Donald Matthew Simonich

I was born in Dillon Montana on August 12, 1931 on my grandparent’s farm to John and Mary Spehar Simonich. I left this Earth due to causes incident to age on June 5, 2024. After my birth; Mom, my sister, and I joined Dad in Butte where he was working. I spent my first 18 years living in Butte. During the summer months, I spent my time at my relative’s ranches in Glen and Dillon Montana.

I attended St. Joseph’s Grade School and Butte Central High and graduated in 1949. I enlisted in the US Navy on August 18, 1950 and spent 32 months in the Korean/Japan area. I received many ribbons while on active duty including the United Nations ribbon with five Battle Stars.

After being discharged from the Navy in June 1954, I returned to Butte and worked for Pepsi Cola until 1959. I then went to work for the US Bureau of Reclamation at Fort Peck, Montana in July 1961. I was transferred to Ogden, Utah. I pursued other job appointments at the Toyon Job Corps Center in Redding California and assisted opening the center up. I was transferred to Ogden, Utah and worked at the Bureau of Reclamation until the projects were completed in July 1967.

I was hired as a Budget Analyst at the Defense Depot Ogden. I was then promoted to administrative assistant to the Director of Installation Services and worked there until July 1975. I accepted a position with the Internal Revenue Service at the Ogden Service Center. I retired from the Internal Revenue Service in October 1990.

Besides being a cub master and little league coach, I, also, served on the board of directors of Enable Utah, a volunteer fireman in Butte Montana, and a treasurer and a board member at the Valley Veterans Service Center as a volunteer for seven years in Hamilton Montana. Additionally, I had been a RSVP Volunteer for eight years and helped man the Emergency Operation Center during the Ravalli County fire season.

I met and married Elizabeth Snider; we later divorced. I met and married Bobbie Sue Evert Citte; we later divorced. I met and married Diane Carey; we later divorced. My wife, Marie Bartlett Straley, and I were married in Las Vegas, NV on April 2, 1990. In April 2001, we moved to Hamilton Montana. I was glad to be back in my home State of Montana. We enjoyed the Bitterroot Valley very much. In May 2015, we moved back to Utah and settled in Layton Utah due to health reasons so that we could be closer to our families.

I loved camping; water and snow skiing with friends and family; golfing; and volleyball, baseball, and football at family get togethers. I also enjoyed watching golf and college football, especially the Montana Grizz, University of Utah, Weber State, Notre Dame, and Navy. I made sure to call my kids to remind them the day/time of upcoming tournaments and games.

I extensively researched and found interesting information about my family ancestry; then documented and shared that information with family. I loved to attend ship reunions and had even coauthored a history of me and my shipmates experiences on ship during the Korean War.

I am survived by my wife, Marie, my children: Matthew, Donna Chambers (Alan), Patrick (Valerie), Martin, Paul (Nicoletta). My step children: Curt Citte (Christine), Joy Oram (Larry Wilhelm), and Dawn Straley (Crystal Sorensen). I am also survived by 15 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. I was preceded in death by my parents, my son Billy, my sister Marian, brother-in-law Joe, niece Linda, nephew-in-law, Dave McGinnis and many loved family members and close friends.

Per my wishes I will be cremated and buried at the Utah Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Bluffdale Utah. A Memorial Service will be held in my honor on Wednesday June 12, 2024   at 10:00 a.m. at Lindquist’s   Layton Mortuary, 1867 N. Fairfield Rd, Layton, Utah. A visitation will be held from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. and the military service at 2 p.m.

Special thanks to Don’s hospice nurse, Angie and hospice C N A, Ciara. Others that helped Don’s end of life were Canyon Home Health Care: Heidi, Amy, and Jay; Northern Utah Rehab: Kat and Tyler; and Fairfield Assisted Living: Linda, Etta, Kim, Tiffany, Tammy, and Shelby; along with many others.

Please consider donations to Enable Utah (Ogden, Utah), VA, St. Jude, or your favorite charity.

The memorial service will be live-streamed and may be viewed by scrolling to the bottom of Donald’s obituary page at www.lindquistmortuary.com.