Hugh Cline Shoemaker passed away, at 96

years old, on Friday, Oct. 3, 2008, at Heritage Place, in Kalispell.

Hugh was born July 27, 1912, in Des Moines, Iowa. Curtis and Verna, his parents, came to Montana in 1919, settled down around Creston, where Hugh went to school at Mountain Brook. The family moved, around 1931, to an area south of Kalispell, an old orchard place. He helped the family, however he could, getting wood, building the home, reviving the orchards apple trees, and any other help needed. Later, he worked for the Forest Service, and at CCC camps.

On Oct. 24, 1934, Hugh was married to Virginia Melton in Kalispell, by Rev. Sandy of the Central Christian Church, at the home of her parents, John and Mary Melton, with her sister Kathleen and Jay, in attendance. Both families were some of the early congregation, and were active in this church for many years, as will as life long members. He had lots of friends, too numerous to mention.

He was a tender, loving, kind, and caring husband, dad, granddad, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, as well as a friend to us. He loved family and friends, family reunions, and teaching us, as well as our children. He took the time, and patience to show how to build things, and told wonderful stories of times past. He had a beautiful smile, and took pride it all the achievements of the family.

The couple, with friends and family, camped, fished, had a lot of picnics, and loved music and to sing and dance, belonging to round dance and square dance groups.

Hugh built a 1923 Model T Ford, from parts and pieces we gathered through the years, which is very beautiful. For a while he and Virginia belonged to the Old Car Club.

Hugh was a journeyman electrician for Miller-Ford Electric, until he retired, then did odd jobs for neighbors. He was presented with a citation and diamond pin in honor of 75 years of membership in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, in 2006.

Hugh is survived by his wife, Virginia, at Heritage Place, and daughters, Virgie Dawson and Beryl Thomas, all of Kalispell; his grandchildren, Michael Dawson, Monica Craven, Tony Dawson and Rob Clawson, great-grandchildren, Jessica, Erin, Daniel, Matthew, Ashley, Gabe, Chad, Tori and Casey, and several great-great-grandchildren. His siblings are George, Mary, Doris and Stan; with numerous nephews and nieces.

Hugh was predeceased by his parents; brothers, Karl, John and Glen; sisters, Grace Bell, Marguerite Kramer and Helen Sevier; and a grandson, Corey Clawson.

Memorial donations may be sent to the charity of your choice.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today, Oct. 7, at the Central Christian Church, at 248 Second Ave. E. Kalispell, with Rev. Jan Van der Poll officiating.