John Harold Handley was born in Miles City, MT on July 25, 1936 to Harold and Lucille Morgan Handley. John passed away January 17, 2020 in Helena, MT with his sister and family by his side.
He attended school in Miles City, graduating from Custer County High School in 1955. During high school, he worked at Star Printing. After graduating he worked for about 10 years in the construction industry, traveling around the country building the new interstate system. He got tried of the long hours, so he came back to Montana and went to work for Juricas on the ranch in Powderville. He spent 20 years there before returning to Miles City. He spent 25 years taking care of his mother and working in maintenance at the Pine Hills School where he was a much loved and respected mentor to many of the boys at the school.
He served two years on the city council, was a lifetime member of the Half Century Club and active in the Gideons up until the time of his death.
“Big John” as he was affectionally called, loved people, tinkering, gardening and traveling around the backroads of Montana. He had a tremendous knowledge of the history of our area.
Preceding him death were his parents, Harold and Lucille. He is survived by his sister Helen Anderson of Helena, MT brothers, James (Gladys) Handley of Lolo, MT, Joe (Patsy) Handley of Rowland Heights, CA, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins who adored him.
Visitation will be held on Friday, January 24, 2020 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Bible Church in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Custer County Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Memorials can be made in John’s honor to a charity of one’s choice.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Friday January 24, 2020
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Saturday January 25, 2020
Grace Bible Church
3505 Stower Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Interment
After Funeral Service
Saturday January 25, 2020
Custer County Cemetery
Cemetery Road
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Friday January 24, 2020
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Saturday January 25, 2020
Grace Bible Church
3505 Stower Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Interment
After Funeral Service
Saturday January 25, 2020
Custer County Cemetery
Cemetery Road
Miles City, Montana 59301
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MARTHA CRANDALL says
RIP John. My sympathy.
Pauline Flotkoetter says
John’s family; I am so sorry for your loss. Have many fond memories of John during our younger years. He was a true friend.
Tanna Aye says
Handley family, my sympathy on your loss. John was a gentle, sincere man. Always had a smile to great you with. He was a friend to all. Fly high dear sir.
Denise Harvey says
What a kind and compassionate man! I really enjoyed seeing him when I worked at Pine Hills. He always was so helpful and cared about others. Rest in peace, John! You are with the angels.
Jeanne Green says
Rest in peace,John. You have earned it. I first met John when he faithfully brought his mom to Christian women’s club for years. You always had a kindword and a smile. You will be missed.
Ron and Connie Watts says
May God bless you, John, as so many people were blessed by you. You will be missed.
Kim wheadon says
Cousin John will be missed by many,discussing the scriptures and the meaning etc, letting my girls comb his hair etc, things they’ll never forget, he was a gentle giant love you cousin John.
La Juan says
You will be missed deeply. Love you very much Ol’ John. LaJuan Kope
GARY AND PAT HELM FAMILY says
SO SORRY TO HERE ABOUT JOHNS PASSING, HAVING KNOWN HIM MOST OF MY LIFE AND THE FUN WE HAD AT THE HANDLEY HOME, SEEMSE LIKE JUST YESTERDAY DAD WOULD SHYALL WE VISIT THE HANDLDEYS. GOD BLESS HIS FAMILY AT THIS TIME
Audrey Haumschild says
RIP John you were such a sweet person. You are now with your mother you were always there for her .
Richard Bonine says
Big John was one of the kindest and gentlest souls in Miles City. He wouldn’t think twice about giving you the shirt off of his back. May he Rest In Peace. My sympathies to the family.
Lori clark says
Sure loved this man. Sorry for the loss of such an amazing person. Always had a friendly smile upon his face. Will always have lots of love for him. God bless you John.
Diane Welbes says
Wishing the family and friends peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts.
Randy Parker says
I worked with John for many years at Pine Hills. John always greeted you with a smile. He was truly a compassionate, diligent and kind man.
He will be missed. Our hearts go out to his family, may they find comfort in this difficult time.
Toni Camobell Tivy says
John was such a great man! He and my Dad were great friends so we had the good fortune to be around him when we were growing up. Her will be missed! So sorry for your loss!
Toni Campbell Tivy says
John was such a great man! He and my Dad were great friends so we had the good fortune to be around him when we were growing up. He will be missed! So sorry for your loss!
Elizabeth Emilsson says
My condolences to his family and friends.
Arlene Hout says
So sorry, for the loss of another part of our extended family but you get to see everyone waiting for you in heaven.
Arlene Hout
Sarah Price says
John was such a joy and always loved chatting with him. Deepest sympathies to his family.
Lynne & Ken Boyd says
Helen, Roberta, and family. We are so sorry to hear of John’s passing. We so enjoyed him when we met a few years back in Miles City. It was so nice to meet a long lost cousin with great memories of earlier years. His stories will always be remembered. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Lynne & Ken Boyd.
Bernadette Miller says
I met John close to 20 years ago here in Miles City – he always knew my name and greeted and talked with me every time he saw me – what a kind and happy man. I saw him often at the Airport Inn. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Bernadette
Dee Bickle says
Such a loss, but heaven gained a angel!
leif says
John gave me some really good advice through the years that I knew him and it was always appreciated. Once when I was was very disappointed about a decision in my life he consolled me and said some of gods greatest gifts where un answered prayers. Later that turned out to be the truth more than I could have ever believed. I will miss him dearly. Leif Ronning
Jason says
I worked with John at Pine Hills. He was a good man who worked well with kids and will be missed be everyone who know him.
