Joseph R. Platisha

Joseph R. Platisha, 94, of Great Falls passed away on Thursday, February 18, 2016 at Peace Hospice. A celebration of his life will be held on Tuesday, February 23, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at O’Connor Memorial Chapel followed by a graveside service with military honors at Highland Cemetery. O’Connor Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Joe was born April 15, 1921, in Centerville, Montana to Joseph and Cecelia Platisha; Serbian immigrants. He was the youngest boy in a family of Eight children. He attended school in Centerville and entered the United States Army in October of 1942. Joe served in the 11th Armored Division of General Patton’s Third Army in World War II. His job was driving gas trucks to supply the tanks. He received the Bronze Star amongst other medals for his service in Europe. During the end of the war Joe’s older brother was being held as a POW in a German labor camp. Joe’s company helped to liberate the camps as the Germans were defeated. George later relayed that as he was a prisoner he knew his brother Joe was coming to get him. Before leaving for Europe, Joe married Bette Konesky from Great Falls in DeRidder, LA, on January 23, 1943. They started their family with the birth of daughter, Cheryl in 1946 followed by their son, Jeff in 1948. Family always came first for Joe and he was a loving, supportive father and a wonderful husband. They enjoyed many family vacations at Swan Lake and later at Holter Lake. Joe worked for 31 years for the Great Falls Gas Company (Energy West) as a serviceman, pipefitter, and lastly as foreman of the meter shop before his retirement. He was a lifetime member of Plumbers/Pipefitters Local 41, a 57 year member of BPOE # 214, and a lifetime member of VFW Post 1087. During his 32 years of retirement Joe and Bette enjoyed a cabin on 7 Up Lane in Lincoln for several years and happy winters in Yuma, AZ. Joe enjoyed coffee at Hardees with his co-workers and retired friends and he was an avid fan of the Denver Broncos and Brock Osweiler. Joe is survived by his wife of 73 years, Bette; daughter Cheryl (Bruskotter) Patton; son Jeff (Millie) Platisha; grandchildren Molly (Justin) Mosness of Helena, Sarah (Brian Kennison) Bruskotter of Portland, OR, and Brian Platisha of Great Falls; great-grandchildren Camryn and Dylan Mosness of Helena; brother Peter Platisha of Arcadia, CA; and sister April Hayes of Great Falls. He was preceded in death by his beloved parents; brothers Nick and George; sisters Mildred Klasner, Laura Erbetta, and Ludmela Sysum. Memorials are suggested to the Great Falls Public Library Foundation, P.O. Box 742, Great Falls, MT, 59403 or Peace Hospice of Great Falls.