John Halonen

John P. Halonen passed peacefully at his home on Lewis Street in Livingston, MT on Sunday March 24^th.     

John was survived by his wife of 35 years, Sandra Halonen, son, Patrick Halonen, brothers, Bill, Gary and Tom and sisters, Carol and Jane. John was preceded in death by his brother Richard.

John was known as one of Livingston’s unique characters. He was commonly seen riding his unicycle around town. John enjoyed figure drawing classes at the Lincoln school and sharing stories with other members of the local art community.

Prior to moving to Livingston in 2003, John and Sandra lived in New York City, where John earned his Masters of Fine Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He studied at the Art Students League and sold his works on the streets of New York City.

Before moving to New York, John and Sandra lived in Baton Rouge Louisiana where John completed his Bachelors in Fine Art while Sandra completed her PHD in Biology. John exhibited regularly at Studio One, their home Studio in the garden district of Baton Rouge.

John’s early years began with his Birth in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1949. The second son of John “Al” Halonen and Eileen Halonen, John graduated from West High School in 1967, where he was captain of the football, wrestling and track teams. Shortly after graduating high school, John enrolled at the University of Minnesota, where he met and in 1968 married Carol “Lynn” Plath. John and Lynn welcomed their son Patrick in 1969. John worked as a union sheet metal and iron worker while pursuing his passion as an artist.

John was a loving husband and father, a cherished member of the communities in which he lived, and a truly memorable and unique individual.

A celebration of John's life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, March 29, 2024, at Franzen-Davis Funeral Home, 118 N. 3rd Street, Livingston. A small reception will be held immediately following the service at the funeral home.

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