John Michael "Mike" Connolly, 70, passed away peacefully "as he journeyed to his final home with Jesus' on Monday, June 15, 2009. Mike was born Feb. 18, 1939 in Seattle and grew up in Portland. He attended Madeline Grade School, Central Catholic High School and University of Portland.

He married Linda Cooper in Portland in 1959. They had just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 6, 2009.

Mike spent most of his life in the wood products industry. The last 18 years he was self-employed in secondary wood products operating under Connolly Wood Products in Bend, Ore. In 2006, Mike retired and moved to Kalispell where four of his six children live.

Mike enjoyed fundraising for his church, visiting nursing homes and operating a shelter home for teens. Mike also enjoyed golf and motor homing, but most of all, loving his God and family.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Katy Connolly; and his brother, Patrick Connolly.

Mike is survived by his wife, Linda Connolly, of Kalispell; sons, Brian of Bend, Tim of Kalispell, Joe of Bend, and Patrick and wife, Kim, Connolly of Kalispell; daughters, Colleen Delorme and husband, Davin, of Kalispell, and Karin Connolly of Kalispell; grandchildren, Katy Brooke, Chris, David, Jon and Ryan Connolly, Theresa and husband Michel Martinez, Angela Connolly, Keenan and Brennan Connolly, Bryson and Baylon Connolly, Megan and husband Christian Doyle, Jessica Kime, and Michele and Tyler Johnson; and great-grandchildren, Chance and Boone Larsen of Sheridan, Wyo., and Shayden Marie.

Celebration of life services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, June 19, at the Christian Center Assembly of God Church. Burial will follow at Glacier Memorial Gardens.

The family requests memorial contributions be made to Home Options Hospice, 175 Commons Loop, Ste. 100, Kalispell, MT 59901.

Friends are encouraged to visit the Web site: www.buffalohillfh.com to leave condolences to the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.