John Schafnitz

The sun began to rise, skies were clear, morning air still, cool and John felt conditions were perfect to depart earth on his final flight into the heavens. He had numerous accomplishments over the 90 years he had planned on being here. December 1, 1921, Frank, Sr. and Susanna Schafnitz greeted their son, John. He grew up in Billings and partook in the lively antics of a big family. John, together with his siblings Matt, Joe, Frank Jr., Irene and Catherine all helped out on the farm, because 'that is just what you did'. As John tells it, he got bored with the farm life and really didn't want to be a farmer so he jumped on the rail car and headed for California. Hobo life didn't suit his taste either so he hitchhiked back from Helena, MT, and began driving a soda pop delivery truck for Sunshine Beverage Company. WWII began. John knew he could help so he traveled to Long Beach to work for Douglas Aircraft. Working on airplanes instilled in him the desire to fly them, not build them. In 1942 he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. November 1943, he earned his wings and married the pretty McCann girl, Myrtle. His adventurous life continued as he and his new bride, Myrtle, moved from Kansas, Texas, and Florida for him to continue training pilots for oversea battle in single and twin engine aircraft including the B-17. After discharge from the Army Air Corps as a First Lieutenant, John and Myrtle moved back to Billings, MT, to be close to their families. John became a loan officer at Midland Bank. Everyone knew 'Johnny at the bank'. Folks would wait in line out in the lobby for him to help them because they knew John to be a fair and honest man who could relate to their issues. As his career grew so did his family with the arrivals of John and Jane. After 37 years with the Midland Bank he decided to retire and enjoy a lot more traveling. He and Myrtle traveled hundreds of miles on land and sea, visiting relatives and friends until Myrtle became too ill to travel and succumbed to cancer in 1989. For another 20 years John continued his life adventures with a new traveling companion, Margaret “Marge” Scott, who he met through his sister and sister-in-law. This opened up the opportunity to visit new friends and relatives. There was not a social/family function John was not in attendance. He was known to have attended two or three Thanksgiving or Christmas celebrations in one day. John lived life on full throttle. He leaves his legacy of a gracious and genuine life to his sister, Catherine Jones, who he visited every day; his children John (Dee) Schafhitz, Jane (Tom) Hughes; grandchildren Jason (Angela) Hughes, Hilary (Paul) Thie, Bridgette (Cory Ewing) Larson; his great-granddaughters that always brought a broad smile to his face include Addyson and Camryn Thie and Alexandra Hughes. Margaret “Marge” Scott's wonderful and caring family who adopted John into their lives include her daughter and son, Bonnie and Jerry (Jeanie) Scott and their families whose children thought of him as their own grandpa. Family members that preceded John were his parents and in-laws Frank Sr. and Susanna Schafnitz, Edward and Anna McCann. Five siblings and their spouses, Matt (Verda), Frank Jr. (Belva), Joe, Irene (Pete) Bach, Catherine's husband, Grant Jones, Jr. and grandson Jeff Larson. There are many stories of all the family hunting, fishing and camping trips as well as personal stories that the family hopes will be shared at his memorial service on Monday, August 6, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Dahl Funeral Chapel. John was scheduled to fly on the next Big Sky Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. to visit the WWII Veteran's Memorial in September, which he looked forward to very much. His family asks that those wishing to contribute so others may go, please contact Big Sky Honor Flight, P.O. Box 80201, Billings, MT 59108, or contact@bigskyhonorflight.org Service: Memorial services on Monday, August 6, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Dahl Funeral Chapel.