John Rudolph Vanek

John Rudolph Vanek

John Rudolph Vanek, 85, passed away Monday, Sept. 10, 2012, at his home in Havre. Cremation has taken place and his memorial Mass will be 2 p. m. Sunday, Sept., 16, 2012, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, with Father Daniel Wathen officiating. His burial will be held at 3 p. m. Monday at the Veterans Cemetery in Fort Harrison. Memorial contributions in John's honor may be made to the Montana Chapter of the American Cancer Society. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.

John was born Sept. 14, 1926, in Lewistown, Montana to Rudolph and Anna (Comes) Vanek. He was raised and educated in Lewistown, attending Brooks grade school, and graduating from Lewistown High School. He enlisted in the United States Army in March of 1945 and served during World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1946. He returned to Lewistown, Mont. and married Marie S. Stevens on Jan. 25, 1949, in Lewistown. The couple lived in Lewistown where John worked for the Fish Hatchery. He then decided to become an apprentice plumber. He moved his family to Choteau, eventually settling in Havre in 1963. In Havre John worked for Nault plumbing. He was a member of the pipefitters union and worked on many industrial projects like the hospital.

In his spare time John enjoyed hunting, fishing, fly fishing and shooting his guns at the range. He was an outdoors man at heart and enjoyed going to Canyon Ferry Lake. John was a quick-witted person who enjoyed a good joke and could tell one just as well. He loved his wife Marie, and for the last few years was her caretaker and life companion. He was a member of the pipefitters union for over 60 years and a lifetime member of the Eagles, and also a member of the V. F.W.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Michael Vanek, and his brother Jim Vanek

John is survived by his wife Marie Vanek of Havre, Mont. ; his daughter Marianne (Daniel) Becker of Mead, Wash. ; one grandson, Bryan Michael Klugman of Spokane, Wash. ; and his brother Bud Vanek of Sandpoint, Idaho.