John Taflan, 92, a long-time Poplar-area resident, died of natural causes Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at Faith Lutheran Home in Wolf Point.
The second child of four born to Romanian immigrant parents, Peter and Ludovica Taflan, he was raised in Salem, OH where he spent his childhood years in a tight-knit community. Through his entire life he was known for his gifted singing voice and dancing skills.
At age 17 as soon as he graduated from high school he enlisted in the US Navy and served during the final years of World War II in the European theatre as well as the South Pacific.
After the war he returned to Salem, OH attended Kent State University and in due course met his future wife of 63 years, Sylvia Budak of Chelsea, MT, who was working and living in the Salem area. After marriage they found their way back to Poplar where John helped his father-in-law, Matt Budak, on his farm and ranch while his brother-in-law, George, served in the Navy. They stayed in Poplar, established their own spread, and chose to raise their family in Northeastern Montana.
Besides farming for more than 60 years he also was an active entrepreneur and had a successful career as a car salesman and dealership manager in the Poplar area.
He was a life long member of the Poplar’s Post 55 of the American Legion, the B.P.O.E “Elks” Wolf Point, MT and was an active member of the choir of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church where he enjoyed singing with his friend Judy Lauridsen.
His parents, wife Sylvia, two brothers-in-law (George Budak and George Bumbu), a sister-in-law (Lennie Taflan) and two grandchildren preceded him in death.
He is survived by his brothers Peter of Canton, OH, George (Maryalice) of San Diego, CA, his sister Jen Bumbu of The Villages, FL; his children, John (Eileen) of Elmhurst, IL, Jim (Liz) of Helena, MT, Joe (Bernie) of Normal, IL, Jeff of Lake Balboa, CA, Jane (Darin) of Poplar, Jerome of Poplar, Julie of Peoria, IL; his sister-in-law (Roberta Budak), of Poplar; 14 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
A funeral Mass will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 20th at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Poplar. Internment will be at the Veteran’s Cemetery in Helena, MT.
The family is grateful to the doctors, nurses, and staff of the Northeastern Montana Health Services for the care and attention he received in his final months.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point handled the arrangements.