John Amber Hinther ended his earthly journey and started his spirit journey on November 24, 2017. John’s death was due to Agent Orange Lung Cancer and Emphysema.
John was born on July 5, 1947 in Cut Bank, MT to Constance Marvel Eby Hinther and Hilmer Benjamin Hinther. He joined an older brother Arlie Ray Hinther and four years later came his little “pister” Margie Ann which completed the family.
John’s childhood was spent in Cut Bank, MT, Jordan, MT and Sacramento, CA. He graduated 8th grade at Winkler County School and Cut Bank High School in 1966. John then spent a year at Bozeman, Montana State College.
John and Donna Petersen were married in October of 1967 and he entered the Army in December of 1967. John was proud to be a Vietnam Veteran doing one tour as Crew Chief on a Huey Helicopter. Upon his state side return, he was stationed at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, GA training Vietnam Pilots.
Upon leaving the Army he and Donna moved to Prairie Island, MN where he helped build the Nuclear Power Plant as an Apprentice Carpenter. Then off to Phoenix, AZ for Flight School, up to Cornell, WI to work on refurbishing a dam, then back to God’s country, Montana, working for Sletten Construction, partnering in a gravel crushing business, driving truck for Dick Irving and finally as a Maintenance Supervisor at Graymont Lime Plant in Townsend for 20 years.
John and Donna divorced in 1983. In September of 1985, John and his loving companion, Vonnie Jenkins, were blessed with a son, Daniel John Hinther. John and Donna remarried in 1988 living in Townsend, MT since then.
John’s favorite music is Country Western and his favorite artist is Waylon Jennings whom he saw in concert in 1969 in Savannah, GA. His favorite color is pink; please wear pink in his memory even if you cannot attend the memorial service. John’s favorite drink is CC-7 heavy on the CC! But his most favorite event was watching his son skate and play Hockey. John enjoyed life and entertaining. Ask his friends about Hinther’s Fall Camp and Banana pancakes, both were A-One!
Guiding John on his spirit journey is his Higher Power, friends Dale Pearson, Jim Wilson, Bob Wilson; his parents; his brother Arlie Ray; nephew David Benjamin Hinther; most of his Hinther aunts and uncles and all of his Eby aunts and uncles. John is survived by his wife Donna; son Daniel John Hinther and his wife, Tori Smith Hinther; Vonnie Jenkins, Daniels mother; his “pister” Margie Ann Korneychuck and her husband Ken and their son’s Cameron and Collin and their wives and children. His special friends Elton Chorney, Rick Holzwarth, Bruce Henderson, Bryon Glassing, Jim Liebetrau, Dave McGee, and Al Johnson; his grandson, David Reed and honorary granddaughter Julia Reed; and his sister-in-law Margaret Hinther and her children Christine, Donna Marie, Teressa, and Travis.
If you want to honor John with a memorial please consider the YWCA, he knew it saves women’s lives; Ronald McDonald House of Spokane, WA; or any children’s organizations. A ‘Thank you’ to the Oncology Departments of the VA Fort Harrison and St. Peter’s Hospital, Fourth Floor Staff at Fort Harrison and the ER Staff and the Hospice of St. Peter’s. Please send condolences to P.O. Box 786, Townsend, MT 59644.
A Memorial Service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 30, 2017 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave., with a reception to follow the service in the Banquet Hall of the funeral home. Military Honors will be held at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Ft. Harrison following the reception.
Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of John.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Thursday November 30, 2017
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
After the service
Thursday November 30, 2017
Banquet Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 n. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
After the reception
Thursday November 30, 2017
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroe's Rd.
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Thursday November 30, 2017
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
After the service
Thursday November 30, 2017
Banquet Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 n. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
After the reception
Thursday November 30, 2017
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroe's Rd.
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
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Bruce & Joyce Henderson says
Thanks for the memories, John! RIP, dear friend. And to Donna and DJ & Tori, we’re here for you.
Elton and Jan Chorney says
We couldn’t ask for a better friend. John was a rare and special person. Donna, D.J., and Tori; our thoughts are with you.
Cameron Korneychuk says
Rest in Peace Uncle John. Say hi to Grandma and Grandpa. Thank you for the memories and lessons.
Joe Sewell says
John Hinther I am proud to say was my cousin. Was very fortunate to spend quite a bit of time with John and Donna as a kid growing up. They had an all white German Shepard named Love. Hunting, fishing, and camping was our entertainment and there are a million stories that this space couldn’t possibly hold. Alot of laughs. John as an older cousin always treated by brother and I like gold. In our eyes John was one of our heroes then and am proud to say still is and always will be one of mine. He will be sorely missed by all. He was one Hell of a man. Rest in Peace John.
Tom and Judy Williams says
Tom and I are sorry to learn about John. We were always happy to have a visit with him and will certainly miss those times. Our sympathies to Donna and family. Take Care.
