Joseph D. ‘Joe’ Pistelak, age 92, of East Helena, passed peacefully into the arms of our Lord, Tuesday, March 15, 2022.
Joe was born May 30, 1929 in Denver, Colorado to Joseph and Mary (Vook) Pistelak. The family moved to East Helena, Montana when Joe was an infant.
On November 7, 1953, Joe married Isabelle Rogan at SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church.
Joe lived a full life, enjoying the outdoors, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, camping, and boating to name a few. He and Issie enjoyed their cabin in Lincoln for many years also.
Joe served in the US Air Force during the Korean Conflict as an Aircraft Mechanic until his Honorable Discharge in 1952.
Joe spent 20 years working as a machinist and welder with ASARCO. During this time, Joe also played baseball with the Smelterites. From 1968 until his retirement in 1990 he worked for the Department of Highways. Joe served as an active member of the East Helena Volunteer Fire Department. He was appointed as an East Helena City Council member in 1977 and served two terms.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Mary (Vook) Pistelak and his sister Lenore (Pistelak) Carlson. He is survived by his wife, Isabelle ‘Issie’ (Rogan) Pistelak of 68 years, and two sons, John Pistelak of Lincoln and Tony (Robin) of San Diego, CA.
Joe was a grandfather to Mike, Jeff, and Chris Pistelak of Great Falls, and Nick (Sarah) Ewing-Pistelak of San Diego, CA. He was blessed with three Great-Grandchildren, Katelynn and Juliette Ewing-Pistelak and Jimmie (James) Pistelak.
A special thank you to the staff of St. Peter’s Hospital Medical Floor and Hospice team and the staff with BeeHive Homes, for their kindness and compassion given.
A Viewing is set from 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., Monday, March 21, 2022 at SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church, 120 W Riggs, East Helena, followed by A Funeral Mass at 12:00 p.m. at the church. Interment will be held at St. Ann’s Cemetery in East Helena following the Mass with a Reception to be held at the church following the burial.
Service Schedule
Viewing
11:00 a.m. to 11:45 p.m.
Monday March 21, 2022
SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church
120 W Riggs
East Helena, Montana 59635
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Monday March 21, 2022
SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church
120 W Riggs
East Helena, Montana 59635
Rite of Committal
Following the Mass
Monday March 21, 2022
St. Ann's Cemetery
East Helena, Montana 59635
Reception
Following the burial
Monday March 21, 2022
SS Cyril & Methodius
120 W Riggs
East Helena, Montana 59635
Service Schedule
Viewing
11:00 a.m. to 11:45 p.m.
Monday March 21, 2022
SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church
120 W Riggs
East Helena, Montana 59635
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Monday March 21, 2022
SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church
120 W Riggs
East Helena, Montana 59635
Rite of Committal
Following the Mass
Monday March 21, 2022
St. Ann's Cemetery
East Helena, Montana 59635
Reception
Following the burial
Monday March 21, 2022
SS Cyril & Methodius
120 W Riggs
East Helena, Montana 59635
Brad Bomar says
sorry for your loss
Roberta says
Issie and boys: My deepest condolences for the loss of Joe. I have fond memories of things he and my Joe did over the years . They were always there for each other and were best friends since childhood. They spent countless hours in their lawn chairs watching the world go by. Such good memories. Unfortunately the neighborhood is changing as we all are aging. May he rest i in peace as he has wanted for many years. As he always said : I ready for the bone factory”. I’m sure the two Joe’s wil give the angels I heaven a run for their money.
Ralph Beer says
Joe was a force of nature when he and Joe Stipich were young men working at the ASARCO smelter in East Helena.
I was in awe of both of them when I was a kid working summers at the plant to pay for college. My dad, Howard Beer, the blacksmith at the smelter then, was very fond of both Joes, and delighted in telling me stories of their various adventures and hijinks. Joe Pistelak and Joe Stipich were both men’s men, and I remember both of them with respect.
jim says
Izzy, John, Tony and the whole family. Peg and I were very saddened to learn of Joe’s passing. He and Dad were such great friends and taught us so much about the value of friendship. They reminded me so much of the “Grumpy Ol’ Men” in how they cared for each other but always told each other exactly what they thought. Joe’s love for his dogs was so special and who can ever forget our trips in Joe’s convertible to go chase sage grouse. I especially enjoyed and appreciated Joe’s willingness to let me tag along while he was wandering to evening hunting locations and he had some great stories about my days of buck fever with him. Joe was a great guy and I will miss talking to him when I was in the neighborhood. I am sure he is in a better place now and finally is at peace. I heard thunder last night and I wouldn’t be surprised if that was Joe and Dad letting us know they are together.
Prayers and Sympathy to all of you.
Jim Stipcich
Angel says
My dear family,
My heart breaks as we send another of God’s Angels to heaven. What a beautiful sight he must see in a perfect heaven.
Such wonderful memories we have of Joe.
You are in my prayers.
Scott St. Clair says
Issie, Butch & Tony, Sorry to see another of the old guard leaving us. I always enjoyed conversations with Joe it seemed like he always had time for a visit no matter where we ran into each other. Occasionally I think about the two Joes and Mike sitting on Mike’s steps solving the city and world’s problems. I’m always appreciative of those residents that gave back to the city in some way; it is what made East Helena what it was. Joe had already retired from the Fire Department before I joined but there was much evidence of his involvement. As fire chief, I did work with him while he sat on the council. I often consulted Joe and Issie’s opinions on issues as I respected them both. RIP my friend. Scott St. Clair
Doug Stipcich says
Issie, Butch and Tony,
I also am saddened to have learned of Joe’s passing. Another one of East Helena’s patriarchs has passed away. There is absolutely no way that I can ever express the appreciation that I have for the time that I spent with Joe over the years. It spanned the entire spectrum of that little thing called life. Everything from riding shotgun in the jeep on hunting trips, to enjoying friday night boxing with he and Issie in the living room of their home. Quite honestly, spending as much time with him as I did over the years helped mold me into the person that I am today. So many stories could be told about the experiences with Joe, but probably best at this time for me to hold them close to my heart. Him being there for my dad for as many years as they were friends is amazing. Its true as others have noted, they did in fact argue like cats and dogs, but at the end of the day, a person knew that they had each others backs and that is the true definition of friendship. Something that is very hard to find these days.
Joe, I heard your final words to my dad at his funeral several years ago. I doubt that many others did, but I was one of the fortunate ones. It took several years, but you are now reunited with your partner in heaven. I am not sure it is big enough for the two of you, but !!!!! Maybe Jim was right when he heard the thunder clapping in the middle of March. Could very well be the two of them in another one of their capers.
Rest in Peace Joe, you deserve it. To the ones that you’ve left, please try to find peace and happiness knowing that Joe lived a full live, made the most of it and is no longer suffering from the pain that became paramount over the last several years of a life well lived. East Helena will never be the same.
Doug
Glen J Cuchine says
Dear Pistelak Family, My thoughts are with you all at this time. What a super guy and so many memories come to mind. May you all be comforted by the wonderful time Joe was with you all and the many memories. Joe (and of course you too, Issie) really define East Helena and what a special place it is and was. My best to you.
Marvin St Clair says
Issie my condolences to you and all the family for the loss of Joe. He certainly was an amazing man. I have many great memories thru the years of Joe. I would have to say Joe was a vibrant defender of the folks of East Helena. He was very helpful when I was elected to the City Council in the 70’s and is knowledge and friendship were invaluable. My god have a special place in Heaven for this special man…