July 10, 1929 – June 27, 2023
In loving memory ~
“What a wonderful life, no regrets, sorry I had to leave so soon.” John Mitschke
The interesting journey of a farm boy born July 10, 1929, who moved on to Jesus June 27, 2023. The son of Henry and Augusta he was born on their farm in Langenburg, Saskatchewan. John was the oldest of three children, John, Cecilia, and Helen (who predeceased him in 1996).
At the age of 11, John was putting crystal sets together which led to his own repair shop at the age of 14. At age 25 he joined CKOS installing studio and transmitter equipment and later rebuilding stations in Weyburn and Estevan. John and his wife, Mary moved to Vernon in 1970 where he became a technical engineer for CJIB until he retired in 1990. They soon became snowbirds wintering in Yuma, Arizona He loved dancing, was an award-winning marksman and longtime member of the Vernon Collectors Club.
John was predeceased by Mary, his wife of 51 years, in 2011 and his dear companion Jackie Johnson in 2020. He is survived by sister Cecilia Desjardins (and Aurel in Calder, Saskatchewan) plus numerous relatives and friends including Jackie’s daughter Linda Myers. John also had his Mission friends Bobbe MacKenzie and Brenda Toews who were blessed to be his ‘volunteer’ caregivers over the past three years sharing many a smile and tear with him. Thank you to the hospital nurses on the 2nd and 7th floor, Dr Smith, Pastor David Hunter from Peace Lutheran Church and to the staff and residents at Orchard Valley Retirement Residence, who made his last months before hospitalization so comfortable and pleasant. A very sincere thank you to Sarah Verburgh, from Interior Health, for her guidance and compassion to John, Brenda, and Bobbe this past year.
Always a giver, John walked 36 blocks each day to greet at the Vernon Courthouse from 7-9 then volunteer at the Mission. He was 92 years old! He loved children and donated all the money he made as Santa through the years and his entire estate to Variety – the Children’s Charity of BC.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Vernon Upper Room Mission on September 9, 2023, at 11 a.m. Pastor David Hunter and Pastor Brent Henderson presiding. All who loved this gentle, kind man are welcome to attend and share their memories. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Vernon Upper Room Mission.