Mike Kearney, 80
Daily Inter-Lake | UPDATED 3 months, 1 week AGO
Michael John Kearney, 80, passed away peacefully at his home in Kalispell on Dec. 21, 2025. An apparent heart attack. He was so kind and loving and will be missed greatly by his family.
Mike was born to Roscoe and Opal Green Kearney on March 8, 1945, in Eureka. He joined sisters, Luella, Jeanne and Lee, and brother, Patrick, and later was joined by brother, Les.
He graduated Lincoln County High School in 1963. He was drafted and served in the U.S. Army in Korea from 1966 to 1968 in artillery. He was honorably discharged as a rank of Sgt. He attended Flathead Community College, 1970 to 1971.
He married Arlene Crossley Field on Dec. 23, 1971, in Kalispell. Their son, Kenny was born 1973 in Whitefish. Kenny joined stepsisters, Luella, Rendy and Lorna, and stepbrothers, Lane and Wayne.
Mike moved the family to Bigfork (Echo Lake). He started Kearney Logging Company 1971 to 2001. In 2001 to 2003 he was night shift supervisor at for the Swan Valley Youth Academy. He was a self-employed logger from 2003 to 2008. From 2009 to 2010 he was employed by the US Census Bureau as recruiter and crew leader. He was employed by Cofer Logging of Kalispell from 2011 to 2014, operating a rubber-tired skidder.
He and Arlene had moved to Middle Road out of Kalispell to be closer to their grandchildren, Michael, Harley and Rosie. His wife Arlene passed away in 2008.
He married Donna Sederdahl Gentry in Kalispell on July 30, 2015. They made their home in Kalispell. He became a special stepfather to her children, Vikki and James Anderson.
Mike was a confirmed rockhound. He spent many hours rockhounding with daughter, Luella Kennedy of Anaconda. He was an expert at cutting and finishing rocks to make jewelry in his workshop. He even taught a session at the Flathead Community College during the regular teacher's absence.
He loved playing cards and cribbage. He belonged to the Kalispell Senior Citizens and loved playing Pinochle. Mike and Donna were at his sister Lees to play Skip-Bo two days a week. He loved reading any kind of book, he had stacks of them by his chair and had the bookcases overflowing. He had his little book of birthdays, anniversaries and sent everyone cards.
He is survived by his wife, Donna; son, Ken (Kristy) and grandchildren, Michael, Harley, and Rosie; stepchildren, Luella, Rendy, Lorna, Lane, Vikki (Bryan) and James; great-grandchildren, Zeke, Willow and Nova; sisters, Lee Keller and Jeanne (Clark) Jewell; and brothers, Pat Kearney (Diane) and Les (Darlene).
His ashes will be placed in the Eureka Cemetery in May of 2026.