Official Obituary of
Joseph Marcus Balkovatz
September 5, 1925 ~ April 14, 2015 (age 89) 89 Years Old
Joseph Balkovatz Obituary
Joseph M. Balkovatz, age 89 of Anaconda, Montana passed-away on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 at the Anaconda Community Hospital. Joseph was born in Anaconda on September 5, 1925 to the late Marcus and Mary (Gerdun) Balkovatz. In May, 1937 Joseph, his mother, and three siblings moved from Anaconda to Yugoslavia. This was to be a permanent move, with his father to follow a year later. In March of 1938 Hitler's troops took Austria and the family returned to the United States in late 1938.
He attended St. Peters Grade School and graduated from St. Peters High School in 1944. He served in the U.S. Navy from March, 1944 through June, 1946. Joseph graduated from Carroll College, with a B.A. in Business Administration in 1951. Following graduation, he worked a short time for the Anaconda Brewery and for the purchasing department for the Anaconda Copper and Mining Company. He also worked for the auditor's office of the BA & P Railroad Company until March, 1954, when he accepted a position as the Business Manager for the Montana Children's Center. He was appointed as Superintendent of the Children's Center in January, 1960 and remained in that capacity until May, 1975. In 1975 he assumed the position of Administrator of Galen State Hospital, and upon the consolidation of Galen State Hospital and Warm Springs State Hospital in 1981, he was assigned as the Acting Director of Ancillary Services where he remained until his jubilant retirement in November, 1983.
Joseph M. Balkovatz and Mary Jean (McAndrews) Balkovatz were married June 26, 1954 in St. Peter's Church in Anaconda. Mary Jean passed away on February 25, 1991. Joe and Mary Jean were inseparable companions and proudly lived their marriage vows completely and faithfully. Their commitment and devotion will provide a great example for generations.
Joseph served as past-president for: the Twin Bridges Rotary Club, the Montana Association of Child Care Institutions, and the Superintendents Council on Custodial Institutions of the State Board of Education. He served as chairman or member for: the Montana Social Welfare Conference, New Ruby Valley Hospital drive, American Legion Post 21, and the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the Executive Committee of the Vigilante Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Joe was a member of the Association of Montana Retired Public Employees. He was a proud member of the St. Josephs Lodge (Slovenian) of Anaconda. He also served as the Montana chairman of the organizational committee of the Casey Family Program and member of the Casey Program Executive Council.
Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mary Jean, his sister Christine, and his brother William.
Joseph is survived by his sister, Mary Rose Groce of Spokane, WA, his sister-in-law Patricia (Joe) Camarda of Herndon, VA. He is survived by his children; Mark (Darlene) of Tacoma, WA, John of Fargo, ND, Ann Balkovatz of Lander, WY, Mary Jo (Sean) Murray of Sandy, UT, and Patti Jo (Will) Staudenmeyer of Dillon, MT. He is survived by his grand-children Joe (Trish) Balkovatz, Brea (Eric) Binstock, Laurelle (Derrick) Hofman, Lee Irvine, Meaghan (Sean) Garrett, Bryan Murray (Becca Liput), Caitlin Murray, Danielle and Taylor Staudenmeyer. He is survived by his great-grandchildren; Caleb and Harper Binstock, Beau Balkovatz, Grace Ann Hofman, Tavin Irvine, and Jack and Lucy Garrett. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews who he loved dearly.
Joseph was a great friend and inspiration to many. He set a wonderful example for his children, grand-children, and great-grandchildren in living a faith filled life. He was an active member of the Anaconda Catholic Community and especially enjoyed his Knights of Columbus activities. He had many great friends. The family wishes to thank Joe's very special friends Gene and Peggy Walsh for their love and support of their father over the years.
Friends may call to pay their respects beginning Sunday at 5:00 p.m. at the Longfellow-Finnegan-Riddle Funeral Home, Anaconda.
The Rosary Service will be recited at 6:30 p.m. Sunday. The Vigil service will begin at 7:00 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church on Monday. Interment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery with Military Honors by the Anaconda American Legion Post #21 and the Navy Honor Guard.
A reception will follow at Holy Family Catholic Church.
