John was born on May 3, 1924 at the homestead five miles west of Wymark, SK, to Peter & Anna Dyck. He attended school at Montford until grade eight. John did odd jobs for neighbors like planting gardens and worked for Charlie Shook doing odd jobs repairing. At the age of fifteen, John and Bernard Giesbrecht took a train to Coledale, AB to do threshing. At sixteen, John returned to Wymark to work for Sam Pollard, where he bought a saddle from him for $7.00 and in turn sold it for $15.00 to get enough money to travel to work in Capuskasing, ON in the bush for a few weeks. It was extremely cold that winter and John was able to travel with Uncle Isaac. John then went on to Toronto to join the army, but they sent him back, because he was too young. On the way back, he took a freight train and stopped in Winnipeg to work on a farm for a few weeks. In 1942, John went back to work for Sam Pollard for five years, and it was during this time that he married Elisabeth Giesbrecht. Ever since Elisabeth was young, she had said that she was going to marry John. John always said that he finally gave up, and on November 2, 1943, at age nineteen, he married her in a small Presbyterian Church on 1st Ave NW. The couple lived on Elisabeth’s family farm in Schantzenfeld. However, one month into the marriage, John left to work in Coleman for four months and mom was only able to visit him at Christmas time. When dad returned, he continued working for Sam Pollard with his farming until 1948. In 1946, John bought the acreage from his father-in-law, and in 1947, Cornelius Giesbrecht passed away. The following year, John worked for Cecil Murray at the Royal Light Delivery Service, and in 1952, John spent the year rebuilding the Duncarin Dam. At this time, John worked off and on between Pollards, the Metz Telephone Construction Co. and the Royal Light Delivery Service. John & Elisabeth had three children during this time. Ronald John was born on August 29, 1945. John used to joke that they just fooled around for a few years until the other children arrived. Raymond was born in 1951, and sadly passed one month later and Erna was born on November 23, 1953. In 1960, John started work at the horse plant and in 1964, he started to work at John’s Auto Body where he remained for close to fourteen years. Although John had many job’s, he was always most proud of his family farm and the significant changes he made to the farm. He often talked about that and wondered what his father-in-law would say if he could see it now. The farm became a point for all family gatherings and will be fondly remembered by the grandchildren, who spent many years out there quadding, riding the tractors and gardening. In 1977, Elisabeth passed away and on April 14, 1979 he married Mary (Friesen) Jangula, at the Grace United Church in Swift Current. The family once again grew when Mary’s five children and their families joined ours. Mary passed away in 2001, and John moved into the Heritage Towers where he met a wonderful group of friends. Dad was always a humble man, never spending money on himself. He would give you the shirt off his back. He was a man with a sense of humor that still remained at the end. Every once in a while, he would look at you with a devilish twinkle in his eye and you knew he was still there. John passed away at 85 years of age, on Monday, December 7, 2009, a 9:00 pm, at the Cypress Regional Hospital, Swift Current. John was predeceased by his son, Raymond, at one month of age; a step-daughter, Judy and her infant daughter, Shawna; his brothers, Dave and Bill; and by a sister, Susie. John is survived by his immediate family, his son, Ronald & Yvonne Dyck; his daughter Erna & Ed Larmour; his granddaughters, Melanie and Marla & Brett; his grandson, Orrin; his great-granddaughters, Annissa and Zoë; his extended family, Harold, Gordon, Roy, John, Larry and their families; his brothers, Ike (Anne), Jake (Betty), Hank (Eva) and Ben (Leona); his sisters, Annie (Dave) Penner and Agnes (Abe) Wiens; his numerous nieces and nephews; and by his dear friend, Delores. Dad, we are deeply saddened by your passing, but will always fondly remember you. We love you and miss you already. The Funeral Service was held on Friday, December 11, 2009 at 1:30 pm from the Zion Mennonite Church, Swift Current, SK with Rev. Herman Wiebe officiating. The pianist for the service was Delores Falk. “Joyful, Joyful” and “Blessed Assurance” were sung by the congregation. The eulogy was shared by the granddaughters. Special music on CD was, “Father’s Love” and “Look for Me Around the Throne”. The ushers in the church were Peter (M) Dyck, Pete (H) Dyck and Bill Reimche. The Interment Service was held at the Schantzenfeld Cemetery with the following serving as pallbearers, Roger Dyck, Cameron Dyck, Harvey Giesbrecht, Randy Giesbrecht, Les Penner and John Wiens. In memory of John P. Dyck, donations made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements were in care of Swift Current Funeral Home, Swift Current, SK.