Jo Meidinger says
So sorry to hear about John He will be missed
Bob Grover says
Condolences to all of John’s family. Our friendship began in about 1953. We traveled to San Diego together in 1954 for Navy boot camp. John was in our wedding party in 1961. John was a very special, true and loyal friend. So glad I was able to see him in Sept. 2019. Rest in peace my very best friend for over 65 years.
Jim Russell says
John you were the one that taught me how to drive a clutch and took me under your wing teaching me how to hunt. You always were kind to everyone a true gentle giant with faith in God. I know where you are now and hope you are forever Young and healthy. Going to be missed by many. Love to all your family.
Barbara Hunziker says
I enjoyed working with John at Pine Hills and will miss seeing him around town. RIP Big John
carol hirsch says
To John’s Family
I so deeply sorry for your loss. John was one of the sweetest kindest person ever. He once told me how he came across an accident where the father had been killed and he took the woman and her two children to a nearby house to be safe. I was one of thos kids. He touched my heart and I will always remember him with love in my heart.
Carol Hirsch
Dennis Jurica says
Good-bye my good friend. We shared a lot of life together. Condolences to the Handley family. You will be missed. Denny and Ardelle Jurica
Betty Vail says
A gentle man – he will be missed.
Carroll Vernon South says
My condolences to Joe, Jim, and Helen. My brothers and I have know John and his family since our school days and he was a gentle, soft-spoken giant. We all attended the Fourquare Church in Miles City and had many good times together.
LaVerne Jones Hebner says
So sorry to hear of John’s passing. We were 1955 classmates and went to a formal together, probably in our sophomore year. I always thought John was a fine guy. It is good to know he is now getting the rest and peace he deserves as a reward for his loving Godly life.
Joe & Ginger Weiss says
We were so very sorry to hear of John’s passing. I didn’t see him very often, but when we would meet we always had a good catch-up visit. I enjoyed seeing him at our class reunions. John and I graduated together in 1955. We grew up together a couple blocks apart and spent a lot of our time together talking about his horse. With sympathy and prayers.
Rene’ Laya says
I worked with “Big John” at Pine Hills. He was one of the most positive people I have ever met. No matter how you were feeling when you started talking with John you always felt better at the end of the conversation. Heaven has most definitely gained a true angel.
Larry Bjorndal says
I worked with John at Pine Hills. He was a good friend and and one of the kindest most compassionate men I have ever known. He made a real difference to the youths at the school. He will be missed.
Darbie Karch says
What a kind and gentle man. Sure liked this guy. He always came to visit and have coffee when I worked at Bill’s Minit Market. Always had a positive outlook on life. Heaven gained a special angel. Rip John. 💚
Carrie Beach says
One of the sweetest men I ever met.
xina niles says
Peace to all of Johns family and friends. I will miss his smiling face!
Melody says
So sad to hear of Big John’s passing. He was a very loving and kind man. He was always quick with loving words and words of encouragement. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Shari Swanson says
This news is a shock. Patsy and Joe, you brought him to our reunion in September and I got to see him, talk to him and hold his hand. I’ve thought of that so many times since then. It was a sweet moment and I’m grateful for that. Thinking of him and thinking of all of your family.
Karin Helmig says
I’m so sorry for your loss. John was such a great man. I remember how incredibly kind he was and his great smile. Thinking of you all
Kathy campbell randall says
Big John was a great guy always was apart of the campbell
Family
Paul Mentikov says
Thoughts and prayers for Big John’s family!
Kathy Campbell randall says
Big john was always part of and love by the Campbell family
Tracey Viall says
John was my Dad’s best friend. He was in my parents’ wedding and was a part of our growing up. He would just go for a drive and end up at our house in Kinsey. If our parents weren’t home, he would visit with John and me. One year he had played Santa Claus in Powderville so he kept the suit on and came to Kinsey for us! He was a lovely man with a great smile. I am so sorry for his family and his many, many friends. We will miss him.
Norma Lilienthal Greenbaum says
I was sorry to hear that John had passed away. It was so good to see all of you at the reunion. I saw John a couple of times on our trips back to Miles City and enjoyed the visits with him, even if they were just for a few minutes. All of us have fond memories of our times with all of you growing up. Fun times!! God Bless John!
Herm Venable says
My condolences to his family for this loss, but I know that I will surely see him in heaven very soon. I was so happy to see that he was a Gideon. I know that Jesus was there the moment John closed his eyes. Praise God that no grave could hold him down. “Yonder comes a band of angels and there coming there for me. “
Jim Rye says
I met Big John when I recoated the gym floor at Pine Hills School back in the 90’s. John forgot more about cleaning a school than most people knew. John was top hand on applying floor finish (wax) and showed me a trick or two while I worked with him. He was an excellent mentor to many young men he met while working in maintenance and had a way of touching any person in need of advise or direction. Nobody swung an extra large mop better than Big John! I find comfort in knowing John is with his Mother in paradise. My prayers are with the family and his many friends at this time. RIP old buddy…🙏🙏
Janet loomis says
What a wonderful kind man. I went to church with him for many many years. You are missed my friend. Janet
Charles Haddix says
R.I.P john, you taught me alot. I will never forget what I learned from you. You were a great man with a heart as big as the outdoors. You will be missed