- British Columbia, Canada, Marriage Index, 1872-1935 -
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Weslie Lenard Copeland
1946 - 2009
Weslie Lenard Copeland, resident of Montney, B.C. passed away August 12, 2009. Wes was born October 10, 1946 and was 62 years of age when he passed away.
A Memorial service was held Friday, August 21, 2009 at 2:00pm at the North Peace Mennonite Brethren Church, 10816-106 Street, Fort St. John, BC
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Wes may be made by way of donation to the:
Darren Almond Memorial Travel Foundation,
Box 6134, Fort St. John, BC., V1J 4H6
Hugh Hodgkinson
1936 - 2009
It was a bright day on February 17th 1936 at Basingstoke in England when Ronald & Mary Hodgkinson welcomed their only child into their lives. By the time Hugh was three years of age World War 2 had broken out and the family of three was evacuated to Cornwall, England for the duration of the war. Ronald & Mary divorced after the war. Mary then married Geoffrey Ford of Chesterfield in Derbyshire and became stepmother to his two children, Gillian and John. Hugh's family grew to six. Hugh graduated from William Rhodes School in Chesterfield at the age of sixteen.
I first met Hugh when we both went to Agricultural College at Broomfield Hall in Derbyshire, in England in the fall of 1953. We became firm friends as the college year progressed and became true buddies as the years past by. This allowed me the privilege knowing something of his earlier years. They were not easy years for Hugh. He had some serious health problems as a pre-teenager which resulted in a life threatening situation and resulted in an operation which left him with only one and a half lungs. Hugh’s strength of character and determination even at that early age was very evident, as it was during the rest of his life, and that strength of character and determination were instrumental in Hugh being the kind of man we all knew and respected right up to his passing on.
In March 1956 Hugh came to Canada, to Lower Nicola, a small village near Merritt B.C., to work on a ranch. During his time in Lower Nicola, he met and married Edith Chlopan. Hugh and Edith moved to St George’s Indian Residential School at Lytton B.C. in 1959, to manage the farm that was associated with the school.
Our friendship was such that even though we had gone our separate ways since leaving college, we had kept in touch, and in early March of 1960 we (I also was married in 1959) got a letter from Hugh basically saying “Come on over to Canada, Clem, there’s a job here for you on the farm at the school.” On the strength of the letter, I was a landed immigrant, in Lytton B.C. on April 07 1960, and Hugh and I worked together for about a year, when it started to become very difficult for Hugh to manage the farm without interference from the principal of the school, Budget restraints with the management of the farm eventually caused Hugh to leave and move his family to Cranbrook, BC where Edith’s family were. Hugh worked around there for a while and then went logging in the Lillooet area. During that time, Hugh became the proud father of 2 sons, Christopher, born July 08 1961, and David, born July 31 1962. Unfortunately, Hugh and Edith parted, and were divorced.
I was working in the BA service station in Cache Creek, and Hugh being in the Lillooet area, he would come over and stay with us. He met Bette-Ann in Cache Creek and they began dating. She had come up from Vancouver Island to work for the summer at Hungry Herbie’s, a hamburger drive-in, next to the BA station. Hugh moved over from logging to construction and eventually went up to Hudson’s Hope in September 1965, driving truck for Ed Kitt hauling gravel to Northern’s batch plant. Bette-Ann followed Hugh up to Hudson’s Hope in 1966 and they set up house and were married in the Lutheran church in Hudson’s Hope on Aug 20 1966. Hugh moved over to work for Northern Construction as a teamster, mostly driving bus and truck.
As the work on the dam wound down in late 1968/1969 Hugh and BA decided to go into business, and with Greg Blancher, bought the taxi/water hauling/trailer hauling business from Arnold Geddes. After a while they bought out Greg and were on their own. On June 20 1972, Hugh and BA were blessed with a son, Mark.
Hugh’s strength of character and determination now had a chance to shine through once again, and with Bette-Ann and Mark by his side, the various sections of their business, under the name of Peace View Enterprises, were successful. Notably the school busses, the BC Hydro dam tour bus, and the general contracting. In the ‘70s and ‘80s Hugh was always pretty busy with both the business and his many other interests.
Hugh became a member of the Hudson’s Hope Lions Club in June 1972, assumed the position of Secretary from 1973 to 1974 and eventually served two terms as President from 1977 to 1978 and 1981 to 1982. Besides being on the board of Directors from 1973 until his passing, he also served as Zone Chairman from 1988 to 1990. He was responsible for sponsoring ten men into the Lions, including his son, Mark. Through his dedication to the Lions Club, he chaired over thirty committees, including buying the first Lions van, Lions rep on the Arena Building Committee, Lotteries, Benefit Dances, RCMP Band Concert and Town cleanup.
