- British Columbia, Canada, Marriage Index, 1872-1935 -
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Jean Ann Darlene Evans
1938-2009
Jean Ann Darlene Evans, resident of Tomslake, British Columbia, passed away on Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at 70 years of age.
A Memorial Service was held on Saturday, March 7, 2009 at 2:00 pm at the Royal Canadian Legion, Chetwynd, British Columbia.
Pastor Bill Evans officiated.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Jean, may be made by way of a donation to the
"Peace River Haven Foundation" Box 188,
Pouce Coupe, British Columbia V0C 2C0.
Kazmir Walter Novitsky
1926-2009
Kazmir Walter Novitsky was born on the farm in Radway, Alberta September 12, 1926, the youngest of three children born to Henry and Anastasia Novitsky. Kasey Attended Shakespere school, a two room school in the Weasel Creek community. Kasey completed grade 10, which was the highest grade offered. He grew up on a farm and learned farming from his father. As a child Kasey played baseball, loved comic books. Ukrainian dance and of course, enjoyed teasing his older sisters. Kasey was musically inclined. He played the mandolin and had a great singing voice, in fact as a boy he was invited to sing in the school choir.
As a boy Kasey was fascinated with airplanes. Kasey’s mom sent him into Radway to sell the farm cream. Henry and Anastasia were working in the yard later in the day when an airplane came flying very low overhead. At this point Anastasia was worried it was going to crash into the farm. Henry laughed and told Anastasia not to worry and that it was her cream cheque flying overhead. It turns out there just happened to be a man selling airplane rides in Radway and Kasey couldn’t resist.
Kasey met Olga at a friend’s wedding dance in 1948 when Olga was 19 and Kasey was 22. They married in 1949. They had a traditional Ukrainian wedding in Radway which took 2 days. Randy Novitsky was born a year later. They would have been married 60 years in October. Kasey loved to dance and he and Olga enjoyed attending many community dances.
Homestead land was available in the Bonanza area. Kasey and his dad Henry spent summers in Bonanza clearing the homestead and then in 1952 Kasey and his family moved to Bonanza permanently to the farm where they lived until moving into Dawson Creek a few years ago.
Kasey helped with various community building projects (school, church, skating rink, hall) . Kasey’s water truck would often be seen flooding the local skating rink for the community kids.
Then one day Pacific oilfield came to drill on Kasey and Olga’s land and Kasey became one of the first oilfield contractors in the Bonanza area. Kasey enjoyed over 50 years in the oilfield business. This year K. Novitsky Contracting received the People’s Choice award for Best Place to work.
Kazmir and Olga enjoyed driving trips through Alberta and British Columbia, and into Alaska, seeing the countryside and of course, checking out the crops everywhere they went.
Kasey is survived by his loving wife Olga, his son Randy and wife Lois, granddaughter Rhonda and her husband Cam, great-grandchildren Reiss, Rory; his grandson Dennis and his wife Karlynn and great-granddaughter Rachael ; and his two sisters Kay Richardson and Frances Shaw.
A funeral service was held on March 2, 2009 at the Bergeron Funeral Chapel, Dawson Creek, British Columbia, officiated by Reverend Marilyn Carroll. A private family interment followed in the Brookside Cemetery.
John James Phillips
1928-2009
John James Phillips long time resident of Dawson Creek passed away peacefully Feb 24th 2009 at the age of 80 years.
John was born a cockney October 12th, 1928 in Westham, in the east end of London to Jenny and John Thomas Phillips. John was the eldest of five kids. John lived in London during the war years and experienced the Blitz firsthand.
As a young man John was in the Royal Airforce right after the war. John was stationed in Germany in 1948 when the Berlin airlift was going on and had a job of manifesting the Royal Airforce planes so the Air Ministry new exactly what they had up in the air and on the ground so they would know exactly whatwas was available to them. John also was a boxer in the Royal Airforce. A sport he enjoyed all his life.
John emigrated to Canada with his wife Joyce and his two young children Linda and John juniorin May of 1966. John worked on the WAC Bennet Dam, for the City of Dawson Creek and finally for Dept of Highways where he retired in 1988.
