JOHN MERKO

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JOHN MERKO On Saturday, March 12, 2011 John passed away at the Deer Lodge Centre at the age of 92 years. Left to mourn John's memory is sister-in-law Elsie Merko of Ethelbert; nieces Mary Pitura of Ethelbert, Adeline Shymanski of Winnipeg; nephew Al Merko of Brandon; cousin Nettie Suggett of Winnipeg; as well as many other nieces and nephews throughout Canada and the United States. He was predeceased by his parents Iwan and Annie; sister Helen Fedorchuk; brothers, William, Joseph, Andrew, Sam, and Peter; sisters-in-law, Nettie, Ann, Verna, Stella and brother-in-law Michael Fedorchuk. John was born June 23, 1918 on the family farm in Kulish District in the RM of Ethelbert, Manitoba to Iwan and Annie (Horodelski) Merko. When he was six months old his father died. He grew up on the farm with his Mother and six older siblings and went to school in Kulish. After completing his schooling, John moved to Winnipeg and worked on a dairy farm just south of the City. In 1941 John was called to serve his country and he joined the Canadian Army. He received his basic training in Portage la Prairie and Camp Borden. He received further training in Camp De Valcartier, Quebec and was posted to a Military Hospital in Mulgrave, Nova Scotia where he worked as a medic. When the war ended John was discharged from the army and he joined his brothers, William, Joseph and Sam in Thunder Bay. He worked in a bakery for a while before returning to Winnipeg. In 1960 he worked in Churchill, Manitoba as a cleaning service man at the RCAF station. John later returned to Winnipeg and continued working as a cleaning service man until his retirement. He lived at the Arlington Haus Senior's Complex and the Deer Lodge Center where he resided until his passing. On Thursday, March 17, 2011 a private family Funeral Service for John was held in the Chapel of Memories in Wojcik's Funeral Chapel, 2157 Portage Avenue at Sharp Boulevard with Rev. Fr. Isidore Dziadyk, presider. Interment was in the Veteran's section in Brookside Cemetery, 3001 Notre Dame Avenue, Winnipeg, MB.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 19, 2011