John E. Malletta

On July 20, 2015, after a courageous fight with pancreatic cancer, John E. Malletta peacefully passed away at his home on Flathead Lake in Polson, Montana while surrounded by his loving family. John was 74 years old.

Born on September 12, 1940 in Shelby, MT to John F. and Shirley L. Malletta, he was the older of two sons. He attended elementary and high school in Shelby where he excelled in athletics. It is the stories of Dad's childhood and upbringing in Shelby that were often shared with his kids. He fondly spoke of his time spent working at his parent's Forty Niner Drive-In, falling asleep on a tractor and driving through fence lines, sending a chiding telegram to Elvis for not acknowledging fans at the Shelby depot, and the summer he was pinned between the steering wheel and tank of a water truck after braking too fast when driving by the city pool admiring the "sights".

After graduating in 1958, John served in the National Guard for four years and attended Northern Montana College in Havre for two years. He later graduated from the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science. After completing his apprenticeship in Butte, John moved to Missoula where he worked at Marsh and Powell later to become Livingston and Malletta Funeral Home.

In 1964, he met and married the greatest love of his life, Dolores K. Brien, on September 19th. Three years later blessed with son John and in 1970, daughter, Angela. A few years later he acquired the first of several funeral homes and cemeteries located in Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon.

John and Dolores lived and raised their family in Missoula. During that time, John served on several community boards including St. Patrick's Hospital, Hospice of Missoula, Missoula Aging Services and First Interstate Bank. He also served his community as a member of Kiwanis, Rotary, Elks, and Little Griz Football Association. One of Dad's tongue in cheek, so-called "claims to greatness" was that he was one of John Elway's first coaches and clearly laid the foundation for his success on the field.

In 1994, John and Dolores sold their interests in the funeral homes and cemeteries, retired, began wintering in Scottsdale, AZ and made the lake home their primary residence. During his retirement, Dad's passion for golf was fulfilled in Scottsdale and Polson. He treasured his days and friendships on the course. He was also blessed with countless travel opportunities around the world with Dolores and many close friends. Most recently, a magnificent trip to Italy's Amalfi Coast with Dolores, John Jr., Holly, and Angela to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary and John's 74th birthday. In Dad's words, "My bucket list is complete".

Though John was a loving-devoted husband, amazing father, a good friend to many and an astute businessman, he shined greatest in his role as "Boppy" to seven adoring grandchildren. Trips to town to hit the driving range, drive the golf cart and get ice cream, playing successive games of Uno, never ending pushes on the swings, jet-ski rides, cuddles, hugs and kisses, Spring Break trips to Mexico, and Disneyland are just a few of the unforgettable experiences the grandchildren will hold forever in their hearts.

Dad's fondest memories include summers spent at "The Lake" as a family, golf outings at Missoula Country Club, Polson Country Club, and Gainey Ranch, ski trips with friends and family to Sun Valley and Big Mountain, Griz football and basketball games, gourmet group, poker club, family holidays, employee Christmas parties, Shelby Class Reunions, spaghetti dinners, family reunions, pack trips into the Bob Marshall, fly fishing and bird hunting with his son. John "Boppy" was ever present in his children's and grandchildren's lives.

Dad will be most remembered for his keen sense of humor, quick wit, infectious, boisterous laugh and his notorious attention to detail. More importantly, his unconditional love and support for his family, compassion for and willingness to unselfishly give to others. His legacy will continue through our family's love and support for one another and our friends.

John is preceded in death by parents, John and Shirley Malletta and several aunts & uncles.
Survivors include wife, Dolores, son, John, and his wife Holly, and their children, Eliot, Mia, Adison, Ryan & Zoey of Boise, ID; daughter, Angela Malletta-Lance, her husband, Harold and their children Isabella and Trey of Plymouth, MN; John's brother, Joe and his wife, Sue, and their three children Nannette Reed and her husband Bill and their daughter Meredith; and daughters Michelle Malletta and A.J and her daughter Leighton of Whitefish. Aunt and Uncle, Alan and Beverly Gage, of Shelby; Brother-in-law and sister-in law, Ruhlon and Patricia Buhler and their children, Dan and his wife Dicksie & their daughter Kaytlynn; Dana Robison and her husband Wes and their son Wesley, and Debra Shackford and her husband Andrew and their daughter Danielle; Uncle Dan O'Brien of Seattle and numerous cousins and their families in Montana and the Seattle area.

The family will receive friends during an open house at The Lake Funeral Home in Polson on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 from 4-6pm and again in Missoula at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home on Thursday, July 23, 2015, from 4-6pm. Funeral Services will be held at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home on Friday, July 24, 2015 at 1pm. Following entombment at Sunset Memorial Mausoleum, a reception will follow at Sunset's Community Room. Condolences for the family may be sent to www.missoulafuneralhomes.com

The Malletta family extends their most sincere thanks for the many acts of kindness and love extended to all of us during this time from friends and family, The Hospice of the West, Scottsdale, AZ. and Partners in Home Health Care and Hospice of Polson, MT for their loving care. In lieu, of flowers, the family would ask for charitable donations to any of the following foundations: Polson Jr. Golf (www.polsonbaygolf.com/golf/jr-golf/), Flathead Lakers (www.flatheadlakers.org) or Missoula Aging Services (www.missoulaagingservices.org).
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Read John Malletta's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.