Ben A. Barkley, 61, passed away on Thursday, May 31, 2012, at his home in Kalispell.

Ben was born on June 28, 1950, in Kalispell to Robert and Doris (Fredenberg) Barkley.  

He attended schools in the Flathead Valley, graduating from Flathead High School in 1968.

Ben was raised in the West Valley.

He enlisted in the National Guard in 1969.

He married Judy Amdahl on Jan. 2, 1987, in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho.  

Ben  worked at Plum Creek Plywood in Columbia Falls for many years. He enjoyed riding four-wheelers with his wife and friends, watching the “Griz” games on Saturdays, camping and tinkering in the garage. Sundays were set aside for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Doris Barkley.

He is survived by his children, Rod and wife Libertie, William and wife Kate, Ryan and wife Alicia, and Nicholas; siblings, James and wife Donna Barkley, Sherry and husband Larry McIlhargey, and Donna and husband John Scheider; grandchildren, Ashton, Cady, Abby and Evan Barkley; brother-in-law, Dennis and wife Jean Amdahl; brother-in-law, Gary and wife Deb Amdahl; mother-in-law, Verla Amdahl; and numerous nieces and nephews.  

A celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 6, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home.

The family request donations in Ben’s name be given to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.