Jesse Perry Eayrs, 89, passed away April 30, 2016, in Kalispell.

Jesse was born Sept. 18, 1926, in Klamath Falls, Oregon, the son of Perry C. and Maude L. Eayrs, the third child of eight. He attended grade school in Klamath Falls and high school in Kalispell, when his family moved here in 1941. During World War II, the family moved to Tacoma, Washington, to work in the shipyards.

Jesse enlisted in the U.S. Navy on April 1, 1942. He served mainly in the South Pacific and was discharged in 1947. Jesse returned to Kalispell to marry his high school sweetheart and best friend, Mary Louise Koenig. Jesse had worked in a meat market during his teens years and returned to that profession, working for Don Peterson at Meats Supply. In 1962 Jesse and Ken Nordtome purchased the market and continued to operate it until Ken retired. Jesse continued until he retired in 1988.

Jesse was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Kalispell. He loved to sing in the church choir and was a member of the Mendelson Club and later joined the Flathead Valley Aires barbershop chorus. Jesse was also a member in several quartets, the last one being Classic Touch when they won first place in district competition.

Jesse is survived by his wife, Louise; one sister, Anita Ambers; three daughters, Jan Joachim of Spokane, Kay Torgison of Kalispell and Debra Hadley of Kalispell; sons-in-law, Steve Joachim, Gerald Goodnough and Larry Hadley; grandchildren, Jamie Bonafe, Adam Joachim, Jerrad Smith, Cameron Smith, Jessica Johns, Shayla Hagburg and Cole Hadley; and great-grandchildren, Tyler and Sean Bonafe, Garrett and Kaycee Smith, Alexander and Elias Johns, and Owen and Olivia Hadley.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 14, at Trinity Lutheran Church.

Friends are encouraged to visit the website, www.buffalohillfh.com, to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.