John W. Mytczynskyj

John W. Mytczynskyj, age 88, died peacefully at his home of natural causes on Tuesday morning, August 12, 2010. A resident of Bryan, Ohio, since 1959, John was born in Galicia, an area near the Carpathian Mountains in the Ukraine, on August 8, 1922, to his mother Pavula and father Aleksandr. John was taken from the Ukraine in 1942 and forced to work in German work farms. During the war he met Nadia Serheewa and the two were married in June of 1945. After the war, John and Nadia escaped repatriation to the Soviet Union by escaping from the camp at considerable danger to themselves. Their first child, Stefan, was born in Germany and the couple lived in Germany until they emigrated to America in 1950. Sponsored by a local farmer, John and Nadia began to farm in America, raising turkeys. His second child, Joseph, was born at the family's first home in America. Joseph preceded his father in death in January of 2000. John and Nadia proudly became United States citizens in 1956. John purchased a farm west of Bryan, Ohio, where he lived and worked for the rest of his life. While farming, he also worked at Northwest Materials and in construction. In the fall of 1979, John retired from Northwest Materials after suffering a disabling injury and allowed the rest of the family to run the farm. He was a member of Lick Creek Church of the Brethren. John is survived by his wife, Nadia, sons, Stefan (Susan), of Frisco, Colorado, Walter (Kelly), of Millbury, Ohio, Danny (Angela) and Andrew (Dee Anthony), both of Bryan, and his daughter, Ann (Richard) Wirth, of Bryan. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, with one granddaughter deceased, and eight great-grandchildren. John loved to tell stories, many humorous. He played the harmonica and had a lovely singing voice. His passing is mourned by all who loved him, but his life is one that will be celebrated and remembered. He is loved and will be dearly missed. Visitation for John will be held on Tuesday, August 17, 2010, from 12:00-2:00 P.M. in the Krill Funeral Home, 860 West Mulberry Street, Bryan, Ohio. A private grave side service will be conducted in Brown Cemetery, near Bryan, with Pastor Eric Wetzel officiating. Memorials are requested to Community Hospitals and Wellness Centers Hospital Hospice.