JOHN FLUTER

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JOHN FLUTER

 January 11, 1932-March 5, 2023

John Fluter of Virden, Manitoba passed away at Virden Health Centre Sunday, March 5, 2023 at the age of 91 years. John was born January 11, 1932 in Kayville, Saskatchewan, the middle child of Tony and Nettie (nee Hordenchuk), who came from Romanian and Ukrainian roots. John is survived by his two daughters: Darlene (Willy) Schwarz, Bonny Kobialko (Russ); eight grandchildren: Lesley Schwarz (T.J.), Billy Schwarz, Tara (Travis) Pipella, Tanya (Jeremey) Hole, David (Savannah) Schwarz, Ashley (Mike) Williams, Kristen Kobialko, Kylee (James) Bailey; 15 great-grandchildren: Marina Henlisia, Nick Henlisia, Dylan Henlisia, Jaide (Chayse) Warkentin, Jasmine Pipella, Kiara Schwarz, Tatiana Henlisia, Kyle Hole (Zoey), Justin Hole, Marshall Bailey, William Schwarz, Shyan Schwarz, Raiya Williams, Jaidyn Williams, Maicey Bailey, and one great-great-grandchild: Ralph Henlisia.
John was predeceased by his parents, his infant brother Nicky, older sister Grace (2016), and wife Gerry Fluter (2011). John's parents parted ways when he was six years old, and he continued to live with his Dad. John attended Kayville School which he traveled to on his horse named "Mac.” John started working at various farm boy jobs at the age of 12 and left home when he was 17 to pursue life. His working days included employment at Simpson Sears in Regina, construction jobs, and eventually truck driving. John describes his time "behind the wheel" as some of the best times of his life. These trucking jobs took him all over Western Canada including the NWT and Alaska and he recalls Lethbridge as a place he really loved. John estimates that he logged well over a million miles in his truck driving days, and he is very proud of his work.
John's first marriage was in 1958 to Norma Ross and her daughter Darlene, from Cartwright. A second daughter, Bonny, was added to the family in 1962. After he and Norma parted ways, John's trucking work brought him to Virden hauling oil in the patch. Over the years, John lived in Kayville, Wood Mountain, and Regina, Saskatchewan, as well as Edmonton, Alberta. Manitoba homes included Winnipeg, Cartwright and Boissevain, before finally making Virden his home in 1981. He loved to dance and attend BINGO, and over several meetings at dances and BINGO, John took Gerry Henuset on a coffee date. They eventually enjoyed 26 years of marriage.
Gerry's family of 6 kids and grandkids and great-grandkids were an important part of John's life. Gerry passed away in 2011 and John had to reinvent himself once again. His most recent years were spent doing as much as he could in the community of Virden. John enjoyed daily coffee dates with his coffee friends and always had a joke or something to tease somebody about, which earned him the affectionate term of "troublemaker''. John volunteered many hours taking tickets at the Oil Caps games, he was a Legion Member, and very much enjoyed selling drink tickets for social events and other tasks as required. John was always willing to lend a hand and did so with a cheerful disposition. John's best times in life came from the people who enriched his life, dancing, bingo, traveling, helping others. John's core beliefs were rooted in honesty and being a kind human.
The funeral service was held at Carscadden Funeral Chapel, Virden, Thursday, March 9, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. with Mrs. Joyce March officiating. Interment was in Virden Cemetery. For those who so desire, memorial tributes may be made to Prairie Mountain Health for Virden and Area Palliative Care, P.O. Box 400 Virden, MB R0M 2C0.

 Messages of condolence may be placed at www.carscaddenfuneralchapel.com

As published in Brandon Sun on Mar 11, 2023