Jack Oliver

Jack J. Oliver, 83, died of natural causes Dec. 9, 2006, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. His loving family was with him.

Jack was born June 20, 1923, in Great Falls to Walter and Mabel (Bridges) Oliver. As a young child, he moved with his family to Big Sandy, where he attended grade school and junior high school, working for his father after school and on weekends at Oliver's Self Service, the family grocery store.

Jack attended Havre High School, graduating early to enlist in the U.S. Army during World War II. He served as a medic in the infantry in the Philippines and New Guinea. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

He returned to Havre and married Jane Ann Wright on Sept. 11, 1946, in Havre at St. Mark's Episcopal Church. They raised two daughters.

Jack worked in Havre for Richard and Charles Rubie at Havre Insurance. He purchased the company from them in 1955 and was involved in real estate and insurance for nearly 50 years. He owned and operated Oliver Realty until the time of his retirement in 1999.

Jack spent most of the past six years in Kalispell with his friends. His life was full of much happiness. His passion for golf was well served in Kalispell and the surrounding areas. His life was full of travel, and winters were spent in Arizona. His life had been full and busy until the time of his death.

Jack was an active member of the Shriners, a life member of the Havre Elks Club, the VFW and a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, serving in the vestry for many years.

Jack had a passion for bird hunting, fishing and golf. He and Jane had many friends and enjoyed entertaining them. They had a cabin in the Bears Paw Mountains, where they would snowmobile and enjoyed family gatherings. One of the family's most treasured memories were the summers they spent together at Whitefish.

Jack was a very kind and generous person. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. Jack was known for his generosity and assistance toward others in their times of need.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Jane Oliver; and his sister-in-law Pearl Oliver.

Jack is survived by daughters Judy Sinclair and husband LeRoy Wenz, of Havre, and Janis Monteith and husband Graeme, of Calgary, Alberta; grandchildren Jason Sinclair, of Missoula, Jocelyn Monteith, of Calgary, and Johna Monteith, of Toronto, Ontario; brother Ben Oliver, of Havre; sister-in-law Mary Omlie, of Havre; nieces Pam and Gary Nimmick and their children Tiffany and Tory Carson, Joshua and Trevor Nimmick, and Lori Omlie, all of Havre; nephew Jim Omlie, of Havre; great nephews Tony and Logan Omlie; and great niece Taylor Carson.

Funeral services took place Dec. 14, 2006, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, with Gail Wheatley as celebrant. Burial with full military honors followed at Highland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mark's Episcopal Church.