Stevensville – Edwin Carl Hebner, of Stevensville, passed away at his home on Friday afternoon, October 13th, after a long illness. He was surrounded by his close family while overlooking the beautiful Bitterroot homestead where he spent the last decades of his life.
Ed was born in Jefferson, Iowa in 1943 to Carl and Maybelle Hebner. Ed spent his youth growing up as an Iowa farm boy with his siblings (Larry, Kathy, Dave and Al). Growing up on the family farm instilled in him both a great love of animals and a strong work ethic. He was active in high school sports of track, basketball, and football. He married his high school sweetheart, Judy (Hansen) in 1962. Together, they moved westward to Missoula where Ed attended the University of Montana.
Upon graduation, Ed volunteered for service in the Air Force. He fought multiple tours in Vietnam, first as a navigator on a B-52 then as a fighter pilot in the F-4 Phantom. He continued to fly the F-4 in the Air Force until retirement as a Lt. Colonel. During this period, their Air Force family expanded to include three boys: Geoff, Greg and Buck. Upon returning to Western Montana in 1988, Ed and Judy purchased a homestead outside Stevensville. Ed continued to fly commercially with Horizon Air for another eight years, while finally enjoying Western pursuits of elk hunting and raising stock and horses.
Ed’s family grew as his sons were married: Geoff (Teri), Greg (Angela) and Buck (Charlotte). Ed’s life was further enriched with his grandchildren (Madison, Mitchell, Mackenzie, and Anabelle). Ed was blessed with great and enduring relationships with friends near and far. Throughout his many life experiences, Ed was sustained through his faith in Jesus Christ. He touched many lives and will be sorely missed but never forgotten.
Visitation will occur at noon and will precede the funeral services at 1 p.m. Friday, October 20th, at The Kings Christian Church in Lolo, Montana. Interment will follow the service at Fort Missoula. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.