Fr. Stephen J. Tallman, age 89, of Florence, MT, passed away February 24, 2020.
In Father’s own words: In his own words: “For a Christian to live in this world in fidelity to Jesus Christ preparing to meet Him in the next world is primary. The more so for a Catholic priest, whether it is noted in an obituary or not. This factor should influence all that a Christian does.”
Fr. Stephen Tallman was born April 10, 1930 in Ponca City, Oklahoma, the oldest of the six children of James E. Tallman and Margaret (Shute) Tallman. He attended St. Mary’s Elementary and High School in Ponca City, graduating in 1948. After studying Mechanical Engineering at Oklahoma State University, he entered St. John’s Seminary in San Antonio, Texas, studying for the Catholic Priesthood. Working for relatives in Montana drew him to Big Sky Country. He completed his studies for the Priesthood in St. Paul, Minnesota, and was ordained May 23, 1959 as a Priest for the Diocese of Helena, Montana.
From 1959 until retirement in 2000 he served in various Parishes in Western Montana as Associate or as Pastor including: Immaculate Conception Parish and St. John the Evangelist Parish in Butte, St. Peter Parish in Anaconda, Immaculate Conception Parish in Deer Lodge and Chaplain to Montana State Prison, Little Flower Parish in Browning; St. Francis Parish in Valier. The last nine years before retirement Fr. Tallman served as Pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Stevensville, Montana. As long as health permitted, he continued to serve on weekends in Parishes without Priests, and he offered his last Mass 6 days before his death.
He is survived by one brother, James Tallman of New Braunfels, TX, and a sister, Mary Ellen (Tallman) Rachec, of Kerrvile, TX.
A Vigil Service is scheduled for 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A Funeral Mass is set for 12:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at the Cathedral of St. Helena, 530 N. Ewing St., with burial to follow the Mass at Resurrection Cemetery. A Reception will follow the burial in the Brondel Center of the Cathedral, 530 N. Ewing St. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Fr. Tallman.
Service Schedule
Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Tuesday March 3, 2020
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 North Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Wednesday March 4, 2020
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
After the Mass
Wednesday March 4, 2020
Resurrection Cemetery
3685 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
After the Burial
Wednesday March 4, 2020
Brondel Center of the cathedral
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Tuesday March 3, 2020
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 North Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Wednesday March 4, 2020
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
After the Mass
Wednesday March 4, 2020
Resurrection Cemetery
3685 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
After the Burial
Wednesday March 4, 2020
Brondel Center of the cathedral
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
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Therese Marie Holland says
Fr. Tallman was the priest who was in charge of our pre-marriage preparation @ the Immaculate Conception Church in Butte, the Parish Church, School that I attended all of my years 1930-1960. During our sessions I learned several things: Fr. was a nephew of my aunt Marie’s husband Henry Shute, his sister was a nurse–so was/am I so he was well aware (he said) of how “hard headed” we nurses could be. When he learned that my future husband was involved in ranching/agriculture–he “really” questioned “my” ability to cope with that life style having been raised a city girl and a nurse to boot. He was raised in agriculture, the ups/downs and didn’t Uncle Henry ever tell you about those times? Fr. Tallman officiated @ our wedding @ the IC church in Butte on Nov. 26, 1960. The bride–Therese Marie Quirk. The groom–James A. Holland. Together until Jim’s passing in 2013. Yes, we still have the ranch, raised 3 girls, one son, have 13 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and I have often told them the story of Fr. Tallmen’s counsel all those years ago! (Oh, 2 more nurses in the family). God bless his soul! Therese Marie Holland
Frank Brown says
Fr. Tallman was a wonderful inspiration to us as Catholics, and was a source of straight-talking Church teaching. He taught himself how to celebrate the Latin Mass again after decades of its absence. The little luncheons that we had after Latin Mass in Frenchtown were so delightful. He would tell us about how his brother would chastise him for not being conservative enough! After we moved away from Montana, he would gift us a subscription to the National Catholic Register each year. There are many priests that have blessed our lives, but Fr. Tallman will always remain a source of strength for us on this earth. Fr. Tallman, God rest your soul. Frank & Dana Brown Medimont, Idaho
Bill and Sandy Bradford says
Fr. Tallman was a con-celebrant of our wedding in 1973. A friend of the Bradford family for many years. He would join Bill, Sr. at the machine shop to tinker during his spare time. We enjoyed many conversations with him around the dinner table. He was loved an honored when he was the parish priest in Browning – the Native Americans thought he had a cool name!!! Rest in peace, Fr. Tallman!
Alisa Shibler says
My family always looked forward to hearing the Latin Mass in Frenchtown and visiting with Father Tallman afterwards. I can still hear his voice in that beautiful Church. He said what needed to be said, and now I believe he’ll be rewarded for it. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord and may perpetual light shine upon him.
CAROL N LAURENCE says
He was the executor of my friend, Father Fabing. He was such a dear friend and I am so sad no one let me know he died. The last time we went to Montana to visit him we attended Mass in his home and he took us out to breakfast.