John Maier

John Maier entered into heaven February 2, 2016 with his family by his side.

John was born in Isabel South Dakota, to Elizabeth and John Maier, Sr. October 24, 1920.
The 8th of eighteen children, there were always stories to be told and trouble to be had. When Johnny was four years old, he and his kid brother Ben snuck out the window and rode horse back around the fields naked. The Maier family moved to Montana when John was six years old. As a teen John worked for Civilian Conservation Corps, as well as breaking horses. In his spare time he liked to hunt and fly fish in Rock Creek.

John met the love of his life, June, in 1939 at a Halloween party. June was 13 and he was 18. It was love at first sight and John's first words to June were, " I'm going to marry you someday."
John kept his promise three years later they were married on September 27, 1940. John and June started a family with their first- born son and a daughter shortly after. When WWII broke out John was drafted into the Army and June was left home to care for their two small children
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While stationed in the Philippines, John sustained a leg injury and was sent to recover in Brigham City, Utah for an entire year. Anxious to get home, he was granted a three day leave, but it took four days to hitchhike to Missoula on crutches. By the time he had arrived, he was considered A.W.O.L. and had to return to the hospital in Utah. After his discharge in 1946 he took a job for the clerk of courts in Superior, MT.
Shortly after moving to Missoula they welcomed their third child in 1951. Johnny was working as a carpenter in the valley where he built several houses. Moving to Victor in 1959, they purchased a 200 acre ranch. After raising their family, he sold the land and moved to Lolo where he continued his passion for carpentry. John was a founder as well as builder of Lolo Community Church. He was always proud of his work and never let the loss of a limb slow him down.

In their retirement John and June traveled to Quartzite, Arizona, where they escaped the Montana winters for the next twenty years.
The promise John made to June on that Halloween day in 1937 lasted for over 70 years of marriage. John lived life with a song in his heart, a whistle on his lips and a spring in his step. He was a jokester, a family man, but more than anything he was a devout Christian. John's love for the lord unwavering, he shared his faith to anyone who would listen.

John is survived by his siblings: Sue, Esther, Darlene, Larry and Ruby.
Children: Dan Maier (Jeannie), Noella Gerrard, Brenda (Larry) Daniel.
His grandchildren: Doak (Terri) Wofford, Shawn(Dawn) Wofford, Dean Maier, Janna (Jodi) Maier, Jill Maier, Jon (Jenna)Daniel, Danae Daniel, Amanda (Ryan) Glover, Brad Daniel.
Great Grandchildren: Brooke, Falon, Rio, and Ella Wofford, Jordan, Seth, Emma, and Libby Daniel, Ashlynd, Braddon, and Jace Nuckolls.
He was preceded in death by: His wife June Maier, siblings, and his son-in-law Brian Gerrard.
Special thanks to Community Medical Center nurses and physicians, Brookdale assisted living, and Addus home care.

The family requests your presence at Lolo Community Church Saturday Feb.6, 2016 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Christian Life Center/ Glacier bible camp scholarships. Sunset Memorial Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. Condolences for John's family may be left at www.missoulafuneralhomes.com


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