Vern Alan Childers, 78

Vern Alan Childers, amazing husband, dad, grandpa and friend, went to his heavenly home on June 1, 2023 in Kalispell surrounded by his beloved family.

Vern was born Aug. 15, 1944 in Shelby to Riley and Nell Childers. He was raised in Shelby, Galata and Bigfork. He graduated from Bigfork High School and was an avid supporter of the Vikes and Vals.

He married the love of his life, Marla Graber and celebrated 57 years of marriage. He is the proud dad of five children, Suzanne, Debora, Catherine, Cheryl and Bret; and the proud grandpa of Ellie, Julia, Seth, Jaclyn, Hanna, Lauren, Mattie and Audrey. His family gave him the greatest joy.

Vern loved spending time with family and friends, fishing, hunting, camping and singing songs from his father’s book of favorites, “Sing along with Riley.” He loved playing cribbage, Tripoley, 5000- any game with family and friends. He loved the outdoors his entire life. He was always quick with a joke; laughing and making others laugh seemed to be a life goal. Vern knew no stranger.

He earned his degree at Mount San Antonio College in California and went on to spend his “first” 25-year career working for the Montana Department of Corrections at the Swan River Youth Forest Camp in Condon. His “second” career he spent with over 30 years as a volunteer fireman for the Bigfork Volunteer Fire Department and 14 of those years as the fire chief. He was also a member of the local Jaycees.

He was an incredible human, giving and taking care of people his whole life. He’s a wonderful example of servant leadership. He was silly and goofy and full of love and his passing has been a gut punch. This took us all by surprise. For those of you who didn’t have an opportunity to visit him in the hospital, please know that he knows he was loved by you all. We made sure of that. Above all, Vern loved his family and friends and we loved him back. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating the remarkable life of our dad, husband, grandpa, brother, uncle, cousin, friend. We have no doubt that you have all laughed with him. Please bring your stories – your “Vern-isms.”

We know he had an incredible welcoming party in heaven, including his father, Riley Childers; his mother, Nell Childers; his brother, Gordon Childers; and many other beloved family members and friends.

Those he left behind miss him immensely including his wife, Marla of Bigfork; daughter, Suzanne and granddaughter Mattie Childers of Bigfork; daughter, Debora (Gregg) Hanzel of Kalispell, granddaughters Ellie (Charleston, S.C.) and Hanna (Gilbert, A.Z.); daughter, Catherine (Tom) Adolph of Bigfork, grandson Seth (Bozeman) and granddaughter Lauren (Kalispell); daughter Cheryl Saunders of Bigfork and granddaughters Julia (Charleston, S.C.) and Jaclyn (Bigfork); and son, Bret (Sara) Childers and granddaughter Audrey of Columbia Falls. He is also dearly missed by his sister, Donna (Jack) Ganiere of Bigfork; his brother, Cecil Childers of Evansville, Wyoming; numerous beloved aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The celebration begins at 1 p.m., Saturday, June 10 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Bigfork. Fellowship will follow the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Bigfork Fire Department or a charity of your choice.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for the family.