John Tonkin

Waynesville, John Orrin Tonkin, passed away on Monday, January 11, 2021 at Haywood Regional Medical Center.

He was born John Orrin Bartle to his parents John G. Bartle and E. Mae Bartle in Edmonton, Alberta on March 2, 1931.  His father passed away before he was born and at age 2 John was adopted by his stepfather, Edwin Tonkin in Spokane, Washington.  The family moved to Loon Lake, Washington where he spent his childhood and graduated from Deer Park High School.

John joined the United States Navy and was stationed at Pearl Harbor Naval Base where he served as an intelligence analyst during the cold war.  He returned to Spokane where he married Patricia M Mortenson in 1959.  They later moved to Reno, Nevada where they developed their business, Wool West, making sheepskin coats and vests.   After many years John moved back to Spokane where he bought and operated The Blue Lantern Tavern.  After running that business for several years, he moved to Waynesville, to spend his retirement years.  John was a member of the El Katif Shriners where he proudly served in Spokane and Reno for more than 50 years.

John was preceded in death by his brother, Gilbert Bartle; sister-in-law, Eleanor Bartle; and nephew, Lester Bartle.

He is survived by his niece Edith Basso; and nephews Lyle Bartle and Loren Bartle; and many great nieces and nephews.