Harvey Leroy Knebel, 92

Harvey Leroy Knebel passed away on Friday, June 4, 2010, at the age of 92. He had pneumonia, congestive heart failure, and other related complications. He was born Nov. 25, 1917, in a two-room house on a wheat farm in Retah, Mont., to Leroy and Retta Knebel. He grew up near the town of Glendive where he went to school. After high school, he attended Montana State University and earned a degree in mechanical engineering. On Jan. 7, 1945, Harvey married Ella Mae Hewitson at the First Presbyterian Church in Kalispell. He moved to California where he worked as a flight engineer for Pan American Airways, flying sea planes called China Clippers. He later flew for the Naval Reserves during World War II, flying reconnaissance and troop transport missions, among other things. He traveled throughout the Orient, the South Pacific and India. In 1949, Harvey returned to Montana with his wife and daughter, Kathy, who was born on Sept. 16, 1947. He began working for the family business Sunset Carburetor and Electric in Kalispell, of which he was part owner. A second daughter, Janet, arrived on April 4, 1951, and son Joe on Aug. 31, 1962. He became the city engineer of Kalispell in 1974, then went to work for Anaconda Aluminum in 1978 as a project engineer until his retirement at the age of 66, in 1983. He continued working on various engineering projects and fixing airplanes at local airports and also attended courses at Flathead Valley Community College, covering a variety of topics, including computer programming. Harvey was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church where he held several positions, including ordained elder. He was also an active member of Masonic Lodge No. 42, AF and AM, of which he was past master, and was a past Worthy Patron of Adah Chapter No. 17 of Eastern Star. He belonged to other ancillary organizations (the Shriners and the Scottish Right) and the Elks. Harvey enjoyed taking walks, spending time with his family, flying his private, single-engine airplane, and working on computers. He always remained curious and was a lifelong learner. He was patient, thoughtful and optimistic, and was always content with what he had. He was a great husband, father, and grandfather and he will be greatly missed. Harvey was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Earl (wife, Dottie) of College Station, Texas. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ella May; brother, Bill, and Corky, of Billings, sister, May Yonce, and Lloyd, of Chapel Hill, N.C.; daughters, Kathy Knebel and John Pedone of Novato, Calif., and Janet Kosior and John of Calgary; and son, Joe, of Missoula; as well as his two grandchildren, Jeremy and Jayme Kosior, both of Calgary. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 10, at the First Presbyterian Church of Kalispell, followed immediately by a reception at the church, then internment at the C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Harvey's name to the First Presbyterian Church, 540 Main Street, Kalispell, MT 59901-4851; or the Wings Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 7852, Kalispell, MT 59904. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Harvey's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Harvey's tribute wall.