Obituaries

John Thomas Ballard passed away July 24 of a heart attack. He was born Feb. 10, 1944 to Stanley and Mary Ballard in Vancouver. He grew up in East Vancouver, graduating from King Edward High School. He enjoyed Cub Scouts and making dynamite with his friend Cecil. When he was 12, his sister took him to church, choosing Ruth Morton Memorial Church. He was a leader of the youth group. He enjoyed sailing, especially with his girlfriend Barbara. He loved the Lord with all his heart and sought to help people find salvation and healing. He led his dad to the Lord when his dad was 67. He had a wonderful outlook on life and a crazy sense of humour. He never was too busy to help someone in need. He enjoyed writing short stories and poetry. He is remembered as a wonderful father, a proud grandfather and a romantic husband. He was director of The Healing Place in Willingdon Church, Burnaby, B.C. since April 1996; a counsellor at Forest Grove Counselling, Surrey, B.C. 1994-96; director of counselling at Cedar Grove Counselling, Surrey 1989-94; a counsellor at Creative Counselling Service 1981-88; and associate director and counsellor at Burden Bearers of Canada 1977-81. He was pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, Sidney, B.C. 1969-72, Sapperton Baptist Church 1972-77 and Kitsilano Bible Church 1989-95. He had degrees from Canadian Baptist Seminary (ACTS) and Northwest Baptist Theological College. He is mourned by Barbara; children James, Barbara Anne and Ruth; and 1 grandson.

George Letkeman passed away Nov. 11. He was born Sept. 2, 1918 to John and Margaret Letkeman in Aberdeen, Sask. While listening to a missionary from China, he accepted Christ; at 10, he was baptized in Aberdeen MB Church. He attended Bethany Bible School, Hepburn, Sask. In 1942 he went to British Columbia to find work. Living with his grandmother in Greendale, he worked in trucking and farming and managed a meat business. He was involved with Greendale MB Church, Chilliwack, teaching Sunday school, singing in the choir, working with youth and serving as deacon and treasurer. He married Susan Janzen Oct. 8, 1944. He worked with Grimwood Construction Company 1949-81, moving his family to Castlegar, B.C., in 1951 and to South Vancouver in 1952. In 1957 he went to Colombia because of the death of his sister Mary Dyck and her husband John, who were missionaries. The Letkemans adopted 2 of the Dycks' children. While in Vancouver, they attended Vancouver MB Church, where George was on the church leadership team, was assistant to the pastor and was choir director. He attended night classes at Regent College, Vancouver Bible School and BCIT. Founding leader of Willingdon Church, Burnaby, he pastored the church intermittently 1961-1971. He was ordained in 1969. In 1972 he started a home Bible study, served as an elder and became part of the church's administration committee. He was church moderator for 21 years, a popular Sunday school teacher and chair of New Horizons, a seniors' church group. He also served on the boards of MB Bible Institute, Columbia Bible Camp, Columbia Bible College and the B.C. Board of Church Extension. He enjoyed travelling, camping, teaching, woodworking and singing. He is remembered for his love of people, leadership, excellent memory, perseverance, energy, positive spirit and strength of character. He published his autobiography in 1996. In 1996 he had surgery for colon cancer; in September 1997 liver cancer was found. He is mourned by Susan; children Ray, Dorothy Van Bergen, Viola Dickson, Rick, and Laurie Morrison; 9 grandchildren; and 1 great-grandchild. The funeral was Nov. 17 in Willingdon Church.

Robert Niessen passed away Nov. 6 of a stroke. He was born Dec. 13, 1938 to Jakob and Lina Niessen in Steinfeld, Ukraine. In 1943 the family fled to Germany, settling in Gronau. The family moved to Uruguay when he was 14. In 1959 he returned to Gronau. He accepted Christ and was baptized Dec. 31, 1959 in a Baptist church. In 1963 he married Erika Knappheide, with whom he had 3 children. He worked at Volkswagen, Wolfsburg, Germany. While visiting his brother in Canada in 1975, he met Erna. In 1976 he immigrated to Canada. He married Erna Nov. 20, 1976; 2 children were born to them. He loved music, playing the harmonica in a music group and singing in the choir. He loved his family; his prayer was that all his children would follow the Lord. He loved the Lord, sharing the Scriptures with anyone who was interested, even if the only person listening was Erna. On May 13, he suffered a mild stroke and recovered, resuming his normal activities. Predeceased by his twin brother in 1939, his father and a brother, he is mourned by Erna; children Daniela and Terry, both of St. Catharines, Ont., Suzanne Hilbig, Doris Jehnert, and Thomas; 6 grandchildren; his mother; 4 brothers and 1 sister. The funeral was Nov. 12 in Scott St. MB Church, St. Catharines, with Vic Loewen ministering.

Mary Koop passed away Nov. 29. She was born Mar. 25, 1910 to Isaak I. and Maria Dyck in Anowka, Crimea, Russia. She grew up in a Christian home and accepted Christ in her youth. In October 1929 the family fled to Moscow, immigrating to Germany, then to Canada in 1930. She was hospitable and hard working. She loved work, family, the Lord and His Word. She served the Lord gladly. She met Peter H. Koop in 1928. They married Dec. 11, 1932 in Winnipeg. Predeceased by Peter, daughter Edith Dick Mar. 15, 1980, 1 sister and 5 brothers, she is mourned by daughter Heidi. The funeral was Dec. 4 in Klassen Funeral Chapel, Winnipeg, with John Unger, Karen Heidebrecht Thiessen, Henry Poettcker and Helmut Kasdorf ministering.

Peter Neufeld passed away Oct. 4. He was born Aug. 21, 1928 to Abram and Agatha Neufeld in Steinfeld, Russia. At 16, he was conscripted. He was wounded, sustaining injuries which plagued him for the rest of his life, but he was able to return to his family. The family immigrated to Paraguay, where he met Helga Rogalsky. They married in 1949. In 1955 he found peace with God, was baptized and joined Filadelfia MB Church. In 1956 they came to Canada. He worked hard to provide for his family's physical and spiritual needs. He had a gentle servant heart, serving in church as usher and on the food committee. He could be counted on to help whenever needed. He is mourned by Helga; children Eleanor, Abe, Ester, and Peter; 5 grandchildren; 2 brothers and 6 sisters. The funeral was Oct. 7 in Cornerstone Community Church, Virgil, Ont., with Peter Klassen ministering.

Correction:

In the obituary of Luise Penner (Dec. 18) it was stated that her husband Cornelius suffered a stroke in July 1988. In fact, it was July 1998. Our apologies for the error. We regret any pain this error may have caused the family.

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