Michael Timothy Chovanak, 80, of Helena passed away Tuesday, February 21, 2023 after a several year battle with cancer, surrounded by his family. Michael was born February 16, 1943 in Helena. He married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Summers, at the Helena Cathedral in 1962 and they’ve been together more than 60 years. Michael graduated from Carroll College with a mathematics degree.
Mike spent most of his life in the Helena area, with a short stint in Spokane in the 1980s. Upon their return to Montana, Mike and Shirley built a home in Clancy and spent the next 20 years there before moving back to Helena. Mike was always curious and started a wide variety of entrepreneurial projects including building his own assay lab, recovering silver from used X-ray film, and recommissioning an abandoned gold mine.
Mike is survived by his wife Shirley; their children Tim (Brenda) and grandchildren Erin and Preston; Kit (Sunitha) and grandchildren Alex, Michael, and Nicholas; Courtney (Tim) and grandchildren Aaron, Piper, Tanner, Olivia, Eden, and Nadine; Adam (Mi) and grandchildren Kai, Kimberley and Sothea; Casey; siblings Andre Chovanak (Juanita), Joan Peterson (Larry), and Viki Tillo (Tom); four great grandchildren, and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Noal.
Mike and Shirley met in 1959 when Shirley was a car hop at the RB Drive-In. To get Shirley’s attention, Mike connected straws, strung them out the driver window over the top of the Volkswagen Bug and into the passenger door window. Then he drove circles around the RB.
Mike and Shirley worked with Catholic Charities to adopt their two daughters. For several years they fostered babies until they were placed with their adoptive families.
Mike was an amazing father, always actively involved in parenting. He commonly read Dr. Suess to the kids. He took his kids on adventures, such as gold-panning, backpacking, boating and skiing, as well as searching for fossils, huckleberries and morel mushrooms. He also helped with grandkids, taking them on excursions to Yellowstone and Paris, and building wooden swords and other toys with his various machine tools.
Mike had a special gift for connecting with others, he listened more than he spoke but always communicated kindness. He had a great heart, looking out for the underdog. Throughout his life he helped others in small ways and large.
Mike was an avid reader of both fiction and non-fiction. His passion was science and technology. You’d often find him reading books on Quantum Physics or calculus.
Mike had a love for traveling. He extensively visited Europe, Costa Rica, Cambodia and Thailand. He often took both friends and family in an effort to inspire them to explore as well.
Mike held jobs at Foundation Material Consultants, American Chemet, Merrill Lynch, Inland Zinc, Montana Tunnels, and Bison Engineering. He also had his own side businesses such as a silver refinery, started Helena Weed Control (which his nephew took over), an assay lab, and recommissioned a gold mine.
Services will be from 3 to 5:00 p.m. Friday, February 24 at SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church, 120 W Riggs in East Helena.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday February 24, 2023
SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church
120 W Riggs
East Helena, Montana 59635
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday February 24, 2023
SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church
120 W Riggs
East Helena, Montana 59635
Share
Vanessa Tolson says
Shirley and family, I was saddened to read of Mike’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
jim and mary brainard says
We are sorry for your loss. Our families have had many good times together. Mike was one of my most treasured friends and advisors. I will miss him.
piper nicholls clark says
Grandpa was an incredible human being. There is no one like him. He is engraved on my heart and will live forever in my memories. He taught me that the most intelligent man in the world could also be the kindest. I adored him… Thank you for every adventure. I love you.
Piper
Scott McHugh says
Very sorry to hear about Mike. He was always very good to us kids in the “neighborhood”.
Scott and Shona McHugh
Mary Pancich says
Shirley and Family,
Ray and I were so sad to read about Mike’s passing. We always enjoyed visiting with you both and were sad when you moved from Forest Park. Prayers!
Ray and MC Pancich
David Smith says
So sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. He was such a fine gentleman. Shirley, my prayers are with you and him.
Libby, Rosa and Edgar Prestoza says
Words cannot express how sorry I am for your family’s loss. I will always remember Mike for his quiet kindness and humor. May all your happy memories give you peace and comfort. The Prestoza family will keep him in our prayers.
Carol Duval says
So very sorry to learn of Mike’s passing. We’ve known your family since back in Catholic Charity baby days and you and Mike were very special friends. May your cherished memories sustain you in this difficult time. May he rest in peace. Prayers with your family now.
John Cherie Dahl says
Shirley and family our thoughts and prayers go to you and we spent some time together many years ago. 🙏🙏🙏
JEANNETTE M FAY says
Vicki just notified me of the loss of my cousin Michael. My dad was Lucas Chovanak, brother to Michael’s dad. Uncle John and Aunt Noel came to visit and stay over with us when we lived in Apple Valley, CA. Aunt Noel and I went to mass together. Carol Bennett, cousin, who lives in Post Falls, ID where I live looks just like her Grandma Noel. I have a picture of Aunt Noel when she and Uncle John first got married. That picture matches to Cousin Carol. May Michael’s soul rest in peace. And to his wife Shirley, I will never forget the family reunion you pulled together when we were there to visit. It was fun meeting everyone and seeing all the family resemblances.
In Love and Peace
Cousin Jeannette (Chovanak) Fay
bob Smith says
Shirley, I am so sorry to hear. I had just congratulated him on turning 80. We go back a long way clear to Aspen St. I think. My visits with you and Mike were always at the top of the list when I could make the trip. I remember Mike for the way he always had a project. Joining two halves of a canoe, collecting the Xray film to glean the silver, and many others. Please accept my condolences.