Joe Walikonis

PLENTYWOOD ? A funeral service will be held for Joe Walikonis at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 14, at Plentywood Lutheran Church. Joe, 88, died Thursday night, Oct. 7, 2004, at his residence at Montana Pioneer Manor, in Plentywood.

Joe was born March 28, 1916, in Philadelphia, Pa., a son of Joseph and Mary (Andrilenas) Walikonis. Joe's family homesteaded west of Reserve in 1918. As a young man, Joe mined coal and farmed in the Reserve area. In 1938, Joe married Mabel Hueth and they made their home west of Reserve. Two children were born to this union.

In 1947, they bought a general store in Reserve and added a locker plant, meat processing plant, café and post office. While operating the store, Joe was very instrumental in the development of the Reserve community, including the sewer system, paving and bringing television to the area. In 1963, they purchased the Wild West Diner in Culbertson and farmed in the Ft. Kipp area. In 1999, due to declining health, Joe and Mabel moved to Williston, N.D. In May of 2004, they moved to the Montana Pioneer Manor in Plentywood.

Joe loved animals and attending auction sales. He was a farmer, through and through. He also enjoyed playing cards and visiting with his family and friends.

Survivors include his wife, Mabel of Plentywood; a son, Jim (Mary Jean) of Reserve; and a daughter, Barbara Pulley (David) of Missoula; four grandchildren, Jan (Scott) Pierce, Julie (Martin) Lucas, Stephen (Jennifer) Pulley and Jennifer (Bryan) Muzzana; and 11 great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a brother, Albert (Jeannie) Walikonis Reserve; and a sister, Ann Adams of Salt Lake City. Joe is preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Amelia McLeod; and a grandson, James Alan Walikonis.

Fulkerson Funeral Home of Plentywood is assisting with arrangements.