Walkerville lost a gentle giant, an icon and all-around good man on April 11, 2025. At the age of 75, John (Mer) Mullaney said his final “See Ya Later” and peacefully drifted off to sleep, surrounded by his family.
In his final hours, Mer wanted to be surrounded by his friends and family. Many came to say “goodbye” and reminisce about the shenanigans they enjoyed together throughout his life. When they’d leave, he would always say in a cheerful voice “See Ya Later”. He didn’t like “goodbyes” so he would never say it.
Mer, the oldest of four, was born on October 16, 1949, to Jim and Wilene Cortese Mullaney. He was later joined by brothers Butch and Gary and sister Shari. He and his siblings enjoyed many outings with their parents going to Biltmore Hot Springs, hunting, fishing, killing rattlesnakes, hiking hillsides picking enough mushrooms to fill a bathtub, and camping by the side of a river.
He grew up in Walkerville and attended Sherman School, East Junior High and graduated from Butte High in 1967. After high school, Mer worked in numerous positions, but this work lasted only as long as the next adventure presented itself. Then he was off exploring the country with whatever friend had the idea of getting out of dodge and into whatever laid ahead. Usually trouble.
From grade school on Mer was a popular Walkerville boy and a lady’s man. The Fonz had nothing on Mer and the girls absolutely loved him. He told stories of Walkerville brawls and how he never got involved because he was much smarter than that. When all the fighting was taking place, he was sneaking out the backdoor with their girlfriends.
He was a phenomenal baseball player playing in Legion baseball and was the best second baseman in the league but could confidently play any position on the field.
Mer was preceded in death by his mother and father, Jim and Wilene; son, John Mullaney; his brother, James (Butch) Mullaney; and sister, Shari Johnson.
Mer survives and is deeply missed by his brother Gary (Lana) Mullaney, brother-in-law, Ken (Laurie) Johnson, nieces and nephews, Jori (Mike) Schrapps, Kelsi (Mike) Skinner, Kenna (Brandt) Matosich, Whitney Johnson, Colton Johnson. Jody Mullaney, Jamey (Courtney) Mullaney, Josh (Trista) Mullaney, Leven Mullaney.
Mer had special bonds with many friends including Don Horn, Bob “Quili” Quilici, Sid and Mary Olson, Pam and Sherri Peterson, Tony and Kathy Jangula and so many other Walkerville friends.
The family would like to recognize and give special thanks to Donny and Amy Horn for always being there for Mer and to brother-in-law Ken for continually being by his side until he passed.
A celebration of Mer’s life will be held at 12pm on Tuesday, May 13th at The Butte Depot, 818 South Arizona Ave, in Butte. Visitation will begin 1 hour prior at 11am.
A reception will follow at the depot.
Please visit below to offer the family condolences or to share a memory of Mer.
Service Schedule
Visitation
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday May 13, 2025
The Butte Depot
818 South Arizona Ave
Butte, Montana 59701
Celebration of Life
12:00 p.m.
Tuesday May 13, 2025
The Butte Depot
818 South Arizona Ave.
Butte, Montana 59701
Reception
Immediately Following
Tuesday May 13, 2025
The Butte Depot
818 South Arizona Ave
Butte, Montana 59701
Service Schedule
Visitation
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday May 13, 2025
The Butte Depot
818 South Arizona Ave
Butte, Montana 59701
Celebration of Life
12:00 p.m.
Tuesday May 13, 2025
The Butte Depot
818 South Arizona Ave.
Butte, Montana 59701
Reception
Immediately Following
Tuesday May 13, 2025
The Butte Depot
818 South Arizona Ave
Butte, Montana 59701
Share
Lynda DeWitt says
Our condolences to the family. Mer was a great guy. Lynda and Ron DeWitt
Joe and Diane Mullaney says
Mer definitely was one of a kind and one of the kindest people you would ever meet. He will be missed. Prayers to the family and may he have eternal rest.
Kathy McArthur says
Mer was the best guy I ever worked with. I will really miss him. RIP, My Friend♥️
Linda Albright says
Gary and Jamey – so very sorry for your loss. You and your families are in my prayers.
Linda Albright Pesanti
Artie Hewitt says
Mer was one of the kindest person who anyone could have known. My prayers 🙏 go out to the family and friends. It sure was a pleasure to have known him.
Cheri and Pam says
Mer was definatley one of a kind he will be greatly missed
Joanne and Jim Cortese says
God bless Johnny and all who loved him. Best wishes to his family
Shirley VanSwearingen says
I’m so sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with Gary Lana and the whole family , May he rest in peace
Lori Powers says
Gary, Lana and family, We are so sorry for your loss. Mer was a good person and will be missed by many. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Don & Lori Powers
Terri Boyer oehmcke says
Rip in peace Mer ! I’m so sorry for your loss! He was a great person I remember when went with Noralene Boyer when I was young and hung out with my cousins the Rundles watching him play baseball !
Pat says
Garry, lana sorry to hear of Mer’s passing he was a good egg!
Chrissy Marie Thompson Cowan says
My condolences to the Mullaney Family. Mer was a great man! My dad called him Mer the Chauffeur even had a custom made hat made for him. After my dad got sick I didn’t see Mer anymore but still thought of him often. RIP Mer.
Janice Clark Muniz says
My love & prayers to Gary, Lana all the Mullaney Family. May his memories hold dear in your hearts
Rest in Peace
Janice Clark Muniz
John Thatcher says
Mer was the best… great guy… he’s gonna be missed… RIP my friend…
Gino Dunfee says
Condolences to all the Mullaneys and other family members. Always hard to lose a family member. Unfortunately, the older we get, the more we experience these losses. RIP Mer.
Pat Mulcahy says
Worked with Mer many years at Holy Cross. Great men are hard to find,he was a great man. Mer you will be missed.
Ken and Micki Palmer says
Gary Lana,Kenny and family’s we are so sorry for your loss. Micki and Ken Palmer
Monica mullaney smith says
I didn’t know mer,I met him a few times.Tried to forgive him throughout my life, for I guess being a lady’s man..without the follow through.my mom was nuts I give him that.ive only been an hour away for 30years…thanks dad “SEE YA LATER”.
Michael R Pesanti says
I finally had the pleasure of meeting Mer in person at Garys cabin on the Big Hole about 5yrs ago. Mer was somewhat of an enigma to me growing up, as was Butch. They were both 5 or 6 yrs older than me so our paths never crossed much. Mer had a reputation and a sighting of Mer was always an unexpected pleasure. He was a force to be reckoned with. I think Mer was probably known for taking the road less traveled, a trait I can totally relate too. He was amazing. A true old school Walkervillian! That day at the cabin I met the Mer that was right where he wanted to be. RIP Mer. Goodbye to another Walkerville legend. My condolences to the Mullaney family.