Herbert E. Kennedy, 93, of Lewistown passed away of natural causes Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008.

He was born Dec. 11, 1914, in Valier to Edward and Helena Kennedy, and spent his early childhood living in a coal camp and attending a country school. His family later moved to Valier.

His first jobs were working on farms and sheep ranches until moving to Browning in the early 1930s to work on road construction. He worked on the Going to the Sun Highway and helped build many miles of roads in Montana working for Walling Construction and McIntyre Construction of Great Falls. He also worked for Birch Construction, helping to build the Lewistown Airport in 1942.

Herb met the love of his life, Lydia, in Lewistown, and they were married Oct. 24, 1936. They had two children, Elden and Curtis. Herb and Lydia spent 71 years together in Lewistown until a recent move to Kalispell.

He retired in 1974 because of health problems and spent his retirement years hunting and fishing. He had many fishing friends who enjoyed spending time together at their favorite fishing spot. Herb spent many hours making jewelry, cabins and churches out of Montana agates. He also liked to travel.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Helena; and his five brothers and sisters, Clara, Lawrence, Edna, Eugene and Ernest.

He is survived by his wife, Lydia, of Kalispell; his children, Elden Kennedy and wife, Shirley, of Summerville, S.C., and Curtis Kennedy and his wife, Pam, of Kalispell; five grandchildren, Alan Kennedy, John Kennedy, Kathy Haas, Christine Kennedy and Caryn Kennedy; eight great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and lifelong friends.

A memorial service will be held at a later date in Valier.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home in Kalispell is caring for the family.