Obituary: J

MR. JOHN RACZ, beloved husband of Julia Racz, passed away peacefully after a brief illness at the age of 87 years on Wednesday, September 23, 2009, with his family by his side. He will be loved and remembered by his wife of 57 years, Julia, his children John (Vicki) and Debbie (Rick), and his grandchildren Michael and Allyson. Besides his immediate family, he is survived by brothers Joseph Racz Jr. and Jim Racz, sisters Mary Hass and Leona Kvello, and many nieces and nephews.

JOHN RICHARD PENNIFOLD, beloved husband of Shelley Pennifold, passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 at the age of 65 years. He is survived by his loving wife, Shelley, four precious daughters: Karen (Tom), Alison (Mike), Kim (Jeremy) and Becky (Jason) and grandchildren: Gabby, Lexi, Aisleigh, Kingston, Hudson and Aubrey. He is also survived by his sister Susan (Brian) and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father (Richard), mother (Gladys) of Nanton, Alberta and grandson, Harley (Lethbridge).

A son, brother, our father, loving husband, a friend and his most treasured title ‘Papa John’ to five cherished grandchildren, passed away after a courageous fight with cancer on July 18th. John was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, son of the late John and Erdine Allan and had two siblings Charlean and Gerald. It was however an insatiable desire for knowledge that brought him to Lethbridge. After graduating from the University of Michigan in 1959, with his bachelor of science in botany, he then made his way to the University of Indiana, where in 1962, he completed his Master of Arts in Plant Physiology and Biochemistry.

JOHN SOROCHAN March 19, 1929 - July 22, 2012 John was born in Smokey Lake AB and raised in Edmonton. Together with his wife Jean (Gartly), they raised seven children in the Transcona area of Winnipeg. At an early age John followed his father Peter into the sewer and water business. He began his career working for Borger Brothers, followed by a partnership with Bergman Foundations of Winnipeg. In 1978 he moved his family to Lethbridge to establish Sorochan Enterprises Ltd.

MR. JOHN STENGL, beloved husband of Mrs. Elizabeth Stengl, of Lethbridge passed away at the Good Samaritans, West Highlands Centre, on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at the age of 86 years. Besides his loving wife he is survived by: Dr. John F. (Tamara) Stengl of Lethbridge, Anna (Brian) Thompson of Medicine Hat, four grandchildren; Jennifer (Darryl) Klassen of Kelowna, B.C., John (Natalie) Gordon of Calgary, AB., Julie (Leason) Blenkin of Kelowna, B.

MR. GIOVANNI ALDO ‘JOHN’ TONIN, beloved husband of Mrs. Linda Tonin of Lethbridge, AB, passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Saturday, February 21, 2009 at the age of 75 years. Besides his loving wife Linda, John is lovingly remembered by his daughter, Debbie (Bob) Haraga, son, Johnny, grandchildren Adam, Amanda, Austin. John is also survived by his brothers; Gino (Maria), Giovanna (Franco), Dario (Helen) as well as a sister, Fernanda (Len).

JOHN PETER VAN HAM, beloved husband of Cobi (Jansen) van Ham, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, November 1, 2008 at the age of 73 years surrounded by his beloved family. John was born in Dongen, the Netherlands on July 31, 1935. He was the oldest of ten children. John married the love of his life, Cobi, on August 29, 1967. In 1984, John and Cobi immigrated to Coaldale, Alberta with their two sons.

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of a loving father, brother and grandfather, John Wagantall of Magrath. John passed away at the St. Michael’s Health Centre Palliative Care on Saturday, November 22, 2008 at the age of 82 years. He is survived by daughter Debi Baldwin of Calgary; son John (Cindy) Wagontall of Lethbridge; daughter Shirley (Darrell) DiPalma of Calgary and was a loving grandpa to 5 wonderful grandchildren, Chelsey Will, O.

On the morning of Sunday, August 10, 2008, John Craig Witherspoon passed away with his wife by his side. John courageously fought a 10 month battle with cancer. John is survived by his wife Gail; family Michael and Lynette, Heather and granddaughters Chloe and Ellary. John was born in Portage la Prairie. He grew up in Estevan and Regina, Saskatchewan before joining the RCMP in November 1967. Graduating with Troop 23 in the spring of 1968, John’s first posting was in Claresholm, Alberta where he met the love of his life, Gail.

JOHNNIE THOMAS ZUBACH, beloved husband of Helen Zubach of Lethbridge, AB, passed away at home on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at the age of 66 years. He is the loving father of children, Trina (Owen) Zarazun and Wade (Trudy) Zubach; proud grandfather of Kirstie, Justin and baby Wyatt. He is also survived by his brother Raymond (Margaret) Zubach, sisters, Marion (Bjorn) Nielson and Francis (Walter) Boras and numerous nieces and nephews.