1928
John
2012
John Leonard Korpela
July 8, 1928 — August 22, 2012
John Leonard Korpela, 84, passed away August 8, 2012, at a Great Falls nursing facility of natural causes. Memorial services with military honors are set for Friday, September 7, at 3:00 pm at the Whitted Funeral Chapel in Shelby. Condolences for family may be posted at www.whittedfuneralchapel.com.
John is survived by his wife of 28 years, Carol (Gore) Korpella; sons, Edwin (Sharon) of Nanaimo, BC, and Dennis (Kathy) of Longmont, CO; daughters, Shari (Mike) Massengale of Fredericksburg, TX, and Mina (Dave) Moyer of Marysville, WA; nine grandchildren; one great-grandchild; sister, Helen Bohnert of Billings; adopted family, Mike and Sherry Cullen and family of Shelby and Rann and special little girls Kjatlynn anf Juelin; as well as numerous other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Laimi (Leeman) Korpela; sister, Margarit Korpela; and son, Michael Vernon Korpela.
John was born in Red Lodge on July 8, 1928. He grew up in the Roberts area and enlisted in the Army in 1954 serving as a Field Radio Repairman. He completed his military service in 1956 and returned to Montana where he began his work in the trucking industry. In 1973, John went to work for Dick Irvin, Inc of Shelby, where he worked for 25 years, moving to Shelby in 1982.
John was a dedicated participant in many community organizations. Beginning in his high school years and continuing after graduation, he was an active member of the Red Lodge City Band. He was a 50+ year member of the Eagles and Elks Clubs of Red Lodge and was a Past Exalter Ruler of the Elks Club. He also was a long time member of the Cut Bank Moose Club. After his retirement he became active in the Senior Citizens Center in Shelby, serving on the Board, calling bingo, playing cards and always ready to lend a helping hand. In 1999 and 2006, John was selected as Shelby Senior Center Citizen of the Year. John never missed an auction or estate sale.
He is deeply loved and greatly missed by his family and friends.
John is survived by his wife of 28 years, Carol (Gore) Korpella; sons, Edwin (Sharon) of Nanaimo, BC, and Dennis (Kathy) of Longmont, CO; daughters, Shari (Mike) Massengale of Fredericksburg, TX, and Mina (Dave) Moyer of Marysville, WA; nine grandchildren; one great-grandchild; sister, Helen Bohnert of Billings; adopted family, Mike and Sherry Cullen and family of Shelby and Rann and special little girls Kjatlynn anf Juelin; as well as numerous other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Laimi (Leeman) Korpela; sister, Margarit Korpela; and son, Michael Vernon Korpela.
John was born in Red Lodge on July 8, 1928. He grew up in the Roberts area and enlisted in the Army in 1954 serving as a Field Radio Repairman. He completed his military service in 1956 and returned to Montana where he began his work in the trucking industry. In 1973, John went to work for Dick Irvin, Inc of Shelby, where he worked for 25 years, moving to Shelby in 1982.
John was a dedicated participant in many community organizations. Beginning in his high school years and continuing after graduation, he was an active member of the Red Lodge City Band. He was a 50+ year member of the Eagles and Elks Clubs of Red Lodge and was a Past Exalter Ruler of the Elks Club. He also was a long time member of the Cut Bank Moose Club. After his retirement he became active in the Senior Citizens Center in Shelby, serving on the Board, calling bingo, playing cards and always ready to lend a helping hand. In 1999 and 2006, John was selected as Shelby Senior Center Citizen of the Year. John never missed an auction or estate sale.
He is deeply loved and greatly missed by his family and friends.
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