John Kittilson

John E. Kittilson, 81, of East Helena, died Sunday, June 4, 2006.

He was born April 27, 1925, in Great Falls to the late Albin O. and Helen Kittilson.

John attended schools in Great Falls and after graduation worked in the oil fields in the Cutbank and Sunburst areas. He married Ruth Grosser on Aug. 22, 1954. During their marriage, they moved to Libby where he worked for the vermiculite mine. They raised five children and later divorced.

John served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and in the Korean War. Upon being discharged, he worked for the GVW division of the state of Montana as scale master and later retired from that position.

His other passions in life were leather crafting, model airplanes, ships and old cars. John was active with his church and had a heart of gold. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. John will be missed by all who knew him.

Survivors include his children, Jacqueline Kittilson Fralick of Denver, Colo., Geraldine Lyons and husband Terry of Helena, Kathrine Krenn and husband Richard of Jacksonville, Fla., and Joseph A. Kittilson and wife Pennie and Shirley Renee Kittilson, all of East Helena; sister Shirley Gowl of California; 21 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Military graveside honors will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, June 9, at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison with Lewis and Clark Council officiating. Memorials may be sent in John's name to the Living Church of God, c/o Mr. Irvin Bastian, 38 Alta, Helena, MT 59601. Local arrangements have been entrusted to Hagler-Anderson Funeral Home in Helena.