Willard H. Schwartz, 86

Willard H. Schwartz, 86, passed away on Friday, June 12, 2009, at the family home in Kalispell. He was born on Feb. 24, 1923, in Great Falls, the son of David and Isis (Allman) Schwartz.

He grew up in the Fort Benton area on the family farm. In 1934, the family moved to the Flathead Valley where he attended Helena Flats and Flathead High School. The family then moved to Whitefish in 1940 where he graduated from Whitefish High School in 1941.

In June of 1941 he started working with the railroad and was continuously employed until his retirement in 1982.

On May 7, 1947, he married Dorothy Gray in Whitefish. They were blessed with two children, David and Dan.

Willard was an accomplished musician and a man of many talents. He will be dearly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, David and Isis Schwartz; and his two sons, David and Dan Schwartz.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Dorothy Schwartz, of Kalispell; two daughters-in-law, Jan Schwartz of Kalispell, and Wanda Schwartz of Alabama; brother-in-law, Edward Gray, and wife, Margie, of Whitefish; nephew, Don Gray, and wife, Elaine, of Brady; two nieces, Cindy Nanna and husband, Charles, of Whitefish, and Margret Kroeze and husband, Vern, of Spokane; and family friend, Lori Angus, of Kalispell.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a charity of your choice.

A graveside service for Willard will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16, at Glacier Memorial Gardens in Kalispell.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Willard's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Willard's guest book.