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It is with heavy hearts that we announce John’s passing in his 82nd year. He was received by the loving arms of the Lord on March 1, 2025, after a long and valiant battle with cancer. John passed peacefully at home in the arms of his beloved wife, Kathy.
John was born on December 1, 1942, at Petrolia CEE Hospital and remained in the rural Lambton County/Sarnia area all his life. He is predeceased by his parents James Minto (Nellie)
Aikin and Annette (Nettie) Aikin, his mother-in-law Laurine (Lee) Lewis and his brothers James (Jimmy) Aikin and Don Aikin.
John lived life to the fullest. He was well loved in his faith community at Peoples Church and prior to his illness he was dedicated to singing worship music for residents in local nursing homes. He had a long career as a millwright and enjoyed travel, both before and after retirement. John was an avid outdoorsman with many passions including canoeing, hunting, fishing, camping, crafting and woodworking. He was a farmer at heart and loved tending to his gardens. He enjoyed playing his guitar and listening to country, gospel and devotional music.
John had a big heart and a giving spirit. Always eager to lend a hand as handyman, mechanic, mover, “chauffeur”, chef or whatever other service he could fulfill to those in need. He devoted many hours of volunteer work at Bluewater Health in retirement.
Most of all, John loved his family.
He will be deeply missed and forever cherished by his devoted wife Kathy, his sisters Jeanne Burke and Joanne Brown (Bob), his children Christine Aikin (Mike Pedlar), Laurie Aikin, Doug Aikin (Tracy); stepchildren Kim Mahn (Chris), Mark Morse (Kelly) and Stacy Hency (Dean); his grandchildren Katelyn Aikin, Julia Pedlar (Seth), Autumn Dearin, Michael Aikin (Abigail), Isabel Magnante, Karli Minor, Madison Morse, Makenna Morse, and Brooklyn Cooper.
John was blessed in his final year with a great-granddaughter, Hadley Aikin.
John will be lovingly remembered by cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends. He will be missed by his sweet feline companion, Lily, who remained faithfully by his side until the end.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude for Dr. Crombeen and the oncology team at Bluewater Health and the compassionate home care provided by the palliative care team at St. Joseph’s Hospice and Kayla who spent the most time with him.
Additional gratitude is expressed to his church family for offering solace and scripture and to all of John’s closest friends who consistently showed up, reminisced and reminded him of how much he was loved.
A memorial service will be held at Peoples Church 3888 London Line, Wyoming, on Friday, March 7, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. with family and friends being received one hour prior from 10:00-11:00. A luncheon will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Joseph's Hospice (cheques only at the funeral home please). Arrangements entrusted to Smith Funeral Home, 1576 London Line, Sarnia.