John’s Obituary
John Bitz was born at home on April 15, 1933, in Burstall Saskatchewan.
He passed peacefully the morning of October 28, 2021, in Valleyview Alberta
at the age of 88.
John was born to Roy and Mary Bitz – the 5th of 10 children. He was raised
on a grain farm in rural Saskatchewan until their family expanded their
operation and moved to Oyen Alberta together in the spring of 1955.
John and Yvonne were married on November 17, 1955, in Mendham
Saskatchewan. Together they had 5 children: Theresa, Randall, Gale, Karen,
and Darin. They raised the first four children in Oyen Alberta, until 1968
when they moved to Valleyview to homestead. John continued to run a farm,
work in the drilling rigs and at the McLean’s sawmill. They welcomed their
last child Darin in June of 1969. John worked the farm until his retirement at
the age of 65, where he then sold his farm.
In his youth, John played umpire for the local baseball team, and in his later
years, he coached Minor Baseball for 5 years. John had an incredible work
ethic if he started on a project, he continued until it was finished. He spent a
lot of his time with his cousin Clarance Ibach and family in sunset house,
who opened their home to many children that John loved to be around.
His favorite things in life were fishing and hunting, bowling, playing cards
and going to the drop-in hall to play pool. He had a very fond spot for his
desserts, especially chocolate cake with a large slice of butter. John had a
passion for country music, his favorite was Johnny Cash. His favorite
family get-togethers were Thanksgiving long weekends where they would all
butcher pigs together.
For his 80th birthday, he traveled to Northern Saskatchewan for a fly-in
fishing trip with all of his children. They spend a week fishing, and his
favorite part of the trip was the shore lunch and watching the eagles and
pelicans that were numerous there. This trip turned out to be the best of his
life. Anyone who knew John knew his love for card games, especially crib.
So much so that he played right up until the night before he died, winning his
last game.
John is predeceased by his mother Mary Eva Bitz and father Roy Vincent
Bitz. His 3 sisters: Catherine, Margaret and Jean and 5 brothers: Roy, Louis,
Patrick, Albert and Eugene. He is survived by his brother Vern and leaves
behind his 5 children, 17 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren.
Read More
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de John Bitz April 15 1933 October 28 2021..
Chapel of Memories Funeral Homes & Crematorium
Décès pour la Ville: Valleyview, Province: Alberta