With great sadness, the family of John Choptuik announce his passing from this life, into the heavens above on Sunday, December 4, 2016 at the Yorkton & District Nursing Home. John was 87 years young. John was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Anne (nee Stebelski), his wife, Laura and his son Lorrie. Left to mourn John's passing are his five children, Arlene (Ben), Virginia (Fred), Joey (Shelley), Randy (Karen) and Maria (Gary); his daughter-in-law, Debbie as well as his 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. John also has two surviving brothers, Ernie (Margaret), Walter (Helen) and one sister, Phyllis (David), nieces, nephews, numerous step-family and friends. John was born in Hamiota, MB on July 11, 1929 and went to school in Solsgirth. He married Annette Holowka in 1953 and they started their family together. He worked hard and played hard throughout his entire life. He was a helper on the home farm then was employed on the CP rail for many years. The family moved wherever the job was. In 1964 John moved to Churchbridge and worked as a supervisor underground at the potash mine near Esterhazy, SK. John was very proud of working at the mine and even prouder when his sons and grandson took on jobs at IMC/Mosaic. He retired in 1987 due to health reasons. John married Laura Loveridge in 1991 and a few years later they moved to Yorkton. John loved to keep busy and if something wasn't right he would make it right, "not now but right now". John was always so proud of his garden and had a real green thumb and never a weed - he was always trying to give his produce away. He loved music, dancing, hunting, swimming, fishing and camping. The campgrounds probably didn't like to see his motorhome pulling in because from the moment he arrived he had a huge fire burning. Between the fire and smoke using all of the free firewood and his polka music playing you could always locate him in the campground. John liked to watch his grandchildren's sports and held a Yorkton Terrier's seasons ticket for many years. He enjoyed many harvest seasons combining on Virginia and Fred's farm. Above all, he loved spending time visiting with family members, just to visit and have a drink - that would put a gleam in his eye. In January 2014, John's Alzheimers advanced and he moved into the Yorkton & District Nursing Home. The disease stole his words but not his smile or his sense of humor. Friends so wishing may make donations in John's memory to the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan. Funeral Services were held on Friday, December 9, 2016 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home in Yorkton, SK with Shelly Morris officiating. The organist, Carla Laycock, led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "Amazing Grace" and "In the Garden". Special music was provided by Linda Datema, Esther Morgan, Teresa Laycock and Carla Laycock who sang, "Jealous of the Angels". The Interment Service followed in the Yorkton City Cemetery with John's grandchildren, Cory Heggestad, Channa Lamarche, Melissa Choptuik, Ryan Choptuik, Robert Cross, Michael Cross, Josha Choptuik, Louden Choptuik, Michelle Orr, Morgan Choptuik and Daniel Ducharme serving as casket bearers. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting . Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
