Charles Edward Keller, 85

Charles Edward Keller, a lifetime resident of the Flathead Valley, passed away peacefully in his home in Evergreen on Oct. 29, 2012, surrounded by his family. “He is now with his Lord, free from pain, as warm as he wants to be, and walking again.”

Charles was born July 22, 1927, at the family homestead on McMannamy Draw to Edward and Mirilla Keller. He walked to Prospect Park School, where West Valley School is today. Although Charles didn’t finish high school, his life story is the epitome of success built with hard work and determination, with a strong foundation of love for family and friends. Charles would emphatically say he did it without government help.

In the fall of 1946, Charles went to Alaska to find work, borrowing $75 from Viola Blasdel from the Lower Valley, in order to get there. On April 23, 1947, Viola, the love of his life, boarded a train and plane to Anchorage, and they were married on April 29, 1947. Their son, Joe, was born there. The family soon returned to the Flathead in 1949, and four more children, Mary, Bonnie, Terry and Lonnie, were born.

Charles had been involved in logging for more than 60 years, with Viola his loving partner in business and home. Charles bought his first flatbed truck in 1948, and later hauled his first logs with a new 1951 Ford. Over his many years in business, Charles owned them all — Ford, Diamond T, Kenworth, Peterbilt, Internationals and Macks. At one time, he ran nine trucks for various loggers, all over Northwest Montana. In 1998, he visited the Mack plant in Allentown, Pa., to watch two 1999 Mack trucks he had ordered go through the assembly line. Charles frequently still drove trucks into his early 70s, and enjoyed going to equipment auctions.

In June 2003, an accident while working on a piece of logging equipment left Charles confined to a wheelchair. But he did not give up on his ties to logging and purchased his last Mack in 2008.  

He was a longtime member of the Montana Logging Association and the Intermountain Logging Conference, and supported Montana Women in Timber. In 1996, Charles Keller Trucking was featured in the Log Trucker Magazine.  

Charles left his fingerprint on Evergreen’s landscape, buying, selling and developing land, including East Evergreen Mobile Manor and Storage. He was a member of Evergreen Business and Property Owners Association.

Charles was also a member of Kalispell Eagles, holding many offices, including aerie president in 1990-91. He loved dancing, listening to accordion music and going to jam sessions at the Eagles, Sykes’ and around Apache Junction, Ariz., where they most recently spent winters.

For many years they spent their winters on the island of Hawaii, and their home there was always open to many visitors. In later years, Charles and Viola enjoyed the winter warmth of Apache Junction. Getting together with family and friends at their lake place on Angel Point was always special. He and Viola enjoyed traveling in their motor home throughout the United States, with Alaska via the Alaska-Canada Highway among his favorites. They also enjoyed cruising.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Mirilla Keller; and brothers, Floyd and Harold Keller.  

Charles is survived by Viola, his loving wife of 65 years; his beloved sister, Betty McDowell, and husband, Harold, of Whitefish; sons, Joe Keller and wife Sheila, Lonnie Keller and wife Debbie, and Terry Keller, all of Kalispell; his daughters, Mary Cabbage and husband Frank, and Bonnie Schuman and husband Laurie, of Kalispell; grandchildren, Charles Keller, Angie Olsen and husband Russell, Tony Keller and wife Sarah, Sgt. Joshua Keller and wife Amy, Dustin Sturgis and wife Jessica, Lynette Ovnicek and husband Chad, Lisa Keller, Leslie Keller, Brian Lockhart and wife Kaija, Kevin Lockhart, Robin Grainger and husband Kurt, Kristin Denning, Kimberly Huhn and husband Jeff, Michael Schuman and wife Jesi, and Jeffrey Schuman; 32 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.  

The family wants to express its sincerest appreciation to the two caregivers who made Charles’ quality of life so much better and went beyond our expectations. Trevor Blomquist cared for Dad and Mom since his accident with loyalty, compassion, concern and sacrifice. Patrick Lucas came aboard a couple of years ago when needs increased with the same sense of caring for them.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Loren Vranish, Pastor Ron Pierce and hospice nurses Carol and Sue.

Visitation for Charles will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, at the Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home in Kalispell. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, at Easthaven Baptist Church, with interment to follow at Glacier Memorial Gardens.             .

The family suggests donations in lieu of flowers be made in Charles’ name to Hospice Home Options, 275 Corporate Drive, Kalispell, MT 59901.

“Good bye, Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Brother, Friend. Keep on truckin’.”

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Charles’ family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Charles’ guest book, offer condolences and share memories.