Donald "Don" J. Burtchett

Donald "Don" J. Burtchett, 64, of Havre, passed away on July 20, 2014, at his home. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held in Geraldine on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements. Please visit Don's online memorial and leave a message of condolence for his family at www.hollandbonine.com.

  Don was born March 18, 1950, to William and Helen Burtchett in Lewistown, Montana. Later the family moved to Havre, where Don graduated from high school in 1968. After school Don joined the Navy, stationed as a torpedo man on the SS Permit SSN-594 during the Vietnam War. In 1972, Don married Linda Hoffman, and their union was blessed with two girls, Kristina and Jennifer. The couple later separated.

Don was a man who lived his life on his own terms and was very proud of his service to his country. He loved spending time outdoors and had a great love for animals of all kinds. Don enjoyed writing short stories and poems, photography, reading and the dramatic arts. His interest in all these things prompted him to take classes at Montana State University-Northern, majoring in journalism and dramatic arts.

He is preceded in death by his father, Bill (WT); brother, Ken; sister, Marjorie; and nephews, Willie and Joey.

He is survived by his mother, Helen Qunell of Geraldine; daughters, Tina Burtchett of Gainesville, Florida, and Jennifer (Paul) Williams of Prospect, Tennessee; grandson, Erik Williams of Prospect, Tennessee; siblings, John (Cora) and Steve (Tracy), all of Billings, Jim, Chris (Angela) and Ruth, all of Geraldine, Bob of Havre, and Sue of San Diego, California; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.