1919
Henry
2012
Henry McDermott
July 10, 1919 — December 10, 2012
Henry Edward McDermott, 93, a man of quiet strength and resolve passed away Monday at the Marias Care Center in Shelby. Memorial services are 2:00 pm, Saturday at the Whitted Funeral Chapel. Burial with military honors will follow in the Sunburst Cemetery. A reception for family and friends will then follow at the New Life Community Church.
Affectionately known as Gink to family and friends, he was born July 10, 1919 in Sweet Grass. One of twelve children born to Peter Jr. & Ruth A. (Barnes) McDermott, he grew up at West Butte Coal Mine. Working the coal mine alongside his Grandfather, Father and brothers, Henry developed amazing skills as a mechanic and was charged with keeping the mining equipment in good working order. He was educated at the McDermott Country School and graduated from Sunburst High School.
Henry was inducted into the US Army in the summer of 1941. After basic training he was stationed at Ft. Lewis Washington where he helped establish and man costal defense gun batteries. In 1942 he was deployed to Hawaii and then a ship’s gunner and forward observer on New Britain Island and the Philippines. He was discharged in September 1945 after serving 36 months overseas.
He married Charlotte J. Winter Nov. 9, 1959 in Conrad. Henry was step-father to Charlotte’s 3 children Roger, Dennis and Sharon and together they had son Steven. He spent most of his life farming and ranching of Oilmont and was lucky to be able to make a living doing what he loved. Charlotte died Sept. 26, 1999. Henry continued to farm until 2006 finally retiring at age 86.
In the last years of his life Henry was fortunate to find a loving partner and companion in Viola Jane Bykonen. On December 12th 2003 Jane and Henry married in Shelby. Jane’s 9 children, 23 grandchildren, and 35 great-grandchildren, and 3 great- great- grandchildren welcomed Henry into their family. Together they enjoyed retirement traveling and spending time with family.
He was a member of Living Faith Baptist Church, VFW, and American Legion.
Survivors include his wife, Jane McDermott of Shelby; daughter, Sharon (Roger) Linnell of Newcastle, WA; sons, Steven (Nancy) McDermott of Cumming, GA, Roger (Sharon) Winter of Park Rapids, MN and Dennis (Doris) Winter of Cut Bank; 9 grandchildren. Brothers Rodney of Belfair, WA; Kenneth of Fairfield, MT; and sister Beverly Nash of Cut Bank.
Step children, Becky (Larry) Coon of Glendive, David (Clella) Bykonen of Shelby, Dan (Diana) Bykonen of California, Jim Bykonen of Shelby, Paul (Janie) Bykonen of Billings, Joe Bykonen of Shelby, Mary (George) DeVera of Shelby, Tim (Dawn) Bykonen of Shelby and Laurie Ann (Alan) Holler of Hamilton.
He is preceded in death by his parents and wife, Charlotte; 6 sisters and 4 brothers.
Affectionately known as Gink to family and friends, he was born July 10, 1919 in Sweet Grass. One of twelve children born to Peter Jr. & Ruth A. (Barnes) McDermott, he grew up at West Butte Coal Mine. Working the coal mine alongside his Grandfather, Father and brothers, Henry developed amazing skills as a mechanic and was charged with keeping the mining equipment in good working order. He was educated at the McDermott Country School and graduated from Sunburst High School.
Henry was inducted into the US Army in the summer of 1941. After basic training he was stationed at Ft. Lewis Washington where he helped establish and man costal defense gun batteries. In 1942 he was deployed to Hawaii and then a ship’s gunner and forward observer on New Britain Island and the Philippines. He was discharged in September 1945 after serving 36 months overseas.
He married Charlotte J. Winter Nov. 9, 1959 in Conrad. Henry was step-father to Charlotte’s 3 children Roger, Dennis and Sharon and together they had son Steven. He spent most of his life farming and ranching of Oilmont and was lucky to be able to make a living doing what he loved. Charlotte died Sept. 26, 1999. Henry continued to farm until 2006 finally retiring at age 86.
In the last years of his life Henry was fortunate to find a loving partner and companion in Viola Jane Bykonen. On December 12th 2003 Jane and Henry married in Shelby. Jane’s 9 children, 23 grandchildren, and 35 great-grandchildren, and 3 great- great- grandchildren welcomed Henry into their family. Together they enjoyed retirement traveling and spending time with family.
He was a member of Living Faith Baptist Church, VFW, and American Legion.
Survivors include his wife, Jane McDermott of Shelby; daughter, Sharon (Roger) Linnell of Newcastle, WA; sons, Steven (Nancy) McDermott of Cumming, GA, Roger (Sharon) Winter of Park Rapids, MN and Dennis (Doris) Winter of Cut Bank; 9 grandchildren. Brothers Rodney of Belfair, WA; Kenneth of Fairfield, MT; and sister Beverly Nash of Cut Bank.
Step children, Becky (Larry) Coon of Glendive, David (Clella) Bykonen of Shelby, Dan (Diana) Bykonen of California, Jim Bykonen of Shelby, Paul (Janie) Bykonen of Billings, Joe Bykonen of Shelby, Mary (George) DeVera of Shelby, Tim (Dawn) Bykonen of Shelby and Laurie Ann (Alan) Holler of Hamilton.
He is preceded in death by his parents and wife, Charlotte; 6 sisters and 4 brothers.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Henry McDermott, please visit our flower store.