John Ellsworth Van, 85

John Ellsworth Van, 85, passed away Sunday afternoon, July 9, 2017, at the family home, surrounded by his family.

John was born Dec. 11, 1931, to George and Ella (Lewis) Van in Kalispell. He attended school in Kalispell, graduating from Flathead County High School.

In the late 1800s, John’s great-grandfather, Soloman Lewis, came to the Flathead Valley and settled in the Badrock area of Columbia Falls. His namesake, John Ellsworth Lewis, built the Lewis Hotel that is now the Lake MacDonald Lodge in Glacier National Park. John E. Lewis was best friends with Charles M. Russell, the artist.

John was employed by Firestone Tires when he met his future wife and fellow employee, Florine Gassert. John and Florine were married on Aug.1, 1953, in Kalispell.

John proudly served in the Montana Army National Guard as an ammunition handler and the United States Air Force as a ground radio repairman and supply clerk. He was stationed at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, Alabama, and was deployed to serve in the Korean War. While en route to Korea, the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed to ensure cessation of armed forces hostilities. He received the Korean Service Medal, U.N. Service Medal and National Defense Service Medal. He was also a qualified sharpshooter. John was honorably discharged from the Army National Guard and Air Force.

After discharge from the Air Force and returning home to Kalispell, he was employed by Flathead County government in various positions. He ran for Flathead County Clerk of the District Court and was elected, then re-elected until his retirement in 1993 after 42 years of public service.

John and Florine had four children in Kalispell and became involved in various organized groups such as the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts — serving both as leader and board member within both organizations. John was awarded the Silver Beaver Award, a highly recognized national award by the Boy Scouts of America. John also was involved with Rotary Basketball and Pee Wee, Babe Ruth, and Legion baseball; he served as a coach, umpire, in addition to many executive board positions. John was well known for his dedicated involvement in local baseball. John was also an active outdoorsman; he loved to hunt, fish, and camp around the state.

A highlight of his life was to travel with the Montana delegation to Washington, D.C., to the 1976 presidential inauguration of President Jimmy Carter.

After his retirement, he was always involved in civic groups such as the Flathead Jazz Society, Eagles, Moose and Flathead Valley Llama Club. He was always busy organizing various events and fundraising — from Pee Wee baseball wreaths to bringing in great musicians for the local jazz festivals. He served as president of the Kalispell Eagles and co-president of the Glacier Jazz Stampede. John loved this community and worked many years as a civic leader to keep and make the Flathead Valley a great place to live and raise children.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Florine; daughter, Marlene and husband Rex Linstead of Kalispell and North Dakota; son, Chuck and partner Wendy Olson of Columbia Falls; son John “Jack” and wife Tara of Bigfork; son, Ted and wife Tanya of Kalispell; brother, George “Ted” of Kalispell; 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ira and Anna Ross; his parents, George and Ella Van; his in-laws, Charles and Florine Gassert; sisters, Gladys Shay and Gertrude Van, and sister-in-law, Carolyn Van.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to local Pee Wee baseball and to hospice in John’s name.

A memorial service is planned for 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, at the Kalispell Eagles.

Darlington Cremation and Burial Service is caring for John’s family.