Obituary of John Klassen

To view the recording of John's memorial service, please click here

“I feel totally at peace.”  These are words that John A. Klassen repeated in the days and hours before spine surgery on April 28^th, 2022.  With profound sadness we share the news that he did not awake from the operating table but stepped into the arms of his loving Saviour.

John lived generously, quick to share his time, his resources, his enthusiasm, his affirmation, his stories, and his faith. His interests ranged from cars, music, photography, travel to interacting with people of all backgrounds, and he put these passions and gifts to the service of God, the church, and the global community with joy.

John will be daily missed by his wife Irene, his children Phil Klassen, Jeff Klassen along with his wife Lisa and children Robyn and Jesse, Bonnie Klassen along with her husband Nelson Berrío and son Adrian David, and Wes along with his wife Kora and children Mikah and Adaia, and his sister Linda Klassen. He is also deeply mourned by his brothers and sisters-in-law Betty Klassen, Leonard and Margaret Ewert, John and Sandra Ewert, Erna Ewert, Laura Hazin and his many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Jacob and Tina Klassen, his sister Hildegard Klassen Wichert and her husband Jake Wichert, his brother Peter Klassen, his parents-in-law John and Mary Ewert and brother-in-law Herb Ewert.

There will be a visitation at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. A memorial service will take place on Thursday, May 5, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church, 245 Lexington Road, Waterloo. The memorial service will be livestreamed (link to come shortly). Masks are not required at the visitation and memorial service; though they are encouraged.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mennonite Central Committee, Canadian Bible Society or House of Friendship, and can be arranged through the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.

Many thanks for the excellent care John received at St. Mary’s and Grand River Hospitals.