John Kratofil

John L. Kratofil, 70, of Libby passed away on March 3, 2015, after a 40-year battle with multiple sclerosis at the Libby Care Center.   John was born on Oct. 2, 1944, to John A. (Biff) Kratofil and Mary (Yelenich) Kratofil in Butte. He grew up in Butte and always carried a sense of pride for his hometown. He studied engineering at The School of Mines in Butte, later transferring to Western Montana College in Dillon and received a bachelor’s degree in education.

He married his first wife, Nancy, and had a son, Brian. Upon graduation, the family moved to Libby where John accepted his first teaching job as an English teacher in what was then Asa Wood Middle School in 1966. John became an active community member joining the Jaycees and the Elks where he held the office of Exalted Ruler.

Once an opening at the Libby High School opened, John moved there as a social studies teacher. He had found his niche. In 1971, John was named Montana’s Outstanding Young Educator.  John loved sports. He was a life-long fan of the Yankees, Notre Dame and the Loggers. While a young man, he played softball and basketball in local men’s leagues and refereed basketball for many years. John loved running and started the Libby cross-country program.

He touched countless young lives, where his sense of humor and love of practical jokes earned him the nickname “Krafty”.  In 1976, John’s life took a dramatic turn when he married Margie Mercer and acquired not only a wife, but also three young stepchildren, Deanna, Shannon and Matthew. Thus began a 39-year marriage and commitment. John decided to go into administration and earned a master’s from Gonzaga University. He accepted a position of assistant principal and activities director at Libby High School and the formidable team of Stan Evans and John Kratofil was formed. During those years, John was again honored by being named Montana’s Assistant Principal of the Year.  As John’s multiple sclerosis worsened, he felt he could no longer do his job at the high school at the level of excellence it required so he took a less physically demanding position as the special services director and worked out of the administrative office in the Lincoln Building. He retired in 2007, completing a 41-year distinguished career in education.

John was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Tillie.  

He is survived by his wife, Margie; son, Brian (Misty) Kratofil; sister, Michelle (Jake) Matthews; step-children Deanna (Craig) Purdy, Shannon (Jeff) Hughes, and Matthew Mercer; his beloved grandchildren, Dylan and Kendall Kratofil and his step-grandchildren Justin and Megan Purdy and Nathan Mercer.

Services will be at 2 p.m., Friday, March 13, 2015, at the Libby Christian Church.  Memorial suggestions include The Elks Scholarship Fund, Kootenai Pets for Life or The National Multiple Sclerosis Society.  Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby.  Online condolences may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.