Donald H. Buckallew, 94

Donald H. Buckallew, 94, passed from this life on Jan. 4, 2015.

Don was born in Culbertson near where his family homesteaded when they moved from Missouri. They lived in a sod house.

Don married Bonnie Lewis in 1942 and was inducted into the Army in August of 1942, and served 38 months in the Air Force. Back home again, he lived in Missoula, then moved to Kalispell in 1948, worked in sawmills, logging and for the school system.

He is survived by wife Bonnie; six children, Sandra Haupt, husband Jim; Cheryl Howard, husband Jim; Vicki York, husband Cecil; Charles Buckallew, wife Lee; David Buckallew, wife Shelley; and Dean Buckallew, wife Karen; 12 grandchildren, Larry Luckey, Colter Landt, Kendra Condit, Kim Hyde, Kelly and Corey Wicklund of Missouri, Ben and Cody Buckallew, Rory and Trey Buckallew, Chance and Kyle Buckallew, and three stepgrandchildren, Rick and Rob York in Missouri, and Tiffany York and spouses; and several great-grandchildren.

Don loved to hunt and fish with his sons and fished a lot in summers with son-in-law Cecil York. He also loved building furniture with hardwood he bought in Missouri. He played a mandolin he bought in Missouri at the age of 14 by working in a coal mine with his dad. He entertained with a group at the Veterans Home and rest homes.

He was the youngest and last of 10 children.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Church of Christ on Stillwater Road. Visitation is at 9 a.m.