With hearts full of treasured memories it is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our wonderful husband, dad, grandpa and GGpa – John Williams Ellerby. He was a man who faithfully loved God, his wife of 56 years, his children and grandchildren/great-grandchildren. He was our hero. John was born on December 22, 1934 on the family farm near Throne, Alberta. He was the 5th child in a family of 7 children born to Wilbur and Grace Ellerby. He is survived by his loving wife Donna Ellerby, his 4 children Laurel (Brian) Allan, Tim (Melody) Ellerby, Trevor (Dorothy) Ellerby and Lisa (Pat) Boomer and his 12 grandchildren – Brittany (Ryan) Krook, Rebecca Allan, Ben (Tori) Allan, Jonathan Allan, Tyler Ellerby, Tannis (Clare) Butterfly, Keelan Ellerby, Tori Lee, Morgan Boomer, Logan Boomer, Shyla Ellerby, Carson Ellerby and 2 great-grandchildren Tristan and Avery Krook. He is also survived by his 2 sisters Lillian and Mary (Mike). He was pre-deceased by his parents, his brothers Wray, Albert and Ben, sister Ruth, brother-in laws Bob and Joe and nephews Les and Kevin. John’s parents instilled in him the importance of hard work, honesty, being a man of character and to have a heart for God. John made a commitment to follow Jesus Christ as a young boy and lived that promise all the days of his life. At the age of 24 John left the farm and moved to Edmonton to be near his long-time sweetheart Donna Wenger. They were married on February 12, 1960. He worked in the city at a number of positions until he was hired in 1961 by Alberta Gas Trunkline. At that time they moved to Alix and during those years they had their first three children. After their transfer to Bentley in 1969 their family grew to include a 4th child in 1970. Many happy years were spent in Bentley raising children, playing sports, camping and going to the nearby lake almost daily during the summer months. The family were active members in a local church and developed many close friendships that have lasted a lifetime. John and Donna finished raising their family on a farm in the Sylvan Lake area and have continued to reside there until the present. Throughout John’s life he had an entrepreneurial spirit and in his spare time he enjoyed working around his farm, building enclosures for oil field facilities, maintaining a herd of cows and making time for any projects his children or grandchildren had on the go. He wanted the best for his family. John was known to keep anything that might come in handy and if you needed something he most likely had it or could make it. John and Donna freely shared their home and yard hosting many events over the years. John retired from Nova (Alberta Gas Trunkline) in 1995. Upon retirement, John and Donna travelled quite extensively and spent time in Arizona each winter. In the last few years John enjoyed maintaining a big yard, going for daily walks and puttering in his shop. John Ellerby peacefully passed away after a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 81 years on February 4th, 2016. The family wish to thank Dr. M. Kauchali and the staff at the Red Deer Hospice for their loving care in John’s last few days. A celebration of his life will be held at Living Stones Church 2020 – 40th Avenue in Red Deer on Friday, February 12th 2016 at 1:30 p.m. If friends so desire memorial donations can be made in John’s honor to Circle Square Ranch at Halkirk, Alberta and/or Sylvan Lake Community Partners Association in Sylvan Lake. Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com. Arrangements in care of Heather Caseley, Funeral Director at Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, 6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040 or 1.800.481.7421.