John enjoyed his retirement and the many trips he took overseas with his wife Joyce. John could always be seen riding the streets and highways of the Dawson Creek area on his Black BMW motorcycle. Over the years John helped many a touring motorcyclist out who was either broken down or needed directions,which reflected well not only on him but also for our town of Dawson Creek.
John loved his family more than anything and adored all of his Grandchildren that brought him great pleasure. Some of John's happiest days were having all of the Phillips grandkids camping in his 5th wheel out at Moberly Lake, with his beloved dog Winston.John would have all the grandkids on the edge of their seats while he told his terrific stories around the campfire.
Although John had a tough exterior he also had a personable friendly side to him once you got to know him. John was hard working,he respected people no matter what their standing was within the community or society and believed in no free rides.
John a dear husband, Father and Grandfather willbe fondly remembered by his wife Joyce, children Linda and John junior, grandchildren Vanessa, Jessica, Justin, Kristin and great grandchildren Caleb and Portia.
A memorial service was held on March 3, 2009 at the Bergeron Funeral Chapel, Dawson Creek, British Columbia, officiated by Reverend John Klassen.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in memory of John by way of a donation to the BC Heart and Stroke Foundation Box 714, Dawson Creek, BC V1G 4H7 or the S.P.C.A. 637-114 Avenue, Dawson Creek, BC V1G 3A1.
Wanda May Grimard
1948-2009
Wanda May Grimard. daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandma (Nonnie) and friend to many passed away at home on February 13, 2009. Wanda was a long time resident of Dawson Creek, B.C. although she was born in Harrowsmith, Ontario.
Wanda May Grimard was the 4th of 7 born to Robert Gerald Fellows and Naomi Ruth Timmerman on August 21st, 1948. She grew up on a farm in Sydenham, Ontario with her loving family.
Wanda attended Forest Public School then Sydenham High until she was 17, at that time, Albert Grimard, called for her to go courting. They were married October 1st, 1967. She was just 18 years old. They went on to have four sons, Travis, Kirk, Earol and Adam between 1968 and 1974.
After 24 wonderful years, the angels called for Albert, and Wanda continued on, to raise her children.
On March 21st, 1999 her family grew as Don Bottle stole her heart and added 3 beautiful daughters to her family. Time and time again Don spoiled Wanda with trips to concerts, dinners, shopping, and family excursions. But her favorite time spent, was Sunday dinners with the whole family.
Wanda enjoyed travelling, camping, hunting, music and friends. Travelling across Canada was not unusual for her, there were too many times to count. There were many times that Wanda went camping although always a lady, she did not have a hard time roughing it. Her favorite spot to escape with Don was to Tatuk Lake Lodge Cabin # 5.
As for music, it was her sons that fulfilled that love, time and time again you could see her bursting with pride as they played and sang together. But most of all, Wanda enjoyed, watching her children grow and in later years her grandchildren. One thing that Wanda was well known for was being a mother to all, she always said, the more the merrier, we are all family.
After obtaining her E.C.E. she worked as a childcare provider off and on for many years until she was blessed with 16 grandchildren.
Wanda did not want anybody mourning her death. She wanted everybody to be happy and to get on with their lives, Kirk says it best, On February 13th Dad called for Mom again, and we all have to be happy for them.
A funeral service was held on February 19, 2009 at the Bergeron Funeral Chapel, Dawson Creek, BC, officiated by Pastor David Roch. Interment followed in the Brookside Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be made in memory of Wanda by way of a donation to the “Canadian Cancer Society” 1000-105 Avenue, Dawson Creek, BC V1G 2B9.
Henry Irvin Wilford
1920-2009
Henry Wilford was born on the farm on Nov 13th, 1920. His father, James Wilford and mother Ethel came over from England and settled in the peace country where he grew up and lived the remainder of his life. Henry was a brother to Muriel, his sister. The country living and rural lifestyle suited Henry to a tee. His love of the outdoors and hard work kept his spirit high.
