Johnie A. Dillard

Johnie A. Dillard, 85, passed away at St. Patrick’s Hospital on Missoula on Monday, May 28.

Born April 1, 1933 in Afton, Oklahoma, to Fred and Letha (McNally) Dillard, he was raised in the Little Lost Valley in Idaho. Johnie served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1956. He married Patricia Larson on Dec. 31, 1956 and they made their home in Idaho, Wyoming and Montana, where he logged and ranched.

Johnie was a member of the American Legion and for many years he enjoyed working with horses, hunting, working with leather and being surrounded by his family.

Johnie was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, one sister and nine brothers, 2 great-grandsons and a great-granddaughter.

Survivors include his sons Kim (Garalyn) of Sidney, Montana, Jess (Brenda) of St. Ignatius, Montana, Patrick (Val) of Arlee, Montana; daughter Betsy (Dennis) Corbitt of St. Ignatius, Montana; brother Jimmy (Connie) Dillard of Idaho; sisters Mary (Roger) Simms of Idaho and Dorthy (Wayne) McKenzie of Idaho; 22 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 9 at the Foster Funeral Home in St. Ignatius with Military Honors being presented. A potluck dinner will follow the services at the St. Ignatius Senior Citizen’s Center, located at 212 North Main.