John Louis Kershaw, beloved husband of Kathleen, passed away at the Helena Montana VA hospital January 27, 2024 at age 85. He had resided in East Helena for the last 26 years.
John was born January 26, 1939 in Amesbury, Massachusetts to Bertram and Katherine Mary (Fabian) Kershaw. Bertram died of heart failure when he was 38 years old, leaving Katherine to raise their 5 children. John was the youngest at only 2 years old. When he was 13, Katherine married US Naval Reservist Dr. Frank Bacewicz, who was an oral surgeon. The family followed the Navy to Portsmouth VA, Beaufort SC and eventually to Port Hueneme Naval Base near Oxnard, CA where John graduated from high school.
After graduation, John joined the Air Force and was stationed in Kansas and Pearl Harbor. He was trained on mainframe computers and much of this training was self-taught. His love of all things computer continued throughout his life.
In Hawaii, John met and married his first wife Lorraine. They divorced after 18 years of marriage.
John continued his career in computers, working as an operator, programmer and manager for a variety of companies in California and later in Montana. He was the only non-degreed professor to teach at the Helena College of Technology. He eventually went to work for the State of Montana as a Database Manager where he met the love of his life, Kathleen Ann Leary, who also was employed in computer technology.
John and Kathleen were married April 22, 2000 at the Big Sky Nursing Home. This unusual venue allowed John’s mother to be part of the ceremony. At 93 years old, she suffered from senile dementia with moments of lucidity. At one point during the ceremony, she yelled, “Good luck, you’re going to need it!”
John retired from the State of Montana, Department of Public Health in 2001. Then he lobbied for AARP for 2 years. He also taught bible study classes for 15 years.
Aside from his love of computers, John was an avid gardener, photographer and fisherman. He was a scuba diver in Hawaii. For a time in California, he was a rancher/farmer, owning a 10-acre ranch with cows, chickens and “about a million geese and ducks!” Going through a mid-life crisis at 40, he quit his job and bought a new 25-foot sailboat. John’s life was never boring.
John was always kind to those he came in contact with. When possible, he liked to pay bills in person to form relationships and show the love of Jesus Christ. John was also a great dog father to Charlie, Star and Christy.
John was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 2021. He received chemo treatment, but eventually there was nothing more that could be done.
At the end of his life, John was fully prepared for Heaven. He was appreciative of the great care he received from his Great Falls Sletten Cancer Institute and VA doctors, the love of his family and the many prayers from his fellow Christians. Kathleen enjoyed caring for John and felt it was an honor and a privilege to be by his side throughout their nearly 24 years of marriage, and especially at the end of his life. John was never angry or depressed; he took his diagnosis in stride. His exit plan was the rapture, when Jesus comes to take all those who are alive in Christ to Heaven. This was not to be. However, he did reach his goal of living to be 85 and even added an extra day for good measure! He was the oldest living male in his family.
John will be missed by all who loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents and step-father; brother Bert; sisters Elaine, Ruth and Marietta; and father-in-law Bill Leary. He is survived by wife Kathleen; nephews Justin and Jon Kershaw; niece Adrian Kershaw; sister-in-law Janelle Kershaw and mother-in-law Patricia Leary.
On February 7, 2024 a funeral service will be held at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home in Helena, MT. Visitation begins at 1 p.m., service at 2 p.m., followed at 3 p.m. by military burial at Fort Harrison Cemetery. A Celebration of Life is scheduled for April 6th, 2024, 11am to 1 p.m. at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. Lunch will be served at the Celebration of Life.
In lieu of flowers, gifts or food, memorials can be made in John’s name to Templed Hills Camp, P.O. Box 11731, Bozeman, MT 59719. https://www.templedhillscamp.org/
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Saturday April 6, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 North Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Saturday April 6, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 North Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Rick Wilkowski says
John, you have been a very good friend to Robin and me throw-out the years we have known each other through our employment. I always loved your geeky sense of humor. It was infectious.
Bill Jenkin III says
My brief acquaintance with John was a blessing. He shared a very clear testimony of knowing Jesus Christ as his savior. We will continue praying for Kathleen.
Kenney F Fletcher says
Uncle John, I will always remember you as one of my favorite uncles, the last one, and a good friend and confidant. I will always cherish the time we spent together. Enjoyed your sense of humor and times we spent discussing finances.
Love, Kenney & Kurt.
Dean Adams says
RIP Uncle John, now you join your family upstairs. You fought hard, lived life the right way, and you will be missed by many. Enjoyed the times we had together, it was a blast.
C. Larry Bidwell says
For what it is worth, John just didn’t go to high school in Oxnard, he went to Santa Clara High School where he was not only respected, but a friend to many. As I recall, he came from South Carolina, spending his Junior and Senior year with us. I wish I had known he was in Helena as my wife and I passed through there often on our Harley on our way to Sturgis, South Dakota each August for 13 years. My favorite town, of course, was (stay a spell) in Kalispell; stopping to fish the Flathead river. I’m sure there is fishing in Heaven, so I’ll look forward to making a few casts with him.
Sue Jackson says
Kathleen–I’m so sorry to hear of John’s death. I thought of him as a friend. Sue Jackson
Jon Kershaw says
Uncle John, I will always cherish the time you spent with me, particularly, sailing on Clear Lake on your 24′ Catalina. You helped prepare me for the Navy life, teaching me certain skills that would serve me well. God Bless you UJ. You will be missed.
Geri Brusett says
Always enjoyed visiting with you and discussing religious topics with you. Look forward to renewing our friendship in the new earth.
Claire Mitchell says
He was a awesome person. He will be missed 😢. So sorry 4 ur loss kathy.