Leo M “Donny” Hiltner, age 88, of East Helena, died November 23rd of natural causes. Born the youngest of four children to John G and Mary (Heckner) Hiltner on their farm in Glentana, Montana on June 14th, 1928. He received his grade school education in Glentana and Opeim, MT. He graduated from St. Cloud Technical High School in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Don returned to Montana where he worked on the family ranch, Western Geo-Physical and the State Highway Department.
Don and Kathryn E. Cinker were married by Father McCarthy at the Old St. Cyril & Methodius Church in East Helena on September 13, 1952. After their marriage Kathryn and Donny rented a home in East Helena and both of them built the home they later resided in. Kathryn preceded him in death on June 15th, 1995.
Don began working for Montana Power Company in 1953 as an apprentice on Line Crews, the Service Wagon, Meter Shop, Service Shop and Range Repair until retiring 1988.
Don was a member of the Holy Name Society, the Truckers Teamsters Union, the IBEW Electrical Union, St. Cyril and Methodius Church, the Telephone Pioneer Club and the Montana Power Pioneer Club.
Don and Kathryn enjoyed traveling. In their travels they spent time in Austria, China, Hong Kong, the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii, Fiji, Mexico, Germany, Canada and Czechoslovakia. Kathryn and Don had many friends in all the country’s they traveled. After Kathryn’s death, Don kept in touch with them but chose not to travel without her.
Don enjoyed metal art, gemstone work, wood working, fishing and hunting. Both he and Kathryn enjoyed Blue Ribbon Archery.
Don is survived by his nephew David Hiltner of Everett, Washington, Marion Revell of Hot Springs, South Dakota, cousins Lorraine Gundermann, Jim Hill, Bobby Hill, Darlene Riggin, Bonnie Hanson and Tim Gilchrist.
Viewing will be from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 29th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. The Rosary will be prayed at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 30th, at St. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, 120 West Riggs Street in East Helena. A funeral Mass will follow the Rosary at 12:00 p.m. at the church. Rite of Committal will follow the Mass at St. Ann’s Cemetery in East Helena. A reception will follow the committal service in the fellowship hall of the church.
The family would like to give a greatly appreciated thank you to all of Donny’s caregivers at Touchmark.
Memorials are suggested to St. Cyril & Methodius Church, St. Ann’s Cemetery or an organization of the donor’s choice.
Service Schedule
Viewing
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday November 29, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Rosary
11:30 a.m.
Wednesday November 30, 2016
SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church
120 West Riggs Street
East Helena, Montana 59634
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Wednesday November 30, 2016
SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church
120 West Riggs Street
East Helena, Montana 59634
Graveside Service
Following the Mass
Wednesday November 30, 2016
St. Ann's Cemetery
East Helena, Montana 59634
Reception
Following the Graveside Service
Wednesday November 30, 2016
SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church
120 West Riggs Street
East Helena, Montana 59634
Service Schedule
Viewing
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday November 29, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Rosary
11:30 a.m.
Wednesday November 30, 2016
SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church
120 West Riggs Street
East Helena, Montana 59634
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Wednesday November 30, 2016
SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church
120 West Riggs Street
East Helena, Montana 59634
Graveside Service
Following the Mass
Wednesday November 30, 2016
St. Ann's Cemetery
East Helena, Montana 59634
Reception
Following the Graveside Service
Wednesday November 30, 2016
SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church
120 West Riggs Street
East Helena, Montana 59634
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Mary Badgett says
When I lived in East Helena I knew both Kathryn and Donnie. Several years after her passing, my daughter and I and two older ladies from our parish would go out after mass every now and then and Donnie would always ask us if we had a good time. We decided he might be lonely and maybe he’d like to go with us…….so we invited him and he accepted. We all had good times doing this for quite a while before our outings were called short with other things. He was truly a nice person. Sounds like they enjoyed a full life.