Donald R. Darling, 87

Donald R. Darling, 87, of Rexford, passed away peacefully at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls on Monday, Oct. 2, 2017.

He was born June 24, 1930, in Garrison, North Dakota, to Neville and Martha (Christman) Darling. He grew up in Columbia Falls and the West Kootenai.

Don joined the U.S. Navy in 1951 during the Korean War and served aboard a destroyer and submarine. He received an honorable discharge in 1955 and then joined the U.S. Air Force. He served his second enlistment while stationed in Great Falls.

Don married Nellie Triplett Truman on Dec. 23, 1961. He and Nellie raised her two youngest daughters, Sharkie and Cheri, in Rexford, where they lived the remainder of their marriage.

Don was a logger, worked for the U.S. Forest Service, spent time on the Alaska Pipeline, and retired from Owens & Hurst Lumber Company.

He enjoyed walking 5 miles every day, hunting, fishing, picking huckleberries, and was known for his green thumb and garden.

Dad loved visiting with family members, neighbors and many friends. Anyone who met him (especially his grandchildren) loved hearing about his adventures and misadventures.

He was preceded in death by his greatest love, his wife, Nellie; his parents; brother, Doug; stepdaughter, Shirley Kaufman; and seven grandchildren.

He is survived by his brother, Allen Darling, of Columbia Falls; sisters, Sharron Branscome, and Cecil White (Dale) of Eureka; his daughters, Barbara Cook, Cheri Butts (David), and Charlotte ‘Sharkie’ Kraus (Tom); his grandchildren, Davey Butts; Andy, Rocky, Sue, Teresa and Barb Torres; Travis and Josh Truman; Bobby and Bonita Cook; Derick Pitman; Brandy Hinzman and Amanda Sandon; and many great- and great-great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews not listed.

His family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the Montana Veterans Home for the wonderful comfort and care they extended Don.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 7, at the First Baptist Church in Eureka.

Arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home of Eureka. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.