John Dieks

September 1, 1930 – November 27, 2024

With heartfelt sadness, we announce the passing of John Dieks, who passed away peacefully at AgeCare in Aylmer on November 27, 2024, at the age of 94. John was formerly a resident of Park Place in Tillsonburg.

Born in Germany to the late Weenen Dieks and Mary Zimmerman, John lived a life full of adventure and dedication. He began as an elephant caretaker in a circus, trained as a gas fitter, worked on pipelines, and later served as a maintenance worker at a foundry. In 1955, John moved to Canada, where he worked at Leitch Gold Mine in Geraldton and, alongside his wife Karola, opened the Delmar Restaurant in Beardmore, Ontario. His career concluded in Kitchener as a truck driver after working with Dare Foods.

John was a man of many passions, including model train collecting, photography, outdoor activities, and bicycle racing during his younger days. He is survived by his sons, John (Udo) Dieks and his wife Peggy of Cambridge, and David Dieks and his wife Rose of Tillsonburg. He was a proud grandfather to Marlene and Mike Laurin of Cambridge and Ashley Dieks and Chris of Sudbury.

A public memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1 Michael Lane, Tillsonburg. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories, photos, and condolences or make memorial donations to “JW.org” via Karola’s online tribute page at www.verhoevefuneralhomes.com.

Maurice J. Verhoeve Funeral Homes-Burial and Cremation Services Inc. have been entrusted with all arrangements.