Darla S. Gillespie, 50

Darla Sue Gillespie, 50, loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend, died on Feb. 6, 2010, at her home in Kalispell. She was born Aug. 25, 1959, in Emmetsburg, Iowa, to Harvey and Arlene (Gidel) Schmidt. She moved to Loveland, Colo., with her family in 1965, and then relocated to Kalispell in 1970 with her mother and sisters. She graduated from Flathead High School in Kalispell in 1977. She married Brian Miller in 1980. They had two daughters, Janna and Jodie. The couple later divorced. A second marriage in 1986 to Joe Gillespie moved her and the two girls to Glendive. In 1989, they had a son, Jesse. The couple recently divorced. She attended Dawson Community College where she graduated with an Associate of Applied Science degree in human services in 1996. Darla worked for the Seventh Judicial District as a victim-witness advocate in Glendive. In 1997 she was awarded as an Outstanding Crime Victim Honoree by the Montana Department of Justice. She went back to Dawson in 1998 to earn another Associate of Applied Science degree in law enforcement. Her latest employment was with Restoration in Youth Justice in Kalispell. She enjoyed traveling, sewing quilts, golfing, snow and water skiing, boating and camping at Lake Sakakawea; and was brave enough to sky dive. Darla was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother, a very detail-oriented person and a perfectionist. She provided her children with constant love, support and guidance. Darla s life was her family, as evidenced by the love they shared for each other. She is survived by her daughter, Janna McCormick, and husband, Trevor, daughter, Jodie Miller, and son, Jesse Gillespie, all of Glendive; mother, Arlene Schmidt, of Polson; brothers, Darwin Schmidt and Darrel Schmidt, of Loveland; sister, Darcie Harris, and husband, Rex, of Kalispell; brother-in-law, Charles Canham, of Loveland; special friend, James Reeher, and daughter, Shayla Reeher, of Kalispell; nieces and nephews, Shanna Schmidt, Kaitlyn Schmidt, Ian Jones and Kale Canham; and grandchildren, Adison and Hannah McCormick, Carrie Thornton and Nathan Butler. Darla was preceded in death by her father, Harvey Schmidt; sister, Darnel Canham; and nephew, Derick Schmidt. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m to 5 p.m., and from 6 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 12, in the chapel of the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Glendive. A life tribute service will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12, in the chapel of the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Glendive, with celebrant Sandy Silha officiating. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13, at Zion Lutheran Church in Glendive, with Pastor Avis Anderson officiating. Interment will be in the Dawson County Cemetery in Glendive. Arrangements are under the direction of Silvernale-Silha Funeral Homes.