Mike Hutchinson, 64, passed away at Kalispell Regional Hospital on July 31, 2016, following a massive stroke.
Born William Michael Hutchinson on March 22, 1952, he was raised on a large livestock ranch outside of Cokeville, Wyoming. As a young cowboy surrounded by more animals than people, he became a voracious reader and talented storyteller.
After graduating from high school in 1970, he attended Eastern Montana College in Billings, where he met Peggy Kelly. They were married in 1972 and had two children before divorcing in 1986.
In 1976, Mike and Peggy moved to Kalispell, where Mike discovered his love for stage performance. For over a decade he immersed himself in the Flathead Community Theatre and took on any role, ranging from walk-on support to starring protagonist. In the 1990s he began singing with the Glacier Chorale, along with his mother, sister, and dearest friend, Shauneen.
From 1983 to 2005 Mike was the Children’s Librarian at the Flathead County Library, where all of his talents came together to help him inspire children to read and love books.
In his final years, Mike returned to his cowboy ways of youth, becoming a gun expert and historian; his love for guns only rivaled by his love of cinema (especially a good and accurate Western).
Mike was preceded in death by his father, Bill, and his beloved sister, Barb.
He is survived by his mother, Esther; daughter, Michelle, her husband Rob, and their sons, Aidan and Kiran; and son, Brian, his wife Stacy, and Brian’s son, Liam.
Memorial Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Sept. 23 at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home in Kalispell.
The family requests that any memorials in Mike’s name be made to the Flathead County Library or any of the performing arts organizations of the Flathead.
To send a note of condolence to the family, please visit www.buffalohillfh.com . Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.