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John F. Doney, "Wath-Nii'iih" meaning Good Knife, 58, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, at Fort Belknap Health Services of natural causes.
The wake will begin at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014, at Hays Christian Alliance Church, and will continue until Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014, when he will be moved to the Mission Rec Center. Rosary services will be at St. Paul Mission at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014, and the funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, also at St. Paul Mission. Burial will be in the Mission Cemetery.
Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements, and you can leave your memories/condolences online for the family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.
John was born on July 4, 1955, to Bruce Melvin and Ida Mae (Cuts The Rope) Doney in Fort Belknap. He was raised in Hays, attended the Mission grade school for kindergarten and first grade, and the Hays school from second through eighth grade, and graduated from Harlem High School.
He continued his education at Dawson Community College in Glendive and the College of Great Falls, graduating from Northern Montana College in 1979 with bachelor's degrees in physical education and history. He married Joan Anderson in 1977 while in college, and two children were born to that union. The couple later divorced, and in 1980, John married Cindy Berten in St. Joseph, Mo. Their union was blessed with two children. The couple moved back to Hays in 1993, and made their home there until John's death. John worked as a teacher in St. Joseph, Mo., and at Hays-Lodge Pole School as a refocus teacher. He also served as the Headstart director for Fort Belknap. However, his main profession was his business. He worked everything from heavy equipment to odd jobs, always keeping busy.
John was a loving and kind man with a great sense of humor. He loved to help those less fortunate and volunteered much of his time, advocating for those who needed him. He boxed for many years, winning 106 of his 117 fights and became an eight-time Montana Golden Gloves Champion. John was a devoted husband and father. In 2009, John and Cindy received the Parents of the Year Award from the Montana Indian Education Association. He enjoyed gambling, hunting with his sons, and spending time with his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bruce and Ida Doney; his brother, Bruce "Buzz" Doney; his nephew, DJ Crasco; and his sister, Lorna Grant.
John is survived by his wife, Cindy Doney of Hays; his daughter, Laura M. (Jake) Benitz of Wathena, Kan .; his sons, John Raymond (Christi) Doney of Meade, Kan., Carl Dean (Natacha) Doney and Garrett Austin (Victoria Long Time Sleeping) Doney, all of Hays; his six grandchildren; his sisters, Violet (Darryl) Crasco of Beaver Creek, Letty (Vincent) Hawley of Hays, and Florence (Don) Horn of Harlem; his brothers, Lawrence Elliott (Jean) Doney of Hiawatha, Kan., and Sam Eldred Doney of St. Joseph, Mo .; and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members.
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