Richard Peltier

Richard Paul “Dick” Peltier, 85, died on March 30, 2010 at the hospice wing of Health Care Center Northwest in Kalispell.

He was born June 11, 1924 in Kalispell to Joseph Alfred and Juanita (McClure) Peltier.  

He grew up in Eureka fishing, hunting and helping on the family ranch. When World War II broke out when he was age 17, he quit school and joined the service. He became a paratrooper and during his different stints in the service served Dutch Harbor, Alaska, the Philippines, Japan and finally in Monterey, Calif. He was a part of the historic Peace Treaty Ceremony between the United States and Japan.

On April 9, 1949, he married Dixie Lois Brock and spent the next 56 years enjoying life with her. They lived in the Eureka area and moved to Condon in the Swan Valley. Some of his fondest memories involved working with a mule pack train in that area. It was during that time the first of their three children was born.

They moved to Libby in the 1960s where Dick took employment with the J. Neils Lumber Co. He spent time as a logger and dozer operator where he had many adventures.

He loved planning and caring for his garden, both vegetables and flowers. He was known for growing some wonderful strawberries and the most beautiful roses around. He always had to have an apple tree to prune.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Dixie, and brothers, Gerald and Lenard Smith.

Survivors include his sons, Larry Peltier of Trego; Marty Peltier and wife Carol Ann of Libby; daughter, Kathy Peltier of Kalispell; grandchildren, Christina, Nathan, Jona and Kyle Peltier, and Karl Hellwig;  sisters, Helen Wood of Spring Hill, Fla.; Jeanne Harper of Spokane, Wash.; and Hazel Beverly of Arlington, Texas; sister-in-law, Bonita Smith of Spokane, Wash.; and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

Services will be at 11 a.m., on Monday, April 5 at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Eureka. Viewing will be at the church Monday from 9-10:30 a.m.

Memorials may be made to the Heritage Museum in Libby or the Historical Village in Eureka. Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Eureka handled arrangements.

(Information submitted by survivors through Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home).