Kenneth L. Stapley

Kenneth L. Stapley, 82, died Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007 at the Libby Care Center from natural causes.

He was born Aug. 9, 1925 in Charlevoix, Mich. to Elis and Myrtle Morse Stapley.

At the age of 4 he moved with his family to a homestead on Bull Lake. Ken attended school in Troy.

At the age of 17 he entered the U.S. Navy. Ken served in the South Pacific and earned The American Air Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal and World War II victory Medal.

He then joined the U.S. Army and worked with a coastal survey crew mapping the ocean floor around the Aleutian Islands.

After being honorably discharged from the Army he worked in floor covering for 30 years in California and had held numerous government contracts there.

He was like a dad to his own grandchildren. He always had little funny stories to tell them. He was always happy to be home with grandma.

He was always understanding when you were down and had a hug for you, which made you feel secure no matter what.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping.

Survivors include: his children Kenny Stapley of Kalispell, Gary Stapley of Missoula, Sandra Morkeberg of Troy, step-son William Rodman of Yuma, Ariz.; sister Keitha Johnson of Battleground, Wash.; brother Norman Stapley and his wife Ruby of Troy; four grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; and a special friend Betty Nelson.

Services will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13 at the Nelson & Vial Funeral Home in Libby. Visitation will be from 1-8 p.m. on Friday. Interment will follow at the Milnor Lake Cemetery in Troy.