Jack M. Meuli, 77

Jack M. Meuli, 77, of Dayton, passed away on Feb. 25, 2010, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, from natural causes. Jack was born on Oct. 28, 1932, in Missoula to Melville and Laura Meuli. He attended elementary school in Proctor and graduated from Polson High School in 1950. Jack attended Montana State University where he met his future wife, Lois, while working on the school annual. While at college, he made lifetime friends as a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. Jack graduated in 1954 with a degree in agriculture. He was in the ROTC program while attending MSU and served in the U.S. Army until 1957. On June 17, 1956, Jack married Lois Ann Ward in Billings. After his service in the Army, Jack and Lois returned to establish a ranch near Dayton in the Proctor Valley. They raised their family, daughter Jean, and son Mike, on the ranch. Jack enjoyed ranching and stayed active on the ranch his whole life. Jack was an involved member in the community and enjoyed playing cribbage and pinochle with his family and friends. Jack s focus was on his family, the ranch and the community, and he was an active leader in both the local and ranch communities. He was a member of the Proctor School board, and past president of and member of the Western Montana Stockmen s Association. He also served on the board of directors of the Montana Stockgrowers Association and was a member of the National Cattlemen s Association. Jack was also a longtime member and past chairman of the Lake County Planning board, member of the Lake County Conservation board and served on the Crimestoppers board. Jack was a founding member of the Chief Cliff Volunteer Fire Department and served on the Session and the Parish Council at the Dayton Presbyterian Church. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lois; and his parents, Mel and Laura. He is survived by two children and their families, daughter, Jean, and Pat, Kunz of Bellevue, Wash.; and son, Mike, and Nancy, Meuli of Dayton; six grandchildren, Zack, Mike and Joey Kunz, and John Michael, Matthew and Mikayla Meuli. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on March 6, at the New Life Christian Center in Polson with Presbyterian Pastor Dave Anson officiating. A reception will follow at the church. Condolences may be left to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff at Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson, considers it a privilege to care for Mr. Meuli s family.