John Henry "Jack" Jirsa

John "Jack" Henry Jirsa received his angel wings on February 1, 2013, surrounded by his youngest
daughter, youngest son and daughter in law. John was born April 15, 1939 in Havre, Montana, to
Edward and Mary (Vrable) Jirsa, the oldest of 3 children. John was raised and worked on the family farm
in Big Sandy, Montana where from an early age he appreciated the beauty of Montana's outdoors and
showed his love for all animals and personal pets. He met and married Charlotte Laursen in 1965.
Together they had his first son John Edward Jirsa and daughter Veronica Bernice Hinkle.
He put his many skills to work as a diesel mechanic and while working in Helena, he met and married
Karen (Corcoran) in 1973 and moved to Great Falls. There they had their son Edward Eugene and
daughter Steffanie Jolyn. His job as a mechanic took him to Billings and then later to Missoula. He joined
the Missoula Rural Fire Department as a volunteer, taking great pride helping those in need, and was a
long time member of the Avon Grange. He retired from turning wrenches, as he called it, and began
volunteering at the Missoula Food Bank. With his newly found free time, he let his skills as a social
butterfly blossom.
He is survived by his children John Jirsa, Veronica (Jirsa) Hinkle, Edward (Johanna) Jirsa and Steffanie
Jirsa. Grandchildren Vincent, Victor, Abby and Maya and his brother Edward M.(Pat) Jirsa. He was
preceded in death by his father, mother and sister Mary Ann Jirsa.
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A celebration of John's life will be held on Saturday February 16th, 2013 at 2:00pm at Garden City
Funeral Home with a reception to follow. A burial will take place in Helena at a later date. We ask that in
memory of John, please feel free to wear your jeans and cowboy boots.
In honor of John, his occupation and his dedicated and valued service to the Missoula Rural Fire District
,
please send memorials to help restore MRFD's original engine No. 1. Make checks payable to L2457 and
send to Missoula Rural Fire District, 2521 South Ave West, Missoula, Montana 59804 Re: John Jirsa
donation.

Condolences and memories may be left for the family at www.missoulafuneralhomes.com


Read John "Jack" Jirsa's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.