Flathead County icon Ivan O’Neil has died. He was 96. The founder of Western Building Center, his partners over the years included Les Kjos, Carle O’Neil, Randy Kjos, Dave Lyon, Craig Maltby, Doug Shanks and Bill Shottlekorb.
Ivan O’Neil joined Jack King in creating Three Rivers Bank.
As we were bringing KGEZ back to life a decade and a half ago, we were regaled with the adventures of Ivan on our George Ostrom News and Comment. Our favorite stories had to do with the “Over the Hill Gang”, which included former KGEZ owner Ambrose Measure, theater owner Spencer Ryder and ophthalmologist Hi Gibson, who vowed to climb every peak in Glacier National Park. George, in his 90s, told us that, at some point, they all realized they’d fall short of that goal, relenting to the vastness of our Park.
We’ll remember Ivan O’Neil Friday, August 15th in the Arts & Tech Building at FVCC. The family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Immanuel Foundation or the the Marian F. and Ivan L. O’Neil Endowed Scholarship through the Flathead Valley Community College Foundation.