Henry was schooled in the area at the Saskatoon Crossing School and North Dawson School and then went on to farm land just north of Dawson Creek in the Kilkerran Area. Growing up, Henry loved to attend the local dances and this love of dancing continued on into his senior years.
After many years as a bachelor, Henry met his future wife Dorothy Neville at a dance in 1976 and a few months later, Henry married Dorothy.He was welcomed into the family as a new stepdad, grandpa to all the kids. Henry took becoming grandpa to so many new kids in stride. The kids all had a family discussion and it was decided – he would be called Grampa Henry. When the next generation of kids come along, he was now Great Grandpa.
Henry passed away on February 11, 2009 in Dawson Creek, BC at the age of 88 years. He is survived by his wife Dorothy Wilford; sister Muriel (Jerry) Weselak; children: Ron (Maxine) Neville, Gerald (Della) Neville, Lorraine (Brian) Newby and Leonard (Carol) Neville; grandchildren: Barb (John) Inkster, Lynn (Peter) Potratz, Ron Neville Jr., Robert (Raj) Neville, Richard (Lydia) Neville, Suzanne (Gordon) Currie, Sharon (Shawn) Norris, Carson (Kirsten) Newby, Curtis (Cindy) Newby, Marina Neville and Theresa Neville; great-grandchildren: Jessica and Kyle Inkster, Travis and Staci Potratz, Brandon, Lyndon and Sarah Neville, Alysha, Alyssa and David Currie, Ashley, Tyler, Sara and Casey Norris, Sydney and Nikolas Newby, Carey Newby, Kaylee and Emily Neville.
A funeral service was held on February 20, 2009 at the Bergeron Funeral Chapel, Dawson Creek, BC, officiated by Peggy Bergeron. A Private family service was held in the Willow Valley Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be made in memory of Henry by way of a donation to the “S.P.C.A.” 637-114 Avenue, Dawson Creek, BC V1G 3A1 or the “Pouce Coupe Care Home” Box 98, Pouce Coupe, BC V0C 2C0.
JILL LYNN NORTHAN
1941-2009
Jill was born in Port Arthur, Ontario, on April 10, 1941. She was one of 4 girls born to George Henry Northan and Irene May Northan, (nee Barker) .
The family moved from Ontario to British Columbia, first to Penticton, then to Vernon, finally settling in Kelowna where Jill grew up and went to school.
Jill married Neil Stables, July 4, 1959 in Kelowna. That fall they moved to Vancouver where Neil completed his University degree in Civil Engineering. From Vancouver they moved to Victoria, where their first two children were born; Heather Lynn in 1960, and Charles Owen in 1962. In the summer of 1962 they moved to Dawson Creek, where their 3rd child, Glenn Earl was born in 1964.
In the early years in Dawson Creek Jill was a stay-at-home mother, but as her children grew she worked at various jobs in the community. She worked at Imperial Oil, Firestone Tire, Household Finance to name a few. Her most satisfying job was at the Mizpah Transition House where she worked for a number of years. It was at Mizpah and because of her belief in the Women’s Rights movement that she went back to using her maiden name. After working at Mizpah for some years she became a contributing writer and photographer for the Peace River Block News, where one of her stories for an annual Remembrance Day Edition of the paper won her a national newspaper award. For the last 8 years she worked at Bill’s News which she enjoyed very much.
Jill for many years was a member of the Dawson Creek Citizens on Patrol group. She spent over 200 volunteer hours patrolling the late night streets of Dawson Creek.
Jill died at home in Dawson Creek with her family by her side in the early morning of February 18th. She is survived by her husband Neil; her 3 children, Heather (Bob) Prince of Terrace, B.C., Owen Stables, of Prince George, B.C., and Glenn (Alanda) Stables of Bessborough; her elder sister, Marlene (Ivan) Ching, of Bassano, Alberta; her twin sister Judy Northan, “Jonesy Louis”, of Smithers; and her younger sister, Sharron (Dick) Bruggmann, of Wenatchee, Washington. Jill also leaves 7 grandchildren: Dean Neil (Aaryn) Norman; Cory, Nicole, and Josh Stables; and Chanel Bedell, Kelsey Bedell, and Laine Stables. Jill also had 3 great-grandchildren: Jace, Reid, and Dax Norman.
