Leo M. 'Donny' Hiltner

Leo M "Donny" Hiltner, age 88, of East Helena, died Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2016, of natural causes.

He was born the youngest of four children to John G. and Mary (Heckner) Hiltner on their farm in Glentana, Mont., on June 14, 1928. He received his grade school education in Glentana and Opheim, and graduated from St. Cloud Technical High School in St. Cloud, Minn. He returned to Montana where he worked on the family ranch, Western Geo-Physical and the State Highway Department.

He and Kathryn E. Cinker were married by Father McCarthy at the Old St. Cyril & Methodius Church in East Helena on Sept. 13, 1952. After their marriage, he and Kathryn rented a home in East Helena and both of them built the home they later resided in. Kathryn preceded him in death on June 15, 1995.

He began working for Montana Power Company in 1953 as an apprentice on line crews, the service wagon, meter shop, service shop and range repair until retiring in 1988.

He was a member of the Holy Name Society, the Truckers Teamsters Union, the IBEW Electrical Union, St. Cyril and Methodius Church, the Telephone Pioneer Club and the Montana Power Pioneer Club.

He and Kathryn enjoyed traveling. In their travels they spent time in Austria, China, Hong Kong, the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii, Fiji, Mexico, Germany, Canada and Czechoslovakia. They had many friends in all the countries they traveled. After Kathryn's death, he kept in touch with them, but chose not to travel without her.

He enjoyed metal art, gemstone work, wood working, fishing and hunting. Both he and Kathryn enjoyed Blue Ribbon Archery.

Survivors include one nephew, David Hiltner of Everett, Wash.; Marion Revell of Hot Springs, S.D.; cousins, Lorraine Gundermann, Jim Hill, Bobby Hill, Darlene Riggin, Bonnie Hanson and Tim Gilchrist.

Viewing was from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 29, at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. in Helena. The Rosary was prayed at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at St. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, 120 West Riggs Street in East Helena. A funeral Mass followed the Rosary at 12 p.m. at the church. Rite of Committal followed the Mass at St. Ann's Cemetery in East Helena. A reception followed the committal service in the fellowship hall of the church.

The family would like to give a greatly appreciated thank you to all of Donny's caregivers at Touchmark.

Memorials are suggested to St. Cyril & Methodius Church, St. Ann's Cemetery or an organization of the donor's choice.