Joe Pavelich, 88

Joe Pavelich, 88, of Hot Springs, Mont., died Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010, in Hot Springs.

Joe was born Aug. 22, 1922, in a Wyoming coal camp to a gambler and a 15-year-old waitress. His family was so new to this country that he did not learn to speak English until he started grade school. One of his earliest memories was of standing lookout for a moonshine still run by his parents. Two months after being voted an all-state football player he quit high school to join the Army Air Corps ground crew in the wake of Pearl Harbor. His service in the Pacific provided lifelong memories. In fact, he seemed to remember the name of every man he served with.

After his discharge Joe attended the University of Montana, where he distinguished himself as a student of English and journalism. He and Elizazbeth Withrow were married in 1946 and together they shared adventures which included living several years in San Francisco, and running a grocery store and a stint of prospecting for uranium in Wyoming. In his later years Joe worked in Coeur d'Alene and ended his career as the longtime manager of the Hayden Lake Country Club, where he formed close friendships with his staff and customers alike.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; his third wife, Isabel (Meyers) and fourth wife, Rose (Cloyd); and stepson Bert Meyers.

He is survived by his son, Matt; sister Anne Ruge, Elizabeth (Fee) and grandchildren Nick and Riley Jane Pavelich.

At Joe's request, no services will be held, and cremation has taken place under the direction of the Grogan Funeral Home in Polson, Mont. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com.