Edward "Eddie" Churchwell

Edward was born in Plains, MT on December 11, 1917. He was the 10th of 12 children born to Mary and Richard Churchwell. At Primary and High School in Plains, Eddie was a star athlete where he lettered all four years of his high school career in football, basketball, and track. He was also a Golden Gloves boxer with five undefeated knockouts
When World War II began, he and his brother traveled to Seattle, Washington where he became a seaman in Merchant Marines. There, he met the love of his life, Louise Peterson a riveter at Boeing Aircraft building B29 bombers. After the war, he and Louise returned to Missoula where he became a member of the fire department and retired from the Missoula Fire Department after 25 years of service as a captain in 1971. He then became Deputy Montana State Fire Marshall and retired from that position after 10 years of service. Eddie was proud to have built the family home with his own hands. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and outdoorsman who loved nature.

All who knew him, knew him as a loving father, grandfather, uncle, and friend who was big in heart and spirit. He loved and gave of himself wholeheartedly to everyone he knew. He and wife Louise's home was a gathering place for all who knew them. A place that felt comfortable just dropping in for a brief visit anytime for comfort, conversation, and the best company. There family and friends would gather to meet the further ends of the family and rejoice in those gatherings with great food and drink.

Eddie was a Missoula fireman who worked through some of the biggest fires in Missoula history, risking his life for others. He was a gardener who produced the best carrots ready to share with others. He was an ardent hunter with a camp set up for the hunting season. Yet, he was a gentle soul. So gentle that while quietly observing nature, birds would fearlessly alight on his silent gun and squirrels would visit his table at lunchtime to eat peanuts from his hands.

Eddie's daughter Cheryl and son Don spent the last two months at his bedside giving him love and affection along with daughter Jamie and nurse Margie always a giving soul.

He is survived by his son Don Churchwell who resided in Calexico, California, his daughter Cheryl Mahoney of Boise, Idaho, his daughter Jamie Sowre of Missoula, his 10 grandchildren Mike, Erika, Susan, Heather, Ryan, Angie, Cady, Montana, Nicole, and Aryel and his 12 great grandchildren, Kyle, Alex, Justyne, Megan, Kenzie, Lauryn, Gavin, Corbin, King, Olivia, Jack and Sophia.

Read Edward Churchwell's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.