Joseph Anthony Halko, 68

Artist Joseph Anthony Halko, 68, of Choteau, died at home Wednesday, March 11, 2009, of multiple hemorrhagic strokes caused by amyloid angiopathy.

Vigil services will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 15, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Great Falls. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, March 16, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. in the Choteau Cemetery under the direction of Gorder Funeral Home of Choteau.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret Halko, of Choteau; daughters, Michelle and Greg Stivers, and Stephanie and Dan Groux, of Great Falls; mother, Helen Halko, of Fort Benton; brothers, Martin and Veronica Halko of Florence, John and Sylvia Halko of Sand Coulee, and David and Barbara Halko of Corvallis, Ore.; sisters, Maryann and Terry Dotson of Port Angeles, Wash., and Joan Halko of Billings; and Margaret's family, who loved him dearly.

Joe was born in Great Falls on Aug. 11, 1940, to Martin and Helen (Swartz) Halko. He grew up on the family ranch near Stockett and graduated from Centerville High School.

During the next 20 years, he worked as a taxidermist at Great Falls Sporting Goods, earned biology and chemistry degrees at the College of Great Falls and studied art.

While attending the College of Great Falls, he met the love of his life, Margaret Smith. They married June 14, 1969.

He became a full-time artist in 1976. Joe, Margaret and daughters, Michelle and Stephanie, moved south of Cascade in 1982 and to Choteau in 1998.

He was drafted in the Army from 1963 to 1965.

Joe had a true passion for life and learning, whether it be studying art, traveling, working in his studio or anything to do with nature and the outdoors. He was always grateful he could make a living doing what he loved.

Joe was active in St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Choteau, the Front Range Art Association and the Northwest Rendezvous Group of Artists.

He was preceded in death by his father, Martin E. Halko.

Memorials are suggested to the C.M. Russell Museum in Great Falls; and the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Choteau.

Online condolences may be left at www.mem.com.