John Joseph Oyka was born to Annie (nee Mecsey) and John Oyka on July 22, 1926. John was 10 years old when his dad passed away leaving his mother, himself, and his sister Anne (Donda) on the Oyka homestead in Atwater.
After looking around, John settled on Elsie Tochor and they were married on July 7, 1953. They were blessed with 2 girls; Marlene born on October 26, 1954 and Elaine born June 14, 1958. John and Elsie farmed together for 43 years and continued farming even when they moved to Esterhazy until he retired in April 1996.
Moving to Esterhazy led to new friendships, card games, bowling leagues and dinner theaters. John joined the Golden Jets where he proudly served as a president. John, not being afraid of work, helped shingle the roof.
They travelled to Alberta and B.C. to visit relatives. They went to England on their 25th wedding anniversary to see Elsie’s pen pal. They went to Churchill, Florida, Hawaii, Scottsdale, Pasadena, for the Rose Bowl Parade and Nashville to see the Grand Ole Opry. On many of these trips they were accompanied by family and friends. To celebrate their retirement, the most exciting trip was when they took their daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren to spend Christmas in Disneyland.
John passed away at the Centennial Special Care Home on January 27, 2022 at the age of 95 years. He was predeceased by his parents and sister, brothers-in-law George Donda, Joe and John Tochor, sister-in-law Mae Tochor and niece Carole Flaman.
He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of 68 years Elsie; his two daughters Marlene (Danny) Agar, Elaine (Dave) Hannah; five grandchildren Mallery, Jason and Kelly Agar; Kristen (Justin) Kot, Cory Hannah (Lindsay Weslowski and Austin); and 4 great-grandchildren Jaxson, Chantel, Addyson & Weston Kot, as well as nieces, nephews, godchildren, and cousins.