Edward "Ed" Van Tighem

Edward Ed Gustave Van Tighem, 76, of Great Falls, passed away Monday, February 20, 2017.Ed was born on August 28, 1940 in Great Falls, Montana to Alphonse and Rose Van Tighem. He graduated from the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind. Ed worked at the Great Falls Tribune for 2 years as a carrier. He then started as a box boy at Buttrey Foods in 1957 and climbed to the manager position at the time of his retirement in 1995.He was a pillar in the deaf community. Ed served in various positions in organizations for the deaf from national to local levels. He was a member of the Elks, National Association of the Deaf, Montana Association of the Deaf, Great Falls Club of the Deaf, and Big Sky Recreation Association of the Deaf. Ed also served as a board member of the Montana Telecommunications Access Program and Montana School for the Deaf and Blind Foundation.Eds passion was woodworking, where he enjoyed making furniture for all of his family. He also loved to travel and toured over 50 countries.Ed is survived by his wife, Betty Kay Van Tighem; sons Greg and Ted (Sandra) Van Tighem; sister Lorraine (Larry) Zehm of Spangle, WA; and two granddaughters, Emma Van Tighem and Random (Marcus) Potrok.He was preceded in death by his parents.A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 24, 2017 at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel.Memorials in Eds name may be made to the Montana Assoc. of the Deaf, PO Box 6433, Great Falls, MT 59406 or Montana School for the Deaf and Blind Foundation, 3911 Central Ave., Great Falls, MT 59405.