John L. Scanlan, age 90, of Miles City, MT passed away the morning of August 26, 2020 of natural causes, at the Canyon Creek Memory Care in Billings, MT.
John Lawrence Scanlan was born to James and Ruth (Martin) Scanlan on May 21, 1930; at Rocky Point, WY. He was the youngest of 4 children, with brothers, Edmond and Joseph, and sister, Rita (Ben) Huckins.
The family had moved to Miles City in1932 and settled on Becker Lane where they ran a dairy farm. John remembers taking the horse drawn wagon to town with cans of milk to sell. Called, “Johnnie” by many friends, he worked at the Olive restaurant as a young man and drove cab later in the Miles City area. He met and married Edna Jo Thomas in 1950. To this union, 5 babies were born. Penny (Frank) Mitchell, Karen (deceased at birth), Sheri (Ward) Wiedeman, Scott Scanlan, and Shawna McBride. Though John and Edna later divorced, they were blessed with 8 grandsons and 2 beautiful granddaughters: Frank Mitchell Jr. and Wendy (Kyle)Lundquist; Michael (Rhonda), Kelly and Case Wiedeman; Joshua, Travis, Chelsea (Mike) Rodgers; Scanlan; and Tyson (Tana) and Kyle (Carrie) McBride.
John has had the joy and love of 10 great-grandchildren; Hailey, Elsa, Brantley and Violet Lundquist; Sophia and Anya Shea Wiedeman; Kaley Jo and Logan Rodgers; and Rose and Declan McBride.
In November of 1979 John met Jeannette Fisher and on December 20, 1991 they were united in marriage in Rapid City, SD and have been together 40 plus years.
John worked driving water truck for many jobs in MT. He later joined the Milwaukee Railroad working as a fireman. He studied and soon was able to achieve and Engineer/Fireman position. He worked with the Milwaukee Railroad until it’s closure in 1980. John always loved working with heavy equipment and started a construction/demolition business. He did lots of demolition work around the Miles City area tearing down grain elevators, schools, houses and many other buildings. He was responsible for the demolition of the El Robo building, the old Garfield School and the Coast to Coast store on Mains St. Along with building many roads and dams, John also worked for the BLM fighting fires with his equipment. Jan was always by his side when doing all his jobs.
In 1988 he added to his work schedule taking care of the Miles City Landfill with Jan for seven years. John also worked for Fred Wacker hauling cattle to other states. He did however find time to vacation and travel to Nevada, Arizona and occasionally to Deadwood, SD. John enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping and doing some mining with his brother Ed; near Bozeman, MT. John and Jeannette enjoyed dancing and getting together with numerous friends. John enjoyed the company of his step children, Sandy (Mike) Corcoran, David Fisher, Tom Fisher, Joe (Amber) Fisher; step grandchildren, Heather (T.J.) Hall, Angel (Tony) Fisher, Tim Fisher and twin Nicole Fisher, Brock Fisher, Blake Fisher and great step grandchildren, Ronnie, Raenah, Brayan, Benson, Ella, Damien and Taylor.
John was preceded in death by his parents James and Ruth, his brothers: Edmond and Joseph, and his sister Rita Huckins. John is survived by his wife Jeannette and his daughters, Penny (Mitch) Mitchell, Sheri (Ward) Wiedeman, Shawna McBride and son Scott Scanlan.
John was a caring and giving person and was loved by his whole family and will be deeply missed and also missed by his dog Laney. The family would like to thank all his friends and care givers that have helped John.
A visitation will be held on Friday, September 4, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson and Son’s Funeral Home in Miles City. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Calvary Cemetery in Miles City. Condolences can be made to the family by visiting stevensonandsons.com.
Gary & Bert Rickman says
Our deepest sympathy to John’s family.
Gary & Bert
Beverly McDowell Harris says
So sorry that John had to go, but now he and my dad, Mac will be finding trouble to get into once again. They were friends since childhood and I heard many many stories, embellished I’m sure. I will always remember that John was the last visitor before my dad passed in 2010.
