John C. Maddock

John C. Maddock, 93, formerly of Guelph, ND, passed away January 21, 2009, from natural causes at St. Luke Extended Care Facility in Ronan, Montana. Born on July 1, 1915, in Guelph, ND, John was the youngest child of Charles B. and Grace P. Maddock, North Dakota pioneer farmers. It was there he and his siblings, Harold, Wallace, Pauline, Genevieve, and Ruth grew up as the 'Charlie Kids' and shared many adventures with their dear cousins, the 'Harry Kids', children of Harry and Mertie Maddock. Those special bonds remained throughout their lives. John was married December 23, 1942, to Madeline Rose Tuchscher in Oakland, California, where he was employed in the shipyards. They moved back to North Dakota to join John's parents on the family farm in 1943 and it was there they raised their two children, Fritz and Dee. While farming was their main occupation, John also was a mechanic for Eino Visto Implement in the mid to late 1940's and it was there he earned his first tractor, an International 'B' which he still owns. He later drove school bus for the Guelph School and retired from bus driving in the early 1980's. Growing up, John developed a love for cars and mechanic work, a passion which remained with him throughout his life. It seemed there wasn't much he couldn't fix or put back together in spite of having only a high school education. After he and Madeline retired from farming, he had time to expand his antique auto collection and would spend his days 'at the farm' tinkering with his 'toys'. In 1998 John and Madeline moved to Oakes, ND, and spent their winters in Montana with Dee and her family. After Madeline passed away, John continued to make his annual trip to winter in Montana and spending his spring and summer months in Oakes living on his own. In 2006 after recovering from a broken hip suffered while working on his cars at the farm, he moved to Montana to be near Dee and her family. A quiet, unassuming man, he loved watching baseball, football, and game shows, looking at the mountains, and spending time with family and friends. Even as his physical health declined, he could always be counted on to give great advice on how to fix his cars, and how his eyes shone when he could touch those automobiles. John was preceded in death by his parents, sisters and brothers, Madeline in 2000, and a daughter, Margaret Grace at birth. Surviving are his son Fritz and Deb Maddock of Guelph, and daughter Dee and Larry Oakland of Ronan, Montana. Also surviving are five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, six step-great grandchildren and a great-great granddaughter. He is also survived by Vivian Alma of Burnettsville, IN, one of the 'Harry' kids as well as many special nieces and nephews who could always count on John to help them out whether at work or having fun. Services for John will include a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 27, 2009, at Dahlstrom Funeral Home in Oakes, ND, and a funeral at the Guelph United Methodist Church in Guelph, ND, at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 28, 2009. Burial will take place beside Madeline in the Ellendale, ND cemetery. Assisting the family with arrangements are Grogan Funeral Home of Polson, MT, and Dahlstrom Funeral Home of Oakes, ND. Condolences may also be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com
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