Michael Edward Driscoll, 70

Michael Edward Driscoll, 70, of Columbia Falls suddenly left to be with his Lord on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009. Mike was born on March 28, 1939, in Moab, Utah, to Marjorie and William Driscoll. The family moved to Columbia Falls in 1953. He was a proud Wildcat for Columbia Falls High School and graduated in 1957. Mike married the love of his life, Peggy Jo Reid, his wife of 53 years. Mike and Peggy were blessed with five children, Mike, Michelle, Lisa, Deana Jo, and Stephanie. Mike s lifelong career in the lumber industry began with pulling on the green chain at Columbia Falls Plum Creek, advancing to management positions with several other lumber mills, including Rocky Mountain Lumber. He spent the last 20 years as a fibre purchaser for Longview Fibre. He was a hard-working, loyal, dedicated man who loved his family with everything he had and was respected by all who came in contact with him. Mike was an avid athlete in his youth, a coach, a hunter and fisherman. He was a volunteer firefighter, active in the First Christian Church and later the United Methodist Church in Columbia Falls, as an elder, usher, Sunday school teacher and member of various committees. He found satisfaction in a hard days work, and joy in the simple things in life. Peggy was his everything. Mike was preceded in death by his mother and father, Marge and Bill; mother and father-in-law, Dorothy and Al Reid; infant daughter, Deana Jo; and brother-in-law, Danny Reid. He is survived by his wife, Peggy, son, Mike, and wife, Mary Driscoll, of Lake Stevens, Wash.; daughter, Michelle and husband, Tony Whitaker, daughter, Lisa and husband, Jim DeWaters, daughter, Stephanie and husband, Jim Henjum, all of Columbia Falls; grandchildren, Meghan and husband Matt, Keefe, Sean, Jesse, Jared, Danelle and husband Rob, Shelby and husband Michael, JJ and wife Judi, Colby and wife Kerri, Dylan and wife Athena, Analise, Danny and Ethan; great-grandchildren, Blake, Colt, Annabelle and Elias (and two on the way); sister, Linda, and husband, Don Canepa, of Grand Junction, Colo.; sisters-in-law, Lorrie Larson, and her daughters, Kate and Kaylen, and Karla Armstrong, and her children, Gabe and Sarah; and much loving extended family. Our husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend will be profoundly missed. Viewing will take place from 1 to 8 p.m. today, Nov. 13, at Columbia Mortuary. A celebration of Mike s life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at the United Methodist Church of Columbia Falls, with Pastor David Merkel officiating. The reception will take place following the service, with interment taking place at Woodland Cemetery after the reception. In lieu of flowers, you may send memorials to Intermountain Children s Home, 500 Lamborn St., Helena, MT 59601; or the Columbia Falls Fire Department. Columbia Mortuary is caring for the family.