Michael William Sloan, 30

Michael William Sloan of Hungry Horse passed away Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010, doing what he loved, fishing Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park. Mike was born Jan. 18, 1980, in Mount Holly, N.J. He lived his first 18 years in Tabernacle, N.J., graduating from Shawnee High School, Class of 1998. He obtained a Liberal Arts degree from Burlington County College in Pemberton, N.J. Mike spent the summers of his college years working at several national parks in the West, including Yellowstone, Grand Canyon and finally, Glacier National Park. After college graduation, Mike settled in Montana, working at Glacier as a chef for nearly eight years. In addition to his cooking career, Mike was an avid outdoorsman and had several hobbies, including making fishing lures and vegetable gardening. He was a dedicated fisherman, entering local and regional tournaments, achieving recognition in many. Mike was easy-going, friendly and had an incredible sense of humor. Mike is survived by his son, Kale Jameson Sloan, and his long-term girlfriend, Christina Soderberg, both of Hungry Horse. He was the loving son of William Sloan of Hungry Horse, and Margaret Anderson Sloan, of Tabernacle, N.J. Mike was the youngest brother of Frederick Sloan of Tabernacle, Danial Sloan and wife Laurie, of Tabernacle, and Jillian Sloan, of Glassboro, N.J. Mike is also survived by Betty Sloan, his aunt in St. Petersburg, Fla.; his maternal grandparents, Charlie and Eleanor Anderson, and several nieces and nephews in New Jersey. A lakeside memorial gathering will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 28, near cabins 12 and 13 at Lake McDonald Lodge. In lieu of flowers, for those who would like to contribute, an educational trust fund is being established to benefit Mike s son Kale. The family would like to thank everyone from Glacier National Park and the surrounding communities for their support and compassion during this difficult time. It is much appreciated.