Edward 'Ed' Roy Duelfer Sr., 87

Edward "Ed" Roy Duelfer Sr., 87, passed away on Saturday, March 22, 2008, at the Heritage Place in Kalispell. He was born on Feb. 26, 1921, in New Rochelle, N.Y., to Trevor Henry and Helen (Warby) Duelfer.

Ed received his early education in the New York area, and in 1940, entered the U.S. Army. He was in the Army's 1st Division and was in the invasions of North Africa, Sicily and France. He was also involved in the D-Day invasion and the Battle of the Bulge in which he was wounded, earning him the Purple Heart.

Ed separated from the military in 1945 and married Betty Keegan in 1946. Betty passed away in 1970. Ed remarried in 1972 to Mary Foti.

Ed worked in construction, mainly in New York City, for many years. He then worked as an elevator mechanic and installer, and finally for a neighborhood grocery and caterer. Ed and Mary retired to Bennington, Vt. in 1980, and remained until 2001. They then moved to the Flathead Valley to live with his son, Ed, and Mickey Duelfer. Mary passed away in 2002.

Ed loved music, especially the Big Band music from the 1930s and '40s. He would always talk about the times when he was young, when he would substitute play the drums for "Big Bands" that played at the Glen Island Casino in New York, before he joined the Army.

He was recognized for many years of volunteer service in the Boy Scouts of America, serving in both Cub Scout and Boy Scout programs.

Ed is survived by two sons, Edward R. Duelfer II and wife Patricia "Mickey" of Lakeside, and Timothy A. Duelfer of Ashville, N.C.; four grandchildren, Amanda E. Westphal and husband Cory of Avondale, Ariz., Roy T. Duelfer and wife Susannah of Helena, Joy Davis and husband Jeremy of Ashville, and Scott Duelfer of New York City; and four great-grandchildren, Zachery, Ainsley, Avery and Zander Westphal, and Max, whose due date is March 27, to Roy and Susannah.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9 a.m. on Thursday, March 27, at Risen Christ Catholic Church, with Father Rudy Bullman as celebrant. Inurnment will take place at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.

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