandon, and Joyce; six daughters, Linda Sandon, Cheryl Schuff, Karen Sandon, Jan Schnell and her husband, Bill, all of Kalispell, Judy Just and her husband, Wayne, of Racine, Wis., and Debbie Pfrimmer and her husband, Brent, of Pensacola, Fla.; 11 grandchildren, Tiffany Sandon, Wade and Kayla (Jayde) Robinson, Cody Sandon, Danielle Sandon, Ryan Krause and his wife, Tosha, all of Kalispell, Brandon Schuff of Oklahoma City, Chad Andersch of Klamath Falls, Ore., Breann Andersch of Racine, Chandra Pfrimmer of Tallahassee, Fla., and Blake Pfrimmer of Pensacola, Fla.; four great-grandchildren, Damien Sandon of Marysville, Wash., Hailey Sandon, Tremayne and Aiden Krause, all of Kalispell; his brother, Robert Sandon, of Youngtown, Ariz., and his brother-in-law, Harvey "Fuzz" Palmer, of St. Genevieve, Mo. His special friend, Gene Hawes, of Kalispell is forever remembered for his lifelong friendship.

Herb will be missed by numerous relatives and an endless list of special friends, including many who called him "Dad".

"Herb touched many lives and will always be loved and missed by everyone. We cherish the precious memories and find peace in knowing he is in a much better place with the Lord."

He is preceded in death by his parents, Delbert and Florence Sandon; his stepmother, Lena Sandon; and his sisters, Eunice Sandon and Grace Palmer.

Memorial service for Herb will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22, at the Kalispell Christian Center, 255 Summit Ridge Drive, with a luncheon immediately afterward. Then a celebration of Herb's life will take place at the Eagle's, 31 First Ave. West, in Kalispell.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials, in Herb's name, to the Spokane Shriners Hospital, 911 W. Fifth Ave., Spokane, WA 99204; Hospice Home Options-KRMC, 175 Commons Loop, No. 100, Kalispell, MT 59901; or to a charity of the donor's choice.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Herb's family. You are invited to go to www.johnsonmortuary.com to offer condolences and sign Herb's guest book.