Michael Landon

Michael Edward Landon, 54, of Libby, died Thursday, Sept. 28, 2006.

Mike was born Jan. 12, 1952, in San Diego, Calif., to Edward and JoAnna Landon. He grew up in Ashtabula, Ohio, and graduated from Ashtabula High in 1970.

Mike then served in the U.S. Navy as an ordnance mechanic on the USS Franklin Roosevelt for four years. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.

For 38 years, from the time he was 16, when his parents gave him permission to join the Ashtabula, Ohio, Junior Volunteer Firemen, Mike was involved in fighting fires. He was instrumental in establishing Cabinet View Volunteer Fire Department, where he was recently promoted to assistant fire chief.

Mike took pride in training firefighters. He was an engine boss for Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and on the Lincoln County road crew in the winter.

Mike enjoyed being with his family, helping kids, and hunting and fishing with his father and his children. He was a popular Libby Little League baseball coach for many years.

Mike is survived by his wife, Donna, whom he married Aug. 12, 1990; children, Skye, Joshua and Brett Landon, all of Libby; step-children Jimmie Lee Brown of San Marcos, Texas, Melody May of Tulsa, Okla., and Ron Hale of Libby; his parents in Libby and San Antonio, Texas; brothers Tom Landon of South Carolina, Robert Landon of Ohio and Jim Landon of North Carolina; and sisters Shirley Edwards of Tulsa, Okla., Karen Landon of Canyon Lake, Texas, and Cathy Wentzel and Aimee Landon, both of San Antonio.

Mike was honored with a full fireman's funeral on Monday, Oct. 1, at Cabinet View Volunteer Fire Hall. Pastor Lloyd Miller, Libby Christian Amish, officiated. Burial followed at Mount Zion cemetery in Libby.