Mark Cole says
Great memories. Rest In Peace my friend.
Dave and Cheryl McGee says
John you will be greatly missed by many. You were truly a good friend. Donna, Dan and Tori……Cheryl and I’s thoughts are with you. R. I. P. John………
Bobbie Jean Wolk says
John and Donna Hinther have been synonymous since high school – John married my bestest friend Donna next door. John cared for her and created a family he always wanted with Donna and with Daniel. I pray that the outpouring of love and care that is raining down upon them all may sustain them in peace forever. I always watched the mail early December for John’s Christmas letter – could not wait to hear the year-end wrap up of the Hinther’s life in Townsend. The Wolk Family loves and grieves and hugs and laughs with you all as you celebrate John’s time on earth. He did good.
Charlene (Adkins) Brown says
John was a great friend to my father (Julius Adkins). Despite the age difference he often stopped by to chat. Thank you John for being a kind and thoughtful man. The people who mean the most to you never leave you. They are forever imbedded in our memories and thoughts.
Max Erickson says
John was my old buddy from back in the day and a great guy. We did a few things we probably shouldn’t have, but we were young. I have to admit, it was fun and I wouldn’t take them back. He always was fun to talk to in recent years because he helped me relax and try to enjoy the big picture one day at a time.
I will miss him and extend deepest sympathies to the family.
Ricky Holzwarth says
My thoughts are you. John was a dear friend . R.I.P John
Al Johnson says
It has been a pleasure and honor to have had John as a friend for many years. He was one of the kindest and most caring people I have known. The memories are many and good. For me the most lasting memory of John will be that he was a true friend indeed. He will be sorely missed by many. Donna, DJ & Tori; Corinne and I have you in our thoughts and prayers.
Ron Vetter says
I’ve known and worked for John on off for over twenty years at Graymont with Affco and always enjoyed working for John even when he was kidding & telling us to hurry up – hurry up , Elton going to chew his butt! Told John, better yours than mine, he’d just laugh, I’ll let Liebetrau chew yours. John was just a great guy to for and with. Hated to see him retire. Hopefully he had some good years in his retirement. I’ll miss him, but I’l always remember what a great guy he was to his fellow man.
Teresa Hinther Ryan says
I have a lifetime of memories growing up with my Uncle John. I loved watching my Dad and him together. They both were always laughing and making jokes. And seeing him with my Aunt Donna always made me smile!
My Uncle John was a very good man. Strong, stubborn, caring and kind. He was a great Uncle and I will miss him very much. I love him.
Willis (Bill) Coffman says
My thoughts & prayers to the family for their loss. Sorry I cannot make the services.
Richard and Arlys Johnson (on the Wisconsin) says
I met John and Donna when I moved to Arizona in 1973. We became very good friends and that friendship endured to the present. My new wife and I visited them on our month honeymoon trip in 1979 and with the kids 5 years later and
again every so often after that. It is hard to believe so much time has passed since our first meeting, but John will be
part of my memories, (as long as I have them, I am old), for ever. May our prayers be with Donna and family and
may God bring him into his Heavenly Home forever.
Jerry & Zona Swenson says
We were so sorry to read about John…..holding you all up in prayer. Jerry & Zona Swenson
Carla Hilton says
John & I worked together for 20 years @ Graymont. He was always so kind & helpful. You will be so dearly missed by John & I dear friend.
Our deepest sympathy to you Donna & Daniel & family. Carla & John Hilton
Carla Hilton says
John & I worked together for 20 years @ Graymont. He was always so kind & helpful. John & I will miss you dear friend.
Our deepest sympathy to you Donna & Daniel & family. Carla & John Hilton
Barbara Fonger says
So Sorry to hear this! John was always part of my younger years. Living in Santa Rita together as children growing up! Donna being my very close friend for many years! Sending my love to you Donna!
Margie Ann says
I am going to miss my brother very much. While we never lived close to each other, we talked on the phone every so often. Always on birthdays, holidays and just whenever the mood struck us. He always had a smile and a laugh, always asked about us and the kids and grandkids. He was so very proud of his son, and it showed in all he did. I really thought I had more time with him, and when I knew his time was up, I wrapped my head around the memory of him the last time I saw him. That is the memory I will carry with me and cherish. Donna, my sister, I love you and you are in my prayers every day. Daniel and Tori as well. If y’all ever need anything, I’m but a phone call away.
Rita Salois Byrer says
Deepest sympathy Donna and family. So sad to read of John’s passing in the Pioneer Press. Prayers to all of you for comfort. Donna: Back in the day (6th grade, I think or maybe 7th) I had a huge crush on John, thought he was so good looking. So very glad when I heard you and he had married as I thought of you as one of the best friends anyone could have.