John M. Savochka

Darby - John M. Savochka, 71, of Darby passed away Friday September 20, 2013 at the Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital, from complications of pancreatic cancer. He was born November 14, 1941 in Hamilton, the son of the late John and Ida Ellen Savochka.

John graduated from Darby High School and attended the University of Montana.

In 1964 John married Evelyn Freshour of St. Ignatius and shortly after was drafted by the United States Army and served in Vietnam. While still in Vietnam in 1967 his first daughter Cindy was born, and three years later his youngest daughter Wendy was born.

When he returned from Vietnam he began working at Trapper Creek Job Corps and then moved on to the Rocky Mountain Lab, retiring in January 1998 after 25 years of service.

John was active for many years in the Darby Volunteer Fire Department and served as Fire Chief. Even after he retired he could not stay away when the fire siren rang. He loved going to church on Sunday, hunting, fishing and camping, especially his yearly trip to Twin Lakes in the Big Hole with good friends and family.

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Evelyn of Darby; two daughters, Cindy and husband Bob Wojciechowski of Great Falls, MT, and Wendy Salinas of Mesa, Arizona; sister, Darlene and husband Bob Stevens of Great Falls, MT; mother-in-law, Inez Pounds of St. Ignatius, MT; step-mother, Donna Savochka of Stevensville; sister-in-law, Carol Smith and husband Jim of Round Butte; brother-in-law, Dale Freshour and his wife Charlie of St. Ignatius; grandchildren include, Joshua LaMont, Rick Heider, Kaytlynn Salinas and Joshua Wojciechowski; and many nieces and nephews.

We would need another full page to thank everyone who touched his life in so many ways over the past year. We have been overwhelmed by peoples kindness.

The family suggests that a memorial be made to either the Darby Volunteer Fire Department P.O. Box 789 Darby, MT 59829 or charity of your choice.