Daily Press
Victorville, San bernardino, CA.
11 Sept 2007 , B2

JOHN ALTWINE

John Joseph Altwine passed away Aug. 30, 2007, at the age of 81.
John was born July 2, 1926, in Los Angeles to Albert and Cecilia Altwine. He served in the Navy during World War II as an instructor on landing crafts from 1944 to 1946 in Coronado. In 1953 he married Margaret Valleroy and had two sons, Timothy and Michael. In 1984 Margaret died after 31 years of marriage. The Altwines lived in West Covina from 1955 to 1988, while John worked as an alignment and brake mechanic from 1953 to 1988, and retired after 35 years. In 1985 John met Diane Swope and in 1988 they moved to Rowland Heights where John kept busy as a handy man. In February 1994, John moved with Diane to Victorville and they married Dec. 4, 1998, in Las Vegas, Nev.
John lived in Victorville for 13 years until his death. John enjoyed any trip involving steam trains, growing roses, carpentry and going to visit coastal areas. John always showed a great devotion and loyalty to his family and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
John is survived by his wife, Diane; his sister Christina "Toots" Faacks of Victorville; sons Timothy of Victorville and Michael of Alabama; grandchildren Charlene Altwine of Victorville, Autum Hargett of Russellville, Ala., Michael of California, Amanda, John and Melony Altwine of Alabama; great-grandchildren John-Tyler and Nicholas of Russellville, Ala., and his two beloved dogs Lucky and Mitzu. He is also survived by his step-children Elizabeth Witty of Baldwin Park and Charles Swope of Tennessee; step-grandchildren Andrew Witty, Amber Gonzales and Anthony Witty of Baldwin Park; step-great grandchildren Frank and Thomas Gonzales of Baldwin Park.
The celebration of John's life is today at Holy Innocents Catholic Church in Victorville. Visitation is from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. At 2 p.m. Fr. Mark Lander will celebrate the funeral Mass.
Interment will follow the Mass at Desert View Memorial Park in Victorville. A reception will follow the interment at Holy Innocents Catholic Church in the St. Peter and St. Paul room.