Vera Esther McDaris, 88, died Monday, March 14, 2005, at Heritage Place in Kalispell. She was born Nov. 8, 1916, at Howard, Kan., the daughter of C.M. and Buena (Redington) Witt. She attended school in Burden, Kansas.

On Jan. 29, 1936, she was united in marriage to Arlis Middleton, four children were born to this union. They later divorced.

She moved to Winfield, Kan.; Gooding, Idaho; and Jerome, Idaho; it was here that she met Gene McDaris, and they were married on May 31, 1957. While living in Buhl, Idaho, she drove a school bus and worked as a meat wrapper for a meat-packing company along side of her husband.

After their retirement, they moved to Hartville, Mo., for several years, returned to Idaho and then spent their final years in Kalispell.

Vera had professed her faith in Christ, and had attended the Coon Creek Church near Hartville. She was a devoted and loving wife, and caring for her family was very important to her. Vera will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother, sister and aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend.

"We celebrate her life and accomplishments and will cherish the wonderful memories she created for her family and friends."

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene, on June 9, 1997; and her parents.

She is survived by three sons, Sam Middleton and wife Ann Middleton of Kalispell, Clarence Middleton and wife Laura of Ekalaka, and Albert Middleton and wife Dawn of Jerome, Idaho; one daughter, Arlene Johnson, and husband Leon Johnson of Rancho Cordova, Calif.; and three step-daughters, Janice Shera and husband Preston of Seymour, Ind., Nina Davis and husband Eddie of Grovespring, Mo., and Ruby McDaris of Springfield, Mo.; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Elaine Boatman, of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; and numerous nieces and nephews, as well as a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services for Vera McDaris were held Friday, March 18, at Coon Creek Church in Hartville, Mo., with Rev. Russell McDaris officiating. Burial followed at Coon Creek Cemetery. Holman-Howe Funeral Home in Hartville handled arrangements in Missouri.

Johnson Mortuary & Cremation cared for Vera's family in Kalispell.