of Ardrossan
Sep 22, 2020
Loving father and husband John Witten lost his battle with cancer and passed away September 22, 2020.
He has now been raised in power, received his new body, and gone to be with his loving Saviour and Lord Jesus in heaven.
John enjoyed working on old cars, being active and traveling, and being involved in his church helping people.
John became an Autobody Technician through NAIT and it’s apprentice program. He loved working on old cars and he loved his Chevy II Nova’s. He was especially fond of his 1965 Nova SS, which he sold after he got married (it was too fast and liked by the Edmonton City Police & RCMP), and his present-day 1962 Cherry Red Nova convertible. At his passing John was employed by the City of Edmonton as an Autobody Technician for ETS. He found a lot of satisfaction working in the ETS garage on the big city buses.
John also liked being an athlete and often competed against those younger than him, his daughter Julie in particular. They ran together, did ski loppets and the Canadians Birkiebeiner. He even did a marathon. At the age of 66 he climbed one of the highest mountains in Norway with his daughter Melanie and her family. He enjoyed going to the 4-H horse events with his daughter Jayme where he would shout words of encouragement as she barrel raced and did gymkana. He loved the outdoors and camping. He also enjoyed travelling, a recent highlight being the trip to Israel.
John also liked to play old timers hockey. As a teenager he liked to play shinny with his friends. His grandsons also liked to play hockey and grandpa always had some timely advice for them after watching them play against the local hockey teams. Just like their grandpa, the grandkids were also involved in sports of any kind and John loved to go see each of them in their sports whether it was hockey, figure skating, swimming, football or soccer. John would also take his grandkids on adventures and would build tree-houses and forts with them. He always had stories to tell them and they hung on every word.
John was involved in different types of ministry throughout his life, including jail visitations, Stephen Ministries and a Missions trip to Nicaragua with 100 other men. He enjoyed going to church and participating in events that supplied food of any kind. If there was food involved you can bet John would be there. He helped out with children’s church by being a leader for the children in grades 1-6. All of his life John was involved with church and was blessed by it. He loved Jesus and would share with anyone who was curious.
John will be missed by his church family, his many friends and his co-workers. He has left a huge void in so many lives.
John is survived by his beloved wife Grace, daughters Melanie Renee and Jayme Leanne as well as sons-in-law Harald, Ryan and Cameron. He will be missed greatly by his grandchildren Benjamin, Ayana, Nova, Amadeus, Kaitlyn & Ava Grace. He was pre-deceased by his daughter Julie Katherine in January of 2020.
A graveside service will be held by invitation only.