Isaac, John (1910-2003)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2003 Apr 11 p. 29

Birth date: 1910 Sep 9

text of obituary:

JOHN ISAAC

John Isaac died Feb. 16. He was born Sept. 9, 1910 in Alexanderfeld, Russia to Johann and Aganeta Isaac. His father died when John was 4. His mother married Bernhardt Peters in January 1919. John married Elisabeth Klassen Dec. 17, 1933. He worked as a supervisor in the farming co-operative in Alexanderfeld. Daughter Liese died in 1942. In 1943 the family was moved from Ukraine to Poland. John worked on a farm until taken into the army in September 1944. He served in Germany and Italy until May 1945, when he became a prisoner of war. He was released in 1947. His wife and children had been sent back to Russia in 1948. John came to Miami, Man. in 1948, moving to Ontario a year later. He worked in construction, starting his own business in 1952. In 1951 John accepted Christ. He was baptized and joined Scott St. MB Church, St. Catharines in 1953. He served on various committees at church, including the building of Fairview and Grantham MB churches. In 1956 he had news that daughter Liese (born in Poland) had died in 1948. He began trying to get his family to come to Canada. Elizabeth and daughter Tina came Nov. 11, 1966; son John and family Dec. 7, 1971; daughter Aganeta and family Sept. 20, 1973. He enjoyed spending time with family, playing dominos, fishing and swimming. He was a father and grandfather of few words and lots of patience. Predeceased by 2 daughters and 7 siblings, he is mourned by Elisabeth; daughters Tina Wiens and Aganeta Schmidt; son John; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; brothers and sisters. The funeral was Feb. 19 at Scott st. MB Church, with Pat Bartley ministering.