John E Cooley

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John E. Cooley, 87, of Great Falls, MT on Sunday, February 18, 2018. 

John was born in Mather, PA on February 12, 1931, to parents, Guy and Constance (Martin) Cooley.  He leaves behind his wife, Christine Cooley, whom he married March 15, 1986.

John and Christine moved to Great Falls in 1993 after he retired as a foreman with Cyprus Resources, a coal mine in Waynesburg, PA.  John fell in love with the beauty of Montana through many western adventures and making the move from Pennsylvania to Great Falls was a culmination of a long life of enjoying the wilderness and a passion for the outdoors.

John was most recently employed at the Great Falls Wal-Mart, where despite showing the early effects of the Alzheimer’s disease that would eventually take his life, he was able to brighten the days of his co-workers with his quick wit and gentle smile.

John was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was stationed in Japan during the Korean War.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by son, John (Vickie) Cooley; daughters, Deborah (Jerry) Moore and Terri (Mike) Taylor; stepsons, Charles (Pamela) Pfeninger, Matthew Pfeninger, and Greg(Katie) Pfeninger; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

In accordance with John’s wishes, he will be cremated.  There will be no public service. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John E Cooley, please visit our floral store.