John 'Jungle' Barnim

Surrounded by family, with his loving wife of 35 years at his side, John passed peacefully at Woodingford Lodge in Woodstock, Ontario.  On a cold November day in 1947 John Allen Barnim came into this world, born in Tillsonburg, Ontario as the eldest of eleven children born to Cliff and Audrey Barnim (nee Fenner-Powell), and it was on a cold November day in 2023 that he was reunited with his parents in heaven.

John spent his younger years helping to raise his 10 siblings.  John worked in construction for Mel Smith at Otter Drainage for many years before it closed.  He then opened his own fruit and veggie stand at the corner of Tillson Ave and North Street where you would find him smiling and telling jokes to everyone who stopped at the stand.  In his spare time John enjoyed hunting and fishing and spent many hours in the woods and fields behind his house hunting and enjoying nature.  As an avid animal lover, it wasn’t always dinner he brought home; if it was wounded or looked like it needed a home his heart melted and we had a new pet. Speaking of the things he loved to bring home, John had a thing for antiques and loved stopping at yard sales to see what treasures he could find. John also had a love for woodworking and built many beautiful pieces over the years.

John is survived by his wife of 35 years, Christine Watts, his daughter Cathy Barnim-Trebyck and her son Mitchell, his step daughter Melanie Watts, and nine brothers and sisters, Donna Leffler, Sharon Barnim, Judy Westbrook, Bonnie (Ed) McElhone, Randy Barnim, Terry (Adelia) Barnim Jennifer (John) Hoffman, Clifford Barnim, and Audrey Barnim, and many nieces and nephews.  Predeceased by his father Clifford Barnim (1968), mother Audrey Barnim (2021), brother-in-law and good friend Dennis Westbrook (2021), and brother Morley (2002).

Cremation has taken place and a private family interment will happen at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.  Wareing Cremation Services, 346 Simcoe St., Tillsonburg has been entrusted with Final Arrangements.  Your messages of condolence may be shared here at wareingcremation.ca