A social gathering to celebrate Jill’s life was held on February 21, 2009 at the Bergeron Funeral Services social room. Jill’s cremated remains were laid to rest at the Dawson Creek City Cemetery Columbarium on February 23, 2009.
Robert Edward "Bob" Heath
1927-2009
Robert Edward Heath was born to Robert and Vera Heath in Calgary, Alberta on the 11 January 1927. Two years later, his only sibling, Gwen, was born. Bob grew up in Calgary, but also spent time in and around Turner Valley just as the first oilfields were opened up after 1937. In particular, he lived and worked, even as a boy, at Little Chicago hauling water for thirsty rig hands, which is now Longview, Alberta. Bob attended and graduated from Western Canada High School in Calgary. Shortly after graduation, while working on a ranch just west of Calgary, at Jumping Pound, Bob drove a small herd of saddle horses into the Calgary Stockyards. He loaded these horses as well as his own in a boxcar and headed east to Ontario with them.
In Ontario, Bob lived and worked with cousins on his Grandpa Scotchmer’s farm located just outside the village of Bayfield. In Bayfield, Bob met Beryl; they married on Christmas Day, 1948. In 1951, Bob and Beryl moved west to Calgary. When Bob and Beryl arrived in Calgary he worked construction, chiefly as a dozer operator, then for MacLin Ford, and for General Motors. Between 1954 and 1958 all the three Heath children—Lynn, Kevin, and Tim—were born. Bob and Beryl left Calgary and headed for the Peace Country, ending up in Dawson Creek in 1959. In the fifty years he spent in Dawson Creek, Bob was part of the partnership that founded Dawson Universal Sales, the Pontiac, Buick, GMC dealership now known as Timberline Sales, and he owned Dawson Creek Cleaners, worked as a realtor, as a Justice of the Peace, a coroner, sat on the Court of Revision, served as a Freemason and Shriner, and was an active member of the Dawson Creek Sportsman’s club.
Bob is predeceased by his wife, Beryl Ann Heath.
He is survived by daughter Lynn Heath and Rick Collis, grandchildren: Roland Esposito, Lucas Esposito, Maligne Esposito, son Kevin and Melody Heath, grandchildren: Bronaugh Heath-Waugh, Vanessa Dertschal, Kamen Heath, VeraRay Heath, and Katie Heath, son Tim Heath and Rita Dirks Heath, and sister Gwen Kjonaas.
A Celebration of Life was held on February 7, 2009 at the Best Western Banquet Room. Bob’s remains will be interred this coming spring in a private family service at Brookside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Dawson Creek Hospital Foundation or to any children’s charity are welcome.
Irene Elisabeth Schoenstein
1919 - 2009
Schoenstein, Irene (nee Klemmer) passed away peacefully on June 14, 2009 in Pouce Coupe, BC. She was born on Feb. 2, 1919 in Podhomy, Czechoslovakia, predeceased by her husband Josef Schoenstein and son Lothar Mueller. Irene will be deeply missed by her children Ingrid (Fred) David, Dorthea (Peter) Hocher, Renate (Ed) Green, grandchildren Michele David, Gail (Stewart) Hiar, Joe (Heather) Hocher, Eleonore David, Chris (Brenda) Hocher, Patty (Mike) Hill, Leonard Green and Rebecca Green, along with 10 great grandchildren. Irene loved her family, friends, and community.
Her life revolved around being a wife and a homemaker working on the family farm. She was active in the community; she volunteered at the town library, CCA hall, community choir and she also belonged to the Ladies’ Auxiliary in Pouce Coupe. She participated in many community events. Irene was a talented musician and singer. The family would like to thank the many people in the community who helped Irene in many ways over the past years.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in memory of Irene by way of donation to the: “Charity of your choice’.
A funeral service was held on June 19, 2009 at Bergeron Funeral Chapel and an Inurnment on June 20, 2009 in the Tomslake Community Cemetery.
