Roy Allen 'Buzz' Chattin, 79
Roy Allen "Buzz" Chattin, 79, passed away on June 23, 2009, at his home, surrounded by his loving wife, daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren, after a seven-month battle with cancer. Buzz was born in Merrill, Wis., on March 26, 1930, to Earl and Jennie Chattin.
He grew up in Merrill, graduating from Merrill High School in 1948, and immediately enlisted in the Marine Corps. He served in Korea from 1952-53.
On July 8, 1953, Buzz married his childhood sweetheart, Vida Munderloh. In 1955, daughter Ann was born at Camp LeJuene, N.C. Daughter Jeanne was born in 1956, weeks after a move to Great Lakes Naval Base, near Chicago. In 1959, Buzz was transferred to Twentynine Palms, Calif., and daughter Kate was born in 1960.
After several years in the southern California desert, including a 13-month assignment in Okinawa for Buzz, the family moved to San Bruno, Calif. In 1968, after three years there, Buzz finished a 20-year career serving his country as a Marine.
When Buzz retired from the Marine Corps, he moved his family to Redding, Calif. There he pursued his love of the outdoors and raised his family. He loved to fish for steelhead, hunt, garden, and always improved his surroundings with his vision and resourcefulness. After 24 years with the Food & Nutrition Service, Buzz retired from his second career, and responded to the pull he felt to get back to his roots in Montana.
Since moving to Kalispell in 1993, Buzz enjoyed 16 years of retirement and celebrated almost 56 years of marriage with his beloved wife, Vida. He filled his life with volunteer activities in his community and at his church, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kalispell. He devoured books by the hundreds, continued to hunt, fish, cross-country ski, golf and spend time with his family.
Nothing was more important to Buzz than God, family and his many friends. All who knew him loved him and laughed with him.
"Good night, Dad, God bless you, we love you 'something fierce' and we'll see you in the morning."
"Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven." Matthew 5:12
Buzz was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, William Earl "Bill" Chattin.
He is survived by his wife, Vida; daughters, Ann Guerri, Jeannie Gandler and Kate Meredith; sons-in-law, Franco Guerri and Scott Gandler; and grandchildren, Alex and Melissa Guerri, Joe Guerri, Becca Gandler, Matthew Gandler and Gabriel Meredith who love him dearly and will miss him terribly. He is also survived by his sister, Etta, and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, all of whom adored "Uncle Buzz."
Funeral services for Buzz will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 27, at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell, with Pastor Greg DeMuth officiating. A reception and celebration of Buzz's life will follow in the fellowship hall. The interment will take place after the reception at Trinity Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Camp, 450 Pierce Lane, Bigfork, MT 59911; or dropped off at the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church office, attention Brian Schwartz.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Buzz's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Buzz's guest book.