John Jurcich

1955 - 2025

John Michael Jurcich passed away peacefully at home after a short battle with cancer, with his wife, Elaine, and sister, Sandy, daughter Danielle, and grandson Rhyan by his side.

John was born on Aug. 10, 1955, to John and Mary Ann (Herauf) Jurcich. He was the second of eight children which included, Darlene (Terry Hager), Sharon (Mike Wren), Dan (Deb). Debbie (Doug Prosenick), Bobby (Kathy), Betty (Mike Stevenson) and Sandy.



John lived his entire life in Anaconda, attending schools and working. He graduated from AHS in 1973. He had various jobs in town including Anaconda Service Station, School District bus driver, the Anaconda Company, and Galen Lighthouse (where he found his niche for drug and alcohol counseling). He went back to school and got a degree in Drug and Alcohol Counseling and went to work for MCDC.

John was a beloved father who was always available to support his family and beloved grandchildren in every sport and important event. He always had time to help others. From working on gadgets, being creative in his garage, and hanging out with family; whenever someone in the family needed something, he was always helpful. In the end, he encouraged more hugging and lots of humor. He loved being hilarious and funny at all times, and there was never a conversation without some joke or wit included.

John was awarded the "Angel Award" from the state of Montana for saving a girl, who had been kidnapped in Billings, and brought to Butte, where she jumped from a moving car on Harrison Ave. John witnessed the scene and immediately picked up the girl, then saw two men running his way, so he put the girl in his car, took her to work with him, and called the police.

John loved being outdoors, especially spending time on the weekends and the many picnics at Nasa Vekendica, the long-time family camp at Silver Lake. He was proud of his Croatian heritage, especially his name "Ivane III". He also loved car shows and always wished he could have his own car to put in a car show.

John married Elaine Waymire in 1979. They had two daughters: Danielle (Jon Spillman) and Alicia (Nate Lubbes), and six grandchildren: Jaren, Ashton, Rhyan, Sidney, Piper, and Finley. Also one great-granddaughter Audette Mae.

John was preceded in death by both his parents, John and Mary Ann, and two sisters, Darlene and Debbie. Both sets of grandparents John (Shuster) & Emily (Chor) Jurcich and John and Cecelia (Kuntz) Herauf, brother-in-law Terry Hager and grandson Jaren.

Cremation will be conducted by Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home and a celebration of life will be held on Sep. 2, 2025 at 1 p.m.