Jack Bateman

Jack E. Bateman, 94, of Fort Benton, passed away Sunday, February 23, 2014, of complications of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 28, 2014 from 9 am to 5:00 pm at O’Connor Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held Saturday, March 1, 2014 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Fort Benton at 11:00 A.M. Visitation will be at the church before the funeral service from 9 am to 10:30 am. Interment will follow the funeral service at the Riverside Cemetery in Fort Benton. O’Connor Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Jack was born February 10, 1920, in Great Falls to Jack and Mary Bateman and was raised on the family ranch in the Highwood Mountains. Jack graduated from high school in Fort Benton and worked many jobs to help support himself while attending school. After graduating he continued living and working in Fort Benton. He worked at the Farmer’s Grain Elevator where the famous dog “Shep” came for handouts from him. He also rode for the Highwood Livestock Association and later became a board member. Jack also served on the District 8 School Board for many years. He managed the Texaco Service Station in Fort Benton until he was drafted into military service in l942. While on his way, he was called back because his father became ill and he had to take over his folk’s cattle ranch at that time and eventually bought it from his mother after his father’s death. Jack enjoyed many hobbies, including riding his Indian and Harley Davidson motorcycles, bowling, fishing, hunting and snowmobiling. He loved and enjoyed his grand and great-grand kids and was dearly loved by his family. Jack was always willing to help others and treat others like he would like to be treated. Jack married Nadine Lippert on June 23, 1941 and they had two daughters, Frances and Linda. Jack is survived by his wife of 72 years, Nadine of Fort Benton; daughter Frances Hunter and son-in-law Sie Schindler of Lewistown; granddaughters Lori (Ron) Degenhart of Bozeman, Jamie (Nate) Putnam of Bozeman, Shelley McCord of Lewistown; grandsons Shawn Hunter of Lewistown and Lane (Dakota) Meeks of Bozeman; great-grandchildren Taylor and Hope Degenhart, Ryen and Hailen Meeks, Payton and Jackson Putnam, Brook, Madison, and Bailey Rodgers, and Caden McCord; sister-in-law Kathleen Bateman; nephew Charles Bateman; sister-in-laws; and many nieces and nephews related by marriage. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Mary Bateman; daughter Linda Meeks; brother August “Soggy” Bateman; great-grandson Zachary Rodgers; and son-in-law Jim Hunter. Memorials may be made to any charity of your choice.