Clayton David Blumer, 80
Clayton David Blumer, 80, "went home to be with his Lord and Savior" on April 29, 2008. He was born Oct. 22, 1927, to John and Francis Blumer in Glentana. He spent his childhood in Kalispell.
After attending school he moved to Portland, where he worked in the shipyards until he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served in China during World War II.
After his military commitment, Clayton returned to Montana and was working in the construction field, where he met and married his wife, Emma Jean Rowe, in 1949. Together they had two sons and a daughter, and eventually made Fort Benton their home.
In 1950, Clayton started his plumbing career and owned Fort Benton Plumbing and Heating for 27 years. In 1977, Clayton and Jean moved to Hayden Lake, Idaho, where he continued with his plumbing and heating expertise until his retirement in 1996.
He always put his family first, and was an extremely devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and was loved very much.
Throughout his lifetime Clayton made many lifelong friends and he enjoyed boating and bicycling. He especially loved children and was always willing to go the extra mile to help others. He exemplified his strong family values and love of life, which he passed on to his children and the people who surrounded him.
Clayton was a very kind and gentle man, who through his values and wisdom, built lasting bonds and a loving foundation for future generations. He will always be remembered as "everybody's dad" and the one person who made sure no child was left behind. His life's journey has taken him to a higher place and he will truly be missed.
Clayton was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Jonathan; son, Michael; granddaughter, Kelsey Hanson; son, Rick; and granddaughter, Tiffany Reindel.
He is survived by his wife, Jean, of Hayden Lake; daughter and son-in-law, Kay and Frank Rollins, and grandson, Brandon, of St. Ignatius; daughter-in-law, Linda Blumer, of Hayden Lake; grandson, Chad Blumer, and his wife, Bobbie, and granddaughter, Makenzie, of Rapid City, S.D.; grandson-in-law, Aaron Reindel, and great-grandson, Aedan Reindel, of Coeur d'Alene; and grandson-in-law, Jake Hanson, of Charlo. Also surviving are Anil and Jasmine Mehta; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Ben and Peggy, Eldon and Ellen, Larry and Rose, Harold and Claudia, and Dick and Annette; his sister, Blanche; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and life-long friends.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at Riverside Cemetery in Fort Benton.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Clayton's memory may be made to Pinehaven Children's Ranch, P.O. Box 940, St. Ignatius, MT 59865.