Doug and Beth Ann Wiedeman says
Scanlan Family: so sorry for your loss, may your memories help during this time of grieving
Shannon Holmen says
So sorry to hear of John. I have such fond childhood memories of our neighborhood we shared. He was a kind man to all of us Halsey kids. Hold tight to the happy memories.
Joe and Cathi Peila says
We are so sorry for your loss. John was a great neighbor.
PHILLIP LOSINSKI says
John was the best neighbor ever. The times they are a-changin. So long John,and Mac I’ll be seeing you soon!
Dolores Meidinger Willson says
Janet, Scott and the rest of John’s family. So sorry for your loss. He was a hard working man that you could always count on.
Joli Scanlan says
So sorry to my Miles City cousins on the loss of your father and grandfather- from your North Dakota cousin.
All that family of brothers, sister and parents are together again now.
I will always remember the jokes those brothers did to each other and the stories from the farm.
They all truly were a great, hard working generation. No one felt sorry for themselves and faced life’s hardships with
courage and fortitude. I pray you find comfort in happy memories.
John is forever in our hearts–until we meet again.
Sandy Anderson says
I’m so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers to all you kids from all the Parker kids and their families. Love to you all. Sandy and Pat
Rebecca Gookin says
So sorry to hear of John’s passing.
You are in my thoughts and prayers Janet and family…
Ty says
You are a Great Man and you taught me many things in life. You are forever in my heart. My only regret is that you never got to meat your Great-grandson Declan. But he won’t grow up not know who you are. R.I.P Grandpa
Marty and Jeanette O'Dea says
Jeannette and family, Our deepest sympathy at your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers
Curtis Hughes says
I got the chance to work with John for the last 10 years of the Milwaukee Rail Road. The first time I I ran an engine john and the fireman were arguing about where half way to Harlowton was and who’s turn it was . I said you guys sit and visit, I’ll run. John was always good to work with.
Sorry for your loss.
Dave “DL” Steele says
I met and worked with Johnny on The Milwaukee railroad in Miles City. He is on my list of favorite people. It was a pleasure to have known him and call him one of my friends. Jeannette, you and the family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Mary Snell says
My deepest sympathies. Hold tight to all of your precious memories and I pray the Lord holds you close.
Beverly Huffman says
Sorry for your lost! Daddy(Richard O’Neill) always liked working with John. Beverly Huffman
Sandy Hewett Parks says
So sorry to hear of John’s passing. Your in my thoughts and prayers.
Kyle McBride says
Granpa taught me so much in life. I’ll never forget spending the summer with him and Mac. They were always laughing and having a good time. I wish I could see him one last time…
Josephine Meidingera says
So sorry to hear about John’s passing My deepest sympathy for all of John’s family
M
Jim and Annalise Willson says
John’s Family so sorry to hear about John. John was along time friend of my Dad. In 1976 I Bought a D-6 Cat from John and Wes Wells. John helped me keep it running for several years. Thank You John may you rest in peace my friend.
Jim and Annalise Willson
Rob Shipley says
The one and only John Scanlan. He was the very best friend anyone could ever have. My heart aches I cannot press him to help me fix my old CATs. I am a little crazy about CATs. It is all the fault of legends such as L. P. Anderson, John Scanlan, Mac McDowell, Bob Pauley, Don Lebie, Don Pyle and Jimmy Thomas.
Such wonderful men. Such wonderful overachievers. How can we ever get along without these men ?
All my love, ” Ship “
Chauncie Kucera says
Dear Jeanette, and entire Scanlan and Fisher Family,
I’m sorry for your loss. Peace be with you all.
Chauncie -Parker-Kucera
Sharon Volkman says
Sorry for your loss. John accomplished so many good things. He was a fun, kind person. Glad to have known him