John H. "Big John" Essink, 79 of Deadwood, was born in Artesian S.D. January 14, 1942 to John and Fern Essink.  He passed away in his home with his loving wife by his side on February 7, 2021 following a long battle with cancer.

He graduated from Artesian High School in 1960.  After graduation, John went to Fort Riley Kansas for basic training in the Army.  He served proudly in Korea for 16 months.  He is a lifelong member of the Moose Lodge and VFW.

John married Pat Webster (Moore) in Letcher, S.D. on August 12, 1960.  To that marriage they had three children, Dan, Jeff and Lisa. In 1965, they moved to Deadwood, S.D. where he worked at Homestake Mining Company until 1972.  He then opened John's Welding and Repair in 1973 until his retirement.

On December 24, 1978 John married Penny Olson.  They had a wonderful life together enjoying many things and making great memories.

John loved hunting, fishing, and camping, dancing, traveling and 4 wheeling.  He never passed up the opportunity to go 4 wheeling with his family and friends.  Most of all John enjoyed visiting with everyone he met.

John and Penny wintered 21 years in Texas, and he couldn't wait to head south in the fall to hang out with his great friends and family to play cards, go dancing and just have fun.  John never met a stranger, he loved talking to everyone!

John was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Mary Hemminger and Opal Sprague; son, Jeff; daughter-in-law Teddi and his stepdaughter, Cindy.  He leaves behind his wife Penny; son, Dan (Michelle) Essink; daughter, Lisa (Mike) Kitzmiller; daughter-in-law, Sherry Essink; stepdaughter, Deb (John) Tridle; stepson, Russ (Kay) Webster; stepdaughter, Belinda (Scott) Rovere; sister. JoAnn (Lavern) Ross; sister-in-law, Mary (Ryan) Hedlund; 25 grandkids, 32 great-grandkids, six great-great grandkids and numerous nieces and nephews.

There will be a celebration of John's life at a later (warmer) date.

Arrangements are under the care of the Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Isburg Crematory of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com