John B. Malletta

1967 - 2022

John B. Malletta

John B. Malletta passed away suddenly the evening of Sunday, February 6, 2022 at his home in Hidden Springs, ID. John was 54 years old. He leaves behind his loving wife, Holly and his immeasurably loved daughters; Mia, Adison, Ryan, Zoey, and stepdaughter Eliot. John also says goodbye to his loving mother, Dolores Malletta, of Polson, MT and admiring sister, Angela Malletta-Lance, brother-in-law, Harold Lance, niece, Isabella, and nephew, Trey, of Plymouth, MN. He also leaves behind father and mother-in-law Doug and Patty Houle, brother-in-law Doug and his children Hunter and Khloe. He is survived by loving aunts and uncles, numerous wonderful cousins and extended family. His faithful and loyal companion Hobie and newest addition, Willow, will forever miss long walks, car rides and boat rides with John.

Born June 28, 1967 in Missoula, MT, John attended Hawthorne and Lewis & Clark elementary schools, Washington Middle School, graduating from Sentinel High School in 1986. He attended the University of Montana, where he became a die-hard fan of the Montana Grizzlies, brother of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and graduated in 1991 with a B.S in Business & Finance with a minor in Marketing. He later followed in his father's footsteps by attending Gresham School of Mortuary Science. After graduating from Mortuary Science School, John joined his father for the next 5 years overseeing operations and acquisitions for the Mountain Region of The Loewen Group. His entrepreneurial spirit eventually led him to commercial real estate & development and several other successful business ventures.

John was a gifted athlete, playing Little League baseball, Little Griz football, and YMCA basketball. He was fortunate to play four years of varsity basketball for the Sentinel Spartans and was captain of the 1986 state championship team. He continued his love for basketball by walking-on to the University of Montana's team playing for one season before deciding his efforts would be better spent on his studies and social life.

John's most favorite place in the world was at the family home on Flathead Lake. An avid skier and fly fisherman, he loved trips into the Bob Marshall Wilderness and bird hunting with his Dad and lifelong friends. There are too many wonderful times spent on the lake, slopes and rivers with family and the best of friends to recount!

John's genuine heart and quality as a person was surpassed only by his love, devotion, and dedication to being an amazing husband, father, son, brother, and uncle. His theatrical coaching and dancing abilities were admired by all spectators. John coached and participated with his girls in all sporting activities and outdoor adventures. Memories of wonderful family trips to Sun Valley, Mexico, Italy, Hawaii, Arizona, Tamarack, and Montana will live on in the hearts and minds of his family forever.

John, Daddy, "Johnny B", and Uncle Johnny, will be most affectionately remembered for his cheerful "Good Mornings", sunny disposition, spirited sense of humor, prankster antics, and his unconditional love and support to family, friends, and acquaintances alike. He lived his life unselfishly with the highest level of integrity, giving to others and always taking the "high road" in times of difficulty. His infectious laugh and incredible smile is forever engrained in the hearts and minds of all who had the pleasure of knowing him. The quality of the man that John exhibited can be seen as a direct reflection of his parents John and Dolores.

John has been welcomed into heaven by his father, John E. Malletta, grandparents John and Shirley Malletta, cousin and great friend Michelle Malletta and grandparents George and Martha Brien.

The Malletta family extends their most sincere appreciation for the insurmountable acts of love and kindness from Hidden Springs, Missoula and other communities near and far. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes charitable donations to Trevor's Trek (www.trebvorstrek.org) or Flathead Lakers (www.flatheadlakers.org) in John's memory

A Celebration of Life will be held from 3:30-5:30 pm on Wednesday, February 16, 2022, at the Hidden Springs, Springhouse "Merc". A second Celebration of Life will occur this summer at "The Lake" on a date yet to be determined.