John M. Kessinger, 61, passed away Sunday, Aug. 12, 2007, at his home in Columbia Falls surrounded by family and friends. He had been struggling with COPD and asthma for months.

John was born July 26, 1946, in Eureka, to John and Edna Kessinger.

He married Karen Kaye Fortin on Dec. 30, 1967.

John graduated from Whitefish High School in 1965. He then joined the Army and served a term in Vietnam. After his tour of duty he worked for a short time at the Flathead Tunnel near Libby. He then went to work at Anaconda Aluminum Plant as a brick mason. He retired in 1993 after working there for 25 years.

He enjoyed many outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, boating, camping and water skiing. John enjoyed traveling, which included taking cruises in the Caribbean and trips to Mexico with family and friends.

He liked woodworking, which included building things for his family along with building two houses for himself and Karen. John also helped others build their houses or remodel them.

He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and friends in the great outdoors.

John was preceded in death by his father, John Sr.; his mother, Edna; and his brother, James.

He is survived by his wife, Karen; his sister, Rosalie and husband, Stan, of Stevensville; and daughters, Wendy Caldwell and her husband, Steve, of Columbia Falls, and Michelle Pullen and her husband, Jim, of Central Point, Ore. He has six grandchildren, Curtis, Seth, Jesse and Jamie Caldwell, Natali Kessinger and Zackary Becker. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law, Larry Fortin and his wife, Erna, and their family, and Gary Fortin; and by his very special friends, Ron and Vicki Lamoreaux and family.

A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 18, at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls. Rev. David Merkel will officiate.

"We also want to thank everyone who helped to ease John's passing. Your friendship meant the world to him."