On June 5, 2017, John Shybut, 83, of North Platte passed away at Great Plains Health with family by his side. John was born in Belarus on June 28, 1933, to Theodore Shybut and Olga Avarich Shybut. He and his family immigrated to the United States in 1949 shortly following WWII. They lived in New Jersey before settling in Pueblo, Colo.
John served in the U.S. Army as a medic and played soccer for the United Armed Forces Team in Europe. Upon his discharge from service, he studied at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he earned his Doctorate of Philosophy in Psychology.
John served in the Peace Corps from 1972-1977 in Malaysia and Micronesia. Upon returning from the Peace Corps, he was hired as a psychologist by the Region IV Mental Health Services District in Norfolk, Neb. He met and married Sandra Breach, and their four children were born in Norfolk.
John and Sandra moved to North Platte in 1989 to work for Region II Human Services. John maintained his position with Region II, working at Heartland Counseling in North Platte, until his retirement in 2010. Brought up in the Russian Orthodox Church, John became a member of the First United Methodist Church in North Platte, and was affiliated with the North Platte Tennis Association.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Olga Shybut; his brother, Vitali; and his sister, Luba Campbell. He is survived by his daughter, Natalia (Tyler) Wiita, Lincoln; grand-daughter, Taylor Wiita; son, Nicholas (Mikaela) Shybut, Lincoln; son, Aleksis Shybut, Washington, D.C.; son, Mikel Shybut, Sacramento, Calif.; former wife, Sandra Breach; his brother, George (Rebecca) Shybut and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and a great-nephew.
A memorial has been established in his memory. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.
Services will be 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 9, 2017 at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Douglas A. Delp officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be Saturday at the Roselawn Cemetery near Pueblo, CO.
Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.