JOHN DILK December 29, 1914 - December 2, 2008 John was born December 29, 1914 in Winnipeg, Manitoba to Jacob and Maria Yakel. Maria died three days later. Since Jacob had two little girls and needed to work, neighbours Philip and Natalie Dilk offered to help and fell in love with John and eventually "adopted" him. John was 21 when he learned that he was "adopted". John married Elsie Seib on June 21, 1942 in Herbert, SK. They farmed at Minitonas, MB for 18 years and raised four daughters. In 1946, John located his biological father, now living in Nebraska, USA. Jacob Yakel had remarried a widow with five young children, and together they had seven more children... 14 in all... without John. It was December 1948 when John "came home for Christmas" in Scotts Bluff, Nebraska and met his father and the rest of his family with joy, and tears of great rejoicing. With no sons to help with the farm, John and Elsie moved to Kamloops, BC. John was employed with the BC Department of Highways and worked for the next 15 years until he took early retirement to the "hobby" farm at Salmon Arm where they enjoyed living for the next 30 years. The farmyard was always kept like a park and people often commented on the sense of "peace" they felt there. When Elsie died in 2005, John moved into Pine Grove Care Centre, Kamloops where he touched many lives. John was well known for his strong Christian faith and was often called upon for prayer by family and friends alike in times of need. He was a member of Five Corners Pentecostal Church and a lifetime member of the Salmon Arm Full Gospel Business Mens Fellowship. John passed away peacefully into the presence of his Lord December 2, 2008... again... hes "home" for Christmas. John leaves four daughters, Ruth (Don) Strutt, Sicamous, BC; Marcia (Dennis) Makeeff, Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Evelyn (Andrew) Picklyk, Kamloops, BC; and Grace (Edward) Brasseur, Salmon Arm, BC; ten grandchildren; Timothy, Jonathan, Crystal and Matthew; Brenda and Sherri; Andy and Andrea; and Michael and Rachelle; also thirteen great grandchildren. John is also survived by three adoptive siblings in Canada and one "full" birth sister in Nebraska and a good number of other "family" brothers and sisters along with many nieces and nephews both in Canada and the USA. A family burial took place on Monday, December 8, 2008 at Mt. Ida Cemetery, Salmon Arm. A memorial service will be held later in January. Condolences may be sent to sympathy@bowersfuneralservice.com Arrangements were in the care of Bowers Funeral Home, Salmon Arm