Donald I. Maltby, 82, of Libby

Donald I. Maltby (Gramps), 82, of Libby died Monday Feb. 20, 2012, at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital from natural causes.

He was born May 19, 1929, in Los Angeles, Calif., to Clifford and Alta Maltby.

He grew up and attended school in Los Angeles. At the age of 18, he started driving trucks. His CB handle was the Sleepy Cowboy.

Don met Mary Fisher in 1951, and they were married in 1953 in Los Angeles.

Don had a passion for horses, and he enjoyed not only riding them but helping others to ride.

He served in the U.S. Army and was a veteran of the Korean War. He also loved riding the 4-wheeler with his great granddaughter Samantha.

After the death of his wife he moved to Libby to be close to his granddaughter. He fell in love with Libby and enjoyed his last years here.

Robin Green pulled him behind a boat riding on “Big Bertha” at the age of 79 on Lake Koocanusa.

Survivors include two granddaughters, Tina Green, and husband, Robin, of Libby; Tami Vandever of San Diego, Calif.; great-grandchildren, Aaron Rogers, and fiancée, Brooke of Libby; Samantha Kumle of Arizona; Kody Green and fiancée Alizabeth of Libby; Kjirsten Mercer and husband Rob of Noxon, Mont.; Khelsie Eichert and husband, Ryan, of Noxon; Brett Vandever, Ronald Wagner and Natasha Wagner all of California; two great, great, great-grandchildren and three on the way; a brother Richard Maltby and wife Mary of Port Townsend, Wash., and nieces and nephews in Arizona.

Services will be held at a later date.

Local arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby.