John Frank Niewinski

Obituary for John Niewinski: Written by John himself

John F. Niewinski passed away on June 3, 2026. John was born October 12, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois, to John Walter and Antonette Niewinski. John went to Lincoln Elementary School, Proviso High School, and Elmhurst College. He joined the U.S. Navy January 1, 1955, and proudly served his country for four years in the submarine service.

He met JoAnne Johnson on a blind date, going to a stake dance. As soon as he saw her, he fell in love with her. She was so beautiful. The next day after church they went to the park and he got up enough courage to say to her, “I love you. Will you marry me?” Her answer was “no.”

He came up from San Diego to L.A. every weekend when he wasn’t on duty. This went on for five months, and during that time he became a member of the LDS Church on October 23, 1957. He told JoAnne that when she found out she loved him to call him, write him, or wait until he came up the following weekend.

On August 5, 1957, she wrote him a letter stating, “My darling Johnny, first let me say I love you and will marry you.” He married JoAnne on November 15, 1957, and their marriage was solemnized in the Manti Temple on February 14, 1959.

Together they had three daughters—Debbie Ogilvie, Becky Niewinski, and Wendy Snellman—and an adopted son, Anthony Tran. They have ten grandchildren (eight boys and two girls) and two great-grandsons.

John worked as the inside salesperson for H.K. Porter Electric Company, as a branch manager for C.W. Silver Company, as the Salt Lake manager for Burns International Security, and as a salesman for Henderson Rim and Wheel. He retired September 1, 2007, to enjoy being with his sweet wife who passed away June 1, 2020. She was his world and the love of his life.

After John became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he was soon ordained a high priest. He served the Lord in many capacities such as clerk in both his wards and stake. He was also a member of the bishopric in the Granger 7th Ward.

In his patriarchal blessing, he was told the Savior called him forth, laid His hands on his head, ordained him, and set him apart for a special mission here on earth. It also states that through the influence of the Holy Spirit, his companion was picked out for him because of his and her prayers. He is also to help establish the Center Stake of Zion under the Savior’s guidance.

John was the son of a carpenter and became a jack-of-all-trades just like his father. He tackled any job, no matter how big or small. John would take things apart, watching where every piece was placed, and then put the object back together with new parts.

He liked puzzles and took on what most people would think was an impossible job—once putting a statue back together that had broken into over 250 small pieces. It took him eighteen months of gluing and painting, but he got every piece in its right place, and no one even knew it had been broken. He didn’t charge the owner of the statue a single penny, and the woman was thrilled at the beautiful job he had done. John liked helping people and did many jobs for free.

He made a promise to JoAnne when they were looking for wedding rings. He asked her if she wanted a diamond, and she said they didn’t have the money to buy one. John told her that when he was making good money, he would buy her a diamond.

JoAnne would put her ring in a wooden box over the kitchen sink. She only wore it on Sunday, keeping it in the box during the week. He took the ring on Monday morning, unbeknownst to her, and went to a jeweler. He picked out a diamond and had it put in the wedding ring. He replaced the ring back in the box.

That Sunday she took the ring out and went to church. While she was in her Relief Society class, she was fingering the ring and noticed the diamond. She yelled out, “My diamond, my diamond.” All the women were looking on the floor to see if they could find it. She said, “No, no. You don’t understand. I have a diamond in my wedding ring.”

She left the room and went down to where he was in class, opened the door and said, “I love my diamond and I love you.” He always kept his promises to her.

John loved music and enjoyed listening to his wife play the piano and organ. As soon as he heard these instruments, he would stop working, go into the music room he had built for JoAnne, sit down, and listen to her play. They were partners in everything they did. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for his beautiful wife.

He loved his wife so much that he was willing to give her anything. Just before Christmas, he took her shopping for a new dress and shoes. She had picked out three dresses and several pairs of shoes but couldn’t make up her mind as to what she wanted. So he purchased everything. She was so happy she kissed him right there in the store.

John and his sweet wife JoAnne are now together for eternity, and their love for one another will go on forever.

John requested that in lieu of flowers, please donate to your local humane society.