Memorials are requested to the Anaconda Food Bank, P.O. Box 1280, Anaconda, MT 59711 or the American Cancer Society.
107 Oak St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
107 Oak St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
217 W. Pennsylvania Ave.
Anacoonda, MT 59711
He attended St. Peters Grade School and graduated from St. Peters High School in 1944. He served in the U.S. Navy from March, 1944 through June, 1946. Joseph graduated from Carroll College, with a B.A. in Business Administration in 1951. Following graduation, he worked a short time for the Anaconda Brewery and for the purchasing department for the Anaconda Copper and Mining Company. He also worked for the auditor's office of the BA & P Railroad Company until March, 1954, when he accepted a position as the Business Manager for the Montana Children's Center. He was appointed as Superintendent of the Children's Center in January, 1960 and remained in that capacity until May, 1975. In 1975 he assumed the position of Administrator of Galen State Hospital, and upon the consolidation of Galen State Hospital and Warm Springs State Hospital in 1981, he was assigned as the Acting Director of Ancillary Services where he remained until his jubilant retirement in November, 1983.
Joseph M. Balkovatz and Mary Jean (McAndrews) Balkovatz were married June 26, 1954 in St. Peter's Church in Anaconda. Mary Jean passed away on February 25, 1991. Joe and Mary Jean were inseparable companions and proudly lived their marriage vows completely and faithfully. Their commitment and devotion will provide a great example for generations.
Joseph served as past-president for: the Twin Bridges Rotary Club, the Montana Association of Child Care Institutions, and the Superintendents Council on Custodial Institutions of the State Board of Education. He served as chairman or member for: the Montana Social Welfare Conference, New Ruby Valley Hospital drive, American Legion Post 21, and the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the Executive Committee of the Vigilante Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Joe was a member of the Association of Montana Retired Public Employees. He was a proud member of the St. Josephs Lodge (Slovenian) of Anaconda. He also served as the Montana chairman of the organizational committee of the Casey Family Program and member of the Casey Program Executive Council.
Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mary Jean, his sister Christine, and his brother William.
Joseph is survived by his sister, Mary Rose Groce of Spokane, WA, his sister-in-law Patricia (Joe) Camarda of Herndon, VA. He is survived by his children; Mark (Darlene) of Tacoma, WA, John of Fargo, ND, Ann Balkovatz of Lander, WY, Mary Jo (Sean) Murray of Sandy, UT, and Patti Jo (Will) Staudenmeyer of Dillon, MT. He is survived by his grand-children Joe (Trish) Balkovatz, Brea (Eric) Binstock, Laurelle (Derrick) Hofman, Lee Irvine, Meaghan (Sean) Garrett, Bryan Murray (Becca Liput), Caitlin Murray, Danielle and Taylor Staudenmeyer. He is survived by his great-grandchildren; Caleb and Harper Binstock, Beau Balkovatz, Grace Ann Hofman, Tavin Irvine, and Jack and Lucy Garrett. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews who he loved dearly.
Joseph was a great friend and inspiration to many. He set a wonderful example for his children, grand-children, and great-grandchildren in living a faith filled life. He was an active member of the Anaconda Catholic Community and especially enjoyed his Knights of Columbus activities. He had many great friends. The family wishes to thank Joe's very special friends Gene and Peggy Walsh for their love and support of their father over the years.
Friends may call to pay their respects beginning Sunday at 5:00 p.m. at the Longfellow-Finnegan-Riddle Funeral Home, Anaconda.
The Rosary Service will be recited at 6:30 p.m. Sunday. The Vigil service will begin at 7:00 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church on Monday. Interment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery with Military Honors by the Anaconda American Legion Post #21 and the Navy Honor Guard.
A reception will follow at Holy Family Catholic Church.
Memorials are requested to the Anaconda Food Bank, P.O. Box 1280, Anaconda, MT 59711 or the American Cancer Society.
Rosary
APR 19. 6:30 PM (MDT)
Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home107 Oak St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
Vigil
APR 19. 7:00 PM (MDT)
Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home107 Oak St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
Mass of Christian Burial
APR 20. 10:30 AM (MDT)
Holy Family Catholic Church217 W. Pennsylvania Ave.
Anacoonda, MT 59711
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