John “Jack” Adam Witzel
John “Jack” Adam Witzel, 88, left this earth on May 17, 2021. He was born on August 14, 1932, to Earl and Katherine (Bohl) Witzel in Pompeys Pillar, Montana. Jack graduated from Huntley Project High School in 1950. He was a trained cook in the United States Army, and served from 1954 to 1956.
Jack married Margaret “Betty” Witzel on June 2, 1957. They had four children and moved to the Huntley Project area in approximately 1967. He and Betty separated in 1982, later divorcing but remaining very good friends. Jack worked for the Yellowstone County Clerk and Recorder’s Office for nearly 30 years before his retirement. He then was self-employed as a right-of-way agent that gave him the opportunity to travel.
Jack spent 55 years in the Huntley Project Community. He took great pride in his small farm, always ensuring it looked immaculate to anyone that drove past. He raised cattle, chickens, turkeys and pigs for many years. Jack’s primary focus from spring to the fall was his garden, from which he canned and pickled vegetables as well as shared his crop with other community members. He baked for months prior to the holiday season so he could share with family and friends from all around. Jack also enjoyed hunting, fishing, leather tooling, and made a clock for each of his children and grandchildren.
Jack is survived by his children, Rita (Steve) Huck of Ballantine, Tami (Jack) Schagunn, Randy (Deanna) Witzel of Billings, and Cindi (Ron) Fuller of Spokane Valley, Washington; nine grandchildren: Lyndsi Huck, Kira Huck (Thomas Harding), Kelsi Schagunn (Sean Sinclair), Gavin Schagunn (Sally So), Colter (Morgan) Witzel, Morgan Witzel, Cayden Witzel, Shelbi Fuller, and Hannah Fuller; four great-grandchildren: Zachery Cooler, Dillon Cooler, Alyssa Cooler, and Kinley Witzel. He is also survived by his foster daughter, Cindy (George) Sherman and their family; three brothers and one sister, Lloyd (Mary) Witzel of Pasco, Washington, Theodore Witzel of Kalispell, Violet (Clarence) Krum of Billings, and Dan (Phyllis) Witzel of Billings. He is preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Katherine Witzel, sister-in-law, Patricia Witzel, and his nephew, Jason Krum.
Services will be held on Saturday, July 31, 2021, at 11:00 AM at Heights Family Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Jack’s name to Riverstone Hospice or Worden Fire and Ambulance.
I have many great memories of my school years with Jack. We graduated together from HPHS in 1950.so didn’t see much of each other after that except for a class reunion after we had both served in the Army but I’ll always cherish his jolly spirit.