John Harry Loney

John H. Loney, age 77, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, September 6, 2024, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, Washington. John passed away from kidney cancer that had spread throughout his body. He put up a strong battle for almost 8 years. John is survived by his wife, Mary (Lehman) Loney, of Yaak, MT, where they have lived since 2004. They previously lived in Paradise, Lancaster County, PA where they raised their children. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Raymond Loney and Elizabeth (Gerber) Loney, and one sister, Naomi Loney. John is survived by his son, Michael Loney and wife, Lindsay (Kugler) Loney, and a daughter, Maribeth (Loney) Moore and husband, Seth Moore. Eight grandchildren will dearly miss their “Peepa”: Kalin, Lyla, Savannah, and Aria Loney, and Eli, Silas,Josiah, and Gabriel Moore. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws.

John was born on August 10, 1947, in Bethesda, MD. He graduated from Manheim Central High School in 1965. He was a Vietnam War veteran, having served in the United States Air Force in both the Philippines and Vietnam, earning marksmanship medals. On June 6, 1970, John married the love of his life, Mary (Lehman) Loney. In 1971, he and Mary graduated together from LeTourneau University (Longview, Texas). Following this they moved to Lancaster County, PA, where John accepted an offer from Keystone Helicopter Corporation, West Chester, PA, to start a turbine engine overhaul facility which he ran for more than 30 years, retiring as Vice President/General Manager for the Keystone Engine Division. During his years in the aviation business, John received numerous awards. In Pennsylvania, he was a member of Calvary Monument Bible Church, Paradise, PA, for 30 years.

John was a very generous person, living a life of commitment and service. In 2004, after relocating full time to the Yaak, he became deeply involved in the Yaak Community Church where he served for many years on the official board of the church, and also for a time as church treasurer. He was head of the YCC Building Committee, organizing and overseeing the building of the church building and the parsonage. This was the first commercially engineered piece of property in the Yaak.

John was also very active in the Yaak community until his illness with cancer. For 8 years he served on the Yaak School Board. He set up the first (and only) Amateur (HAM) Radio repeator/transmitter station in the Yaak, setting up a free phone patch service for all licensed operators. As a top licensed HAM, and certified examiner, John organized the first classes in the Yaak to train and test anyone who wanted to get licensed. He served the Upper Yaak Fire Department as head of communications and programming of radios for many years. With this experience, he also worked with the Lincoln County Emergency Management in coordinating services to the Yaak. Other memberships included NRA, ARRL (American Radio Relay League), YARG (Yaak Area Radio Group), Libby Amateur Radio Club, and the Yaak Rod and Gun Club, where he was a lifetime member. He was also a regular donator to the WINGS organization for local cancer support.

On June 6, 2024, John and Mary celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary. John loved spending time with family and friends by hunting, fishing, 4-wheeling, snowmobiling, camping, and going on cruises with his wife, family and friends. But most of all, he loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. John will be greatly missed by many, many people.

A Memorial Service/Celebration of Life is scheduled for 4 PM on Saturday, September 14, at the Yaak Community Church. A potluck dinner will immediately follow. All are welcome to attend and celebrate John Loney’s life. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made in John Loney’s honor to Wings, or the Yaak Community Church Building Fund. There will be a private interment at the Boyd Hill Cemetery, Yaak, Montana. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date, to be announced , at Calvary Monument Bible Church, Paradise, Lancaster, PA.