John Charles Lehman

John Charles Lehman, 81, of Huson, passed away at home early Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013, after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Born March 20, 1932, to John Edward and Grace Mae (Terry) Lehman in Raymond, Neb., John relocated to the Bitterroot with his family at age 9. John attended Lone Rock School.

John earned his GED during his service in the U.S. Navy. In John's four years of military service, he earned the National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, China Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Korean Service Medal (three stars).

While home on military leave, John attended the Frenchtown High School prom. That's where he met Dolores Petersen and they danced the night away. John and Dolores were married in Stevensville on June 16, 1956.

John and Dolores had five children. John enjoyed taking the family fishing, hunting, boating, camping and on vacations all over the country. John liked to tinker and build, with numerous projects going at once, including converting a delivery step van into a custom mobile home. John had an ear for music and taught himself "Amazing Grace" on the banjo.

John worked for the Northern Pacific Railroad for five years and then worked for 24 years at the pulp mill before his retirement on disability.

Before his illness slowed him down, John enjoyed playing pool at the Missoula Senior Center with the guys, traveling with his wife to visit family and continuing his home projects.

John was preceded in death by his parents; two infant siblings; brothers, Arnold and Robert; sisters, Verta and Ruby; and his oldest son, Gerald "Jerry" Edward Lehman.

Celebrating John's life include Dolores, his wife of 57 years; his children, Katy (Timothy) Schilling, John D. (Connie) Lehman, Theresa (Rob) Gong and Sheila (Paul) Pfaff; John's siblings, Shirley Farra and Jack (Karyl) Lehman; and numerous nieces, nephews and in-laws. John was very proud of his 10 grandchildren, Jonathon, Jeremiah and Ethan (Kristian) Laurin, Ruth (Justin) Vickrey, Nicole, John Ryan and Daniel Joseph Lehman, Katrina and Nathaniel Gong and Alexandria Pfaff; and five great-grandchildren, Mariah, Rachel, Jason, Hartlee and Jace.

Special thanks to Dr. Kress and Dr. Irby and to Hospice of Missoula for their loving care.

Services for John will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. Interment will be at the Veterans Cemetery on Monday with the time to be announced.

Read John Lehman's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.