Irvin J. Blessinger
Irvin Joseph Blessinger, 98 years of age, died peacefully at Bee Hive Homes Friday night, November 15, 2019.
Irv was born in Jens, Montana, on May 17, 1921, to Helen & Joseph Blessinger. He attended school in Drummond and, later, moved to Helena with his siblings Dreata (Chevallier), Phil, Lorraine (Webster), & George. In 1942, he joined the Army Air Corps & served as a waist gunner on a B-24 bomber in New Guinea and northern Australia & was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievements while participating in aerial flights in the southwest Pacific. He was a member of the Cathedral of St. Helena Church.
Following the war, Irv worked, as a painter for McKelvey Paint & the Helena School District from 1946 until 1983, when he retired. On November 8, 1950, he married Lois Huth, from Townsend, MT. They had three children: Nancy (Dave) Kraft, Mark (Paula), & Mike. During his retirement years, he enjoyed fishing, golfing, taking care of his yard, & watching sports games on two different television sets in his living room at the same time.
Irv was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings & his wife, Lois, and is survived by his children, grandchildren Jaime (Jeff) Kicklighter, Brad (Meagan) Kraft, Shawn Blessinger, & Kyle Blessinger and one great grandchild, Noah Kraft, as well as many nieces & nephews.
A memorial service celebrating Irvin’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 25th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A reception will follow the service in the social hall of the funeral home. Burial with military honors will follow the reception at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison. In lieu of flowers, memorials are welcome to Hospice of St Peters, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601, Pad for Paws, PO Box 287, Helena, MT 59624, or the Lewis & Clark Humane Society, PO Box 4455, Helena, MT 59604. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Irvin.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday November 25, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Memorial Service
Monday November 25, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
to Following the Reception
Monday November 25, 2019
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroes Road
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday November 25, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Memorial Service
Monday November 25, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
to Following the Reception
Monday November 25, 2019
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroes Road
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Share
Diane says
To the entire Blessinger family,
I am deeply sad to learn that Irv passed away. He was a wonderful person and the greatest of neighbors. He will be missed by many people. My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this difficult time
With deepest sympathy
Diane Pedersen and family
Denise Marie Hayden says
Irv and Lois we’re like Grandparents to me. He took care of my grans side walk, gave her the catch of the day when gramps died. They we’re great neighbors. I golfed with Irv, Morey Foster, Tommy for at least 10 years every Monday. The ranger called me the thorn between the roses. I loved them all. I’m so sorry BUT IRV IS WITH LOIS NOW!! LOVE YOU ALL!
Linda Cameron says
Condolences to all of the Blessinger family. What a great man! We were blessed to have known him. RIP Irv.
Nickie & Eric Eck says
My dad (RJ Thomas) worked with Irv for years at the school district. I worked with Lois at the PSC. They were both the best of the best. Thoughts and prayers to the family.
Shawna Donaldson says
I knew Irv through my work. When he would call I would instantly recognize his voice, and enjoy the conversation we had. I pray that your good memories with Irv will help you during this sorrowful time and in the future when you are missing him.
Darrel &Carol Alm says
Nancy and family, sorry for the loss of you our Dad. Our prayers are with your family.
Henry Flatow says
We are sorry to learn of Irv’s passing. I always enjoyed playing softball against Irv when he played for L.P. Barney Construction. I also enjoyed our contact when coaching his sons in Legion baseball. He will be missed.
Pat says
Old Irv was my second dad. A great guy and a hero. Check out Irv’s photo in the entrance hallway to the Rialto.
Pat says
What a hoot it was to sit in the kitchen at the Blessingers and listen to Erv and Lois argue over politics. If they weren’t arguing it wasn’t much of a challenge to get them fired up. Erv and Lois were like second parents to Perry and I. They made growing up in Helena in our neighborhood a real treat. God bless Erv and the hole Blessinger family. We should all hope to live a life as full and rich as Erv did.
