Aunty Barb and cousins,

I am so sorry for the loss of your dear well loved husband and Dad. He was a very unique person with so much love and happiness in his life. I know my sister loved living in Spirit and being part of the family when she needed a mentor. Thinking of you all during this difficult time. Sandra Wiley

I had the pleasure of interacting directly with this kind and gentle man a few years ago in Spirit River. Although I knew who he was all my life. Members of my family, including my Father, had been employed by John. They unanimously recount his generosity, kind heart and spirit. It goes without saying that Spirit River would be a mere shadow of itself if it weren't for this man. The world has been a better place because John was in it. Enjoy a much deserved rest in the arms of our Lord and Savior. You will me missed.

Condolences to Barb, children that I knew and family.

John did like jokes. When a wheel fell off a crew cab of hunters he was driving he sand " you picked a fine tine to leave me loose wheel".

Rest in peace.

Dear Barb and all the family,

Please accept my sympathies on the occasion of the death of your husband, John. May he rest in peace.

Fond are the memories of your days in McLennan.

Love and prayers,

Kevin (Terry) Lynch

PS -- if ever this way, do drop by.

Barb, and all your family, we send our sympathy, thoughts and prayers. We were so saddened to hear of John's passing. This will leave a huge loss to all of you, the community, and his many , many friends.John always had time to say hello and have a little chat. We always remember the goid times when we were golfing, sitting among the campers, Metro and Nick on their guitars and Gail on the spoons. I'm sure you could hear us singing and laughing for a long way away but no one complained. Sundays, after church, stopping at your table at Alexander's , to say hi and have a little chat. He will be missed. Our heartfelt Blessings to all. Rest in Peace , John, now in your forever Home.

Dear Auntie Barb and Family.

Just A Few Memories of Uncle Johnny

My Mom (uncle Johnny’s sister) told me I was named after her two younger brothers, John and Albert.

I was baptized on August 13, 1950. Uncle Johnny was 16 years old and his sister, Natalie, was 15 years old, a young age to take on the responsibility of being my Godfather and Godmother but they did and they did it very well.

When I was 5 years old, a little black Volkswagen beetle drove up on the street and out came uncle Johnny and a pretty young lady (our future auntie Barb). They came in and he introduced his sweetheart to our family. Soon after introductions, he told my brother Art and I that he forgot a box in the back of the bug and asked if we could go get it. Art and I brought the box into the house, he told us to open it and inside were two pairs of skates. A pair for me and a pair for Art. Wow, our first pair of skates, did he ever make us happy. I recall as a youth going to watch uncle Johnny play hockey and his athletic ability made him my first hockey hero. More importantly was the way he handled himself off the ice which made him a great role model.

While we were living on the farm, Mom & Dad wanted to take the family to Dawson Creek to visit our grandparents whom we hadn’t seen for a while. Mom asked uncle Johnny if he knew anyone who could milk the cows, slop the hogs and feed the chickens, etc., just in case we didn’t get back home in time. He said, “Jim, go visit mom & dad, I’ll look after things”. We returned home to see uncle Johnny walking out of the barn towards the house with a two-and-a-half-gallon pail of milk in each hand with a proud look on his face that said, “I’ve still got it”. Right beside him was auntie Barb, Doug and Darcy with their empty grain pails having just finished feeding the chickens. There were a few times on the farm when brothers Jim and Hugh emptied the gas barrel driving to dances/parties all over the Peace County but Johnny, “their guardian angel”, would somehow get those barrels filled up so the farm work would get done. Mom and Dad tried to pay him back many times but he would just say, “I know times a little tough right now, we’ll even up later”.

When brother Chuck was badly burnt requiring treatment by burn specialists, it was uncle Johnny who put every thing aside and drove mom and Chuck to Edmonton. Before returning, he gave Mom extra money to stay in Edmonton to be with Chuck.

As a teenager uncle Johnny and auntie Bard visited us many times during their trips to Edmonton. He always made me chuckle with little sayings like. “Hello John, your money gone?” One time I replied, “Yeah it’s all gone, how about you give me some”. He didn’t say that little diddle quite as often after that. Then when I was older with a part time job he would say, “I hear you’re making good money now, do you think you could lend me a few bucks till my brother straightens out…. he’s a hunchback….” He always had countless jokes and sayings that would lighten the mood making us laugh.

After we were married, I took Jocelyne to the Peace Country for the first time. Johnny and Barb entertained us, fed us and then insisted that we stay overnight in their house. A couple hours later I found us sleeping in their bedroom; their hospitality was second to none.

There are so many fond memories of times shared with uncle Johnny and auntie Barb and these are just a few of them. You have been a super uncle and godfather. Your Spirit continues to be with Jocelyne and I.

John Marple

Dear Barb and Family,

Sending our sincerest condolences to all of you. We were fortunate enough to have met John during our stay at Towerpoint. He was a person who had many friends and was well known around the resort. Thanks for the friendship, you made everyone around feel like you truly valued them.Spirit River has lost a true pioneer. R.I.P John

Your Friends Marv & Marilyn

I knew John from working at the 49 Motel.

Condolences to Barb and family.

Thoughts and condolences to the entire Listhaeghe family. Colette and I loved our time in Spirit River and John / Barb were wonderful and welcoming. John was always involved and supportive of Ranger hockey and I had the privilege to play alongside his sons and nephews. Spirit River will miss him very much.

Kelly and Colette Josephison

I have a lot of memories of Uncle John. A great generous uncle who I would consider to be an older brother. There are too many to instances to number so I will use Point Form.

# It starts with the first time he gave me a used pair of Skates.

# Trips on the NAR Caboose return Spirit River to Beaverlodge

# Weekends hunting for Prairie Chicken and Partridge

# Riding Shotgun for brother Jim and I the first couple of years in the SPHL

# Having the privilege of being an adopted member of the family for a time when

it was greatly needed

# Support in general at all times

# Trips to inspect the farms and the fields in the pick up when visiting

# Fishing on the West Coast of Vancouver Island

# Being an advisor and confidant whenever it was desired.

There is so much more to share, so many forgotten moments. He will be sorely missed. He will be forever in my thoughts and prayers. Rest in Peace JL

Our condolences to Barb and the Listhaeghe family. We are saddened to hear of your loss. I worked for John right out of high school.I remember him as a great boss. Our families became friends when John’s parents owned the Silverwood grocery store.

Our hearts go out to Barb and all of the family. Johnny’s loss leaves a huge footstep. Gordon and Donna Skoworodko

Our sincere condolences to Barb and family.John and I were teammates for many years with the Rangers.May he rest peacefully.

Steve and Casey Kushneryk .

Mark and I would like to send our sincerest condolences to all of Johnny's family! He was such a huge part of Spirit River and we remember him with fondness .Sincerely Mark and Cindy (Hogg) Moskalyk

Mark and I express our sadness and condolences to Barb and all of your family. We always enjoyed our visits with JL and know he will be missed by many. Hugs go out to everyone.

So very sorry to hear of JLs passing. Deepest condolences to Barb and the family.