At noon Saturday, June 18, 2016, John passed away peacefully at his home in Helena, Montana with his family present. He passed away after a short battle with cancer at age 90. John was born on July 27, 1925 in an apartment on Boulder Avenue in Helena. He was the first son of Cornelius and Martha Wall.
In 1930, John moved to his family home located at 22 11th Avenue which was his father’s residence for the next 60 years. John attended St. Helena Cathedral grade school and high school where he was a talented choir boy and alter boy! He was given the honor of being the Bishop’s page for three years. His first working experience during his teen years, was a hired hand on the Chevallier Ranch at Canyon Creek, Montana. After high school, he attended Helena Vo-Tech before becoming an aircraft electrician on B17 Bombers at Walla Walla Airbase, Washington. Drafted into the US Navy in 1943, he became a US Navy – Censor in the Chief Censor Office in Washington DC. During his time in the Navy, he was also stationed in California and Arlington, Virginia; honorably discharged in Maryland. As he always stated, “then back to good ‘ol Montana;” after which he enrolled at Carroll College in Business Administration. After two years at Carroll, John started working full time at Power Townsend Company downtown Helena in 1947 on Last Chance Gulch for his father Neil Wall. John purchased Power Townsend from his father CM Wall in 1966. Until his retirement from the company in 1990, he continued as Chairman of the Board of Directors until his passing on Saturday, June 18, 2016.
Some of John’s volunteer efforts in Helena started with the Helena Junior Chamber of Commerce (predecessor of the Jaycees); being finally appointed State Chairman in 1948. In 1949, John married the “Love of his Life” Arlene E. Neill of Great Falls on June 1st at St. Helena Cathedral. Honeymoon was in Butte, Montana on the way to the National Jaycee Convention!
John and Arlene had three children ~ Michael Anthony, Patrick Allen and Pamela Allyson living in their first home John built on Benton Avenue across from Carroll College. He also opened up his home to Carroll College students while they attended college for a place to stay during the holidays or for a home cooked meal! Some of John’s organizations included St. Helena Cathedral Parish Council, member and President of the Montana Hardware and Implement Association and lobbied legislature from the 50’s to the mid 80’s. He was a member for one year consequently, elected President of the Helena Chamber of Commerce and long-time member of the Chamber’s Red Coats! He was a member as well as elected President of Montana Citizens Freight Rate Association. John was on the Board of the new Milwaukee Railroad eventually serving as Vice Chairman. He was another Board President of the Helena Trail Riders as well as Pre-Rodeo announcer for the Last Chance Stampede! John was appointed by Governor Ted Schwinden to serve on the Montana Aeronautics Commission.
John enjoyed woodworking in his new home shop that was larger than his house! Some of John’s other activities (when he was younger) included hunting, fishing, golfing and bowling with friends and family as well as his many trips into the Bob Marshall Wilderness area with his horses and friends. Spending time at the cabin that John built at Canyon Ferry was memorable for the water skiing and boating. He also raised Black Angus cows and was proud of his Eisenhower bull! He switched to Quarter horses when the cows wouldn’t stay in the fence. He spent many years raising American Quarter horses for show and racing. He was most proud of his American Quarter Horse Champion Classy Honor (“Clancy”). John was very involved when horse racing was active in Helena! Always bet on the gray!
John the visionary, was the primary developer of North Gate Plaza on Montana Avenue where he built a new and larger hardware store leaving downtown Helena in 1974 (even though his father thought he should not leave downtown Helena). Eventually, John, Mike and grandson Kevin constructed the current Power Townsend Company into a successful Home Center and Lumberyard on Custer Avenue capable of competing with the national chain stores. John was always proud of developing Helena into a shopping destination and worked for 40 years to get an Interchange on Custer Avenue. He finally got it accomplished; one of the highlights of his life was to be the first person to drive over the Custer Interchange at 3 AM when it officially opened!
One incredible moment for John is when he participated on a Big Sky Honor Flight to Washington DC to honor World War II Veterans (the greatest generation) visiting the World War II Memorial and other Monuments with friends and other veterans. All Veterans were greeted on their return at the Billings Airport by hundreds of well-wishers which overwhelmed John with emotion and pride bringing tears to his eyes.
John Wall was not just a Helena businessman, but a supportive and generous son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, friend, mentor and teacher. We all flourished under his watch! Thank you John!
John was preceded in death by the “The Love of his life” wife Arlene, parents Neil and Martha Wall as well as stepmother Vera Wall, his siblings Cecelia (“Squeek”) Rickert and childhood sister Mary Eileen Wall, son-in-law Michael Miller and most recently step grandson Cleve Malmstrom.
John is survived by his children Michael (Marcia) Wall of Canyon Creek, Patrick Wall and Pamela Wall-Miller of Helena and his Cuban kids Mario and Ana Toca of Miami, Florida. Surviving siblings include Cornelius “Jim” Wall of Dover, Delaware, Patricia Wall, Helena and stepsister Patricia Schaefer (Larry) of Roseville, Minnesota. John’s surviving grandchildren Kevin Wall of Marysville and step granddaughter Monique Malmstrom Bertram, Beaverton, Oregon along with step great grandsons Cole, Kaden and Trey Bertram of Beaverton, Oregon. John is also survived by numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and close friends.
