Philip F. Hellman, 88

Philip F. Hellman, 88, passed away at Beehive Homes in Kalispell on Feb. 3, 2021, with his family by his side.

Phil was born on Feb. 9, 1932, in Kalispell to James and Mary (Lorenz) Hellman.

Phil attended St. Matthew’s grade school until the eighth grade and went on to graduate from Flathead County High School in 1951. After graduation, Phil joined the U.S. Air Force where he was an instrument mechanic. After the Air Force he went to Montana State University in Bozeman to study forestry. He later worked for the U.S. Forest Service. After leaving the Forrest Service he went to work at the U.S. Geological Service in Menlo, California, where he made topographic maps from aerial photos. He met the love of his life, Juliana Bock; they married on June 11, 1966, in Kalispell.

He enjoyed making up little songs to sing to everyone. He also loved his cats; they would follow him everywhere he went. He had a special talent for woodworking and would make many things out of recycled wood. Philip was a member of St. Charles Church for many years.

He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Juliana Hellman; daughters, Janet Hellman (Roger Leeser) of Orange County, California, and Lorraine (Steve) Hellman-Robertson of Kalispell; sister, Helen (Larry) Benson, of Boise, Idaho; former son-in-law Daniel (Allison) Moulton of Kalispell; special nephew, Lonnie (Cindy) Heister of Spokane; and many other nieces and nephews; and his three grandchildren, Megan and Autumn Moulton, and Justin Leeser.

He was preceded in death by his parents James and Mary Hellman, his brother William Hellman, his sisters Henrietta (Etta) Irish and Millie Heister, and his grandson Jake Leeser.

A rosary will be said at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 9, at Buffalo Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Feb. 10 at St. Charles Catholic Church in Whitefish. The church requests masks and social distancing. Burial and military honors will follow the service at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.

Friends are encouraged to visit the website www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.