1969
Vance
2012
Vance 'Bear' Birky
November 10, 1969 — February 9, 2012
Vance ‘Bear’ BearChild Birky, 42, a logger from Kalispell, passed away near Kaycee, Wyoming on February 9, from a tragic vehicle accident. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 18, at Whitted Funeral Chapel in Cut Bank.
Survivors include his wife, Brenda Birky; children, Tiffany James, Michael Birky, and Chessara Birky; step-daughter Harlee Johnson; grandsons, Evan and Cooper James; siblings, Justin, Adrian, Lucas, John, Loren, Ian, Michael, Ellen and Susan; as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his foster parents, Ezra and Marjorie Birky; grandparents, Ken and Mary Stinger; aunts Annette, Marcel, and Jennette; and grand-daughter, Shelby James.
Vance was born on November 10, 1969 in Browning. He grew up and attended schools in Cut Bank and Kalispell. He married Mindy Swinehart and had two children, Michael and Chessara. They later divorced. He was raised in the Birky family logging business by Ezra and the two shared the same passion for the mountains and a strong work ethic. In 2002 while working, he met Brenda Wolfe. They were married shortly thereafter and were inseparable.
Vance was a jack-of-all-trades and he worked harder than most, putting his heart into everything he did. He was of the Mennonite faith. He loved his dogs, working on trucks and cars, and, most of all, loved being outdoors.
Survivors include his wife, Brenda Birky; children, Tiffany James, Michael Birky, and Chessara Birky; step-daughter Harlee Johnson; grandsons, Evan and Cooper James; siblings, Justin, Adrian, Lucas, John, Loren, Ian, Michael, Ellen and Susan; as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his foster parents, Ezra and Marjorie Birky; grandparents, Ken and Mary Stinger; aunts Annette, Marcel, and Jennette; and grand-daughter, Shelby James.
Vance was born on November 10, 1969 in Browning. He grew up and attended schools in Cut Bank and Kalispell. He married Mindy Swinehart and had two children, Michael and Chessara. They later divorced. He was raised in the Birky family logging business by Ezra and the two shared the same passion for the mountains and a strong work ethic. In 2002 while working, he met Brenda Wolfe. They were married shortly thereafter and were inseparable.
Vance was a jack-of-all-trades and he worked harder than most, putting his heart into everything he did. He was of the Mennonite faith. He loved his dogs, working on trucks and cars, and, most of all, loved being outdoors.
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