Lynn says
Mike, Nancy, Mark and your interest family,
I am so sorry to see the passing of your Dad! I have wonderful memories of living across the street from you! Your Mom & Dad were so special, and I’m sure greatly missed! Deepest sympathy and may friends and family carry you through this….. sending prayers, Lynn (Sturn) Campbell
James Maher says
Irv was a great person. I’m proud to have known him and many other Blessingers. He will be missed but never forgotten. My condolences to all who love him.
Sincerely, Jim Maher and family
Chris Love says
Nancy and Dave, and all the Blessinger Family – Our love and hearts goes out to all of you. It was such a wonderful pleasure to be able to visit with Irv on our trip up there in 2015. He was still sharp as a tack, and so much fun to reminisce with. He was the last of my dad’s generation… the last of the amazing Huth/Blessinger/Juhl cousins of that era. God bless you all, and may you find comfort in the fact that he was well loved, and he and Lois are truly celebrating together again…. Sending big hugs to all of you….. Keeping you in our prayers. With love, Chris and Vance Love
Carol Eichler says
Blessinger Family
I am so sorry to hear about Irv. What a wonderful special man. He certainly had a zest for life. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. We hope you find comfort in all the memories you have made over all these years.
We are thinking of you.
Carol and Mark Eichler
Jo and Paul Bryson says
We are so sorry for your loss.😢 Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. 😇💕🙏🏻
Tricia Sahinen McGurran says
Nancy and Blessinger family,
I am so sorry to read of your Dad’s passing. I have great memories of all the visits from your parents to good ol 523 Sixth Avenue. So much fun! I love the pictures of your Dad. So very handsome!
It is incredibly hard to lose our parents. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. 🙏 😥
Carol Ann Dagenais says
Dear Blessinger Family,
We were so sad to learn of your father’s passing. Your folks were such a wonderful part of our family’s growing- up years. Our dads were such good friends! I’m sure they are having a great heavenly reunion!
Carol Ann ( Graveley) Dagenais
Joe Schendel says
Blessinger Family
Our condolences on the death of Irv. We did not know him but we know you and that is a wonderful reflection of the kind of man that he was. It is difficult sometimes to see that generation go….but he lives on in all of you and everyone that he touched!! Joe and Paula Schendel
Julie & Jim DeMars says
What a treasure Irv was! We are keeping his family and friends in our thoughts and prayers.
Nelma Mosier says
Our thoughts and prayers to the Blessinger families. Shane & Nelma
Randy Bradley says
Irv Blessinger epitomized the Greatest Generation in the humble, honest and caring way he lived his life. Mike and I had the good fortune to visit the old airfield in Australia’s Northern Territory from where Irv flew his missions to Indonesia, New Guinea and beyond. My wife is attaching to this site a few pictures from this period that are from Irv’s war album. There are many pictures from Irv’s album on display at the WW II Museum in Darwin, Australia. His friendship was an honor and a pleasure. Our sincere condolences to the Family.
Sherry Hall says
Mark, Nancy, Mike & the rest of your family,
I am sending you my deepest sympathy & love.
Kathy Briggeman Milodragovich says
Nancy and Mark,
So sorry to hear about your Dad’s passing. Not many of their generation left. He was a wonderful person. Our family just saw this. I am sorry we missed the memorial service. Our thoughts are with you.
Kyle says
Irvie – It seems crazy that it has already been a year. You and Lo were my bedrocks growing up. I learned so much from you throughout the years that I identify now as an Irv trait in myself. You were simply the best and I missed like hell our two or three fishing expeditions this summer. Those trips were less about catching fish, and more about learning to become a man. Your independence, your selflessness, your sense of humor and above all your willingness to be “you” are traits that I try to emulate each and every day. It’s safe to say that I’ve never met as one as unique as you. Hope Mitchy has joined the rest of the crew and you are having a great Holiday week. Love ya, Irv!