Funeral Service: Monday, January 18, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Miles City
Graveside Services: will follow in the Eastern Montana State Veteran Cemetery with full military honors
John Mike Valach, age 83, passed away at Holy Rosary Health Care Center in Miles City on January 14, 2004.
John Mike Valach was born on a homestead north of Cohagen to John and Emilie (Uherka) Valach on September 2, 1920. Due to drought and family medical expenses they had to give up the homestead and move to Miles City when John was 6 years old. Speaking only Czech language, it was a traumatic experience for John when he started school at Garfield Elementary, but with the help of family members, friends, and teachers he was able to overcome the temporary disadvantage. He graduated from CCDHS with the class of 1939 and was proud to be 1st chair clarinetist in the All State High School Band.
Being 21, on Pearl Harbor Day, military enlistment and induction loomed, and he chose to enlist in the Navy. He was a "Plank Owner" indicating he was aboard the USS Lexington when it was constructed and served aboard the "Blue Ghost" for 3 1/2 years in the fire room operating the ship's boilers in the Southern Pacific Theatre. He was honorably discharged in November 1945 and worked in Douglas Aircraft in Los Angeles, California area for 3 1/2 years making parts for experimental airplanes. In 1950, he returned to Miles City and worked for MDU for 32 years before retiring.
In 1945, he married childhood sweetheart Mildred Sutera, and they celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary in June. They had two children, Arlis Bidwell of Broadview, Montana, and Dale Valach of Issaquah, Washington. John was an avid fisherman. He was very creative making tin men, doing carpentry, and even oil painting pictures. He was always inventing something or inventing a better way to do something. John had life memberships in the Elks Lodge and the VFW, is a member of the Mason Lodge and the Eagles. He has attended the First Presbyterian Church in Miles City for 53 years and served as an Elder. John's hobbies and interests included being a member of the Elks band, Square dancing, Ham radio and traveling after retirement
John is survived by his daughter, Arlis Bidwell and her husband, Don and their children Abby (Dustin) Stevens and Lisa Bidwell of Denver, Colorado, his son Dale and his wife Suzanne and their children Ryan and Kelsey Valach of Issaquah, WA.
He was preceded in death by his parents and four sisters, Lillie Mrachek, Emily Broz, Rosie Lamb, and Dorothy Perkins.
Memorials maybe donated to the First Presbyterian Church; 1401 Main Street, Miles City, MT 59301 in Miles City, or a charity of one's choice.
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