John Bill Ungefug

Visitation: Family will receive friends on Monday, February 16, 2009 from 4:00 to 6:00pm in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth.

Funeral Service: Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 11:00am at the Concordia Lutheran Church in Forsyth.

Burial: will follow in the Forsyth Cemetery with full military honors.

John William Bill UngefugOur beloved father, grandfather and brother past away after a lengthy illness, Thursday February 12, 2009 at Fountain View Care Center in Forsyth, MT. He was 80 years old.

Bill was born September 28th, 1928 to Volga German parents, John and Sophie (Wegner) Ungefug, in his parents farm house south of Belfry, Montana. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Belfry. He grew up in a farming family and was educated in Belfry having the distinction of walking through the same school house door from first grade through senior year of high school, graduating in 1947. Bill worked in Belfry and Billings before entering the Army in 1950 at the start of the Korean War. He served in the 40th Infantry Division earning the Combat Infantry man Badge. Upon discharge he worked for Safeways in Laurel starting a long career in the retail grocery business. It was there that he met and married the love of his life, Meriem Fox.

Bill and Meriem moved between Forsyth and Billings working in the grocery business and raising three children, two boys and a girl. They eventually ended up in Forsyth. The hard working couple opened Sunrise Bakery and later Big Sky Foods. Prior to retirement they opened the Olde Tyme Bake Shoppe. Bill was always busy in semi retirement driving school bus, doing various jobs and starting a lawn sprinkler business. He served on the Forsyth School Board for 9 years and was a member of the Lions Club and American Legion Post No. 39. Bill was a longtime member of Concordia Lutheran Church of Forsyth, serving in various offices throughout the years. Bill was a great husband and father with an exemplary work ethic. He was a wonderfully supportive grandfather who loved spending time with his granddaughters.Meriem preceded Bill in death in 2000.

He is survived by his daughter Lissa (Scott) White of Colstrip,MT; sons, Tom (Vonnie) Ungefug of Forsyth, MT and Jim (Mary) Ungefug of Helena, MT; three adoring granddaughters, Chelsea, Jennifer and Ariel; one sister, Virginia; two brothers, Carl Edward and Harry; step grandchildren, Bryan Gay, Kelly Franklin, Jeremy Miles and Tori Rios.

The family expresses their sincere gratitude to Bills extended family at Fountain View Care Center and Pastor John Vallie for their loving care in his time of need. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, can be made to the donors choice.