Joseph Matthew Bud Wilhelm Jr., 81

Joseph Matthew Bud Wilhelm Jr., 81, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010, surrounded by his family, at home in Kalispell. He was born on July 27, 1929, in Kalispell to Joseph F. and Mary E. (Keller) Wilhelm. Bud received his early education at Evergreen Elementary School and graduated in 1947 from Flathead County High School. He was active in the Future Farmers of America and enjoyed playing basketball. Bud worked the family farm his entire life. He was a very hard worker. He worked primarily for Owens Lumber as a sawyer and road builder. After a full day in the woods, Bud would come home to the farm and care for the land and his numerous animals. If there was any spare time, it was spent in the enjoyment of the outdoors with his family; hunting, fishing, camping and in his gardens. Bud was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor; one daughter, Vicki Stickney and husband, Guy; two sons, Donnie Wilhelm and wife, Betty, and Bryan Wilhelm, all of Kalispell; three sisters, Louise Clements of Ravenwood, Mo., Lucille Jones of Yakima, Wash., and Mary Wilhelm of Seattle; seven grandchildren, Christopher and Mandy Stickney, and Jeremy and Joshua Wilhelm, all of Kalispell, Brandon Wilhelm of Goodlettsville, Tenn., Caleb Wilhelm of Spokane, and Beau Wilhelm of Kalispell; as well as four great-grandchildren. A funeral service for Bud will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 23, in the Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Chapel in Kalispell, with Pastor Tim Bartholomew of the Stillwater Free Lutheran Church officiating. Visitation will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Bud s family. You are invited to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Bud s tribute wall and offer condolences.