Fred Innerbichler, Jr.

POLSON — Fred H. Innerbichler, Jr., 85, of Columbia Falls, formerly of Polson, died at the Montana State Veterans' Home in Columbia Falls on Feb. 8, 2005.

Fred was born on Oct. 23, 1919, in Magdalena, N.M., to Fred H. and Jenny (Jaramillo) Innerbichler. He grew up and attended schools in Magdalena.

Fred married Manuelita Landavazo in Magdalena on Oct. 23, 1941.

He joined the U.S. Army and served in WWII in the Pacific Theater. After his military discharge he returned to New Mexico and he and Manuelita operated a restaurant for a short time. They moved to Southern California and Fred started working for Douglas Aircraft and eventually worked his way up to supervisor.

In 1955 he moved to Orange County, Calif. and worked with a firm that eventually became Rockwell International. He finished his career and retired with Northrup.

Fred moved to Polson in 1997 and most recently was a resident at the Veterans' Home in Columbia Falls.

He enjoyed big band music and always had aspirations of becoming an actor. He attended church faithfully and attended Mass daily when he was able. He was a past member of the VFW in California.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.

He is survived by three sons and their spouses: Nicholas R. (who is the co-founder of TAMSCO Corp. located in Calverton, Md.) and wife Debra Innerbichler of Magdalena, Arthur W. (Nancy) Innerbichler of Elk Ridge, Md., and Fred J. (Nancy) Innerbichler of Polson; 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild; three brothers, Leo of Newport Beach, Calif., Tom of Atwater, Calif., Al of Norwalk, Calif.;

Four sisters, Isabelle Talbot of Las Vegas, Nevada, Clara Mae Rosowicz of Northern California, Patricia Debellis of Allentown, Pa., and Mary Spoto of Las Vegas.

Visitation was last Tuesday and Wednesday in the Grogan Funeral Home in Polson. A rosary was held Wednesday at St. Richard's Catholic Church in Columbia Falls, and Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated Thursday at St. Richard's Catholic Church with Father Joe Pat Moran officiating. Interment was in the Montana Veterans Cemetery.