James H. (Howard) Cornell, 93, was called home on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. He had been a resident of the Missouri River Medical Center Nursing Home for the past three years. A viewing will be held on Thursday, April 20, 2023, from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Benton Funeral Home. His funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday, April 21, 2023, at the Benton Funeral Home Chapel. A fellowship will be held immediately after his service at the Club House in Fort Benton. Graveside Service with military honors will be 11 a.m. Saturday, April 22, 2023 at the Malta Cemetery in Malta, Montana. With a fellowship to follow at the Lutheran Church in Malta. Memorials in James' honor may be given to the Loma Volunteer Fire Department or a memorial of one's choice. Please visit his online memorial at www.bentonfh.com to send a card or leave a message of condolence for his family.

James was born September 18, 1929 in Malta, Montana the oldest of six boys born to Mary ( Stansberry) and Linnie Oscar Cornell Sr. of the Trine Community 65 miles south of Malta. He started school in 1935 in a log cabin along the Missouri Rover and then attended the Hog Ranch, an old stage stop. In March of 1936 his parents bought an irrigated farm 5 miles East of Malta at Strater.  He attended school there until the eighth grade when he went to Malta High School graduating in 1948.

He was a member of the Army National Guard from 1947 – 1958. He worked as a civilian component. He spent six months active duty at Fort Knox, Kentucky retiring in 1958 as a Tank Commander and Master Sgt. On August 31, 1952, he married MaryYona Feberwee also of Malta. A daughter was born in June 1953 and a son born in December of 1954. In November of 1957 he moved his family to the Lippard Ranch at Loma to work as ranch foreman and his wife the ranch cook. Two more sons were born in November of 1958 and October of 1960. In 1974 James started farming the old Carl Jameson place 3 miles North of Loma. The Lippard Ranch was sold in 1976 and James and his brother Linnie Jr. started a custom cutting business in the Loma and Turner area that lasted til 1992. He had a custom trenching business with Bob Robertson that lasted from 1978 – 1998 and they worked most all of Central Montana. In 1986 Jim, MaryYona and son Pete purchased the former Bateman place and in 1996 purchased the Jameson place owned by the Lippard Foundation.

James was also dedicated to the Loma Community as president of the Loma PTA, President of the Loma Hall Board. A member of the Loma Rifle Club where he won several trophies. He participated at the Chouteau County Fair and the Harlem Seed Show, winning several awards.

He was a founding member of the Loma Volunteer Fire Department. Helped organize the Loma Flea Market, The Loma Water District, where he was also employed for almost 40 years. He was an elder at the First Lutheran Church in Fort Benton and also served as a deputy sheriff in his time at Malta. He played Santa Clause for 26 years. James met 8 governors and 3 presidents. He drove the military jeep that transported President Truman to the Tiber Dam, Lake Elwell project. In his later years his daughter and husband traveled to Nashville, the Grand Ole Opry with Jim and MaryYona. In August of 2022 Jim and MaryYona celebrated 70 years of marriage.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Brothers: Charles, Larry, Leo and wife Helen, Linnie Jr. and wife Nedra. A Niece Debbie Cornell and Nephew Larry Cornell, Jr.

Jim is survived by his wife MaryYona and his 4 children: Barbara (Monte) Wilke of Colstrip; James Jr. (Kari) Cornell of Helena, MT; Pete Cornell of Loma, MT; John (Sharna) Cornell of East Helena, MT. Brother Robert (Margaret) Cornell of Malta, MT; Sister-in-law June Cornell of Malta and many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.