THE REVEREND JOHN D. HARBARENKO,

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THE REVEREND JOHN D. HARBARENKO, Th.D. September 15, 1910 - January 30, 2000 Peacefully on Sunday, January 30, 2000 at the Swan River Valley Hospital, our loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather went to be with his Lord and Saviour. He was predeceased by his parents, Dimitro and Mary Harbarenko; sisters, Ann Horochuk and Lydia Carlson and grandchildren, Debbie Konowal, Leslie and Cameron Harbarenko. Left to cherish his memory are his loving and devoted wife of nearly 70 years, Antonia "Tony", and their ten children, Leona Konowal (George) - Brandon, MB, Harvey (Audrey) - Delta, BC, Don (Judy) - Leduc, AB, Georgina Buddick - Winnipeg, MB, Richard (Suzette) - Alvinston, ON, John (Helen) - Forest, ON, Shirley Symbalisty (Eugene) - Prince George, BC, Sharon Bowering (Rick) - Winnipeg, MB, Ange Schuening (Friedrich) - Brentwood, TN and Marilyn Rand (Ken) - Surrey, BC. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren and sisters, Elsie Horban (Courtice, ON) and Zenia Glecoff (Oshawa. ON). John was born in Vegreville, Alberta, the only son and eldest of five children. Having just arrived in Canada from the Ukraine, life was difficult for these young homesteaders as they cleared their small parcel of land with a team of horses and began farming. Knowing the importance of education and wanting a better life for their son, they sacrificed so he could attend a private school in Edmonton. Years later he would own a successful John Deere and Chrysler dealership in Glendon. Following his conversion in 1929, John felt a deep call to the ministry. He began to preach almost immediately and was ordained in 1943. After fire destroyed his business and living quarters, he moved his family to Manitoba where he pioneered a Christian work amongst the Ukrainian people in the Swan River Valley. Reverend Harbarenko was a man of vision: Founder and President of Christians of Evangelical Faith (1943-95) President of Living Word Bible College (1947-95) host of the "Living Word Broadcast" aired across Canada, the Caribbean and Eastern Europe (1948-95) Pastor of Living Word Tabernacle (1950-69) Editor of "Living Word" magazine (1952-95) and Director of Living Word Bible Camp (1990-98). Reverend Harbarenko was instrumental in the establishment of churches in Canada, the United States, South America, Africa, Eastern Europe and Russia. He had a special love and respect for the Native people and often flew his small aircraft to reserves in northern Manitoba and Ontario. Countless people were touched by his life and ministry. One of his most rewarding experiences was having the opportunity to travel to the Ukraine to visit the birthplace of his parents and share the gospel of Christ with members of their extended families. Our Dad was an enthusiastic, caring and hardworking man who always met a challenge head-on. He enjoyed the outdoors and loved to hunt and fish. His life could best be summed up in the words of the Bible verse found in 2 Timothy 4:7 because he indeed "...fought the good fight...finished the race...kept the faith." Visitation will be held in the chapel of Paull Funeral Home and Crematorium, 506-2nd Street N., Swan River on Thursday, February 3 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Funeral service will be held in the Living Word Tabernacle, 203 Centennial Drive, Swan River on Friday, February 4 at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow at the Birchwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Don, Richard and John Harbarenko, Jerry Andre, Reverend Ron Predy and Keith Born. We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to the many friends from the church and community who have been so generous in their expressions of love, care and prayer over the past months. Words cannot express our appreciation and gratitude for all your kindness. A special thank you as well to Dr. M. Singh and the hospital nursing staff. Flowers are gratefully declined. If friends desire, donations in memory of Reverend Harbarenko may be made to the Living Word Memorial Fund, Box 99, Swan River, MB R0L 1Z0. PAULL FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM in care of arrangements. (204) 734-4556.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 02, 2000