John "Jack" Schwartz

John Jack Edward Schwartz, 87, passed away December 24, 2016.A vigil service will be Thursday, December 29, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. and funeral liturgy Friday, December 30, 2016 at 10:30 a.m., both at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Burial of ashes will immediately follow the liturgy at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.Jack was born February 27, 1929 to Vincent and Veronica Schwartz in Dubuque, Iowa. Jack met the prettiest girl in Dubuque, Elizabeth Fondell. They were married in December of 1952 and have been together for 64 years. They raised six daughters and lived in Great Falls, MT, Apple Valley, MN, Bigfork, MT and Green Valley, AZ. In 1951, Jack graduated from Loras College in Dubuque and was commissioned as a 2nd LT in the USAF and was trained as a pilot. He was a veteran of the Korean War. In 1952, Jack was stationed at Malmstrom AFB, thus beginning Jack and Bettys Montana adventures. Jack joined the FAA in 1960 and worked as an air traffic controller for the rest of his career. He retired from the FAA in 1979 and built their first retirement house in Bigfork. Jack and Betty established a nursery and ran a B&B during their years in Bigfork. Jack enjoyed meeting their guests and sharing stories over Bettys wonderful breakfasts. In 1994, they left the cold and set up their second retirement in Arizona where they played tennis every day and met a whole new group of good friends. In their retirement years, Jack and Betty traveled extensively, visiting 41 countries.He is survived by his wife, Betty; brother Fr. William T. Schwartz; 6 daughters, Laura (James) Palagi of Great Falls, Mary (William) Hooks of Helena, Barbara (Thomas) Hill of River Falls, WI, Katherine (Robert) Wheeler of Yachats, OR, Amy (David) Oclander of Grosse Pointe Park, MI and Julie (Scott) Evenson of Great Falls; 15 grandchildren, Gina (Nick) Moss, Daniel (Nicole) Palagi, Stephanie (Joey) Iverson, Brendan, John and Patrick Hooks, Brian and John (Britt) Hill, Jessica (Russ) Marcotte, Rachel (Jeff) Spears, Kierstin and Veronica Evenson, Matthew, Dawson and Evan Oclander; and 7 great-grandchildren, Allie, Lucas, Jordan, Natalie, Jackson, Jovie, and Skylar.Jack was preceded in death by his brother, Vincent Schwartz and grandson Conor Patrick Hooks.In lieu of flowers, memorials suggested to Holy Spirit Parish or Peace Hospice.