Rudolph John Panion, Jr (Rudy), 79, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018 in Missoula, Montana.   Rudy was born May 1, 1939 to Rudolph John Panion and Esther (Huhtanen) Panion in Butte, Montana,   He was the oldest of three children. He graduated from Butte High in 1957.

      Rudy served in the U.S. Navy with honor and distinction on the USS Hamel for three years.

      He worked in Montana for the Forest Service, Lois S. Cohen, and eventually for the Butte Water Company for 30 years until his retirement in 1992.

      Rudy was the consummate outdoorsman.   He loved to fish, hunt, trap shoot, and go camping with family and friends while cultivating family environment.   Rudy also enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.

      Rudy was preceded in death by his parents; younger brother, Gary; and sister, Donnarae.

      He is survived by his nephews, Ron and Gary Panion, and niece, Michone Beauprez, and several cousins.

      Spreading of the ashes will be held at Galena Gulch in the Deer Lodge National Forest in the summer of 2019.   A celebration of life will follow in Butte.   Time and place to be determined at a later date.