John Heinonen

MR. JOHN HEINONEN of Picture Butte, passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Thursday, July 2, 2009 at the age of 78 years.

John was born June 19, 1931 in Lethbridge and was raised on a farm south of Keho Lake. He attended Keho and Nobleford schools and later worked at the Alberta Sugar Factories in Picture Butte and Taber until he took early retirement in the mid 1980s.

On November 16, 1956 John married Elizabeth (Betty) Sabo and his brother Leo married Betty's sister Helen in a double ceremony. John lived in Picture Butte ever since and was involved in the cubs, boy scouts, fire department, Elks and tractor club. He was also an avid gardener and grew many wonderful crops over the years.

He enjoyed many family vacations in Western Canada and the United States and made many semi-annual trips to Las Vegas, which were made extra special by his granddaughters births in 1992 and 1996.

John is survived by his daughters Laurie (George) Cizek of Calgary, Cathy (Ken) Miller of Las Vegas; son Garry Heinonen of Picture Butte; grandchildren Brandon and Ryan Cizek, Michelle and Ashley Miller; John was also blessed with in-laws Zolton and Mona Sabo, Helen Heinonen, Ron and Anne Sabo, Doug and Rose Oler all from Lethbridge as well as Mike and Margaret Schneyder from Magrath and Carol Rosen from Rainier, Alberta; John was also ""Uncle John"" to 25 nieces and nephews.

Besides his loving wife Betty, John was predeceased by his parents Nicholas and Lempi; brother Leo; sister Aino; brother-in-law Stanley (Butch) Rosen and nephew Jason Sabo.

A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00pm, on Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at the MARTIN BROS.RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 - 4 St., S., Lethbridge, Alberta, with Pastor Kevin Powell officiating. Interment will follow in the Mountain View Cemetery.

Thank-you to the staff of the Piyami Lodge in Picture Butte and the Chinook Regional Hospital for their wonderful care.

For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to the Arthritis Society of Lethbridge, 4B, 740 - 4 Ave., S., Lethbridge, AB, T1J 0N9.