Francis Allen Butch Merseal, 50

Francis Allen Butch Merseal, 50, of Columbia Falls, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, July 22, 2010, in Missoula. He was born on July 7, 1960, to George and Donna Merseal in Missoula, where he attended school. On Aug. 1, 1987, he married Penny Brown and they were blessed with two sons, Brian Allen and Dillon Shelton. Butch went to work for the Burlington Northern Railroad in October of 1978, and retired in 2005. Butch also served in the U.S. Navy and the Naval Reserves from 1980 to 1986. Survivors include his wife, Penny, of Columbia Falls, and his two sons, Brian and Dillon; mother, Donna; two sisters, Devera Eggers and Shirley Hummer; and three brothers, Delmer Merseal, Ray Merseal and Jim Merseal, and their families. He was preceded in death by his father, George Merseal; brother-in-law, Dennis Eggers and aunt, Lucy Erlandson. Butch loved spending time with family and friends, whether at his infamous hunting camp, throwing a lure into a mountain lake or sitting around a campfire telling stories. Butch never knew a stranger; he made friends wherever he went. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 30, at the Whitefish Assembly of God Church, 1549 Karrow Avenue, Whitefish. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice or Camp Mak-a-Dream.