John GWYER

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GWYER: John Dean. June 13, 1933 – June 22, 2015. John Dean Gwyer passed into the presence of Jesus quickly and peacefully on the evening of June 22nd, 2015, at home in the R.M of Minto-Odanah, at the age of 82. Dean was born in Swift Current, Saskatchewan on June 13th, 1933 to Alfred Edgar and Edith Emily (Jacobs) Gwyer, recent immigrants from England. Dean was the only child born to them in Canada. He lived in the Burnham district until he was seven, when the family moved to the Cordova area in Manitoba to escape the drought. After completing school, Dean worked on the farm, and later moved to Winnipeg where he trained and worked as an electrician. His work extended from northeastern Ontario well into Saskatchewan. In 1956, he married Grace Esther (Crook) from Neepawa, and in the spring of 1957 they moved to the home farm. Dean continued to do electrical work on almost every farm in the area to pay the bills while trying to build up his farm. He raised a herd of Hereford cattle, all descended from registered stock, which he was very proud of. In 1997, he suffered a heart attack, and found it impossible to care for his cattle - it was a very sad day for him when they left the farm. Sons John and Michael made it possible for him to continue farming for a few more years by helping out in any way they could. Dean joined the Evangelical Covenant Church in 1962, and served the church and Covenant Heights Bible Camp in many ways. He considered it a great blessing to have such a wonderful church family. He served on the R.M. of Odanah Council for twenty-five years, always trying to do his best in representing the people in Ward 1. His interest in municipal work continued until his death. Dean was predeceased by his son, John, parents Edith and Alfred, sisters Mary Siegel, Monica Gordon, and Josephine Hickey, and brothers George, Bernard and Gerald Gwyer. He was also predeceased by son-in-law Blair Bolduc, nephews Morgan Flay and Bruce Flay, brothers-in-law Herb Hickey, Charles Gordon, Meyer Siegel, Dwight Johnson, James Crook, sisters-in-law Dorothy Crook and Merle (George) Gwyer. He is survived by his wife Grace, his son Michael, his wife Lorena, and their children Avani and Connor, his daughter Carolyn Gwyer, her daughter Brittany Litke, John’s children Colin and Crystal, and two great-grandchildren, Skyla and Phoenix, children of Crystal. Also surviving are sisters-in-law Joyce Johnson, Merle (Gerald) Gwyer, Betty Lou McKee and her husband Ken McKee, many nieces, nephews and valued friends. The last few years were a challenge as Diabetes took its toll. Admissions to hospital helped, and he was able to return home with Home Care. He was so grateful to all the Home Care girls who cared for him, and he looked forward to his visits with each of them. However, in spite of all the help, he continued to decline, and on June 22nd he just could go no further. He said a number of times that he was ready to die. He knew he would be with the Lord, and he was not afraid. Therefore, we embrace I Thessalonians 4:13 where Paul said, “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope”. A service of thanksgiving and worship was held at The Evangelical Covenant Church of Minnedosa at 2pm on Friday, June 27th, 2015 with Pastor Murray Carter officiating. Mrs. Beth MacDonald, a friend, neighbor, and sister in the faith gave the message. Interment was at Riverside Cemetery in Neepawa beside his son John. Pallbearers were friends and neighbors James Andersen, Ron Sandstrom, Glenn Friesen, Neil McLaughlin, and nephews Lawrence Gwyer and Bill Gordon. Minnedosa Funeral Service was in care of arrangements, and their professionalism and kindness was greatly appreciated. Ron Hodgson supported the family with prayer and scripture at the viewing and interment. Gratitude and thanks go out to all who gave of themselves in any way, great or small, to be there for our family on this day of both sadness and joy. Donations in honour of Dean’s life may be made to one of his favorite charities, Operation Smile, to repair a third world child’s cleft palate, at P.O. Box 235 Station Main, Markham ON L3P 3J7 or online at www.operationsmile.org/canada To God be the glory

As published in Brandon Sun on Jul 18, 2015