John Kenneth Heberling

John Kenneth "Ken" Heberling, aged 75, passed away on August 21, 2024, in Billings, from complications from open heart surgery. Born on June 12, 1949, in Parsons, Kansas, to Shirley May Phillips and Charles Kenneth Heberling. Ken was known for his adventurous spirit, sense of humor, and unwavering kindness.

Ken served with distinction as an Air Force Staff Sergeant in Zweibrücken, Germany, dedicating four years to his military career as an aircraft mechanic. After his service, he embarked on a diverse career path, initially trekking to California where he met the love of his life, Margo, and raised his family in the heart of Silicon Valley. After 17 years, he decided to pack his family up and move home to be near his family in Dillon, Montana. In Dillon, he became a beloved figure as the owner-operator of Dillon Dairy Products, delivering milk to local businesses and homes, and leaving a lasting impact on the community. Ken also filled his time volunteering with the Beaverhead Sno-Riders, grooming trails and getting to know all the trails in the Grasshopper Valley. He shared his love of the trails on four wheelers with all three of his grandkids, making each of them go though "CGDS" or what the kids lovingly called Cantankerous Grandpa Driving School.

Ken's educational journey was rooted at Beaverhead County High School, which laid the foundation for his lifelong pursuits. He was a man who cherished the outdoors, often found sharing his love for nature with his family. Ken's hobbies included driving classic cars like his 1961 Corvette and 1954 Willys, abalone diving off the California coast, and attending air shows and funny car races. His mechanical skills were not just a hobby but also a valuable lesson to his daughters, whom he taught to appreciate and understand the mechanics of things.

Ken is survived by his loving wife, Margo Jean Heberling; daughters, Wendy Dumke (Rob) and Jenny Fox (Justin); grandchildren, Shawn Horner (Shayla), and a soon to arrive great-grandchild; Jennifer Horner, and Logan Fox; niece, Marina Jane, and nephew, Aaron Shuler; niece Cathy, and nephews Greg and Chris Stewart. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Kenneth, and Shirley May Heberling; sister, Jean Kathleen Stewart; and niece, Pamela Rose Shuler.

A service to honor Ken's life will be held at Brundage Funeral Home in Dillon, Montana, on September 10th, 2024, at 10:23 (not a typo, if Ken ever scheduled a meet up time with you, this makes perfect sense). In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Beaverhead County Humane Society, a cause close to Ken's heart. Ken's legacy of kindness, humor, and a deep appreciation for the natural world will be dearly missed and forever cherished by all who knew him.