Joseph ‘Joe’ Slovacek, 81, passed away at his home in Butte on Saturday, December 21, 2019, surrounded by his family.
He was born in Los Angeles on September 16, 1938, and was adopted by Joe and Gladys Slovacek a few weeks later. Joe spent his early years in California, moving to Philipsburg, MT with his family at the age of 7.
He attended local schools, including Granite County High School, where he excelled in basketball. He graduated high school in 1956, and then attended the University of Montana for a year, before earning his degree in secondary education from Western Montana College. Summer breaks were spent in California, where he worked in a cardboard box factory to earn enough money for tuition.
While at Western, Joe also played baseball. He was an avid fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers (and the Rams and the Lakers) and a lifelong collector of baseball cards.
On August 21, 1965 he married the former Julianne Sullivan, with whom he would share 54 years of marriage. That fall, he returned to Western Montana College to earn his degree in elementary education.
In 1966, he began teaching 5th grade at Butte’s Emerson school, a career that would last 30 years and sow the seeds for lifelong friendships with many of his former students.
Joe and Julie started their family in December of 1966 with the birth of son Joey. He was joined 2 years later by sister Jeanna.
Joe worked as a referee for the city rec softball league, played Old Ozzie ball (and enjoyed a few beers) with his friends, and was a member of the Montana Officiating Association. He also enjoyed ice-fishing and hunting with his dad, and Cousin Donnie Sichveland.
Joe is survived by his wife, Julie, and daughter Jeanna, and was preceded in death by his son, Joey.
Other survivors include his sisters, Terry Clark of Anaconda and Sonja Clark of Burns, Oregon; cousins Lou Ann, Dirk and Thor Sichveland of Philipsburg and Krista Hill of Missoula; and numerous cousins in California. Also, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Skeez and Barb Sullivan; brother-in-law Dan Sullivan and Teri Hunt; Dannette Sullivan, John Mike Sullivan, Connie McKinley and Pat Higgins.
Nieces and Nephews Valerie and Tim Kober, Debbie and Randy Wixsten, John and Nancy Clark, Ray and Linda Beck, Hannah Bieler, Jay and Stacy Beck, Mark and Diana Sullivan, Kelly Sullivan, Dan and Kriss Sullivan, Damon Sullivan and Donna Lowney, Amy and Mike McGowan, Molly and Matt Antonioli, and Heather and Larry Rowe. Also, numerous great nieces and nephews.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Gladys, and in-laws Marg and Elmore Sullivan; sister-in-law Mary E. Sullivan; and sister-in-law Mary A. Sullivan.
Special thanks to Dr. Siddoway for his many years of excellent care, nurse Mikelyn McCarthy, nurse Julie Trudgeon, and Senior Solutions Hospice, whose care over the past 6 months allowed Joe to remain at home – Sheena Hensley, Heather Sholey, Deacon Dan McGrath, Chris, Madison, McKenzie, Trisha, Marcie, Sheila, Mary, Shania, Caitlyn, Sunni, and Cathy.
Vigil services will be held on Friday, December 27, at 5 p.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church, 1500 Majors St. Friends can call for 9 a.m. visitation on Saturday, December 28 at St. John’s Catholic Church with Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Memorials may be made to the BSW, Inc. Foundation Program, 845 South Wyoming or the National Alzheimer’s Association.
You were a blessing to us all, Joe, the sweetest guy, a great teacher, a committed husband and father, and a friend to all. You’ll be forever missed.
Please see below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Joe. Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Joe and his family.
Service Schedule
Vigil
5:00 p.m.
Friday December 27, 2019
St. John's Catholic Church
1500 Majors St.
Butte, Montana 59701
Visitation
9:00 a.m.
Saturday December 28, 2019
St. John's Catholic Church
1500 Majors St.
Butte, Montana 59701
Funeral Mass
10:00 a.m.
Saturday December 28, 2019
St. John's Catholic Church
1500 Majors St.
Butte, Montana 59701
Rite of Committal
Following Mass
Saturday December 28, 2019
Holy Cross Cemetery
Harrison Ave.
Butte, Montana 59701
Service Schedule
Vigil
5:00 p.m.
Friday December 27, 2019
St. John's Catholic Church
1500 Majors St.
Butte, Montana 59701
Visitation
9:00 a.m.
Saturday December 28, 2019
St. John's Catholic Church
1500 Majors St.
Butte, Montana 59701
Funeral Mass
10:00 a.m.
Saturday December 28, 2019
St. John's Catholic Church
1500 Majors St.
Butte, Montana 59701
Rite of Committal
Following Mass
Saturday December 28, 2019
Holy Cross Cemetery
Harrison Ave.
Butte, Montana 59701
Share
Tony Olney says
So blessed to have known Joe. Always enjoyed his Easter visits to Seattle and talking baseball and baseball cards. May he rest in peace. God bless, Tony
Sheila Mannix Campau says
Mr. Slovacek was my 5th grade teacher at Emerson (one of my favorites) and Jeanna my friend from elementary school. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Rest in peace.
Rosella (Frey) Holtz says
I went to grade school in Phillisburg with Joe for a short while
He was a very nice person and I was blessed to spend a weekend in Philipsburg at a class reunion a few years ago with many adults that were fellow classmates
He was a wonderful man !
Prayers and sincere condolence to Julie and family
Rest In Peace, 🙏🏻
Staci Goodrich says
Mr. Slovacek was my favorite teacher, not just grade school but my favorite of all the teachers I had (along with Mr. Johnston). Anytime I ever saw him throughout the years he remembered me and said a kind word. RIP Mr. Slovacek
Al and Andrea Hart says
Joe (and Julie) were best neighbors ever! We were so lucky to have known Joe and had the benefit of his friendship. Special prayers for Julie and Jeanna as you experience this sad loss. Al and Andrea
Chuck Wedlake says
Mr. Slovak I will never forget you. I Was a student of yours in the fifth grade at Emerson Elementary school ,I enjoyed your class and respected Blackbart ! After all these years I can still hear your voice clears day you made an impression on me,Rest In Peace
Bonnie McGowan says
Julie and Family, May all the special memories you have of Joe provide some comfort to you in your grief. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Bonnie Bowman McGowan
Ed Armstrong says
One of the nicest guys I knew, Deluxe softball days, trivia sports master, always brought a smile with his sense of humor, a wonderful guy and family. My condolences to Julie and Jeana, their love and care of their son Joey, was inspiration to us all.
Fran Paterson says
So sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. I was a classmate of his at Philipsburg Elementary and Granite County High School. I had great respect for him and considered him a good friend.
Laura Helstrom Tresidder says
Whenever I am asked who my favorite teacher was, it was always Mr. Slovacek. Every time we ran into each other he always joked with me that he still had my county/county seats map (I may have had a little help from my dad drawing it and Mr. Slovacek obviously knew that, but never really said it). Such a great man and very sorry to hear of his passing. I have such fond memories of him. Thinking of you all at this sad time.
Robert Chamberlin says
Many will not know what Chuck Wedlake was referring to with “Blackbart”. Blackbart was Mr. Slovacek’s paddle with holes drilled in it for the “sting” factor. He was very good at swinging it hard as you bent over before him in front of the class. Some of us got to know Blackbart better than others, usually for talking in class. I remember wheh he caught my cousin and I skipping school while he was walking home for lunch. He made us get a note from our parents excusing us for the day. It was onvious I wrote my own note and signed my mom’s name, but he never said a word. We never skipped grade school again! lol Mr. Slovacek was a great teacher and loved to teach.