On October 13, 2021 a double burial will take place for Edward and his wife, Anne.
His mother called him her “little Valentine” as Edward T. Jonutis was born on February 14, 1921, the second son of Stella and Joseph Jonutis, in a simple two-room log cabin southeast of Miles City, Montana, miles from town and neighbors. His grandmother acted as midwife. Since no doctor was present for Ed’s birth, his parents had to apply for a Delayed Birth Certificate for him from the Custer County courthouse. Ed passed away in Billings, Montana, at age 96 on April 20, 2017.
Ed grew up a true cowboy on horseback on several homesteads along the Powder River. He loved his horses, Red Eagle and Dolly. As a child Ed had an encounter with a feral cat, which severely injured his right eye, but he managed to fool the doctors and joined the U.S. Army in 1942. While standing in formation in the Texas boot camp the tire of a passing jeep kicked up a rock which struck Ed’s left eye; now the vision of both eyes was compromised. Ed served as a combat medic in the Philippines until honorably discharged in 1946.
On return to Montana, Ed attended the Butte School of Mines while also working deep in the Butte mines on a blasting crew. He met Anne Kierzek at a dance in Miles City and they married in 1947. On the day of his wedding he was hired by the Miles City division of the Montana Highway Department. He explained about his wedding and the Department chief graciously granted him immediate time off for a brief honeymoon before starting work. After a short stint in the Miles City MDOT office, Ed was reassigned to the Glendive division where he became the first Chief Soils Engineer.
Ed and Anne purchased a few acres at the intersection of the Sidney and Bloomfield Highways. After a full day’s work at the Highway Department, he and Anne would toil long hours into the night and every weekend building fence, planting trees, designing and eventually constructing their own home.
After 27 years, Ed retired from the Montana Department of Transportation. Upon his retirement, Ed and Anne started Country Auto Sales, and operated this small business for the next twenty years from the horse pasture next to their home.
Flying was Ed’s passion. He loved watching meadowlarks and other birds in flight, which led him to become a pilot in 1960, no small feat considering his vision issues. He eventually owned several different airplanes, but he loved his Beechcraft Bonanzas the most. Ed and Anne made many flights together around the lower 48 states.
Anne and Ed recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. They were blessed with four children who survive him: Bobi (Gene) Allard, Stan Jonutis, Jo Anne (Gary) Herem, and Jim (Donna) Jonutis. They have four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Ed is also survived by his younger brother, C. John Jonutis and close childhood friend of 90 years, Norman Ovitt. Ed’s older brother Joe Jonutis, Jr. and younger sister Lillian Jonutis, preceded him in death.
Ed was proud of his military service. The family would like to thank those many strangers who, upon observing the “WWII Veteran” hat Ed always wore, anonymously paid for his restaurant meals, put him to the front of a line, or made other respectful considerations. He never failed to mention these thoughtful acts to family and friends. In fact, for those who wish to make a memorial, the family requests you pay forward these kindnesses to military personnel.
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of arrangements. The family is planning a private Catholic service; with burial at the Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Miles City at a later date. And Dad, from Mom and your kids: “Iniibig Kita”.
Service Schedule
Graveside Service with Full Military Honors
11:00 AM
Wednesday October 13, 2021
Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Cemetery Road
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Graveside Service with Full Military Honors
11:00 AM
Wednesday October 13, 2021
Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Cemetery Road
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Jim and Ann Willson says
John, Bobbi and Gene so sorry to hear of EDs Passing away. I never knew him Personally but we did live next to John on the Mizpah Ranch. I still remember Bobbi and Gene coming over to help us gather Yearlings for shipping that was in about 1980. MY Grandparents Jim and Sarah (Haskins) Roberts were Neighbors over on Laney Creek for many years, Plus the Haskins families. Rest jn peace Ed. John take care we sure enjoyed you and Lilly when we were out there. we are thinking about you.
Dave and Vickie Gunderson says
Anne and family, and John, we were so sorry to hear about Ed’s passing. I have many fond memories of growing up with the Jonutis family just up the river. What a wonderful picture of Ed on his obituary..what a great smile he had! God bless all of you..
Vickie and Dave Gunderson
Becky (Chouinard) Tipton says
Jim and family I’m sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad. Being a Veteran was a very Honorable position and I salute him! Cherish all your me Memovies and hold them close as they will get you through the difficult days ahead.
Rest in peace
Becky (Chouinard) Tipton
Les and Virginia Tipton says
Anne and family. We are so sorry to hear about Ed. What a wonderful neighbor and friend. I will never forget Les going to work one morning and catching Dolly on the Sidney highway and bringing her back home.! Ed was always such an interesting man with many good stories, he will be missed by so many. God Blessed us with him. RIP Ed you deserve it. Prayers to all of you. Les and Virginia Tipton
Malcolm Soare says
Anne and family. I am sorry for your loss. I will always remember Ed flying, both from the old and new Glendive airports. He was always interesting to visit with about his WWII experiences, and flying. God bless him.
Audrey Haumschild says
409 1/2 Tatro
Audrey Haumschild says
So sorry to hear about Ed he was such a sweetheart I looked after his sister Lillian at HR and Ed Ann and John always came to visit her. Such a great family.
George Bourisk says
Stan, my deepest sympathies to you and your family for the loss of your Dad. Reading his obituary, he was quite the gentleman and also quite an accomplished individual. Now I see the legacy he left and you are continuing that legacy with your life. May his memory be eternal.
Walt and Jean Garner says
Stan, our deepest sympathies to you and your family. The loss of a parent is a tough blow. Although we never met your dad I am sure he would have been a blessing just to talk to. I can recall some of our conversations years ago where you discussed your dad being a WWII Veteran and an avid pilot. I could tell you were very proud of him and his many accomplishments. Likewise, I am sure he was very proud of you and your Air Force career and you having followed his footsteps with the MDOT. May God Bless you and your family and provide you peace and comfort.
Norma Halttunen says
Bobbi and Gene,
We are sorry for your loss, your father had a wonderfully long life and he sounded like a truly amazing man. We do hope all the wonderful memories you had with him remain in your heart and with you always. Thinking of you and keeping you in our prayers and thoughts. With sincere sympathy, Norma & Paul Halttunen, Liberty Lake, WA (Angie’s Aunt & Uncle)
Scott Hunter says
I always had interesting experiences w/ Ed. He had some 3 1/2 ft. long Japanese Dress swords from WWII. He was the only person i ever met, that had a few, identical to my Dad’s 1/2 doz. he brought back from WWII. I bought a Glendive hangar from him. 13 yrs. ago tomorrow. Upon calling me 2 yrs. later, I then bought the other, w/ the Whiite & Red w/ black trim, Bonanza in it. He sold it to another Gent from Glendive, who was still rated as a CFI, that I leased to : (agreeing to the friendly terms Ed had w/ him). A few yrs. later, that owner sold it to a young Glendive Businessman. Ed’s Bonanza, 2 owners later, is still in the same hangar. There. by, IMO, his legacy continues