STEVENSVILLE - Kirk H. Benish, 54, of Stevensville died on Friday, August 11, 2006 at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital due to complications from an accident.
Kirk was born December 8, 1951 in Denver, Colo. to Clyde and June Benish. Kirk was a graduate of Strasburg High School in Strasburg, Colo. in 1970.
He was married to Joyce Dennison from 1972-1986. The couple had two daughters, Kerrie and Jaime. He married Gloria Herbert on December 8, 1991 and would have soon celebrated their 15th anniversary. Kirk was father to Gloria's children, D.W. and Danielle Herbert.
Kirk's career included working at the Salt River Project in Northern Arizona, co-owner and operator of the Bitterroot Carriage Company and working for Smurfit-Stone Container for the last 19 years.
An avid gold prospector, Kirk was a member of the Lost Dutchman's Association, Gold Prospectors Association of America and Ravalli County Prospecting Club.
Kirk was a precious and devoted son, husband and father who always placed the needs of his family and friends before his own. If there was one Kirk, for every thousand people, the world would be a better place to be. Kirk didn't read or study a spiritual life, he truly lived it.
His father, Clyde Benish, preceded him in death.
Survivors include his mother, June (Block) Benish, Surprise, Ariz.; wife, Gloria, Stevensville; daughters, Kerrie (Chris) Rafalik, Houston, Texas, Jaime (Keith) Seppel, Victor, and Danielle (Brandon) Greenland, Omaha, Neb.; step-son, Derald Herbert, Missoula; sister, Carole Reeves, Federal Way, Wash.; brothers, Bill Benish, Walla Walla, Wash. and Doug Benish, Surprise, Ariz.; four grandchildren: Colton Henderson and Taylor Seppel, Victor, and Coby and Ani Rafalik, Houston, Texas.