John George Dritshulas, 97, of Havre, entered into eternal rest on October 14, 2025, with his three daughters by his side.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, October 23rd from 4-6pm, the funeral service will be held on Friday, October 24th at 1pm, followed by a burial at Highland Cemetery. All services will be held at Holland & Bonine Funeral Home Chapel.  Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.

John was born on March 20, 1928, to George and Margarita Dritshulas in the village of Hostia in central Greece. John, or Yianni as he was also known, grew up in a small house with his two sisters and one brother. Born to a poor family, his earlier years were marked by hard work and difficult times. John began working as a shepherd when he was eight, after being hired to watch over 150 goats in the mountains surrounding the neighboring village. His teenage years were marked by the German occupation during the Second World War and the subsequent Greek Civil War. He went on to complete his military service in the Greek Army between 1951 and 1953. As a reward for his diligent work, his commanding officer would let him go home for the weekends, where he would always bring his dad cigarettes he had saved up from his pay. After his military service, he hoped to get an apprenticeship as a cobbler. Instead, when he was 26, he was sponsored by his uncle to come to the United States to work at the Great Northern Railway in Havre. He worked first as a laborer and then as a carman, a job which he continued to work the next 35 years. He always took great pride in his job and he quickly adjusted to life in the United States, becoming a U.S. citizen shortly after his arrival.

In 1962, he returned to Greece for a visit where he saw Arhonto Soterhou at the village fair.  He told his sister that Arhonto caught his eye. His sister, knowing Arhonto to be a talented seamstress, was soon scheming to get a dress tailored so she could introduce the pair. Her plan succeeded and after a brief courtship, John and Arhonto married in their hometown surrounded by their friends, family, and the entire village. Soon after their wedding, they returned to Havre where they raised their three daughters, Margarita, Kerry, and Janna.

While a man of few words, John spoke loudly with his actions. He was the picture of a patriarch. His hard work and generous spirit led him to provide opportunities to his family still in Greece, much like his uncle had done for him. John sponsored all his siblings, along with his nieces and nephews to build new lives in the United States. Indeed, extended family who stayed in Greece jokingly referred to Havre as New Hostia. John and Arhonto's house on Beaver Creek Blvd became a home to many over the years, and was the regular venue for neighborhood gatherings filled with friends, family, food, Greek dancing, and laughter.

A man of habit and of determination, John took great pride in his family, work, and home. After retiring from Burlington Northern Railroad in 1990, he was always fixing something at his house or his rentals, or tending to his small vegetable garden with his wife. He looked forward to mall-walking and coffee with his friends and nephew, and, before she passed, afternoon coffee, walks, and cards with his wife. He loved his family deeply, and it was his grandchildren who could bring out his most playful side, always accompanied by a cheeky smile and the bright twinkle in his green eyes. Without a doubt, his favorite role was that of "pappou." His constant, reliable, and gentle presence will be profoundly missed, and those of us who benefited from his generous heart are forever grateful to have been able to call him husband, dad, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.

John is survived by his three daughters: Margarita (John) Shoup of Redlands, CA, Kerry Caizza of Maple Valley, WA, and Janna (Chris) Faber of Havre, MT; his four grandchildren, Rebecca Shoup, Jonathan (Megan) Faber, Zoë (Denham) Patricelli, and Sarah Faber; his brother, Serafim Dritsoulas; his sister Katerina Loukas; and his sisters-in-law, Georgia (Thanasis) Stathis and Voula Christou; and many other nieces, nephews, friends, and loved ones.

John was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Arhonto Dritshulas, whom he missed everyday; his parents, George and Margarita Dritshulas; his father- and mother-in-law, Serafim and Yarifalia Soterhou; his sister, Panagiota Dimou; his brothers-in-law, Serafim Loukas, Argyri Dimou, and Sotiris Christou; his sister-in-law, Pareskevi Dritsoulas; and his granddaughter, Ruth Ann Shoup.

Memorials may be made in John's honor to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church of Great Falls, or St. Mark the Evangelist Orthodox Church of Great Falls in care of Janna Faber at 1641 Juniper Drive Havre, MT 59501.