Hugh entered into local politics and was elected Alderman from 1974 to 1975. He went back into the politics scene in 1982, becoming Mayor of Hudson’s Hope, holding the post for five and half years from January 1982 to December 1988. During that time, Hugh served on various committees.
He was Chairman of the Board of the Northern Lights College, he was a member of the Environmental Appeal Board of BC. He served on the Fort St. John and local hospital boards and he was Chairman of the Hudson’s Hope Senior Citizens Housing Committee.
The middle seventies saw the start of what was to be a passion, shared by BA, for travelling, by motor home and also by air and sea. As Mark grew up he was able to help with the business to the point that Hugh could take time away from it, and fulfill the travel urge. Hugh and BA travelled extensively both on the North American continent and overseas and derived much enjoyment out of those travels. A couple of trips that stands out in my mind from talking to Hugh and Bette-Ann were the Round the World by air trip that they took and the river cruise from Vienna to Amsterdam. Hugh talked to me often about these trips and how glad and happy he was that they had taken them.
Lorna & I had the privilege to share many trips with Hugh & Bette-Ann. Last November, we celebrated a memorable thirty year reunion trip to Hawaii.
The motor home travelling led to Hugh and BA getting a place at Monte Vista in Mesa, Arizona, and they became ‘Snowbirds’. Eventually they put a park model on the lot and established a lovely second home. They have lots of friends down there and Hugh enjoyed jeeping with some of his buddies out in the desert.
Hugh and Bette-Ann got so acclimatized to the warmer climate that when they returned to Canada, they yearned for the warmth that was obviously beneficial for his health. In the Spring of 1998, the spot they chose was Crystal Sands at Mara Lake, south of Sicamous. Here they established their second Canadian home, a beachfront property, looking north up the lake.
Once again, Hugh became heavily involved in the development of the resort. This little bit of paradise enabled them to make many new and firm friends. It was here that Hugh spent his final days.
Family meant a lot to Hugh. The death of his eldest son, Christopher on June 6th 1983 at the age of 21 from a longtime illness with asthma was a great shock.
David, his second son, moved to the Peace Country in 1986 and resumed a closer relationship with his father. David has blessed Hugh by giving him four grandsons: Brian, born October 6 1983, David born May 20 1986, Mathew born December 9, 1996 and Michael born August 30, 2000.
On the recent marriage of his son, Mark, he gained another grandson; Shawn aged “almost 3”. Not one girl in the bunch.
Hugh’s most precious blessing was the love and friendship of his soul mate, Bette-Ann. Theirs was a true partnership – you rarely thought of or mentioned one’s name without the other.
Besides his Canadian family and many friends, Hugh will be sadly missed by his brother, John and family, his Aunt Betty and cousins Keith & Carolyn & Lisa & Andrew of England.
As for me, no one could have had a truer and more steadfast friend.
Norman Konopke
1963 - 2009
Norman Eric Konopke, resident of Dawson Creek, B.C. passed away August 13, 2009. Norm was born March 10, 1963 and was 46 years of age when he passed away. A Memorial service was held Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 2:00 pm at the Bergeron Funeral Chapel in Dawson Creek, British Columbia.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Norman may be made by way of donation to the:
"Canadian Cancer Society"
1000 - 105 avenue, Dawson Creek, B.C., V1G 2B9
John Rotar
1917 - 2009
A Memorial Service for the late John Rotar, resident of Dawson Creek, was held Saturday, August 22 at 1:00 pm at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnessess, 644-105a avenue in Dawson Creek.
John passed away Saturday, August 8, 2009 in Dawson Creek at the age of 92 years.
Michael "Mike" Redfearn
1947 - 2009
Michael Redfearn, known to many as ‘Mike or Mick Redfearn’ resident of Chetwynd, BC, passed away on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 in his 61st year. He was born on September 23, 1947 in Sheffield, Yorkshire, United Kingdom.
A Memorial service was held on Saturday, August 8, 2009 at 1:00pm at the Legion Hall, Chetwynd, BC
Expressions of sympathy may be made by way of donation to ‘Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia’ c/o The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada, 310 – 1682 West 7th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6J 4S6
Clifford Wayne Fullerton aka Wayne Fullerton
1943 - 2009
Clifford Wayne Fullerton, also known as Wayne Fullerton, was born on June 5, 1943 and passed away on Friday, July 31, 2009 in Dawson Creek Hospital. Wayne was predeceased by his father Norman and his mother Alice. He is survived by his wife Willa, his sisters Joyce, Norma, and Sheila, and their spouses, Slim Wilson, Ed Nock, and Glen McCoy, respectively.
