John Jacob Thiele
On June 20, 2009 John was reunited with God in his eternal home in Heaven. Born in Bayard, Saskatchewan on May 16, 1920, he passed away at Extendicare in Moose Jaw. Predeceased by his wife of 53 years Bertha in 2003; parents, Zacharias and Katherine, brothers, Otto, Zack and Frank, and sisters, Katie, Caroline, Annie and Mary. John is survived by his son Peter (Kathy) and their child, Madison of Regina, brother Joe (Elizabeth), sister-in-law Vina Thiele and sister-in-law Augusta Thiele, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. John graduated from the first grade 12 class in Spring Valley in 1937-38. He continued his education with a six-month radio repair course, and in 1941 he joined the RCAF as a radar mechanic. Stationed in southern England for over three years, John maintained the ‘Night Fighter’, radar-tracking equipment. Later on, he changed to navigational radar. After the War, John held a variety of jobs: the Liquor Store in Spring Valley, CKRM, CKCK-TV, Eaton’s and Sears in Regina, CFRA in Flin Flon. John married Bertha Machmer in 1950. In 1956 John and Bertha were blessed with a son, Peter. The family returned to Spring Valley in 1964 where John became the secretary-treasurer of the RM of Terrell and the Village of Spring Valley. John was heavily involved in community organizations: the Oro Lake Park Board, the Artesian School Board, the Spring Valley and District Recreation Board and the Lutheran Church Board. John helped organize the 1980 Homecoming and was instrumental in organizing the Terrell History Book. John retired in 1984 and he and Bertha remained in Spring Valley for a number of years and later they moved to Moose Jaw were they spent their final years together. He and Bertha were able to take many trips together and see many parts of the world and truly enjoyed life together. John loved to read and sing and especially enjoyed conversation with all those he met during his lifetime. The Worship Service to celebrate God’s gift of John’s life will be held on Thursday, June 25, at 11:00 a.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church (9th Ave. N.W., ½ km south of Trans Canada Hwy., Moose Jaw).with Reverend John Kreutzweiser officiating. Interment will take place at Peace Lutheran Cemetery, Spring Valley, Saskatchewan at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Emmanuel Lutheran Church Memorial Fund. In living memory of John, a tree will be planted in Besant Park by W. J. Jones & Son Funeral Home. Please sign the memorial register book at website: www.wjjonesandson.com (Obituaries). Dana Smith – Funeral Director