John Donald Kornelsen

May 27, 1931 – October 24, 2022

Dad entered into his heavenly home the evening of October 24, 2022 at the age of 91at the Chilliwack General Hospital.

He was born on May 27, 1931 to Peter & Helen (Neufeld) Kornelsen in Chilliwack, BC. As a young boy he was expected to help on the farm with his younger brother Merv. Raspberries need to be cultivated and hoed daily, the garden that supplied the winter food supply also needed to be hoed and weeded weekly. There was also milking, haying and spreading of manure all done manually. Dad also had to pick hops in the Sumas Prairie with his mother rising at 6am to board the truck. Money earned picking hops ($20.00) was used to buy clothing for school and other necessities.

After spending 16 years in Yarrow it was decided to move to East Chilliwack. A forty acre farm with a house was purchased. Farming in East Chilliwack became more automated (“milking was done the modern way”). Dad recalled loading the family wagon with all it would carry as he and Merv drove across the Vedder bridge on less-than-ideal roads to the East Chilliwack farm. Farming during the war was hard and Dad was required to stay home his grade 5 year and work on the farm.

At age 15 Dad started attending the newly formed East Chilliwack MB Church. Dad surrender his life to the Lord in January 1950 and was baptized in the Vedder River the fall of 1950. Dad enjoyed the times at church worshipping mostly in German. Dad joined the Youth Choir and expressed that his youth was an excellent experience for him growing up in East Chilliwack.

Dad attended school in Chilliwack and in 1951 graduated from Chilliwack High School. After graduation Dad met with the school counsellor and was encouraged to apply as an apprentice at the Chilliwack Progress. On June 21, 1951 Dad started his career as an apprentice printer and after six years became at journeyman printer. Dad received his Diploma for completing Lessons in Printing from The International Typographical Union of North American on May 29, 1956. This was the beginning of Dad’s lifelong career in the printing industry. Dad continued to help on the farm as time permitted.

Dad met Mom (Elizabeth Derksen) their final year of High School. They were married the following year in October 1952. They purchased their first home on Lewis Ave. Gordon was born in 1954, Cherryl 1956, Jane 1958.

Rob was born in 1965. At this time Dad received a call from Henry Dyck to consider moving to Winnipeg to take over the responsibility as Production Manager at the Christian Press. In August 1965 the family moved to Winnipeg. That winter we experienced the biggest snow storm Manitoba had seen in years. We had to walk through 4’ high drifts to get milk from the corner store for Rob as he wasn’t a year old. The city was pretty much shut down with the volume of snow as we had a drift that went to the eaves.

Dad found the job challenging and fulfilling. This position afforded Dad the opportunity to travel to the various Christian Bookseller Association Conventions as well as the yearly MB Conference Board meetings. Friends from Chilliwack who also attended the Board meetings were always welcome. In 1968 Jim was born “our prairie boy”. At this time we were notified that Jane was not doing well. She had been left to be cared for in Vancouver at the Woodlands School for Handicapped children. She passed away on April 01, 1968.

In 1975 Dad accepted a job in Calgary working for D.W. Friesen & Sons of Altona managing the Calgary office. Here he enjoyed going to schools assisting with school yearbooks and travelling throughout rural Alberta assisting with compiling histories of the various communities. This position included time away from home but he thoroughly enjoyed meeting the people and learning their history. At this time Dad also started his own printing shop in the basement of the house which was instrumental in him buying a printing business in Chilliwack.

In 1979 Dad, Mom, Rob & Jim moved back to Chilliwack where Dad in conjunction Fraser Valley Broadcasters purchased DeLong’s Printing which is now Fraser Valley Customs Printers. Gord joined the business in 1981 followed by Rob 1984 and Jim in 1986.

It was during this time they built a house on Mountain Park Drive and settled back into life in Chilliwack with many friends from the early years. Mom and Dad enjoyed many adventures together as well as with good friends – a trip to the east coast, time spent in Palm Springs, Mexico & Hawaii. There was always ample time for daily golf of which Dad started in his 20’s and played well into his 80’s.

A house was built in Sardis to accommodate Mom’s ailing health.

After a short illness Mom passed away on May 13, 1990 at that age of 57. Dad was only 58 year old.

Dad passion for service was evident in many aspects of his life from the construction of Columbia Bible Camp (of which he was a founding member of the Camp Society) now known as Stillwood Camp and Conference Centre

He was also involved in boys club at the Broadway church and Boys Brigade in Winnipeg. Dad enjoyed singing in the men’s choir at church when the opportunity arose. He also enjoyed playing the harmonica and organ. As he had no musical training this was all done by ear.

In 1991 Dad met Elfrieda (Redekop) Enns. They were married in October 1991. Dad and Elfrieda continued volunteering, spending 9 months in South Africa and several months with SOWERS in the US. Funds were provided by Dad and Elfrieda to construct a cottage at Stillwood. Well into his 80’s Dad could still be found building or renovating at the camp. Dad was a long-time supporter of the camp ministry. Dad and Elfrieda also served as hosts at Stillwood. During these years Dad also volunteered with LOGOS Canada which included four trips to Russia. Dad and Elfrieda enjoyed Southern Gospel Conferences together throughout Canada and the US. Dad also served on numerous church and conference boards as well as supported the Gideons, Ruth and Naomi Mission and the Chilliwack Counselling Centre. Dad was also the sound tech for the Heritage Quartet and enjoyed doing this in his 80’s.

Palm Springs was their home for many winters. They also enjoyed relaxing in Chase where they owned a park model trailer. It was during this time Dad tried out many different types of cars, trucks, vacation trailers, motor homes and 5th wheels. It was a family joke as to what number this trailer, motor home or vehicle was. Elfrieda passed away suddenly on February 6, 2012.

Dad eventually decided to move to assisted living. He sold his place in Elmwood Terrace. One month later he decided he was too young to be there and moved back to Elmwood Terrace.

In February 2017 at the age of 86 dad married Margaret Wall. Dad and Margaret did several trips together, driving to Winnipeg, visiting grandchildren in Toronto and cruised the Hawaiian Islands. We grateful to Margaret for the care, love, companionship and attention she provided for dad in his final years.

Dad is survived by his wife Margaret; His daughter Cherryl Kornelsen of Calgary, sons and daughters-in-law, Gord & Dina of Greendale, Rob & Michelle of Chilliwack, Jim and Tammy of Chilliwack and sister-in-law Mary Kornelsen of Kelowna. Stepchildren; Armin, Aron (Vonnie), Aiden (Karen), Allan (Lisa), Arleen Lewis.

He is also survived by 31 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and one great, great granddaughter.

Dad was predeceased by his first wife Elizabeth, second wife Elfrieda, his daughter Jane, grandson Elijah, parents Peter & Helen Kornelsen, siblings Merv Kornelsen, Ray Kornelsen & Helen Esau.

Dad lived his life as a faithful servant of God . He worked hard to both serve people and provide for his family and will be missed by many.

Funeral Service will be held Friday December 2, 2022 @1:30pm with Pastor Matt Mordaunt officiating at the Chilliwack Alliance Church

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Ruth & Naomi Mission, Stillwood Camp & Conference Centre or the Gideons.