Wayne was blessed with a large extended family including many nieces, nephews, step children, grandchildren, great nieces and great nephews whom he loved and cherished. Wayne was raised on the family farm in the Sunnybrook area and attended schools at the Sunny brook School. It was in this setting that he developed his great passion for anything out doors. He loved nature and spent as much time as possible close to it. Hunting, fishing, and exploring, were his favorite pastimes. His transport of choice ranged from horses, to pickups to Terra Jets, snowmobiles, Argos and finally his quad which he continued to ride right up to a few days before he passed away.
Wayne was a man of many talents including: playing guitar, singing and an artistic talent for wood work.
Above all Wayne loved his family and friends and enjoyed spending time with them either at work or at play.
Wayne had a wonderful sense of humor and it seemed to be heightened when either sitting around a camp fire or in front of a hockey game on Saturday night.
Wayne was an incredibly humble man and never believed that his talents measured up and was always able to find fault with any of his creations either with his hands or his voice, even though those of us who were blessed with his talents would disagree. Fortunately we are left with the fruits of these talents whether it is a piece of his handy work or a recording of his beautiful voice. These pieces of Wayne will continue on to help us first cope with this great loss and then remember this wonderful husband, and brother and friend.
Inurnment was held on Wednesday August 12, 2009 at Brookside Cemetery in Dawson Creek, British Columbia.
A memorial service was held on Thursday, September 10, 2009 at Bergeron Funeral Chapel, Dawson Creek. British Columbia. Peggy Bergeron officiated. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Clifford Wayne Fullerton may be made to “The Canadian Cancer Society”.
Nancy Farrell Hogg
1937 – 2009
Nancy Hogg passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends in Dawson Creek Hospital on July 23, 2009 after a very short stay. She was diagnosed with cancer only one week before.
Nancy is survived by her three children Wanda (Dave) Wilson of Groundbirch, British Columbia; David (Reggie) O’Farrell of Whitehorse, Yukon; and Rita (Rick) Marion of Grande Prairie, Alberta. Nancy was also very proud of her five grandchildren Kayla O’Farrell; James O’Farrell; and Katie O’Farrell from Whitehorse, Yukon; as well as Darnelle Bemaman and Colen Wilson from Chetwynd, British Columbia.
Nancy is predeceased by her late husband Jim Farrell and granddaughter Randi Wilson.
Nancy had requested that no service was to be held. Many thanks to Pastors Gordon and Linda Warriner as well as all of Nancy’s extended family at Bethel Pentecostal Tabernacle who were there for her and her family. We “sang her home” to her favorite hymn (In the Sweet Bye and Bye) .
Nancy was cremated and will be laid to rest on her old orchard in Creston, British Columbia at a later date.
Carol Eldstrom (aka Denise Merrick)
1970 - 2009
Carol Eldstrom of Dawson Creek, B.C., formally of Manning, Alberta passed away Monday, July 27, 2009 at 38 years of age. She was born September 6, 1970 in Manning, Alberta. A Funeral service was held on Tuesday, August 4 at the Bergeron Funeral Chapel, Dawson Creek, B.C.
Carol was interred into her son Chance's grave in the Riverview cemetery, Pouce Coupe, British Columbia.
Patrick Neil Merrick
1973 - 2009
Patrick Merrick resident of Port Moody, British Columbia (formerly of Dawson Creek, British Columbia), passed away on Tuesday July 28, 2009 in his 36th year.
Memorial service was held on Monday, August 3, 2009 at the Legion Hall in Pouce Coupe, British Columbia.
Expressions of sympathy may be made by way of donation to the
“Children’s Wish Foundation” #119 – 4240, Manor Street, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5G 1B2
or
the “Royal Canadian Legion Branch #34” Box 216 Pouce Coupe, British Columbia, V0C 2C0
Christina Erica Holtby
1909 - 2009
HOLTBY, Christina Erica, passed away peacefully at the Hythe Continuing Care Home on July 13th, 2009. Christina celebrated her 100th birthday in April, with a large group of family and friends who shared many happy memories and recollections. A former resident of Pouce Coupe & Doe River, Christina most recently resided in Tumbler Ridge before moving to the Hythe Pioneer Home in 2006. She was predeceased by her husband Harold, in 1955, her second husband Redvers, in 1980 as well as her oldest son, Bob. Survivors include her son Bert (Joanne), daughter Helen (Lawrence), daughter (Doris), 10 grandchildren, several great grandchildren and many close friends. Many thanks to the caregivers at the Hythe Continuing Care Home, the Beaverlodge Hospital and Alice Reidel, who provided her so much comfort and friendship. Private cremation by Bergeron Funeral Home.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Bergeron Funeral Services & Crematorium Ltd. Dawson Creek, British Columbia.
