Robert Neil Holmes

Robert "Pops" Holmes, age 86, passed away early Monday morning, August 3, 2009, at the Central Montana Medical Center's Skilled Nursing Center, where he had resided for the past four years. Pop was born to William and Florence Holmes in Huntington Mills, Pennsylvania on April 18, 1923, where he spent most of his life. Pop graduated from Huntington Mills High School in 1941. He served two years in the United States Navy during WWII. During that time he fell in love with and married Janet Yodzevicis. They recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. After his naval service, Pop was employed by the Magee Carpet Company in Bloomsburg, PA as a loom fixer, weaver and foreman, until 1976. After that he worked for the State of Pennsylvania as an agricultural promoter until retirement. During his retirement years he enjoyed hand weaving rag rugs, and he and Janet traveled to various craft shows in the Northeast peddling them. Pop and Janet lived in the same rural home nestled between Pine Creek and Holmes Road nearly 60 years, before they relocated to Lewistown, MT in 2003. Pop loved the outdoor activities, including fishing of any kind, trapping for raccoon and mink, and hunting both small game and deer. In the spring, lush patches of delicious asparagus and rhubarb could always be found outside his Pennsylvania home. In the summer, a large garden grew out back, where potatoes and melons were his specialty. Pop enjoyed listening to his favorite baseball team, Philadelphia Philly's while weeding his garden. He was an active member of the U.S. Chess Federation and at one time played against world champion Bobby Fisher. Pop loved to spend time with his grandchildren, especially playing card games and building puzzels. An avid reader, Pop loved early American History, especially the Civil War era. Pop is survivied by his wife Janet; daughter Barbara Kidd; sons Bill (Cathy) and Timothy Homes; 7 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; sisters Ruth (John) Spencer, Mary (Kent) Shelhamer and Betty Tanner. He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter Susan. Memorial Services will be held 11:00 am Friday August 7, 2009 at St. Leo's Catholic Church

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