Donald N. Weiand Jr., 54, passed away Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007, at the North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.

Don was born on Ground Hogs Day, Feb. 2, 1953, to Helen and Donald Weiand in Whitefish.

Don graduated from Columbia Falls High School in 1971. He worked for B & B food stores before he went to work for Stoltze Lumber Company. He retired in 1998 due to health reasons.

Don was a child of the '70s. He was known to his family and friends as 'Hippie Don.' He was also known as 'The Whiz' because of his fascination with wizards. His favorite holiday was Halloween. He loved to interact with all the children. Every year the kids would return to his home because of the good time provided by 'Wizard Don.'

He loved to camp at Big Creek, go hunting and fishing, and driving around the North Fork.

He was preceded in death by his father, Don Sr.

Don is survived by his mother, Helen Weiand Brinkerhoff; his brother, Randy Weiand; his sister, Darlene Herman, and her husband, Henry; two nephews, Wade Herman and Guy Herman and his wife, Michelle; two great nieces, Brittney and Jade Herman; all of Columbia Falls. He also leaves behind his best buddy, Beau, his dog; double cousins, Steve Weiand and wife, Lynda of Nashville, Tenn., Chris Weiand of Columbia Falls, Coletta Calnan of Kalispell, Sheri Gibson of Helena; and many relatives and friends.

A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today, Dec. 18, at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19, at St. Richard's Catholic Church in Columbia Falls. Rev. John Miller will officiate. Burial will follow in St. Richard's Catholic Cemetery.