Obituary of John Achtymichuk

ACHTYMICHUK - John was born to Fred and Lena Achtymichuk on Sept. 14, 1922 on the family farm in the Rhein district. He was followed by two sisters, Marie and Edna. In his early years he attended New Canadian School. In 1933 the family moved to the Verigin area farm where John attended Spring Valley School and then Verigin High School to finish grade 10. In 1940 John worked in Sudbury, Ont. for the International Nickel Co. for 5 months. From there he followed his family to Vancouver, became a welder, and worked as a welder for 6 years at the N. Burrard Dry Dock repairing freighters. In 1944 John married Anne Skutar of Yorkton. The couple moved back to Anne's childhood farm SW of Kamsack in 1946. They raised 4 children, Yvonne, Lillian, Nestor and David. John accomplished much in his 41 years of farming. He overcame the loss of a leg in 1958, learning to walk with a prosthesis. He mechanized, modernized, and expanded the farm to make it possible to continue doing what he loved best. In 1983 John added a seed cleaning plant to their operation to serve the area farmers. John was a member of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, serving as secretary for St. Michael's (rural), and later a member of All Saints in Kamsack and Holy Transfiguration in Yorkton. John retired from farming in 1995 and moved to Yorkton. With failing physical health, he entered the Yorkton & District Nursing Home in 2007. After a long gradual decline, John entered eternal rest on Jan. 28, 2011 at the age of 88. He was predeceased by his parents, Fred and Lena, his sister Marie and his daughters Orysia and Lillian. He is survived by his wife Anne, sister Edna, sons Nestor (Valerie) and David, daughter Yvonne (Orest) Panchuk; grandchildren: Jody, Shaun, Amie, Fr. Samuel, Evan, Alissa (Russell) McRae, Lori, Chris (Krystal), Leigh, Julianna; great-grandchildren: Kessa, Ricki, Reid, Andrew, Owain, and Emma. May his memory be eternal! Prayer services were held on Tuesday evening, February 1, 2011 from Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The funeral service was held on Wednesday morning, February 2, 2011 from Holy Transfiguration Church with Very Rev. Father Mel Slashinsky officiating. The Cantor, Gerald Yaholnitsky, assisted by members of the Parish Choir, led in the singing of the responses. The crossbearer was Julianna Sembaluk, the bannerbearers were Lori Sembaluk and Amie Achtymichuk. The interment took place in the Yorkton City Cemetery with Don Achtemichuk, Jody and Shaun Achtymichuk, Russell McRae, Delbert Kindiak, and Chris and Bryan Sembaluk serving as the casketbearers. Arrangements were in care of Bailey's Funeral Home. Service Information Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011 10:00am, Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church Interment Details Yorkton City Cemetery