John Mathew Lebacken

John Mathew Lebacken was born on Nov. 2, 1934 in Grand Forks, N.D. to Keith and Jenneth Lebacken. John passed away in Moses Lake June 14 with his family by his side.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his sister, Lois MacDonald of Huntington Beach, Calif., wife Barbara Betzvog of Ephrata, his children Gary (Tiffany) Lebacken and Sandy Lebacken both of Othello. Stepchildren Marit, Marni and Scott (Carol) Betzvog all from the Seattle area. Grandchildren Amanda, Derek and Michael Lebacken and Theodora (Teddy), Alexa, Spencer and Madison Betzvog.

John was raised in Longview. As a youth he loved swimming at the YMCA. During high school he was on the swim team. He graduated from R.A. Long in 1953. He went on to become an electrician and worked along side his father. He married Ruth McCool on Aug. 22, 1953. His mother and father moved to Othello in 1953 and established Lebacken Electric, John and Ruth followed the same year. John was honorably discharged from the U.S. Naval Reserve on Jan. 28, 1961.

While living in Othello he enjoyed boating, hunting and fishing. John was a member of the Othello and Adams County volunteer fire departments until the mid 70s. After a divorce in 1978 he moved to the Seattle area. That is where he met and latter married Barbara Betzvog on Sept. 29, 1979. Because of work they had moved several times. They lived in Port Angles, Elma and Union. Then in the fall of 2002 they moved to Ephrata. John was also a long time member of I.B.E.W.

Memorial services will be held June 20 at 11 a.m. at the Othello Nazarene Church. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that a memorial contribution be sent to either the Children's Hospital at P.O. Box 50020/S200 Seattle WA 98145-5020 or the Ephrata Lions Club (Kids Fishing Derby) P.O. Box 486 Ephrata WA 98823.