Donald John "Jack" Shearer

Donald John "Jack" Shearer, age 91, of Glendive, Montana, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at the Eastern Montana Veterans Home in Glendive. Visitation will be held from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Sunday, November 29, 2015 at the Silha Funeral Home in Glendive. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Monday, November 30, 2015 at the United Methodist Church in Glendive with Pastor Ruth McKenzie officiating. Interment with military honors will be held in Dawson County Cemetery in Glendive. Silha Funeral Home in Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements. Jack was born on October 20, 1924 in Glendive, the first child of Homer John and Agnes (Bren) Shearer. His brother, Timothy was born on October 21, 1925 and his sister, Rosalie was born on November 15, 1926. Homer and Agnes had their hands full with three little ones and living on a dry land farm in eastern Montana. Like most farm families, there was no running water (a well with a pump handle), no indoor plumbing and no electricity. Jack looked back with interest on how they survived those days, sharing Saturday baths, and trips to the outhouse always wondering if a rattlesnake was inside. Jack attended rural elementary school through the eighth grade and then moved into Glendive where he rented a room and attended Dawson County High School. He graduated from high school with the class of 1944. In February of 1944, Jack was inducted in to the armed forces in Butte, Montana. He was sent to Fort Douglas, Utah and then assigned to the 96th Infantry Division at Camp White, Oregon. Following basic training, Jack was assigned to 383rd Co. D. where he received training in heavy machine gunnery and later was in charge of two machine gun squads. Jack also attended service schools in auto repair, manufacturing ice cream and radio communications. He had the rank of Staff Sergeant and received the Bronze Arrowhead, three Bronze Stars, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Philippine Liberation Service Medal. The 96th Infantry "Deadeye" Division received the Presidential Unit Citation for their service in Okinawa. He was honorably discharged from military service on February 9, 1946 in Ft. Lewis, Washington. Jack returned to the family farm following military service helping his father. His father passed away in March of 1947. Jack worked away from the farm for the highway department during the summer months and helped his brother do some farming as well to keep the farm. Their mother had moved into town. Jack bought his sister's share of the family farm and he and his brother continued farming until 1953, when he bought his brother's share of the farm and leased the farmland. Jack continued to care for the watering systems, fencing , ect. Jack met Betty Jean Goss in 1951 at a local nightclub where she was with two other gals. They hit it off and a year and a half later they were united in marriage on August 2, 1953 at the United Methodist Church in Grand Junction, Colorado. Together they settled down in Glendive and raised their four children, Norma, David, Barbara and Richard. Jack attended the Carpenter's Apprenticeship program in 1951 and worked for a contractor until 1967 when he started Shearer Construction. Throughout the years Jack had the help of his children with the business. Jack was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Al Bedoo Shrine (local hospital chairman), Moose Lodge, VFW, DeMolay Board and the DeMolay Legion of Honor, I.O.O.F., Housing Board and served on the Museum Board for many years. Both Jack and Betty were members of the Eastern Star, Rebekah Lodge, Dawson Resource Council, the United Methodist Church, Friends of the Library, and Friends of Makoshika. He enjoyed traveling, going to museums and antique stores and visiting their children and their families as well as friends and other relatives. He also liked going out to the farm, looking at "Big Iron", gardening and planting trees. Jack loved fixing things, he always looked at it like it as a challenge . and a way to save money. After visiting Jack and Betty you would get home and find a potato in your car or suitcase a present brought home from Jack. Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Homer (Dick) and Agnes Bren Shearer; siblings, Timothy Shearer and Rosalie Dietz and grandparents, Frank and Anna (Francl) Bren. Survivors include his loving wife, Betty Shearer of Glendive; children, Norma Shearer of Minot, North Dakota, David (Mary) Shearer of Billings, Montana, Barbara (James) Oriet of Manhattan, Montana and Richard (Mary) Shearer of Sauk Rapids, Minnesota; sister-in-law, Esther Shearer of Glendive; nephews, Paul Shearer of Glendive and Mark (Caroline) Shearer of Oregon; niece, Beth (JD) of Livingston, Tennessee; nine grandchildren, Kelly Loos (Levi Nissen), Amy Loos, Zachary Shearer, Kyle Shearer, Jacob Shearer, Ava Shearer, Brigid Shearer, Erin (Anthony) Hutchings and Jase Oriet and four great-grandchildren, Dylan and Alonna Kolobakken, Brandon Brown, and Mackenna Hutchings. Memorials are suggested in Jack's name to Glendive United Methodist Church, Shrine Hospital or Glendive Medical Center Hospice. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.

Donald John "Jack" Shearer

October 20, 1924 - November 24, 2015

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Donald John "Jack" Shearer

October 20, 1924 - November 24, 2015

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support