Former Bigfork priest Shea dies

Monsignor Donald Shea, a decorated U.S. Army chaplain who spent the last chapter of his life as pastor of St. John Paul II Catholic Church in Bigfork, died Wednesday at Brendan House in Kalispell. He was 80.

A Butte native, Shea first retired in 2002 from his position as pastor of a Butte parish, but six months into his retirement he was called on by the bishop of the Helena Diocese to go to Bigfork.

During his time in the Flathead Valley he led two churches — St. Catherine’s in Bigfork and St. Anne’s in Somers — through a contentious process of closure and consolidation that was completed in 2004. He also took on the fundraising and building of a new church, and received the distinction of being the first priest to head a church named in honor of Pope John Paul II.

“He was the sort of guy who got things done. That’s why he was here,” said Deacon Jim Butts, pastoral administrator of St. John Paul II Church.

Though Shea had talked about retiring again about a decade ago, he served the Bigfork parish until June last year.

Shea joined the military as a chaplain during the Vietnam War in 1966, expecting to serve no longer than his three-year enlistment. Three years turned into 33 years as he served alongside soldiers in combat, following his infantry and special forces units to the front lines. He earned a Purple Heart after one of his units ran into land mines on a Vietnamese mountainside.

During his military service Shea earned a total of 15 commendations, including a Bronze Star, Distinguished Service medal and Legion of Merit award, in addition to the Purple Heart.

Finding grace in conflict was the foundation of Shea’s ministry. During a 2005 interview with the Daily Inter Lake, he noted his respect for those who serve in the military.

“A soldier does much more than fire a weapon,” he said. “He deals with minds and hearts — it’s where a soldier is most effective.”

Butts said Shea’s military service was very much a part of who he was as a pastor.

“You can’t speak of Monsignor Shea without speaking of his military service,” Butts said. “Honor, trust, brotherhood — that’s what makes a good soldier and that’s what makes a good priest.”

Visitation is planned from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. May 27 at St. John Paul II Catholic Church, with a Mass of Christian Burial to be held at 11 a.m.

A full obituary will be forthcoming in the Daily Inter Lake.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.