Percy F. Jelleff, 90

Percy F. Jelleff, 90, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009, at his Bigfork residence. Percy was born July 7, 1919, in Bigfork, to Willis and E. Evelyn (Fancher) Jelleff. He attended schools in Bigfork. After school Percy worked for the U.S. Forest Service until he was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II. Percy was one of the first to land on Normandy Beach, and then transported ammunition to the front lines and escorted German prisoners of war back to the beachfront area. He was honorably discharged in 1945. He then went to work for the Somers Lumber Company for a while before going to work as a dispatcher for Pacific Power, which he did until retiring in 1985. Percy was a member of the American Legion and for 10 years, volunteered with the Bigfork Fire Department. He enjoyed antler carving, collecting Indian artifacts, hunting, traveling with his family, dancing and music. Percy married Audrey Knight in Bigfork in 1948. Percy was preceded in death by his parents, Willis and E. Evelyn Jelleff; brothers, Fancher and Rob Jelleff; sister, Thelma Strom; daughter, Mona Weller; grandson, Mark Jelleff; and granddaughters, Olivia Jelleff and Holly Nielsen. Percy is survived by his wife of 61 years, Audrey, of Bigfork; children, Rocky and wife, Linda Jelleff, of Kalispell, and Randy and wife, Wendy Jelleff, of Beaverton, Ore.; 12 grandchildren, Shannon Nielsen, Sheila Uhde, Angie Chavez, Marsha Jelleff, Shane Nielsen, Aaron Jelleff, Raejon Nielsen, and Katie, Joe, Vanessa, Jordan and Cami Jelleff; numerous great-grandchildren; and other relatives, Gary Weller and Marilyn and Pinky Muir. Visitation for Percy will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, at The River in Kalispell. Burial will follow at Glacier Memorial Gardens. Friends are encouraged to visit the Web site at www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.