John Papa or Papa John Rolland Wehlitz

Born in Steele, ND in 1915 John R. moved to Portland, OR during the dust bowl days. He was deployed to the South Pacific during WWII and spent almost 4 yrs in the Army, including some time in the Chemical Warfare unit. John R. returned to the Portland area and started working in the building hardware business. He met his future wife, Margaret, through his father. They were married on January 15th, 1949. They welcomed their only child, John T., on July 8, 1952, while living in Pendleton OR where John R. worked for a welding supply company.

The family moved to Cedar Hills in Portland in 1959 and started attending a Baptist church in Portland. John R. continued to work in the welding industry as the lead salesman and troubleshooter. He retired in the late 1970’s.

1981 saw a move to the Episcopal church from the Baptist church and the beginning of his ministry as coordinator for the weekly Episcopal services at Maryville Nursing home, first with his wife, then he carried on after her death in 1996 until 2009, 28 years of service.

John R. started attending the Greek Orthodox church in Beaverton after his son & daughter-in-law, John T. and Janet, became Orthodox; and on Sep 5, 2009 he was Baptized and Chrismated, taking the name John for St. John Chrysostom. John had been reading one of the prayers St. John Chrysostom wrote during Morning Prayer and when the opportunity came to choose a Saint name for his Baptismal name the choice was easy.

He reposed on August 8th in Cornelius Oregon. Janet's sister & brother-in-law were able to be there with us, all four of us holding his hands, praying with and for him, reading Psalms and anointing him with Holy Oil from the vigil lamps that surround the Holy Relics of St. John Maximovich in San Francisco.

John is survived by his son John Athanasios Wehlitz and his daughter-in-law Janet Evpraxia Wehlitz.

In lieu of sending flowers please send any donations to the St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church's building fund at 14485 S.W. Walker Rd., Beaverton, Oregon 97006.

Arrangements under the direction of Pegg, Paxson & Springer Funeral Chapel, Beaverton, OR.