Michael J. Cash

Michael \u0027\u0027Mike\u0027\u0027 Joseph Casciati Cash, 89, of Cottonwood, a native of Somers, Montana died December 28 in Cottonwood, Arizona. He was born December 1, 1914 to James Vincent Casciati Cash and Mary Beltramini. He attended Somers Grade School. In early life he was employed by the Forest Service, Somers Lumber Company and Sliters. Mike entered the US Army in 1941, the 36th name drawn by President Roosevelt from \u0027\u0027the fish bowl\u0027\u0027. He served in the Battle of the Bulge, Battle of Bastonne, and seven European countries during World War II and was honorably discharged in 1945. On October 12, 1946, he married Helen Drew, who preceded him in death in 1973. He also was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather, two brothers and an infant son. He lived for several years in Longview, Washington then returning to Somers, Montana. He was hired by Great Northern Railroad, retiring in 1979 as a steam engineer for Burlington Northern Railroad. He also owned and operated the \u0027\u0027Cash Inn\u0027\u0027 in Flathead Lake for a number of years. On October 25, 1975 he married Rita Conley, who survives him at the family home. Mike played baseball for the Somers Twilight League and coached Pee Wee, Babe Ruth, and American Legion baseball teams, winning the city of Kalispell championship. He loved fishing and hunting. The highlight of his travels was a trip in 1985 to Italy searching his ancestry. Mike was a lifelong member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, VFW National Home, Knights of Columbus and it\u0027s 4th degree Assembly and it\u0027s Color Corps, the Battle of the Bulge Club, the Eagles and the Elks. He was an altar boy and eucharistic minister for many priestes. He also had many seminarians live at his home in the summers. He is survived by his wife Rita; a sister,several godchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. A`Rosary was held in the Westcott Funeral Home on December 30. A`Requiem Mass will be held on Wednesday, December 31 in the Westcott Funeral Home at 10 AM. Burial will take place in the Conrad Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell, Montana.