John Henry Joseph Gildersleeve IV, 67

John Henry Joseph Gildersleeve IV, 67, of Helena, passed away at Peace Hospice House in Great Falls, on Oct. 13, 2005, from natural causes.

He was born April 29, 1938, in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., to Henry and Marie (O'Brien) Gildersleeve.

John was proud of his service in the United States Marine Corps, where he achieved the rank of sergeant at the age of 18. He subsequently went into the field of respiratory care and worked in hospitals and other facilities in that capacity for 30 years.

He moved to Montana in 1976, and met and married his wife, Karen, in Whitefish, in 1985. Their greatest joy came from one another, serving their Lord, their families and children, and enjoying beautiful Montana in hunting, fishing, and camping.

John became an ordained minister of the gospel in 1988, and has served as the pastor of the Pentecostal Family Fellowship in Helena since March of 1993.

Both his parents preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife, Karen; his sons, Henry and Kim Gildersleeve, of Downingtown, Pa., and Eric Boyd of Helena; daughters, Kathleen Gildersleeve of Carlisle, Pa., and Joanne and Chip Walker, of Schoharie, N.Y.; sisters, Karen and Robert Leffler of East Nassau, N.Y., and Susan and Hugh Gelston of Lafayette, La.; and one granddaughter, Celia Rose Walker.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 17, at the Pentecostal Family Fellowship Church, 6145 North Montana Ave., in Helena. Russ Genaw and Terry Lowder will officiate.

Memorials are suggested to the Pastor John Children's Project; c/o Pentecostal Family Fellowship Church, 6145 North Montana Ave., Helena, MT 59602.

Cremation and service arrangements are under the direction of Retz Funeral Home in Helena.