Joseph A. Stuber

Joseph A. Stuber, 97, died Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, at the Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital in Glasgow, Mont

He was born on Oct. 22, 1917, in his grandmother's house in Thoeny, Mont., the son of Albert and Dorothea (Thoeny) Stuber. He was reared on land homesteaded by his parents near Thoeny and attended "Howard School" built by his father Albert. He graduated from Hinsdale High School in 1936.

He had a knack for anything mechanical and following high school he briefly attended Montana State College in Bozeman where he pursued engineering. However, he forestalled getting a degree to advance his skills as a mechanic, welder and jack-of-all-trades. He built two homes and Joe's Garage in Hinsdale and worked there until he volunteered for the Army.

He and his cousin, Bob Thoeny, enlisted together in May 1942, with hopes of becoming pilots. Thoeny died in a POW camp following the fall of Bataan, Philippines, while Joe was assigned to the 28th Ordnance and 12 months later participated in the landings in Morocco at Casablanca and Rabat. As part of the 5th Army, he saw action in Sicily, the battle for Salerno, Italy, and shortly after D-Day, his unit entered France through Nice. He was subsequently assigned to the 7th Army and remained with them until Germany surrendered. He spent 28 months in combat areas and was awarded the European Theatre Battle Ribbon with five stars.

Upon his return, he continued his garage business in Hinsdale and secured his romance with Patricia Ann Langteau, of St. Paul, Minn. They were married on March 2, 1946, in St. Paul.

After a good run of poker and 14-1 billiards, he made a deal to purchase the Northern Hotel, Bar and Parakeet Café from Morris Denham and sold his garage to Eldon Nelson. For 23 years "Pat and Joe's" was a staple business in Hinsdale.

During his years as the proprietor of the saloon, he was also the unofficial fire chief, patron to the area's ranch and farm-hands, and arbiter of all matters of local concern. He was a candidate for the state legislature, and a long-time officer of the Montana Tavern Association. He was also a life-long member of St. Albert's Catholic Church.

Due to Pat's health, they sold the bar and moved to Helena in 1972 where Joe worked at the Placer Hotel and for the City of Helena. When Pat was killed by a hit-and-run driver in 1984, he moved back to Hinsdale. He had a heart attack in 2008, followed by a stroke before he left the hospital. After rehab, he moved back to Hinsdale, but would leave his beloved home for Nemont Manor in Glasgow about a year later.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Pat, and his daughter, Suzanne Marie (Haynes). He was the last survivor of his siblings: Ruby Johnson, Esther Barnard, Allen, Tim, John, Mary Nurmi and Franklin.

Survivors include three sons: Rick, Joe Jr. and Tom; two daughters: Mary Embry and Teresa Burke; and 14 grandchildren: Rick (Gabe, Jenny, Ashley, Daana, and Daniel), Joe Jr. (Mark), Tom (Patricia 'Cia' and Liza), Mary (Kim) and Teresa (Nicole, Patrick, and Mary); and Suzanne's children (Theresa and Stacey); along with 10 great-grandchildren.

Pall bearers will be Rick Stuber, Joe Stuber Jr., Tom Stuber, Mark Stuber, Gabe Stuber, and Daniel Stuber and Buster Stuber.

Funeral services were celebrated on Wednesday, Feb. 4, at 10 a.m. at the St. Albert's Catholic Church in Hinsdale, followed by interment in the Thoeny Cemetery in Thoeny.

Memorials can be made to the Thoeny Cemetery or the charity of your choice.

Bell Mortuary of Glasgow was in charge of arrangements.