Obituary - Joseph P. Stiffarm Jr.

Joseph P. Stiffarm Jr., 54, passed away of natural causes on Monday, May 2, 2016, at his residence.

Wake services were held at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 5, 2016, with rosary services at 7 p.m. on Thursday, all at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fort Belknap. Funeral Mass was held at 10 a.m. today, Friday, May 6, 2016, also at Sacred Heart. Burial followed in the Stiffarm Family Cemetery outside of Hays.

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

Joe was born on Aug. 5, 1962, in Fort Belknap to Joseph P. and Nancy (White) Stiffarm Sr. He was raised in Havre, graduating from Havre High School in 1981. To please his dad, he immediately went to work for the railroad, where he remained for 30 years until his retirement in 2011.

Joe enjoyed filling his spare time with fishing, bicycling, and photography. He was very aware of his family bloodlines, and loved to hear stories about his ancestors. Joe was very proud of being the son of Joseph P. Stiffarm Sr., the man who put together the railroad crew that holds the records for the most ties and steel set in one day. He also got a kick out of telling his own corny jokes, laughing uproariously at them.

Joe was preceded in death by his beloved father, Joseph Stiffarm Sr., and his brother Richard Stiffarm.

He is survived by his son, Melvin Billy, the son of Michelle Billy, of Rocky Boy; his mother, Nancy White of Red Lake, Minnesota; his brother, Leroy Stiffarm of Havre; his sisters, Deanna Stiffarm and Theresa Stiffarm, both of Minnesota; and numerous beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, especially his aunt Delores (Stiffarm) Little Owl, with whom he was very close.