Joseph William Sologub 84, passed away on the 3rd of June after many years of declining health.  He was born in Butte on March 13, 1942, to Joseph Paul Sologub and Katherine Ryan Sologub.  Joe joined his sister Betty June.

Joe grew up on the family dairy and cattle ranch in Elk Park.  He attended Holy Savior School in McQueen, graduated from Boys Central in 1960 and went on to attend the University of Montana and then to Northern Montana College in Havre graduating in 1968. He met Terri Kolokotrones at Northern and they married in 1967.  They have three children Joseph William Jr., Colleen and Cynthia (Cindy).  They purchased the ranch and then Grandpa Joe's school bus which they operated for 37 years.

Joe had many jobs over the years, most of which involved driving.  He delivered gas & fuel for Standard Oil, drove truck in the Berkley Pit, worked for Naranche & Konda Construction building Homestake Pass, drove the garbage truck at Northern, was an ironworker on the Rope Gang for the Anaconda Co., and was a bar tender.  After graduation he started teaching at the Anaconda Job Corp Center, among his regular subjects he was also the driving instructor.  He also took crews on forest fires. He then went into law enforcement for the Forest Service attending the government training center in Georgia several times. When he retired in 2000, he was a Special Agent and the Criminal Investigator for Region One.

After he retired, he kept a large group of friends busy.  They chased and hauled cattle, fixed fences, hayed, cut firewood and many other projects.  He had very young hay crews including his children who were driving by age four and one crew that he was the only one under 80.  Jim Konen was his partner on many of these projects.  Hunting camp with Dan Harrington and crew was a big yearly event, first they rode into Galena Gulch but later ended up on Dan's Ranch.  He was always ready to help all his neighbors, friends or the guy off the highway.

In 1979 he got some of the neighbors to help him start the Elk Park Volunteer Fire Department.  He was a 4-H leader, a member of Butte Rotary, Mile High Back Country Horsemen, the Montana Sheriff and Peace Officers Association, the Yellowstone Chapter and the National Studebaker Club.  He enjoyed listening to Party Line to keep up with what was happening in Butte and a faithful reader of the Whitehall Ledger and Boulder Monitor to keep track of what was going on in Jefferson County.

His two adopted granddaughters, Lyndsi and Chelsi Lyons and then his two grandsons Heath and Case have been a constant joy.  He looked forward to every dance recital, program, ball game, and party.  He enjoyed teaching them new things and especially how old ones worked.  All of the Elk Park neighbors held a very special place in his heart.  God blessed him with the most wonderful friends and coworkers.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Betty June and brothers-in-law George Krstulich, and George Kolotrones, cousin Bill Ryan and his favorite daughter-in-law Jennifer (Dysinger)Sologub.

He is survived by his wife Terri, son Joe of Mesquite, NV, daughter Colleen Sologub of Butte, and daughter & son-in-law Cindy & Chad Galbavy of East Helena. "Adopted" family Bonnie & Dick Lyons and Dean & Bernie Hanson. Grandchildren Heath & Case Galbavy of East Helena & Lyndsi & Chelsi Lyons of Butte.  Also, the Gray children Jason, Megan, Zack & their families.  Nephews: John & Janet Krstulich (Ryan, Jeff, Kyle, & Mark); Paul & Kelly Eddy (Rachel & Jack); nieces: Kathy Ferraro (Mike & Pete); Karen Krstulich & Rick Goode (Henry).  His special Ryan cousins like nephews and nieces Pat & Kristen, Mike, Kim, Susan, & Heather and their families, and Paul & Gina Miller and family. Sister-in-law Nancy Kolokotrones, niece Maria & Cory Sweten (Samantha Spano & Audrey Sweten).  His extra special cousin Ray & Sharon Cortner & family.  His partner Jim & Betty Konen & family.  He always liked spending time with and hearing from all of the Sologub, Ryan, Niven, and Kolokotrones cousins.  He was always concerned about all of the Elk Park residents.  He wanted to list a few of the many special people in his life: Dan & Dixie Harrington, Gary & Debbie Lincoln, John & Terri Kump, Mark & Merri Galetti, Cindy Napier, Griff & Kim Davidson, Eric & Danni Kore, Kevin & Jamie Zimple, Tim & Danielle Montana, Bill Egan, Trudy Olson, all of the Milodragovich  Family and Dysinger Family. Joe dearly loved his friends and visiting with all of you on the phone.  Thanks for sharing your time.

Joe wanted to thank Terri, and his kids (especially his daughter Colleen), for all the care that kept him home these last years. Chad, you have been a wonderful son-in-law, thank you for all of the help around the ranch and Jennifer who he is now with in heaven.  Also, an extra huge thank you to our special neighbors to the Bernie & Dean Hanson, John & Terri Kump, Cindy Napier, Bernie & Brian Shrable Family, Jack & Lora Tetlow.  All of the Elk Park residents & the Fire Department, you were always just a call away

We would like to thank Drs. Mike & Mario Bartoletti, Dr. Tony Baumgartner, Drs. Pullman, Scott, Kingston, Treverna, Robison, & Komm for all of the care you have given Joe.  Also, the staffs of The Copper Ridge, St. James Hospital, Compassus Home Health, Stillwater Hospice, A1 Ambulance, the Butte Fire Department, John Sullivan, Mark & Eric Bleken.

Memorials can be made to the Butte Central Foundation, the Elk Park Volunteer Fire Department, Butte Rotary, or the charity of your choice.

Funeral Mass and celebration will be June 19th at St. Ann's Church. Visitation at 10:00, Mass at 11:00.