JOSEF (JOE) MICHALKOW

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JOSEF (JOE) MICHALKOW January 4, 1919 - June 19, 2008 Josef (Joe) Michalkow, beloved husband of Leona, passed away at home surrounded by his family on June 19, 2008 He was born in Mikado, Saskatchewan to Peter and Victoria Michalkow. He spent his childhood in Mikado until 1941 when he joined the Winnipeg Grenadiers and was sent to Hong Kong. He was captured in December 1941 and was released at the end of the war in Japan. The stories of his internment in Japan were a private memory. These are what drove him to have a colourful life. He met his beloved Leona on Valentines Day in 1947 in Mikado. After a short courtship they married in June of that year. After their marriage they lived in Makado and he worked on road construction. A year later they were blessed with their first child Cynthia. In July 1951 they welcomed their second daughter Gail. In 1957 they moved to Arran, Saskatchewan where Joe worked for National Grain Elevators. In 1959 they moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba where he worked at Canadian Bronze until his retirement. They moved to Cardston, Alberta in August 2005 where he has enjoyed the company of friends and family. He was a proud Royal Canadian Legion member where he will be sorely missed at his regular Friday night suppers. He is predeceased by his parents Peter and Victoria; his sisters, Lena, Ann, Agnes; his brothers, Anton, John, Alec, and Orest; very special uncle Allan and auntie Anne Marchinko. He leaves to mourn his wife of 61 years Leona; their daughters, Cynthia (Don) Melanson and their children, Joe (Lisa) Melanson, daughter Ashlea, Terra, and Aleshia Melanson and Gail Michalkow and her daughter Melissa Kozier. The funeral service will be held at St. Theresa's Catholic Church, Cardston, Alberta on Monday, June 23, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. with Father Ben Merino Officiating. Friends may meet the family at the Church on Sunday, June 22 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Or prior to the Service. Interment in the Cardston Cemetery. E-mail your condolences to: legacyfh@telus.net Legacy Funeral Homes Ltd., Cardston, AB Assisting the Family. Phone 653-3222

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 22, 2008