The Wall family would like to thank Drs. Gilbert and Weiner, all the Angels at St. Peter’s Hospice and the caregivers of HomeInstead. The family will receive friends from 5-6 PM, Monday, June 27th with the Vigil Service starting at 6 PM at Anderson Stevens Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 North Montana Avenue, Helena. Funeral Mass will be held at noon on Tuesday, June 28th at the Cathedral of St. Helena, 530 No. Ewing Street; with a reception immediately following Mass in the Brondel Center located in the lower level of the Cathedral. The burial with military honors will be at 3 PM at the Montana State Veteran’s Cemetery, Fort Harrison. Memorials in John’s name are suggested to Angel Fund, P.O. Box 7436, Helena, MT 59604, Helena Area Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 459, Helena, MT 59624 or St. Peter’s Hospice, c/o St. Peter’s Hospital, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601. To offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of John please visit below.
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday June 27, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Monday June 27, 2016
Anderson Stevenosn Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Tuesday June 28, 2016
Cathedral of Saint Helena
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the Mass
Tuesday June 28, 2016
Brondel Center located in the lower level of the Cathedral
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Military Honors
3:00 p.m.
Tuesday June 28, 2016
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Hero's Row
Fort Harrison, Montana
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday June 27, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Monday June 27, 2016
Anderson Stevenosn Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Tuesday June 28, 2016
Cathedral of Saint Helena
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the Mass
Tuesday June 28, 2016
Brondel Center located in the lower level of the Cathedral
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Military Honors
3:00 p.m.
Tuesday June 28, 2016
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Hero's Row
Fort Harrison, Montana
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Teri Vore says
Thinking of you, Pat, Michael, and Pam during this time and glad to get to know your family, if only briefly. Teri Vore, Home Instead
Connie and Scot Wheeler says
So sorry for your loss Pat, Jim, Mike, Patrick, Pam, Kevin, and families, Never easy to lose a Brother/Dad/Grandpa. Even though you know it’s coming. He’ll always be with you forever. May God be with you all. At least he’s at peace now.
Rob Sterling says
John and Arlene were second parents for me, especially during the time I attended Carroll College. Though I feel a deep loss, I am comforted that he no longer suffers. He will be terribly missed and never forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with you Pat, Mike and Marcia, Patrick, Pam and Kevin.
Mike Rummel says
Kevin, Mike & Marcia,
My condolences a long with thoughts and prayers go out to you. John was a remarkable person that made a huge positive impact in many lives over his lifetime. I hope that you find comfort knowing that he and Arlene are together again.
Steve Mosby says
Mike, Pat, Pam, and Kevin, My condolences to you guys and the rest of your family. Neil and John taught me a lot they where two of my all time favorite people and I often think of them.
Bill Moore says
great guy will miss him very down to earth guy
Mark Radley says
Our family and the Wall family have bonds that are at least 60 years old. We remember the friendship Arlene and John shared with our parents over the course of our entire lives.
John was a wonderful man, he was was Godfather to my sister. He treated us with respect and friendship our whole lives.
We will miss him.. God’s speed John.
The Radley Family
Joyce Inchauspe says
Helena has lost one of it’s strongest pioneers. My sympathies to all the Wall family for your loss. He is now at peace.
Mary Ellen McDonald says
You are all in my thoughts at this time of sorrow. My condolences and sympathy to all of the family. Both John and Arlene treated me with friendship and I had great respect for both of them. They will be missed by so many and remembered by all. Mary Ellen
Bob O'Connell says
My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Wall family. John was a great guy. He instilled a great work ethic to his family and he always found time to talk with me. I spent a lot of evenings listing to John and Penrose Radley discuss issues from politics to farming. Rest in peace John. Bob O’Connell
Peter Schacht says
I became friends with John as a sales rep to his store and will never forget him. What a character! He certainly knew how to make the most of life. For example, later in life he attended a convention and needed motorized wheelchair. He drove that 3 wheeled cart at full speed the entire time and often on only two wheels! He made that trip really fun!
God Speed John!
Art and Clara Gilreath says
Our most sincere condolences and prayers go out to the family of John Wall
God bless
Ann Curlee says
Thinking of you, Mike and Marcia, at this time of John’s passing. I remember John when we entered the store as a delighful, eyes twinkling, happy go lucky guy.
I also bet on the “gray” when we had horseracing in Helena where I worked behind the cages in the ’80’s. God bless you both and your families. Love, Ann and and Mark
Robert Rossberg says
I got my first job from John when I was 15. Painting boards for the yet to be opened lumber yard. Worked there that summer and fall. John was always kind. You always remember and appreciate someone who takes a chance on you. God bless John.
Mary Marucco says
Uncle John was kind, understanding, and supportive of our family- my sympathies to Mike, Pat, and Pam
John Wall says
Uncle John was my godfather and I always remember how nice he and Aunt Arlene were. I’ll never forget Aunt Arlene offering to meet me in London when I was stationed in England (although I was unable to connect with them). My thoughts are with all members of the extended Wall family.