Lonnie Michael Hoover, 78

A life well lived ...

Lonnie Michael Hoover sadly left us too soon on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, from complications due to pneumonia. Mike was born on Dec. 21, 1948, to Orville and Rachel Hoover in Kalispell. He attended Trinity Lutheran School and Flathead High School, where he lettered in football, basketball, track and softball. He was just shy of graduating when he enlisted and was drafted into the United States Army and was sent to Vietnam. He spent two years there and was discharged with several highly honored medals, including a Purple Heart. 

After returning home from Vietnam, Mike met Pauline St. Clair in Washington. He moved her home to Montana, and they married in 1971 and had two children together, Kevin Michael and Lynda Marie. Mike attended Flathead College for truck driver training in 1972 and started his career as a logger. He then hauled logs for James Slack Trucking for two years until he purchased his own truck in the late '70s. He started working for his nephew Mark Owens in 1983. He later divorced and remarried to Cindy Lanfear in 1992. He continued to haul logs for Owens Ventures until he retired at 53 years old in 2002. 

He then enjoyed life fishing, hunting, camping and traveling to many hot rod shows with his '31 Ford Coupe, where he made many life-long friends. He was a beloved father, a loyal friend and an avid fisherman, spending much of his time on Lake Koocanusa. He will be greatly missed.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Patrick Owens, Gaylon "Lum" Owens and Dennis Owens; three sisters, Dorothy Pennoyer, Shirley Druesdow and Lynda Hoover, and a grandson, Jay Hoover.

Mike is survived by wife, Cindy Hoover of Rexford, son, Kevin (Sarah) Hoover of Kalispell, daughter, Lynda (Ray) Price of Fortine; grandchildren, Lyndsey (Teddy) Burlingham, Dyllon (Cassidy) Price, Ryan Price and Gracie Hoover, along with seven great-grandchildren and numerous family members, stepchildren and friends.

A celebration of life is planned for June 13.