Joshua D Hemmerling-Kelso

On Dec. 12, 2024, Joshua D Hemmerling-Kelso, 48, of Troy left his exhausted, well-used body behind. He had been fighting esophageal cancer and its metastasis' for over three years. When his doctor informed him that this type of cancer is aggressive and would require lifestyle changes, Josh laughed in the face of danger and with that determination, he began and continued his fight. 

Josh was born Oct. 25, 1976, in Bonners Ferry, Idaho to Connie Kelso and Ronald Hemmerling Sr. He was raised just across the border in the Kootenai National Forest. He was at home in nature, spending all his free time in the 406 Outdoors: fishing, ice fishing, hunting, getting firewood, gold panning, mushroom foraging, huckleberry picking and hiking. He liked to tell the wildest hair-raising stories; they would have you on the edge of your seat with anticipation. Whether it’s the biggest fish story; having a heart attack while on a logging job; or how he escaped a mammoth grizzly bear, he could hold your attention until the last word was spoken. This helped him write short stories and they always included a bit of truth mixed with his love for Sasquatch, UFOs and unpredictable wildlife situations. 

The siblings, nieces and nephews who remain to honor his memory are: Angie and Jerry McKnight (Monika); Jenny and Joe Leroue (Roue, Bub, Logan, Livee); Kyle and Zandra Johnson (Kyleigh, Zaiden); Anthony Garcia (Alexie, Barocko, Elijah, Efrin, Kaje); Chuck and Chris Ekstedt; Ron Hemmerling Jr.; and James Hemmerling. Along with lots of aunts, uncles and cousins: Bonnie Kelso (Dana, Tami, Bill, Jennifer); Donna and Chuck Montgomery (Paula); Joan Nicholson (Jesse, Blake); Kim Kelso (Gretchen, Amanda); Mark Kelso (Mike, Steven, Paul, Kevin); Jean and Gene Harris (Michael, Naomi); Jason Kelso, Philip Kelso, Hannah Kelso; Terry Hemmerling (Jamie, Desaray) Rick Hemmerling Sr. (Rachelle, Rick Jr, Holly, Dave); Andy and Christi Wethered (Donavin, Phillip, Molly, Shatzie); lots of second and third cousins and bonus family friends too many to list. 

Josh was greeted at his Secret Squirrel fishing spot by lots of family; two sets of grandparents, both parents, several uncles, cousins and friends who have all proceeded him. 

To those Pike Ice fishermen, he yells “Fish on! Beat that!” 

In honor of Josh’s final wishes there will be no funeral, a small gathering will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg Funeral Home of Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.