FRANCIS STIFFARM obituary

Francis Alec "Johnnycake" Stiffarm Sr., 66, whose Indian name Thay Wus means Weasel-Bear, owner and operator of Budget Trimmers Tree Service in Havre, died Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2005, at the Fort Belknap Hospital. His cause of death has not yet been determined.

His memorial service will be 3 p.m. Friday at the Holland & Bonine Chapel. Interment of the cremated remains will be held at a later time. A fellowship will be held at

the North Central Senior Citizens Center immediately after the memorial service.

Frank was born Jan. 23, 1939, in Fort Belknap to Francis and Eunice (Azure) Stiffarm. He was raised by his grandmother Phoebe at Fort Belknap. He attended Hays grade schools and Harlem High School, graduating in 1957. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in September of 1957 and was honorably discharged in May of 1963. He lived in Endicott, Wash., until 1978 and then returned to Montana.

He met Judy Winchell in April of 1978 and they were married Feb. 20, 1982, in Havre. The couple raised four children. Frank worked in Havre for Ransom Holden's Tree Service and Northern Montana College. In 1994, he started his own business, Budget Trimmers Tree Service, of which he was the owner and operator of until his death. Frank also worked at the North Central Senior Citizens Center as their maintenance personnel.

Frank was liked by everyone who knew him. He was a true family man with a great sense of humor. He enjoyed listening to powwow music, working in his garage, attending rodeos and watching boxing. His greatest love was for his wife, family and his grandchildren, whom he loved to play with. His oversized Pomeranian dog Spyke was a true companion to him.

He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Phoebe (Bell) Stiffarm; and his parents, Frankie and Eunice Stiffarm.

Survivors include his wife, Judy Lynn Stiffarm of Havre; daughters, Gerri (Jeff) Seymour and Cindy (Brock) Zubatch, both of Havre; sons, Doug and Anthony Stiffarm, both of Washington, Frank "Buzz" (Pamela) Stiffarm of Havre, Glenn (Cari) Winchell of Great Falls; uncle, Ben (Ida) Stiffarm of Billings; sisters, Jeannie Stiffarm of Havre, Francine Stiffarm of Chinook, Renalda Stiffarm of Fort Belknap; six grandchildren; and numerous cousins, friends and a wealth of in-laws who loved him dearly.

Memorials in Frank's honor may be made to the North Central Senior Citizens Center, 2 Second St. W., Havre, MT 59501.

Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.