David J. Van Sickle

HAMILTON - David J. Van Sickle, 89, of Hamilton passed away Thursday, January 3, 2013 at the Discovery Care Centre. He was born Sept. 29, 1923 in Glendive, Montana in a longtime Montana pioneer family the son of Glenn and Mary (Kennedy) Van Sickle.

Dave married Helen F. Jetmore on February 23, 1946 in Salt Lake City, UT. He served in the Army/Air Corp during WWII in Europe and England. Van reentered the military in 1946, serving in the USAF for 20 years, doing tours in Fort Worth Texas, Sacramento, Calif., Libya, North Africa, Darmstadt Germany, Honolulu Hawaii and retiring in Massachusetts.

After retiring from USAF, Dave worked for the National Security Agency with tours in Japan and England. He later worked for RCA and General Electric before retiring to Montana.

He was an avid live steam railroad hobbyist having built trains and setting up railroad tracks in his back yard in Hamilton as well as being a member of the Bitterroot Model Railroad Club. Van had many picnics in the summer for other enthusiasts in the area. He was a member of the Chesapeake and Allegheny Live Steamers of Baltimore, MD. Van was an avid golfer, and a member of the Eastern Star.

Dave was preceded in death by his loving wife, Helen, in October of 2012; and his brothers, James and Robert Van Sickle. He is survived by his children, Marilyn Van Sickle Oestereich and Husband William CMSGT, retired USAF, of York, PA, Philip Van Sickle and wife Bella (Wyllie) Van Sickle of Bowie, MD and Carol Van Sickle Agpaoa and husband Tony of Hamilton; 7 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. David has gone home to be with Helen.

The family suggests that memorial be made in David's name to the charity of the donor's choice.