It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of John Mentanko on Wednesday, April 15, 2015 at the age of 79 with his children by his side. John was born on January 10, 1936 on the family farm north of Sturgis. He attended Ajax School until grade 8 and then he went to work in British Columbia as a caterpillar driver and mechanic. He returned back home to the Endeavour area and married Betty (nee Chornobay) on October 30, 1956 and they were blessed with three children, Sheldon, Duril and Michelle. They bought a house and moved to Yorkton in 1966. John was a diesel mechanic by trade and worked all over Canada. He worked at Matheson Brothers Construction in Yorkton and then returned to BC and the Yukon working for Ben Ginter Construction building the Dempster Highway. He was a member of the Operating Engineers Union where work took him to Northern Saskatchewan (Key Lake and Cluff Lake mines) and Faro Yukon when they reopened the mine. He finished his long career as a master mechanic in Ontario before retiring in 1995. In his retirement years he enjoyed helping Betty work in the garden and being the caretaker of his four-plex building. They spent many summers going to the cabin at East Blue Lake where he enjoyed the outdoors and looked forward to all the fish fries. He really loved the many gatherings with family and friends. More recently the company of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought him the most pleasure. John was predeceased by his wife, Betty Mentanko; his father, Nestor; his mother, Pauline; his brothers, George, Harry, Harry Jr., Mike and sisters, Katie, and Anne. John leaves to mourn his passing and cherish his memory his children, Sheldon (Rose), Winnipeg, MB, Duril (Lynda) Yorkton, SK, Michelle (Jeff ) Yorkton, SK; his brothers and sisters, Margret, Steve, Rita, and Elsie; nine grandchildren, Ashley, Josh, Brooke and Christina Mentanko, Lynelle (Corey) Kozey, Travis (Lauren) Mentanko, Lindsay (Pat) Morrison, Danyelle (Michael) Bayly and Levi (Melissa) Morley and nine great-grandchildren, Hunter and Reid Kozey, Heidi and Rachel Mentanko, Grace Morrison, Leo and Nash Bayly and Briah and Owen Morley. The Funeral Service was held on Monday, April 20, 2015 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home in Yorkton, SK with Reverend Jen Dresser (minister of St. Andrew's United Church) officiating. Special Taped Music Selections included "When I Get Where I'm Going" by Brad Paisley (as the Processional), "Hallelujah" by k. d. lang, "Amazing Grace" by Susan Boyle and "Let It Be" by the Beatles (as the Recessional). The Honourary Pall bearers were Brooke Mentanko, Danyelle Bayly, Michael Bayly, Melissa Morley, Lauren Mentanko, Josh Mentanko, Lynelle Kozey and Lindsay Morrison. Following a luncheon in the Gunn Reception Room at Christie's Funeral Home, the Interment Service took place in the Endeavour Cemetery with Travis Mentanko, Levi Morley, Corey Kozey, Pat Morrison, Ashley Mentanko and Christina Mentanko serving as the casket bearers. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, SK.
