Silent Key Notice!

Rodney Benson /WB6QDN

Rodney, WB6QDN was born May 27, 1934.  Died November 8, 2011.  He attended Fresno Union Academy in Fresno California. He received a B.S. from Cal State, Fresno campus with a Business Degree.  He received his Novice license in 1965.  He proceeded up through the classes to Extra.

Michael William Yarema /VE7KLY

Died October 6, 2011.  Click here for link to his obituary.  Ham radio gear was donated to Fountain View Academy and here is an article regarding the donation of this equipment.

Richard Parmele /KB7QVS

Died August 22, 2011.  McMinnville, Tennessee SDA Church

 
Alice Austin /N4LIU

John Jeider / VE7JXJ

Died: May 6, 2011 in Creston, British Columbia, Canada.

John was born in a little village outside of the city of Belgrade, Yugoslavia on March 29, 1932.  Life was peaceful in the village until WW2 broke out and because of his German heritage he were forced to flee.  He was only 10 when along with his mother Susanna and his sister Maria they were forced to leave all behind, including John’s father Jakob who was somewhere in Greece.  They were herded into box cars and shuffled from refugee camp to refugee camp.  At one point John was given only a few weeks to live because of starvation.

God intervened on their behalf and they were finally taken to Austria where they were assigned to live on a farm.  It was this that saved his life as John was able to get the proper food needed for a 12 year old boy.  After many months his father was able to join them and they moved to the city of Linz.  Workers were needed to rebuild after the war and at a very young age John learned to work and work hard; a trait that never left him for the rest of his life.  It was in Linz that John, his sister, and mother became Seventh Day Adventists.  John was finally able to learn a trade and take up metal work.  Some of John’s most cherished memories in his life are from his time in Austria.  Maria, who was now married to George Beneduk, had emigrated to Canada and convinced John and his parents, as well as little brother Bruno, to join them.  They moved to Canada in 1953 and settled near Falkland, BC.  They eventually moved to Horsefly and John got a job working at Jacobsen Brother’s sawmill.  It was there that he met and married Beverly Kyte whom most of you know as Billie.  The marriage was to last a lifetime, 52 years.  Their first 2 children Larry and Linda were born while they lived here.  In 1964 John and his family moved to Kelowna where John attended vocational school and became a journeyman carpenter.  It was here in Kelowna that John and Billie completed their family with a second daughter, Donna.  John and Billie have 7 grandchildren: Barry, Karina, Lee, Johnathon, Amanda, Adrienne, Kamran and two great-granddaughters, Allie and Kalynn.  Twin grandsons Rocky and Rusty are sleeping until Jesus comes.

John was an avid ham radio operator and very proud of all the various contacts he made all over the world.  He enjoyed wood working and Billie kept him busy making bookshelves for her many books.  John was also responsible for Sunday night cooking and he was very good at it.  When family visited it was always, Dad can you please make us….and they would name their favourite “Dad” dish. 

In 1976 John and his parents went back to Europe to visit his many relatives there.  The highlight of the trip was getting to go back to his village and meet many of the older folks who knew his family.  In 1981 John took Billie and Donna to Europe and they visited many different countries including his homeland.  He was able to introduce them to many of his friends in Austria including the family that took them in at the end of the WW2.  He always said that this was what it would be like when Jesus comes only so much better.  It was also on this trip that John was finally reconnected with his cousins from East Germany who he had not heard from since the end of the war.  After the reunification of Germany one of John’s happiest memories was made.  In 2001 he was reunited with his 3 cousins Liese, Adam and Siglinde when they visited him in Creston, where John had moved in 1989.  It was a joyous reunion after 56 years of separation.  John was a faithful church member for over 60 years; holding several offices.  His last words to his daughter Linda were “I will see you again and take care of mom.”  Thanks to the Lord we have this wonderful hope.