JOSEPH EDWARD PERSZYK obituary

Joseph Perzsyk, 60, died Wednesday, June 27, 2007, in an ATV accident south of Havre. Funeral services will be held at 2

p. m.Tuesday, July 3, at the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church in Havre with burial at the Calvary Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon will be held immediately after the graveside at the church. Perszyk (Joe) was born in Havre to Philip and Amelia (Keller) Perszyk on March 24,1947. He attended school at St. Jude's and Havre Central High School graduating in 65. Joe also attended Northern Montana College prior to his service in the U.S. Army in 1966. While in the military, at Fort Carson, Colorado, he attended Pueblo Community College, taking classes in computer science. Joe received his honorable discharged in 1968. Joe returned to Montana after his military service and worked for Kelly Drilling out of Roundup, MT. From there, he returned home to Havre and began working for the State of Montana in the Weights and Measures Division, traveling up and down the Hi-Line for the State. After a hit and run car/motorcycle accident in 1972, Joe moved to Plentywood, MT and lived for a while with his sister Julianne Ruby and her family. With Julianne's help he learned to walk again and worked part time for the bank in Plentywood doing data processing. In 1973, Joe returned to Havre, MT and returned to work for the State Weights and Measures Division. It was at this time he met a former classmate, Joyce Gillies, who was working in Fort Benton at the Farmers Union in accounting. Perszyk married Gillies in 1974 at the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church in Havre. Joe and Joyce and Joyce's two children became the instant family he longed for. In 1976, they completed their family when son Kirk was born. In 1975, Joseph began working for the Havre Post Office as the building maintenance supervisor. He retired from the Post Office in May of 2006. During his time with the Postal Service Joe kept up the now “National Historical” Post Office and the present, “Newly” constructed Post Office. Joe knew most of the town people and most of the farmers and ranchers. He was well thought of in the community. Joe was affiliated with the Havre Jaycees, the Havre Lions Club, and the Havre Kiwanis Clubs. He also worked part time as a janitor for the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church and drove a bus for the Havre Legion Baseball Team. Joe was in hot demand for his mechanical and building skills and assisted many neighbors, relatives, and friends over the years with his talents and skills. In his short “retirement” period, Joe needed to keep active by working. In May 2007, he began working for Tom Patrick Construction. There he found old friends again and found the work right up his alley. He was eager again to leave in the morning and to still have time to help neighbors and friends. Joe was preceded in death by his parents and step-mother Antionette, and his sisters Donna and Alberta. Joe is survived by his children, Kari McLaughlin of Colorado Springs, Matt Perszyk and Kirk Perszyk of Havre, and his wife, Joyce Perszyk, of Havre. He also leaves behind his brothers, Lawrence (Gail) Perszyk of Redlands, CALF; John Umhoefer of Spokane, WA; sisters Julianne (Cal) Ruby of Boise, IDAH; Therese (Larry) Leach of Prineville, ORE; and Kathy (Mike) Doyle of Redmond, WASH.; brothers- in-law Gary (Val) Gillies of Havre; and Jerry (Pat) Gillies of Kalispell; and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. A memorial fund has been established in Joe's honor with the Montana Highway Patrol “Hope Project”, P.O. Box 5927, Helena, MT 59604. Arrangements have been entrusted to Holland and Bonine Funeral Home, Havre, Montana.