John's Obituary
John L. Bink was born on August 21, 1937, in Elkader, Iowa to Walter Bink and Charlotte Molumby. The family, including his brother, Pete, moved to Great Falls in 1945.
John attended Franklin, St. Gerard, and Great Falls Central High Schools. John pledged SAE at MSU and graduated with a BS in English Literature. He made many lifelong friends and married Marlene Hill in 1959. They had two children, Jonda and Joshua. That marriage ended in 1967.
John began his career in banking with Jim Connelly at First Westside National Bank. He worked his way up to vice president and loved his Ag customers. He fondly remembered the days when hard work and a handshake were all you needed. John transitioned to real estate in 1983 and became a farm and ranch broker/owner with Holiday Realty.
The Great Falls community held a special place in John’s heart. He spent many winters at Showdown and Teton ski hills teaching ski school. In 1973 he was elected as the president of the Montana Cowboys Association. He belonged to many other clubs and organizations including Kiwanis, the airport board, Ad Club, and was a lifelong member of the Elks Club. In 1981, John won a charity contest and became the character of banker Jedediah Binkley in Stan Lynde’s comics, Rick O’Shay and Latigo.
John’s dream to own a ranch was realized in 1969. He purchased property north of Sun River where he spent the remainder of his life. He dabbled in his own cattle ranching and left that legacy to his children and grandchildren. His pride and joy were watching his family turn the ranch into a working cow operation.
In 1971, John and Geraldine Peterson were married. Together they broke the fun barrier! Most importantly they loved the outdoors, sharing a love of skiing and mountain pack trips into the Bob Marshall Wilderness. They had three children, Adam, Jacob, and Suzanne.
John’s love of the wilderness was introduced to him by Jim Lunney in the mid-60s. From then on, every summer was a new adventure into the Bob Marshall Wilderness. This passion continues in his children and grandchildren today. These adventures were a time to impress upon his children faith and a deep relationship with God our Heavenly Father.
Dedication to church and God was engrained in John at an early age. There was no activity so important it could not wait until after church. God used this commitment to grow John’s faith in the promises of the Bible and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. “I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are walking in THE TRUTH.” 3 John 1:4
Survivors include his wife, Gerry Bink; his children, Jonda (Chris) Bink Schimschat, Joshua (Katrina) Bink, Adam (Tina) Bink, and Suzanne (Casey) Bink Currey; grandchildren, Jeremy, Mariah, Gavin, and Sofia Bell, Taylor Jones, Jacob and Clayton Bink, Cord and Ruby Currey; his brother, Pete (Bobbie) Bink; and nieces and nephew Jessica, Elizabeth, Danielle, and Loy Bink. He was preceded in death by his son, Jacob Bink.
Funeral services will be held at Westside Methodist Church, Great Falls on Tuesday, January 30 beginning at 11:00 a.m. (The service will be streamed live. Visit vimeo.com/westsidemethodistchurch). Reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Sun River Global Methodist Church or Great Falls Rescue Mission.
