We sadly announce the passing of my husband, father, and grandfather(mishom)/great grandfather, brother, and uncle.

John was born in Kansas City, Missouri to Robert William Ormiston and Martha Jane Ormiston (Reed). John grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, and lived in many other places throughout the States. Prior to coming up to Saskatchewan, he was the owner/operator of Stagecoach Trails RV Park in Marshall, Tx. He was a volunteer firefighter for Harrison County Fire Dept., and an entrepreneur of sorts owning a barber shop and antique shops. He enlisted in USNTC San Diego prior to his 18th birthday so he could go into the Navy as opposed to being drafted into the army. John was given an honorable discharge due to osteomyelitis and went to school for Barbering. He was also highly musically inclined; he adored his music.  Our hard drive has 4000+ songs! John has a couple of videos on you tube with Ms. Melanie Safka- “Brand new key” and “Ruby Tuesday”, done in a Chicago nightclub back in 1972. Johnny never played his guitar looking at the audience and was in fact a little camera shy but very humble. In Biggar he worked for Pizzeria Adria and Mayor Ray Sadler, up until the time he got sick.

John came up to Canada on Sept 17th, 1999, and here he met Linda, together they enjoyed taking in powwows (John is non status Blackfoot and part eastern Cherokee on his paternal grandmothers side). He married Linda on Feb 14, 2001, in Winnipeg. Later in 2005 in August, both John and Linda followed Rob and Shalene out to Imperial, Saskatchewan and become grandparents to Lewis. Back in Biggar, they welcomed Alara and Damon Ormiston. John was incredibly proud to have become a Mishom/Mimi. He also gained the love of all Vicky Kreutzers grandkids, it was beautiful.

John is survived by his wife Linda (Bennink) of 25 years.

Their sons Rick (Lena) Ballantyne and children Matty, Terry and Chris.  Rob Ormiston and children Lew, Alara and Damon (with mom Shalene Turner),

Daughter Jaci (Wes) Bowden with children Anna (Evan) Watts and their children Will, Asher and Caleb.  Daughter Lexi with her daughter’s Neytiri, and Cyndi. Daughter Sharon (Nick) Janakas with their kids Leona and her daughter’s Victoria, Kassydy, Sairah and Abygayl, and Sonny with his son Jaxon. Daughter Nicole (Curt) Otterson, their kids Justin and Tristan. And Vikki, Anita and Cathy from Little Grand Rapids, MB., and extended grandkids Jordan, Ember/Weston, Serenity (Atlas) along with Julian, and Sammy/Tasha/ Josie /Ethan, Silas/Caliber. John is also survived by sister Susan Watts of Pembina, ND. and nephew Michael Watts. Brother-in-law Corp. Wayne Bennink (lrene) of Winnipeg, brother-in-law Wayne Breland (Debbie) of Winnipeg, and brother Edward (Elsie) Tremblay of Biggar SK. Nephew Jeffrey Watts of East Moline, Il. Niece Sophie Mendoza of TX, Jessica and kids of TX, and Daniel Watts of TX. Niece Margie Granade of BC. And cousin Lynne (Lorne), Cali and Aron Silljer of Southey SK.

John was predeceased by parents Robert William Ormiston and Martha Jane Reed Ormiston of Missouri, Richard and Rae Bennink Winnipeg, MB., brother-in-law Corp James Bennink of Winnipeg, maternal traditional mom in-law Mary Thomas from Sagkeeng first nation, MB., grandparents John P Ormiston and Minnie Claire Ormiston, of California, grandma and grandpa Bertha and Walter A Reed of Missouri, grandma Melinda Jacques of Winnipeg, MB., also by Granddaughter Vanessa Marie (Rick), and Austin Thomas Ormiston (Rob and Shalene’s baby boy), as well as nephew mark Allan Watts of Pembina, ND., and brother-in-law James Watts of Pembina, ND., and Neice Leeanna Watts of TX. 

Tributes for John can be sent to STARS, by going to Stars.ca or calling 1-855-516-4848.