Elmer Ackroyd Searle, 90, passed away March 24, 2009, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell. He was born in Magrath, Alberta, on Oct. 5, 1918, to Heber LeRoy and Susan Isabel (Ackroyd) Searle.

His family moved to Kalispell in 1934. Elmer met Fay Robinson in the summer of 1937 and married her in Polson on March 11, 1939. They were later sealed in the Cardston, Alberta, temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on July 22, 1942. They recently celebrated 70 years of marriage.

Elmer served with the Merchant Marines in the Aleutian Islands from 1944 to 1945. After World War II, he worked as an electrical engineer on the Chief Joseph Dam in Washington state and for Martin Marietta in Washington and California.

He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in independent studies from BYU in 1985 and a Master of Arts degree in humanities from CSU in 1990.

Elmer was a member of the Electrical Brotherhood Union and served as a bishop and high councilman for the LDS church. He was also a proud member of the Over-the-Hill-Gang, a local hiking group.

He loved skiing, bird watching, listening to classical music, reciting poetry, and taking friends and family on hikes. He is remembered by his willingness to serve, his love for God and his love of nature.

Elmer was preceded in death by his parents; five siblings, Ireta, Elda, Charles, Belle and Hazel; and his son, Galen Lee.

He is survived by his wife, Fay Searle, of Kalispell; two daughters, Carol Johnson and husband, Russ, of Kenmore, Wash., and Janet Sharp and husband, John, of Augusta, Ga.; one son, Jared Searle, and wife, Diana, from the Seattle area; 11 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and many loving friends.

Funeral services for Elmer will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 28, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Whitefish Stage Road, with Bishop Scott Wendling conducting. Burial will be afterward at the C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be from noon to 6 p.m. Friday in the Johnson-Gloschat funeral chapel, and for one hour prior to services at the church.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Elmer's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Elmer's guest book.