Filmore Burton Canon, age 99, passed away on May 21st, 2016 at Powder River Manor in Broadus, Montana. He was born on April 4th, 1917, in Aberdeen, South Dakota. He was adopted in infancy by Homer Douglas Canon and Margaret Frandsen Canon. The family homesteaded and ranched at Bay Horse, MT, where Margaret Canon was the postmistress for many years. A sister, Betty Canon Horton soon joined the family.
Filmore was home-schooled by his aunt for a few years, then later attended country school. He graduated from Broadus High School in 1935. As a teen, Filmore pursued many interests: helped his father build a tractor using a pickup chassis; studied classical violin; and worked at H.R. Cook’s hamburger and pie shop. He was always mechanically inclined, and after graduating high school, he bought a D-4 Cat and Scraper, and continued to build dikes, dams and roads in Wyoming and Montana.
Filmore met Bernice Imogene Eaton in 1940 at his sister’s wedding dance. They were married on June 28th, 1941 in Broadus, MT. To this union were born six children: Catherine Roseanne, Mary Imogene, Patsy Lee, Bonnie Gay, Pamela Lou and William Douglas. Filmore and Bernice shared 73 years together prior to her death in 2015.
Filmore was a lifelong resident of Powder River County, interrupted only by his years in the U.S. Army. He was inducted in May of 1942 into the 3rd Armored Division, and was immediately selected for Office Candidate School at Fort Sill, OK, where he graduated with top honors as a second Lieutenant. He was shipped to Scotland, then served in the Battle of Utah Beach. He was proud to serve under General George S Patton as a Forward Observer during the “Battle of the Bulge”. Filmore received the Silver Star for bravery and a Purple Heart for shrapnel wounds. He was Honorably Discharged in September 1945.
After the war, Filmore resumed his dirt-moving business and the family resided on the Eaton Ranch on the Little Powder River. In 1956, he moved the family to Broadus where he purchased Bud’s Repair Shop from Bud Drexel. He established a tractor dealership and a vehicle/farm equipment repair service. He operated this business continually until 1999, when he sold the business to his son, Bill. In 2009, He and Bernice sold their home and land to Bill Canon and moved into the Powder River Manor.
Filmore was dedicated to the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars organization. He served Post 1595 with distinction and held various district and state offices including District Commander. He and Bernice served the community in a variety of ways, whether operating the hamburger booth at fair time or hosting a pancake breakfast for flag volunteers on Memorial Day. They served as Grand Marshals of the Independence Day parade in 2005, and Filmore was again honored as Grand Marshal of the parade in 2015. At the age of 95, Filmore joined a WWII Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. to visit the WWII Memorial.
Filmore and Bernice enjoyed their large family. Filmore is survived by his 6 children: Catherine Ruland of Broadus; Mary (Neal) McCormick of Idaho Falls, ID; Patsy Ridenour (John Nowitzki) of Broadus; Bonnie (Stanley) Lyman of Eagle, AK; Pamela Knowles of Belgrade, MT; and William Canon of Broadus; 11 grandchildren: Mike (Linda) Ruland, Pat (Kate) Ruland, Rich (Jen) Ruland, Jay (Susan) Knowles, Kory (Carol) Knowles, Justin (Tiara) Knowles, Seth Knowles, Tracey (James) Gorder, Bunnie Davis (Clay Stark), Ginger (Cliff) Bird and Kristin Lyman; 17 great grandchildren and 1 fifth generation granddaughter. He is also survived by a great nephew, Jason Horton of Hickory, North Carolina.
Filmore was preceded in death by his wife, Bernice Canon; his parents Homer & Margaret Canon; a sister, Betty Canon Horton; a niece, Margaret Fay Horton; sons-in-law, Jack A. Ridenour and Wade D. Ruland; Linda Merchant; and an infant granddaughter, Margaret Lyman.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 2, 2016 from 1:00-6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Broadus. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, June 3rd, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Broadus, MT. A luncheon will be held at the VFW Hall immediately following the service. Graveside services will be held at 3:00 p.m. at the Eastern Montana State Veteran’s Cemetery in Miles City. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
The family wishes to thank the many kind and caring staff at the Powder River Manor for making Dad’s final years comfortable and secure. You all made him feel very special and we appreciate your friendship to him and our family.
Memorials may be given to the Broadus VFW Post 1595, c/o Commander Marty Drane, Broadus, MT 59317, or to the Powder River Manor, PO Box 719, Broadus, MT 59317.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday June 2, 2016
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
101 East Wilson
Broadus, Montana 59317
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday June 3, 2016
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
101 East Wilson
Broadus, Montana 59317
Graveside Service with Full Military Honors
3:00 p.m.
Friday June 3, 2016
Eastern Montana Veterans Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday June 2, 2016
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
101 East Wilson
Broadus, Montana 59317
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday June 3, 2016
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
101 East Wilson
Broadus, Montana 59317
Graveside Service with Full Military Honors
3:00 p.m.
Friday June 3, 2016
Eastern Montana Veterans Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Share
Bub and Carlene Gaskill says
Condolences to the Cannon family.
Dan says
Please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of your dear loved one. It seems no greater sadness is felt than when someone so dear to us is loss. May you find comfort in your memories and draw strength from a promise God has provided which gives the hope of someday being reunited with your beloved ( John 5 : 28,29 ). This promised future is one that will be filled with great joy because it will include perfect health and everlasting life on a paradise earth where ” the former things have passed away ” ( Rev. 21 : 4, Psalms 37 : 29 ). May you find some comfort in knowing that God does care and He does hear our cries. Please accept my most sincere condolences
Carol Schneidt says
Thoughts and prayers to all of the Canon family!
Keri McCoy says
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Canon, Knowles & Crooks families. So glad he got to meet his 5th generation great grand daughter!
Blessings and Peace be with the family and may God’s loving arms be your strength,
Keri & Steven McCoy
Kempner, Texas
Morgan Knowles Crooks in law’s
Wayne & Anita Wetherelt says
Or thoughts & prayers to all of Philmore’s families. So very sorry to hear this.
Wayne & Anita Wetherelt
Linda Cook Nybakken says
Thoughts and prayers to all of you. Great memories of Filmore, Bernice and all their kids. Friendly and nice people. Linda & Don Nybakken
Vic and Laura Lee Ullrich says
Sending our sympathy to all of the Canon Family. What a legacy he left! He will always be remembered as a true patriot and an icon of the Broadus Community. Keeping you all in our prayers. Vic and Laura Lee
David Brooks says
Bill and family, Filmore was always willing to Help. If you had an automotive or equipment question. He would even buy a kid a cup of tea. If you need anything please call David.
Lisa Gaskill says
Filmore will surely be missed by all. I always looked forward to seeing him at the manor. I know when we took students there to perform they always enjoyed visiting with him and hearing his stories. My thoughts are with you as you lay your father/grandfather to rest.
Bill Gorder & Brenda Hopkins says
I will miss all of his great stories about growing up, and his time spent in the military. We are so sorry for your loss of a great man!!!! He will be missed by many!
Larry and Dawn says
Our sympathy to the whole family. Filmore was such an interesting and kind man. May he rest in peace and may you find comfort in the coming days. Enjoy the many memories that you have and share them.
Carmen Jablinske Knutson says
What a true American Hero! My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Joyce Eaton says
Just heard of Filmore;s passing on Belle Fourche SD radio station. So sorry I did not make Bernbioce;s funeral and will not Filmore’s. my vision not so great with macular degeneration. Our thoughts are with you all.
cousins on the Eaton side
Joyce Eaton, Suzanne Wharton and Family, Steve Eaton and family and Starla Paulse anfamily