Tony A. Hanel, 90

Tony A. Hanel, 90, died Sunday, March 21, 2010, at his home in Columbia Falls, surrounded by his family. He was born April 25, 1919, at Wason Flats, Mont., one of eight children. Tony and his loving wife Vivian were high school sweethearts. They were married in Miles City and they have been married for 69 years. They have three children, Jerry, Sandy and Peggy. Tony and Vivian have lived many places, including Miles City, Tacoma, Wash., Wolf Point and Salinas, Calif., and have spent the past 25 years in Columbia Falls. Anyone who knows Tony has heard his stories of living in a boxcar with his wife and son while working on the Milwaukee Railroad. He had many trades including mechanic, farmer, heavy equipment operator, gas station manager, school custodian and working for an electrical company. There wasn t anything he wouldn t try or couldn t fix. Tony enjoyed spending time with family and friends, sharing his many stories of life experiences. He also enjoyed being outdoors, doing yard work, working with wood and fixing things. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, and great neighbor and friend. Tony had been a member of Christ Lutheran Church. Surviving him are his wife, Vivian; his children, Jerry Hanel and wife, Gail, of Billings, Sandy Schreiber and husband, Buster, of Marana, Ariz., and Peggy Whittlesey and husband, Rick, of Gillette, Wyo.; his brothers, Frank Hanel of Wolf Point, and Tom Hanel of Miles City; grandchildren, Scott Hanel, Carrie Schreiber, Wes Schreiber, Eric Whittlesey, Angela Shippy and Christina Whittlesey; and great-granddaughter, Tejal Hanel. Preceding him in death were brothers, Jimmy, Ray and Joe; sisters, Mary and Annie; and grandson, Brad Hanel. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Christ Lutheran Church, 5150 River Lakes Parkway in Whitefish, with Pastor John Bent officiating. Memorials may be made to Tony Hanel Memorial c/o Frontier Hospice, 29 Second St. E., Kalispell, MT 59901. Austin Funeral Home is assisting the family.