Obituary of John Albert DEWALD

May 19, 1931 - Evansberg, Alberta   

July 23, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta   

John Dewald of Calgary, Alberta passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 23, 2020 at the age of 89 years.

John was born in Evansberg, Alberta on May 19, 1931. As a young man, he lived in Creston, British Columbia, Drayton Valley, Alberta, Stettler, Alberta and Weyburn, Saskatchewan but lived most of his adult life in Edmonton, Alberta, moving to Calgary in 2001 following the death of his beloved wife, Elizabeth (Betty) Dewald whom he married on July 6, 1956.  Betty died September 11, 1998.

In partnership with his brother, Henry, John owned and operated a successful business, Dewald Construction Ltd. for almost 40 years before retiring in 1992.

John did much through his life but felt his greatest accomplishment and legacy was his family.

He was a talented musician with a beautiful voice and few things gave him more pleasure than to play with the various bands he was a part of, to jam with fellow musicians and especially to play with his brothers and sisters, who were also all accomplished musicians.

He also loved the cabin he and Betty had at Nakamun Lake, especially when his whole family was there and many, many days were spent boating, fishing, snowmobiling, playing hockey, singing around a fire, water skiing, tobogganing, motorbiking and barbecuing.

In 2007, John married Sonja Marie Letendre with whom he enjoyed a loving and companionable marriage until her death in 2018. Together they spent many winters in the Arizona sunshine where John wasted no time organizing several weekly jam sessions.

John is survived by his daughter Sandra (Rand) Smale of Calgary, his son John (Rhoda) of Chilliwack, BC, and his son Brian (Carol) of Calgary; as well as his Step-daughter Robyn (Neil) Armstrong. He is also survived by grandchildren, Jon (Elizabeth Balogh) Cheladyn of St. Catherines, Ontario, Scott (Julie) Lygo of Calgary, Steven (Cassandra) Lygo of Calgary, Clayton (Erin) Dewald of Nanaimo, BC, and Nicole Dewald of Guelph, Ontario, Sandra (Spencer Palmer) (Spencer) and Taylor (Rosalind Toews) Boyse; and by his great-grandchildren John (Jon and Elizabeth) Cheladyn and Hannah and Owen (Steven and Cassandra) Lygo.

John is also survived by his sister Helen Skoreyko of Edmonton and his brother Richard (and Heather) Dewald of Creston, BC, and his sisters-in-law Heidi Dewald and Jennifer Dewald of Creston, BC; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

John was predeceased by Betty and Sonja, his daughter, Debra; as well as sisters Lucille and Irene, brothers Bill, Ken and Henry, brother-in-law Bill (Helen) Skorekyo, sister-in-law, Florence (Henry) Dewald and his parents, Annie and Henry and step-daughter Tamara Letendre.

Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB), on Thursday, July 30, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on John’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

In living memory of John Dewald, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE NW, CALGARY, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.