Obituaries

Joseph Mehi, 88, of Billings died peacefully Sunday, May 20, 2012 surrounded by his family. He was born November 29, 1923 in Baia Mare, Romania, the son of Arpad and Erzsebet (Kondor) Mehi. He attended school in Romania and was inducted into the Romanian military which was taken over by the Germans. At the end of World War II, following the American Liberation of the German POW’s, Joe became a POW of the Americans. In 1946, he was released for recovery and rehabilitation at a Red Cross hospital in Austria. The Catholic Diocese of Chicago sponsored him to come to America which he did in 1949. In 1950 he moved to Montana and received his United States Citizenship. He was very proud to be an American.
On February 14, 1955 he was united in marriage to Barbara Jean Fenlon at St. Patrick’s Co-Cathedral. He was a dedicated husband and father, and had a strong commitment to community service. Employed at St. Vincent’s Healthcare for 49 years, 2 months, 14 days, he had a strong work ethic.
Joe was a talented carpenter; in addition to many carpentry projects, he built the St. Pius X Catholic Church altar in 1969. Other activities he enjoyed were hunting and fly fishing.
Joe is survived by his children, Mary Beth Mehi (Jim Hennen) of North Aurora, Illinois; Paul (Lupe) Mehi of Rainier, Washington; Helen (Pete) Madson of Billings; two grandchildren Matthew and Stephen Mehi. He was preceded in death by his wife Barbara in 1991.