Clayton W. 'Tinker' Donovan, 95

Clayton W. “Tinker” Donovan, 95, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away on Tuesday, April 17, 2012, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell.

He was born on Nov. 12, 1916, in Kalispell, the son of James and Nora (Johnson) Donovan. He attended Kalispell schools and graduated from Flathead County High School in 1935 where he lettered in football.

After high school, he served in the U.S. Navy Submarine Service, from 1935 until his discharge in 1945.

On March 31, 1943, he married Janet Nelson in Missoula.

He became service manager at the Caterpillar dealership in Great Falls, for 36 years.

Tinker enjoyed hunting, fishing and sports.

He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Great Falls and Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Kalispell.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Nora Donovan; sister, Helen; and brothers, Edward, James and Arthur.

He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Janet, of Kalispell; his four children, Bob and Loralee of Great Falls, Bill and friend Wendy of Great Falls, David of Kalispell, and Mary and Duane Pederson of Kalispell; five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, Kirk and Tonja Pederson and their three daughters of Kalispell; Courtney and Jon Mohatt and their three daughters of San Antonio, Texas; Carrie and Sean Cullen and daughter of Waddell, Ariz.; Katie Thompson and daughter of Great Falls and Kristen and Tyler Loney and son of Great Falls; and Danelle Rohrich of Great Falls.       

Memorial graveside services for Clayton will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 21, at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery with Pastor Mark Gravrock officiating.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Clayton’s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Clayton’s tribute wall.