On May 5th, John Heath passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones at St. Peter’s Hospital. One of four children, John was born February 14,1922 in Ringling, MT to Lillian and Tusco Heath.
He married the love of his life Charlotte Hallin at age 16. In 1939, Charlotte gave birth to their only daughter, Carolyn Lee. The trio lived on Brackett Creek where John ranched and logged until 1956. His in-laws Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hallin lived with John and Charlotte until Richards’s death in 1949 and Selma’s death in 1968.
In 1956 John completed the academy for the Montana Highway Patrol. He became a Captain and was in charge of the recruit training for a number of years for the state of Montana. After a long and successful career he retired in 1978. After retirement, John spent his days showing his grandchildren and several great grandchildren Helena’s surrounding wilderness areas through his lifelong past times of hunting, fishing and skiing.
John is survived by his daughter Carolyn (Chuck) Egan; his three grandchildren Deborah (Hans) Abbey, Michelle (Don) Oliver, Shawn (Jill) Egan; his brother Tusco Health; his dear friend Shirley (Glen) Mahoney and several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
John is preceded in death by his wife Charlotte, mother Lillian, dad Tusco and brother and sister, Rusty and Margaret.
A Memorial Service is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Saturday, May 9, 2015 at the First Presbyterian Church, 535 N. Ewing St., with coffee and cookies to follow the service in the Fellowship Hall of the church. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of John.
Richard Poepping says
Carolyn & Family
I am very sorry to hear of John’s passing. I first met John in Feb 1970 when I went to work for MHP and later attended the MHP academy in Bozeman. I am so grateful to have John as a friend and a mentor. I have thought so much of John and wanting to see him, but to my negligence failed to call him.
Thank you Shirley for keeping me informed
Captain Heath (MHP108), we have lost a “Dear Friend and a Wonderful Person”
You will always be in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless you and your family
Dick Poepping
Dana Reinhardt says
Uncle Buster was a larger than life superhero to me and my brothers growing up. We would run all the way to Grandmother Lili’s house to see him and Aunt Charlotte when they came to visit.
I last got to see and hug him, sadly ,at Grandmother Margaret’s service. Time had turned the hands of time so fast and it had been a really long time since I had seen him. I sat next to him and just looked at him, thinking how I still thought he was such an amazing force,
I didn’t know he had been ill….I would have made the time to go see him. Let him know how much he had always meant to me.
When I heard the news of his passing, it was such a deep loss. I am sorry I cannot be there for his service. Unfortunately, was unable to change my work schedule at such short notice.
Please know I send my love .
Dana Reinhardt (David’s daughter)
Don Seyfert says
While I was attending the Patrol Academy in 1965, I met John for the first time. Since then, each time I met John, it was a positive experience . Working with him was also a learning experience. Condolences to the family of John’s and know that he is looking down on use with his usual smile.
Alvin "Bud" and Phyllis Kaul says
So sorry to hear of John’s passing. He was a great officer and an asset to the Montana Highway Patrol. Our sympathy goes out to the family.
Alan & Cindy Michaels Glendive, MT says
I am sorry to hear of John Heath’s passing away. John was a very good friend and a great mentor to me as well as being my Captain in the MHP in Great Falls. I have always had John in my highest regards he always gave me good advice and direction. John was a tremendous asset to the Montana Highway Patrol and certainly will be missed by many people in and out of the Patrol. I first met John in Great Fall when I applied for the Patrol in 1969 then in Patrol School and when I went to work. Our sincere condolences go to Johns family and friends we will keep you in our prayers and thoughts.
Ralph nodgrass says
We’re sorry
Ralph S nodgrass says
We’re so sorry hearing of Capt John passing, he was one of kind. A great man and very dedicated to the patrol and a very good friend. Our condolence to Shirley and his family.
Joe R Sol says
John and I were class mates in the MHP Academy in 1956. He was a outstanding Officer and friend God Bless him.
Milfred Bodt says
I was so sorry to hear of John’s passing. His neighbor and my son, Bernie Bodt, kept me informed of his health challenges. I was very fond of John and Charlotte and visited with them on every trip my wife and I made from Maryland to Helena. Since both wives were nurses, they had a lot to talk about, as did John and I, who both served in law enforcement, John with the Montana Highway Patrol and I with the Maryland State Police. God has called John home and I fully expect to great him in Heaven at a date of God’s choosing.
Blessings to the family,
M.A. Bodt
Joe and Jeri Dalbec says
John and Charlotte were such great friends when Joe was stationed in Gt. Falls in the 60’s. Such wonderful people. Our thoughts and prayers are with John’s family.
Joann perry says
Aim so sorry for your loss. I cleaned his house for several years. Until I moved to nc. I think of him a lot. John & Charlotte were a very nice couple.i loved going to his house and listening to his stories & drinking coffee. I will miss him a lot.
Harold Savik says
John was far the best captain I every worked for. He was a family man and always kept in touch with the patrolman and their family. I enjoyed working for John.