John M. Watne

Funeral Service: Saturday, June 12; at 2:00 p.m

Interment: Burial with military honors will follow at Forestvale Cemetery

John Morris Watne, 88, joined his heavenly Father on the morning of June 9, 2010, after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson's disease.

He was born in Cooperstown, North Dakota on February 15, 1922, the youngest of nine children of Johan and Marie (Haaland) Watne.At the onset of World War II, John joined the Army Air Corps and served bravely in England. After the war, he returned to North Dakota where he met and married Annie Amundson, his wife of 27 years, who preceded him in death in 1973. Together they had a son, Gerald. John later met and married Shirlie Hininger and together they raised Tanya, Tom, and Troy Holt.

John had a talent for all things mechanical. He worked for Curry TV and Allen Electric and later retired as an electrician from Helena Public Schools. He enjoyed outdoor adventures like fishing, boating and camping. One of his greatest aspirations was to learn to fly an airplane, so he was excited to take flying lessons and was proud when he got his pilots license. Now he is soaring with the angels.

John was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Annie, his brothers Walter, Ernest, Roy, Maynard, Otto, and sister Erma Juve, Alice Amundruud, and Ester Taxdal.

He is survived by his wife, Shirlie Watne, Gerald (Susan) Watne of Helena, Tanya (Bob) Douglas of Helena, Tom (Darlene) Holt of Linden California, Troy (Mitzi) Holt of Kalispell, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Cremation has taken place through Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. A small service will be held Saturday, June 12; at 2:00 p.m. Burial with military honors will follow at Forestvale Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by: www.stevensonandsons.com.