John Ivon Petak III passed away on June 21st, 2026, at the age of 70. Born June 1st, 1956, to John and Nancy Petak, John started life in Brooklyn, New York, before moving at a young age to Long Island where he spent the majority of his youth. There he met John Schieffer, a life-long friend. The two grew up together, riding bicycles around the neighborhood and going to movies in the suburbs. They also helped each other through tough times, like the untimely passing of John’s sister Lisa. It did not take long for the two Johns to become members of each other’s families. They ravenously supported the Mets, Jets, Islanders, and Knicks. Although John was hospitalized, the Knicks’ 2026 NBA championship was truly a highlight, and they celebrated the Knicks’ stressful and historic Game 4 comeback together despite being thousands of miles apart.

After graduating from high school and getting bored with community college, John pursued a variety of occupations. Among other pastimes, he tried his hand at being a chef, roofer, auto mechanic, cab driver, truck driver, and emergency medical technician. In 1982 after suffering an injury as an EMT, John decided to move out West to pursue a degree in psychology from MSU Bozeman. Although he started out seeking a medical degree, he instead set his sights on law after one of his professors encouraged him to change course.

John made the trek out to Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan, to work on his juris doctorate. While attending law school, John met Barbara, the love of his life, in an elevator. She knew he was not from around Lansing when he pulled a handful of alfalfa from his coat. The two wed in 1987, shortly before John completed his law degree, and spent a blissful 39 years together.

He started his career in private practice in Michigan before returning to Montana to be nearer to his family, especially his brother, Fred, in the early 1990s. John started his lengthy career in the Yellowstone County legal community as a public defender in Billings before moving over to the prosecutor’s office. During his tenure with the public prosecutors, John proudly organized the office with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. John won the seat of Stillwater County Prosecutor in 2002, thus ending his time in the Billings legal community. He served three consecutive terms in that role before finally retiring from practice altogether in 2014.

John took to retirement immediately, and when asked what he preferred doing with his time, he would cheekily reply, “Dress and set.” However, in reality, John had several hobbies and pastimes. He was a past member of both the Shriners and the Masons. He found a home with his online gaming crew, playing Call of Duty late into the evening with his nephew Austin and brother Fred. John loved his weekend visits from Austin most of all. They spent time together, deep conversations about this, that, and everything while they restored cars and trucks at John’s home in Columbus.

John is preceded in death by his parents, John and Nancy Petak, and his sister, Lisa. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, as well as his brother Fred Petak (Cyndi) and best friend John Schieffer (Denise). His nephew, Austin, and his niece, Dannicah Brownlee, played a pivotal role in John’s life, and he especially enjoyed spoiling his great-niece and great-nephew.

Wednesday, June 24th, there will be a visitation from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave, Billings, MT. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, June 25th, 2026, at Yellowstone Valley Memorial Park, 3605 Grand Ave at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations may be made to the Rimrock Humane Society.