SMITHSON, Ross Earl - Putnam

Kalispell – Ross Earl Smithson, 90, died Friday in the Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell, where he had resided for three years.  He was born Jan 26, 1891, in Greencastle, Ind to Zachary and Abbie Smithson. He received his schooling in Indiana and on Dec 24, 1918 he married Myrtle Sellers in Greencastle.  As a young man, he lived in North Dakota for a time and then homesteaded north of Harlem.  In 1937, he moved to Columbia Falls and ranched there until 1964, when he moved to Kalispell.  His wife died on Jan 21, 1980.  Mr. Smithson was a fisherman and hunter. Survivors include a son, Earl Smithson, Kalispell; two daughters, Mary E. Sibley, Kalispell and Virginia M. Mason, Santa Maria, Calif; 13 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.  Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in the Johnson Funeral Home in Kalispell with Rev. Ralph Werner, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Columbia Falls officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. - kbz